Clinic of the Year 2023 Winner Q&A

1. Tell us a little about your natural medicine clinic and the services you offer:

Jackie’s Sports Massage offers remedial massage treatments, and our focus is to provide the highest quality massages to benefit a wide range of ailments from headaches, upper and lower back pain, stress relief and management, sports injury rehabilitation and general maintenance massage for a healthy lifestyle and state of wellbeing.

2. When and why did you start your clinic?
From a very young age after having received a life changing massage when I was just 16 years old and already riddled with injuries from sport, I knew that I wanted to work with the body and in the massage field. I established Jackie’s Sports Massage in 1994 when I was 19 years old and had just graduated from the Remedial Massage Diploma at the Australasian College of Natural Therapies. My aim was to have one of Sydney’s leading clinics with an outstanding reputation for providing an outstanding premium service. Over the past 29 years the clinic has grown into a highly reputable clinic and my goals have been achieved.

3. What motivated you to practice your chosen field of natural medicine? Why are you so passionate about it?

My motivation has always been driven by the desire to help people feel better in their bodies. I have always loved being able to help rid the body from chronic or acute pain plus sports injuries. I receive immense job satisfaction hearing that my clients feel so much better after their massages with us.

4. What is your vision and mission for your clinic?

After 30 years of running the business alongside being a full-time mother I am at a stage where I am ready to expand my business model and branch out into new locations and providing a nurturing and abundant healing space for massage therapists to come an earn a living doing what they love. Plus reaching more clients with our high-level remedial massage treatments.

5. How does your type of natural medicine benefit your clients?

It benefits our clients enormously as stress and chronic pain is rampant throughout our society and an excellent remedial massage can be the cure of so many ailments. I always tell our clients that massage therapy can fix more issues than they are aware of because a well-balanced body is a pain free body.

6. How does your clinic connect and engage with your local community?

Google and social media are how we connect. Word of mouth is however our best referral source.

7. What are some of the ways you advocate for the natural therapies industry?

I have applied for the natural therapies ambassador position so that my voice can be heard in this field.

8. In your opinion, what does the future of natural medicine look like?

It looks amazing as the world is heading more towards natural therapies finally! We have come so far in the 30 years I have been in the industry with remedial massage now being recognised by private health funds and many other allied health care practitioners on board with referrals.

9. What does it mean for you to have won this award?

I am so honoured to have won this award and have been inundated with hundreds on congratulatory emails from our clients. It has been a great promotion tool and a huge validation for all the decades of hard work my therapists and myself have applied.

 

X marks the spot- or does it?

Lady holding shoulder and neck with pained look on her face

It is a common misconception that the site of pain is the source of pain. Pain can be caused by a number of sources, including physical trauma, nerve damage, and illness. It is important to understand that the site of pain may not necessarily be the source of pain.

Those whom have seen a physical therapist be it an Osteopath, Massage Therapist, Physiotherapist and the like, you’ve most likely been given a body chart to mark ‘where it hurts’.

The majority of spots marked on the chart, are areas that ‘hurt’ and more often than not, it is due to referred pain. Except for joint issues and a problem with your deltoid, most ‘pain’ areas are actually referred pain coming from somewhere else.

Pain referral is a phenomenon where pain originating from one area of the body is felt in another area. It is a common occurrence in the body, and can be caused by a variety of factors.

The most common cause of pain referral is nerve impingement. When a nerve is entrapped, it can cause pain to radiate to other parts of the body. This can occur due to a variety of reasons, including tight muscles, scar tissue, or direct pressure on the nerve.

For example, a person may experience pain in the shoulder due to a pinched nerve in the neck. In this case, the source of the pain is the pinched nerve in the neck, but the site of the pain is the shoulder. This is why it is important to have a thorough medical examination to determine the source of the pain, rather than simply relying on the site of the pain as a diagnostic tool.

Pain referral can also be caused by pain from an internal organ. For example, pain originating in the gallbladder can be felt in the right shoulder. This is due to the fact that both the gallbladder and the shoulder are innervated by the same nerve.

Finally, pain referral can be caused by a “trigger point.” Trigger points are centralised points of tension within muscle tissue that can cause pain in other areas of the body. They are said to be ‘active’ when there is a sensation/pain without any pressure or palpation to the causative muscle. A tell tale sign that the pain sensations felt are from a trigger point, is when the sensation increases in intensity or is reproduced when pressed. Trigger points can be caused by poor posture, overuse, or trauma.

In all cases, pain referral can be a confusing and frustrating experience. If you are experiencing pain referral, it is important to seek medical attention to properly diagnose and treat the underlying cause.

In conclusion, it is important to understand that the site of pain is not necessarily the source of pain. Learning where the sensations are coming from, applying lifestyle measures to alleviate the issues, as well as manual/tactile therapies to help the true cause of the pain are necessary. This can be achieved with the release of overly tight tissues, decompressing spinal joints, relieving nerves and ultimately finding balance for the entire structure.

This is why when you go to a Massage Therapist, an Acupuncturist, a Kinesiologist and the like you may be receiving treatment in areas that don’t actually hurt. Be sure to ask questions and learn about your body. Learn what your body needs and how to prevent things getting into a state of pain and dysfunction again. And always seek a qualified, registered practitioner.

 

References:

J, Travell; D, Simons; L, Simons. 2nd Ed (1999) Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction. The Trigger Point Manual. Vol 1 & 2. USA Williams & Wilkins.

E, Goodman. (2016) True to Form. N.Y Harper Wave.

I, Segal. (2008) The Secret Language of your Body. Vic Blue Angel Gallery.

AI Chatbot.

What you should look for in a holistic healing environment

When we are about to do an exam, we create space for study. It is the mental space required to retain the information. When we are going on a holiday, we clear our schedule and minds and create the space for fun & adventure. When we are receiving a treatment, we create space to relax… but it isn’t always that easy, sometimes we need a little support getting there!

Therapists who can create a space for people to breathe and release on more than a physical level, have cultivated a true craft! Finding someone who can drop us into our parasympathetic nervous system after a hectic day, is a blessing! Being in our PNS is where all the magic happens! When we are seeking any form of therapy or healing, we are hoping the therapist sees more than just the physical issue and that just maybe, they may be able to create the space for a deeper level of healing. Exceptional therapists work in exceptional treatment spaces and have the wisdom and know how to create space within their clients for optimal healing. Creating space is a vibe, a sound, smell, colour and texture… it’s the tone in the therapists voice & the way we are received when we walk into a treatment space. We are there to immerse, not only to receive the treatment we have booked in for, that’s a given, but to feel we’ve had a self care experience that leaves us feeling full throughout all of the senses. Entering an inviting treatment space allows the space within to open to receive.

So often we walk into a therapy room, and it is nothing but clinical. The lighting is too bright, the walls covered in anatomy diagrams, maybe a struggle plant in the corner. First impressions and the energies of the room
are a big part of the experience yet so many therapists are not aware of this important factor.

As a Remedial therapist, I would always look for qualifications, certificates, accreditation’s and check the remedial therapists website for more information. This information gives us peace of mind that we are in qualified hands and should definitely be displayed. I am particularly interested in where my therapists have studied and what they have done to further their education.

Walking into an activated treatment space/clinic immediately starts to active release on a deeper level. We want OUT of our sympathetic (fight & flight) and INTO our parasympathetic (rest & digest) nervous systems, not the other way around. Soft, meditation music playing on arrival brings an immediate exhale. Essential oils or a candle burning with a lovely natural aroma like citrus lift and lighten the mental activity. Healing tools and products displayed in a decorative way shows us what the therapist offers. Having flowers and/or crystals around the space brings in an energy that lifts enhances the vibe. Books on display show us the self-education of the therapist and can guide us towards certain stages of our healing and/or physical, emotional & spiritual growth. A few hanging plants that are thriving, represent growth and nurturing.

The other thing that often stands out is the energy of the previous client. Not only in the room but in the energy of the therapist, this shows me there is no “Energetic Hygiene” happening in this space. I feel those energies and then feel I need to clear the space energetically before my own session. It is the practitioner or therapists’ responsibility to clear the space before the next session. It is imperative to ensure there is no energy transference and also gives the therapist a moment to clear their field of the previous session. It’s wonderful to find a therapist that is energetically aware and trained, the sessions are always so much more complete and nourishing for the body and soul. Simple sage or a space clearing spray to clear the space is a basic clearing method… in this era of energy awareness, this should always be considered for you to receive the treatment curated for you and you alone. It is noticed when a therapist just jumps into the treatment without taking a moment to connect. Who doesn’t love that moment of stillness and breath to shift out of the mental and into the space between mind and body. Those who have experienced a comprehensive treatment would understand the importance of the “Drop In” moment that melts the outside world away and ushers in the space for release and deep relaxation.

When the therapist spends therapeutic time where it’s needed and then adds some specialised energetic techniques into the session, it’s always appreciated. The days of no pain no gain are gone! Anywhere there is pain,
there will be an underlying emotional aspect so going deeply and gently is respectful and nurturing.
Understanding the chakra & meridian systems assists to connect the dots… Whatever therapy you are receiving, it’s always inspiring to see products used by the therapist to give us an idea of how to support our equilibrium. Anti-inflammatory CBD rolls on and oils are a gift from Mother Earth herself and perfect for the ultimate pain relief!

To truly create change, it’s important to understand that healing is holistic throughout all of the bodies, physical, emotional, mental and energetic. When we book a treatment, it’s more than therapeutic massage or whatever modality one is there for, we are booking time for self-care and nurturing. It is a sensory thing… not just a therapy thing!
Creating a space for healing is unique to each therapist – There is someone for everyone and it’s so relieving to find the therapist and therapy space that is right for you.

Why relaxing techniques shouldn’t be separated from remedial massage?

Remedial massage is known to address muscular conditions, whereas relaxing massage deeply relaxes one’s mind and body. In this blog we will discuss why these two modalities shouldn’t be separated.

Being on a massage table doesn’t automatically stop the monkey mind to be active. Therefore, starting with relaxation techniques for any type of massage and especially remedial massage is crucial. Once the mind is calm and quiet the body can heal faster, and the massage treatment is more efficient. Additionally, clients will feel mentally and emotionally rejuvenated.

A calm mind is depicted in a slow brain activity or brain wave frequency called alpha, theta and delta. On the other hand, Beta is the brain activity of the thinking process. Alpha and theta have a slower brain activity where a meditative state is occurring. Theta is especially known to be the state of drifting off or the feeling we have just before waking up. Delta wave is occurring through the slowest brain activity with a regenerative sleep.

It is scientifically proven that a meditative state of 30 minutes depicted in the alpha, or theta brainwave are like 2 hours of restorative sleep.

Bringing clients into this brain wave state will increase the benefits of the treatment as well as giving a sense of a deep restorative break.

The following paragraphs list a few techniques to facilitate clients to disconnect from their thinking process and get closer to a meditative state.

Grounding clients through the breath will induce a calming feeling and slowly release superficial contractions of the body. By placing both hands on the back of the clients and asking them to inhale and exhale for a few times will force them to connect to the present moment. At this stage the body becomes lighter.

Slow and firm palpation give precious information to the therapist about muscular impairments as well as it allows the client to let go on extra layers of tensions. The fascia become more supple.

Increasing the body temperature of the client through any techniques such as skin rolling or myofascial release through repetitive and slow motion will further increase the relaxation of muscles and stiff joints.

Music also plays a significant role into letting go of tension. For instance, choosing music without lyrics will ease the mind.

To summarise, remedial massage has the therapeutic intent to help muscular dysfunction whereas relaxing massage can have a deep calming effect on the nervous system. Both massages combined have tremendous benefits on the physical and emotional health.

Indeed, drifting away to a mental meditative state will consequently help the body to let go of physical contractions, alleviating tensions, pain and ache as well as giving a euphoric sense of wellbeing.

 

Reference: A Deep Dive Into Brainwaves: Brainwave Frequencies Explained | Muse™ EEG-Powered Meditation & Sleep Headband (choosemuse.com)