Articles posted by: polly_admin

Every month we are going to be blogging about some amazing and inspiring people from all walks of life and introducing you to some interesting therapies, inspiring companies and sharing some incredible individuals stories.

This month we have been chatting to Bristol based runner and Mum, Jen Forster. BMC owner, Polly, met Jen through This Mum Runs which is a community of women on a mission to be happier and healthier. Together they have battled through all elements, the heatwave of 2018, then the beast from the east, and now regularly run together with other females in Bristol. Here Jen tells us a little bit about what made her become a runner and what inspires her…..

Jen on completing the TMR Run60 programme.

Q: Jen, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

A: I live and work in Bristol, living in the Windmill Hill area of the city, it’s a great area to live in with a lovely community, fantastic park and loads of local shops. I work at We The Curious (which used to be At-Bristol Science Centre), so walk in to work most days; my daughter Zoe goes to school just nearby too, so we get our mileage in as a family!

Q: How did you get involved with This Mum Runs (TMR)?

A: I was looking at my Facebook feed last year and saw some photos of some of my friends who had finished the Bristol 10K – they looked so happy, and I felt so proud of them and thought “I wish I could do that” and then thought “hang on, I CAN do that”! But, I couldn’t actually run any distance at all, so a friend recommended TMR and the Run30 course. I signed up in June 2019 and completed Run30, before then signing up and completing Run60 before Christmas.

Q: How did you feel before your very first run?

A: I felt both nervous and excited, more excited I think! It was great, meeting lots of other women in exactly the same position of me, and learning all about who we’d progress through the programme. I felt so chuffed after my first session!

Q: Running can be hard work. How do find the time and motivation to run especially with children?

A: It is hard work to find the time – as a working parent with a child in school, finding time can be a challenge, but I’m starting to find a pattern. I tend to run twice a week (three times if I can), normally an evening run (which requires my husband to be back in time for bedtime) and then an early morning run on the weekend, when my husband and daughter are still in bed! The motivation totally comes from the friends that I’ve made during my running, as I often run with them – it’s the best tonic, having a chat with friends and being active at the same time.

Q; How has running changed you and your perspective about running or runners?

A: I’m really surprised how much it has changed me, and how much I’ve enjoyed the journey into becoming a runner. I’m learning loads of new things about myself all of the time (such as how running can affect or lift my mood, running and treating injuries), and what levels I push myself to. It’s also changed my body shape a bit, my legs feel stronger, and my tummy feels more trim, which is a welcome bonus!

I’ve always admired people that could run, and make it look enjoyable and easy – I’m not sure I’m one of those, but I’m proud to say that I’m a runner now! I’ve signed up for a few 10K events this year (including the Bristol 10K, which is where it all started for me), which I definitely wouldn’t have done last year!

Q: What is the best thing about TMR?

A: It’s impossible to say just one thing, but the people, the community and the support is AMAZING!

Q: Who or what are you’re inspirations?

A: My friends who I run with, and the amazing ladies of the TMR community inspire me every day – it’s so refreshing to see a positive and welcoming environment where achievements of every level are celebrated – whether it’s a half marathon, someone’s first run since having children, or something else entirely, it’s super inspirational.

Q: What are your running goals for 2019?

A: Well I’ve signed up for the Bristol 10K, as well as a few others, so I think I’ll be started a little collection of running numbers and medals hopefully! My aim for my first 10K is just to finish it, but I daresay that a few races in, I’ll probably be trying to beat my time. Running is addictive, in a really great way, and I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved in the last year. I’m looking forward to the next step of my running journey in 2019!

Jen and Polly after a misty morning run

What is Sports massage and just what does it do?

Using specific techniques, a sports massage is a positive way to help reduce tension in the muscles that has been build up through exercise. It also breaks down myofascial adhesion and improves the bloods circulation. This can all help towards reducing soreness for faster recovery and improve overall performance.

If you are a runner no matter how many times you get out a week, whether you are competing or not, it doesn’t matter having a regular sports massage will support you physically as well as mentally and help increase your flexibility and performance.

Our amazing therapist, Kasia Gigon, is a specialist in sports massage; not only does she give a top notch massage she can offer you helpful tips around stretching/warm ups/warm downs.

As a pregnant woman hopefully you are feeling excited about the upcoming birth of your baby, but you may also feel nervous, worried or even fearful of childbirth, and may have had a not so positive previous birth experience. We often hear how painful or scary birth is from TV, films and from family and friends, but what if you were told it doesn’t have to be this way? What if you could give birth in a calm, positive and empowering manner.

Here are my top 5 reasons how Hypnobirthing can help you achieve just that.

1)      It helps you to remain calm and relaxed throughout labour and birth

Is this really possible? Yes it is! 100% of clients who have been on my course have reported back that they felt calm and relaxed and in control of their birth experience by using the Hypnobirthing techniques taught to them, and no matter what the outcome of birth was.
Here is how it works – the ‘fear-tension-pain’ cycle works on the concept that if we can eliminate fear, we will feel more relaxed and experience lower levels of pain. The hypnotherapy element of hypnobirthing tackles these fears with self-hypnosis and positive affirmations. Alongside this, breathing and visualisation techniques are also incorporated so that both the psychological and physical elements of birth are covered. The result is a more calm and relaxing environment in which to birth your baby whatever the outcome and however the birth happens.

2)      It helps you to be more informed about your choices, and what is available to you.
When a mother and her birth partner can approach childbirth feeling prepared with the right knowledge, information and tools this results in a positive and confident mindset that can lead to the beautiful births that so many women hope for. My Hypnobirthing courses cover many aspects of the birthing process that equips you with the knowledge needed to make informed choices about the options you have when giving birth. I usually get surprised reactions when I talk through this section of the course with many women saying, ‘we didn’t know you could request that’ or ‘we were unaware that that was an option’ – having options and choices creates confidence and empowerment to make the right choice for you.

3)      Hypnobirthing be used regardless of how and where you give birth

My courses have been devised by The Wise Hippo Birthing Programme and have been created to support mother, baby and birth partners regardless of how and where you give birth. I have had comments from women like ‘there’s no point doing Hypnobirthing because I’m having a planned caesarean’ and ‘Isn’t Hypnobirthing just for home births?” – well the answer to those questions is that the way I teach there is no judgment about where you have decided to give birth, and there is even a course specifically designed for Caesarean births. The techniques you learn and the knowledge you gain will be invaluable to you whatever path your birth takes.

4)      It involves the birth partner

One of my favourite reasons for doing Hypnobirthing is that the course isn’t just geared towards the mum it also places a heavy emphasis on the role of your birth partner. I teach a whole section on the birth partners role offering tips on how they can support and nurture you through the birth and beyond. Whether you choose your partner, mum, friend or a doula to be your birth partner, the course will show them how they can support you during pregnancy, how to be your advocate during the birth, and gives them real, tangible things to do in a situation where they can so often feel quite useless. And it creates wonderful memories between you.

5)      It can help to reduce medicalisation of birth

More and more research is providing independent clinical evidence that a Hypnobirthing approach to birth reduces the need for medical interventions including epidurals and caesareans, less drugs used during labour and shorter hospital stays following birth. Throughout the ages giving birth has been a natural event that woman would celebrate and embrace, and it is only in the relatively recent past that we have started to use increasingly medicalised interventions. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that only approx. 10-15% of births require a caesarean for genuine medical reasons yet statistics show its currently more than 30% and is continuing to rise. It is time to go back towards more natural methods for supporting childbirth – the act of giving birth isn’t changing, our approach to it is!

If you would like to read further about Hypnobirthing you can find details about Polly’s courses and further reading information here.

Polly Chadwick specialises in all things Bump, Birth and Baby related including teaching Hypnobirthing and Baby Massage classes, and offering Pregnancy massage, as well as other massage treatments. To make a booking with her visit our Book page.

Q1. You founded the Bath Massage Company in 2010. How has it changed since you first welcomed your first client?

When I look back to when I first started my business I really can’t believe how much it’s changed and grown. When I set up the business back in 2010 I had a vague dream that one day I would like to have other therapists working with me and be able to provide many different treatments to cater for everyone’s massage needs. Over the past 8 years I have been so fortunate to have met some amazing therapists and bring some of them into the business; we are now a team of 4 and between us offer a great selection of treatments including specialist pregnancy massage and Reflexology, Sports massage, Hot Stones and Warm Bamboo treatments to name a few. I am very lucky to have Kasia, Jo and Mel who are all excellent therapists and with them my business has been able to grow and become what it is today.       

Q2. What did you do before you started the company?

My background is Fashion and Beauty PR, I was working in the Middle East for 2 years prior to moving to Bath for a French/Arabic advertising agency where I worked with Luxury brands in the PR department. Prior to that I was in London working for various PR agencies. My degree was actually in fashion design and that was what I really wanted to do, unfortunately when I graduated the fashion industry was moving out of the UK and into Europe and jobs in design were few and far between which is why I ended up in the PR world of fashion.  

Q3. Are there any exciting plans for the bath massage company in 2019?

2018 saw quite a few new things happen with Mel starting in the team and new therapies such as Reflexology, Hot Stone massage and Warm Bamboo being added to our menu, and a new location in Bristol opening.  I’m working on some new plans for 2019 at the moment but it’s a bit early to reveal them ….you’ll have to watch this space!

Q4. What do you think makes a good therapist?

There are a few factors that make a good therapist, the first without a doubt is a good listener. That may seem odd as we use our hands to work, but actually listening to our clients is so important so that we can tailor the treatment and the type of massage work we do with them to reflect how they are feeling at the time. A client may come in and want deep pressure work but the next time want lighter more relaxing work so a therapist needs to be able to gauge what the client wants, and needs. We do not do a one massage fits all, we always aim to give a bespoke and individual treatment for everyone we see.

I think flexibility also is a very important trait to have. You never quite know what issues/aliments a client will arrive with and depending on how the consultation goes we may need to adapt the massage we decide do with them or bring in additional skills, being as flexible as possible makes sure that the client leaves feeling like they have had a great focused session and that we have gone the extra mile to cater for what they needed.

It goes without saying that a therapist needs to have excellent technique, but I also think what makes a good therapist stand apart is one who is always developing and learning. We all go on various courses and learn new skills every year to add to our skill set – one of the best compliments I have had is from a client who has been coming to see me for about 6 years who said “every time I see you it feels like you do different techniques and movements on me, no 2 massages every feel the same”.         

Q5. What treatments and therapies do you specialise in?

I specialise in all things maternity. I teach Hypnobirthing courses and Baby Massage courses as well as pregnancy massage. Both Jo & Mel also specialise in pregnancy massage and Mel in Reflexology, together this is our Bump, Birth and Baby offering. I love seeing clients from their pregnancies, through to the births and then meeting their babies afterwards in the baby massage classes is such an amazing journey that I always feel privileged to be part of.

Q6. Do you have a favourite essential oil or blend and why?

Without a doubt it Rose Oil, its always been my favourite oil. I’ve used it personally for years and then when I started massage I incorporated it into my treatments. For me it evokes memories of wonderful childhood summers playing in my Nana’s rose garden in Cornwall. Its very uplifting and a great hormone balancer

Q7. How do you relax and rejuvenate when you are not working?

Having an 11 month old baby doesn’t leave much time for relaxation to be honest, but since I’ve had my baby girl I’ve joined an amazing running club in Bristol called This Mums Runs,  – this is my head space time 3 times a week and it not only helps me feel like I’m getting fitter it actually helps me unwind and relax; the nights I run I have the best nights sleep!

Q8. What are you most grateful for?

Gosh this is a hard one to answer as there are so many things I’m grateful for. I’m grateful I have an amazing, beautiful baby daughter who makes me laugh so much and I just feel so blessed every day when I look at her. I’m truly grateful I found my soulmate who became my husband and together we have created a family life that is filled with love and fun and we have so many wonderful family and friends around us. And of course I am grateful that I have a successful business with amazing people that work with me, I absolutely love what I do and wouldn’t swap it for anything. I wake up most days and thank the universe for what I have, I do believe in thanking the universe for the abundance it offers and never to take anything for granted.    

If you’d like to meet Polly for a treatment or learn more about her Hypnobirthing and baby massage courses please contact us.

It’s good to know that massage can be enjoyed throughout pregnancy, from the pre-conception phase, through each of the three trimesters, to the postnatal period and beyond!

Here are my top 5 reasons for getting a pregnancy massage..

1 Massage may help reduce stress
It is well thought that massage is a great de-stressor. This is because during massage the body’s parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is activated. The PNS is responsible for switching on the body’s rest and repair capacity, reducing the presence of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, and restoring the body to balance.

Whilst the effect stress hormones have on the unborn baby is not yet fully known, it’s fair to say that you will likely feel the benefits of a body restored to balance, which has to be good for both you and your baby!

2 Massage may help with the physical and emotional changes pregnancy brings
Pregnancy is a time of massive change, both physically and emotionally. Physically, your body shape will be changing to accommodate a growing baby, potentially affecting your posture for example. The influx of pregnancy hormones causes many changes, particularly in relaxing, softening and stretching the body’s ligaments. Often, these physical changes are accompanied by aches and pains, from a mild achy back, to more significant pelvic girdle pain. Other common physical complaints include oedema (the accumulation of fluid under the skin), leg cramps and “rib flare” (pressure on the ribs from a growing abdomen).

Massage can work to address any aches and pains you might be experiencing, and can complement work provided by your health care professionals.  It can also offer the opportunity to reflect on the emotional impact such changes are having, in a safe and nurturing environment, and could provide a continuity that may be missing in a medicalised environment.

3 Massage may help you connect with your baby and changing body
All too often, the pressures of modern life can cause us to “live in our heads”! Massage offers a chance to leave everyday stresses behind, enjoy the sensation of touch and in turn, tune in with the wisdom of your body at this important time. An abdominal massage can be an obvious way for you to connect physically with your growing baby, and can be further enhanced with breath work and visualisations.

Partners are welcome too! We can show you a variety of massage techniques, including a wonderful abdominal “gathering” one that a partner or a loved one can do for you.

4 Massage may help you prepare for labour
Pressure points can be stimulated throughout your pregnancy and can help ease symptoms including nausea among others. Towards the end of the third trimester, certain pressure points can be stimulated that help prepare the body for labour. These points might also be useful to be worked if your “due date” has passed and you wish to avoid being induced. Birthing positions can be discussed and again, partners are always welcome! The Bath Massage Company also offers “hypnobirthing” which helps couple prepare for the birth of their baby.

5 Massage may help you postnatally
A postnatal massage can be restorative, providing an ideal opportunity to rest and recover from the physical act of giving birth, as well as providing a much-needed space in which to reflect on this exciting new change.  Whilst many of the aches and pains experienced in pregnancy are reduced, others may become prevalent, for example, a tight neck and shoulders from feeding and cradling your new born, and carrying them in a sling or pushing them in a pram. Massage can help address any aches and pains.

As already mentioned, massage can be a great stress reliever and can help with the continuing hormonal and emotional changes experienced during the postnatal period – and you are always welcome to bring your baby with you to your massage appointments with us.

And finally, massage and skin to skin contact with your baby can assist with the bonding process. The Bath Massage Company offers a wonderful Baby Massage Course where you can bring your baby along and learn how to massage them which, as well as being soothing for your baby, can help reduce the symptoms of colic, for example. It also offers the ideal opportunity to meet other mums and relax over a well-earned cuppa!

Polly specialises in Pregnancy massage as well as other massage treatments at The Bath Massage Company. To make a booking with her visit our Book page.

We often get asked what Sports massage is and how it works so we asked our Sports massage expert, Kasia Gigon to give us her top 5 reasons for having this treatment:

1. Pain reduction
Soft tissue massage can be used to help reduce pain produced by injury or simply soreness caused by intensive training. There has been a variety of research demonstrating the positive impact of massage on pain levels when combined with exercises and manual therapy techniques.

2. Muscle tension release
Certain exercise for long periods can create stress on the body, which can create trigger points and tension in the muscles. Having regular massage can optimise your tissues pliability, increase the range of movement, thereby reducing risk of injury and support in efficiency of movement.

3. Maintaining a good posture
What does your day look like? Spending every day at work…whether it’s an office job at a desk, standing or running around for long hours, whatever your job is, maintaining the same posture and engaging the same muscles over and over again can cause muscles to shorten and pull your joints into positions which over time can reduce function and increase chances of over-use and repetitive strain injuries. Sports massage can help to release these muscles and is a great way to counteract the negative affect of the bad posture.

4. Assist with recovery and improve your training.
Ache after training? Massage is a great way to help reduce Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), basically soreness after exercise….massage may help recovery by increasing the blood circulation to the area and help to flush out the toxins that build up during exercise. Resulting in improvement of recovery and helping you get ready for your next exercise.

5. Relaxing.
Not generally thought of as relaxing, Sports massage does help to reduce general anxiety by releasing tension. As the body releases and reduces physical tension the mind follows bringing about a great feeling of well-being and relaxation.

Kasia Gigon specialises in Sports massage as well as other massage treatments at The Bath Massage Company. To make a booking with her visit our Book page.

Q1. How long have you been a member of the team at the Bath Massage company?
I have been member of the team for almost 2 years now.

Q2. What did you do before you joined the company?
I am a mum to my 10 year old boy, Jakub and worked for the Thermae Bath Spa before joining the Bath Massage Company.

Q3. What treatments and therapies do you specialise in?
I specialise in sports massage and deep tissue therapy, and also offer relaxing massages such as Swedish, Hot Stone and have just started offering Warm Bamboo treatments.

Q4. Do you have a favourite essential oil or blend and why
I love essential oils. My favourite is Rose Geranium because it is comforting, balances mood and at the same time it gives an energy boost. It also smells like heaven to me.

Q5. As a specialist in sports massage, what do you think is unique about your treatments?
I take a very considered approach in all treatments I provide. Listening to the clients needs and making sure that we are aiming for the same results is very important to me and the treatments I provide. As a sports massage therapist, I do not always agree with the ‘no pain, no gain’ rule – many people relate a sports massage with an unpleasant painful treatment but how I approach treatments is to always consider the individuals and their relevant needs.

Q6. How do you relax and rejuvenate when you are not working?
After long day at work, soaking in a hot bath and snuggling in bed with a good book, magazine, or watching a funny sitcom is what I need. However I love to be active and running is a favourite activity of mine so if my workday starts a bit later I’ll squeeze in a run first thing. My family is everything for me and free time usually means family time. As a family we love spending time on the beach or exploring new and old places. Even if we’re on sand, an old footpath, on our bikes – a few minutes outdoors, enjoying fresh air is just wonderful. 

Q7. What Is special about the place you grew up?
I grew up in Poland, in a region called Lower Silesia which is famous for its many castles and palaces (more than 100) which have so much history behind them and some very unique architecture to see. The breath-taking views of the beautiful Sudetes mountains are also very special and as someone who loves to be active, I spent much of my time in the mountains – hiking in the summer, skiing and cross-country skiing in the winter – it’s definitely worth a visit!

Q8. Where in the world is your favourite place to visit?
Croatia – it is the perfect combination of beach life with soaring mountains and breath-taking scenery. So far, I’ve managed to visit two of beautiful islands this country has to offer… only 1242 left!

If you’d like to meet Kasia for a treatment she currently is available Monday to Friday – to make an appointment with Kasia please contact us.

Q1. You’ve recently joined the Bath Massage company, what brought you to join the team?
It was a stroke of luck. I’ve just moved back to Bath and was looking for jobs in massage therapy,
but more specifically therapeutic, deep tissue, and pregnancy massage. I searched online for
massage companies in Bath and the first one that came up was the Bath Massage Company. I
went onto the website and loved everything I read, so I wrote to Polly on the off chance she was
looking for a new therapist and my timing couldn’t have been more perfect. What stood out to me
over other massage companies was the emphasis on focusing on the client as an individual, and
not just treating each client the same or following a set routine. It’s hard to find that.

Q2. What did you do before you joined the company?
I owned my own company for 6 years. I started as a Health Coach, helping people address their
diet and lifestyle, and then I trained in Massage Therapy and Reflexology.

Q3. What treatments and therapies do you specialise in?
I specialise in therapeutic massage which tends to be deep tissue, reflexology and pre- and postnatal
massage and reflexology. I have completed lots of CPD courses but I keep coming back to
the same treatments. I believe that being committed to two or three therapies can be more
effective than practising too many.

Q4. Do you have a favourite essential oil or blend and why?
I like to use a good quality eucalyptus oil as a lovely inhalation when the client first lies down, and
then when they turn over. On pregnant clients I substitute eucalyptus for cypress. Massage can
make you so congested and yet it is so important to breathe! I personally love the citrus scents…
grapefruit, lemon, and tangerine are favourites, as I find them very happy. Another favourite is
rosemary which really helps to clear my mind, and if I’m feeling really unbalanced I burn
frankincense.

Q5. As a reflexologist, what do you think complements your treatments?
As a reflexologist I think it is really important to love and understand feet. I especially love it when I
give a full body massage and pick up on areas that are tight or out of balance, and then continue to
work these areas on the reflex points on the feet to further help the issue. I completed a course in
Spinal Reflexology two years ago which focused on just working the spinal reflex on the foot. Each
nerve between the vertebrae connects to an organ in the body. So for example, if the thyroid gland
is out of balance, working C7 on the foot can really help. I have found it the most effective way to
treat clients so far.

Q6. How do you relax and rejuvenate when you are not working?
I walk everywhere and that is my therapy and exercise. Music tends to be my go-to when I’m
starting to feel low, I love playlists with happy folk music…it just makes everything instantly feel ok.

Q7. What kind gestures do you appreciate the most?
The simple ones. A bunch of wild flowers, a beautiful card, a smile. Of course the kindest gesture a
client can give is a referral!

Q8. Where in the world would you like to travel to next?
New Zealand…I get the impression they are big on health and wellness and all things natural,
which is just up my street. But not for a long time. I have no travel bug left in me for the moment!
I’m focusing on growing some roots for now.

If you’d like to meet Mel for a treatment she currently is available Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturdays – to make an appointment with Mel please contact us.