The Balance Smith

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Harrogate
The Balance Smith

Empowering women to take time out to nurture their health wellbeing. Clinical massage & reflexology.

As an advanced clinical massage therapist I am trained in a range of safe and effective soft tissue and massage techniques that aim to reduce your pain and increase your movement within 1-6 clinical treatments. I am qualified to treat a range of chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions including low back pain, neck pain, headaches whiplash, RSI fibromyalgia and many other ongoing injury or pain conditions. The techniques I use include fascial work, trigger point therapy, acupressure, stretching and tailored self care. I trained with an affiliated school of Professional Reflexology and gained a Reflexology Mastership in Clinical Reflexology and I am a Jing Method™ advanced clinical massage therapist. Fertility and Pregnancy, Facial Reflexology/Zone Face Lift, Reflexology Lymphatic Drainage, Cancer & Palliative Care. I use a warm and heart centred approach that takes full account of all your physical and emotional needs and am committed to working alongside you to get the results you need.

12/02/2026

This week I've been on a CPD course learning Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD).

For me, continuing professional development has never been about collecting techniques or adding things for the sake of it. It’s about deepening my understanding of the body and finding ways to support it with respect, especially when it’s under strain.

The lymphatic system works quietly in the background, yet it plays such a vital role in immunity, recovery, fluid balance and resilience. When it’s supported gently, the whole body benefits.

This learning feels particularly meaningful at this stage of my work, where professional knowledge, experience and lived experience intersect. I take my time integrating new skills. I don’t rush them into practice. That process matters to me.

Thoughtful care requires patience, both from the practitioner and the body itself.

I’ll share more once this has had time to land properly.

photo: Anna Keibalo/Unsplash

06/02/2026

I’ve been a lot quieter on here lately, and I wanted to acknowledge that.

Not because I’ve disappeared or lost momentum, but because I’ve been in a season that’s full of learning, treating and real life.

Although I want to maintain consistency, sometimes you just can't post just to stay visible or to keep an algorithm happy. My work and the way I show up has always been shaped by lived experience, depth and integrity.

Some seasons are for sharing outwardly. Others are for integrating what we’re learning, tending to what’s right in front of us, and allowing things to unfold at their own pace.

Phot: Andrew Neal on Unsplash

If you’ve been quieter too, please know this: you’re not behind, and you don’t owe anyone an explanation.

I’m still here.
Just moving with intention.

Gentle care doesn’t rush.

05/01/2026

January often arrives with the message that we should be doing more.
Fixing more. Improving more. Pushing harder.

But for many women I work with, that constant push is part of the problem.

Pain, low mood, fatigue, they don’t respond well to pressure.
They respond to safety. To rest. To being listened to rather than overridden.

An upcoming TV programme this week will be exploring chronic pain and depression through the lens of lifestyle medicine, looking beyond medication alone and towards how we live, move, rest, think and recover.

It's a reminder that small, supportive changes can have a powerful impact over time. After all, it's a journey.

Sometimes the most helpful question isn’t
“what should I be doing?”
but
“what does my body actually need right now?”

You’re not behind.
You don’t need fixing.
And easing off can be a very intelligent place to start.

Does this resonate with you?

Photo by Melanie Dijkstra - Unsplash

25/12/2025

Wishing you a very gentle Christmas.

This year has been a deeply meaningful one for me. Returning to work after being off for a year going through cancer treatment reminded me just how powerful support, kindness and human connection really are.

Thank you to everyone who has supported The Balance Smith, whether you’ve come for treatments, shared kind words, recommended me to a friend or quietly followed along here. Your trust and encouragement have meant more than I can say.

It’s an honour to hold space for you, and I don’t take that lightly.

I hope today brings whatever you need most, rest, warmth, laughter, peace… or simply a pause from the noise.

I’m looking forward to welcoming you in the new year and continuing this journey together, at a pace that feels kind and sustainable.

With love
❤ The Balance Smith x

18/12/2025

December has a way of piling it on.

End of year pressures, family expectations, social plans and that sense that you should be coping better than you are.

I used to think that rest was something you earned once everything else was done. Now I see it differently.

Ease isn’t laziness.
Stillness isn’t giving up.
And doing less doesn’t mean you care less.

At this time of year, I see so many women carrying tension without even noticing, tight shoulders, clenched jaws, shallow breathing. Always “on”, even when the body is asking to slow down.

Reflexology and massage aren’t just about 'fixing' anything.
They’re about creating space for the nervous system to settle.
For the body to feel safe enough to rest.
For calm to return naturally.

Sometimes the most supportive thing we can do is stop pushing and allow ourselves to be held instead.

December is now fully booked, but January appointments are open. If you’d like a gentler start to the new year, one that supports your body rather than demands more from it, you’re welcome to book ahead.

08/12/2025

I went to the gym this morning, worked out, had my swim and then slipped into the lovely warm little pool next to the whirlpool bath, the perfect spot after a workout. I love to float there, breathe deeply and just switch off for a moment.

But today one of the staff members actually came over to check I was okay. (Not entirely sure whether they thought I’d achieved a deep meditative state… or had stopped breathing 😅)

It did make me smile, but it also made me think.

Is being still really that unusual now? When was the last time you took a moment to do absolutely nothing?

No rushing. No noise. No multitasking.
Just… pause.

Stillness has carried me through some of the biggest shifts in my life, from retraining in midlife, to navigating cancer, to finding my way back to myself again. It’s where clarity shows up when we least expect it.

So here’s your gentle reminder today:
Give yourself five quiet minutes.
Sit. Float. Breathe.
Let yourself switch off on purpose.

If this resonates, share it, and let me know below: when did you last do absolutely nothing?

24/07/2025

Today is Self Care Day — and it’s your reminder that rest is productive.

You can't pour from an empty cup.

Ready to prioritise yourself? Book your next treatment and let me hold space for you.

11/03/2025

Lift Weights, Protect Your Bones: Why Strength Training is Non-Negotiable in Menopause

Menopause accelerates bone loss and muscle decline—leading to a higher risk of osteoporosis, fractures, and weakness. Strength training is the fix. Lifting weights helps rebuild bone density, maintain muscle mass, and keep you strong, mobile and independent for years to come. It’s not about getting bulky; it’s about future-proofing your body.

Are you already incorporating strength training into your routine? If not, what’s stopping you?

02/03/2025

Early detection is key.

Do you know the 12 signs of breast cancer? Download the free app and learn about each symptom, breast cancer risk factors, how to self-exam, schedule a mammogram and more. Know Your Lemons Foundation

https://www.knowyourlemons.org/app

17/02/2025

Looking back on some lovely feedback. Grateful for these kind words and the power of reflexology.

11/02/2025

Tossing & Turning? How Oestrogen Messes with Your Sleep (and What to Do About It)

Perimenopause & menopause can disrupt sleep like never before. Night sweats, waking up at 3am, feeling wired but exhausted? Your hormones are playing a role. Understanding why can help you take steps toward better sleep. Let's break it down.

Oestrogen isn’t just about reproduction—it plays a key role in regulating sleep, mood, and body temperature. As levels fluctuate (and eventually decline) in perimenopause and menopause, the effects on sleep can be profound.

Here’s how low oestrogen disrupts your rest:

💨 Body Temperature Chaos – Oestrogen helps regulate body heat. When levels drop, night sweats and hot flashes can wake you up multiple times a night.

😡 Increased Anxiety & Mood Swings – Oestrogen influences serotonin and dopamine, your “feel-good” brain chemicals. A decline can lead to racing thoughts, irritability, and middle-of-the-night wake-ups.

💤 Melatonin Disruption – Oestrogen helps regulate melatonin, the sleep hormone. As it drops, it’s harder to fall and stay asleep.

🦴 Joint Pain & Restless Legs – Lower oestrogen can lead to inflammation, joint pain, and restless legs, making it physically uncomfortable to relax.

What Can You Do?
While we can’t stop hormonal shifts, small lifestyle changes can support better sleep:

🌿 Balance Blood Sugar – Avoiding sugar and refined carbs in the evening can reduce night-time wake-ups.
💧 Stay Hydrated – But limit fluids right before bed to avoid trips to the bathroom.
🚶‍♀️ Move Daily – Exercise helps regulate hormones and improve deep sleep.
🌙 Create a Cool, Dark Sleep Space – Lower the room temp and use breathable bedding.
🌸 Support Hormonal Balance – Herbal supplements like magnesium, ashwagandha, and phytoestrogens may help (check with your doctor).

Sleep in perimenopause and menopause isn’t just about habits—it’s about hormones. Be kind to yourself, experiment with what works for you, and remember: this phase is temporary, but good sleep strategies can last a lifetime.

How’s your sleep been lately? Let’s chat in the comments. ⬇️🌙

09/02/2025

Sleep & Healing: A Personal Reflection

Sleep isn’t just rest—it’s repair, renewal, and resilience. Through my own journey, I’ve experienced how essential deep sleep is for both physical and emotional healing. Experts recommend around 7 hours a night, and while I’m lucky to sleep well most nights, I’ve found a few habits make all the difference:

💤 No 'nana' naps to catch up—keeping my sleep routine consistent
💧 Staying hydrated throughout the day
☕ Caffeine limits—just one coffee a day
🚶‍♀️ Prioritising movement—getting my steps in and staying active
📖 Reading before bed—a calm way to wind down

How does sleep impact your wellbeing? Share your best sleep tip below! ⬇️🌙

Address

104 Station Parade
Harrogate
HG11HQ

Opening Hours

10am - 8:30pm

Website

https://www.thebalancesmith.co.uk/

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With a background in HR and training I became interested in a holistic approach to helping colleagues in the workplace and in the many ways that people help themselves to support their health and general well being. Having experienced a variety of complementary therapies myself I began my professional training in clinical reflexology to develop my interest further and begin another journey in my life.

I gained a Reflexology Mastership in Clinical Reflexology at Level 5. Along with practical foot reflexology I have specialist reflexology training for pregnancy and maternity, cancer and palliative care, hand reflexology, Precision Reflexology, Reflexology Lymphatic Drainage and Zone Face Lift and Facial Reflexology.

Most recently I have trained in Sports Massage Therapy and Pregnancy, Post Natal and Remedial Massage to add to my holistic toolkit of skills to further help my clients.