The Balance Smith

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 con

ditions. 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.

Today is Self Care Day — and it’s your reminder that rest is productive.You can't pour from an empty cup. Ready to prior...
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.

Lift Weights, Protect Your Bones: Why Strength Training is Non-Negotiable in MenopauseMenopause accelerates bone loss an...
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?

Early detection is key. Do you know the 12 signs of breast cancer? Download the free app and learn about each symptom, b...
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

Looking back on some lovely feedback. Grateful for these kind words and the power of reflexology.
17/02/2025

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

Tossing & Turning? How Oestrogen Messes with Your Sleep (and What to Do About It)Perimenopause & menopause can disrupt s...
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. ⬇️🌙

Sleep & Healing: A Personal ReflectionSleep isn’t just rest—it’s repair, renewal, and resilience. Through my own journey...
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! ⬇️🌙

Meet Your Pocket-Sized Sleep HeroSome nights call for the whole relaxation toolkit, but other times, all you need is one...
06/02/2025

Meet Your Pocket-Sized Sleep Hero

Some nights call for the whole relaxation toolkit, but other times, all you need is one trusted essential.

Blended with premium distilled essential oils, the So Sleepy Balm is infused with calming lavender, frankincense, and chamomile—designed to ease the mind, melt away tension, and help you unwind.

Perfect for:
🌙 Drifting off into deep, restful sleep
✈️ Calming nerves before travel
💆‍♀️ A moment of peace in a busy day

Small enough to carry everywhere, powerful enough to bring you back to centre. Where will you take your So Sleepy Balm? Drop a 🌙 in the comments if this is your kind of self-care! ⬇️

Redefining My StoryCancer turned my life upside down. There’s no sugarcoating that. It’s shaken me, tested me and forced...
04/02/2025

Redefining My Story

Cancer turned my life upside down. There’s no sugarcoating that. It’s shaken me, tested me and forced me to face things I never thought I’d have to. But here’s the thing—it won’t define me.

Moving forward, my focus isn’t on what I’ve been through but on how I choose to live now. That means being kind to myself, prioritising my health and finding joy in the everyday.

If cancer has touched your life, I see you. Be gentle with yourself. Take care of your body, your mind, your heart. And most of all, keep moving forward.

When winter softens and spring whispers, the body listens. February is all about sleep—the quiet healer. As I take a pau...
01/02/2025

When winter softens and spring whispers, the body listens.

February is all about sleep—the quiet healer. As I take a pause between chemo and radiotherapy, rest becomes my priority. Just like nature, we need time to restore before blooming again.

Let’s explore better sleep together. What helps you unwind?

The finish line is in sight – my last chemo treatment is tomorrow! It’s been a challenging journey, but I’ve learned so ...
30/01/2025

The finish line is in sight – my last chemo treatment is tomorrow!

It’s been a challenging journey, but I’ve learned so much about resilience and the importance of taking care of myself.

One thing I’ve kept constant throughout this experience is staying hydrated. Drinking plenty of water has helped manage side effects, kept my energy up, and supported my body through the healing process.

As I prepare to close this chapter, I’m more committed than ever to making 2025 the year of ME– focusing on nurturing my mind, body, and spirit. Will you join me on your own journey of the Year of YOU? Let’s raise a glass (of water!) to self-love and new beginnings!

Tag someone who inspires you to keep going and let’s support each other on the path to wellness.

I'm halfway through the Tropic 30-Day Hydration Challenge, and I’m already seeing the difference! Despite chemo, my skin...
28/01/2025

I'm halfway through the Tropic 30-Day Hydration Challenge, and I’m already seeing the difference! Despite chemo, my skin feels noticeably more hydrated, and I’m thrilled with the progress.

I’m sticking to my daily morning and evening skincare routine using my favourite Tropic products, while continuing to boost hydration from the inside. Drinking plenty of water, eating water-rich foods, and being consistent with my skincare have all played a huge part.

It’s amazing to see how these small daily habits can make such a big impact! Want to join the challenge? Message me, and let’s nourish our skin together—it’s never too late to start!

It’s always so rewarding to reflect on the positive impact therapy can have. Looking back on sessions like this reminds ...
23/01/2025

It’s always so rewarding to reflect on the positive impact therapy can have. Looking back on sessions like this reminds me how valuable taking time for yourself can be—whether it’s relaxation, pain relief or simply a moment to pause and breathe.

Taking time for yourself is never a luxury—it’s self-care. 💚

What do you do to find balance in your life? Share your favourite ways to unwind or reconnect in the comments! Let’s inspire each other.

Address

11 Westmoreland Street
Harrogate
HG15AY

Opening Hours

10am - 8:30pm

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It’s all about me....

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.