Forest Physiotherapy

16/03/2026

🏃‍♂️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲

​With April marathons fast approaching, your training load is likely at it's peak. While many runners seek massage for "lactic acid clearance" (a common myth), the true value of massage lies in neurological and psychological regulation.

​Here is what the latest systematic reviews actually say about how massage supports the high-mileage athlete:

​🔹 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 "𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗮𝗽"
Physiologically, massage has minimal impact on muscle blood flow or structural strength. However, it consistently reduces DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) and improves Perceived Recovery. In a sport where "feeling ready" is half the battle, massage bridges the gap between tired muscles and a ready mind.

​🔹 𝗔𝗻𝘅𝗶𝗼𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 (𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻)
High-volume training puts the body in a state of chronic sympathetic nervous system arousal (fight or flight). Massage acts as a powerful tool for down-regulation, significantly decreasing situational anxiety and stress while boosting mood and self-confidence.

​🔹 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀
By improving sleep quality and reducing psychological strain, massage allows you to tolerate higher training loads with less mental burnout. It’s not a direct performance enhancer—it’s a recovery facilitator that keeps you focused during the grueling final weeks of a block.

​📍 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵:
Don't wait until you're injured. Use massage as a psychological management tool to navigate the taper and arrive at the start line calm, activated, and mentally recharged.

​Ready to optimize your recovery for the final push?

Book a massage through the link in the comments section below.

14/03/2026

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN THE LAST 10 YEARS OF YOUR LIFE ???

Personally, I would like to be mountain biking, hill walking and running until the day I die…. if mountain biking doesn't kill me first!

Unfortunately, as we age we are less able to participate in the activities we once enjoyed due to age related muscle and strength loss. Also known as Sarcopenia. This strength decline is associated with physical debilitation, poor health, falls, fragility fractures and even premature death. This is a natural aging process which starts in our 30's and accelerates the older we get.

Fortunately this process can be slowed or even reversed through regular and progressively intense exercise (sorry walking and running isn't enough).

By providing your muscles with the right stimulation to grow you can mitigate these age related losses. It’s a bit like paying into a pension, if you consistently exercise and strength train in earlier life then it will support you into your later years.

Best of all, it is never too late to start! You can still build muscle and strength into your 90's!

If you or anyone you know would benefit from a Physiotherapy led strength programme then please get in touch.

www.forestphysio.co.uk

11/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Gyoxk5Lky/

Squeezing your partner’s butt may actually boost health and happiness

Researchers explored a surprising connection between touch, intimacy, and well‑being: playful physical contact, such as squeezing your partner’s butt, can trigger positive health effects for both people. While it may sound cheeky, science shows that affectionate touch releases hormones that improve mood, reduce stress, and even support cardiovascular health.

When partners engage in light, consensual touch, the body releases oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” which strengthens emotional bonds, lowers cortisol (the stress hormone), and can even reduce blood pressure. Physical touch also stimulates endorphins, natural feel-good chemicals that make us happy and relaxed. In addition, playful contact fosters closeness and communication, reinforcing trust and intimacy in the relationship.

Unlike high‑pressure workouts or strict diets, this form of bonding is effortless and can be done multiple times a day. It demonstrates how small, joyful interactions in everyday life have measurable effects on mental and physical health. Studies suggest that couples who maintain regular affectionate touch often report higher relationship satisfaction and lower stress levels, showing that love and health are deeply connected.

Of course, consent and mutual enjoyment are essential. The benefits appear when touch is playful, respectful, and shared, creating positive emotional feedback loops that enhance both partners’ well-being.

This research reminds us that health is not only about exercise, nutrition, or medical interventions. Sometimes, the simplest, most human acts—like laughter, closeness, and touch—can strengthen both body and mind.

07/03/2026

It's been a busy week of meeting new clients and welcoming back those I've helped in the past. I'm always so grateful to receive feedback which helps to share my business and reach others who may also need injury or rehabilitation advice.

Have a great weekend everyone 🙏

05/03/2026

Something I practice myself every day!

1- Before you open your eyes in the morning think of 3 things you're grateful for.

2 - Then think of 3 things you are excited for today.

3 - And at the end of the day when someone asks you "how was your day?" You have to think of at least 3 good things that happened (no complaining)

https://www.facebook.com/share/18TDF2UUPK/

When you intentionally focus on the good in your life, your brain literally rewires itself through a process called neuroplasticity, strengthening neural pathways associated with positive emotions and making it more likely to find more good in the future. Repeatedly focusing on positive experiences builds new neural connections, much like physical exercise strengthens muscles, which can change your perspective, emotional patterns and stress responses over time.

To elaborate, your brain is constantly changing based on your experiences, thoughts and emotions. When intentionally direct your attention toward what is good, safe or meaningful, you strengthen neural circuits linked to reward or positive experiences.

By consistently practicing positive habits like gratitude, mindfulness, or positive affirmations, you are building and reinforcing the neural pathways that make it easier to notice and access positive feelings. This can make positive experiences feel more natural and automatic.

The opposite is also true, however. If you repeatedly focusing on negative thoughts or stress, your brain will strengthen those pathways, making it more efficient in spotting threats and problems.

Over time, the consistent focus on the good can shift your brain’s default setting, making it more likely to see solutions, hope and possibility in your daily life.

This isn’t about ignoring negative situations but about actively training your mind to recognize the full picture, including the positive aspects. Consciously choosing where to place your attention is a powerful way to shape your thoughts, feelings and reactions.

19/02/2026

REHABILITATION AND STRENGTHENING

My aim is to help people stay safe, strong, mobile and independent into old age by offering individualised programmes.

This service is aimed at those who have ongoing physical issues related to getting older and those that would like to take steps to slow/reverse age related decline.

A structured rehabilitation programme can:

- Improve symptoms related to arthritis and reduce the need for joint replacement

- Restore balance

- Improve mobility

- Accelerate recovery after joint replacement surgery, hospital admissions, and fractures

- Improve bone density

- Reduce falls risk and fractures

- Maintain brain function (yes, exercise does this!)

If you are interested, or know of someone who would benefit, then please book an initial consultation:
https://www.forestphysio.co.uk/booking-calendar/rehabilitation-strengthening?referral=service_list_widget

After your initial consultation, packages can be tailored to suit individuals needs ranging from 1 session every 6 weeks to 3 sessions every week, depending on the level of guidance required.

15/02/2026

The kids are packed off to their grandparents for half term but there's no rest for Wellington and I with a busy week of Physiotherapy ahead.

We have a few appointments left which are available to book online.

#1:1gym

06/02/2026

Great feedback from recent clients 🙏 Thank you! Reviews are so valuable to small businesses!

30/01/2026

Mike came to see me as he was worried about an injured hamstring and quadricep and was soon due to run 50 miles in the UTMB Arc of Attrition.

After a thorough assessment I provided Mike with a load management strategy and rehab programme to undertake before the big race.

Mike successfully completed the Cornwall challenge in the midst of Storm Ingrid in an impressive
14 hours! Incredible!

Well done Mike 💪

25/01/2026

Great feedback from recent 3D RunFits!

https://www.forestphysio.co.uk/3d-runfit

21/01/2026

If you are struggling with an injury, have had a fall, are in pain or need some help with rehabilitation following surgery, then please do get in touch.

Appointments are available to view and book online through the website.

Forest Physiotherapy can be found at Lumsdale Business Park, Lumsdale Road, Matlock

🌟 Physiotherapy
🌟 Rehabilitation
🌟 Strength Training
🌟 Private Gym
🌟 Massage
🌟 3D RunFit assessments

18/01/2026

Reasons for pain or injury can be incredibly complex and there are usually lots of factors at play. A good Physiotherapist will consider all of these factors, helping you to understand and manage your pain with an easy to follow recovery programme.

Appointments available to view and book online.

deebyshiredales training