The Oxford Body Whisperer

14/02/2024

Check out this video on how your breathing style can impact your upper body .

01/06/2023

Are you a runner constantly suffering with running injuries? Are you always dealing with some kind of issue whether it be plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis or runners knee or more general muscular issues ? If this sounds like you, we have just introduced our new running gait assessment , service. We will assess your gait using video technology and in addition we will carry out a full posture and physicality check. By the end of the assessment we will be able to give you a full rehab plan and hopefully get you back to pain free running. Do get in touch if you would like more details or check out our latest blog. Link in the comments.

03/01/2023

HOW TO STICK TO YOUR HEALTH & FITNESS RESOLUTIONS THIS YEAR , WITHOUT INJURY or ISSUES

So here we are at the beginning of a new year, and probably, like most people including myself, you have set yourself ambitious and challenging health and fitness resolutions for 2023. Perhaps you are a beginner and determined to start running, or maybe you are wanting to take the next step in your fitness journey which means you will need to increase your intensity and volume. Either way, as soon as we change our activity levels, we risk injury, so I have put together a list of tips to help you avoid injury on your fitness journey ...

GET THE OK FROM YOUR GP

I would always advise checking in with your GP before you start any arduous activity, especially if you have had any past serious medical conditions. It is very unlikely that your GP will discourage you from exercise but they may give you some useful advice or safety parameters to work within .

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT, ESPECIALLY SHOES

This applies especially if you plan to start running. I have seen so many clients who have started running and then ended up with ankle, calf or knee issues , all of which have been, at the very least, exacerbated by their shoes. If you are planning to start running, then please don’t just grab your old trainers or any soft shoes that you have lying around but do visit a shoe store and get your gait checked. It may seem expensive and unnecessary, but trust me, there is nothing more frustrating than picking up an injury that could easily have been avoided. Outdoor cycling is another example where equipment and in particular the correct set up for your specific measurements , is key. If your seat height is incorrect for example, this will cause future issues.

TAKE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

Especially if you are new to the activity. Poor technique almost certainly leads to aches, pains and injury whether you are running around the park, cycling or using weights in the gym. If you have access to advice, take it. Again, the number of clients that come to see me with issues caused by poor technique is phenomenal so please take advice if you are unsure.

WARM UP AND COOL DOWN

I know that we are often short of time and so warming up and cooling down, can seem like a pain BUT these two steps, if done correctly, can reduce injury risk, post exercise muscle pain and may even help to improve your performance moving forward.

DON’T OVERTRAIN , and MAKE SURE YOU REST

When we overtrain , especially if our body, muscles or bones are unused to the level of intensity or volume then we of course risk, at the very least, pain but possibly injury so it is essential that when we first start training we respect our limitations and make sure that we are taking adequate time to rest and recover. Also if we fail to rest properly then our concentration will be affected which again may lead to accidents and injuries.

CROSS TRAIN

It is really important that whatever our key focus is, whether cardio, strength or flexibility training , we cross train so we supplement our key workout with elements from the other types of fitness.
Cross training helps to avoid overuse injuries by allowing your body to use different muscle groups, whilst allowing the other areas to recover in between use.
Cross training may also help to equalise muscular imbalances which again will reduce risk of pain of injury. For example, a complete focus on cardio fitness might lead one to neglect core or glute strength and a weak core or weak hips can lead to a huge number of issues from back pain to sciatica even knee or ankle issues.

and of course I have to finish with REGULAR MASSAGES

For anyone participating in regular physical activity , whether you are a beginner or seasoned athlete, massage therapy is a key tool that will help you train harder and longer, recover faster and find and repair any niggling injuries before they become chronic issues.

03/10/2021

We are very excited to introduce DRY CUPPING to our list of therapies.

Although it is very trendy now, (remember the 2016 summer Olympics when Michael Phelps sported his red and purple spotted back) it is an ancient form of alternative medicine, used for thousands of years to primarily remove, or “suction” unwanted materials from the body.
Today it is used as a complementary and alternative therapy to help treat a variety of muscular issues and provide relaxation.
Although there is very little scientific research supporting or disproving the benefits of cupping, it is generally accepted that it helps with pain, inflammation, circulation and relaxation. If you are suffering with back pain, neck or shoulder tension, tension headaches or even a more specific issue like Plantar Fasciitis, Sciatica or Frozen Shoulder, you might want to try it out.

Do let your therapist know if you would like to try cupping as part of your next treatment OR check out my latest blog to see if cupping is right for you ...
http://www.theoxfordbodywhisperer.co.uk/we-are-delighted-to-annouce-that-we-are-now-offering-dry-cupping-as-part-of-our-range-of-therapies/

26/09/2021

http://www.theoxfordbodywhisperer.co.uk/indoor-cycling-how-to-avoid-injury/

Since the last lockdown, there has been a huge increase in home exercising and in particular indoor cycling. Generally, this is fabulous as indoor cycling is a great way to get an exhilarating, low impact, cardio heavy workout without leaving your front room. BUT, if you are not careful, it can you....

24/08/2021

08/06/2021

And this is why I love my job ❤️❤️❤️

16/05/2021

And this is why I ❤️❤️❤️ my job. Helping my clients relieve their pain with soft tissue work and rehab plans. Nothing feels better than helping somebody else feel better.... I’m lucky ☺️

15/03/2021

So excited .....cannot wait to see you all ☺️

14/01/2021

Why we should all get massages ..... when we’re allowed to of course ....

27/12/2020

Unfortunately we are closed again, due to the latest Tier 4 restrictions.
However, as before, we are still available to carry out FREE online assessments and provide advice, self massage tips and rehabilitation exercises if appropriate. Therefore, if you are suffering with any muscular pain please do book a FREE online assessment on the link below
http://www.theoxfordbodywhisperer.co.uk/appointments/
or message us .

Please also note that from the 13th January, we will be running a series of online, bodyweight classes, designed to minimise muscular aches and pains by improving core stability, reducing muscular tightness and improving mobility.
The classes will be low impact so perfectly accessible for all levels of fitness.
Please do get in touch if you would like more information.

Best wishes

08/12/2020

And this is why I love my job 🥰🥰🥰

06/12/2020

Could your core be the cause of your back pain ?

If you struggle with muscular aches and pain and nobody can explain why, then perhaps you might have an unstable core.

Perhaps you train every day, you regularly do ab training, you know that you are fit and strong but still you have back ache?

Check out my latest blog to see if your core might be your problem.
http://www.theoxfordbodywhisperer.co.uk/could-your-core-be-causing-your-pain/

06/12/2020

NEW ONLINE CLASS - WORK YOUR CORE, IMPROVE YOUR MOBILITY, BUILD YOUR STRENGTH - FEEL BETTER

We are excited to announce that we will be running a series of online, low impact bodyweight classes from January.

These classes will be ideal for those suffering with niggling muscular aches and pains from back ache to tension in the neck and shoulders and even lower limb issues like sciatica or hip pain may benefit. If you are already receiving soft tissue therapy, these classes will act as a perfect supplement. But even those of you not suffering with pain but feeling like your movement , posture and flexibility have been negatively impacted by the lockdown and hours of working at the dining table rather than in your office, will benefit.

These classes are low impact so accessible for all fitness levels.

The classes will run as a series of 6 with each class building on the next , so ideally you will want to book all 6 but it is also possible to book one class and seee how you get on.

One session will cost £8 , a block booking of 6 will cost £40.
Numbers will be limited so please book quickly to avoid disappointment, using our online facility.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch.

We hope to see you online soon.

26/11/2020

Our Christmas gift vouchers are back..and after this year , who wouldn’t love a massage.
Whether you are looking for a relaxing aromatherapy massage, or a deep tissue massage to ease lockdown aches, stresses and pain or maybe a hot and cold stones massage just because you want complete pampering ... we can help so get in touch. Treat the ones you love or treat yourself and start 2021 feeling great .

17/11/2020

Putting up with the pain of sciatica? Constantly struggling with a pain in your butt or down the back of your leg? Check out my latest blog to understand why it doesn't have to be a longterm problem .

http://www.theoxfordbodywhisperer.co.uk/sciatica/

WE OFFER MORE THAN A STRAIGHT FORWARD MASSAGE We strive to REPAIR sports injuries REBALANCE muscular issues causing aches and pains Provide RELAXING deep tissue massages We work with a range of issues from specific sport injuries to back pain to tension headaches SO if you are in pain, don’t put u...