HRB Therapies

10/02/2026

From Tuesday 10th March we will be welcoming Avril Taylor of Sole Attention to HRB Therapies where she will be offering a range of nurturing and restorative holistic treatments.

Avril is an experienced and dedicated therapist with a strong passion for holistic wellbeing. She has developed her skills over years of practice and is known for her calm and caring approach. Her treatments are tailored to each individual, ensuring a supportive and relaxing experience for every client. It will be great to have her in the team at Upton Upon Severn.

About the Treatments:

Reflexology (1 hour)
A deeply relaxing complementary therapy using specific pressure points on the feet to encourage balance within the body. This treatment can help to:
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Promote better sleep
• Support pain management
• Improve circulation and reduce fluid build-up
• Boost mood and overall wellbeing

Colour Reflexology (1 hour)
A gentler alternative approach to traditional reflexology, combining light touch with coloured crystal filters placed on key reflex points on the feet and hands. This helps to balance the body’s energy fields, chakras and meridians, encouraging relaxation and natural healing.

Reiki (45 minutes)
A non-invasive, full body energy therapy that supports the body’s natural healing process. Avril also incorporates chakra crystals into her sessions to enhance the experience. Reiki can help to:
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Promote deep relaxation
• Improve emotional wellbeing
• Support better sleep and mental clarity

Appointments are now open for booking from Tuesday 10th March.

Prices (these are current promotional rates):

• Reflexology 1 hour first appointment and assessment £45

• Reflexology 1 hour follow up - £40

• Colour Reflexology 1 hour – £45 (first session incl. assessment)

• Colour Reflexology 1 hour follow up - £40

• Reiki (45 mins) –£35

(After introductory promotion the above prices will increase each by £5)

Gift vouchers and loyalty scheme available.

If you would like to make an appointment or find out more please get in touch with Avril on 07765 953552 or send a message to HRB Therapies for Avril.

04/02/2026

Today is World Cancer Day. A day to remember those we’ve lost, celebrate those who are fighting, and support everyone affected by cancer in any way.

If you’re going through it, caring for someone, or carrying grief you’re not alone.

27/01/2026

🌿 Understanding Cellulite

When circulation and the lymphatic system become overwhelmed

Cellulite is one of the most misunderstood changes in the body.
It is often blamed on fat, weight, or lack of exercise — yet this explanation is incomplete.

💡 Cellulite is not just cosmetic.
It is a circulatory, lymphatic, fascial, and inflammatory condition occurring beneath the skin.

🔵🟡 What You’re Seeing in the Image

🟠 LEFT: What We See on the Surface

The dimpled, uneven “orange-peel” texture appears because:
• 🟡 Fat cells enlarge and push upward
• ⚪ Fibrous connective tissue pulls downward
• 🔵 Fluid and waste become trapped

➡️ This tug-of-war creates visible dimpling.

🟢 RIGHT: What’s Happening Beneath the Skin

Under the surface we see:
• 🟡 Enlarged fat lobules
• 🟢 Congested lymph vessels
• 🔴 Compressed blood vessels
• 🔵 Reduced oxygen & nutrient delivery

➡️ This is where cellulite actually begins — in the microcirculation and lymphatic system.

💚 The Lymphatic System’s Role in Cellulite

The lymphatic system is your body’s clean-up crew 🧹
It:
• 🟢 Drains excess fluid
• 🟢 Removes metabolic waste
• 🟢 Clears inflammation
• 🟢 Supports immune balance

⚠️ Unlike the heart, the lymphatic system has no pump.

It relies on:
• 🟦 Movement
• 🟦 Deep breathing
• 🟦 Fascia mobility
• 🟦 Hydration
• 🟦 Nervous system calm

When lymph flow slows:
• 🔵 Fluid pools
• 🟡 Fat cells swell
• 🟠 Inflammation rises
• ⚪ Fibrosis develops

➡️ Cellulite is often visible lymphatic stagnation.

🟣 Why Cellulite Loves the Thighs & Hips

These areas are vulnerable because:
• ⬇️ Gravity slows drainage
• 🪑 Sitting reduces flow
• 🟡 Fat density is higher
• 🌸 Estrogen receptors are abundant
• 🟢 Lymph pathways are longer

✨ This is why thin, fit, active women can still have cellulite.

🚫 Cellulite Is NOT a Weight Issue

You can:
• ⚖️ Lose weight → still have cellulite
• 🏋️‍♀️ Exercise daily → still have cellulite
• 🥗 Eat clean → still have cellulite

Because cellulite is about:
• 🔵 Fluid pressure
• ⚪ Fascia tension
• 🟢 Lymph congestion
• 🔴 Micro-circulation
• 🟠 Inflammatory load

Not just fat.

🧠 Hormones, Stress & Inflammation (The Hidden Colours)

🟠 Chronic inflammation:
• Thickens connective tissue
• Narrows lymph vessels
• Traps fluid

🌸 Hormonal imbalance (estrogen & cortisol):
• Encourages fat storage in thighs
• Increases capillary leakage
• Slows lymph clearance

➡️ Cellulite is a hormonal-lymphatic conversation, not a flaw.

🧴 Why Creams Only Help Temporarily

Creams may:
• ✨ Improve skin feel
• 🔥 Increase surface circulation
• 💧 Reduce surface fluid

But they don’t reach:
• ❌ Deep lymph congestion
• ❌ Fascia restriction
• ❌ Liver & detox pathways
• ❌ Systemic inflammation

True change happens from the inside out.

🌿 A Lymph-First Approach to Cellulite

Real improvement comes from supporting:
• 🟢 Lymphatic drainage
• 🟢 Fascia release
• 🟢 Breath & diaphragm movement
• 🟢 Liver detox pathways
• 🟢 Anti-inflammatory nutrition
• 🟢 Nervous system regulation

When lymph flows:
• 💧 Fluid pressure drops
• 🟡 Fat softens
• ⚪ Fibrosis eases
• ✨ Skin texture improves

🤍 Reframing Cellulite

Cellulite is not your body betraying you.
It’s your body asking for support.

💬 A message — not a mistake.
💚 A system overloaded — not broken.

When we listen instead of fight, the body responds.

25/01/2026

MLD can be highly beneficial during pregnancy, when your circulatory system is under additional pressure. It is non-invasive and skin deep. Use our website to find a therapist in your local area and book a consultation.

21/01/2026

Often new habits fail because people try to do too much too soon. We’re big advocates of keeping your body strong and healthy so we have a series of exercise videos on our website, specifically designed for bodies with lipoedema.

If you have challenges with your mobility, we have chair-based videos too.

You can find all our videos here: www.talklipoedema.org/exercise

Let us know how you get on or if you would like videos on specific exercises!

15/01/2026

Lipoedema is often misunderstood and underdiagnosed. I’m available to support those seeking answers, diagnosis and ongoing care for lipoedema.

Today, lipoedema was featured on This Morning a UK breakfast TV show on ITV 💛

In the programme, host Josie Gibson shares her journey to diagnosis and treatment, helping to raise national awareness and understanding of lipoedema. Thank you to Josie for speaking openly and helping to shine a spotlight on lipoedema.

If you suspect you may have lipoedema or are looking for further support, head to our website for trusted information and guidance https://lipoedema.co.uk/ 🔗

11/01/2026

Compression garments play a vital role in lymphoedema management.

When worn correctly, compression can help to:
✔️ Encourage lymphatic fluid movement
✔️ Reduce and manage swelling
✔️ Support limb shape and tissue health
✔️ Improve comfort and mobility
✔️ Lower the risk of flare-ups and skin complications

Compression provides gentle, consistent support to help manage lymphoedema day to day whether alongside manual lymphatic drainage, exercise, or self-care routines.

The right garment, the right fit, the right support.

Always seek professional guidance to ensure appropriate compression levels and fit.

At HRB we provide compression garments along with expert measuring advice. NHS prescription orders are available where applicable.

02/01/2026

Red light therapy is available at the Malvern clinic - The Lighter Touch - and we see so many great results. 😄

🔴✨ Red Light Therapy: A Gentle, Science-Backed Support for Cellular Healing

Red light therapy (also known as photobiomodulation) is a non-invasive wellness modality that uses specific wavelengths of red (±630–660 nm) and near-infrared light (±810–880 nm) to support the body at a cellular level.

Unlike UV light, red light therapy is non-ionizing, meaning it does not damage DNA or tissue. Instead, it works by interacting with the body’s natural biological processes to support energy production, inflammation regulation, tissue repair, and circulation 🌿

🔬 How Red Light Therapy Works (Simply Explained)

Inside every cell are mitochondria — often called the power plants of the body ⚡
Red and near-infrared light are absorbed by mitochondrial enzymes (especially cytochrome c oxidase), leading to:

✨ Increased ATP (cellular energy)
✨ Improved oxygen utilization
✨ Reduced oxidative stress
✨ Improved cellular signaling and repair

This process helps cells function more efficiently, especially in tissues under stress, inflammation, or recovery.

🌿 Whole-Body Benefits (What Science Supports)

Red light therapy does not force the body — it supports the body’s own healing intelligence 🤍

✨ Skin (Strongest Evidence)

✔️ Supports collagen production
✔️ Improves skin elasticity and texture
✔️ Assists wound healing and tissue repair
✔️ Reduces inflammatory skin conditions

This is one of the most researched and clinically supported uses of red light therapy.

💪 Muscles, Fascia & Recovery

✔️ Supports muscle recovery after exercise
✔️ Helps reduce soreness and inflammation
✔️ Improves tissue oxygenation
✔️ Supports fascial health and elasticity

This makes red light therapy popular in rehabilitation, sports recovery, and chronic pain care.

🦴 Joints & Pain Modulation

✔️ May reduce inflammatory signaling
✔️ Supports soft-tissue healing
✔️ Can assist with stiffness and discomfort

Red light therapy does not replace medical pain management, but may be a supportive tool in inflammatory or degenerative conditions.

🧠 Brain & Nervous System (Emerging Evidence)

✔️ Supports mitochondrial health in neurons
✔️ May assist cognitive clarity, sleep quality, and mood
✔️ Explored in research related to brain fog and neuro-inflammation

Evidence is promising but still developing, especially for deeper brain structures.

💓 Circulation & Cellular Oxygenation

✔️ Supports microcirculation
✔️ May enhance nitric oxide signaling (vasodilation)
✔️ Improves nutrient and oxygen delivery at tissue level

Healthy circulation is foundational to healing, detoxification, and tissue repair.

🌿 Red Light Therapy & The Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is a slow, pressure-sensitive system that relies on:
• Breathing
• Muscle movement
• Fascial integrity
• Hydration

Red light therapy does not mechanically move lymph, but it may support the environment in which lymph flows:

💧 Reduced tissue inflammation
⚡ Improved cellular energy (ATP)
🧬 Healthier fascia and connective tissue
💓 Better microcirculation and fluid exchange

✨ This makes red light therapy a supportive companion to manual lymphatic drainage, breathwork, and gentle movement — not a replacement.

🌱 A Supportive, Not Aggressive Modality

One of the most important qualities of red light therapy is that it is gentle.

✔️ It does not overstimulate when used correctly
✔️ It works with the body, not against it
✔️ It respects the body’s healing pace

For sensitive systems (autoimmune, lymphatic, neurological), less is often more.

⚠️ What Red Light Therapy Is NOT

🚫 It is not a detox treatment on its own
🚫 It does not “flush” toxins
🚫 It does not replace medical treatment
🚫 It is not a cure-all

Instead, it is a supportive cellular therapy that fits best within a holistic, regulated healing plan.

🧠 Safety & Responsible Use

✅ Non-invasive
✅ No UV radiation
✅ Generally well tolerated

⚠️ Eye protection is recommended
⚠️ Overuse can cause temporary irritation
⚠️ Should be guided carefully in active cancer, pregnancy, or acute inflammatory states

Always follow manufacturer guidelines or practitioner recommendations.

🌿 Final Thoughts

Red light therapy is a science-supported, gentle tool that enhances the body’s natural ability to repair, regulate, and restore balance.

✨ It supports energy, not exhaustion
✨ It supports healing, not force
✨ It supports the body’s wisdom, not overrides it

When used responsibly, red light therapy can be a beautiful adjunct to lymphatic care, recovery protocols, skin health, and whole-body wellness.

📢 Medical Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen.

02/01/2026

Beautiful view at theMalvern clinic today.
Snowfall, sunshine and a full moon
scartherapy

30/12/2025

Very proud to be part of the team providing scar therapy and MLD to patients of Worcestershire Breast Cancer Haven.

Did you know this about an aspect of the support our WBUH charity offers?

Breast cancer patients in Worcestershire can be referred for complementary therapy to the value of £250 each person, which can help manage debilitating intolerable side-effects from breast cancer treatment.

In 2025, some 220 patients were referred. In 2026, we already know that that referral number will increase. Each £250 is funded entirely by the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven charity with money that YOU help us to raise.

A few examples of these therapies would be:

Scar therapy – to help with scar tightness, scar pain, reduced mobility or nerve damage.

Lymphoedema management – to help reduce lymphoedema caused by fluid build-up which can develop due to cancer treatment, especially after the removal of lymph nodes.

Acupuncture – to help with intolerable hot flushes and joint pain caused by hormone treatment, or peripheral neuropathy caused by chemotherapy
Reflexology – to help relieve pain, manage fatigue or for relaxation and the ability to cope with anxiety.

For more information about this support, please contact Corinna in our charity team: corinna.parsons@nhs.net