FOR many people, a massage would be seen as a pampering treat to help them relax and unwind.

But for massage therapist Sarah Nelson, it is much more than that as she sees the physical and psychological benefits on a daily basis.

Sarah, originally from Scotland who now lives in Westhoughton, first qualified in 2001 after quitting a fun but frantic career working for a high-stress PR company in London.

She went on to train in Eastern and Western techniques and carries out a range of massages — from sports therapy to hot stone — at the Osteopathic & Physiotherapy Clinic, Deansgate, Bolton, where she has been based for a month.

She said: “If you want to live a long and happy life it pays to service your body in this way.

“If you didn’t service a car, you’re not surprised when it breaks down.

“Massage can make a huge difference.

“It’s not going to fix the world but it does feel nice and is good for you.”

Sarah, who says she has successfully treated hundreds of clients from all walks of life, has the condition hypermobility which means her joints are very flexible.

Having always been a fit and active person, who grew up playing sports including hockey and enjoying outdoor activities such as hill walking, she found the condition affecting her movement.
She said: “Over time, it led to really extreme bouts of stiffness.

“I was getting quite a lot of aches and pains. I discovered massage while I was travelling in Asia and really got a lot out of it.”

Sarah’s techniques can help people with sporting injuries, RSI, as well as chronic or acute aches and pains.

Speaking of why people choose to have a massage other than relaxation, she said: “The main other reason is to get fixed if they feel there’s a physical or emotional issue that needs attention so that could be something as simple as a stiff neck, back or shoulder to an injury they need work on.

“People will go and exercise their bodies and punish them quite a lot and be surprised when they are injured.”

From her Bolton base, Sarah also carries out express treatments, ranging from 10 to 45 minutes, where people can pop in on their lunch break for a blast of rejuvenation.

Speaking of swapping her PR job, at the time of the dotcom boom which saw her dealing with global companies including Apple, she said: “It was brilliant fun to work for them but it was hard work as well. I began to feel I didn’t want to do that for the rest of my life.

“Massage really appealed to me.

“I did my first course and I was hooked.”

Ayurvedic yoga massage

All I knew about Ayurvedic yoga massage before I tried it was that it is a rare and ancient technique which involves being walked on.
Intrigued, but also a little bit apprehensive, I went along to Sarah's Bolton town centre base, in Deansgate, to try it out.
Entering the door and heading up a single flight of stairs, I was directed to a small and quite plain room where I received a warm and friendly welcome from Sarah.
She immediately put me at ease as we chatted through my consultation form, which helps her find more out about the client, their health and how they feel physically and emotionally.
This particular type of massage is carried out on the floor and sees Sarah using both her hands and feet to deliver deep tissue massage.
She applies Ayurvedic herbal extracts mixed with sesame oil to the skin to administer the massage, which also continues to penetrate the bloodstream afterwards, with its nourishing and cleansing properties.
It is surprisingly not uncomfortable when she carefully stands on you and massages the different areas, to warm and open the muscles.
This is done to allow for a deep pressure to iron out tight or stiff areas which it really does - afterwards I felt every knot had been untied and every niggle, such as my sore neck and shoulders from sitting at a desk, had been massaged away.
Unlike massages for pure relaxation, you have to do some of the work including stretches which Sarah assists you with and breath work which was enjoyable despite being new to me.
Also, we were continually chatting throughout as I had to let her know if anything felt uncomfortable and to discover what massage strokes would be best.
By the end, I felt extremely relaxed and was advised to take it easy that evening which I am glad I did because I felt wiped out - in a good way!
The next day, I felt some areas - my upper arms and feet particularly - had really been given a workout.
The massage also makes you think about what is going on inside your body, particularly your muscles which can be put under a lot of pressure through daily life and activities.
Sessions are available for 60, 90 or 180 minutes with prices from £40.

Mention this article when booking and receive a 20% discount off any massage, e mail feelgreat@sarahnelsonmassagetherapy.co.uk