About Lou – Sports Massage Therapist
I qualified since 2009 with a Diploma in Sports Massage from the Southern School of Massage Therapy. I’m a Level 4 gold member of the Sports Massage Association and fully insured. I have several years experience as a UK Athletics level 2 running coach at Winchester & District AC and am an STA-certified open water swimming coach. I have an MSc in Obesity and Weight Management and a Postgraduate Certificate in Human Nutrition.
My interest in sports massage arose from my marathon running. Regular massage always helped me recover from heavy training and prepare for the next onslaught. I’m evangelistic about it – because it works!
Although not currently practicing, I have eight years’ experience as a health coach, registered with the UK Health Coaches Association. My focus on was on nutrition and weight management, together with things that are associated with weight problems such as stress and poor sleep. All these things can also affect pain and recovery from injury or illness, so could be relevant to sports massage clients. I bring this knowledge and experience to sports massage to give clients a multi-dimensional approach to feeling better, stronger and more resilient.
Areas of interest and experience
- Any sport, but I have a particular interest and experience with runners, swimmers, cyclists and triathletes.
- Lower back pain. I am not a clinician or medical professional such as a physio or osteopath but I have had major lumbar back surgery and have learned a great deal about ways to cope and recover. If you are concerned about your back, please see your GP first to check for red flags.
- The role of the brain and nervous system in pain and mobility. Pain doesn’t always mean there’s damage. The pain is real but it might not be due to injury.
- Junior athletes and young people. A specialised approach is needed when working with young people and children. An adult known to the young person must always be present when someone under the age of 16 is being massaged.
- Musicians and singers – who often suffer from postural issues and repetitive strain issues.
- Nutrition for athletic endurance performance and general health.
- Sleep and stress. Even a couple of nights’ poor sleep or a single stressful experience can reduce our capacity to recover from a training load or usual activities and can lead to pain or increased pain.
Other info
- Current first aid certificate
- Mental health first aider (June 2018)
- BSc (Hons) Human Biology
- Six marathons
- Three ironman triathlons (2010, 2011 and 2012)
- I’m an open water swimmer, swimming non-wetsuit in local rivers and the sea all year round. I was part of a successful English Channel relay crossing in 2013 and have completed several marathon swims including across Torbay, round Brownsea Island, the River Dart and around the Scilly Isles in a day.
Clinic hours
Daytime: Monday to Friday, from 7am
Last appointment: 5pm
Price
£65 per 60-min session
First session: £80 (75 min)
Block of three 60-min sessions: £180
Enquiries and appointments
Phone or WhatsApp
What people are saying
I’ve been having massages with Lou for 8 years and always felt better as a result, both before and after racing. She’s a very friendly expert and you can always guarantee restored legs and spirits after a session.
I am so happy Lou is round the corner. She is fabulous: kind, strong, knowledgeable and an early riser so I can go to her before work. I have had lots of massages/masseurs – she is the most effective so far by far.
Lou was brilliant. She really focused on the areas I was feeling the tension in – stretching and massaging and checking in to see how things were feeling for me. After treatment I felt a lot looser, lighter and more relaxed. Thank you!
