Decoding Pain: The Nervous System's Role in Musculoskeletal Health

With a perfectionist personality that insists on deep-diving into my passion of helping others to care for their mind & body, near 15years hands-on experience as a Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Remedial Massage Therapist and RTW Case Manager (RTW - stressful, short lived (1year) period, not my favourite or best use of my skills but it did provide a valuable, deeper learning experience in the clinical co-ordination of patient recovery) I have taken every opportunity to invest into my own training and knowledge, educating myself on what works and what doesn't when it comes to effective resolution-based manual therapy treatments.

My experience and training have led me to the belief that the efficacy of effective Remedial massage hinges on its ability to shift the body's physiological state away from chronic stress and pain signaling and that the treatment you need to receive to achieve results within this field is as individual as you are. "If we ignore the nervous systems role in chronic or acute pain and try to force only the physical body to change, we fight an uphill battle bringing more pain than necessary to each client, instead if we work gently with the nervous system to bring it to a state of calm before applying more intense techniques, the physical body is receptive to change and we see gentle, easy, long-lasting results - Less Pain, more gain"

• The Sympathetic State (Fight or Flight): Prolonged stress, injury, or poor posture maintains the body in a hyper-vigilant state. This sympathetic nervous system (SNS) dominance leads to chronically shortened muscle fibers, restricted fascia, and heightened pain sensitivity (hyperalgesia). This manifests as persistent neck tension, low back stiffness, and recurring tension headaches, etc.,

• The Parasympathetic Reset: Skilled Remedial Massage serves as a powerful somatic intervention. By modulating nociception (pain signals) and mechanoreception (touch and pressure), treatment actively down-regulates the SNS. This initiates a parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) response—the "rest and digest" state—promoting deep tissue relaxation, improved local circulation, and a reduction in stress hormones like cortisol. The outcome is measurable: decreased muscle guarding and an improved perception of pain.

Thanks, Bel, for that gibberish...I just really want to feel better; I don't care how - Just do it!

Me too! As a client, I just want to rock up and know that my Therapist has the safe skills & knowledge to work behind the scenes to address my ailments without too much input from me after the initial consult (and self-care between appointments) - I don't really want to think about it when I'm on the table...That's why I totally understand how important selecting the right therapist is, one that you can trust to care for your body intuitively, not just clinically. With SaBella Massage Therapy, I pride myself on providing a treatment that distinguishes itself through a unique commitment to blended care, incorporating clinical healing with a relaxed, tranquil vibe - I don't talk too much about the clinical side of my practice because it's kinda just bumbling naturally along in the background but I want you to know it is always there, keeping me busy and playing a part in your care.

SaBella, clinical distinction:

Every client receives a high-quality, four stage Remedial treatment to ensure lifelong results can be achieved and maintained, if you're willing to be a part of your treatment plan.

1. Comprehensive intake appointment: Provide and discuss your clinical history, so a safe treatment plan can be designed just for you, a comfort check-in so you can advise your preferred room temp, chat level and music to make sure you receive the effective treatment you need and simultaneously enjoy your down-time with SaBella.

2. Diagnostic Acumen: Treatment at SaBella Massage Therapy begins with using your comprehensive clinical assessment to focus not just on the site of pain, but on identifying the underlying structural and neurological drivers of the dysfunction. This precision ensures that your remedial massage is a corrective intervention, not just a temporary comfort measure.

3. Advanced Modality Integration: Each Remedial Massage treatment seamlessly integrates a range of clinically proven techniques custom to you— targeted trigger point therapy, myofascial release, dry needling, heat therapy, advanced manual therapy and nervous system techniques —specifically chosen to address your individual pathology and facilitate the desired neural reset.

4. Client Empowerment: My mission is to move clients from passive treatment to active self-management. Every session concludes with targeted self-care recommendations and ergonomic advice designed to sustain the benefits of the Remedial Massage and prevent recurrence of your condition, supporting long-term wellness.

   
   

My Remedial Massage services are aligned to those looking for professional massage to enhance recovery or to get started with clinical remedial massage for:

• sciatica

• jaw & tension headaches

• lower back pain

• shoulder pain or impingement

• chronic or acute neck pain 

• numbness in the arms and hands

• other acute or chronic pain relief.

Whilst my practice looks warm and nurturing to new clients looking for the right therapist (and it is), don't mistake the warmth for a compromise of, or lack of skill, experience and knowledge - The cozy setting is just a bonus. Through my practice I uphold the highest standards of professional care, continually investing into my own clinical education on the musculoskeletal & nervous systems to quietly deliver you the latest advances in the field of effective Massage Therapy care.

Initiate Your Clinical Pathway to Relief

If you are struggling with chronic stiffness, pain, or the systemic effects of stress on your body, a comprehensive remedial massage plan is an invaluable step toward restoring balance.

I invite you to book in or join my waitlist today.

BOOK YOUR REMEDIAL TREATMENT