Glenfall Massage

Sciatica is a sharp pain that shoots down the back of your leg and is worse when you bend over. It may also cause tingling, numbness or pins and needles in the affected leg.

Did you know that often sciatic-like pain is linked to having tight glutes, specifically the piriformis muscle, which can pinch and restrict the sciatic nerve. This is called piriformis syndrome and symptoms can be relieved by massage. The piriformis muscle can become tight if there is an imbalance in the muscles that stabilise the pelvis. If this is the issue pain tends to be felt in the buttock rather than the lower back.

So what do you do if you have pain shooting down the back of your leg? Ask yourself the following questions:

Is the pain in one or both legs? If pain is shooting down both legs, please seek help from an osteopath, chiropractor or your GP as soon as you can. This may be due to nerve compression closer to your spine which needs immediate attention and cannot be treated by a massage therapist.

If the pain is only in 1 leg. You could try these 4 top tips:

1) Don’t carry bulky items like your wallet and phone in your back pocket, and definitely don’t sit on them as this will further compress the sciatic nerve.

2) Check your seat – are your hips higher than knees? Think office chair, sofa and particularly the car. Several of my clients sciatic-like pain has quickly disappeared by simply raising their car seat.

3) Apply heat to your lower back and glutes by having a hot bath or using a hot water bottle or heat pack.

4) Book in with me for a sciatica massage that treats your back, glutes and legs to relieve muscular tension all along your sciatic nerve and calm your symptoms. At the start of the appointment we would do a few tests to rule out any spinal involvement to your symptoms, which would require help from an osteopath, chiropractor or medical health professional.

If in doubt get it checked rather than hoping the pain will go away. Please share this post to help your family and friends and get in touch if you have any questions or need support.

Have a lovely weekend.
Abi

Today is World Menopause Day.

The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of the perimenopause and menopause and the support options available for improving health and well being. Please keep reading for my top 3 tips on how to find out more information...

Let's keep raising awareness and busting incorrect myths about it... for example "you are too young". I was about 37/38 when my symptoms started but I had young kids, there was a global pandemic and a lot of stress to explain my downturn in health and mood. No one ever thought about the menopause.

Luckily I benefitted from the recent movement to talk openly about the perimenopause and menopause and very slowly started to piece together the pieces of the puzzle. If you aren't feeling like yourself anymore or feel like you are daily "wadding through treacle" to get things done and survive the day please keep reading.

There is so much information out there and confusing symptoms so where do you start? Here are my top 3 tips to calmly start learning more:

1) Speak to your family to hear about their experiences - the menopause is strongly genetically linked.

2) Email me on [email protected] and I will send you my free 2 page guide to soothing stress to help manage your menopause symptoms. This includes recommendations on podcasts, books and websites to find out more about the perimenopause and menopause. Knowledge is power. (I won't spam you with other information afterwards - promise.)

A special mention goes to the balance Menopause app by Dr Louise Newson which is free and has a fantastically simple and easy to use symptom tracker.

3) Keeping talking about how you feel and know you are not alone. Speak to a friend, family member, your GP or look for a local support group. So many women keep quiet and downplay their symptoms as they don't want to winge or make a fuss and often overlook the fact they are managing multiple tricky symptoms.

For those living near Cirencester the "You, Me and the Menopause" group offers face-to-face and online support and can be found on Facebook.

Let's keep talking to help eachother and please be kind. Everyone's journey is different. You are not alone, please reach out if you are struggling.
Abi x

Credit to for the attached symptoms infographic. Seeing this was a light bulb moment for me, thank you.

Some great businesses that provide menopause support services in the Cotswolds.
Credit to Claire Jane Wardell and the You, Me and the Menopause group for collating this information. Thank you 🙏

There is a fantastic Menopause Fayre happening this Friday in Cirencester on Menopause Awareness Day. Scan the below QR code for more details and well done to Jane Wardell and the You, Me and the Menopause Group for organising another event this year.

If you have any questions or concerns about the perimenopause and menopause or simply want to find out more this is the event for you! There are some fantastic practitioners attending to support everyone.

Just 1 week to go!

If you haven’t booked already, follow the link below to secure your free ticket, or upgrade to VIP

Looking forward to seeing you there

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cotswold-menopause-fayre-celebrating-menopause-awareness-day-2024-tickets-907557959287

Such an important message to share for every day of the year.

Being honest, I purposefully don't use social media much as it makes me anxious. It's not great for my business but this really works for me. That said I do miss prompts for important messages like the fact today is World Mental Health Day.

Really we should talk about mental health every day. I try to practice gratitude for my physical and mental health every day. On days when things aren't so good, I practice being kind to myself or try to talk to someone about what is worrying me.

My door is always open, please reach out if you need support ❤️

It’s 🌍 Take that first step to getting help.

Save and share this post and help us make sure there’s no mind left behind.

You could also try 👇

Papyrus Hopeline: 0800 068 4141 PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Su***de

Text SHOUT 85258 Shout

Samaritans Campaign Against Living Miserably The Mix

Amen - I have released my November and December appointments on my website if you are looking for some relaxation and a reboot.
www.glenfallmassage.co.uk/bookings

Also I have reduced my hours slightly as I try to maintain a good work-life balance ... and factor in increasing taxi duties for my eldest 🙃

My amazing sister came to stay at the weekend and we turned the kids play room into a massage room 😂

I missed Strictly (I’m a big fan) but it was totally worth it to be able to gift my sis a lovely relaxation massage. Love you Nems ❤️🙌

❤️

Make some time for you...

A little time out goes a long way - refresh yourself so you can continue to look after others and keep your various plates spinning.

If you are reading this and think "that's nice but I don't have time for that"... this applies to you even more.

Take 5 minutes to just sit without your phone and just breathe..... half an hour to have a cuppa with a mate.........or book a massage with me - Abi from Glenfall Massage.

Offering Relaxation, Sports and Thai Stretch massage at A40 Gym in Andoversford, Cheltenham on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Shout out to Beta Mummy for the fab graphic. You can scroll through her amusing posts and images whilst you're having a rest 😉

Exciting news from A40Fitness!

Yes we just got even better…

💚💪New timetable 💚💪

Don’t panic we haven’t taken anything away as we know how you all love it just added in some exciting extras. So what’s new….

Monday evening we have a new Pilates starting with lily

Wednesday we have added in an early evening circuits class with George.

Thursday we have two new classes- an LBT circuit class with Meg and a weight lifting master class with Harry.

Watch this space for our pop up classes-
A40QuickStretch
Spin Lift Run
TRX Workshop
SAQ Training

All of these classes are inclusive of your gym membership so if your not already a member now is the perfect time to join our fitness community.

I hope you've had a good summer? This last week has been all about getting back in routine if you have children and have been juggling work and entertaining the kids.

I've loved spending more time with my family over the summer and have purposefully tried to switch off from the pressures of being self-employed. No social media, no events, and just a reduced amount of massage appointments. And guess what... I feel rested, refreshed, happy and focussed.

So my question is where is your happy place? This could be a physical location, the people you spend time with, a much loved hobby or something different. Let me know in the comments below....

Life runs at a ridiculous pace so I'm planning some small acts of self-care to hopefully prolong my summer chill well into the Autumn. Yes, of course massage is on there 😆

If you feel you need some refreshing, de-stressing or tight muscles ironed out after the summer please get in touch. Here is my remaining availability for this week:
Thursday 12th September - 10am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 2pm
Friday 13th September - 1pm, 1.30pm, 3pm

Offering Holistic Sports, Relaxation, Thai Stretch and Indian Head massage treatments at A40 Fitness in Andoversford, Cheltenham.

I have some spare appointments this week if anyone is after a Relaxation, Sports or Thai Yoga Stretch treatment.

Get some "you time" in before the school summer holidays!
Contact Abi on 07736 296150 or [email protected] to book in.

Have a great week and 🤞 for some sunshine...

It's time to practice what I preach.

I will be having a week off in June from Thursday 13 June - Wednesdsay 19 June for some rest and recharge.

Thank you for everyone's recent support. I am extremely grateful to be in demand at the moment 🙏

Normally I only have time off with my children in the school holidays but that isn't always that restful!

To avoid disappointment please try to book your massages in advance. I have 3 appointments left before my time off. You can view these at www.glenfallmassage.co.uk/bookings

You are all amazing!
Thanks
Abi

Repost from The Soul Journey with Sarah Moussa

Wonderful words that can also be applied to massage therapy…

Don’t wait until you are in pain, injured or super stressed to have a massage. Invest in your health proactively and you will reap the rewards.

I offer a block booking and a loyalty scheme to encourage my customers to visit regularly and you save a bit of money along the way. Message me to find out more.

Offering relaxation massage and holistic sports massage in Andoversford, Cheltenham.

Thanks Abi

Everyone - please support the lido with this. We are so lucky to have this great facility in our town. Thank you

Sandford Parks Lido needs YOUR help ‼️

Following confirmation of a £310,000 grant to assist us on our sustainability journey, we have recently submitted a planning application to install more solar panels and undertake substantial enhancements to our car park - making it safer and more accessible.

However, we find ourselves at a pivotal juncture where public support is paramount - without the planning permission, we cannot utilise the grant and invest in the lido’s future.

In considering our application, Cheltenham Borough Council needs to see that the plans have the support of those who use the Lido. So, we are asking for your help by adding your comments of support to the CBC planning portal by following this link:

https://publicaccess.cheltenham.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=neighbourComments&keyVal=SBCRJJELKFI00

It would be most helpful if you could get your comments in by the planning deadline of 8th May, although we believe comments until 24th will not be discarded.

We really appreciate your time to help protect the Lido’s future and hope to see you there soon 🙏🏻

I love my motivational running socks. Keep believing, keep following your dreams.

Why am I posting a picture of my wet feet after a run in the rain yesterday?

Because I’m getting back to doing something I love after a minor ankle sprain. If there is something stopping you doing the things you love, please get in touch to see if I can help.

I offer support for physical aches and stiffness, injuries, and planned increases in training for prehab support to prevent injuries.

I also offer support to people experiencing stress, bereavement and challenges if you are looking for a non-verbal support therapy and like massage.

You can contact me (Abi) via phone, text or email for an initial chat to see if I am the right person to support you. There is no pressure to make a booking and no presumptions or judgement.

If you want to reach out I can be contacted on 07736 296150 or [email protected]

What have you done for you today?

It was fantastic to meet so many people at the Gloucestershire Menopause Fayre last week. I hope everyone who came picked up some useful tips and products and left feeling more supported and informed.

I was there offering advice on how to reduce stress and reminding everyone to remember to look after themselves, as well as others. It sounds so simple but in reality it can be really hard to remember our own needs. High stress levels can increase the severity of many symptoms of the perimenopause and menopause.

Sending a big thank you to Andrea from who did a superb job of organising this event. Approximately 400 people attended, if you all share some tips or experiences from your menopause journey with a few friends, colleagues or family members we can all help to continue growing this positive menopause movement. Knowledge is power!

A special shout out also goes to my stand neighbour, Louise Griffiths Menopause Workplace Coaching. Marie-Louise you are a true inspiration in how you are using your own experiences and expertise to help others.

Only 2 weeks to go!

If you would like to learn more about managing perimenopause and menopause symptoms please come and join me and over 20 other menopause specialists at Gloucestershire's menopause fayre at Brickhampton Court on Thursday 18th April 4-8pm.

Tickets are free but please register in advance at https://www.cotswoldmenopause.co.uk/menopause-fayre.

On the day make sure you buy some raffle tickets to be in with a chance of winning over £300 worth of prizes, including a gift voucher from me for a 1 hour destress massage. The raffle will be fundraising for Charlie's Gloucester who provide holistic therapies to anyone affected by cancer.

Thank you to Andrea from for organising this event 👏

This looks great! Roll on the summer and more outdoor classes at A40Fitness

A40Fitness loves an early morning circuits class… 🤞 we are out here again tonight… welcome back to the sled.! 🛷

Happy Easter!

My next massage taster event will be on Thursday 11th April.

Offering mini 30 minute appointments at 2pm, 2.45pm, 3.30pm, 4.30pm, 5.15pm.

£15 for A40Fitness members or £20 for non gym members. For more information visit www.glenfallmassage.co.uk/bookings.

Bookings can be made via the A40 app for gym members or by contacting me (Abi) on 07736 296150.

This will be an amazing course if anyone is interested. Liz is a very skilled and experienced massage therapist

Put your hands together for James Weyman from Cheltenham who will be wearing this "Nina the nurse" outfit to support WellChild - the national charity for sick children when he runs the London Marathon on Sunday 21st April!

You may spot James running around Cheltenham as he completes the final stages of his marathon training and gets used to running in the costume. Nina is huge and weighs 8-10kg. She will seriously disrupt James' normal running gait and style making this an epic challenge to complete. If you can, please consider sponsoring James at
https://www.justgiving.com/page/james-weyman-nina

You can also track his adventures with Nina on Instagram at

I'm supporting James with this challenge with sports massage and kinesiology sports taping. Wishing all London marathon runners the best with their final stage of training. Remember to taper your training to incorporate extra rest before the race and most importantly enjoy the experience on the day!

Great tips on keeping motivated with exercise from A40Fitness. This is a great gym in Andoversford with an amazing community vibe, why don’t you pop down to have a look for yourself!

Want to know how to keep up your motivation and stay disciplined then check out our most recent blog-
https://www.a40fitness.com/staying-on-your-fitness-journey-keeping-up-momentum-after-the-new-year