Nell Roney- Orthopaedic Massage and Manipulation Therapist
DManip, DARM, DRSM, DSM, BSc Psych (Hons)
Use it or lose it
When stop moving in our full capacity, in order to limit or avoid pain, our bodies adapt and we function under suboptimal conditions. This is the amazing nature of muscle plasticity and how we can adapt and is great in the short term. Long term it’s not so great and if these changes in our movement become persistent, these physical alterations catch up with us in other ways.
How it started
I’d previously worked in IT but after several years out with young children I now needed a job that was flexible to family life. I’d done a BSc Psychology (Hons) at the Open University and had developed a fascination with biological psychology (how the brain and the biological processes within our body influence our mood and behaviour). I also knew that I wanted to work with people and was looking for a career that could provide help to people. Around this time my youngest child was just a baby and I signed up to do baby massage. I saw the soothing effect that massage had on him and started to consider massage as a possible career. After a lot of google research into the best possible courses I’d signed up for a 9 month diploma… as you do!
The first weekend of training was quite a shock to the system. Not only were we learning massage techniques, there was also a significant amount of physiology and anatomy training. As exhausted as I was after it, I knew that I wante to know more- I was addicted and my education snowballed:
- September 2020- I qualified as a Swedish Massage (DSM) Therapist and in my madness decided to launch my business, Edinburgh Press Massage Therapy, AND start on the next diploma in Remedial and Sports Massage (DRSM). That first year was full of ups and downs- COVID-19, lockdown, masks, isolation, zoom- but I kept telling myself that if I could launch a business during Covid, I could do anything.
- November 2021- I started the Advanced Remedial Massage (DARM) Course and over the following 11 months I began to evolve from a massage therapist that loved to make people feel good into a therapist that wanted to take your pain away and, with the aid of the Sports Therapy element of the course, kep it away.
- November 2022- I jumped straight onto the Diploma in Orthopaedic Massage and Manipulation (DManip)…( I also informed my friend Boab that he was doing it with me). In addition to teaching us how to do spinal and peripheral manipulation, we were also taught the testing and treatment of nerve dysfunction and biomechanics. This was pivotal in my career, widening my approach to the bigger picture and the identification of long term solutions rather than just short term gains.
Edinburgh Press
The concept of my business name was developed very early on and originated from the concept of informed touch The words have lots of meaning that felt right for me, though they have nothing to do with journalism…
If you’ve never heard of an Edinburgh Press, they’re and architectural feature of traditional Edinburgh homes- in-built bookshelves usually hidden with a door (although now the doors have often been removed).
- Edinburgh- home and my favourite city in the world (despite being born in the amazing Liverpool!)
- Press- the connection of touch that particularly resonated with me and the part that communicates with your nervous system to allow your body to reset.
- The Edinburgh Press- I have these at home and they contain many books that I have learnt from: physiology, anatomy, neurology, psychology and pathology.
The concept of informed touch is as relevant today as it was back then. I continue to add to my learning through regular CPD and I also think it important to inform clients of the reasoning behind treatment and exercise so you know the why.
Myth to Matter
If you’re still hearing No Pain, No Gain from your therapist, it’s time to find a new one! Massage communicates with the nervous system:
- Pain ellicits a protective response from the brain, initiating a physical response that can affect the positioning of the body and restrict its movement
- Sensory receptors from your body inform the brain and the brain instructs the response.
- Safe and informed touch works to communicate to illicit an alternative response
Techniques used at Edinburgh Press stimulate these different sensory neurons, communicating with the brain and allowing an altered physical response that can include:
- restoration of muscle to resting length
- improvement of the body’s awareness of proprioception
- improved tolerence of CO2 levels within the blood that can regulate breathing, improving homeostasis and increasing the body’s natural ability to repair
All treatment guided by the therapist and simple in practice. No single technique is ever used as an individual solution, they’re used in combination depending upon your need.
Edinburgh Press Solutions:
Treatment at Edinburgh Press is solution focused rather than technique based. When you select a treatment offered below it does not limit the solution- it is simply a guide.
- Orthopaedic Massage Therapy (for reduction of pain and improvement in function)
- Sports Massage (for tight muscles as a result of exercise or over exertion)
- Stress Reduction and Relaxation Massage (to stimulate the parasympathic nervous system and allow the body to enter the state of rest and digest)
- Oncology Massage (therapeutic massage for all stages of cancer)
- Corporate Massage (short sessions delivered in office, giving a boost to your staff)
Common Conditions treated:
- Sciatica or other nerve pain including Carpal Tunnel
- TMJD– in cases of pain, clicking and restriction of the jaw
- Back pain or dysfunction
- Shoulder pain/ dysfunction
- Neck pain/ restriction
- Tennis/ Golfer’s Elbow
- Post operative/ injury rehabilitation
- Achilles tendonitis
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Migraine
- Chronic Pain
What Edinburgh Press means for you:
Whether your pain is acute or chronic, if you experience pain, I can help. The biggest problem I see people facing is that their pain restricts their body so much it is hard to get better. There is a disconnect between your brain and body that is frustrating and sometimes debilitating. It’s like trying to compete in a race 50 metres behind and with someone holding back your arms- it just feels pointless.
At Edinburgh Press the aim is to restore the body back to its optimal starting postion, naturally reducing your pain and supporting you to sustain it. I want to help ease your pain as quickly as possible and give you long lasting results. I provide a welcoming and inclusive clinic to all without prejudice or judgement where we work together to give you back the control.
What Edinburgh Press means for me:
There is no better feeling for me than seeing people moving better and feeling better, often for the first time in years. Pain and restriction is exhausting and it can sit like a cloud that alters everything you do. I want you be rid of it so you can have that energy back to enjoy the fun things in life. You can read an article written about Edinburgh Press describing about how Orthopaedic Therapy helped Nicola get her stride back.
Further advice
If you would like access some further advice and tips on how to strengthen and move better you can follow on the socials below.