Freeing the body, freeing the mind.
Hello, my name is Gemma
I am fascinated by the human body, it's ability to move, adapt, heal and especially how it deals with pain and stress.
Something I want to share with you, is that as a highly sensitive and empathic person, I take my time to really understand what is truly going on for you and how to best support you, providing a safe space for your body to unwind and heal, but PLEASE NOTE that this happens at a pace that your body and mind dictates. We can have huge breakthroughs in one treatment, for others, it may take 5 or more. I DO NOT FIX ANYONE! This is a process that takes time and patience.
Humans are extremely resilient, but we each respond very differently to stressors from everyday life and traumas from childhood, or any significant life event, including surgery. It is known that our body’s (namely within the fascia), hold on to stress and whilst the brain plays tricks to suppress and repress these emotions, the body shows signs over time; often manifesting into injuries, illnesses and chronic pain. Along with allergies, IBS, other gut issues, hormonal imbalances, skin complaints, arthritis and so much more. IT IS FASCINATING! But this doesn’t mean you have to just put up with this suffering or take prescription drugs to mask it all. Taking action isn’t easy, but bodywork can help considerably by calming the Nervous System (activating the Parasympathetic Nervous System), allowing the body to relax into healing mode. The power of touch is so nurturing and an essential need of every human being.
(*I highly recommend books such as “The body keeps the score” - Bessel Van Der Kolk and “When the body says no” - Gabor Maté for more on this topic.)
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With my work and continuous trainings, I aim to create a safe space for the body and mind to relax, calm the nervous system, for you to be heard, understood and allow for healing to occur.
Whilst studying Exercise Science (MSc), I specialised in the use of behaviour change to prevent and treat lifestyle-related diseases. I have a working history as a Personal Trainer in a variety of corporate gyms across London. I further trained as an Exercise Physiologist, testing markers of physical and mental health, educating on healthy living, wellness, disease prevention, fitness, stress reduction and promoting overall well-being.
The missing piece for me was Bodywork, the hands-on approach to help create balance in the system. The psychological component is key also and in some cases I highly recommend people marry these two systems for life-changing impacts.
Now as a fully qualified, Level 5 Soft Tissue Therapist, my goal is to only help share my ever-growing knowledge, by accelerating the healing ability of each individual.
My personal history with mental health, exercise addiction, food restriction, injury and pain, finally leading to hip surgery and a complete turn around in my own approach to my body and mind. Through these experiences, it has better informed my work as a body therapist. Life’s experiences have fuelled my passion to help others to truly reconnect to themselves and honour their bodies with the upmost respect!
I have run my own business in London for the last 7 years, treating a whole variety of clients from the sedentary to the international athlete, those with a history of psychological and physical traumas, injuries and pre/post operative clients also.
I have one location at The Commando Temple, a world-class training facility (www.bestronger.co.uk) in Deptford, South-East London.
But I do also work from Ely (Cambridgeshire) and offer online consultations too.
How do I work?
My treatments are all individually tailored to your specific needs.
Over a series of treatments you will see an alleviation of pain, improvements to your alignment and any movement dysfunction.
I work predominantly with the fascial system (the webbing of our body), within which, our structures and systems are held. Remodelling the fascia, encourages a flow of energy and pain-free motion, ungluing tensions and restrictions which the fascia stores from all our stress and traumas - both physical and psychological.
Healing is a journey, sometimes a rollercoaster. I will not promise a one-time fix, but more a working relationship to enable you to feel a sense of connection to your body and what it really needs. The body is a marvel and only wants to work for us. So, as long as we give it the ideal conditions to flourish, it can heal and rebalance.
What you can expect from a treatment
I will always commence our working relationship with a 90 minute Initial Consultation, which will consist of a discussion about your timeline of injuries, illnesses, trauma(s), health issues, current pains and lifestyle. I will then assess your alignments, movement patterns, assess joint movements - actively and passively, then the treatment will unfold as we go. I believe that you will benefit most by working consistently on mobilising your tissues and often there will be “homework” based on a blend of using MFR tools (e.g. foam roller/massage balls), stretching and strengthening the necessary tissues to build and maintain a more balanced and aligned structure to support the needs of your body.
In some cases, chronic pain can be purely structural from physical issues from birth or injury at some point in your life, especially if surgery(‘s) have occurred also; but it can also (and often) result from the emotional trauma, from a painful event in your lifetime whether that be physical or psychological. Sometimes a blend of the both, which is why I will tailor the way I work completely on the root cause of your pain. Your treatment plan will be bespoke, according to your body’s needs, to unwind and rebalance.
Working with the physical tissues is freeing for your mind too, it’s a 2-way relationship. Allowing for any emotional release can take time. For chronic issues I strongly advise committing to 5 treatments, but I know this isn’t always possible for people, so I do work on individual cases and advise accordingly.
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MSc Physical Activity for Health
BSc Exercise Science (1st class hons)
Diploma in Exercise Referral
Level 3 Advanced Fitness Instructor Award
Level 3 Diploma in Whole Body Massage (ITEC)
Level 3 Deep Tissue Massage
Level 3 Lymphatic Drainage
ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage
Level 1 + 2 Reiki Healing
Cor-Kinetic Functional Therapeutic Movement (Ben Cormack)
Anatomy Trains in Structure & Function (Thomas Myers).
Kinesiology Taping (John Gibbons, Ost.)
BodyMaster Method Training (John Gibbons, Ost.)
Acupuncture for Sports Injuries (Bernard Nolan).
Level 5 Diploma in Soft Tissue Therapy (LSSM).
Body Mapping and Movement Specialist (HPT5).
Pilates Matwork Level 3 (APPI).
Myofascia Release Diploma (Amanda Oswald - Pain Care Clinic).
Fascial Pelvis (Amanda Oswald - Pain Care Clinic).
Fascial Neck + Shoulder (Amanda Oswald - Pain Care Clinic).
Tinnitus + Migraine Relief (Emma Gilmore - School Of Bodywork).
Restore Scar Therapy Practitioner (Restore Therapy).
Advanced C-Section Scar Therapy (Restore Therapy).
“I had serious mobility problems with my right shoulder which was inhibiting movement, ability to train how I wanted to and causing me lots of pain and sleepless nights. Gemma has been brilliant - understanding the root of the problem immediately and getting to work.
Regular sessions with Gemma and ‘homework’ rehab exercises has seen the pain all but disappear and my shoulder mobility improve loads.”
— Ruth Bonser