SeaStar Wellbeing

Incorporating rehab into daily activities is really important. For the best results, aim for consistency not perfection (apparently that works for social media posting too!!!).
😎 Sunbathing is optional...always wear sunscreen 🧴

Some holiday reading for me...📖

I'm really interested in the relationship between pain and the role of the nervous system (I may have mentioned this during a couple of treatments 😜). So let's see what this has to say.

💆 Massage and Chronic Pain: Understanding a New 2026 Study 🔎

A 2026 study by Naimi Shirazi and colleagues, published in Pain Management, looked at 226 people attending a multidisciplinary pain clinic at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis, USA. The average age was 45 years and 81% were women. 👥

Patients completed an intake questionnaire covering 56 treatments they had previously tried for chronic pain. They rated each as helpful, unhelpful, never tried or unsure. Of those who had tried massage, 77% rated it as helpful — the highest percentage of all 56 treatments. Oxycodone was rated helpful by 74%, psychotherapy by 67%, hydromorphone by 67%, physical therapy by 62% and aquatic therapy by 62%. 📊

For the massage profession, the significance of this finding extends beyond the percentage itself. The result showcases the value and perception of massage as a whole among people living with chronic pain. In this sample, massage was not simply viewed as an optional addition to care; it was the treatment most frequently identified as helpful by those who had tried it. That is an important patient-centred finding and provides a useful perspective on how massage is experienced within a broader pain management pathway. 🤝

The result is a patient-reported outcome, based on each person’s own judgement of whether a treatment had helped them. Because participants selected from fixed categories, the findings are categorical quantitative data based on subjective self-report, rather than qualitative data gathered from detailed descriptions of their experiences. The word ‘helpful’ may therefore include several different outcomes, such as reduced pain, easier movement, better sleep, relaxation, improved coping or a positive treatment experience. 💬

The study does not explain exactly why participants found massage helpful, establish that massage alone caused improvement or support claims about a specific physiological mechanism. However, this does not diminish the importance of the finding. Patient experience is a meaningful part of evaluating care, particularly in chronic pain, where comfort, confidence, function and whether treatment feels worthwhile are inherently personal outcomes. ❤️

The value of massage is also shaped by context. People arrive with different expectations, preferences, previous experiences and beliefs about their body and treatment. Communication, therapeutic relationship, environment, choice, pressure, practitioner responsiveness and the meaning attached to the treatment may all influence how massage is experienced.

These contextual factors help explain why modern massage education is increasingly encompassing more than technique and anatomy. An evidence-informed approach also considers the person receiving treatment, the therapeutic relationship and the wider circumstances in which care takes place. 🌿

The Shirazi study gives massage a strong patient-reported result: 77% of those who had tried massage described it as helpful, making it the highest-rated treatment in this sample. For GCMT, this offers an opportunity to highlight both the perceived value of massage and the importance of understanding the complete treatment experience. It supports a modern view of massage that recognises technical skill alongside communication, individual context and patient-centred care. ✨

Reference

Naimi Shirazi, K., Flegge, L.G., Miller, M.L., Wakefield, A.E., Williams, K. and Bushey, M.A. (2026). Perceived helpfulness of 56 treatment options in patients with chronic pain: a retrospective review. Pain Management.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42605847/

LCSP Register of Remedial Masseurs & Manipulative Therapists Scottish Manual Therapists Organisation Massage Training Institute - MTI Complementary Health Professionals The Sports Massage Association

The last available appointments this month are on Saturday at the Wellbeing Hut. 30 and 60 minute treatments are available. To book, contact Sheena on 07760 520483 💜

🍀 Good luck 🍀 to everyone who's participating in the Paisley 10k and fun run today. Enjoy 😍😍😍

Anyone else tried pickleball? Really enjoyed my first session today. Let's see what the bones are saying about it tomorrow 😆😮😆

Looking for a treatment tomorrow afternoon⤵️✨

Hi folks 👋
I have the following appointments left this month in Paisley;
Friday 7th - 2pm, 4pm.
Sunday 23rd - 3pm, 4pm

I also need models for;
Cupping Massage
Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage
Full Body Stretch Treatment
All available at the reduced price of £40 for a 60 minute treatment, as a thank you for allowing me to use pics and video on social media 💜 These can be booked on both dates.

Comment below or contact Sheena on 07760 520483 to book.

Back to training? Your body will feel it 👀

If you’re getting back into sport or building up to an event like the Paisley 10K, massage can really help: Loosen tight muscles Support your body as training increases Boost recovery and keep you feeling good

And for anyone running the Paisley 10K… I’ll have post-race recovery massages available on 16th August 💆£25 for 30 minutes

I’m also looking for models for treatments shown in the photo – just £40 for 60 minutes. Images and video will be used on social media.

📱 To book, contact Sheena on 07760 520483 or comment 👇

All set for today's clients at Paisley 💜

A mixture of sports and relaxation treatments today...just to keep me on my toes!

August clinic appointments are available to book. Contact Sheena on 07760 520483 to book.

Have a great weekend ☺️

✨ Models needed for content filming ✨
I’m looking for a few models to receive a 60-minute treatment for just £40 on Saturday 8th August at The Wellbeing Hut 💆‍♀️
This is perfect if you’ve been needing some relaxation while also helping me create new content 📸
Available treatments:
• Thai Foot Massage
• Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage
• Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage & Sculpting
• Face & Neck Lymphatic Treatment
Friendly, professional, and tailored to you 💜
📍 Limited spaces available
📩 To book, contact Sheena on 07760 520483.