I went to see Karen Charles at Mobility Therapies (www.mobilitytherapies.co.uk) last Wednesday to have some Aquatic Therapy which I’ve never had before, at a local swimming pool. I was really curious about it as I already know that movement is really beneficial for me. I usually like to do different kinds of exercise like working out at the gym, doing Pilates weekly, but also, I love to do chakra dancing most days and squeeze in some Qigong practice into my life too where possible.
Movement has such a positive effect on my body in terms of reducing pain and anxiety, improving my general fitness and increasing my energy levels, and helps me to stay committed to my health and wellness journey as I continue to find new therapeutic ways of releasing it all day by day. It’s not always enough what I do at home in self-care which is why I do have to resort to finding treatments that help to reduce the pain, especially when I am going through a flare-up and the underlying stubborn pain won’t go away. I normally give it a few days to a week then I seek treatment when the pain levels are too high and I need that release.
Wellbeing challenges, both mental and physical, are only on the increase and more and more people need support to thrive in life. Thriving is a great feeling – I love to feel good wherever I can, navigating with confidence and resilience around all the stresses and challenges that life brings us.
As someone with lived experience of fibromyalgia, TMJ (jaw pain) and osteo arthritis – otherwise known as chronic pain – which I’ve had to manage for the past 25+ years, I understand first-hand the importance of having pain management strategies in place to help keep it all under control and reduce the frequency of flare-ups. I don’t ever claim to be pain-free, but keeping the pain low is a high priority of mine and I have learned over time to listen to my body and know what it is that it needs. I can’t always meet my needs at every second of every day, but I do my best as I have strategies and new self-care routines in place to support me.
Mindfulness, connection with ourselves, and developing a good sense of self-awareness over time has become a really important strategy when managing pain and the anxiety too that comes along with it which naturally gets stuck in the body and increases pain. It felt great to let go of it all in my AquaStretch session and to feel the benefits of the gentle but liberating release it gave me.
Karen Charles worked with the fascia around my whole body during my AquaStretch therapy session. It was an unusual experience being moved about in this way as in the past, I have only ever had treatments such as physiotherapy, osteopathy, craniosacral therapy, lots of acupuncture and deep tissue massage – otherwise known as “passive” treatments – where I’m laying on the bed and receiving treatment. Although I love just receiving treatments, there was something empowering about taking part myself in mobilising my own body in different ways as instructed and according to my pain level. I moved in a way that feels comfortable for me – not excessively painful but bearable – at the same time as being stretched, pulled and prodded in and around all the tightness and sensitivities of my body.
I found it really awkward at first when I was first moved around in the neck and jaw area as my muscles were very tight when I started, but towards the end, I found that part very relaxing and so liberating in terms of pain levels around the jaw and neck area. There were uncomfortable and more painful parts of my neck that didn’t feel as relaxing, but I did ease into the movement, and by the end, although I stood up in the water feeling lightheaded at first, I definitely felt like a weight had been taken off my chest. Also, once dressed and ready, I noticed the pain was easier. I felt lighter, like a large chunk of pain had left my body. I felt taller and slimmer especially around the neck area. I also felt like it was easier to walk tall with a good posture as with tension, I can sometimes tend to slouch a bit as I do have to constantly remind myself to correct my posture. It felt so good to be without the constant heaviness and fatigue that pain brings me everyday. It’s really good to feel good especially when it makes space for new, positive surges of energy to come through. I definitely felt like I’d had a really good stretch throughout.
If you would like to get in contact with Karen Charles to see for yourself the positive impact it can have on your body and pain levels, please do get in touch with her to book your treatment. As well as at Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre, she also runs her sessions from Aspire Leisure Centre in Stanmore.