Fingers and Thumbs

10/11/2025

Start the week right 💪🏽
Athletes train. Bodies recover.

If you’ve pushed hard over the weekend — gym, running, rugby, football — your muscles need a reset to avoid tightness, niggles and overuse injuries.

✅ Sports massage to flush soreness
✅ Mobility focus for hips & hamstrings
✅ Trigger-point work for calves & lower back
✅ Simple breathwork to switch off “fight or flight”

Recovery is where the gains actually happen.

I’ve got limited mid-week appointments in Ryton.
Message to book or text 07751 974961. 🌿

07/11/2025

Seasonal Affective Disorder is real — and it affects thousands of people every winter

As the days get darker and colder, our mood, energy and motivation can dip.
If you struggle each winter, here are a few simple ways to prepare yourself:

🌞 Get more daylight – even 10–15 minutes outside in the morning helps your body clock
💡 Light therapy lamps can boost serotonin and energy
🚶 Move your body daily – walking, yoga or dancing in the kitchen all count
😴 Keep a sleep routine – same bedtime, same wake time
🍊 Support your nutrition – Vitamin D, omega-3s and magnesium
☕ Stay connected – don’t isolate yourself
✨ Plan things to look forward to – trips, crafts, meet-ups, treats
🧠 Check in on your mental health – speak to someone if things get tough

You’re not alone, and there are lots of ways to make winter feel lighter 💛

06/11/2025

💧 Hydration is Key – Even in Winter!

When it’s cold, we naturally drink less… but our bodies still need just as much water to stay healthy.
Dehydration doesn’t only happen in summer❄️

✅ Helps keep joints and muscles moving
✅ Prevents dry skin, headaches & fatigue
✅ Supports focus, energy and mood
✅ Keeps your immune system strong

Easy ways to stay hydrated in winter:
• Swap cold drinks for warm lemon water or herbal teas
• Keep a water bottle with you during the day
• Eat hydrating foods – soups, fruits, veggies
• Add a slice of orange, berries or mint for flavour

💡 If you’re feeling tired, foggy or getting headaches, dehydration might be the reason.

Stay cosy, stay hydrated, stay well 💧❄️

05/11/2025

🌿 Aromatherapy for Sleep & Stress 🌿

If your mind won’t switch off at night…
if you wake up tired…
or if stress sits in your shoulders, chest or jaw —
aromatherapy can help your body reset.

Some of the best oils for calming the nervous system:

💤 Lavender – relaxes muscles, reduces anxiety & supports deep sleep
💤 Frankincense – grounding when your mind is racing
💤 Bergamot – lifts mood, eases tension & supports emotional balance
💤 Chamomile – soothes nerves, great before bed
💤 Ylang Ylang – slows breathing and lowers stress hormones

You can use them in a diffuser, a warm bath, on the wrists with a carrier oil, or during massage for deeper relaxation and better sleep.

A tense body struggles to rest.
A calm nervous system sleeps deeper.

If you’re exhausted, stressed, achey or struggling to switch off, aromatherapy massage, reflexology or hot stones can make a huge difference 💚

📞 07751 974 961
Fingers & Thumbs Sports Massage & Holistic Therapies

02/11/2025

🌿✨ Exciting News from Fingers & Thumbs! ✨🌿

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve officially enrolled on a five-year Herbal Medicine qualification 🌱 — a dream I’ve held for a long time.

This course will deepen my understanding of natural healing and allow me to bring even more holistic, plant-based approaches into my therapies over the coming years. 💚

It’s a big commitment, but it feels like the perfect next step — combining my passion for natural health, balance, and the incredible power of herbs to support the body and mind. 🌿

Thank you to everyone who continues to support Fingers & Thumbs as it grows and evolves. Here’s to learning, healing and staying rooted in nature. 🍃

02/11/2025

🍁 Fingers & Thumbs – November Newsletter 🍁

“Slow down, ground yourself, and prepare for winter.”

As the darker nights draw in, November reminds us to rest, reflect, and take care of ourselves before the festive rush begins. At Fingers & Thumbs, we’re here to help you move through the season feeling balanced, supported, and well. 🌿

⸻

🌿 What’s New

✨ Herbal Medicine Journey Begins!
I’m so excited to share that I’ve officially enrolled on a five-year Herbal Medicine course — something I’ve dreamed of doing for years. This will deepen my understanding of natural healing and bring even more plant-based knowledge into my treatments over time.

✨ Winter Wellness Focus
November’s treatments are all about easing tension, improving circulation, and supporting your immune system. Reflexology, sports massage, and aromatherapy can all help you feel lighter, warmer, and more energised through the colder months.

⸻

🕯️ Recommended This Month
• Hot Stones Massage – deeply relaxing and perfect for cold, achy muscles.
• Reflexology – to balance hormones, improve sleep, and boost mood.
• Aromatherapy Massage – with grounding oils like cedarwood, frankincense, and orange to lift your spirits.

⸻

🎁 Gift Vouchers Now Available

Perfect for early Christmas gifting! Choose any treatment or amount — the ideal thoughtful present for someone who needs a bit of calm and care this winter.

⸻

💬 Stay Connected

Follow along for holistic tips, natural remedies, and updates on my herbal medicine studies 🌿
📞 07751 974961
📧 fingersandthumbs1@live.co.uk

30/10/2025

💉 Vitamin D & B12 Injections — Salon vs. GP

(What you should know before you roll up your sleeve!)

🌿 At First Glance

Salon or wellness clinics often market vitamin injections as a quick fix for tiredness, low mood, or energy slumps — but what’s often missing is the medical oversight and safety checks that make all the difference.

⸻

⚠️ Potential Cons of Salon Injections (Compared to GP or NHS Supervision)

1. No blood testing or medical assessment
• Salons rarely check your current vitamin levels, so you might be getting unnecessary or excessive doses.
• Overdosing on vitamin D can lead to kidney problems, high calcium, or heart rhythm issues.
• B12 injections are generally safe, but if your fatigue is due to another cause (thyroid, anaemia, etc.), the salon won’t detect it.

⸻

2. Unclear product sourcing and regulation
• Many salon injectables are not NHS-approved or not traceable to UK medical suppliers.
• There’s a risk of improper storage, contamination, or incorrect dosing.

⸻

3. Limited clinical training
• Even if staff are “qualified,” most salon therapists are not trained in recognising adverse reactions or managing complications like infection or allergic response.
• Doctors and nurses follow strict clinical governance and hygiene protocols that many salons cannot match.

⸻

4. No ongoing care
• Your GP will monitor your vitamin levels, check your medications, and adjust doses safely over time.
• Salons typically offer no follow-up testing or medical supervision.

⸻

5. False reassurance
• Feeling better after a shot doesn’t always mean your health issue is solved — it might just be temporary.
• Without medical follow-up, underlying causes (like anaemia, autoimmune issues, or low thyroid) can go untreated.

⸻

✅ When Done Through Your GP
• Doses are medically justified and safe
• Blood tests confirm deficiency before treatment
• You’re protected by NHS clinical standards
• The cause of your fatigue or low mood is properly investigated

⸻

💡 Bottom Line

If you’re feeling tired, achy, or low in energy — always speak to your GP first. A simple blood test can tell whether you actually need vitamin D or B12 injections.

Wellness injections from salons might sound appealing, but your safety and long-term health come first.

30/10/2025

28/10/2025

🌿 Reflexology & Neuropathy 🌿

Neuropathy can cause tingling, numbness, burning or pain — especially in the feet and hands. It’s often linked to diabetes, injury or poor circulation.

💆‍♀️ Reflexology offers gentle support by:
✨ Boosting blood flow to nourish damaged nerves
✨ Soothing pain and tension
✨ Encouraging nerve response and relaxation
✨ Promoting deeper rest and better sleep

While it isn’t a cure, regular reflexology can help ease discomfort, improve circulation and bring a sense of calm back to the body.

🦶 A holistic way to care for tired, tingling or painful feet.

27/10/2025

🌿 Why B-Complex Vitamins Matter — Especially in Perimenopause & Menopause 🌸

As hormone levels shift, your body works overtime to stay balanced — and that’s where B-vitamins really shine 💫

✨ Benefits of B-Complex:
🌼 Boosts natural energy and reduces fatigue
🧘‍♀️ Supports mood, focus & emotional balance
💖 Promotes healthy hair, skin & nails
💪 Aids metabolism, digestion & heart health
🌿 Supports nervous system & stress resilience

✨ Why it’s extra important now:
🔥 Helps manage mood swings, brain fog & low motivation
💤 Supports better sleep and calmer nights
🌸 Aids adrenal health and stress response
💓 Protects heart & bone health as oestrogen levels change

Balanced nutrition, rest, and regular bodywork (like massage, reflexology or acupuncture) can all work beautifully alongside a good B-complex to help your body through this natural transition 💚

26/10/2025

🕰️ The clocks go back this weekend! 🍂

That extra hour in bed isn’t the only benefit — the clock change can actually help reset your natural rhythm.

✨ Brighter mornings make it easier to wake up and start the day
😴 An extra hour of rest supports recovery and wellbeing
☕ Darker evenings encourage winding down and better sleep routines
💆‍♀️ It’s the perfect time to slow down, stretch, and look after yourself as we move into the quieter months

Take this as your reminder to embrace balance, rest and a bit of self-care this autumn 🌙💚

25/10/2025

Good morning 🥰