Sacred Daisy

05/04/2026

✨️THE PAMPER ROOMS ✨️

11/03/2026

Colchester and surrounding areas - BEREAVEMENT CAFE held at the Joan Tompkins Unit - next to St Helena Hospice, Bancroft close, Colchester..
WEDNESDAY 18TH MARCH
10.30AM - 12.00 NOON.
If you're struggling with loss of a loved one - please pop by for a cuppa and a chat ❤️‍🩹

If you are grieving the death of a loved one, throughout the year certain dates, moments or unexpected triggers can bring emotions to the surface. When you feel like that, where do you go?

You may find comfort in our new Community Bereavement Café sessions for people to come together for support over a cuppa in a safe space to talk or simply be around others who may feel the same. We offer a place where you can be heard by trained staff and volunteers, alongside others who are experiencing similar emotions and may relate to what you are going through.

The free monthly drop-in sessions start on Wednesday 18th March facilitated by Senior Healthcare Workers Kelly and Belinda, and will then be held on the third Wednesday of each month 10:30 to 12:00 at the Joan Tomkins Centre.

More information https://bit.ly/40Tn3Bq

The Community Bereavement Cafés have been generously supported by Essex County Council Local Community Fund.

04/03/2026

📚WORDY WEDNESDAY📚

✨️👣 REFLEXOLOGY 👣✨️

Reflexology is a gentle non-evasive complementary therapy.
It has it's roots in older civilisations, be they in the East or West.
Ancient artifacts and texts have been found in ancient India., Egypt, China, Japan, and Russia providing evidence of working on the feet to promote good health.
Today many of these techniques have been incorporated into today's moden scientific evidence based practice we know as reflexology.
The common theme being there are energy zones running through the body and reflexology areas in feet, hands, and face that correspond to the major organs, glands, and body parts.
In the early 20th century Dr William Fitzgerald developed the modern zone theory of the human body - claiming parts of the body correspond to other parts of the body.
In the 1930's Eunice Ingham a physiotherapist, mapped out the entire body onto the feet, she discovered that alternative pressure on various points had therapeutic effects far beyond just reducing pain - there in Reflexology was born (Norman, L,1988. Tanner, R, 2003).

CONTRAINDICATIONS:
* DVT/Blood clots
* Acute fever/illness
* Pregnancy - 1st Trimester

Different maps vary - apparently down to copy right.

The Chinese TCM reflexology map is vastly different to it's Western counterpart.

Reflexology calms the nervous system and soothes the soul/sole. There is a plethora of evidence based research on this, hence it being available with some NHS providers for those that have endured trauma or that are dealing managing issues around oncology/cancer.

PICTURES:
Renee Tanner, step by step reflexology, 2006, 5th edition.
Laura Norman, the reflexology handbook - a complete guide, 1998, 3rd edition.

02/03/2026

💙💚 March is Lymphoedema awareness month 💚💙
I commence my Casley Smith Lymphoedema Method Training this month... watch THIS space 👀

💙 March is Lymphoedema Awareness Month 💚

Blue Ribbon. Green Fight.

There is a blue ribbon for Lymphoedema.

But if you ask anyone who lives with it…
they will tell you it feels green.

Green like the lymphatic system that works silently every second.
Green like the swelling that no one sees — until it becomes too heavy to hide.
Green like the quiet strength it takes to manage a body that retains what it should release.

💔 Lymphoedema is not “just swelling.”

It is a chronic, progressive lymphatic condition that occurs when the transport capacity of the lymphatic system is reduced.
When lymphatic load exceeds transport ability, protein-rich fluid accumulates in the interstitial tissues.

And that changes everything.

🌍 The Reality

It is estimated that over 250 million people worldwide live with lymphoedema.

Up to 1 in 5 women treated for breast cancer may develop secondary lymphoedema.

And yet… it remains one of the most under-diagnosed and under-discussed chronic conditions.

💚 Understanding the Types

Primary Lymphoedema
A congenital or genetically linked malformation of the lymphatic system.

Secondary Lymphoedema
Caused by surgery, radiation, trauma, infection, cancer treatment, or lymph node removal.

Different causes.
Same need for lifelong management, skilled therapy, and early intervention.

💙 What It Really Feels Like

Lymphoedema doesn’t only swell limbs.

It swells anxiety.
It swells self-consciousness.
It swells fear of infection.
It swells frustration when clothes don’t fit the same.
It swells exhaustion from daily compression and elevation.

It can lead to:

• Persistent swelling
• Fibrosis (tissue hardening)
• Increased cellulitis risk
• Heaviness and restricted mobility
• Emotional isolation

It affects not just the limb —
but the whole person.

🌿 The System We Don’t Talk About Enough

Your lymphatic system regulates:

• Immune surveillance
• Fluid balance
• Inflammatory modulation
• Lipid absorption
• Waste removal

When it is compromised, inflammation lingers.
Healing slows.
Tissue changes.

This is not cosmetic.
This is physiological.

⚠ Signs You Should Never Ignore

✔ Swelling that does not reduce overnight
✔ Tight rings, watches, or shoes
✔ A feeling of heaviness or fullness
✔ Skin thickening or hardness
✔ Recurrent infections

Early diagnosis protects tissue.
Delay allows progression.

💚 Treatment Is Not Defeat

Compression is not weakness — it is strength.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage supports lymphangiomotoricity.
Exercise stimulates lymphatic propulsion.
Education prevents fibrosis progression.

Lymphoedema may be chronic —
but stability is possible.

💙 To Every Person Living With Lymphoedema

I see you.

The way you elevate your limb at night.
The way you check your skin carefully.
The way you navigate comments like, “It’s not that bad.”

You are not dramatic.
You are managing a complex lymphatic condition with daily discipline and resilience.

And even in a body that retains fluid —
God still calls you whole. 💚

🌿 This March

Wear blue.
Think green.
Speak about lymph.

Share this post.
Tag someone who needs it.
Encourage early evaluation.

Because swelling deserves science.
Because awareness changes outcomes.
Because no one should walk this alone.

Blue Ribbon.
Green Fight.
Unshakable Hope.

— Bianca Botha
Certified Lymphoedema Therapist
Lymphatica 💚

02/03/2026

New team member at THE PAMPER ROOMS
Massage and Beauty 😍😍

THE PAMPER ROOMS

11/02/2026

📚 WORDY WEDNESDAY 📚

✨️🌸🌼✨️AROMATHERAPY✨️🌼🌸✨️

Aromatherapy is part of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).
CAM refers to a diverse group of medical products, systems, and practices that fall outside of mainstream health care. Complementary means to use alongside orthodox medicine, and alternative means that conventional/orthodox medicine is not utilised as it is considered to be iatrogenic.
The National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has 5 x main genres:
* ALTERNATIVE: Consist of complete theory and practices like Homepathy., Naturpathic Medicine., Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)., and Ayurveda.
* MIND BODY INTERVENTION: Inclusive of support groups., Prayer., Spiritual Healing., Creative outlets like Music - Dance and Art.
* BIOLOGICAL BASED THERAPIES include Herbs., Food., and Nutritional Supplements.
* MANIPULATIVE AND BODY BASED THERAPIES include Chiropractor's., Osteopath"s., and Massage Therapist's.
* ENRRGY THERAPIES involve the use of energy fields such Qi Gong., Chakras., Therapeutic Touch and use of Electromagnetic Field.

Aromatherapy can be utilised in any of the 5 categories. Essential oils can be infused into a medium and used with body based therapies. They can equally support Ayuredic and TCM.
Essential oils have a profound effect on our mind., body., and spirit as they contain pharmacological activities (Bottaglia, 2019).

Regardless of the route essential oils are administered, they're known to provide rapid relief of signs and symptoms. Pain and Fatigue being the most commonly relieved or reduced (Holmes, 2019).

ROUTE METHODS:
* INHALATION
(RESPIRATORY)
Defuser's., Aroma Sticks., Direct Inhalation., Steam Inhalation.
* TOPICAL
(SKIN/PERCUTANIOUS ABSORPTION)
Massage., Compress., Bath , Body Products., Skin Patch., Roller Balls., Jewellery.
[Also: Oral., A**l., Vaginally., Any Or***ce].

Natural doesn't automatically imply safe!!
Any essential oil can cause an allergic reaction, this could be shown as hives., a cough., a wheeze... or something more insidious. If there is concerns, then a skin patch test is advisable.
Some health conditions can be exacerbated by certain essential oils - furthermore, some essential oils will counteract your prescribed medication. Some considerations are:
* Hormone related cancers.
* Epilepsy.
* Stomach Ulcers.
* Blood Thinners.
* Hyper/Hypotension.
* Taking Iron/Iodine Supplements.
* Kidney problems.
* Diabetes.
* Endometriosis.
* Thyroid Imbalance.
* Glaucoma.
* Those Clinically depressed and on Antidepressants.
* Homeopathic Remedies.
* Statins
(Lawson, 2023).

Aromatherapy blends should be taylor made to suit the individual's needs considering their current and past medical history, current medications/supplements. Your blend will be devised equally to support your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
Please ensure you seek guidance from qualified and insured practitioners 🌈✨️

09/02/2026

CANCER DROP-IN SESSION AT HARWICH ESSEX

* 4th TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH
* 10.00AM - 12.00 PM
* HARWICH LIBRARY
UPPER KINGSWAY
CO12 3JT

* BOOK AN APPOINTMENT VIA COLCHESTER CANCER WELLBEING CENTRE
TEL: 01206 745347
OR SIMPLY DROP IN WHEN JOANNE IS AT THE LIBRARY - APPOINTMENT NOT NECESSARY.

04/02/2026

The 4th of February is World Cancer Day...

Bellow is a list of a few wonderful charities supporting those with cancer - some of these charities will also support loved ones and carers.

St Helena
This is not just a Hospice, they provide restbite care, pain management, bereavement support and much more, their contact number is
01206 845566.

SINGLE POINT
Links in with St Helena, they are open 24/7 - available for people in North East Essex registered on my care choices., Can offer support to family members too. Their contact number is
01206 890360

COLCHESTER CANCER WELLBEING & INFORMATION CENTRE (next to duck pond at Colchester General Hospital)., Complementary therapies available.,
Counselling available., Macmillan support available.,
Advice and Support available.
Their contact number is
01206 745347

Helen Rollason Cancer Charity - HRCC
Found across Mid-Essex and other venues.,
Complementary therapies available.,
Counselling available.,
Lymphoedema Massage available.,
Bach flower remedies available.,
Support groups available.,
Their contact number
01245 382888

31/12/2025

Today I was blessed to close this year with providing a beautiful pregnancy treatment of pure bliss from head to toe at THE PAMPER ROOMS , and a wonderful Aromatic Manual Lymphatic Drainage massage...
I would like to thank all of my clients, regardless of where or how I have provided you a treatment- it really is an honour and privilege to be trusted to be the provider of a safe place for you, your physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing ♡
Wishing you and your loved ones positive health, wealth and prosperity for 2026 🌈✨️

I look forward to seeing you in the new year.

10/12/2025

https://youtu.be/pYr63EoTK4I?si=s68UX-7aHNi2VOTw

How to manifest with essential oils - Thank you Elizabeth Ashley Starns and Adam

How to Set Intentions | Manifest Abundance in 2026 with Essential OilsHow to Set an Intention & Manifest Abundance in 2026 with Essential Oils explores how i...

08/12/2025

WORDY WEDNESDAY'S INCOMING FOR 2026....
✨️📚📖📚✨️
I WILL BE WRITING A LITTLE SOMETHING ABOUT ALL THE THERAPIES I PROVIDE, BE THAT DELVING DEEP INTO THE WORLD OF ESSENTIAL OILS 🌻.,
LOOKING AT THE BENEFITS AND THE USE OF CRYSTALS 💎., LEARNING ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF REFLEXOLOGY 👣.,
CONTEMPLATING ON ENERGY HEALING THERAPIES LIKE REIKI AND RAHANNI 🌈✨️🙌💖

WATCH THIS SPACE

07/12/2025

✨️ How the body stores grief within the Lymphatic system ✨️ Wonderful article from Bianca Botha of the Lymphatica page shared.

🌿 THE 7 PLACES YOUR BODY STORES GRIEF — AND WHY YOU FEEL PAIN THERE

By Bianca Botha, CLT | RLD | MLDT | CDS

Grief does not leave the body quietly.
It settles into the softest places, the weakest places, the places that once held safety.
Your nervous system remembers every loss — even the ones you tried to forget.
Your lymphatic system feels every emotion before you speak it.
Your tissues echo the stories your mouth never told.

Grief is not just emotional.
It is biological.
It is chemical.
It is physical weight your body tries so hard to carry for you.

Here are the seven places grief hides — and why each one hurts.

1. The Neck & Jaw — where unspoken words live

When grief hits, your vagus nerve tightens.
Your jaw clenches to hold back tears.
Your throat stiffens to hold back everything you wish you could say.

Physiology:
This tension compresses lymph nodes under the jaw and along the neck, slowing drainage and triggering headaches, pressure, and swollen glands.

Grief says:
“I never got to say what I needed to say.”

2. The Chest — where the ache settles when the heart breaks

Have you ever felt that heavy pressure in your chest when you miss someone?
That is the intercostal fascia tightening, shallow breathing reducing oxygen, and lymph fluid stagnating around the sternum.

Physiology:
Your sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight) constricts the chest, slowing lymph flow and making you feel tight, breathless, and unable to expand emotionally.

Grief says:
“It hurts to breathe without them.”

3. The Abdomen — where emotions become inflammation

70% of your lymph lives around your gut.
So when grief overloads your nervous system, your digestion is the first place to collapse.

Bloating, cramps, heaviness, constipation, and nausea are not “in your head.”
They are your gut trying to process emotions your words couldn’t carry.

Physiology:
Cortisol surges inflame the gut wall.
Lymph stagnates.
Food moves slower.
The body swells.

Grief says:
“I’m trying to digest a life I didn’t choose.”

4. The Shoulders — where responsibility becomes weight

The body lifts its shoulders when bracing for impact — even emotional impact.

That knot behind your shoulder blade?
That burning between the shoulders?
It’s emotional load turned physical.

Physiology:
The thoracic duct — the main lymph vessel — passes behind the left shoulder.
When emotional tension builds, this duct becomes compressed, slowing drainage from the entire body.

Grief says:
“I’m carrying more than I can hold.”

5. The Lower Back — where survival stress collects

The kidneys are stress organs.
The psoas muscle is a trauma muscle.
The lumbar lymphatics drain into deep abdominal nodes that swell under cortisol and fear.

Lower back pain after loss is extremely common.

Physiology:
Chronic stress tightens fascia around the spine, reduces circulation, and inflames the psoas — the muscle that curls the body into a fetal position when overwhelmed.

Grief says:
“I don’t feel safe here.”

6. The Face — where sorrow becomes swelling

Puffy eyes.
Morning swelling.
A face that looks heavier than before loss.

Crying is cleansing — but the emotional chemicals released during grief temporarily thicken lymph fluid.

Physiology:
Histamines + cortisol slow lymphatic return, especially around the eyes where drainage pathways are delicate.

Grief says:
“I have cried from a place deeper than words.”

7. The Legs — where unresolved emotions sink downward

When your body is exhausted, overwhelmed, or fighting to cope, circulation shifts to essential organs, and lymph flow slows.

This causes:
• Heavy legs
• Fluid retention
• Swelling around the ankles
• Restless legs at night

Physiology:
Emotional stress reduces the “muscle pump mechanism,” making it harder for lymph to travel upward.

Grief says:
“I’m tired from carrying this for so long.”

🌿 HEAR THIS, BEAUTIFUL SOUL:

There is nothing wrong with your body.
It is not failing you.
It is responding to emotions too heavy for your heart to carry alone.

Grief does not leave quietly —
but it does leave.

With gentle movement.
With breath.
With lymphatic flow.
With compassion for yourself.
With time.
With truth.
With release.

Your body has been holding you together in the only way it knows how.
Be gentle with it.
Be patient with it.
It is trying to heal you.