Hello, I’m Catherine Franks, myofascial release therapist, nature, art and map lover, singer and warm-weather river swimmer! I’m fortunate to have found my calling in life, which involves helping you, but has also been instrumental in my own healing journey.
My life, like yours, has had its ups and downs. Many joyful moments but also a share of tragedy and trauma, as well as life-long chronic health issues thanks to the full whammy of allergy-related conditions. All of this experience has made me highly sensitive to the people and world around me, and brings me to a wonderful place where I connect with like-minded people who hold and support me on my journey, wherever it might take me next. I believe in the power of living in the present while trusting in my resilience to cope with the future.
Back in 2008, realising that many years in not-for-profit marketing hadn’t been very good for my health, I walked out (yes, literally!) and began a new ‘career’ in what I thought at the time was ‘just’ massage, qualifying via the Midlands School of Massage and Manipulative Therapy (sadly now closed), with a Diploma in Remedial Massage and Advanced Diploma in Manipulative Therapy, along with in-depth training in anatomy and physiology.
A few years later my focus shifted to myofascial release, or MFR, as a gentler, more profound modality in which I’ve completed around 150 hours of hands-on training, and many more of online theory and practical teaching, most of these with the wonderful Ruth Duncan and Linda Currie of MFR UK. I am unable to cope with the screentime involved in the portfolio elements of actual qualifications these days(!) but suffice it to say I have lots of experience and training. In addition, my continuing professional development has included intensive courses in muscle energy techniques, trigger point therapy, Reiki and the physiology of pain. But my best teachers are you, my clients; I learn so much from every one of you and it’s always enlightening.
MFR is an exciting and rapidly growing field in physical therapy. I’m constantly blown away by its powerful effects, including on me(!) and yet it is completely safe, largely because you and I will LISTEN to what your body needs and can tolerate. Working gently and patiently yet deep into the fascial network can be especially effective in the treatment of chronic conditions such as ME, fibromyalgia and long-term pain conditions. Please read here for more information as this is the work I use with all clients.
MFR has been described by people variously as ‘magic’, ‘weird’, and ‘amazing’. See more of what people have to say by clicking here