Introducing Katie, our New Sports Massage Therapist

Katie Godfrey, 32, is  thrilled to be part of the Activ team at Totley in her new role as a Sports Massage Therapist. Her interest in sports massage is directly linked to her love of running.

Our newest team member, Katie Godfrey, joins the Totley Clinic as a Sports Massage Therapist

She explains:' 'I was living in Cambridge 10 years ago when I began  running – starting with a Parkrun). As is often the case with new runners, I picked up several injuries and was seeing a lot of Sports Massage Therapists to treat these. I became fascinated with my therapists' knowledge and skills which helped me recover.'

Katie, who graduated from Glasgow University with a Politics degree in 2014, and went onto study for a  Masters of Research in International Development at Bath University, graduating in 2016, currently has a full-time job in International Development. 

'I work mainly from home but there is some travel. Between 2017 and 2018, I became more interested in becoming a Sports Massage Therapist as a second job. However, it wasn't until early this year that I thought I really must look into it and do something about it!'

Katie has been a patient at Activ for the last 18 months, seeing our Totley-based Sports Massage Therapist Debbie Grayson for regular massages to prevent injury. She praises Debbie for pointing her in the right direction.

'I  was seeing Debbie for treatment and we got talking about my dream to take on a similar role. Debbie was very encouraging and suggested the training course in Swindon she attended, and I was lucky to get a place. So I have Debbie to thank for giving me the final push I needed!

The course, in March this year, consisted of two separate long weekends  

'There was lots of theory – lots of detail to learn about physiology. The training centre, Core Elements, provided recordings of all lectures which were converted to Podcasts to listen to while I was out running on trails at Blacka Moor, Totley or the Lake District. It was a great way to absorb all the information.' 

Then it was back to Swindon for a 60 minute practical exam (with Katie massaging other course trainees), which she passed with flying colours. Katie also excelled in the written exam (we had to press her for results!) with an impressive mark of 99%!

'I was so thrilled that all my hard work had paid off and all my practise full-body massages on friends, family and my running pals at Totley Athletic Club helped me immensely. I also listened to all the feedback I got about my technique and touch.'

Katie reveals that invaluable advice from Debbie was not to apply pressure that the patient felt 'was higher than a six or seven out of 10'.

'I stick to that rule, continually listening to the patient for feedback. In the majority of cases I have got it right. You quickly learn what is right for the patient. Yet I've found with a few men, you have to watch their faces. Often, if the level of discomfort is too much they won't admit it!'

Katie is now a qualified NVQ Level 3 Sports Massage Therapist and was thrilled when Debbie mentioned there was a job position at Activ coming up.

'I went for the interview with Andy and was so happy to get the job. It helps that as I have been coming here for some time as a patient I've  already got to know some of the staff and I am proud to be part of the friendly team! I'm looking forward to learning more from Debbie and Activ's other Sports Massage Therapists.'

As well as sportspeople, Katie has a particular interest in treating people who suffer with stress and tension from their desk-based jobs. Also, Postpartum mums who have been carrying their babies around.

'Although I'm out running a lot, I have a desk based full-time job and understand how this can affect people in many ways, I also see a lot of new mums with stress and tension in their upper back. I'm looking forward to treating a diverse range of issues as most of my patients have been runners. It will be lovely to treat sporty and non-sporty people alike.' 

If you would like to book a Sports Massage with Katie, please telephone our Totley team on 0114 235 2727.