The Balance Smith

Menopause, aching joints and the oestrogen connection.

We tend to associate menopause with hot flushes, night sweats and mood changes.

But what about the aching joints?

Oestrogen plays an important role in musculoskeletal health and immune regulation. As levels decline, changes in inflammation, connective tissues and pain sensitivity may contribute to the aches and stiffness many women experience.

And for women taking aromatase inhibitors following breast cancer, joint and muscle pain can be a particularly challenging side effect.

The good news? There are ways to support your body.

Movement, strength training, appropriate pain management and supportive hands-on therapies may all have a place.

At The Balance Smith, my approach is about understanding your pain, keeping you moving where possible and finding practical ways to improve comfort and wellbeing. If you’re struggling with joint pain, you don’t have to simply put up with it.

If pain is new, persistent or worsening, it’s important to have it assessed rather than automatically attributing it to menopause.

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Little seeds, big conversation! 👂

Hot flushes, night sweats, poor sleep and aching joints can be challenging enough during menopause, but they can also be side effects of hormone therapy following breast cancer.

As someone taking an aromatase inhibitor myself, it's a subject close to home.

Ear seeding is a form of auricular acupressure that uses tiny adhesive seeds or beads placed on selected points of the ear.

The points are chosen according to the individual rather than using exactly the same combination for everyone.

Now, they're not a magic cure but at The Balance Smith, I offer ear seeding and clinical reflexology as complementary approaches to support relaxation and wellbeing alongside conventional medical care.

💚 If you're struggling with menopause symptoms, whether naturally occurring or following breast cancer treatment, let's have a chat about what support might be right for you.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - 100 miles. 31 days. And a very personal reason for doing it. 💗

Today I’m starting Breast Cancer Now’s Walk 100 Miles in October challenge.

Those of you who have followed me for a while will know that breast cancer became part of my own story a couple of years ago. There have been surgeries, chemo, radiotherapy, recovery and plenty of changes along the way.

So this challenge feels particularly meaningful.

I’m walking the 100 miles to celebrate me as a breast cancer thriver, and for everyone else on their own cancer journey, those going through treatment, those learning to live with everything that comes afterwards, and those we’ve sadly lost.

Movement has also been such an important part of getting back to feeling like me again.

I talk a lot at The Balance Smith about listening to our bodies, keeping them moving and not waiting until something goes wrong before we start looking after ourselves.

So 100 miles in October feels rather fitting. 👟

That works out at just over 3 miles a day although I'm fairly certain there will be days when it's wet and windy and my enthusiasm for signing up might waiver....😂

I'll share a few updates throughout October and hopefully watching those miles tick upwards will keep me accountable!

And if you'd like to support me, I'd be incredibly grateful for any donation, however small. Every penny will help Breast Cancer Now continue their work in research and support for people affected by breast cancer.

💗 You can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/karen-smith-kws?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Right then... Mile 1. Let's go. 👟

Sometimes there isn’t one big thing wrong.

You’re still working, getting things done, looking after everyone else and carrying on as normal.

But underneath it all…

You’re tired.
You’re not sleeping as well.
You feel more anxious or irritable.
Your body feels tense.
And you just don’t feel quite like you.

It’s very easy to brush those things aside particularly in midlife and tell yourself you just need to get on with it.

But you don’t need to wait until there’s a big problem before you give yourself some attention.

Sometimes the starting point can simply be:

“This is how I’m feeling at the moment.”

From there, we can look at the whole picture of sleep, stress, pain, lifestyle, hormones and what else might be going on and decide what support feels right for you.

And you don’t need to know whether that means massage, reflexology, MLD or something else before you get in touch.

Just tell me what’s going on. We can start there. 💚

Don’t wait for the burnout to book the session.

This month’s move nearly flattened me, but chiropractic, massage, reflexology and a few cold outdoor swims kept me standing.

Self-care isn’t the reward after the stress. It’s what gets you through it.

What’s keeping you together right now? Tell me below 👇

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HarrogateWellness

A day of two halves, as life is all about balance! A peaceful tranquil swim to start the day at followed by Fake Fest on the Stray . Today will be spent hoovering up glitter 😂😂

Have you reached the point where you're so exhausted that even the smallest thing feels overwhelming?

You may be snapping at the people you love, lying awake at 3am, forgetting simple things or wondering why you don't feel like yourself anymore.

I often hear, "I don't know what's wrong with me and I should be coping better."

But what if it isn't about coping at all?

Your nervous system is brilliantly designed to keep you alive. Thousands of years ago that might have meant fighting or escaping a sabre-toothed tiger. Today it might be juggling deadlines, caring responsibilities or opening an email you'd rather not read. Different situations, but your brain can activate many of the same protective stress responses if it perceives a threat.

Your nervous system is constantly asking, "Am I safe?"

It isn't about switching stress off with the click of a button. It's about gradually giving your body opportunities to experience calm, safety and regulation again.

Massage and reflexology are just two of the ways I help people create those moments of safety by supporting the whole person, not just the symptoms that brought them through the door.

If you've been running on empty for weeks or even months, then your body isn't failing you. It's trying to protect you.

If this sounds like you, get in touch and let's have a chat about how I can support your nervous system.