It is never too late to do what you love says Newham based sports massage therapist
Monday 21st August, 2023
It’s never too late to do what you love.
Esther Hocking is hoping her decision to retrain as a specialist sports massage therapist will help to inspire other people who have put their lifelong ambitions on the back burner.
Esther, who has just turned 50, recently joined Align Chiropractic Cornwall in Heron Way, Newham as a soft tissue therapist.
She provides therapeutic, remedial, relaxing and deep tissue massage, as well as pre- and post-event massage for a wide range of clients.
For Esther, it’s a long-held dream come true. The mum-of-two had always been interested in sports injury and massage but having young children meant she had put her ambitions on hold.
“About 12 or 13 years ago I wanted to go back to college and do a sports injury degree but it was the wrong time, just wrong everything,” said Esther, who has a background in sales and marketing and set up an online jewellery business while her children, now aged 16 and 14, were young. Then she found some information about a BTEC in sports and clinical massage with the Institute of Sports and Remedial Massage (ISRM).
“It’s an in-depth practical diploma where you learn about neuro-muscular massage techniques, physiology and anatomy,” said Esther, a keen runner. “You’re also trained to assess, treat and rehabilitate minor musculoskeletal injuries.”
The time was right, the course was right, so she went for it - and did really well. Shortly after she completed her Level Five diploma in December, Esther heard about a job opportunity at Align Chiropractic Cornwall.
“I really wanted to work in a clinical environment,” said Esther, who went for an interview and was given the role as a soft tissue therapist at the practice shortly after. “It’s been so great,” she added. “There’s just something really rewarding about doing a job where you help people. It sounds corny but it’s true.”
Esther uses her skill and techniques to help with a variety of injuries, as well as tension and stress problems. Clients can range from active, sporty people to those who find exercising more difficult.
“It actually doesn’t matter which part of their body hurts,” said Esther, talking about her growing list of clients. “What matters is that they come in because they’re in pain and that pain is preventing them from doing what they need or love to do.”
Esther often works in collaboration with Sarah Murray, who founded the Align Chiropractic clinic in Newham in 2021.
Together, they are able to offer a combination of manual therapies, exercise programmes and more.
“It’s amazing and I think people can be very surprised at how quickly they can get better,” said Esther, before adding how much she loves her new career. “I only retrained two years ago to do this. I want people to know that when you’re nearing 50, you might think it’s too late but it’s not at all.
“It’s been really good for my children to see that if you work hard for something, you can get to where you want to be.”