Massage therapy clinic set to celebrate first year

It’s hard to believe this was once an office.

Upstairs at Enterprise House, It’s All About U has transformed a utilitarian workspace into a rare oasis of calm.

Catherine Chapman, who will soon be celebrating the first year of her massage therapy clinic, oversaw the transformation – and her efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by the neighbours.

“A few people who work here have said that it’s brought a kind of balance to the floor,” she said.

“When I use my sprays there’s a nice smell down the corridor.

“It’s been great transforming the room from an office into this.

“Lots of people say its like taking a deep breath when you walk in.

“You don’t expect to walk into a tranquil space in an office block.”

Catherine set up the business after returning to Barnard Castle from New Zealand.

She spent 15 years there, working as an executive assistant to senior figures in major global businesses, so coming back to Teesdale was a change of pace.

“I forgot how sleepy Barnard Castle can be.

“Not in a bad way, the town feels much more vibrant than it was when I left, but there are limits on job opportunities,” she said.

Which is where the kind of can-do attitude that took Catherine around the world kicks in.

Starting with little more than an idea, she’s set up her massage therapy business with support from South Durham Enterprise helping to get it off the ground.

And the choice of massage was no accident.

“I’m very much the type of person who will only offer something I’ve experienced myself and I believe in,” Catherine said.

“I’ve received these treatments.

“I had quite a big operation a few years ago and I was amazed how well things like massage and reiki worked during my own healing journey.”

Her services include sports and relaxation massages, therapeutic massage and the current hot trend on TikTok, ASMR – autonomous sensory meridian response – which combines soothing sounds and a variety of tools such as backscratchers, brushes and even a feather duster.

It’s all about different textures and temperatures to trigger different responses.

There’s also reiki, a traditional Japanese treatment that can divide opinion.

Defined as a healing energy treatment that balances seven key chakra points within the body, it’s also hugely relaxing.

“Some people think it’s all woo-woo,” admitted Catherine.

“I understand why people are sceptical, but I’ve experienced this myself and that inspired me to train in it,” Catherine said.

“It’s not my job to change anyone’s mind, but I don’t feel like you can judge something until you’ve tried it.

“And one of the key things from reiki, and from other massages, is that people say how it helps them switch their minds off.

“It can make them realise how noisy and busy our minds actually are.”

And quieting the incessant beat of daily life is ultimately what motivates Catherine.

“I see how stressed people are because I was one of them,” she said.

“In my corporate job I would sit for 10 hours at a screen, I would feel it in my shoulders, in my posture.

“The world is getting busier, physically and also mentally because of our phones and social media.

“We need to look after ourselves a bit better; it doesn’t have to be reiki or massage, they can help, but it’s also about drinking more water, eating the right foods and getting fresh air.”