Discover our therapists: Silvia

Silvia's smile lighting up the salon.

Seven years ago, Silvia Verdina boarded a flight from Italy with a one-way ticket to Sydney, ready for the complete life-overhaul that comes with relocating to the other side of the world. Step 1: career. We are lucky that we nabbed her in the process!

Silvia was dissatisfied in menial retail work and sought the fulfilment of a career in which she could “help people to feel better”, which is when she began seriously exploring natural therapies, ultimately enrolling in a diploma of remedial massage.

“I love receiving massages myself and I just want to give the same kind of care to my clients. I just want people to feel they can deal with their stress in a better way, or deal with their pain.”

Six years later, four of which at Balmain Massage, and Silvia has built a league of loyal followers who refuse to see any other therapist. They love her for her skill, but also for the intriguing conversation and stories of worldwide adventures. Most of all, they feel a strong connection with Silvia, knowing that she can genuinely empathise with them as she battles with chronic neck pain herself.

“Even if they have some other kind of pain compared to me, they still are in pain and you can definitely understand and help them to feel better without being in pain during the treatment.”

Silvia is also a sought-after beauty therapist.
She is pictured here treating Blanca. 

While some therapists become known for a very specific style of massage, Silvia sees herself as a bit of a chameleon, which adds even further to her popularity.

“I don’t have a massage style in the sense that for every client I try to tailor the treatment to the client, so sometimes I can be super light and gentle and sometimes I can be super tough and strong…it always depends what I think is best for the particular condition.”

Some people are surprised by Silvia’s strength, given her slim frame, but she has a few tricks up her sleeve.

“I try to use my bodyweight to basically sink in and obviously use my elbows to get into certain areas and I try to use loads of other passive stretches, and some techniques to be able to be stronger.”

Massage therapy is a physically arduous job for all practitioners, requiring a high degree of fitness and physical upkeep. This is particularly important in Silvia’s case with her sensitive neck; if you sneak a peak during your massage, you will often find her simultaneously stretching, which gives her longevity and means that your massage will be brilliant from start to finish. She also focuses on self-care.

“First of all, I try to have regular massages myself. I try to manage my stress by doing physical exercise. That helps me to focus and be mindful. So it’s not just physical exercise, it’s actually kind of meditation….and I play an instrument; that makes me feel much better. So music helps me to release the stress. I try to eat heathy food.”

The future is looking dazzling for Silvia as she celebrates her newly-granted permanent residency. We are thrilled that she is here to stay! These days you will find Silvia at Balmain Massage four days a week, or organising events for a community of fellow expats on her days off. She is also training as an aerialist and just bought a pair of roller blades...this busy little bee continues to leave impression on Balmain!

Silvia flying on the lyra

The science behind the art with Sarah Smart

You’ll be forgiven for thinking that the art of aromatherapy is choosing the prettiest-smelling essential oils and rubbing them all over your body, because, after all, essential oils do smell gorgeous. But scratch the surface and you’ll discover an intricate scientific process that requires two years of study and over 350 clinical hours to master. Sarah Smart of Aromatherapy with Sarah, resident aromatherapist at The Balmain Massage and Wellness Centre, breaks down the chemistry behind the art.

Compared with other modalities, aromatherapy requires quite a comprehensive consultation before you even hit the table. Not only is Sarah pinpointing specific areas of concern, she then needs to select and potentially combine oils before the treatment can begin. The first step is to determine the patient's age, stress levels, aches and pains, medical conditions, allergies and intolerances and the results they wish to achieve from the treatment; often this is simply relaxation but may also be to alleviate symptoms, or to invigorate, for example.

Equipped with this information, Sarah will have a sense of the therapeutic properties that will best serve each client and can begin the process of oil-matching. Each essential oil fits into a number of categories, including pain-relieving, cramp-relieving, sedative, nervine and anti-depressant. Sometimes a single oil will cover all of the desired health benefits; “Sweet orange is anti-depressant, which is uplifting and calming, but then it’s also anti-spasmodic, so would help with cramping, or aches and pains” Sarah explains.

Sound simple so far? This is where the chemistry REALLY kicks in. Essential oils have astonishing health benefits and just as many contraindications. With some oils boasting over 100 therapeutic properties, it can be rather complex. Did you know that epileptics should avoid fennel, hysso, peppermint and sage essential oils, or that marjoram and ylang ylang are not suitable for those with low blood pressure? Contraindications become largely intuitive with the training that Sarah has had but must be carefully considered pre-treatment. Age is pertinent as well; a weaker dilution will be used on children and the elderly whose skin is generally more sensitive than others’.

If one oil doesn’t cut it, the next step is creating what Sarah describes as a “synergy of blends based on their therapeutic properties”, which is a three-tiered system consisting of a top note, middle note and base. The top note is generally light, fresh and uplifting, like sweet orange as Sarah explains. The middle note would be something like lavender, which makes up the bulk of the blend, giving it body and balance, followed by a rich and intense base such as frankincense.  

Once the perfect oil or blend is selected, they are mixed with a carrier oil such as jojoba, sweet almond oil or coconut. Only then can the massage can begin!

Sarah is a mum, an holistic healer and an essential oil expert. You can find her at the Balmain Massage and Wellness Centre Monday-Friday, on Etsy, or her website. 

The sad truth about winter blues

When you are categorically NOT a ‘winter person’, there is no layered fashion or hot-cuppa-in-bed powerful enough to force you to embrace the dreariness of a cloud-plagued sky. You’ll probably notice your mood collapse with a thud as the temperature drops, and your motivation evaporate in front of the warm heater. Winter blues, we call it.

As it turns out, you could be experiencing a legitimate disorder with its very own acronym: SAD. Fitting, isn’t it? Seasonal Affective Disorder is actually classified as a major depressive disorder which recurs at around the same time every year and becomes dormant during other seasons. In other words, the symptoms are identical to those which constitute depression, only they are presented seasonally; loss of energy, feelings of sadness and hopelessness, irritability, lethargy, insomnia social anxiety and weight gain…which sheds a whole new light on that winter body vs summer body phenomenon!

SAD is caused by a triple-whammy of chemical changes in the brain. Melatonin is a hormone that responds to darkness by causing sleepiness. Combine the lethargy with inhibited serotonin activity and a lack of exposure to natural sources of Vitamin D – i.e. sunlight on the skin – and your internal rhythms are thrown completely out of whack. Who knew sunshine had such power over us?

As a strain of major depressive disorders, the treatments for SAD tend to imitate those of other mental illnesses, including cognitive behaviour therapy via counselling, and antidepressants, as well as Vitamin D and light therapy. If you recognise a recurring seasonal pattern of depression, it is recommended that you flag the issues with mental healthcare professionals and, in addition, explore a range of self-care methods including complementary therapies like massage therapy and acupuncture.

Massage therapy has been used to treat a multitude of ailments for 3000 years but has paved its way into scientific studies over the past few decades as a drugless-wonder in the alleviation of depression symptoms. This is primarily thanks to its affects on reducing cortisol levels, the ‘stress hormone’, and promoting the production of dopamine and seretonin.

Massage therapy has been noted to significantly alter the biochemistry of humans both immediately following massage sessions and over the course of massage therapy treatment periods - T. Field et al.

The best part is that feeling of instant gratification that you get from a massage which many clients attest to as they emerge from the treatment room, totally blissed out, but it lasts long after.

As you settle onto the heated massage table and relax into your therapist’s touch, you’ll discover that there’s nothing more luxurious than a remedial massage in the dead of winter. Oil is heated to a comfortable temperature before being applied to the skin in long, sweeping strokes called effleurage. The pressure will increase as the muscles are kneaded and manipulated, stimulating the flow of blood and lymph vessels, in turn improving circulation and keeping those extremities warm. Massage’s ability to nurture both the body and mind is what distinguishes it as the ideal complementary therapy in the treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Winter is a season that needs to be approached with a little extra self-care and sensitivity for a lot of people, so know that you are not alone. Seek assistance from your healthcare professional if you need help managing, and remember to be kind to yourself. On the upside…only three months to go!

Blaise is now on maternity leave!

Today Friday 20th December was Blaise's last working day. From tomorrow she'll be on maternity leave, her baby due very shortly.
She lasted a lot longer than we all thought she would... Find out how from her own mouth.
In our first newsletter she published some musings about pregnancy massage from her unique perspective of a mother-to-be and an experienced pregnancy massage therapist.

Pregnancy perspectives

Massage is extremely effective through every stage of pregnancy. I should know – I have had one every week throughout mine! While a weekly massage is not exactly necessary (being a massage therapist, I had other motivations behind having a weekly massage), regular massage has truly helped me bounce back from every unwanted symptom of pregnancy. From nausea to leg cramps – massage has treated them all and with great success!

I have just entered my 35th week of pregnancy and I am still massaging five days per week with very little struggle. Of course, I am looking forward to finishing up just before Christmas in order to enjoy some time before baby comes. However, I really feel that massage has been the key to my "longevity" and sustained energy levels this far into my pregnancy and I would highly recommend regular massage to all pregnant women for this very reason.
The body undergoes so many miraculous and unexpected changes at each stage of your pregnancy. You are growing and housing a human being for just under a year of your own life. Your hips widen and your muscles shift. Your body is gaining a large amount of weight in a relatively short period of time and your entire centre of gravity changes! I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to support yourself through these changes. It can make a huge difference to your overall experience of pregnancy and the quality of your daily life!

Cope with change

Massage has helped me cope with rapid physical, hormonal and emotional changes. During a massage, you can take time out. You can take stock of your body and mind, turn your awareness inside and check in with the little life growing deep within. Massage has functioned as a meditation for me and has helped me mentally prepare for the big changes to come. This heightened awareness has taught me to honour and appreciate what my body is capable of. Massage has also helped me get a handle on the weekly physical changes that pregnancy brings. Nausea, headache, leg cramps, sciatica, growing pains, swelling, sleeplessness and back and upper neck pains – to name a few! Massage boosts your circulation - dissolving headaches, addressing the main cause of leg cramps and dispersing trapped fluid (swelling). It settles the nervous system, calming nausea and regulating your energy levels. It also loosens tight muscles that are strained from bearing such a large load in such as small amount of time. This is why massage can instantly resolve the sciatic nerve pain felt down your legs or resolve neck and lower back stiffness. These pains are caused by mere muscle stiffness from carrying a larger load – so it makes sense that loosening the muscles every now and then can resolve these problems – especially in later stages of pregnancy.
Massage during pregnancy can be firm or soft – whatever suits your needs at the time. During some weeks, a firm pressure was the only way to release the tension at the base of my neck but at other times – a light leg massage was enough to boost my circulation and put my leg cramps to rest. Massage is versatile in this way.

Slide the bump in

As you venture into your second and third trimesters, the ability to lay face down is a blessing. I have really enjoyed the pregnancy massage table we have at the centre for this very reason. It cradles your ‘bump’ softly while you lay face down. Many of my clients have said that this simple shift in weight has made them forget that they are pregnant while they often doze off to sleep. It is extremely relaxing and an incredible relief! So while you may not have a weekly massage like I have, a monthly massage is what I would recommend throughout your pregnancy. In the last few weeks, as you are bearing a greater load from point A to point B, massage every fortnight is recommended. During pregnancy, massage is not a luxury. It is a logical way to support your overall health and well being during a time of dramatic change for your body. It can help you address so much more than muscle stiffness and can help you enjoy your pregnancy at every stage.


Watch Blaise demonstrate the use of the special pregnancy massage table: