Why Carers & NHS Staff Need Massage More Than Most—And How I Can Help"

Every day, carers and NHS staff perform small miracles—holding the hands of grieving families, working 14-hour shifts, making split-second decisions that save lives. But who holds them when their bodies buckle under the weight of it all?

As a massage therapist, I’ve worked with enough frontline workers to know: their physical pain is often the least of it. Here’s why discounted massage isn’t just a “perk” for this community—it’s a lifeline.

The Hidden Toll of Caring

1. Musculoskeletal Injury

   • 60% of NHS nurses suffer chronic back pain (RCN, 2023)—largely from lifting patients and long hours.

   • Carers often develop “text neck” or frozen shoulders from repetitive motions (e.g., feeding, repositioning).

2. Nervous System Burnout

   • 1 in 3 NHS staff report PTSD symptoms (BMJ, 2022)—their bodies stuck in fight-or-flight.

   • Carers’ sleep is 20% more likely to be disrupted (Carers UK)—leaving muscles unable to recover.

3. Emotional Armouring

   • Many develop subconscious bracing (clenched jaws, tightened diaphragms) to suppress stress or grief.

   • “I didn’t realise how much I’d been ‘holding’ my sadness until my massage therapist found my shoulders were like rocks,” shared an oncology nurse.

Why Massage—Not Just Medicine—Matters

While painkillers mask symptoms, massage:

✅ Breaks the stress-pain cycle: Lowers cortisol by 31% (Touch Research Institute)

✅ Prevents long-term damage: Myofascial release reduces repetitive strain injury risk

✅ Restores emotional resilience: 45 minutes of slow strokes can boost serotonin by 28%

Why I Offer Discounts—And Why Others Should Too

At Jonny Massage, I reserve 10% of slots at reduced rates for carers/NHS staff because:

• They’ll prioritise others over themselves (one carer told me, “I’d never book this if it wasn’t affordable”)

• Preventative care saves the NHS: Every £1 spent on musculoskeletal prevention saves £12 in sick leave (NHS England)

• It’s about dignity: They care for us; we must care for them—without means-testing or paperwork.

A Call to Action

To employers: Partner with local therapists to subsidise sessions. A London hospice saw 40% fewer staff sick days after introducing monthly massages.

To fellow therapists: Can you offer even one discounted slot a week?

To carers/NHS staff: You’ve earned this. Book your discounted session today—no justification needed.

“You can’t pour from an empty cup. Let me help refill yours.”