What I do
Elizabeth Cummins, Neuromuscular Therapist, Enhanced Motion
Tell us a bit about yourself…
I am 31-years-old and was born and bred in Ballinagare. I studied at Sligo IT for three years before travelling and working in Perth, Australia and London for two years.
I opened my new business, Enhanced Motion on July 17th in Ballaghaderreen. It is a Neuromuscular Therapy Clinic and I decided to stress-test the business idea by opening up in the middle of a pandemic!
Before this I had worked in the fitness industry for ten years and qualified as a Neuromuscular Therapist in 2017. A lot of people ask what it is I actually do! I work with people who are in acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain so think conditions like ‘frozen shoulder’, tennis/golfer’s elbow, Plantar Fasciitis, muscle spasms, neck/knee/back pain, or any general stiffness or limited range of motion.
I love to continue learning and have completed five courses since March and will be completing a ‘dry cupping’ course in the coming weeks. (DD – Dry cupping is believed to promote blood flow in affected areas!)
What time does your day start?
My day starts between 6 and 7 am. I try to fit in twenty minutes of yoga (if the one-year-old allows it!) and if I’m feeling organised I prepare dinner.
I usually start the day off properly with a mug of coffee before getting the children ready for school. I repeat the coffee step another two or three times throughout this process!
After the school run is completed I work out with Olympic hopeful (and European Middleweight Champion boxer) Aoife O’Rourke.
Then it’s time for the usual house jobs: cleaning, laundry, cooking, which I repeat about 100 times per day!
Where possible, I like to catch up with study or on my case studies before completing School Run II and getting dinner ready.
Then I go to work…
What’s the first thing you have to do?
Usually turn the heat on! Then I make sure everything is cleaned down and disinfected before preparing clients’ files and having another cup of coffee!
What do you listen to in the office?
I enjoy a bit of everything really: Dermot Kennedy, Lewis Capaldi, Rod Stewart, Bruce Springsteen, Randy Travis and Gerry Cinnamon!
What do you do for lunch?
When time allows I grab coffee and something from GROW Café down the road or if I’m busy I bring some fruit and yogurt.
What’s the best thing about your job?
The people. I love listening to people’s stories, and even their reasons for coming in. I get great job satisfaction every day in seeing the change in people’s faces when their pain or discomfort is relieved.
I also enjoy encouraging people to take responsibility in looking after their bodies and helping to educate them in how to do so. It’s important to look after your body; it’s the only one you have!
And the worst part of the job?
The paperwork!
What time do you clock off?
I usually finish between 10 and 10.30 pm on weekdays and 4 pm on Saturdays.
Who’s at home?
My husband Padraig, daughters Laura (7) and Clodagh (4) and son Patrick (1).
How do you wind down in the evening?
I’m usually in bed for 11 pm, so not much (winding down)! Fridays are usually good for a glass of wine or gin while watching shows like Gogglebox and ‘24 Hours in A&E’.
