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If you think sports massage is only for athletes, think again. At KP Wellness in Barnsley, massage therapy is about much more than sports. Whether you’ve got a stiff neck from desk work or back pain from lifting your kids, Katie Pickering can help. Katie also works with people struggling with menopause symptoms and long-term health conditions. Her goal is simple, to help people feel more comfortable in their bodies, whatever stage of life they’re in.
Before launching KP Wellness, Katie spent over 20 years working in sport and exercise science. With a PhD in health behaviour change and a specialism in exercise oncology, she helped people with cancer use movement for recovery.
“I designed physical activity programmes for people with long-term health conditions,” she shares. “I ended up getting seconded into the NHS. That came with a whole set of challenges, and I realised it wasn’t a path I wanted to stay on.”
Katie had been having sports massages since she was a teenager and often considered training in it herself. But it wasn’t until burnout hit that she began to think seriously about a change. When a treatment room became available at her gym, it was the nudge she needed to retrain.
“Massage therapy felt like a natural sideways step. It ticked all the same boxes and allowed me to use everything I’d learned over the last two decades. It’s still helping people manage health and pain conditions and using the same career background, just in a very different way.”
Katie began training part-time while still working full-time. In the evenings and weekends, she’d practise on gym members and friends, helping to build her skills and confidence. By March 2024, she’d taken voluntary redundancy and committed to KP Wellness full-time.
“I’d work a full day in my old job, then head to the gym and do massages in the evening. Instead of feeling tired, I felt energised. That’s when I knew I’d found the right path.”
Katie now works with a wide range of clients, and very few are athletes.
“People often assume sports massage is only for sporty types,” she explains, “but it’s really not. My clients come from all walks of life, including office workers, tradespeople, parents, and teenagers. I also support those living with chronic pain conditions like MS, fibromyalgia and arthritis.”
She always takes time to assess posture – standing, sitting and moving – to understand what’s happening. “Where you feel the pain isn’t always where the issue starts,” she adds.
As her practice has grown, Katie’s added two specialised services: pregnancy massage and menopause massage. Both are gentle, calming treatments, inspired by personal experience and the needs of her clients.
“Many people don’t realise you can have massage during pregnancy, but it can be a huge help with back, pelvis, and shoulder pain. I hold an advanced pregnancy massage certification which means I can treat the aches and pains alongside relaxing treatments. I also help new parents who are sore from lifting and carrying their children.”
Katie’s own experience of perimenopause helped shape the treatments she now offers.
“I was dealing with burnout partly due to perimenopause symptoms. Now I’m passionate about supporting other women through this stage of life with nurturing treatments.”
Katie began her massage therapy business in a busy CrossFit gym. It was ideal for sports massage, but not quite right for clients needing peace and relaxation.
“With pregnancy and menopause massage, it’s important to create a calming ambience,” says Katie. “I wanted people to completely switch off, so began subletting other spaces.”
When a friend introduced her to The Business Village, Katie joined the waiting list. A year later, in May 2025, she moved into her ideal space.
“I’m in a quiet, comfortable room now, which is exactly what I needed. My clients have free parking, and the reception service is welcoming for them. I’m closer to home too – it’s been a brilliant move.”
Her move to The Business Village has brought plenty of other benefits too. Katie loves the 24/7 access, which means she can continue offering evening and weekend appointments. And thanks to the dog-friendly policy, her dog Ralphie often comes to work with her. “Lots of clients love a doggy cuddle after their treatment,” she laughs.
Since settling in, Katie has begun offering corporate massage packages. She now works with another tenant to provide monthly wellbeing sessions for their staff.
“Everyone here’s been so welcoming. It’s a clean, professional environment, which gives my clients a great first impression. And, on sunny days, I can sit outside between appointments. It’s perfect.”
Despite growing demand, Katie is cautious about expanding. Her diary is already full, thanks to word of mouth and social media, so she’s paused advertising for now. And, while she’s thought about hiring another therapist, she’s taking her time.
“I’ve considered taking on another therapist,” Katie admits, “but massage is such a personal thing. Clients trust me because of my background and experience. I’ve worked with people recovering from cancer, surgery, and trauma. That kind of trust isn’t easy to hand over.”
Looking ahead, Katie’s next goal is to build on her existing qualifications. She currently holds a Level 4 sports massage qualification, something she says only 10% of massage therapists achieve and which allows her to work with more complex cases.
She’s also a member of the Sports Massage Association (SMA), the governing body for sports massage therapy.
“It’s not a prerequisite for therapists to join,” Katie explains, “but I chose to because of their strict codes of practice. They require ongoing professional development, which reassures my clients. It also means some can claim back treatment costs through certain private health insurance providers.”
Now, she’s aiming for a Level 5 sports massage qualification to deepen her knowledge in rehab, anatomy, and systemic health.
“A Level 4 qualification is already a big achievement in sports massage,” she says, “and Level 5 will take it even further. It’s closer to what a sports therapist or physiotherapist does. That means I can give my clients even better care and support.”
Katie’s also planning to offer workshops in the future. Some will draw on her academic background in behaviour change and motivational interviewing. These will help personal trainers and health professionals support their clients better. She’ll also team up with other experts to run workshops on sports biomechanics, helping people avoid injuries.
Katie’s tagline for KP Wellness says it all: ‘Move better, live better’
“I genuinely believe that when your body feels good, you’ll feel better as a person too. Even a small improvement in pain can open up a world of possibilities. It could be playing with the grandchildren, enjoying a holiday, or simply getting out of bed without hurting.”
To get in touch with Katie at KP Wellness, contact her via:
