Zoë Bicât (Injury Rehabilitation & Holistic Bodywork)
About Zoë
Zoë believes that the relationship each of us has with our own body and nervous system matters in our healing.
She helps to release patterns of tension – whether from injury or stress, long term or short term – with soft tissue massage and acupressure to support your recovery.
Viewing each treatment as a conversation full of potential between two nervous systems: yours as the one receiving the treatment, and hers as the one giving it, Zoë uses her physical and psychological sensitivity to hold a space for you and your body to find a way back to connection and balance.
As an advocate of personal movement and meditation practice, Zoë also offers tools learned through her training in mindful movement, with specific Qigong (pronounced “chee-gung“) exercises to assist your healing and to support the work done in each treatment.
Training
Zoë qualified in 2013 with a Diploma in Traditional Chinese Injury Rehabilitation (with clinic practice) including the use of Eight Silk Brocade Qigong and Ba Gua Circle Walking as forms of rehabilitative exercise.
Through further study in the Anatomy Trains program, she continues to deepen her understanding of the role that fascia (connective tissue) plays in linking different areas of the body in movement and posture, as an expression of you as a person.
Zoë is a graduate of the Shiatsu College’s two-year Qigong Teacher training program, and is a qualified instructor of Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi, offering classes and workshops in Oxford (see Zoë’s website shiningchi.com for more details).
Prices
- Initial consultation (up to 1 hour 30 minutes) £80
- Follow-up sessions (up to 1 hour 10 minutes) £70
Zoë has a student discount rate of £45. She can offer a limited number of flexible rate sessions starting at £25, for those on a low income and in receipt of benefits who are experiencing chronic pain.
Testimonials
“Zoë’s treatments work powerfully at a deep emotional, as well as physical, level. It makes complete sense in terms of mind-body unity. I feel her treatments are able to facilitate the movement of deeply stuck energy.”
– Keith
“I have had a number of treatments with Zoë, and each time have found her approach extremely sensitive to the specific needs of my body on that day. She has found areas of tension other therapists haven’t identified before, and has worked with them at a deep level, able to draw on a variety of approaches from manipulation to acupressure points to cupping, where she judges appropriate. On the occasions when this deep work brings up emotional responses in me, I feel she provides a safe space where I am comfortable to release this layer of tension as well. The chi gong exercises she recommends also allow me to continue the healing work independently. I feel that Zoë is a genuine healer who works with a rare combination of technical skill, intuition and compassion.”
– Emma
“Bending over to pick up my daughter led to severe and worsening strains in my neck, and middle and lower back. For over a year it was deteriorating, causing me daily pain and gradually reducing my movements. One day after months of increasing suffering I woke up barely able to walk. However a single session with Zoë loosened my lower back a great deal and then, perhaps because of the chi gung exercises she also taught me, it carried on getting better.”
– Chris
“Zoë always attends to the details without losing sight of the whole and being sensitive and attuned to my emotional state. This is quite rare in the world of bodywork in my experience. She also makes sure I maintain good postural and soft tissue health in my life, giving me exercises to practise between sessions. Very highly recommended!”
– Josh
“Zoë is meticulous and intuitive. I have always appreciated how she communicates with my body and truly listens to its feedback. After seeing her I always feel much lighter in my body and the effect stays active for weeks.”
– Adriana
“Zoë has come to the rescue of my body at times of severe pain and limitation. She worked skilfully and sensitively with my complex shoulder dislocation (which included nerve damage and a fracture) over a number of weeks, when fear and pain were very much present. With her appreciation of the subtler processes of the body alongside its mechanics, I felt I could trust her completely. I have good range of movement back in my shoulder despite the complications. More recently Zoë has applied her wonderful blend of intelligence and sensitivity to my chronic achilles tendonitis, getting me walking again. In addition to the physical injury being addressed, her treatments leave my whole system feeling rested and restored.”
– Amanda
“Both myself and my partner rate Zoë extremely highly. We have come to her over the years with various issues (usually back-based), and she has treated us in her calm, thoughtful manner, always interested to get to the underlying causes, and providing exercises to take home – which on every occasion have really helped. She is an expert body practitioner, and we have no hesitation in recommending her. Visiting friends and family members have been sent her way, and come back singing her praises, so whether it is a one-off treatment or ongoing care, we believe she will treat you with respect, compassion and offer a very high level of care.”
– Mim
“Zoë has treated me for both lower back and shoulder problems. Her quality of care is exceptional, and she really listens to what the patient has to say. She is extremely conscientious, gentle and communicative which makes you feel at ease. She really helped me in an emergency with a lower back spasm and is now helping me with ongoing shoulder pains. Thank you Zoë!”
– Kate