Zoë Bicât (Traditional Chinese Rehabilitation Therapy)
About Zoë
After taking a BA (Hons) Degree at Warwick University, Zoe began training in 2011 with the internationally recognised injury rehabilitation specialist Michael Newman (D.Ac, LCSP (Phy), who created the Manzou Method, a holistic way of working with illness and injury.
Zoe qualified in 2013 with a Diploma in Traditional Chinese Injury Rehabilitation accredited by the Acupuncture Society, which included learning Eight Silk Brocade Qigong and Ba Gua Circle Walking as forms of rehabilitative exercise. Clinic practise was part of her training. Zoe began teaching the Eight Silk Brocade in 2013, and is a graduate of the Shiatsu College’s two-year Qigong Teacher Training. She offers Qigong and Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi classes and workshops in East and West Oxford.
In her treatments, Zoe uses techniques from Sports Injury and Remedial Massage, including soft tissue release work such as neuromuscular technique and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, alongside techniques from Traditional Chinese Medicine: acupressure, moxa and cupping. She uses Qigong as a form of therapeutic and rehabilitative exercise, where it can target specific areas of the body to help with healing and maintain good health.
Zoe also offers a restorative, holistic whole-body acupressure massage for stress relief, rebalancing and relaxation.
Zoe has treated a range of conditions including repetitive strain, ankle, knee, back and shoulder injuries, as well as chronic conditions such as arthritis. She is fully insured and a member of the Acupuncture Society, a professional body of Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Oriental Therapy Practitioners. Members follow a Code of Ethics, Rules and Regulations, and a Code of Professional Conduct and Safe Practice.
Testimonials
“An old shoulder injury was interfering with my playing the violin; Zoe was quick to ask pertinent questions and to check specific aspects of my shoulder mobility to gain a thorough understanding of my condition. The treatment seemed carefully and precisely targeted on the troubled areas, and I felt a great deal of deep muscular relief. Zoe also tailored a set movement exercises for me to perform regularly at home, empowering me to continue the therapeutic process myself. The combined effect has been to free up shoulder movement considerably and, furthermore, to increase my overall sense of what is a healthy and relaxed posture.”
– Keith
“I have had a number of treatments with Zoe, 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 Zoe 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 Zoe 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
“Zoe 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
“Zoe 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
“Zoe 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 Zoe 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 Zoe 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