Margaret Sinclair is a uniquely multi-disciplinary therapist whose career spans massage therapy, osteopathy, and herbal medicine—alongside a deep interest in emotional wellbeing and personal empowerment. Her work reflects a holistic philosophy: that true healing often requires multiple perspectives, not just a single approach.

In this episode, Margaret shares a powerful and personal journey—one that began not with a career plan, but with pain.

Her entry into therapy was sparked by a seemingly minor car accident that led to long-term back issues. Despite medical investigations including X-rays and MRIs, she found little relief through conventional pathways. It was only after working with an osteopath and chiropractor that she began to recover—and more importantly, began to rethink her future.

That experience lit a fire.

Margaret transitioned from plans to join the police force into a career focused on helping others overcome pain and regain control of their lives. She trained as both a massage therapist and osteopath, driven by a desire not just to treat symptoms—but to restore function, balance, and quality of life.

From Pain to Purpose

A key theme throughout Margaret’s story is something many therapists will recognise:
people often adapt to pain for years before seeking help.

Margaret herself lived with ongoing discomfort for several years before finding effective treatment. That lived experience now informs how she works with clients—particularly those who feel they’ve reached a dead end.

Rather than focusing purely on diagnosis, her approach centres on:

• Improving overall body function
• Reducing strain on compromised areas
• Restoring balance and movement

As she explains, even when the exact cause of pain isn’t fully understood, improving how the body functions as a whole can significantly reduce symptoms and support recovery.

Expanding the Toolbox

Margaret’s career took an unexpected turn when arthritis in her hands forced her to step back from full-time osteopathic practice. For many, that might have marked the end—but for Margaret, it became a pivot point.

She retrained as a herbal practitioner and expanded her skillset to include:

• Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
• Cognitive behavioural approaches
• Mindfulness
• Life coaching

Her philosophy is simple but powerful:
the more tools you have, the more ways you can help.

This multi-modality approach allows her to tailor care to the individual—rather than trying to fit the individual into a single method.

The Power of Herbal Medicine

Margaret describes discovering herbal medicine as “mind-blowing”—a turning point that opened up an entirely new dimension of care.

Rather than relying on exotic or hard-to-find remedies, she often highlights the therapeutic potential of everyday kitchen herbs, such as:

• Rosemary (muscle relaxation)
• Mint (digestive support, headaches)
• Chamomile (relaxation and sleep)

She also emphasises an important principle often overlooked:
herbal medicine is powerful—and must be used thoughtfully.

Interactions with medications, underlying conditions, and individual differences all matter. This reinforces her belief that personalised care is essential, even in natural therapies.

Emotional Health & Self-Regulation

Beyond physical treatment, Margaret places strong emphasis on emotional wellbeing.

One of the key techniques she uses is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)—a method combining tapping on specific points with verbal affirmation. While it may sound unconventional at first, Margaret describes it as a highly effective way to:

• Reduce anxiety
• Manage pain perception
• Process emotional stress
• Shift limiting beliefs

She also incorporates breathwork, highlighting its profound impact on the nervous system. Simple breathing techniques, when practiced consistently, can help regulate stress responses and restore balance—yet are often overlooked because they require consistency and habit-building.

A Holistic Philosophy of Care

What stands out most in Margaret’s work is her commitment to empowerment.

Rather than creating dependency, she aims to give clients tools they can use independently—whether that’s:

• Breathing techniques
• Herbal knowledge
• Emotional regulation strategies

Her goal is not ongoing treatment, but long-term self-sufficiency.

This philosophy is reflected in her business, The Nadarra Process—a name derived from the Celtic word for “natural,” representing her belief in supporting the body’s innate ability to heal when given the right conditions.

A Modern Integrative Approach

Margaret’s story highlights something increasingly relevant in modern healthcare:

Healing is rarely linear—and rarely comes from a single source.

By combining:

• Manual therapy
• Herbal medicine
• Emotional and behavioural techniques

she represents a growing movement toward integrative, patient-centred care—one that values both science and experience, structure and intuition.

Watch the full episode above to explore Margaret’s journey, her practical insights, and her refreshing perspective on what it really means to help people heal.