Therapeutic Massage Clinic

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Helen Richardson

My interest in massage therapy began when I was working as an administration clerk and suffered from neck and shoulder pain, headaches and other related symptoms. This is where my journey as a therapist began, I wanted to help people like me. For over twenty five years I have indulged my passion for bodywork therapies training with physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, sports coaches and medical practitioners. Through continual study and development I bring a whole body approach to the client to encourage well being and positive health.

Approach to therapy

I set up the clinic in 2000 to bring a much needed all round approach to therapy and have since continued to study and learn. As CPD auditor for the Sports Massage Association I really walk the talk for lifelong learning. Anyone working in field of health and well-being will be delighted at the range of resources that have become available in the last few years, it is so important to keep up to date and offer more help, to more people.

How did I end up here?

My career began at the prestigious Ragdale Hall Health Hydro in Leicestershire. I then moved to take the position of Spa Manager at the newly opened Slaley Hall where I worked with the Professional Golf Association delivering sports massage. This sparked an ongoing interest in sports therapy which led me to become the first UK therapist to be awarded the International Therapy Examination Council's Level 5 Diploma. I have since worked with professional and amateur sports people, at events such as the Great North Run, the London 2012 Paralympic Games and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. I have worked with elite athletes at the English Institute of Sport based at Gateshead International Stadium, where clients include Paralympic athletes, England Women's Rugby Union and The Newcastle Eagles. I also work with dancers both professional and amateur.

Aside from studying bodywork therapies and running the clinics I am a trainer in industry, and qualified as a lecturer at Northumbria University in 2003. I have delivered training or lecturing for Aston Hotels, Gateshead Academy, International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC), St Oswald's Hospice, Ohashiatsu UK and Sunderland University, among others. I have worked with VTCT (Vocational Training Charitable Trust) as a Sector Expert, alongside my work as a therapist, mentor and trainer.

In 2021 I was invited to join the Board of Directors at the Sports Massage Association where we collaborate to lead and shape our industry. I am part of the committee to ensure Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is embedded within our policies and profession.

This profession has given me so many opportunities that I would not have had I not retrained. I have visited perfumeries in southern France, and was invited to teach massage to nurses and physiotherapists in a hospital in Bosnia-Herzigovena. I feel I have been privileged to share my life with some fabulous people in such an amazing profession, and I am certainly not done yet. I now work with therapists and businesses to give them the experience I have had in this amazing and rewarding profession.

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