Today’s Holistic Therapist – Joanne Turner

Indian Head Massage is one of Joanne’s favourite therapies so it was a great pleasure to meet her on my FHT Accredited course - Advanced Indian Head Massage Techniques in Chichester in June 2012. Joanne also makes good use of Facebook and Twitter – and it was wonderful to see a video of her appearance on Evoke Radio recently. A member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists, you can find out more about Joanne, her work and her social media links on her website JoanneTurnerMassage Therapies.

 

What prompted you to train in complementary therapy?

I returned to work in finance after almost ten years of bringing up my children and just doing small part time jobs to fit around the family.  However after just two weeks it became clear that what I wanted out of a job was now totally different.

I’d always had an interest in complementary therapies after I became ill in my early twenties.  I was eventually diagnosed after 2 years as having rheumatoid arthritis.  I’d always discounted massage as a career because of the arthritis in my hands but as I began looking into complementary ways of coping, I decided to retrain in something I wanted to do.  I signed up for Swedish Massage in 2008 at Northbrook College in Worthing.  I was so enthusiastic, I loved the course and even enjoyed the theory homework.  I was definitely the nerd who did all her homework on time!

What therapies do you currently practice? 

I am trained in Swedish/relaxation massage, Indian head massage, hot stone massage and Ear Candling.  I am also a Mindfulness, Meditation and Relaxation trainer, this works beautifully with my treatments or as separate one to one training and workshops. I am constantly updating my skills and looking for ways of bringing more benefits to clients through the therapies that I practice, rather than training in new therapies.

I have a treatment room in Worthing but I am mainly mobile treating clients in the comfort of their own homes, travelling up to 15 miles radius from Worthing. A large percentage of my clients are retired and prefer not to go out for their treatments. I work at a retirement village once a week, clients enjoy relaxation massage and Indian head massage.

Describe one time when complementary therapy really made a difference to someone.

One client was really hunched up with stress and breathing problems and desperately looking for a way to help cope with stress and anxiety.  With weekly Indian head massage treatments there is a noticeable difference in her appearance.  Her breathing relaxes almost immediately the treatment begins and she has said how the feeling of relaxation stays with her well into the evening.  She has begun to recognise what relaxation feels like and with some simple breathing techniques is able to help herself more in between treatments.

Indian head massage is complementing the medical treatments she is receiving.  The difference after the treatment is wonderful to see, however what I have noticed is the difference in my client when I arrive, I am greeted by a happy positive person, not the hunched up anxious person of a year ago.

Can you share any holistic tips that have worked for you? 

For me it has to be breathing techniques. These are so useful if your client arrives rushing in and needs a few moments to begin to relax before you start the treatment.  It can help quieten their mind and maybe help if they are nervous or chatty. They are also useful for the therapist to do just before the client arrives, it’s a good time to check in with yourself and make sure that you are relaxed and that you are not holding tension in your own body.

What path are you hoping to follow in the future? 

I would like to specialise in Stress and Relaxation treatments and let people know that massage is not an indulgence but it should be part of their health and well being schedule.

I have already run a few workshops on Relaxation and Stress Relief and would like to do some fun workshops to introduce more people to complementary therapies such as Indian Head Massage. I have recently taken my PTLLS  City and Guilds certificate and I am fortunate to have been offered some teaching work at a local beauty school.  I am really enjoying sharing the benefits of holistic treatments with the beauty therapists.  I am hoping to begin writing my own courses in the future.

Good Luck to Joanne from Mary Atkinson Holistic Therapy Courses!