Therapeutic Massage Clinic

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Helen Richardson

My interest in massage therapy began in 1992 when working as an administration clerk I began to suffer neck and shoulder pain, headaches and other related symptoms. I tried a variety of treatments to help but received the most benefit from massage, and so my interest in therapies began. For over twenty 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. I think so many different aspects can be brought to treatment, it is sometimes like a massage jigsaw fitting all the individual pieces together. I guess that is what I aim to do, to be part of your jigsaw, working with you to get it all to fit together and improve your health and well-being.

Approach to therapy

I set up the clinic in 2000 to bring a much needed all round approach to therapy and have continuously trained adding to my 'tool kit' of therapeutic techniques and contacts. I have in the past established clinics in Gosforth, Hexham, Sandyford and within the Osborne Clinic in Jesmond, but currently concentrate my efforts on the main Ponteland clinic. The clinic is now located in Meadowfield in Ponteland village having moved from Darras Hall Surgery in 2015.

How did I end up here?

My career began in 1993 at the prestigious Ragdale Hall Health Hydro in Leicestershire. I have worked in Spa Management, Perfumery, education, physiotherapy clinics, a GP surgery and the English Institute of Sport.

In 1997 I worked with the Professional Golf Association organising sports massage for golfers in the Slaley Hall tournament. 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 worked with professional and amateur sports people, and covered events such as the Great North Run, the 2012 Paralympic Games and the 2014 Commonwealth Games. 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.

Aside from studying bodywork therapies and running the clinics I have been a trainer in industry since 1999, and qualified as a lecturer at Northumbria University in 2003. I have worked with Aston Hotels, Gateshead Academy, International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC), St Oswald's Hospice, Ohashiatsu UK and Sunderland University, among others. I have recently been working with VTCT (Vocational Training Charitable Trust) on the Sector Expert panel for the new industry T Level qualifications, as an Examination Writer and as an Examination Moderator.

In 2021 I was invited to join the Board of Directors at the Sports Massage Association, where part of my role includes the responsibility for an annual CPD audit of learning and study. I was part of the set up for the newly introduced Mentoring Programme, and am part of a team committed to ensuring Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is embedded within our policies and profession.

My work has afforded me opportunities to work, not only as part of a multidisciplinary team as at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, but also to travel. 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 feel and hope there is more to come, and can't wait!

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