I originally discovered massage after tearing the ligaments in my lower back, which left me with constant back pain and headaches. I was unable to move comfortably from my neck to my waist. After about three months, a friend of a friend gave me an impromptu massage—through clothing, while lying on the floor of my friend’s lounge. That one 20-minute session made such a difference that I booked my first proper massage and decided then and there that I wanted to learn how to massage.
I enrolled in a massage course just up the road at St Mary’s University and discovered a whole new world, including aromatherapy and reflexology. Since then, I have also trained in Reflexology Lymph Drainage (RLD) and ScarWork massage.
A couple of years later, I changed careers, and for the past 25 years, I have worked as a Complementary Therapist. I have worked at the Waldegrave Clinic since 2003. Alongside my work at Waldegrave, I have also worked in private nursing homes, the NHS, and for the past 22 years in a hospice.
During this time, I have worked with people with neurological disorders (such as Parkinson’s Disease, strokes, multiple sclerosis, and motor neurone disease), cancer, organ failure, and dementia, as well as the more common muscular aches and pains caused by everyday life and aging.
The difference it can make to people’s everyday lives and well-being. Sometimes, it may only be a small difference, but even if it’s just a few hours of relief from pain or an improvement in movement that allows someone to finally do their physiotherapy exercises, it feels good to know I have played a part in that.
I never stop learning, whether it’s from books, a workshop, or the patients I see.
The fact that it’s a multidisciplinary clinic where everyone is supportive and friendly. We all work together to improve the well-being of our patients, sharing notes, ideas, and learning. And, of course, our lovely patients!
Watching football, reading, and listening to music or going to live gigs.
Too many to mention, but if I were stuck on a desert island, I’d want fruit, cheese, and chocolate.
Iceland—both in winter and summer.
A few hours on my own, mooching around a museum (there are hundreds in London), then catching up with friends or family for a meal and a chat.
Too many to mention, but anything that leaves me with a feel-good feeling. Recently, I really liked Wonka and Paddington Goes to Peru.
