Happy New Year!

Handing over Holistic Therapists Support Group to new Co-ordinators

Isobel Hamid and I set up Lancaster Local Support Group five years ago, in association with the FHT - the Federation of Holistic Therapists - the largest and leading professional association for complementary, beauty and sports therapists in the UK and Ireland. Having been voluntary Co-ordinators for the group ever since including organising 47 meetings with speakers on a wide range of topics we are stepping down at the end of this year and handing over to new Co-ordinators Sarah Bowers and Fran Leaver. 

From January 2016 they will continue to offer 9 meetings a year at the St John's Hospice (at Beaumont Bridge, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST) though now in the Oak Centre instead of in the Education Room.

I am passing the group on in deep gratitude to all the speakers to date for their time and efforts. Most of our speakers have been local practitioners. We are very lucky to have people with such a range of knowledge and skills in this area. 

I am also grateful to all our lovely attendees, who have made it such a friendly group, whether attending regularly or occasionally, especially those who have made the trip to join us from further afield in North Lancashire and right across South Cumbria.

Lastly, I am very grateful to Fran and Sarah for taking on the work to enable to group to continue, and wishing them all the best and looking forward to seeing what speakers and topics we have in the future. :)

I did have a whole page on this website about the group, but with stepping down I am removing it today, but I wanted to keep a record here as I am very proud to supporting the very many practitioners who have attended regularly or occasionally from not just locally but from further afield in North Lancashire and right across South Cumbria.

Being busy, and looking after my own health and wellbeing

So I recently realised that I've gone all year without doing a blog update!

So, its been a busy year. I started Holistyx nearly 7 years ago, and the first few years it was very slow going getting regular clients. Whenever I meet a discouraged Holistic or Complementary therapist in the first few years of their practice, I tell them that after my first 3 years, building up this business part time while also doing other work to make a living, I had earned so little once my expenses were taken out of my takings I seriously considered giving up, packing it all in. I am so glad that with my partner's support I kept going.

This is the year I have become so in demand I have had to learn what my physical, mental and emotional limits are, and to respect them. I've had burn out before in my previous career, don't want to do that again. I have seen a local massage therapist get such serious repetitive strain injury from overwork that she had to have no clients at all for over a month. I have read the dreadful statistics on drop out rates in the massage profession due to strain and injury. I am determined that's not going to happen to me! So I have set my limits to look after myself.

I had already decided at the end of 2014 that I would have no more than 2 evenings a week where I get home after 8pm, 2 Saturdays a month off, and have Monday mornings to catch up on admin so I sometimes get a full weekend. One less evening a week working late also meant I could start doing a weekly Pilates class to support my core strength and general fitness as well as continuing with my weekly Yoga class. .

As the year progressed I realised I also could not - cannot - do the number of sessions a week I thought I would be able to. I was aiming for 20 every week. I have discovered I cannot sustain that level of workload without my own health and wellbeing suffering, and also the quality of my work. I am aiming for an average of 15 clients a week, with a maximum of 17. I also decided I needed to have no more than 4 clients a day, pretty strictly.

So now with those limits in place, most weeks I don't have any unbooked spaces unless I've had a cancellation and even then it often fills up. I am still not quite used to the fact that sometimes - mostly before or after I take any time off - I get so booked up that I get a waiting list. I am starting to get used to responding to an enquiry from a potential new client and knowing that they may not wish to or be able to wait until I am available - especially as my evenings and Saturdays sometimes get fully booked up 2 or 3 weeks, even a month ahead - and so may choose to go to someone else who can fit them in.

The other thing I have done this year is to practice what I preach and.... get more massage and Reflexology myself! I am having Reflexology every other month, and massage about every 6 weeks.

Last but not least, in terms of looking after my own energy and not trying to do too much... 5 years ago Isobel Hamid and myself started a Local Support Group on a voluntary basis in association with the Federation of Holistic Therapists. Providing education, professional development and mutual support for local therapists in the fields of sports, beauty and complementary therapies.

Each meeting had a speaker on a different topic, and we had an average of 9 meetings a year. 47 meetings later, at the end of this year we are passing the group over to new Co-ordinators. I am looking forward to passing on the responsibility and the work - and also to seeing what speakers they bring to the group!

Reflexology Research

There is a need for more research into the benefits of Reflexology, and particularly for more high quality research. However so far there is evidence for the following benefits:

- Reduction of headaches and migraines.
- Alleviation of sinusitis, as effective as nasal irrigation. 
- Improved circulation. Increased blood flow to the feet, brain, kidneys and intestines.
- Pain reduction for all sorts of conditions and for people of all ages.
- Improved mental health, including reduction of depression and anxiety.
- Improved kidney function.
- Reduction in PMS.

- Reduce post-operative symptoms and reduce post operative pain enough for medication to be reduced. 
- Cancer care: pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, fatigue and/or anxiety eased for chemotherapy patients, with improved mood / emotional balance and sleep.
- Multiple Sclerosis: relieves urinary problems.
- Pregnancy and labour - shorter labor times with less analgesia.
- Post-natally - positive impact on postpartum depression, anxiety, urination and bowel movements.

See University of Minnesota Centre for Health and Wellbeing for more information on much of this research.

World Reflexology Week Special Offer

Not had Reflexology with me before? 
An initial session of consultation and treatment is an hour and a 1/4, usual price £37. Offer Price - £27. 

More information on Reflexology, what is it, what happens in a treatment, what are the benefits and the evidence for them, plus testimonials and time and price options here. 

Had Reflexology with me before? 
You can choose to have 45 minutes (usually £25) for £20. 
Or an hour (usually £31) for £26. 
Or a full hour and a 1/4 (usually £37) for only £32. 

Ring 07888 692803 or email Holistyx@gmail.com now 

to make sure you book in time to get your £5 or £10 off!

Pregnancy and Post-Natal Massage and Aromatherapy

What, no Aromatherapists around here trained for Pregnancy?

Last year, I got this message by email:

"I am currently pregnant and want to find out more about aromatherapy in pregnancy and also for labour and birth, I'd like to find out what safe and what is not and also how me and my partner can learn to use oils etc. properly, I was wondering if you would be able to help me or point me in the direction of someone who could?"

I said I would try and find someone who had training and experience in this area of work to pass her on to.

Now, I know of many professional and experienced massage therapists in Lancaster and nearby areas who are providing massage for pregnancy. But - having spent a long time searching online, and having asked other therapists, I was unable to find anyone providing Aromatherapy for pregnancy anywhere remotely near here. Also, I found an awful lot of conflicting information and advice about the safety and efficacy of different essential oils around online - not a reassuring experience for any pregnant woman looking to benefit from Aromatherapy! So, I decided I should do something about it.

There is now!

In March this year, I attended a 2 day course in London with Jo Kellet of fromtheseed in massage and Aromatherapy for pregnancy, labour and post-natal care accredited by the IFPA - the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists. I now provide pre-natal and post-natal massage and Aromatherapy. I can't be there for the labour but I can offer some advice for you and your birth partner.

So ... if you know of anyone who is pregnant or trying for a baby, or someone who has just had a baby, who you think might be interested in the many benefits of massage and Aromatherapy - please tell them about me. :) 

The FHT Accredited Voluntary Register + Private Health Care Coverage

CONSUMER PROTECTION:

I am listed on The FHT Complementary Healthcare Therapist Register. This has recently been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA), a body accountable to Parliament, under its Accredited Voluntary Register (AVR) scheme.

The AVR quality mark gives extra peace of mind for anyone looking for a practitioner, letting them know that anyone who holds the mark is committed to the high standards of the organisation holding an Accredited Voluntary Register. 

For the FHT this means you can rest assured of the highest standards in the areas of education and training, ethical and professional conduct, governance, skill, competency and public safety. You may click through to the register and search for my name to verify I am on it, or to read more about this. 

There are also some good information pages for the public including:

What makes a good therapist?
What is complementary healthcare?
Which therapy?
For information on research and evidence on complementary healthcare therapies

PRIVATE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE

As a result of this recent accreditation, Bupa Cashplan policy holders may now be able to be reimbursed for Holistyx Reflexology treatments. It has also come to my attention that you may be able to be reimbursed for Reflexology from Health Shield, LAYA Healthcare, Paycare, UK Healthcare and Westfield Health.You may be able to be reimbursed for Indian head massage from Health Sheild or Westfield Health.

Insurance policies may vary, please confirm eligibility with your insurance provider before treatment, I am happy to provide information e.g. about my qualifications if required.

Bupa http://www.bupa.co.uk/
Health Shield http://www.healthshield.co.uk/
Laya Healthcare http://www.layahealthcare.ie
Paycare http://www.paycare.org/
UK Healthcare http://www.ukhealthcare.org.uk
Westfield Health http://www.westfieldhealth.com/

Facebook Prize Draw

Would you like to enter a prize draw for a chance to win a half price treatment of your choice?

On Tuesday 18th March 2 people will win a half price session of Massage or Reflexology.

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Like my Holistyx Facebook Page
2. Like this photo on my page.

You are not required to make a comment or to share in order to enter but if you choose to do so I would very much appreciate it. Thankyou so much to the people who have posted such lovely comments and those who have shared so far. :)

Update Roundup

Winter Closing and Availability in December

Closing

I close from Friday 20th to Thursday 26th. 

Then again on the 31st Dec and the 1st January.

Availability Before Christmas
Unless I have a cancellation, I now have no evening appointments available .
I do have time free this Saturday 7th and next Saturday 14th.
I have plenty of appointments available in the daytimes.

Availability Between Christmas and New Year
Monday the 30th of December has one appointment free at 6.30pm.
Plenty of appointments free on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th of December but these seem likely to fill up.

Christmas / Festive Gift Vouchers

Do you know someone who would really enjoy, appreciate and benefit from a treatment? Do you sometimes find it difficult to find the right thing for a special person? Or perhaps there's someone who has all the 'things' they want already? How about a Holistyx voucher for a thoughtful, special, quality gift, and something a little bit different? :)

2014 Prices

These prices will come into effect from 1st January 2014.
I hope my clients will continue to find me good value for money.

New Photographs


I recently had a load of photographs taken by my partner Chris Wright, of an Indian Head Massage
session with client Kirstie Gorman. Pretty good for an ipad camera?!

You can see the best ones on my page about Indian Head Massage.

Thanks to everyone on the Holistyx Facebook Page who helped me decide which was the best photo of Indian head massage, this one was the overwhelming winner!

Now I need to add it to my leaflet, facebook banner, and the top banner and slideshow on my website/blog.