I attended the Special Needs Massage course, to enable me to become confident with massage techniques that could be used on people who suffer from, for example, cerebral palsy, autism, touch phobia, and down’s syndrome, and people who are wheel chair bound.

We looked at how best to help individuals to and from the massage couch, comfortable positions for the client once on the couch, effective massage techniques, over clothes massage technique, and also using our intuition to better pick up on non verbal cues that alert us to whether the massage is being well received or not by the client, who may be non verbal.

We tried an effective craniosacral release, that is used around the temples, this can be used on anyone, to reduce stress and headaches, and whilst practising on one another, I discovered that, despite it’s gentle nature, it is very powerful.

Similarly, when we were trying out massage over clothes, it was amazing how powerful and effective it was, just keeping hands on the shoulders, or the feet; not even moving – just remaining still for a few moments. The comfort and reassurance that it brings, whilst bringing the energy down in to a slow and relaxed state… It’s a wonderful thing to experience.

I’m really pleased that I was able to be a part of this course; I feel it has been an invaluable experience and that I am better therapist for it. Touch is powerful, and shouldn’t be denied to anyone. The fact that one’s mental and physical state can mean that someone can go through life without the connections others take for granted is astounding. And something I want to change, and feel that, now, I can do so.