Hi I'm Vanessa. I’ve always been fascinated by the human body and love to find solutions to problems. This led me to studying for a degree in Biomaterials Science and Tissue Engineering and in the early part of my career I worked for a company that provided skin cell therapy to burns victims. However I wanted a more hands on approach to dealing with dysfunction and pain and retrained, studying for a BTEC Level 5 Diploma in Clinical Sports and Remedial Massage with the Oxford School of Sports Massage.
I discovered Ultimate Frisbee at university and have been playing ever since, gradually improving and eventually representing GB at the World Championships of Beach Ultimate in Dubai 2015. I can empathise with those who are just getting into a new sport and find that everything hurts and I also understand the demands that training and competing at the highest level can have on the body. I love getting out into the hills to hike and I’ve started ticking off the Munros (25 so far, most of them done whilst pregnant!), cycling and generally being active with my 2 kids.
I have worked at a World Championship Ultimate frisbee event as a therapist and supported the GB Mixed Masters Team in their preparations for and participation in World Championships in France in 2017. I’ve worked at marathons, 24h running events, softball tournaments and with various sports clubs so I am used to working with people across a number of different sports including running, triathlon, fencing, softball, rowing, rugby and more.
photo from Jon Davey Photography
I have worked with a range of clients, from people with chronic pain caused by postural issues to people with acute sports injuries. You don’t need to be involved in sports in order to benefit from a treatment as the techniques I use treat the soft tissues of the body, which everyone has! Most of my clients have aches and pains from everyday life. The techniques are incredibly effective at freeing up tight tissues to rebalance posture and restore function in joints, leading to a reduction in pain.
Qualifications:
BTEC Level 5 Diploma in Clinical Sports and Remedial Massage (OSSM)
Pregnancy and Post Natal massage (Burrell Education)
Oncology Massage (Susan Findlay)
Certificate in Self-Myofascial Release (MFR UK)
Emergency First Aid at Work, First Aid for Sports Injuries
Osteopathic Articulation techniques (OMT Training)
Kinesio Tape Practitioner (KT1 and KT2)
Strapping and Taping (OSSM)
IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation) - RockBlades (RockTape)
Functional Integrated Cupping Therapy for Pain Management and Sports Injuries (Sports Therapy Scotland)
Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques (workshop based on Erik Dalton’s techniques), Holistic College Dublin)
An Introduction to Sharon Wheeler’s ScarWork (Restore Therapy)
MASCED accreditation for the early detection of melanoma and skin cancer (https://masced.uk/)
Member of the ISRM (The Institute for Soft Tissue Therapists) and the SMTO (Scottish Massage Therapists Organisation)
Fully insured via Balens
Full PVG Disclosure
MEng Biomaterials Science and Tissue Engineering
