Wednesday 13 September 2023

How to navigate on a mobile


On a phone? On the 'Home' bar above, click on the little arrow to the right, for a menu to navigate to other pages. 

Please look around - they are all much more interesting than this blog page of updates! However blogspot does not allow the home page to be something else. 

Tuesday 12 September 2023

What can Holistyx do for you?

Feel stressed out, tired, tense? 

Stiffness, tightness, aches, pains?

 Feeling low, anxious or not sleeping well?


Take time out to relax, unwind, and be more balanced and at ease.

Relieving tension, discomfort or pain. Reducing stress. 

Feeling more looseness and freedom of movement. 

Improving or supporting your physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing.

Book in for a professional and effective treatment session with Ceri Turner, a caring and intuitive therapist with knowledge and skills from 15 years of experience in Massage, Aromatherapy and Reflexology.

Opt for Swedish / Holistic Massage, Stone Therapy (Hot and Cold Stone Massage), Aromatherapy Massage, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology, or Pregnancy and Post-natal treatments.

Holistyx provides a comfortable, accessible therapy room in Central Lancaster with free parking. 

With a high standard of protection from Covid-19, including ventilation, air filtration, masks and hygiene, so you can feel safe to relax.


Tuesday 20 June 2023

Goodbye to ESTA - The Ethical Small Traders Association



With some sadness after 10 years of involvement, I have made the difficult decision to leave ESTA - the  Ethical Small Traders Association - as I have not been able to participate in any ESTA events for some considerable time. Thank you to all the ESTA members who have supported and inspired me over the years, especially those in the 'Health and Wellbeing' sector - and I wish you and your businesses all the best for the future. 

Thursday 15 June 2023

Hot days - cold stones and cooling oils!

Are you enjoying the sun? 🌞😎
Or feeling a bit overheated? 😩

It's a nice 21-22C here at Holistyx, between the stone walls, the window that only gets direct sun mid afternoon, and the fans on the HEPA air filters. 💙


Cold Stones


I am now offering cold stones as a £2 add-on to Swedish/Holistic Massage, Aromatherapy, or Massage and Reflexology sessions.
 
Marble and jade stones (pictured) are naturally cool, and I keep them in the fridge for extra coldness. They are used in the palm of the hand to massage with, or may also be placed on the body to really cool a particular area. Eg the smallest ones can be used on the forehead and temples. The larger ones might be used on the back, or the legs. 

  • These can feel wonderful and be really beneficial:
  • on painful muscles
  • on injured, or inflamed areas, including arthritic joints
  • on sensitive, irritable or hot skin
  • on the face and neck to relieve congested sinuses or hayfever related inflammation
  • on areas with sluggish lymph circulation eg tired, puffy legs
  • for a menopausal woman having a hot flush

Cold stones are sometimes used as part of a Stone Therapy: Hot and Cold Stone Massage session. However through much of the year, most people prefer just the hot stones. But in this weather the cold stones come into their own!

Cooling Oils


I can also use essential oils which cool the body - either the full on menthol freshness and anti-inflammatory action of peppermint or something more subtle. This could be an uplifting citrus oil like lemon, orange, grapefruit, bergamot or petitgrain - as long as you aren't going to be in the sun afterwards - as be aware most citrus oils increase the risk of sunburn! Or lavender, geranium, chamomile, or eucalyptus are other great essential oils for cooling and calming. In terms of the base massage oil, coconut oil is the most cooling (and tips for at home - is also great as an after-sun treatment for your skin or your hair).

Peppermint is especially good for aching muscles, headaches, or itchy skin.
Lavender is perfect for sore skin (including sunburn, midge bites), stress, insomnia.
Geranium as a hormone and mood balancer is perfect for menopause, and also helps with sluggish lymph circulation.
Chamomile is a particularly potent anti-inflammatory.
Eucalyptus is great for clearing sinuses or a muggy head, and also for arthritic joints.


NB - If you are using essential oils at home - remember diffused oils can be toxic to pets, and oils for the skin should always be properly diluted. Water (eg putting them straight in your bath) doesn't dilute oil because oil and water don't mix! Ask me if you'd like to know more about using essential oils safely.

Tuesday 7 March 2023

Price Change from 26th April 2023

There will be a small price rise for appointments from 26th April onwards. Please see the Prices and How to Book page for details.

If you have the link to my booking site, read the information at the top of the page and follow the links to access the page you need to book appointments up to 25th April at the current prices, or to book appointments from 26th April at the new prices.

If you don't have the booking link, and would like to book in, contact me on Holistyx@gmail.com and I'll send it to you with all the information you need.

Friday 1 April 2022

Professional Associations

I have allowed my membership of the BCMA to lapse, as I didn't see any benefit to membership. After having been a member of a professional association ever since I trained in 2008 (see Professional Associations Posts for previous posts on this topic), indeed for many years a heavily involved one volunteering my time, I have decided not to be a member of any. I do of course remain fully qualified and insured to practice.

Wednesday 2 March 2022

Price Rise - from 6th April 2022


 My prices haven't gone up for 2 1/2 years, since 1 October 2019. I knew a lot of people have had either reduced income or less financial security due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so wanted to avoid putting my prices up.

 I've got though so far with the help of the Self Employment Income Support Scheme and other Grants to help businesses affected by Covid-19, when forced to close, and through reduced work and increased costs. 

But recently I have had to re-evaluate, as not just business costs but the cost of living has also increased, and so I will be increasing my prices from 6th April, ie at the start of the next tax year. See the Prices and How to Book page for details.


If you have booked in with me online previously, you need to use a new booking link to book sessions from 7th April.  If you opted in to my email mailing list, you will have been sent this. Please email me if you need the new booking link. 

Monday 4 October 2021

Illness, Covid Risk, Pregnancy, Vaccination, New Meds... When Should I Cancel or Reschedule an Appointment?


If you have booked, and since then something has happened and you are not sure whether you should still attend... this may help. 

I cover cold, flu, Covid and stomach bug symptoms, contact with Covid-19, test results, concern of Medical Provider, Post-Covid conditions, pregnancy, vaccination, and other new medical conditions or medication. 

Friday 1 October 2021

Holistyx Massage, Aromatherapy, Reflexology in Lancaster: Appointments Available



Appointments are booked via an online calendar and Intake forms. Please email Holistyx@gmail.com to be sent full information. Or use the contact form in the sidebar if you are on a desktop computer. 

I offer Swedish / Holistic Massage, Stone Therapy (Hot and Cold Stone Massage), Aromatherapy Massage, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology, and also Pregnancy and Post-Natal Massage, Aromatherapy and Reflexology.

Wednesday 1 September 2021

Professional Associations: APNT Dissolved, still a BCMA Member

Unfortunately, the Professional Association I joined in March, the Association of Physical and Natural Therapists, because of their fantastic support for therapists during the pandemic, has been dissolved, as of 31st August 2021. While this was originally with the intention of starting a new organisation with a different structure, such as a Limited Company or Community Interest Company, very sadly for a respected organisation founded in 1986, financial irregularities discovered during this process have lead to a criminal investigation. 

I do however remain a member of the BCMA - the British Complementary Medicine Association, which is a member of the General Council for Soft Tissue Therapies (GCMT),  and a founder member of the Integrated Healthcare Collaborative (IHC), bringing together professional associations and stakeholders within complementary, traditional and natural healthcare​.

(NB as referred to here I have now also left the BCMA since this blog post)

Thursday 26 August 2021

Higher Mask Standard: FFP3

 

I have upgraded from the Type IIR surgical mask I was wearing previously, to a better fitting and higher filtration Cambridge Mask Company 'ventilator' mask. This is also reusable for up to 340 hours, so avoids the plastic pollution involved in single use masking. 

The filter technology is designed by the British Ministry of Defence,  filtering out nearly 100% of all harmful air pollutants, gases, allergens, smog, and pollen; 99.7% of bacteria and 99.6% of all viruses - including Sars-Cov-2, the virus which causes Covid-19. 

The 'FFP3' standard is equivalent to the N99 standard used in the USA, higher than an N95, KN94/5 or a FFP2. 

As this is much better protection for me from aerosol transmission, particularly in combination with clients wearing face coverings as well, I am now able to spend more time on close up work around the neck and shoulders.   

Monday 26 July 2021

Phase 4 - What Covid-19 Measures have Changed? What Is Still in Place?

England moved into Phase 4 on 19th July. 

Thank you to all my clients over the last few weeks who I have consulted on possible changes. 😀

I am aware that the vaccination programme has greatly weakened the link between infection and hospitalisation and death and that the government has reduced requirements on that basis. However I am also aware that:
- only 52% of the population is vaccinated
- we have the highest rate of infection in the world
- I have Clinically Vulnerable and Extremely Clinically Vulnerable clients that are very concerned for their risk
- there is no evidence that vaccination reduces the risk of disability from Long Covid

Guidance from the government is here. Further guidance support from my Professional Association, the APNT is on Facebook here and on their website here

"While England moves to step 4 of Covid-19 restrictions from 19 July that removes the mandatory wearing of face-coverings and social distancing, therapists are reminded that, as they work in a close contact setting, there is a higher risk of viral transmission. Therefore, the APNT does recommend the continued wearing of face-coverings for all clients and therapists and asks that you seriously consider the continued use of type II masks and eye protection as the alternative to a face-covering, particularly when treating the high-risk zone." - APNT. 
Read on for details of what has changed and what has remained unchanged in my infection control measures.