Inspired by my FHT Award

In 2017 when the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) selected me as a finalist in their annual awards, I suddenly realised I was playing a part in making change happen – a change that recognised something needed to be available for people who were struggling with their scars.

How it began

The path that led to my being nominated started in 2015. Scar therapy was virtually unheard in the UK at that time. I had already been a practicing massage therapist for over 20 years and whilst looking to expand my skills, I saw a specialist course which looked really interesting. I travelled to Edinburgh and attended Sharon Wheeler’s ScarWork™ training, becoming one of only 15 therapists in this country who were certified at the time.

Raising awareness

I came home and practiced my new skills, amazed at the difference I was making on a physical and emotional level to my clients. I was inspired to shout about ScarWork™, cheerleading the positive impact that can be achieved. Improving the scar was enhancing the lives of my clients on both a physical and emotional level.  I realised this was a powerful recovery tool that had been absent in post-operative rehabilitation. 

Physiotherapy was available to some people after surgery (depending on the surgery type or trauma sustained) primarily to provide strength, restore movement and balance. However, these type of specific massage or soft tissue skills for scars are not part of standard rehabilitation training and access to scar therapy was extremely limited. I kept hearing clients say

Why had I never heard about this? I’ve been struggling for so long and now you’ve fixed the problem 

Clients were understandably frustrated that they hadn’t known scar therapy could be the solution to their needs and many had been living with discomfort or pain for extended periods. This led me to dedicate time to raise awareness of the specialist therapy. I began networking, embracing social media and in October 2016 the first national press article on ScarWork™ was published in the Daily Mail, covering a client I had helped  hug her children without pain after breast cancer.

I had never done blogs or videos before but I started a YouTube Channel where one of my videos has now had over 12,000 views. There is still a long way to go raising awareness so that people who desperately need treatment can be signposted to find help.  

Volunteering in Bosnia

Motivated to take these skills and help those with larger trauma’s, I began volunteering work. Embarking on a trip to Bosnia with Healing Hands Network (HHN).  This wonderful charity was established to offer support to people impacted by the Sarajevo conflict. They organise complementary therapy for people injured and traumatised during the war. The HHN have now expanded to include a growing number of UK projects with British veterans and service personnel as well as the overseas projects.

When I was volunteering in Sarajevo, I was able to help many victims of war. For the first time I was treating clients with amputations, sniper bullet wounds and blast injuries. Many of those I treated suffered with PTSD or depression. Sharing my ScarWork™ skills with those in need is rewarding and wonderful to do. We travelled with a videographer Georgianna Scurfield, who documented the trip and made a promotional video for the charity.

Charity work

My work in Bosnia inspired me to get in touch with UK charities supporting injured service personnel. I began by making contact with BLESMA (the limbless veterans charity). I co-ordinated treatments for BLESMA Members with ScarWork therapists around the UK. Para-athlete Luke Sinnott was one of the members who asked for treatment. I found a local volunteer therapist Kim Walker-Hibbitt and she kindly donated a number of ScarWork sessions.  Luke commented:

5 years ago I was injured by a bomb in Afghanistan while serving in the British Army. The scars on my legs would hurt when I walked and ran in my prosthetics. Kim has helped release some of these difficult areas and I’m able to stay on my (prosthetic) legs longer and with less discomfort. 

It’s never too late to get help with a difficult scar, I thought I had to accept the restrictions my scars created. Thanks to Kim’s work I have a better quality of life.

Luke was so pleased with the improvements, he passed me a contact and put in a good word with the Invictus Games organisation (an international multi-sport event, created by Prince Harry, for wounded, injured, or sick armed services personnel and their associated veterans) and suddenly a new door had opened.

Each achievement leads to the next

Each step I took seemed to be making a mark and the wheels of change were turning with more interest growing. Now many cancer charities in the UK offer ScarWork and over 400 therapists are certified.

 In every task I have thought 

Let’s just see what happens if….

I have surprised myself as much as anyone else when I look back at all the progress that has been achieved. I feel privileged to be part of this movement to raise awareness and increase access, and honoured to be able to teach and share skills that I know in turn will help others. We all have self-doubt, and I still worry I am not good enough…but it helped me to receive the FHT award – recognition that I was doing OK!