BY NUALA MCALOON

It was with a keen interest in the healing power of massage that Belleek native Sinead O'Loughlin found herself inspired to adopting the field of holistic therapy as a career.

After a number of years spent away from home working in retail management, she returned to Fermanagh last year to pursue her passion in helping others shut off from the daily rigours of life and to encourage them to discover the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of specialised treatments.

Sinead now runs SOL Holistic Therapies from her clinic in Belleek where, influenced by the calm, soothing and tranquil surroundings of her atmospheric treatment studio, she offers a range of therapies including holistic body massage, aromatherapy, Indian Head Massage, reflexology and pregnancy massage.

Along with the treatments, Sinead also takes classes in baby massage and baby yoga in Enniskillen and Ballyshannon.

"I worked in retail management for years before becoming self-employed in 2007," Sinead explained. "I spent over five years with cosmetics company, LUSH before managing a health food store for a few years and then moving on to work at House of Fraser.

"I have always had an interest in massage and carried out treatments for friends while working full time in Dublin. A couple of years ago, I decided I wanted to move into the field of Holistic Therapies full time, and I also felt it was time to leave the city behind me and return to the calming countryside of Fermanagh."

And so far, Sinead is enjoying self-employment and the benefits of being her own boss.

"The baby massage and baby yoga classes are proving popular, and it is a joy to see the positive effect they have on the parent-baby relationship," she continued.

There is no stereotypical day for Sinead who splits her time between teaching and treating, and working around the demands and time constraints of her client.

"On the days that I am teaching, the class usually starts at 10am, so I arrive at the venue about 9.30am to prepare the room. In the afternoon, I might have two or three clients for massage or reflexology who I see back in my treatment room in Belleek. I spend two mornings a week on administrative tasks, and a few hours a month distributing flyers advertising my classes."

As for the highlights of the job, Sinead explains that there is nothing quite like seeing the positive effects of massage on her clients.

"I have quite a few regulars now who feel the benefits of monthly treatments. For example, to lower stress levels, improve sleep patterns, offer relief from arthritic or joint pain, and relief from muscle tension. Massage also calms the nervous system, balances the hormones and improves our emotional well-being."

And on the minus side?

"It can be difficult to stay motivated when clients book treatments and do not show up, or book a place on a baby massage or baby yoga course and then fail to turn up. It is impossible to plan financially because of this. The financial instability is the biggest challenge of this career choice."

Another challenge is trying to get the public to understand that having massage and reflexology treatments is an investment in one's health and well-being and not just a luxurious treat.

"In other countries like India, Thailand and Hawaii", she explained, " massage is part of the daily routine. From birth, children are massaged and it is a very normal part of their lives right through to old age. These countries understand the many health benefits of massage, both physical and psychological.

"In the West, we are very slow to understand this concept. We still do not fully accept the interconnectedness of our physical, emotional and spiritual bodies. We treat illnesses in isolation and have a very poor system for treating mental health, as seen in our high suicide and depression rates.

"Holistic therapies are wonderfully healing and as our lives get busier and more stressful, it is essential we find some balance and learn the art of relaxation. Massage therapy is just one way to do this. We in the West have much to learn from the cultures of the East."

Sinead derives satisfaction in her job of teaching a parent how to massage their baby.

"Parenting is a tough job", she went on, " and as a society we need to be more supportive to parents. We all have a responsibility to the next generation, hence, baby massage and baby yoga is my contribution."

For those wishing to pursue career in holistic therapy, Sinead has the following advice:

"Working in the field of holistic therapies is rewarding and interesting, but it is a labour of love. If you are motivated purely by money, this is not the career for you. You need to be a people person, be very patient and empathetic. In order to enjoy teaching the baby classes, you need to love children and have a good understanding of the journey of parenting."