Helen Sweeney – Altius Massage Therapist

From Fighting Ships to Fighting Fit: A truly ‘alternative’ therapist!

When local girl Helen Sweeney left Altrincham’s Loreto Grammar School she chose an alternative life journey from the university route taken by many of her peers. She travelled the world seeking adventure and excitement, picking up some important life skills and a passion for holistic healing therapies. This quest for adventure led her to a career in the Royal Navy, serving at sea in the Mediterranean, America and the South Atlantic as a member of the Warfare Branch.

“I guess I was always destined to serve in the Royal Navy, the fourth generation of my family to do so.  It was both challenging and varied; driving a fast RIB, donning diving gear to leap off the ship as emergency rescue swimmer, keeping bridge watches or engaging in gunnery and firearms practice.  It’s a rugged and very physical environment so my massage therapy background was much valued by my shipmates.”

Since leaving the Navy, Helen has continued to hone her skills and expand her range of therapies which now include Sports Massage, Pregnancy Massage, and Indian Head Massage.  She retains close links with the military, both through work with Help for Heroes and as resident massage therapist for the Navy’s annual Field Gun tournament.

“Field Gun is physically quite a brutal sport, with some of the fittest athletes in the service pulling a gun weighing three quarters of a ton, dismantling, reassembling then firing it, racing against other teams and the clock. It results in injuries that most people can barely imagine.  It’s great to be part of the support team. I’m never short of patients and it gives me a unique opportunity to practice my skills on a broad range of unusual sports injuries. ”

Appointments with Helen can be made via Altius reception on 0161 401 1000 or email info@altiushealthcare.co.uk