New reflexology clinic opens in Norden

In Balance Reflexology and Holistic Therapy

A new reflexology clinic and holistic practitioner, In Balance Reflexology and Holistic Therapy, opened in Norden last month.

Run by beauty and holistic therapist Linda Smethurst, In Balance offers a range of holistic therapies from its premises next to Easy Street Personal Training.

In Balance offers treatments such as massage, facials, microneedling and microdermabrasion, dermaplaning and permanent hair reduction, as well as reflexology, reflexology lymph drainage and facial lymph drainage massage.

Reflexology lymph drainage was developed by a therapist called Sally Kay, who was working in clinical care with breast cancer patients. A study from Cancer Research UK in 2014 found that the technique reduced swelling in all participants when applied to breast cancer patients with lymphoedema, a build-up of fluid under the skin.

Linda said: “The swelling of a limb can be debilitating and affect people psychologically. At the moment, there is no cure for this. Reflexology lymph drainage achieves measurable fluid volume loss therefore increasing the mobility and psychological wellbeing of the patient.”

Linda added: “I think everyone who goes into beauty and holistic therapy does so because they want to help people and help them feel better about themselves. There is an ever-growing list of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions which are responding to this treatment.

“When you can see the results of a treatment and you get the feedback from clients who had lost hope, saying that you have changed their lives - who wouldn’t want to do this?”

Linda qualified in massage and reflexology in 2002, going on to train in beauty. Having completed her certificate of education in 2010 at Bolton University, Linda also teaches privately for a company called Jane Bryan Beauty Training and travels all over the North West training in advanced beauty and holistic therapies.

She decided to open her clinic in Rochdale, offering treatments alongside the training, after working for two years in Manchester. She had previously owned a salon in Rochdale, and a salon in Spain.