Roisin is taking the mystery out of holistic therapies with her new venture Essentially Well

That uncertainty is something Roisin hopes to dispel through her new venture, Essentially Well, where treatments range from massage and bespoke facials to aromatherapy and Reiki.

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“There’s still quite a lot of mystery around holistic and complementary therapies,” said Roisin, who is opening Essentially Well at Devata Holistic Centre on Lurgan Road, Portadown, on October 17.

“I think sometimes people are interested but feel a little unsure because they don’t really know what they’re booking or what to expect.

“I’ve always been drawn to the slightly ‘woo-woo’ side of life! Alternative therapies, spirituality, energy and natural approaches have fascinated me since I was young.

“That eventually led me into aromatherapy, massage and holistic therapies, and I’ve now been working as a qualified aromatherapist and massage therapist for a number of years.”

It hasn’t all been plain sailing for the Lurgan native.

“Before having my son Neghan, I went through a period where I really wasn’t in the best place. I had to take a good, hard look at myself, make some lifestyle choices, face past mistakes and trauma but, most importantly, start putting work into myself.

“It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but slowly I turned things around.

“Becoming a mum has only strengthened that belief. My little boy is my IVF miracle, and being his mum has taught me how easy it is to pour everything you have into everyone else and forget to leave anything for yourself.

“I don’t believe people need fixing. I believe sometimes we simply need somewhere safe to stop, breathe, reconnect with ourselves and give our body and mind the space they need. And that’s what I want Essentially Well to be.”

Roisin wants treatments to feel personal rather than clinical or one-size-fits-all.

“You don’t have to already be ‘into’ crystals, energy or spirituality to come along. You can simply be tired, stressed, overwhelmed, curious, or just feel like you need an hour that’s completely for you.”

Among the treatments is deep tissue massage, for people who carry tension or tightness in their muscles.

“It uses slower, more focused pressure than a traditional relaxing massage, working into areas where tension can build up — for example, the back, shoulders, neck or legs,” she explained.

But deep tissue massage shouldn’t be regarded as an endurance test.

“It isn’t about how much pressure you can tolerate. More pressure doesn’t necessarily mean a better massage, and communication throughout the treatment is really important to me.”

Perhaps less familiar is Lomi Lomi, a traditional Hawaiian style of massage characterised by long, flowing and rhythmic movements.

“Rather than feeling like lots of separate techniques being applied to different parts of the body, it has a lovely continuous, flowing quality. For me, it’s almost like being rocked into relaxation.”

Aromatherapy combines massage with essential oils selected according to the individual.

“I love the sensory side because it isn’t just about the massage. You have the warmth of the oils, the scent, the music, the environment and the feeling of being completely looked after.”

Another treatment Roisin believes is often misunderstood is lymphatic drainage, a gentle form of massage involving light, rhythmic movements associated with the body’s lymphatic system.

“It’s actually the complete opposite of a deep or intense massage,” she said.

“It can appeal to people who experience feelings of puffiness, heaviness or fluid retention, or simply want a very gentle treatment.”

Skincare also forms a significant part of Essentially Well, with prescription and bespoke holistic facials.

Despite the name, a ‘prescription facial’ does not involve a medical prescription but means the treatment is tailored to the client’s skin.

“Everyone’s skin is different,” said Roisin.

Her holistic facials combine skincare, massage and relaxation with botanical ingredients.

Warm herbal compresses can include chamomile, lavender, rose and lemongrass, while bespoke face masks may incorporate Manuka honey, green tea, aloe vera, rose water, clay, hibiscus or turmeric.

“The treatment isn’t solely focused on the appearance of the skin. I want clients to feel the benefits of being cared for, rather than feeling like they’ve simply had a skincare treatment.”

Roisin also offers sculpting facials using Gua Sha and facial cupping, while teen facials concentrate on gentle, age-appropriate skincare and teaching young people the basics of looking after their skin without suggesting it needs to be ‘fixed’.

Pregnancy massage is another area about which Roisin is passionate, with treatments adapted for the individual, including positioning and pressure.

“Pregnancy can be such an incredible experience, but it can also be physically demanding,” she said. “Pregnancy can involve so much focus on the baby that sometimes mum gets forgotten!”

Roisin stresses that pregnancy massage may not be appropriate in every circumstance and discusses relevant medical advice with clients beforehand.

And then there is perhaps the most mysterious treatment on the list — Reiki.

Originating in Japan, Reiki is described as an energy-based practice. Clients remain fully clothed while the practitioner uses gentle hand positions on or just above the body.

“You don’t need to be spiritual. You don’t need to believe in crystals or energy. You don’t even need to understand what Reiki is!” said Roisin.

“Some people simply come because they’re curious, some because they’re feeling overwhelmed or emotionally drained, and others feel Reiki helps them when dealing with grief, trauma or feeling emotionally stuck.”

Roisin said: ““It’s about creating a calm space where someone can slow down, switch off and reconnect with themselves.”

And that philosophy is at the heart of Essentially Well.

“You don’t need to know what treatment you want when you walk through the door. That’s part of my job,” she said.

“Sometimes you just need an hour where nobody needs anything from you.

“And if Essentially Well can give someone that — even for a little while — then that’s exactly what I want it to be.”