I am a qualified Sports Massage therapist with a background in competitive cycling. I became interested in Nordic Walking after seeing a group in a fitness session in Norway and then going Nordic Walking in Germany.

Because of my sporting and therapist backgrounds, I understand the anatomy relevant to Nordic Walking and the science of the benefits behind it and am able to help participants make the most of the activity.

It is also an excellent fitness activity to maintain healthy bone density but not add stress to joints.

Born in Montreal, Canada I attended schools in Quebec and New York and led an active sporting life. I moved to England in 1978 and settled in Ipswich in 1988 following a 14-month overland cycling journey to Australia.

I trained at Suffolk College in Swedish Massage and Sports Massage. The qualification awarded is the externally validated VTCT diploma in Sports Massage Therapy.

I am also a qualified practitioner in Spinal Touch Treatment.

Insured and registered with the Federation of Holistic Therapists and a member of its International Council of Health, Fitness and Sports Therapists and International Council of Holistic Therapists.

I am also an affiliate member of the Sports Massage Association and a member of Fitness Professionals.

Since qualifying in my field in 2005 I have attended advanced massage workshops to enhance my techniques and keep abreast of the latest development in this discipline.

As a sports massage therapist I treat a broad variety of people in my practices in Ipswich and Stowmarket.  

There are tight neck and back muscles to deal with, often simply the result of long hours working at the computer. Then there are people who start a new fitness regime and want to minimise the risk of injury.

Many sports amateurs as well as professionals use massage to improve their performance. And last, but not least, as a competitive cyclist myself, I regularly work with club cyclists.

I also work with Cancer Research UK on its post race massage team at the London Marathon. And am a first aid volunteer with the British Red Cross.

And while still training I spent 5 months working with the players at the Ipswich YM Rugby Union Football Club.

Judith Gunion MHFST  

IIST and IIHHT qualified Sports & Swedish Massage therapist and Cert Spinal Touch practitioner