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A Hellerwork Practitioner Career

By: Ian Murnaghan BSc (hons), MSc - Updated: 2 Jan 2013 | comments

For those who are passionate about alternative, natural health modes of healing, a career as a Hellerwork practitioner is worth considering for your future. The Hellerwork system abides by a strong belief that a person’s body and mind are inseparable from their spirit.

It is thought that pain and stress come from imbalances in the body. By applying specific body movements and education, a person can get to a new level of emotional and physical awareness. This integrated system is thought to bring patients to a significantly improved level of healing.

Training for a Hellerwork Career

Training for a career in this form of natural healing is relatively short and does not require a university degree. Most programmes eventually lead to a certificate or diploma standing. Typically you would have technical skills training as well as theoretical work, plus you may participate in an internship under an experienced Hellerwork practitioner.

Coursework usually starts with an understanding of the roots of Hellerwork, which relates to Joseph Heller who founded this gentle approach to deep tissue therapy. You would learn about the body-mind connection and how to use these principles to help patients reach a higher level of peace, comfort and awareness.

Science modules may include anatomy and kinesiology as well as counselling and psychology training. Massage therapy is another important part of training to be a Hellerwork practitioner.

In addition, you would be trained on the many different, specialised techniques to help patients obtain improved alignment of their body. This way, patients can obtain relief from stress and pain while you also assist them in obtaining insight into emotional issues.

Skills for a Successful Hellerwork Career

Due to the emotional nature of the career, it is best suited to someone who works well with others, while also having a soothing, nurturing, empathic personality. A one-hour session with a patient will usually entail deep tissue bodywork along with education and direction on natural movement. The verbal dialogue facilitated by the practitioner works to simultaneously help the patient relieve emotional stress and tension.

Patients are strongly encouraged to talk openly about their troubles during a session, so you need to be a good listener and be highly confidential. This allows the Hellerwork practitioner to have a meaningful, structured conversation with the patient, helping the patient to gain a better understanding of any problems and underlying issues. You should be very comfortable with hands-on work due to the massage therapy used in Hellerwork sessions. Excellent record-keeping skills are similarly important to monitor the progress and goals of a client.

Salary and Working Conditions

A Hellerwork practitioner career is an ideal one for people passionate about natural forms of healing who want to work independently and run their own practice, particularly part-timers. Wages are in line with many other natural health careers such as massage therapy although depending on where you live and the demand, you may be able to charge more for this specialised career.

Choosing to Start a Hellerwork Practitioner Career

The best way to initially learn if a Hellerwork career would be a fitting one for your skills and interests is to visit a Hellerwork practitioner for a personal session. This will give you the appropriate understanding of what is involved and will also allow you to ask questions and learn if it is the right health career for you.