Derek Ireland - Massage Therapist

Having always being interested in sport and sports therapy, I decided to open my own clinic in Maghull (2000) being Maghull Therapy Clinic. Over the years it has become a fast growing practice for both sports and alternate therapies. Treatments cover a wide range i.e. Sports Remedial Massage, Sports Injury Treatments, Non Sport Injuries including treatments i.e. Physiotherapy techniques, Ultrasound, Interferential, Mobilisation and Assisted Stretches. I introduced a Power Assisted Micro-manipulation machine (PAMM) this is a specialised back treatment with a 95% success rate, the only one in Merseyside.

Being involved in sport myself since the age of 17, I enjoyed my involvement with exercise, weight training and competing in events etc., this came to a halt when I suffered a fall at work sustaining a back injury. The ten years of struggling with back pain brought closure to my then employment (although it did make me realise how debilitating this can be and help me understand more about this common problem and treatment of my clients). I enrolled with my local college to gain the necessary qualifications, bringing me to where I am today.

In 2007 I was asked to work at the Empire Theatre treating the Riverdance Company during their European tour, (photographs can be seen in the photo gallery). Also visiting the clinic are the seven times Northwest Irish dance champion under 17’s, runners up under 20 and 19’s also numerous elite runners and triathletes who compete in events such as the Iron Man, Half Iron Man and Tri/Duathlons very often winning their age groups.

I attend events with the Fun2Tri massage team being linked withTri UK events. I train work experience students from Bolton sports rehabilitation and local schools; in 2003/4 was a part time lecturer at St Helens College Campus. 2007 took me to Austria Iron man with a North West team as their masseur, two of which were the first British competitors to finish.

Qualifications to date:

• Sports Massage IIST
• Management of Activity Injuries Diploma IIHHT
• Diploma in Anatomy Physiology & Body Massage ITEC
• Sports Therapy Equipment ITEC
• Practice and Management of Sports Injuries Diploma ITEC
• I hold a First Aid cert with St Johns Ambulance
• Level 2 Certificate in the management of Injuries in Football & Child protection both FA
  Laser Class 3B
  

Courses with the Sports Rehabilitation & Education  (professor Graham Smith)
I have the following certificates:

• Introduction to Vertebral Mobilisations & Manual Therapy
• Clinical Implications of Vertebral Mobilisations & Manual Therapy
• Electrotherapy & Current Concepts & Applications
• The Elbow, Wrist & Forearm uncovered
• The Shoulder Defined
• Mobilisations of the Upper Limb
  
  

Holistic Certs

• Level 3 Aromatherapy
• Indian Head Massage
• Hot Stones Massage
• Swedish Body massage
• Reiki – level 1&2
• Massage and Aromatherapy for People with Cancer
• Acupressure Massage
  
  

Focus Training Fitness Instructor Award

• Level 1 Fitness Instructor
• Level 2 Resistance Training
• Level 2 Cardio-Vascular Machine Training
  
  

Continuous Professional Development each year to keep up with new techniques and treatments.