A qualification in remedial massage is bringing new motivation and flexibility to Ruriko Jordan’s working life.

After 14 years in hospitality, Ruriko was looking for a change when she decided to turn an interest into a career.

“I was looking for a job that I could potentially do from home, and I’ve been massaging three generations of my family - my grandmother, mum and sister - for some time, so I went looking for a qualification and found one on the TAFE SA website,” she says.

Ruriko completed the Diploma of Remedial Massage in February and is now running her own business called Bluestone Massage.

She is currently working with clients at a range of locations including a general medical practice, sports and fitness venue and providing home visits for people who have Motor Neurone Disease.

“I’d like to do more in the disability space, especially for people with Motor Neurone Disease because they need quite specialised care. People keep saying to me that it’s massage that makes a difference to them,” she says.

Ruriko says she enjoyed studying at TAFE SA, bonding with classmates and learning from her experienced lecturers, as well as working in the massage clinic which is located at the Adelaide City Campus and is open to the public.

“The clinic was fantastic because we had such a variety of clients who we worked on and we had great support from our lecturers so when I left I felt so prepared for the workplace,” she says.

Diploma of Remedial Massage students need to complete 200 hours of clinic practice before they graduate.

Lecturer Nicole Tomlinson says there is strong demand for remedial massage therapists who may find work in a variety of industries and locations, including sports clubs and hospitals.

“People are more aware of the benefits of remedial massage for general movement and relaxation, as well as assisting with injuries and chronic health conditions,” Nicole says.

“If you’re entrepreneurial, it’s a great qualification because you can adapt your skills to different workplaces. Our graduates work alongside physios and other health professionals, they work with sports teams, and some run their own businesses.”

For more information about complementary health qualifications, please visit the TAFE SA website.