The HierontaAuto story

I got into massage through a bonesetter. Our family went to see him whenever someone had something hurting. What fascinated me was that you actually got relief from him.

I first got a place to study naprapathy, but I never started. I learn best by doing, so massage school suited me better. I completed the vocational qualification in massage therapy at Suomen Hierojakoulut Oy and got straight to working with my hands and to running my own business.

My interest in health started at 15 at the gym. Back then it was all optimisation: protein, training programmes, muscle mass. Over the years my thinking has changed a lot. Protein-heavy food has given way to clean food, and chasing strength and muscle to keeping the body working and the mind well.

These days I move in many ways to stay capable. Climbing and being out in nature are close to my heart. One turning point was a time when I was ill for a long while after living in mouldy premises. It opened my eyes to how much the environment and everyday choices affect health – and above all to the fact that health is the most valuable thing we have. You only realise it when you are at risk of losing it. I still have a hypersensitivity to mould and, for example, to fragrances.

I used to work as an electrician in industry. The work was often unhealthy in some way – at least for my mind, spending my days indoors when I would rather have been outside doing my own things.

Working with my hands has been with me since I was small – a billhook and a knife were put in my hand at the age of three, and my childhood was spent making things in the yard. I wanted to challenge myself and build something of my own. Building HierontaAuto has had its share of challenges and setbacks, but getting through them has grown my enthusiasm for running my own business.

When the studio is on wheels, you don't have to go anywhere – the treatment and everything needed come straight to your door or workplace.

A few benefits:

• You save the time spent on travel and scheduling.
• No separate space needed at the office – the studio is a complete treatment room in itself.
• After a home visit you are already home, just a few steps from relaxing.
• Flexibility for your workday or everyday life: the massage studio comes to you.

My expertise leans toward work-related pains and tensions. Sitting work causes neck, shoulder and back problems for a great many people, so at the start of my career I want to focus on the body strained by office work. I'm also directing my further training to support this.

Even so, I enjoy massaging all kinds of clients, and my training gives me broad skills. So if you need a massage therapist at home, I'm glad to help – whatever the complaint.

I do classic massage. My own style leans toward a slightly firmer touch, but the pressure is always adjusted to suit you, and the massage is focused right on your problem area. Climbing has built strength in my fingers and my whole body, and once you know your own body, it shows in the massage too: the grip stays natural and the strength lasts through the day.