Back Pages

Back All the stuff we wanted to tell you about but didn’t have room for elsewhere… PAGES

INDIA: LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN DELHI TO OUTLAW CROSSGENDER MASSAGE

The local government authorities in Delhi have issued strict new guidelines for spas in the city, including the requirement that massage therapists and clients be of the same gender. Spa owners and workers have called the new guidelines regressive, restrictive and discriminatory.

Civic body officials estimate that there are between 2,000 and 2,400 spas and massage parlours operating across the city, of which around half operate illegally.

In September, the Association of Wellness Ayurveda and Spa filed a petition in the Delhi High Court against the guidelines, saying they were being harassed for operating cross-gender spas and were being forced to renovate their facilities to accommodate men and women separately, adding that spa centres were being defamed as “some kind of prostitution hub or brothels”.

Other rules being introduced mean that therapists must be over the age of 18 years and possess a degree/diploma/ certificate in physiotherapy, acupressure or occupational therapy. Additionally, the entrance, reception and common areas of a spa must be equipped with CCTV and recordings must be kept for at least three months.

AROMATHERAPY: BOOSTS MOOD AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN DEMENTIA

A paper published this April in the International Journal of Psychiatry found that aromatherapy with essential oils and reminiscence therapy can help reduce stress and agitation and improve the overall outlook of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Those who used these approaches along with exercise also had some improvement in cognitive function, though they did not see a significant improvement in other symptoms. The results are based on a review of data from 74 studies that collectively enrolled nearly 1,200 people with dementia living in nine countries including the United Kingdom. The frequency and duration of therapy sessions varied, but typically involved twice-weekly appointments lasting roughly 45 minutes to an hour.

WORDS OF WISDOM…

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. Aesop

MARKET SNAPSHOT: AROMATHERAPY DIFFUSERS

The market for aromatherapy diffusers is forecast to reach $4.5 billion globally by 2031. This represents a CAGR of 9.4%.

Try this… Mushrooms

Eating mushrooms a few times a week not only lowers the risk of cancer and premature death, but new research also reveals that these super-foods may benefit a person’s mental health, as a new study shows that those who ate mushrooms had lower odds of having

depression. Ref: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.07.080

NANOSILVER LOSES EFFECTIVENESS IN LONGTERM TREATMENT OF INFECTIONS

New research from Australia has found that pathogens that form biofilms can evolve to survive nanosilver treatment. The study is the first to demonstrate that long-term nanosilver treatment can increase the risk of recurrent infections.

Nanosilver is a potent antimicrobial that is currently used in medical devices such as internal catheters, as well as wound dressings, in particular for burn wounds, to fight or prevent infections. It is also found in consumer products like sticking plasters, washing machines and as an anti-odour treatment in insoles and clothing.

Following prolonged treatment, nanosilver killed 99.99% of the bacterial population with only 0.01% cells surviving for longer. However, this minute fraction of ‘persisters’ resumed normal growth upon discontinuation of the nanoparticle treatment. The bacteria adapt to nanoparticles meaning there’s a need to preserve the efficacy of the alternative antimicrobials to fight untreatable infections. Ref:

10.1186/s12951-02101027-8

PORTSMOUTH MIND, BODY, SPIRIT FAIR GETS OFF TO A GOOD START

A new Mind, Body, Spirit fair took place in Portsmouth early in October. The event organiser, psychic medium Kev Hooper brought together over 15 stall holders and attracted over 100 visitors to the first in a planned series of fairs. Kev explained, “We had a great selection of holistic therapists with a natural approach, and spiritual workers. We had reflexology, hypnotherapy, Reiki healers, crystal healers, tarot readers, aromatherapy and massage – you name it we had absolutely everything here. “It was amazing. All the stallholders were brilliant and the customers were happy, the venue was happy, basically everybody was happy with how it went.”

FHT APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) has appointed Monica Price as Executive Director.

Monica has a degree in Nutritional Therapy and Clinical Practice from the University of Worcester and vast experience in the fields of PR, communications, health and safety, quality assurance and compliance. Prior to joining the FHT, she ran her own successful consultancy business.

Monica commented, “I am delighted to be the new Executive Director for FHT. I understand only too well how tough the past 18 months have been for FHT members. The pandemic has made people realise more than ever that their health and wellbeing is so important. I believe that this has created a real opportunity to show how professional therapists can support people’s health of any age, and I am determined to ensure that our FHT members get the recognition they deserve”.

AND FINALLY….

Congratulations to HTM’s Jason Firmager and Karen Lusted who got married in September. The wedding took place at The Dreys near Sittingbourne in Kent.

www.thedreys.co.uk.

It feels like the right time

Looking to nurture your business?

If you would like to develop your interest in holistic health and beauty, to expand your skills or support your work as a therapist, you might like to consider being trained by Weleda and working with us on a part-time self-employed basis. We would love to hear from you.