19 minute read
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Making the most of World Reflexology Week
This year I decided to promote World Reflexology Week throughout the whole of September. I downloaded the FHT’s promotional material and every few days throughout the month, I posted different information on my business Facebook page, including an introduction to reflexology, the history of reflexology, what to expect during a treatment, how reflexology can help, and links to the research summaries shared on FHT’s blog. Throughout the month, I also sold prize draw tickets for the opportunity to win a reflexology treatment, with the winner announced at the end of September on social media. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, I managed to raise £140 for Alzheimer’s Society.
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I was overwhelmed by the response to my posts, which gained me lots of new clients, and existing clients who regularly have a massage treatment also booked in to try reflexology.
As well as promoting reflexology to the general public, World Reflexology Week prompted me to re-read Eunice Ingham’s Stories the Feet Can Tell Thru Reflexology and Stories the Feet Have Told Thru Reflexology and interestingly, I got so much more from reading these books the second time around. September 2021 really was all about treating the feet!
n Sharon Berry, FFHT
Inclusivity: keeping the conversation going
I’ve just opened the recent issue of International Therapist magazine and I wanted to share some thoughts after reading the Editor’s letter.
Your inclusion of transgender people in such a matter-of-fact but caring way in your letter is beautiful in its warmth and acceptance. You assume and invite a level of understanding and empathy which is perfectly pitched and which I found very touching. The small things (electrolysis sessions for instance) are often the big things.
I have a lot of conversations with friends and colleagues around inclusion, and also with my son who, at 24, has seen some close friends struggle with not being accepted in their gender choices; usually by their parents, not their peers, who are often more understanding.
One online resource I have found really interesting is Safe On My Table--Practitioners (facebook.com/groups/1487302727986635) – a Facebook group for therapists in America. The mission of #SafeOnMyTable is to connect transgender and non-binary people with safe and affirming therapeutic bodywork practitioners who are educated about their specific healthcare related needs. The group, which has over 1,500 members, share information about best practices, protocols, advocacy and research.
As an FHT accredited Baby Massage Instructor, I also like to think about what I’m already doing in terms of my own courses and treatments, and how I can help to raise awareness among the parents and students I come into contact with. For instance, if the conversation turns to ‘fears’ for their children when they grow up, which can crop up in baby massage classes, this is a good opportunity to have a balanced and neutral conversation within the group about gender identity.
I also think experiences directly told to us by people from the transgender community are probably the most valuable way of educating ourselves.
I know there is a lot of ground still to cover, but I think that keeping the conversation going and raising awareness where we can is the way forward.
n Ingrid Perrin, MFHT
Beauty
SUPPORTING SUPPORTING
Rani McMurran, MFHT, talks about her electrolysis work with transgender patients prior to surgery.
TRANSFORMATION TRANSFORMATION
Beauty
International therapist 39International therapist 39 Although I have been practicing electrolysis for over 30 years, my actual journey into providing clinical electrolysis services to NHS England didn’t begin until 2004. My very first experience of working with transgender patients came from placing an advert in my local magazine, highlighting electrolysis as the only permanent method of hair removal for unwanted hair. Soon after I was contacted by a transgender patient who was in the process of transitioning and looking for beard removal. She had chosen to privately fund her own electrolysis treatment as commitment to her work left her with no time to pursue an application for NHS funding. Once I had completed her facial hair removal she asked if I’d be happy to consider her next stage of transitioning, which required hair reduction prior to genital reconstructive surgery (GRS). This was to be a game changing proposal for me. Without much ado, I decided I wanted to make a very positive contribution to the wellbeing of this patient’s life, by helping her to achieve her ultimate goal. My next transgender patient contacted me to say she had received authorisation for NHS funded treatment. She wanted to know if I would be willing to submit my details to her Gender Identity Clinic (GIC) so that I could be considered as an approved service provider for hair reduction treatment prior to GRS. I did exactly that and became officially approved and registered in 2004, extending my electrolysis services to include this specialist treatment for transgender patients in the pre-GRS stage. The NHS has a strict and comprehensive vetting process for registering practitioners who offer hair reduction treatment to patients, which includes evidence of membership of the British Institute and Association of Electrolysis (BIAE). Once the funding approval has been given for hair removal, the patient can then choose a registered provider from a list of accredited practitioners in their area or the patient’s GIC will send a letter of referral directly to a registered practitioner closest to the patient. New clients are often referred to me from the Gender Identity Clinic (GIC) or find my details through the BIAE. But ‘word of mouth’ also plays a significant part - the transgender community is very close knit, so word spreads quickly when they come across a service provider who has delivered exceptional care and treatment. They are also prepared to travel far and wide for the right professional. Preparing for change Genital hair removal is a prerequisite to surgery for male to female (MtF) and female to male (FtM) genital reconstruction for transgender patients. Electrolysis is required in order to prepare the skin for the different sequences of surgical procedures, which vary from patient to patient according to their clinical needs. MtF patients who have chosen to opt for the creation of a noevaginal cavity will usually require hair removal on the scrotum, perineum and the penile shaft. Complications can arise if the hair-bearing tissue has not been permanently cleared of hair. This can result in hair growing within the neovaginal cavity and around the opening. As this is virtually impossible to treat post-operatively, it can cause concern in terms of functionality, feel and acceptable cosmesis for the patient. Treatment timescales for hair removal can vary from patient to patient, based on density of growth. On the whole, full clearance can take approximately 18 months to two years, depending on the surgeon’s brief. Patients also need to factor in the time/number of appointments required and their pain threshold. As far as the latter is concerned, some patients may require topical anaesthetic creams to help relieve intermittent discomfort during treatment. In MtF patients, the ‘kill’ rate of hair in the gential area is achieved much faster if the patient is on testosterone inhibiting therapy. This is because, ordinarily, genital hair is much thicker and more persistent than hairs growing elsewhere on the body. My goal is to achieve permanent clearance at least three months before surgery, which is based on four to five hair growth cycles, with each cycle taking 10 to 13 weeks. In an ideal scenario, the first full clearance of active hair growth
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As part of a short series of articles on long COVID, we take a look at the latest stats and facts and the results from FHT’s 2021 Long COVID Survey
Most people affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) have mild to moderate symptoms and recover relatively quickly. However, some people experience ongoing symptoms that can last for four weeks or longer. These symptoms, often referred to as ‘long COVID’ can be highly variable and wide-ranging and are not limited to people who were seriously ill or hospitalized with coronavirus.
WHAT IS LONG COVID?
Interestingly, there is no universally agreed definition of the term ‘long COVID’.
‘Acute COVID-19’ is a term used by health professionals to typically describe the initial signs and symptoms that last up to four weeks. (‘Acute’ refers to the first signs of infection, rather than the severity of the illness.) If symptoms continue after four weeks, then the following two terms are typically used, both of which may also be referred to by the health authorities, researchers and media as ‘long COVID’: Ongoing symptomatic COVID-19: signs and symptoms of COVID-19 from four weeks up to 12 weeks. Post-COVID-19 syndrome: signs and symptoms which develop during or after an infection that is consistent with COVID-19, continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by another diagnosis. (NICE, RCGP and SIGN, 2020)
According to a recent statistical bulletin published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS, 2021), as of 2 October 2021, an estimated 1.2 million people living in private households in the UK were experiencing self-reported long COVID (symptoms persisting for more than four weeks after the first suspected COVID-19 infection, that were not explained by something else). The bulletin also highlighted that:
n Fatigue was the most common symptom reported as part of individuals' experience of long COVID (55% of those with self-reported long COVID), followed by shortness of breath (39%), loss of smell (33%) and difficulty concentrating (30%).
n More than two-thirds (65%) of those with self-reported long COVID said that their symptoms adversely affected their dayto-day activities, with 19% reporting that their ability to undertake their day-to-day activities had been ‘limited a lot’.
n As a proportion of the UK population, prevalence of self-reported long COVID remained greatest in people aged 35 to 69 years; females; people living in more deprived areas; those working in health or social care; and those with another activitylimiting health condition or disability. (ONS, 2021),
As therapists, it is important to note that anyone who thinks they may have symptoms of long COVID are strongly advised to speak to their GP, who may suggest different tests to find out more about their symptoms and to rule out other
underlying causes. (NHS England and NHS Improvement, 2021; NHS, 2021).
While it is difficult to say how long a person’s long COVID symptoms will last, current evidence suggests that in most cases, symptoms will improve over time (NHS infom, 2021).
MEMBERS’ EXPERIENCES OF LONG COVID
In October 2021, we launched a short survey to gain some insight into our members’ personal and professional experiences of long COVID. For the purposes of the survey, we defined long COVID as ‘signs and symptoms that develop during or following an infection consistent with COVID-19, which continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis’ (NHS England and NHS Improvement, 2021; NHS 2021).
We would like to say thank you to the 345 members and other therapists who took part in the survey, the key findings of which are outlined below.
ABOUT OUR SURVEY RESPONDENTS
Of those who completed or partially completed the survey:
n 88% identify as female, 10% as male and 2% as non-binary/prefer not to say
n 89% are self-employed (other statuses included students, employees, volunteers and employers)
n 83% live in England, 5% in Wales, 5% in Scotland, 5% in Northern Ireland, 2% Republic of Ireland or Overseas.
The majority of those who responded are experienced therapists, with 43% practising for 16 or more years, 20% practising between 11 to 15 years and a further 16% practising between six and 10 years.
Seventeen percent (60) have personally been affected by long COVID, with the most common self-reported symptom being fatigue/tiredness (affecting 78%), followed by a change in sense of taste or smell (60%), problems with memory and concentration or ‘brain fog’ (52%), headaches (52%), shortness of breath (50%), join pain (48%) and muscular/ soft tissue aches and pains (43%). The most commonly reported symptoms include:
CLIENTS' EXPERIENCES OF LONG COVID
Based on the survey results, 147 respondents (43%) reported that they have supported clients with long COVID, while 107 (31%) reported that they have not supported clients with long COVID. This leaves 91 respondents (26%) who either chose not to comment or dropped out of the survey by this stage.
Of those respondents who indicated they have supported clients with long COVID and who went on to complete further questions in the survey:
n 90% reported that their clients had spoken to their doctor about their long COVID symptoms;
n 38% indicated their clients were receiving conventional care (eg. from their doctor) alongside therapeutic support, 30% indicated their clients were not receiving conventional care alongside therapeutic support, and 32% indicated their clients were a mixture of the two.
n 49% of respondents said their clients had commented that they’d tried conventional care but felt it didn’t improve their symptoms, 40% of clients commented they had struggled to access support from their GP/ the NHS, 38% felt therapeutic intervention would be more appropriate, and 10% didn’t like to put pressure on the NHS system.
In terms of how respondents supported their clients with symptoms of long COVID, 84% reported doing this ‘in person’, 13% over the phone, 13% via a video communication platform, 8% via email, 8% using distance healing/reiki and 4% via post, for example, sending clients aromasticks or other therapeutic products.
The most commonly used treatments to help support clients manage or improve their long COVID symptoms
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF LONG COVID
Respiratory symptoms
• Breathlessness • Cough
Cardiovascular symptoms (heart and circulation)
• Chest tightness • Chest pain • Palpitations
General symptoms
• Fatigue • Fever • Pain
Neurological symptoms
• Cognitive impairment (‘brain fog’, loss of concentration, or memory issues) • Headache • Sleep disturbance • Peripheral neuropathy symptoms (pins and needles, and numbness) • Dizziness • Delirium (in older people) • Mobility impairment • Visual disturbance
Gastrointestinal symptoms
• Abdominal pain • Nausea • Diarrhoea • Weight loss and reduced appetite
Musculoskeletal symptoms
• Joint pain • Muscle pain
Psychological/psychiatric symptoms
• Symptoms of depression • Symptoms of anxiety • Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
Ear, nose and throat symptoms
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) • Earache • Sore throat • Dizziness • Loss of taste, smell or both
Dermatological symptoms
• Skin rashes • Hair loss
were reflexology (52%), Swedish or body massage (30%), aromatherapy (28%), reiki (22%), remedial massage (19%), sports massage (17%), healing (24%), Indian head massage (24%), myofascial release (12%) and mindfulness (4%).
Clients’ self-reported symptoms and improvements
Below is a table outlining a) some common symptoms associated with long COVID, as worded in the FHT survey b) what signs and symptoms clients reported they were experiencing and c) which symptoms clients felt their therapy treatments had improved.
Adverse or unusual responses to treatment
When asked, ‘Did any of your clients with long COVID experience any contra-actions or unusual responses to your treatments?’, 88% of respondents reported ‘no’ and 12% reported ‘yes’. Where further information was provided, the responses included: the client feeling more tired or symptoms worsening for a day or two after treatment but then much improved after; a change in colour in the urine; feeling slightly sick or faint; the feet jerking or twitching when treated; and heightened emotional release (for example, crying). One respondent commented that, ‘My client had recurrences of purpling on the toe after a couple of treatments (has had probably ten treatments now, weekly). But after discussion with doctors at a hospital appointment for overall long COVID symptoms, they concluded that it was highly unlikely to be related to the massage treatment’.
Adapting treatments for clients with long COVID
In the survey, we asked members if they adapted their treatments when supporting clients with long COVID. Sixty said that they had made adaptations, including:
n A change of position - treating clients in a seated or supine position rather than prone, to assist their breathing and make them feel generally more comfortable.
n More gentle treatments, including lighter techniques, reducing pressure, avoiding sensitive areas. n Reducing the length of treatments, going at a slower pace and even taking short breaks.
n Additional pillows and bolsters to support the client and enhance comfort.
n A number of respondents mentioned using reflexology instead of other treatments, perhaps to avoid physically working/applying pressure to larger areas of the body.
n More communication than usual was also key – from regularly ‘checking in’ with clients, to spending much longer listening, as clients needed to talk more.
Other adaptations included selecting products to use during the treatment or in the treatment area, such as essential oils, to assist breathing and promote relaxation.
Self-care techniques for clients
A total of 115 respondents reported that they had provided their clients with self-care techniques to help them manage or improve their long COVID symptoms. Of these, 17 provided the techniques instead of handson treatments, while the other 98 provided techniques to be used alongside (in between) treatments. The most popular selfcare techniques shared with clients were:
A Symptom of long COVID B Percentage of clients experiencing the symptom C Percentage of clients who felt treatment improved the symptom
Extreme tiredness (fatigue) Depression or low mood 92% 68%
Stress or anxiety 68%
Muscular/ soft tissue aches & pains 66%
Difficulty sleeping/ insomnia
65% Problems with memory/ concentration (‘brain fog’) 63% Shortness of breath 56%
Joint pain Headaches
52% 48% Change to sense of smell or taste (anosmia) 42% Dizziness 36%
Chest pain or tightness Heart palpitations Pins and needles 32% 26% 25%
Cough Tinnitus, earaches Feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach upsets Loss of appetite/ weight loss Rashes/ dry skin / skin problems 22% 20% 19% 16% 11% 75% 56% 60% 55% 56% 33% 30% 39% 36% 12% 16% 21% 12% 15% 8% 12% 10% 5% 6%
n Meditation/ mindfulness/ visualization/ relaxation techniques (51 respondents) n Gentle, graded exercises and stretches, including yoga and tai chi practices (43) n Breath work/ breathing exercises (40) n General guidance and advice around diet and nutrition (31) n Essential oil preparations, including aromasticks (28) n Working different reflex (reflexology) points (18) n Self-massage/ trigger point work (13) n Walking/ being outdoors/ fresh air (10) n Advice on staying hydrated (10) n Asking clients to rest when needed/ to listen to their body (9) n Journaling and bench marking progress in writing (5) n Therapy-specific self-care techniques, eg. manual lymphatic draining, emotional freedom technique (5) n Bach/ flower remedies (4) n Salt products, including bath salts and salt pipes (4)
Other self-care techniques provided or suggested included listening to relaxing music, the application of hot and cold products, hypnotherapy techniques and Chinese medicine.
Fifty-two percent of respondents indicated that the self-care techniques helped to improve their clients’ symptoms, 32% indicated these helped some clients but not all, and 16% indicated self-care techniques did not help their clients.
SUPPORTING CLIENTS WITH LONG COVID
The results of FHT’s survey suggest that certain therapies and self-care techniques may be of benefit to clients experiencing symptoms of long COVID. This is very encouraging, particularly when we consider that many of these symptoms – including fatigue, stress and anxiety, and muscular aches and pains – can be difficult to treat effectively with conventional medicine (sometimes referred to as ‘effectiveness gaps’). It is also important to bear in mind that, where appropriate, supporting clients with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms with complementary and other therapies could also help to take pressure off the NHS, which needs to prioritise clients with acute illnesses.
However, it is important to note that these survey results do not constitute robust ‘evidence’ and although many long COVID symptoms are typical of what is seen in day-to-day therapy practice, the medical and scientific communities still have much to learn about long COVID, the full impact of the virus on long-term health, and the successful management of long COVID symptoms. This is an everevolving situation, with new data and new variants of the virus regularly coming to the fore.
When it comes to supporting clients with symptoms of long COVID, there are no black and white answers. As with any condition, every client’s experience is unique. Some people may experience severe or debilitating symptoms that impact their daily lives and quality of life, others may have more mild and ‘irritating’ symptoms. Some will see their symptoms wax and wane, overlap and change over time, others will wake up one morning and notice their symptoms have gone. Some may have pre-existing health conditions as well as long COVID symptoms. Others will be receiving ongoing medical care and assessment. And some may think they have long COVID symptoms, when in fact there is another underlying cause (which is why anyone who thinks they have symptoms of long COVID should be encouraged to see their doctor).
What is key is that any therapist looking to support a client with symptoms of long COVID follows the principles of best practice including:
n First, do no harm. If in doubt, or you simply feel uncomfortable about treating someone, do not treat them.
n If you have any cause for concern about a client’s symptoms, refer them on to their GP or another healthcare professional.
n If a client is receiving medical care for their long COVID symptoms, ask them to speak to their GP/ health care provider about having treatment before going ahead.
n Carry out a full and detailed consultation, before every treatment, to help you determine if there are any red flags or health changes that may make treatment inappropriate. The information they provide you will also help you to adapt your treatments accordingly. n If, after a full assessment, you and your client are comfortable to go ahead with a treatment: 1 A common phrase used by many therapists is ‘less is more’. Start very gently and take a graded approach (eg. provide shorter treatments with less pressure or exercises than usual to see how your client responds).
2 Adapt your treatments to suit their current needs at that given point in time and to ensure their comfort.
3 Monitor your clients closely throughout the treatment and contact them in the days immediately after for feedback about how they are feeling. Do not go ahead with any further treatments if they raise anything that concerns you and where necessary, advise them to see their GP.
4 Be prepared to spend a little extra time listening to clients with long COVID and validating their symptoms and concerns.
5 Keep detailed records about their treatments and treatment outcomes.
Remember you can always offer self-care advice or hands-off treatments and support to clients who you are concerned about physically treating or who are particularly sensitive to touch. T
FURTHER READING
On page 48, you will find information about two small studies currently being conducted into an aromatherapy and tapping protocol for anosmia, and Bowen therapy for long COVID symptoms.
Susan Harrison (powertouchtherapy.co.uk), an advanced clinical massage therapist and trainer/ programme coordinator for Jing, has written an excellent article, titled ‘Working with the long COVID client: a massage therapist’s perspective’, published in CoKinetic Journal (July 2021, Issue 89, available at powertouchtherapy.
