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The Massage and Body Therapists Magazine

Sports Massage

Cross Country Skiing

Issue 83 2014 New Quarterly Edition www.massageworld.co.uk

Thai Massage Learning & Practicing with Integrity

Hot Stone Fusion for the Treatment of Pain

Fascia of the Central Nervous System

course listings | news & views | products | reflexology | student section

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welcome editorial by Wendy Kavanagh EDITOR

Wendy Kavanagh

FEATURES

Shari Auth Caroline Barrow Julian Baker Rosemary Cole Allyn Edwards Rachel Fairweather Geraldine Giles Janice Hugh Susan Findlay Bob Haddad Abigail Mackrill Meghan Mari Penny Price Purple Flame Molly Richardson Heather Shonkwiler Sumita Singh Anita Snowball Sue Weller

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Victoria Osborne

MEDIA COMMUNICATION

C J Newbury

PUBLISHERS

NK Publishing

ADVERTISING

Jackie Bristow

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ell where did 2013 disappear to? I cannot believe I am putting pen to paper with Christmas and New Year looming. I am also amazed how mainstream massage and bodywork has become its own Holiday specialist cards, tree hangings, baubles and mugs to be had!!! Not forgetting those magical hands that sprinkle clients with fairy dust and ease away their aches and pains.

For those clients enjoying a snowy alpine holiday, Susan Findlay’s help with techniques for treating the Cross Country Skier might come in handy, a sport that is much harder on the body than it looks. If you have spare time over the holiday season then a read of Sumita Singh’s Kick Start Your Business in 2014 might be just the ticket. If you can’t bear thinking ahead too far then there are plenty of other articles to interest you and all our regular features.

Also don’t forget a subscription to Massage World Magazine makes a great gift which you receive not once but several times a year.

Happy Holidays from all the team and may 2014 be your special year.

T 01295 780 244 FIVE QUARTERLY ISSUES UK: £25 Rest of World: £40

UK Student: £20 ISSN 1474-4171

How to contact us

Massage World, PO Box 54879 London, SW1P 9FW T/F 020 7387 9111 E massageworld@btconnect.com W www.massageworld.co.uk DISCLAIMERS The publisher has taken all reasonable measures to ensure the accuracy of the information in Massage World and cannot accept responsibility for errors in or omissions from any information given in this or previous editions or for any consequences arising thereof. The Editor may not always agree with opinions expressed in Massage World but allow publication as a matter of interest, nothing printed should be construed as Policy or an Official Announcement unless stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means whether electronic, mechanical and/or optical without the express prior written permission of the publisher.

PRINTED BY Evonprint – Mackley Ind. Estate, Small Dole, West Sussex BN5 9XE T 01273 494 631 E info@evonprint.co.uk W www.evonprint.co.uk

The Massage and Body Therapists Magazine

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“As a result of the advert, on the CThA Members Forum, I have one new holistic massage therapist who has joined the team and is very much appreciated by the clients�

Donna Woodcock Massage Therapist

To find out how the CThA helped Donna and hundreds of other members last year just when they needed it, call a member of the CThA team on: 0845 202 2941or visit our website at: www.ctha.com

Professional help when you need it

contents Sports Massage – Cross Country Skiing In the second of a series of articles featuring Winter sports which are included in competition at the Sochi Winter Olympics happening in February 2014, Susan Findlay explores cross country skiing, a form of skiing she has personally had experienced with a family member.

Side Lying Position: Not Just for Prenatal Massage

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Occasional Massage World contributor from across the pond Shari Auth of the Authmethod, shows us Brits how to use the side lying position in our usual massage routine’s for all types of clients.

Bowen Technique – The Knee: Part Two This is the second extract from author Julian Baker’s clear and practitioner focussed book Bowen Unravelled: A Journey into the Fascial Understanding of the Bowen Technique.

Continuing Professional Development – with the Jing Institute

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Rachel Fairweather, co-founder and director of the Jing Institute of Brighton, takes a remedial approach to a treatment normally associated with the Spa industry – Hot Stone massage. Jing has developed Hot Stone Fusion which can help with chronic pain and also informs us regards the use of cold stones in the treatment which is often overlooked.

Industry Report – CHCH’s new quality stamp of approval

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Massage World reports on the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council’s efforts to raise the bar of professionalism in our industry by launching the quality stamp of approval which can be used on members advertising and marketing materials.

Business Tolls – Kick Start your Business in 2014

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regulars

Sumita Singh takes us through the year cycle of 2014 with a straightforward and useful guide to marketing yourself or practice.

editorial news & views anatomy & physiology product reviews aromatherapy faqs reflexology course listings

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news&viewsnews&views Brilliant, buzzing, informative, inspiring Massage World was proud to be just one of the media partners with the ever expanding and inspiring camexpo in 2013 which took place at London’s Earls Court on the 5-6 October. Host to the biggest gathering of complementary healthcare practitioners and therapists of the year (total attendance was 4,982), camexpo 2013 was packed with thousands of highly-focused and informed visitors looking to source the latest new products, services and training for their customers and clients from 200 leading brands and suppliers. “camexpo is fantastic! It’s a show to inspire you to want to achieve more.” says holistic therapist Sally-Ann Hobbs.

“Based on the reaction from our industry, camexpo 2013 was one of our best editions to date,” says event manager Zoe Campbell. “There was a real sense of business being done throughout the two days. From sole practitioners to CAM clinics and some big name distributors – they were there spending money up and down the aisles – and putting in more big orders than we’ve seen for years at the show. Which I’m happy to say, didn’t go unnoticed by our exhibitors.”

Notable highlights for 2013 included the announcement of the winners of camexpo’s three prestigious annual awards. The Best New CAM Product Award 2013, voted for by visitors to the show’s New Products Showcase on Saturday 5 October, was won by Songbird Massage Wax for its Zest Massage Wax and Reflexology Wax. Another camexpo winner was Helen Bullen, owner of Fine Fettle Multi Healthcare in Bookham, Surrey, which won the CAM Clinic of the Year Award 2013 (they were also finalist in 2012). The Award, sponsored by TIANA Fair Trade Organics, included £250 cash and £250 of products for the clinic, and was presented by The CMA’s president Jayney Goddard. The Award, which is now in its fourth year, was judged on the treatments offered, marketing, client testimonials, unique selling points and all round client experience. The final shortlist also included Ayurveda Pura in North Greenwich, London, and Summertown Clinic in Norwich.

Holistic Health returns to the NEC Join the leading names in complementary therapy as Holistic Health returns to the NEC Birmingham on Sunday 18th & Monday 19th May. Show tickets worth £20 each are available free of charge for trade visitors who register in advance.

Held alongside BeautyUK, Holistic Health is now in its 10th year and offers complementary therapists and holistic practitioners a showcase of the latest new products and treatments, as well as the chance to discuss CPD and educational opportunities with the sector’s key training providers.

In addition, visitors can watch inspiring treatment demonstrations delivered by top holistic practitioners, as well as try taster treatments in the ever-popular Chill Out Zone whilst raising funds for charity.

With a host of professional networking opportunities and as well as guidance on building your business through 2014 and beyond, Holistic Health is a must-attend event for serious practitioners.

Register for your free tickets by visiting www.HolisticHealthShow.co.uk or calling the Ticket Hotline on 01332 227698.

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The judging panel were impressed by the high quality of entries but singled out Fine Fettle Multi Healthcare for its involvement with its local community and fantastic client testimonials, commenting: “The winning clinic not only offers a wide range of therapies, they also have excellent links with local GPs and consultants. It has a clear clinic ethos, offers an integrated therapy approach, and is heavily involved with the community running regular charity events and supports local activities.”

The recipient of camexpo’s fifth annual, industry-voted CAM Outstanding Achievement Award was also a popular choice. The winner – Dr Deepa Apte, founder of Ayurveda Pura in London, enjoyed a standing ovation as she accepted the award from Carsten Holm, managing director of the show’s organiser Diversified Communications UK. Aside from winning an overwhelming majority of votes, many of Dr Apte’s students and clients submitted glowing testimonials on their behalf.

“I feel really honoured to have received this prestigious award,” says Dr Deepa Apte. “It feels absolutely great that all the hard work and commitment has been recognised by one of the leading events of the industry. Ayurveda has always been a part of my life but receiving a rrecognition like this for all the work that has been done goes beyond anyone’s expectations. And I feel truly blessed for having received one.” She continues: “Having worked with camexpo for many years now, I can sincerely say that this is the one event/exhibition that brings together all the leading professionals of the industry and people who ar are whole-heartedly interested in the benefits of complementary therapies.”

Don’t forget that next year camexpo will take place in a new venue, Olympia, London, on 4-5 October 2014. Massage World always looks forward to meeting our readers and writers. www.camexpo.co.uk

Professional Beauty 2014 Massage World returns to Professional Beauty London next year on 23–24 February at ExCeL, bringing the biggest brands together in one place to thousands of visitors from the beauty, spa and wellness industries.

Witness the return of skincare giants Darphin, along with Elemis, Decléor, Darphin, IIAA, Dermalogica and Thalgo, and take advantage of the great deals available at the show to purchase the best products at unbeatable prices.

The vast seminar programme and two international conferences, the Professional Spa & Wellness Convention and the LONDON EXCEL IMF Conference, are a great opportunity to get inspired and develop your skills, whilst the nail and make-up competitions are back to champion the best talents.

23-24TH FEBRUARY 2014 THE CORE OF BEAUTY

Massage World will be at stand A23 in the therapy zone where SPA AND WELLNESS massage therapists and bodyworkers can stock up on products at trade prices.

A must visit event for your beauty, spa and nail business. Save £20 per person by registering for your FREE tickets today at Pre-register online for your free tickets by visiting www.professionalbeauty.co.uk/london www.professionalbeauty.co.uk/london quoting lucky codecode: MW2. quoting lucky

or find us on twitter @pro_beauty

news&viewsnews&views FHT members receive awards for exemplary work in therapy practice and training On 13th November Massage World was kindly invited to a special presentation lunch, celebrating FHT’s 2013 Awards for Excellence in Practice and Education. The venue was the wonderful Coombe Abbey Hotel on the outskirts of Coventry, a most exquisite building the splendour of which truly reflected the occasion. These awards are very special and the recipients quite extraordinary people in the industry.

Our Editor Wendy sat next to Amanda Brooks, a very special person who will be taking a well earned sabbatical shortly and was quite overwhelmed on receiving this timely award. There was also an opportunity over coffee to network with John French and Mel Cash about the current state of Complementary Medicine before leaving to beat the evening rush hour traffic.

Those who received a 2013 FHT Excellence award in front of a distinguished audience, made up of representatives from hospices, NHS hospitals, professional health and therapy organisations, private health insurance providers, and the education sector were: • • • • •

(Left to right): 2013 FHT Excellence award winners: Claire Owens, Donna Davis, Angela Green, Amanda Brooks, and Geraldine Flynn

Massage World Editor Wendy Kavanagh with John French and Mel Cash

Donna Davis, MFHT – who has carried out research into the benefits of the Massage in Schools Programme, which introduces peer-to-peer massage to children in schools; Geraldine Flynn, MFHT – who provides a micropigmentation service to individuals experiencing hair loss through alopecia and cancer treatment; Angela Green, een, MFHT – who developed an education programme for qualified therapists, to help them further their knowledge and skills when working with cancer patients; Claire e Owens, MFHT – who developed an early intervention programme to help students and parents identify stress and manage their own health; ooks, MFHT – who is a passionate and widely respected teacher and expert in Health Kinesiology.

Amanda Brooks,

Entries for the 2014 FHT Excellence awards will open in February 2014. For more information, please visit www.fht.org.uk/awards.

Update on Cancer Act 1939

World Massage Festival

This is a reminder that CNHC produced guidance earlier this year to support registrants who wish to advertise services for work with cancer patients. This is available on the CNHC website as CNHC Guidance - Cancer Act 1939 by looking under Publications / Guidance Sheets. CNHC registered practitioners can download it by logging in to My CNHC – just click on ‘CNHC Resources’ then ‘Guidance Documents’.

The Act applies to all forms of advertising, including paper, online (websites, facebook, twitter and other social media) plus the spoken word, so comes into force if you are speaking to patients over the phone or in person about your therapies before they book a session.

Mike Hinkle and Cindy Michaels started the World Massage Festival in 2006 when AMTA asked members to come up with some ideas to help bring attention about massage to the general public for Massage Therapy Awareness Week. Mike studied the profession and realised we were not recognising our own, we were charging a wide range of prices to get the same education and he decided to create some options. To recognise our own, he created, “The Massage Therapy Hall of Fame”.

To draw people to such an event, he created “The World Massage Festival”. It is an annual event that travels around the country. Mike set the following Mission Statement for the Festival: To honor those who built the bridges for our profession, to educate the general public about massage, to educate therapists about different types of massage and to have fun.

Our goal is to provide all therapists with an opportunity to study with the leaders of the massage industry at a cost that is affordable. So Massage World readers if you fancy a busmans holiday this could be the one for you.

All CNHC registered practitioners who mention the word ‘cancer’ in any form of advertising should check this guidance urgently. www.cnhc.org.uk

July 20–23, 2014 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

www.worldmassagefestival.com

Calendar of Events 23–24 February 2014 Professional Beauty • ExCeL, London Professional Beauty returns to Excel exhibition centre in London’s docklands, featuring over 600 brands discover the latest innovative products and treatments with the opportunity to touch, test and compare as well as gain invaluable expertise, this year it features an Holistic Therapy Zone. www.professionalbeauty.co.uk 26 April 2014 MTI conference • Hotel Russell London See website for details. www.massagetraining.co.uk 10–11 May 2014 British Fascia Symposium • Beaumont Conference Centre, Windsor Every practising bodywork therapist needs to know about Fascia. This will be a practiceled weekend with top speakers, short films and workshops, all designed to expand the therapist’s understanding of a fascinating structure. Celebration dinner on the Saturday evening, films and Advisory Panel, all in a stunning venue. www.fasciasymposium.co.uk 15–16 May 2014 Equine Sports Massage Conference • Tattersalls, Newmarket This event will focus on axial and proximal limb regions of the horse, their functional anatomy and main conditions. Open to Members and non-Members. www.equinemassageassociation.co.uk 18–19 May 2014 Holistic Health • NEC, Birmingham Now in its ninth year, Holistic Health will continue to support the holistic and complementary therapy market, offering exhibitors the opportunity to showcase the latest products, treatment launches, equipment innovations and training courses. www.beautyserve.com/Events/ HolisticHealth/ 4–6 July 2014 The Back Pain Show • Olympia, London The Back Pain Show is the UK’s only event dedicated to anyone living with back pain and the many related conditions. www.backshowexpo.co.uk

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Cross Country Skiing

by Susan Findlay

C

ross country skiing brings back fond memories of my father and I skiing through silent forests with only the sound of our skis pressing through the freshly fallen snow. All those classic pictures of trees laden with snow, I was there, all the while enjoying thoughts of warming my hands with a hot chocolate at the next cabin. The cross country experience always left me with a real sense of peace and satisfaction from both the physical exertion and the gentleness of the environment. Is this a call to take it up again? It just might be.

Cross-country skiing has been a part of the Winter Olympics since 1924. There are several different Olympic cross-country events for both sexes, including individual sprint, team sprint, pursuit, individual start, mass start and the relay.

Cross country skiing is one of the most physically demanding sports, it uses almost every major muscle group yet research shows that there are very few injuries compared to other sports.

The most common type of cross-country skiing injuries are sprains/twists (43%), fractures (25%) and bruises (18%). The most common body locations are the knee (26%), arm/hand (13%), and the ankle (12%). The most frequently injured body regions are the knee, arm/ hand and the ankle. (Report #100 - 1996 Authors: H. Kelsall & C. Finch) As a part of our assessments it is important to take into consideration the intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors that can influence or lead to injury. Starting with equipment; unsuitable ski poles, inappropriate clothing choices, cheap ski bindings and boots, slippery glass fibre skis, wrong type of wax, boots that do not match the skiing style etc all can contribute to injury. Consider also the individual’s ability and preparation for the event, not just physical training but diet and hydration too. Are they consuming an appropriate diet, getting adequate nutritional support to meet the demands of long training sessions and events?

Do they maintain an adequate level of hydration, even in cold conditions it is essential to drink enough water to support what you lose through physical exertion. Finally environmental conditions, what role do they play? Poor condition of ski tracks (deep tracks, ruts, iciness, sharp bends etc.), snow conditions and visibility, all can impact an athlete’s performance and susceptibility to injury. Most importantly, do they have regular massage? Is it part of their training regime? Although this is anecdotal evidence, many of my athletes who have regular soft tissue work recover faster and more fully than they have had in previous years where soft tissue work was not a regular part of their program.

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sportsmassage cross country skiing

Understanding what factors influence your client’s risk of injury enables you to give appropriate advice and recommendations. Your touch is an important resource, a source of valuable information for the athlete. It can bring attention to what is tight, what is weak, what is sore or what might simply need more attention in their training sessions. This awareness is invaluable for both their recovery from training and in the prevention of injury. For instance, if during your massage session you have determined that your client’s muscle firing pattern of gluts and hamstrings is out of sequence and you note that the hamstrings are working overtime, you can discuss this with your client and possibly recommend a review with a specialist coach, personal trainer or physical therapist, someone that can address the issues before they become more serious in nature. Meanwhile, with remedial massage treatment, you can address the imbalance or tension using soft tissue techniques to increase mobility, but it is important to remember that training also plays a role in re-establishing stability, strength then power.

There are two main styles of cross country skiing, classical and free style (often referred to as skate-skiing). This skating style was introduced in the 1980s replacing the diagonal classical movement and thus revolutionizing the sport. In present day

Terminology corner: Nordic Skiing: A term that refers to any form of cross-country skiing, which includes classic or backcountry touring, skating, and telemark.

Rollerskis: Due to the lack of snow in England cross country skiing can be performed using dry land equipment. The boots are outfitted with short metal shafts that have polyethylene or rubber wheels attached to both ends. They are mostly used on pavement, however, some models work off-road too.

Track Skiing: A type of cross-country skiing done on machineprepared snow using the classic or skating technique.

competition you will see both styles. In the Olympics there are events that feature both styles in one event, in the Skiathlon a competitor will start off using the classical style, then at the halfway point change skis and finish using the free style technique. There are also many events that use only one.

Traditionally, Olympic events will alternate between classical and free technique every 4 years. In 2014 at the Sochi Games, the Interval Start will use the classical technique whereas in 2018, it might change to free style.

As part of our soft tissue assessment we need to consider the biomechanics of the two different styles and their soft tissue patterns. In the classical style, the technique is to use the toe and heel of the foot, both ends are secured to the ski and the skis move back and forth in a parallel pattern. The free technique is substantially faster. In this technique only the toe is secured to a shorter ski and the skier moves their feet from side to side in a way that looks more like speed skating than skiing. The classical style stride pattern also uses the opposite arm to leg action while free style more frequently engages both

Interval start will by using a classical style at Sochi 2014, men skiing 15km and women 10km. Competitors start at 30 second intervals and race against the clock.

Mass start using free technique at Sochi 2014, men ski 50km and women 30km. All competitors line up in the shape of an arrow with the top ranked skiers positioned at the tip.

Relay race includes four athletes per team with the first two legs using the classical technique and the last two in free style. Each leg for the men is 10km whilst women compete over 5km.

Skiathlon uses both styles starting off using classical for 15km for men and 7.5km for women.

Individual sprint at Sochi uses free techniques after ranking the athletes in qualification rounds. The mens’ sprint event takes place over a distance of 1km to 1.8km, whilst the ladies’ sprint events take place over a distance of 0.8km to 1.6km. The team sprint has a relay of two athletes who alternately ski three legs apiece using the classical style.

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sportsmassage cross country skiing

1. Cross Over Shoulder Stretch

2. Kneeling Quad Stretch

arms simultaneously. Each technique obviously generates two different patterns of engagement, the classical uses more of the anterior to posterior musculature while the free style has a greater focus on the lateral and medial lines.

If we look at these patterns of engagement, we will be able to determine which muscles, or lines of movement will need a greater range of mobility and which need more support from strength. In the case of classical skiing, hip extension has more relevance to this style of movement, hence, it would be an area for the therapist to consider and question whether they have enough extension to allow the leg and ski to lift up behind them without collapsing and crowding the lower lumbar region.

If not, the muscles that would need to be assessed for any restrictions would be the hip extensors which would include the rectus femoris, psoas, and iliacus. I would also want to consider the role of the anterior torso, are the muscles able to stabilize the upper body in an upright manner as well as maintain the

hips in a forward position while the opposite arm is swinging forward in rhythm to the extension of the opposite leg? This action requires stability from the cross pattern of muscles between the leg, hip and torso. The role of the upper body to the lower body connection is extremely important in maintaining the balance for the skier. Try the action, stand on one leg with the other in extension slightly off the floor, extend your opposite arm out ahead of you and see what happens, what muscles are you using in order to support this movement. I use this technique to try to understand what each sport requires, there are also times I use this when I see an odd gait from someone on the street, I will imitate it to try to figure what exactly is going on. (Just do not let anyone see you doing it, it could be misinterpreted.) In closing one of your goals is to understand what they are trying to achieve and apply a thoughtful massage to attain their optimum movement.

Great Websites Snowsport England http://www.snowsportengland.org.uk/what-is-cross-country-skiing YouTube With K. Nicol Diagonal Stride http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3Vue10ItXg YouTube With K. Nicol Skiing Free-Skate www.youtube.com/watch?v=brGZlZkCwyk Team GB Cross Country Skiing http://www.teamgb.com/winter-sports/cross-country-skiing

References (Monash University Accident Research Centre - Report #100 - 1996 Authors: H. Kelsall & C. Finch) Sports Med. 1989 Dec;8(6):346-70. Cross-country skiing injuries and biomechanics. Renstrom P, Johnson RJ. Cross country skiing Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-country_skiing

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Susan Findlay is the Director of NLSSM and Chair of GCMT Communications.

She keeps her hands in as a Sport and Remedial Massage Therapist in north London. She is also the author of Sports Massage, a practical book for all massage professionals wanting to work more effectively as a sensitive and deep tissue therapist. Susan can be contacted at www.nlssm.com or email her at susan@nlssm.com Image courtesy of: The Anatomy of Stretching

by Brad Walker

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CONTACT US FOR DETAILS www.mldtraining.com Telephone: 01590 676 988

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Traditional Thai Massage: Learning and Practicing with Integrity

By Bob Haddad, RTT

Students and teacher – Photo by Stefan Peters

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ost bodywork professionals know that Thai massage (nuad boran, in Thai language) is not “massage” as we know it in the West. It’s unfortunate that the term “Thai massage” has become so popular because that second word, massage, is misleading and inaccurate. The work isn’t done on a table, oil isn’t used, there is no rubbing on skin or kneading of muscles, and the receiver is fully clothed. The goal is not to work muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments, organs and soft tissue, though these anatomical parts are positively affected by the work. Neither is its purpose to simply stretch and apply passive yoga to another person on a floor mat. Thai massage is a balanced blend of physical, energetic and spiritual healing techniques and concepts.

It is the skilful combination of applying both broad and

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targeted acupressure, finding and dissolving blockages in the network of energy lines (sen) that run through each of us, opening and toning the body with yoga-like stretches, and last but not least, allowing and encouraging the receiver to engage in a process of self healing, relaxation, and renewal.

Understanding the modality An effective Thai treatment can’t be given by mechanically following a sequence. Although sequences are important for beginners to learn the basics, teachers and schools that prepare students to follow proprietary, fixed sequences throughout their study and practice may be hindering them from evolving into deeply sensitive therapists.

massagefeature traditional thai massage

Individualized holistic treatment is at the heart of the traditional Thai medicine system, and Thai massage should be administered in this way in order to be fully effective.

An accomplished Thai therapist continually practices and studies, preferably with a variety of teachers, throughout his entire career. He “listens” to the body of each client as he works, learns to sense energy flow and blockages, and relies on intuition, sensitivity and stillness to guide him through each treatment.

Thai massage, at its essence, is a spiritual healing art, not just a physical therapy. In Thailand, massage (nuad) belongs to one of the branches of Thai medicine, and it incorporates Buddhist healing principles. Accomplished therapists and teachers understand the power of meditation and stillness while at work, both for the giver and the receiver. They work slowly and in a meditative way, and they always encourage silence.

Good body mechanics and correct breathing play extremely important roles in Thai massage. An experienced Thai therapist works only within his immediate reach, and positions his body directly ahead of, or on top of, the area where he is working. The hara, the core area located slightly below the navel, is where all movement should originate. A therapist’s back should be straight, the shoulders relaxed, the chest open, and in most cases, arms should be straight and locked at the elbows when applying pressure. Masterful Thai therapists utilize correct breathing patterns as they work, they remain observant of their client’s breathing throughout each session, and they adjust their breathing to work most effectively with that of their client.

Side view of sen lines – Courtesy of the estate of Asokananda

Thai massage is most powerful and effective when it is carried out, for the most part, in silence. The therapist needs to focus his energies, observing and listening to the body, hearing the breath, and adapting his techniques to

“Thai massage, at its essence, is a spiritual healing art, not just a physical therapy.” the needs of the individual before him. The receiver should ideally feel at peace, relaxed, spiritually centered, and in a parasympathetic state, since these conditions always encourage good results. Excessive talking during a session can be a distraction, and so can music, especially if it isn’t kept at a low volume. It’s best to not engage clients in conversation, to comment about their condition, or to offer excessive prompting or coaching.

The dilemma of current-day study Among professional bodyworkers in North America and Europe, studying Thai massage has become a popular way to fulfill requirements for continuing education units, but unfortunately, many people teach or practice Thai massage without having adequate knowledge or study experience. Some study only for a few weeks or months before beginning to practice or teach. Mixing Thai massage with other modalities such as western table massage, shiatsu, and yoga is also common. Some market and promote courses of study by using the word “Thai,” when the curricula may not be true to Thai traditions. The word Thai has marketing power because it conjures exotic and exciting images, but table work marketed as “Thai,” for example, is so stripped of its versatility and power that it is mostly ineffectual.

Local laws that regulate legal practice vary throughout countries, states and provinces. In some places, massage boards and regulatory agencies deem it legal only for licensed (Western) massage therapists to practice traditional Thai massage, regardless of their amount of training in the discipline. Indeed in many places, people can legally practice Thai massage even if they haven’t ever studied the discipline! A background in table massage, however, doesn’t necessarily qualify someone to be a good Thai massage practitioner or teacher – they require two completely different skill sets. To further compound the situation, national certification boards don’t often evaluate the credentials of someone who applies to be an Issue 83 2014

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massagefeature traditional thai massage

“Traditional Thai massage is a unique and powerful vehicle of healing, and it is worthy of being practiced, taught, and promoted within the context of traditional Thai medicine.” instructor of Thai massage, and this adds to the disparity of knowledge and expertise among continuing education providers.

All of these circumstances figured among the motivating factors for the founding of Thai Healing Alliance International (THAI) in 2005. THAI’s guidelines remain today as the only nonpartisan international standards for the study and practice of traditional Thai massage, and the requirements to become a Registered Thai Therapist (RTT) and Instructor are rigorous. (See www.thaihealingalliance.com for more information)

Finding qualified teachers As you can see, it’s important for all students of Thai massage to study only with highly qualified teachers.

Check the teacher’s study and training history, and if it’s not listed on their web site or in their promotional information, ask them about it before you consider registering for a workshop. How long have they studied Thai massage, and with whom? Have they studied in Thailand? If so, when was the last time they were there? Do the descriptions of their courses use western anatomical language or Eastern healing terminology? Do they blend Thai massage with other modalities? Are they Instructor members of Thai Healing Alliance, or do they at least meet the minimum requirements of 500 hours of hands-on Thai

Back compression using foot – Courtesy of Ralf Marzen

massage study with a wide variety of qualified instructors and schools? Before you register for a continuing education course in Thai massage, check into a teacher’s background just as you would for a prospective employee, or a tenant for your rental home.

Summary Traditional Thai massage is a unique and powerful vehicle of healing, and it is worthy of being practiced, taught, and promoted within the context of traditional Thai medicine, not from a perspective of Western bodywork therapies, Ayurvedic medicine, Chinese medicine, or any other body of knowledge.

I encourage all students, practitioners and teachers of Thai massage to be diligent in their approach to study; to evolve slowly, patiently, creatively and respectfully as practitioners of this noble healing art; and to dignify and elevate traditional Thai massage by studying and practicing it within the framework of the traditional medicine, culture, and spiritual values of Thailand.

Bob Haddad, RTT has studied traditional Thai massage since 1999, mostly in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

He has learned Thai healing arts from many teachers, but Asokananda and Pichest Boonthumme are his true mentors. He is the founder of Thai Healing Alliance International (THAI) and he teaches workshops internationally. His new book, Thai Massage & Thai Healing Arts: Practice, Culture and Spirituality (Findhorn Press) is available on amazon.com. He can be reached at: www.thaihealing-arts.com.

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Side-lying Position: Not Just for Prenatal Massage

By Shari Auth

W

hen I learned how to massage a client in side-lying position in massage school, it was considered a default position to be used if someone couldn’t lie prone, such as pregnant women. Side-lying position was like the alternate cheerleader who only performed when the prettier girl was out sick. In practice I’ve learned just the opposite, that side-lying position is the secret weapon for clients with hip and shoulder pain.

When a client comes in with a pain in their shoulders or hips, I almost invariably start the session with the client positioned on their side. Side-lying position is the most useful way for me to access, troubleshoot, and treat their pain. In side-lying position the shoulders and hips have freedom to move. This potential freedom of movement is an invaluable tool in determining where my client is tight, as well as offering me more possibilities to stretch, lengthen, and massage their tight joints and muscles.

Furthermore, as many practitioners don’t use side-lying position to treat pain, it will give you an advantage. I have helped many people in pain who came to me after seeing a number of other therapists, and because I use side-lying position I can better access and relieve the tightness that is causing them pain. They leave thinking I’m a miracle worker, but really I’m just using the advantages that side-lying position offers.

Advantages to massaging your client in side-lying position: 1. Diagnosis Side-lying position is a great position to use to diagnose 16

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muscle tightness in your client. Because the shoulders and hips have freedom to move in side-lying position, the therapist can move a client’s shoulders or pelvis forward, back, up, and down to feel for where the joint is impinged. The therapist can also look at their client’s hips and shoulder joints in side-lying position and see if the joint is tilted anterior, posterior, or superior. This visual and tactile information can help the therapist to diagnose, treat, and structure the treatment session.

2. Troubleshooting Because the whole shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle are available to be massaged in side-lying position, troubleshooting pain is easier. Doing massage is like peeling an onion. As one layer or muscle releases, the practitioner moves on to massage the next layer or other muscles that are tight. Side-lying position allows you to move easily from the front body to the back body and/or side body—there is no need to have your client flip over because the whole shoulder or hip is available.

3. Balancing And Realigning The Joint Because the front, back, and sides of the shoulder and pelvic joints are available to be massaged in side-lying position, it’s possible to balance the front of the joint respective to the back of the joint and vice versa.

Example: Shoulders have a tendency to round forward; in side-lying position it’s possible to massage the front of the shoulder (with a stretch if necessary) releasing the tension in the chest that may be pulling the shoulder forward as well as massaging the tension that builds in the back of the shoulders from this kind of misalignment.

massagetechnique side-lying position

4. Stretching and Lengthening Freedom of movement in a joint means more opportunities to stretch. Take the shoulders, for example: In SLP it’s possible to stretch while massaging both the chest muscles and the rhomboids without changing position.

Tight hips and shoulders tend to move up the body.

Oftentimes, mothers favor one hip to carry their baby on, causing a misalignment in their pelvis (the hip that carries the baby ends up being higher than the other one). It’s hard to stretch and lengthen the quadratus lumborum (QL) in prone position; in side-lying position the therapist can traction a downward stretch while massaging the QL, creating length in the QL and encouraging the hip to move back down.

5. Massaging the lateral sides of the body.

Many massage therapists treat the body as though it has two sides—a front and a back—forgetting to massage the muscles that run along the sides of the body. The body has four sides: a front, back, right side, and left side. Side-lying position is the best way to massage the muscles that run along the sides of the body. In SLP these muscles are easy to access and the practitioner can use downward leverage to massage these muscles instead of lateral leverage (downward leverage is much easier on the practitioner’s body).

6. Body Mechanics Body mechanics experts are in favor of side-lying position because it allows the practitioner to maintain a neutral spine while massaging. Because the client’s body is higher up on the table, the practitioner is able to sit up straighter.

In addition, when massaging in side-lying position there are many opportunities to sit on the table. Because the client takes up much less space on the table, there is plenty of room for you. Massage is a laborious profession; it’s important for career longevity to take advantage of opportunities to sit down.

8. Clinical Advantage Because many massage practitioners are in the habit of only massaging their clients in prone and supine position they are limited to the benefits these positions provide and are not always able to help their clients. Learning to massage in sidelying position in addition to prone and supine position will give you a edge above the competition, because you will be able to treat a wider variety of issues more effectively.

Forearm massage It’s possible to massage the whole body in side-lying position using the forearms. Because the forearms are more durable than the hands, fingers, or thumbs, you’ll be able to work longer and deeper on your clients with less wear and tear on the more fragile joints of the hands.

Better access One of the more obvious advantages to positioning your client on their side is having access to the muscles that run along the sides of the body such as the Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL). In side-lying position it is possible to use downward pressure to massage the TFL. The TFL is a small muscle that, when tight, can cause enormous pain. I have often had new clients come in complaining of stubborn hip pain, and tell me about the bodywork they’ve had on it with no relief. Once I release the TFL the pain is gone and they think I’m a miracle worker. Really I’m just using one of the many advantages of side-lying position. It’s hard to access the TFL from supine of prone position, but from side-lying position it’s easy.

7. Client Comfort Some massage practitioner are in the habit of only massaging their client’s in prone and supine position and think they are being bothersome to ask a client to turn on their sides, nothing could be farther from the truth. Side-lying position is reminiscent of a fetal position and is the position many people commonly sleep in. SLP is very comfortable for clients. Many clients prefer it to being face down in the face cradle. Once you’ve massaged your client’s in side-lying position don’t be surprised if they request it the next time.

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Tensor fasciae latae To massage the TFL in side-lying position using your forearm, instruct your client to lie on their side, and prop their head with a pillow or the face cradle cushion. Make sure the height of the head support allows their neck to be parallel with the floor. Have your client keep their legs together with a bend in both their knees (a towel between the knees and ankles is optional).

Massaging the TFL can be done from either a standing or seated position. If your client has wide hips, you may need to stand. Sit behind your client’s lower back and place your upper forearm just below the iliac crest (Image 1). Be sure to use the upper forearm, because it provides more leverage than the middle or lower forearm; this may include the olecranon process but the touch isn’t pokey, it’s broad because it includes the forearm and a large surface area of contact. If your shoulder is above your elbow and your upper arm is near perpendicular with the floor, performing this stroke from a seated position will work for you. If not, stand up behind your client’s lower back, spread your legs so you are standing with your feet wider than your hips, bend your knees slightly, keep your back straight and chest open. Place your upper forearm closest to your client’s hips just below their iliac crest and rest the other forearm comfortably on their rib cage (Image 2).

Glide down the hip abductors from the iliac crest to the greater trochanter, tracing the side seam of the body. When you reach the greater trochanter, lift up and begin the stroke again.

To intensify this stroke, ask your client to slowly lift their top knee about an inch, keeping their feet together (Image 3).

This movement performed by your client will activate their hip abductors, intensifying the work you’re doing and facilitating a deeper release in the tissue. Be sure to have them do this movement while you’re gliding your forearm down their hip abductors.

To massage the TFL more specifically, glide to the greater 18

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trochanter and then angle your forearm upward (your hand will be higher than your elbow), and continue down the hip, massaging between the anterior iliac spine and the greater trochanter (Image 4). By angling the forearms upward you are decreasing the area of contact and making it possible to massage this narrow area. If necessary, have your client slowly lift their top knee again to facilitate further release through this area. This is not a long stroke—you may only go a few inches. Lift up as you reach the end of the TFL and repeat the stroke as necessary.

Conclusion Side-lying position opens up possibilities by offering another angle to massage your client’s body. If you’re a seasoned practitioner, side-lying position can give you a fresh perspective on the body. If you’re a new practitioner, side-lying position will increase your repertoire in a competitive market.

Shari Auth is a licensed massage therapist and acupuncturist and is certified in the Rolf Method of Structural Integration and Chinese Herbology. Mrs. Auth is the founder of the Auth Method and has a DVD, book, and home-study course on forearm massage, as well as a new DVD entitled, Auth Method: A Guide To Side-lying Position.

Mrs. Auth teaches CE workshops and is an NCBTMBapproved provider. For more information please visit www.authmethod.com.

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Bowen Technique

The Knee

By Julian Baker

The knee can be considered to be similar to the hamstrings in terms of the effects we are going to achieve. The knee itself is a joint made up of, and dependent on, the relationships around it. The muscles of the hamstrings reach down over the joint to grasp the tibia and fibula, and in like manner the muscles of the calf reach up to grab hold of the femur, in the catching-style wrist grip of a pair of trapeze artistes.

From a connective tissue perspective, the knee can be seen as being heavily influenced, from the outside and inside, by pressures and tensions placed on it by these various muscle and fascial connections. For example, a slightly inverted ankle will create a little more tensional strain along the lateral side of the leg, and therefore place more tension and potential strain on the knee as a result.

Similarly, if we look at the lower back and gluteal area, then tension, shortening or postural deviations in the lower back and pelvis will create more tension in the knee. We can again draw an analogy between this and a hammock, and see that the joint sits in the centre between the ropes at either end.

In the traditional assessment of knee presentations, the knee is often addressed in isolation, which might not seem unreasonable. A knee which has damage to the meniscus, cartilage or ligament needs to be addressed and repaired,

Gluteus medius

Gluteus maximus Tensor fasciae latae Rectus femoris Adductor longus Semitendinosus

Sartorius

Adductor magnus

Biceps femoris (long head)

Gracilis

Vastus lateralis

Semimembranosus

Biceps femoris (short head)

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Iliotibial band

Lateral thigh

massagetechnique bowen technique – the knee

possibly surgically. However, from an integral bodywork perspective, the relationships to and from the knee are as important as the knee itself. We need to find out why it is that the problem has arisen and why the injury has occurred.

A common presentation will be a client who has experienced back trouble for years, and who has modified their weight bearing and movement patterns in order to adjust to the pain levels they experience. It is this compensation that causes conflict: uneven pressure, inequality of stance, uneven rotation or differences in movement all lead to unbalanced wear and tension in the lower limb. We’ve all seen someone standing with one leg forward, the pelvis pushed up and the weight being shifted across, and the other knee in hyperextension. It is a common sight and one which, over a period of time, will begin to set into the pattern of the body. Collagen fibres will continue to be laid down to support this function, and if injury were to occur once this pattern has been established, any attempt to isolate the problem to the specific injury will probably fail in the long term.

An argument often put to me is that it is impossible to avoid contact injuries in sports such as rugby and football. Of course, a violent tackle is highly likely to result in an injury to a specific area. Yet the level of injury, and therefore the speed of recovery, are going to depend a lot on the level of tension that was present at the site prior to the injury. A joint which is highly stressed as a result of a previous injury, or from tensions in other areas of the body above or below the site, will mean that any injury to the area will be potentially more serious. If the tensions in these areas are left unaddressed and only the injury site treated, then full recovery is unlikely. This in simple form is the case for preventative treatment of the whole body, and for full history taking to establish prior injuries. Moreover, a good therapist will be skilled in reading how a client holds their body and the patterns they use to move around.

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Location of the knee procedure moves 1–3

human knee is more than capable of lasting 120 years without wearing out. However good the surgery, if it is being performed in the middle of an existing problem, the problem isn’t going to go away.

It is vital to start by comparing one knee to the other and make as many observations as possible. How does the client stand, sit, cross their legs and take their shoes off? Ideally you would make these observations without the client being aware of it: a self-conscious client makes for very unreliable body-reading!

The influence of the ITB cannot be underestimated as far as the knee is concerned: ITB syndrome has been well established as a cause of knee pain, both in orthopaedic medicine and in the field of sports injury.

However, as dissective evidence shows, the ITB is part of

5 Lateral gastrocnemius

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Contributing factors A knee might eventually even need replacing. However, it seems completely illogical to ignore the possible causative contributing factors at the same time as the knee is surgically addressed.

Knees wear out for various reasons, but the

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1 4 3

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Vastus medialis Tendon of quadratus femoris

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Patellar retinaculum

Knee procedure moves 1–4 (bilaterally)

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Location of the knee procedure move 12 (tibial nerve)

a wider structure of fascial covering around the leg, and palpation to determine other areas of tension can be useful in pinning down any other regions where the knee is being affected. Areas to palpate include the anterior compartment of the leg, where in many cases the fibres of the ITB extend down and seem to create a stringtension relationship between the foot and the thigh.

The patella can be seen as floating in a sea of connective tissue; it is embedded in a soft pad all the way around the knee and held in place by a ligament which also blends into the rest of the knee fascia.

The knee influences a lot of other movement patterns throughout the body, acting as a mechanism for diverting forces through the back and into the upper body from 22

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the ankle, as well as acting as a feed-forward point for functional movement. It can be thought of as a barometer for the tensional environment of the lower leg, and worked as part of addressing the ankles, hamstrings and lower back. Any swellings or inflammations can be addressed with traditional remedies).

The first move of the knee, commonly referred to as ‘hit the lat’ (HTL), works the lateral inferior border of the vastus lateralis tendon, also known as the tendon of the quadriceps femoris. The move can be thought of as a complete treatment, as this point for the knee is very similar to the junction point of the superior medial angle of the shoulder (moves 6 and 8 of Page Two). At this point for working the knee, the ITB joins together with the vastus lateralis, the patella ligament and the tendon of the quadriceps to become one large, tense and highly energetic covering around the knee. When dissecting this area, it is very difficult to single out where one structure begins and another ends, making the HTL a move that encompasses the whole of the knee. Many practitioners will also attest to the noise that is heard in the stomach when making this move, although it is not entirely established as to why this happens.

Moves 2 and 3, which can be performed in any order, aim to lift the fatty pad that sits under and around the patella, which in turn floats over the joint and takes pressure off the vastus intermedius, which is attached to the femur. The patella ligaments are very deep under this structure, and once again the hammock analogy is dragged out to illustrate the moving aspect of the patella, held under tension by the ligaments at either end. The patella almost floats in the fatty tissue around the knee, which needs to have an appropriate degree of tension to keep the movements of the joint under control.

It is always worth moving the patella around to check its mobility. If it is stuck, the HTL will generally give it a degree of freedom quite quickly. If it remains stuck, and the ‘lat’ is sticky and hard to feel, gentle mobilisation of the patella will be helpful.

Moves 5 and 6, again in any order, roll around the lateral and medial heads of the gastrocnemius and soleus. These moves create a release for the posterior compartment of the leg, but also act strongly on the ankle joint where the gastrocnemius muscles join with the Achilles tendon and continue around the heel bone into the plantar fascia of the foot. The teasing moves along the back edge of the calf need to be done very gently for the best effect. These are not pulling or rolling

massagetechnique bowen technique – the knee

moves, but a very gentle teasing action using the tips of the fingers.

In my experience a tender, swollen or inflamed calf responds to this gentle teasing much more quickly than any attempt to go in with depth and separate the muscles.

Many exceedingly swollen legs have responded remarkably to these gentle teasing moves down the leg. Patience and plenty of breaks are the key to reducing any swelling; using force, or even much more than moderate pressure, is both counterproductive and potentially very harmful. We still have to bear in mind the sock-like aspect of the fascia underneath our fingers, which seems to be very responsive and sensitive to gentle touch. A swollen knee will also respond well to this teasing, and the three medial moves across the Achilles will help to release excess fluid into the medial side of the ankle to promote lymphatic movement.

A word here on the sciatic nerve, which is made up of two nerves – the tibial and common peroneal. As thick as your thumb and very sinewy, the nerve separates into its component parts around the back of the knee and travels down either side of the leg, sending off branches along the way. When the tibial nerve reaches the back of the medial malleolus, it divides into the medial and lateral plantar nerves. These nerves are responsible for quite a lot of innervation in the foot, and in turn can be indicated in a fair number of problems, including plantar fasciitis or pain in the sole of the foot.

Piriformis

Sciatic nerve

Biceps femoris

The sciatic nerve in dissection, in relation to the piriformis and hamstrings

The small move at the back of the malleolus can therefore be quite a useful addition to the knee procedure, especially if the ankle procedure is to follow or if there is any presentation of sciatic-type symptoms radiating into the ankle or foot. Although appearing somewhat complicated and fiddly, the knee procedure can be performed straight through with no break in cases where a preventative treatment is being given, and where there is no immediate or obvious problem.

Author Julian Baker, a leading teacher of The Bowen Technique, paves the way in Bowen Unravelled: A Journey Into the Facial Understanding of the Bowen Technique. After many years’ experience working with other Bowen Technique practitioners, Baker set out to write this comprehensive, groundbreaking work that bridges the gap between alternative therapy, anatomical reasoning and scientific understanding of the Bowen Technique, one of the fastest-growing connective tissue therapies in the world. www.lotuspublishing.co.uk This extract was taken from Bowen Unravelled: A Journey Into the Facial Understanding of the Bowen Technique ISBN: 978-1-905367-40-5 RRP: £16.99

Professional training in holistic massage CPD courses for practitioners Treatments from talented practitioners Massage Training Institute Est. 1989 www.massagetraining.co.uk

“It’s the quality of touch that counts”

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Rockin’ All Over the World!

Hot Stone Fusion for the Treatment of Pain H ands up if you thought hot stone massage was just a bit of luxury with no therapeutic effects - great for relaxation but not the domain of serious massage therapists aiming to alleviate and prevent musculoskeletal pain. If so, cast your eye over the following comments from therapists and clients who have experienced the true power of Hot Stone massage taught the Jing way – a blend of creative and effective stone work known as Hot Stone Fusion.

“One of my clients had been in chronic pain with his neck after whiplash in two consecutive car crashes EIGHT years ago. He had never felt safe or comfortable enough to have anyone touch his neck. He

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came to me and we worked gently on the area with the heat of the stones. He was so relaxed by the use of the stones but tensed up as soon as I put my (loving!) hands on his neck. We worked very deeply into trigger points and stretching with the stones and the results were incredible - after only two sessions he was pain free” “I have had massages with a therapist who did the stone course with you. I suffer from back pain that ranges from dull to piercing. Normally I would go for a purely therapeutic massage, but wanted to try the stones. Not only was the treatment amazing, but I had more pain relief from the use of placement stones and heated stones used to strip the muscles than I have had from any massage in a long

time. While I adore just about every type of massage, the therapeutic qualities of Hot Stone Fusion massage outstrips them all. I got a relaxation massage and a pain relief massage all in the same 85 minute session!”

“As a writer I spend long periods sitting at my PC, and have experienced a succession of different types of pain in my back and shoulders. After just one session of Hot Stone Fusion Massage, my back has improved and my shoulders haven’t felt so good in years. Fantastic!”

These results are not unusual. If you are taught to use the stones effectively and specifically, you have at your disposal an amazing tool that will help you to:

dadvancedcpdadvancedcpd • Alleviate both acute and chronic pain • Effectively address injury rehabilitation • Save your hands • Work deeply in a gentle and more effective way • Delight your clients • Build your practice • Earn more money

Back to basics – the power of hot and cold in therapeutic treatment Why should using the stones be so helpful in the treatment of pain? The answer lies in the age old use of hot and cold as a therapeutic modalityphysiotherapists, naturopaths and osteopaths are well aware of the efficacy of thermal modalities in bodywork, as was your mother who gave you a hot water bottle to soothe your sore belly when you were a child. Yet we find that massage therapists tend to be less informed about the therapeutic effects of using hot and cold in bodywork. This can give you great results with less effort from yourself.

The helping hand of heat in the chronic pain conundrum Heat can be used very effectively in cases of CHRONIC pain. This is pain that has lasted for longer than 72 hours and is characterised by being dull, achy or long standing. In our experience this is a common phenomenen in the massage therapist’s clinic and we are much more often confronted with the conundrum of chronic pain than dealing with recent acute issues. If you have a busy clinic you are probably well acquainted with obstinate back pain, neck pain, RSI, plantar fascitis and other conditions that have persisted beyond an expected healing time.

It is fair to say that chronic pain is much more complex to treat than acute pain and usually requires a multi-faceted

approach. Adding heat into the mix through the medium of hot stones can enhance your outcome significantly.

The positive effects for heat in chronic pain cases can be summarised as follows: • Psychological effects: Heat makes us feel nurtured, relaxed, cared for and positive – attributes we want our clients to associate with our treatments. If our clients feel safe under our hands, their bodies relax and let us in to do vital therapeutic work without resistance. We instinctively feel that heat has a “feel good” factor – my best friend said to me once that if she ever feels out of sorts she just has a bath and it always makes her feel better!

Following her advice has stood me in good stead and likewise applying heat in a clinical situation invariably has a postive effect.

• Decreased muscle tightness and trigger point activity: Heat seems to have a direct effect on reducing tight muscles- often the primary cause of common pain conditions.

Tight muscles also harbour pain referring trigger points – the bad boys of musculoskeletal pain. There is evidence that heat applications may reduce the firing rate of muscle spindle cells and decrease activity in the gamma efferent system of the spindles. This reduction in muscle spindle activity will have a direct impact on reducing muscle tightness.

• Increased circulation and reduction of rehabilitation time: The local increase in circulation caused by heat application is beneficial in healing numerous injuries. Bringing fresh blood and nutrients to the areas helps maintain the optimum health of the tissues for injury repair.

• Increased pliability of connective tissues: Heat applications help to improve the elasticity of fascia (connective tissue) therefore myofascial and therapeutic stretching procedures are much more effective if heat is applied beforehand. Research has shown

that temperature increase in fascia of up to 40 degrees C leads to reduced stiffness and more rapid elongation of tissue which in part can be attributed to higher extensibility of collagen (Lehman et al 1970, Warren et al 1971).

Therapists interested in the benefits of fascial work would do well to apply heat to the tissues first for even better and quicker results in fascial release.

• Decrease in perception of pain: We natually turn to the healing properties of heat when in pain – hot water bottles, baths, jacuzzis and hot compresses are common self care measures for everything from sore backs to period pains. Heat can help to decrease the individual perception of pain and enable us to feel in control of our pain responses

Ice for Injury – the use of cold stones Cold is an ideal treatment for ACUTE injuries i.e: those where the injury is recent (less than 72 hours) and characterized by inflammation, swelling, lack of mobility and pain. A recently sprained ankle is a classic example of an acute injury.

Massage therapists often get confused about which injuries are acute and sometimes use ice or cold inappropriately. A good example is low back pain where therapists are often terrified of mysterious “inflammation” that is not obvious but they are convinced must be there. Approximately 85% of low back pain is actually known as “non specific” – in other words we have no idea what the cause is – there is no injury and therefore no inflammation!

Clinical experience suggests that trigger points and myofascial restrictions are key components of this type of pain – such soft tissue restrictions actually respond much better to heat. In these cases ice may not be useful as it can trigger spasm of already overly tight muscles and cause those trigger points to start a-firing.

When used appropriately in acute pain, cold has highly beneficial effects in helping acute injuries to heal quicker: Issue 83 2014

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• Reduction in muscle soreness: Cold is of benefit in reducing certain types of muscles soreness, especially that associated with increased levels of unaccustomed exercise.

• Cold slows down the cellular metabolic activity. In acute injuries, the increase in cellular metabolic activity is one factor that prolongs the healing process. Using cold immediately after injury shortens the recovery period.

• Decreased nerve conduction velocity: This can be very beneficial in reducing pain sensations and increasing the pain threshold thereby providing pain relief • Decreased oedema: Oedema is one of the primary causative factors in the perpetuation of acute pain. Cold is very effective in reducing oedema

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Best of both worlds – hot and cold contrast applications

What does the research tell us about use of hot and cold?

To get both the beneficial aspects of hot and cold, the technique of “contrast bathing” is applied. The use of hot and cold is alternated to a particular area.

This is believed to cause a flushing of the tissue fluids and improve many of the neurological responses that will create the best environment for healing.

There are many ways to apply hot and cold to the body during bodywork, including hot and cold packs, infra red lamps, hydroculator packs etc.

However, few have the unique advantage of the stones - namely that you can actually WORK with the stones while simultaneously applying wet heat/ cold, thus enhancing greatly the time effectiveness of your treatment.

It is important to note that there are many hot/cold stone massages where hot and cold stones are run up and down the body quickly, often causing discomfort for the client. This is completely different, -here we are specifically treating an area of pain, tension, or injury to create a positive outcome for our clients.

Although hot and cold has been used for decades as an important adjunct modality in the treatment of pain, supporting evidence from research ( as ever!) is divided.

Some research trials have been overwhelmingly positive in the support of the use of heat for pain reduction. In two trials of 258 participants with a mix of acute and sub acute low back pain, heat wrap therapy significantly reduced pain after 5 days compared with oral placebo.

In common with experiences in clinic where effects on pain reduction can in some cases be instantaneous, one trial of 90 participants with acute low back pain found that a heated blanket significantly decreased pain immediately after application (Both studies in French SD, Cameron M, Walker BF, Reggars JW, Esterman AJ. A Cochrane review of superficial heat or cold for low back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2006 Apr 20;31(9):998-1006. Review. PubMed PMID: 16641776.)

Excitingly there is also some support for fans of the Jing approach to combining different approaches within

dadvancedcpdadvancedcpd a treatment to gain maximum results.

One trial of 100 participants with a mix of acute and sub acute low back pain found that using heat in conjunction with exercise significantly increased pain relief compared to heat alone. This is an important finding and confirms our belief in the value of self- care suggestions for clients as an important part of the client-therapist interaction. Both local heat application and encouraging exercise and movement are easy and safe suggestions for the client in pain.

In conclusion, evidence is limited but encouraging as to using heat in treatment.

The Cochrane review concludes “There is moderate evidence in a small number of trials that heat wrap therapy provides a small short-term reduction in pain and disability in a population with a mix of acute and sub acute low back pain, and that the addition of exercise further reduces pain and improves function.

There is insufficient evidence to evaluate the effects of cold for low back pain and conflicting evidence for any differences between heat and cold for low back pain”

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to 20 minutes before treating the area directly.

Placing stones is a lovely part of the work we do, but it is only 10% of it. Most of the work is done by dynamically and specifically massaging the body with the stones as extensions of the therapist’s hands.

Broad effleurage strokes are used to warm the area, before using smaller specific stones to strip and elongate the muscles fibres, searching for trigger points. This saves your precious thumbs and gives great relief to your client. For example to alleviate low back pain we could treat Erector Spinae, Quadratus Lumborum, Gluteal muscles and the lateral rotators with these techniques.

Cold stones can be used in a similar way for acute pain to decrease pain and swelling. Cold stones used in conjunction with deep transverse friction can be very effective.

Cold stones are usually not used longer than five minutes in any one area.

Using the stones in remedial massage work

Creativity and specific treatments

At Jing we teach you the skills to understand when hot and cold stone work should be used to treat different pain conditions and the confidence and creativity to design unique and luxurious treatments for all your clients

Jing therapists are trained to use the stones creatively. On our courses. you will learn a fabulous head to toe full body massage, plus the freedom to blend remedial techniques such as trigger point therapy, myofascial work and clinical stretching to produce great results. Our students are given the confidence to combine the stones with existing techniques as diverse as energy work, reflexology, sports massage or

Some great techniques to play with • Large hot stones can be used over the drape to warm and relax the fascia and muscles in the area of pain for up

aromatherapy. This leads to a confident and creative practice as outlined by the comments below from students who have worked with us: Using Hot stone Fusion in: • Reflexology: “I’ve only used stones with reflexology, but even in this small area they are great. I’ve used them on pregnant mums up the arms to remove tension and relax them. I place them between the toes and under calves, clients love this” • Myofascial Work: “I feel results are much faster with the stones than with the hands alone… There is no getting away from HOW THE CLIENT FEELS with the warmth of the smooth stones gliding over them. They can be used without oil...just wet and then you can put a warm towel over the area to dry it and away you go with some myofascial techniques” • Aromatherapy: “Since doing the hot stone course with Jing and using it in my clinic alongside my aromatherapy practice, I have found in treating people with severe painful muscular complaints that the analgesic and muscle relaxant aromatherapy oils get in to the client’s blood stream quicker when using hot stones as opposed to traditional massage. The benefit is that I can work deeper into the muscle tissue with the stones within 10 minutes, whereas with handwork I would have to take 30 minutes.

So basically hot stones deliver better quality massage time for the client”

Rachel Fairweather is co-founder and director of the Jing Institute of Advanced Massage. Based In Brighton, London and Edinburgh we run a variety of courses in advanced techniques to help you build the career you desire. Our short CPD courses include excellent hands on learning in a variety of techniques including hot stone fusion, trigger point therapy, myofascial release and stretching. For the first time you are now able to learn these techniques at your own time and pace with our revolutionary online low back pain course aimed at giving qualified bodyworkers the skills they desire. For the therapist who wants to be the best they can possibly be, we offer a BTEC level 6 (degree level) in advanced clinical and sports massage – the highest level of massage training in the UK. Want to find out more? Please contact The JING Institute! Tel: 01273 628942 Email: info@jingmassage.com Website: www.jingmassage.com Twitter: (https://twitter.com/JingInstitute Facebook pages www.facebook.com/pages/JING-Institute-of-Advanced-Massage-Training/133660816698821 Copyright Jing Advanced Massage November 2013. Text: Rachel Fairweather and Meghan Mari with thanks to Jing students Susky Hashemi, Christina Hitchins, Carmen O’Connor, Tara Hunt and Victoria Hayden. Photos: Meghan Mari

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ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY 30

Issue 83 2014

The Fascia of the Central Nervous System

by Caroline Barrow Many of us in the complementary therapy world are fully aware of the importance of fascia, the fibrous, connective tissue, which surrounds muscles, both in that it generally plays an important role in people’s physical health, as well as what we can do to improve its function, often with great knock-on effects. I was very reliably informed recently at Kings College London that lately there has been a course introduced on fascia for surgeons. I am yet to hear more on that, but hey, what a great thing to hear!

So, today we will have a little look at the fascia surrounding the brain and spinal cord, or the ‘meninges’.

There are three layers of meninges : the tough, outer two layers of the cranium, and a layer in the vertebral canal, the dura mater; the middle, single thin layer, the arachnoid mater, which lies superficial to the third layer; and said third layer, the thinnest layer, which follows the convolutions of the brain, the pia mater. One of my colleagues brilliantly compared these to the thickness of supermarket shopping bags. A ‘bag for life’ constitutes the dura mater, a free, thinner supermarket plastic bag would be the arachnoid mater, and cling film, well that is pia mater. It helps us get the picture!

As mentioned, the pia mater follows the convolutions of the brain. Specifically, it lines the nervous tissue down inside the sulci, or furrows, of the brain and across the tops of all the gyri (ridges). Many foot-processes of astrocytes connect up to that gentle blanket of pia, which provides us with an interesting

insight in to the workings of the brain in an entirely different way… but more on that later on in this series!

It is within these particular layers that the cerebrospinal fluid flows – specifically between the pia and the arachnoid maters. The latter got its name from the many tiny fibres that hang on to the pia from the main body of the arachnoid layer – the spider legs, or its webs, however you might want to imagine it. They are crucially important in maintaining the correct space between the layers, so the fluid can flow but not pool.

There is a tiny amount of fluid between the arachnoid and the dura maters, but only to enable them to slide and move a little, should they need to. Inside the vertebral canal, there is one layer of each of the meninges as well as the cerebrospinal fluid from that sub-arachnoid layer. The outer dura is firmly attached at the foramen magnum, and also to the back of the body of C2 and C3 in the neck, although there are some thin meningovertebral fibres, anteriorally and laterally, particularly in the lumbar region.

However, there are no more strong fascial attachments until we reach the sacrum.

Within the sacral canal there is once more an attachment at the front of the ‘tube’ at the level of S,2 and as the dura descends it eventually becomes melded with the periosteum of the coccyx. This is one of the anatomical connections that can sometimes explain, for example, why someone who has had a fall on their bottom and has jarred their coccyx and/ or sacrum, might then begin to experience headaches or problems in the upper neck or head; it is due to the pull and strain from these strong fascial attachments. Dr Upledger, developer

of CranioSacral Therapy, called the bones “slaves to the fascia”. If a ‘sheet’ of fascia connects to two (or more) bones and any part of that chain is compromised at all, the fascia certainly has the strength to pull compensation from bony structures at either end.

One thing to note in this vein of thought is that the dura mater in the cranium is very tightly adhered to the inside of the cranial bones; it lines them all. There are two layers of it in the head, and the inner layer has in-folds: in the space between the two hemispheres of the brain – the longitudinal fissure; and between the posterior cerebrum, and between the two halves of the cerebellum. These in-folds are called the falx cerebri (as it is sickle shaped – ‘falx’ – between the two cerebri), the tentorium cerebelli (as it sweeps sideways to form a tent over the top of the cerebellum) and the falx cerebelli (sickle shaped again, like the cerebellum as above). You can see these quite clearly in the image. They are vitally important in providing the sinus space for collection of blood the brain has finished with; the initial venous and cerebrospinal fluid drainage.

So that bump on the bottom may reflect not only up the vertebral canal, but also on the interior of the head….

There may be more pulls from one side than the other, perhaps a pre-existing misalignment, or something straining the fascia from the outer bones or muscles.

The best case scenario would be that aligned and free membranes, connected to well functioning bones, allowing free and effortless blood supply to and from a hungry brain may be what is not happening.

Nonetheless, we now know that we can address fascia, and that by doing so we may just be able to put a bit more balance back into the system. These three layers can then co-exist in peaceful glide, the cerebrospinal fluid can flow where it needs to, the brain and spine can be nourished and the wastes can be cleared – all with the support of the fascia of the nervous system.

© Caroline Barrow 2013 Caroline Barrow runs the College of Body Science, which teaches CPD courses in anatomy & physiology for complementary practitioners. Call 0845 108 1088 or see the website, www.collegeofbodyscience.com for courses and more of her take on anatomy. There will be a Know Your Nerves course this summer in London. She also runs the Upledger Institute UK which is the UK’s sole provider of training in Upledger CranioSacral Therapy. Contact her via www.upledger.co.uk or 01934 733611.

Copyright image courtesy of Upledger International 2013

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productreview Book Massage Therapist’s Survival Guide Rob Granter, soft tissue therapist Self published with sportEX £14.95 Rob Granter’s passion is palpable in this guide. He imparts his obviously vast knowledge with clarity.

An exceptionally comprehensive guide and a must for every practitioner’s collection.

Key features – It consists of eight main chapters: 1. How to seek appropriate mentors • 2. Getting inspired about your profession 3. Optimising your technique • 4. Optimising your treatment positions • 5. Looking after yourself and avoiding injury • 6. Using treatment therapy tools to relieve pressure on your body • 7. Staying inspired • 8. Protecting your business with adequate insurance Style – Clear, concise and comprehensive. Delivered with an incontrovertible fervour for this subject. Well photographed and with meticulous descriptive text. An indispensable guide for every practitioner at every level.

Target audience – Aimed at students and experienced practitioners, regardless of experience and level of qualification.

Overall opinion – This is a great resource. Rob Granter is articulate and has a wealth of knowledge to impart. The emphasis is on the importance of posture and technique and the problems that inevitably arise when these are poorly applied. The detailed text and excellent photographs guide the reader through precise tutorials on correct techniques to optimise the effectiveness of treatment and to keep the therapist injury-free. Not only does Rob Granter extensively expound the complications sustained by practitioners over time, but he also explains the specific anatomical areas under strain when performing each treatment with incorrect posture. He offers tips to counteract potential problems and exercises to correct existing problems. This book is suffused with invaluable advice encompassing all aspects of a massage therapist’s career. Highly recommended. A survival guide indeed and a wise investment.

Review written by Bob Bramah, a sports massage practitioner and physiotherapist

www.sportex.net

CD iChill Massage Vol 2 Available as a download £7.95 Written and performed by the iChill Music Factory, a group of writers dedicated to license free music this CD or download is the perfect background for any clinic room or reception to allow your clients to drift away on or off the table. Massage World therapists have always been a fan of the iChill music collection because best of all it’s licence free, so if you do own a spa, college or treatment centre you can play this collection without having to pay a licence fee to collection agencies.

www.ichillmusic.com

productreview Products Orli Massage Candles

Zephorium products

The office at Massage World is rejuvenated and smells great after sampling Zephorium Soul Tonic body oils. Presented in jewel-coloured glass bottles, these seven high-quality essential oil blends target the main chakras in order to restore vibrational harmony within the body.

The oils contain potentised crystals and each bottle includes a positive affirmation to repeat while focusing on restoring balance to that specific chakra.

Rose Quartz Crystal and Rose Oil is aligned for the heart chakra and includes the following affirmation: “Love flows towards me from every direction. I relax into peace.” Zephorium suggests that asking a client to silently repeat the affirmation during massage is especially powerful.

Zephorium products are “made with positive intention” in West Sussex using natural, ethical ingredients and donate 10% of profits to local grassroots organisations. In practical application, the oils are rejuvenating, look smart and feel great on the skin. What’s not to love?

Orli Massage Candles are cute, clever little candles with a twist. Not only are they an aromatherapy candle, ideal for the treatment room, but they are also a Massage Oil, a Body Lotion and a Body Balm all in one!

The candles are also ever so simple to use, simply light and let the rich Cocoa and Shea butters enriched with essential oils and Vitamin E melt into a warm sumptuous massage oil. Once melted, the warm oil of natural butters can then be drizzled over the skin for a wonderful massage treatment, melting away tension and delicately nourishing the skin.

Available in 10 essential oil fragrances, the candles can not only be used as a warm massage oil, but they are also great as a body balm, a Vitamin E rich lotion for manicures and pedicures, or as a moisturising lotion for cuticles, feet, elbows or dry skin.

The candles are handmade in Scotland using superior skin nourishing ingredients designed to leave your skin soft and supple. The ingredients are not only natural, but they are also extremely rich and moisturising and can have a number of benefits on your skin; healing dry, cracked and healing skin, reducing formation of stretch marks especially during pregnancy, soothing eczema, psoriasis and itching and reducing scarring and wrinkles.

Purpleflame Aromatherapy www.purpleflame.co.uk

www.zephorium.com The Pro-Roller Massage Book and 45cm Foam Roller

Affinity Deluxe Massage Table

The Pro-Roller Massage Book and 45cm Foam Roller have proved helpful and fun in alleviating pain and improving relaxation around the Massage World office, though also ideal for balance and alignment in Pilates, Yoga, Massage Therapy and more.

The 31-page booklet features colour images and detailed information for using the Pro-Roller to relax, align and release tension from head to toe. An introductory segment titled “Scanning Your Body” stresses the importance of body self-awareness and guides the reader through a series of questions to help identify areas of tension or imbalance.

The 45cm Pro-Roller is also suited for Myofascial Release techniques and can help re-educate muscular flexibility and core strength.

Accessible and versatile, the Pro-Roller and accompanying Massage Book are fun to use and certainly earn our approval.

The Affinity Deluxe portable massage table reaches new levels of features and comfort.

Its luxurious padding, rounded corners, adjustable armrest and face cradle gives maximum comfort for the client, whilst the wheeled carry bag and rapid set up gives the therapist all the tools they need to maximise treatment benefit.

All Affinity items are rigorously tested to conform to the strictest standards. Products are developed in conjunction with therapists and experts in there field using extensive knowledge and appreciation of the market. The table weighs in at 16kgs has a width of 27” and a good length of 73” for the larger client, it also comes with rounded corners, therafoma padding and a two year guarantee.

www.physique.co.uk

www.avalon-couches.co.uk

£298.35 inc VAT

BTEC level 5 bridging program NLSSM Bridging Programs are specifically designed for you. We do this by building on your strengths and experience and addressing your individual needs, allowing you to upgrade your skills and gain a higher professional qualification.

W: www.nlssm.com

T: 020 8885 6062

E: info@nlssm.com

Aromatherapy relief for arthritic pain

By Penny Price

German chamomile, a well–known anti–inflammatory oil, is often used to help relieve arthritic pain

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful, chronic condition affecting many people in the UK. Essential oils have a role to play in helping to reduce pain levels.

Around 400,000 people in the UK are now living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), a chronic and very painful condition. The disease usually involves inflammation of one or more joints, usually in the hands, feet and wrists. (The term arthritis is made up of ‘arthro’ from the Greek word arthron for joint, which becomes ‘arthr’ before a vowel as in arthritis, and ‘itis’, meaning inflammation.)

The approach to treatment is two–fold. First, the relief of pain and symptoms with analgesics and non–steroidal anti–inflammatory drugs; secondly, modification of the disease process so that progressive functional impairment can be slowed down or stopped. This can include short–term use of steroids.

Where there is inflammation there is usually pain, fluid retention and heat, and these are the issues that this article will address, along with aromatherapy products for steroid–damaged skin.

Essential oils for pain and inflammation Plai (Zingiber cassumunar) Zingiber cassumunar is known to be anti–inflammatory, helpful for pain relief, a muscle relaxant, and also a local anaesthetic. Plai is widely used by massage therapists to combat joint and muscle pain, and the pain caused by joint deterioration in arthritis. Forty per cent of this oil is made up of alcohol components, which are responsible for the oil’s pain–relieving properties. Plai also contains significant amounts of monoterpenic compounds which make it warming, bracing and tonic.

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German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) Matricaria chamomilla is one of the best–known anti–inflammatory essential oils. It is anti-spasmodic and calming and used to treat arthritis, inflamed skin, headaches and emotional symptoms such as irritation, anxiety and depression. The sesquiterpenes in German chamomile essential oil, in particular chamazulene which produces its blue colour, are responsible for the majority of its calming and anti–inflammatory effects.

Marjoram sweet (Origanum majorana) Origanum majorana is analgesic, anti–infectious, calming, expectorant and neurotonic. It is used to treat arthritis, migraine, headaches, respiratory infections and sinusitis. The oil is composed mainly of monoterpenes and alcohols, the terpenes being responsible for the warming and anti–infectious effects and the alcohols for the analgesic and tonic effects.

Rosemary cineole (Rosmarinus officinalis) Rosmarinus officinalis ct cineole is analgesic, antibacterial, anti–inflammatory, antispasmodic and neurotonic. It is most often employed for treating arthritis, rheumatism and fluid retention, although it can also be used for colds, coughs and (traditionally) loss of memory. This chemotype is composed mostly of monoterpenes and oxides. The terpenes are bracing and warming, while the oxides are cooling and help ease joint pain.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Lavandula angustifolia’s many attributes include analgesic, anti–inflammatory, antispasmodic, sedative, and cicatrisant effects. It is best known for its stress–relieving properties, benefits

aromatherapy relief for arthritic pain

for treating skin conditions (making it very useful for steroid– damaged skin), aches and pains, arthritis and stress. Composed almost entirely of alcohols and esters it is not difficult to see how it is effective in so many areas. Alcohol components help to alleviate pain and are also tonic, while ester components are cell–regenerating and anti–inflammatory.

Carrier oils for pain and inflammation Arnica oil (Arnica montana) Arnica is a macerated oil that is beneficial to the circulatory system and the skin. It is best known for its ability to help bruising and pain, guarding the skin against steroid damage and giving protection against bruising.

Calendula oil (Calendula officinalis) Calendula oil is highly anti–inflammatory and anti–spasmodic which makes it useful in arthritic conditions to help reduce swelling and to calm the areas affected. Calendula may also help the healing process after joint replacement operations.

Carrot oil (Daucus carota) Carrot oil, rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, E and F, is used to help arthritis because it is anti–inflammatory. Since carrot oil is also an effective skin rejuvenator it can help the skin to cope with steroid damage.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Rosemary hydrolat can be mixed into a cream for application to the joint areas of the body. Use 80ml of thick base cream, 20ml rosemary hydrolat and add 10 drops each of rosemary and lavender essential oils for maximum benefit. Apply twice a day for the best effect.

Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) Chamomile is a traditional remedy for inflammatory conditions.

The hydrolat can be used in the bath (50ml) or in a body cream: use 80ml thick base cream and 20ml chamomile hydrolat, adding rosemary and chamomile essential oils to enhance the blend if necessary.

Sage (Salvia officinalis) Sage hydrolat is anti-inflammatory, calming and has slight analgesic properties to help reduce pain. Soaking the hands in warm sage hydrolat for 20 minutes can be very beneficial for arthritic hands, followed by a massage with essential oils of lavender, plai and rosemary.

Conclusion We have many wonderful aromatic tools to help us treat clients who are living with arthritis. Mixing and blending oils for clinic use and for ongoing home treatment can bring relief for the condition, bringing your client a new balance and harmony.

Hydrolats for pain and inflammation Hydrolats contain many natural steroidal–type molecules that naturally reduce pain and swelling without damaging the skin or other organs. For arthritis, the hydrolats can be used in compresses, baths, creams, lotions and as skin sprays.

An aromatherapy practitioner for nearly 30 years, Penny Price teaches aromatherapy in the UK and abroad. She founded Penny Price Aromatherapy Ltd and the Penny Price Academy and currently serves on the IFPA Council.

Bibliography Battaglia S (2002) Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. ICHA, Brisbane Lawless J (1995) Complete Essential Oils. Element Books, Dorset Price L & Price S (2002) Aromatherapy for Health Professionals. Elsevier, London Price S (1993) Aromatherapy Workbook. Thorsons, London Valnet J (1980) The Practice of Aromatherapy. C Daniel, Saffron Walden This article was first published in In Essence Vol.10 No.3 Winter 2011 The International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA) is one of the largest professional aromatherapy practitioner organisations in the world. For more information and to subscribe to In Essence go to www.ifparoma.org

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© Purple Flame Aromatherapy | T: 01676 542 542 E: info@purpleflame.co.uk | W: www.purpleflame.co.uk Basil image © Deckard73 | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images 36

Issue 83 2014

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Ishta Spinal Touch Posture – A Key to EfFicient Physiology

by Sue Weller and Allyn Edwards

We alL know what poOr posture loOks like and the deleterious efFects it can have; but how many of us are able to quantify poOr posture, help the person’s body to corRect the postural changes and measure their progresS? WelL over the years we have beEn doing just that with Ishta Spinal Touch and have taught numerous other practitioners to do the same.

The PhysiologicalLy EfFicient Posture You may have seen this term used on the charts in your treatment rooms and not paid much attention to it. Look again and you will see the most energy efficient standing posture. The chart shows a posterior view of a plumb line passing through the middle of the spine.

In the lateral view the plumb line passes through the middle of the ear, shoulder, greater trochanter, knee and ankle.

A Balanced Posture

in the postural muscles (we see this as poor posture) which the body cannot resolve without outside help.

Presenting Postures

What we commonly see in our clinics are postures far from the physiologically efficient posture; chronically contracted postural muscles, misalignments within the joints, especially of the spine, and a posture that is out of true.

When the centre of gravity, which is slightly anterior to L5/S1 joint, and the counterweight, which is anterior to S3, are correctly aligned, the person experiences a state of balance and poise and uses the minimal amount of energy to remain upright within the Earth’s gravitational field.

This can happen at any stage in life and below are some photographs of a 25 year old woman who was experiencing recurring, and at times debilitating, shoulder and mid-back pain and restrictions around the right shoulder.

All of the postural muscles exert a direct or indirect mechanical force on the spine and therefore the centre of gravity. This force must be balanced and countered by appropriate contractions from each and every other muscle in the body in order for the posture to remain upright and efficient.

From our plumb line assessments here, the green lines show the ideal posture and the red the actual posture. In figure 1 we can see that she is leaning to the left so that the plumb line lies to the right of the centre of gravity resulting in more weight going through the left leg; imbalances in the height of the ilia, shoulders and base of the occiput i.e. her right

As long as these forces remain within the elastic limits of the tissue then the body is self-correcting, given enough rest.

However, due to the constant stressors of modern life, very few of us get enough rest for this to happen. This results in the body going beyond its elastic limits which leads to chronic changes 38

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casehistory Ishta Spinal TouchÂŽ

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ilium is higher yet her left shoulder and left occiput are higher. This is indicative of a lateral curve in the spine, which on closer inspection can be seen from T10 through to L2. In figure 2 we can clearly see that the left scapula is superior and that there are muscle tensions in the erector spinae of this area.

Following an Ishta Spinal Touch alignment there were clear positive changes to be seen, even after just one session. In figure 3 the most dramatic change is the correction in weight distribution, with the plumb line almost coming straight up through L5/S1. The ilia, shoulders and the base of the occiput are more evenly balanced.

In figure 4 we can see more clearly the lining up of the thoracic vertebrae, with the release of inflammation and improvement in the circulation of the area, indicated by the red areas around the left scapula.

While there have been some positive changes in the posture which will allow the musculoskeletal structure to begin a process of rebalancing there is still more work to be done. The recipient reported less mid-back pain and greater mobility in the right shoulder.

In a case like this we recommended a series of appointments to continue with the correction process and looked at lifestyle advice to support what we were aiming to achieve.

How Does Ishta Spinal Touch Work?

The reason that we can see these improvements is because we are correcting the position of the centre of gravity relative to the counterweight. This allows the postural muscles to release their holding pattern.

Following and in-depth plumb line assessment we determine the correct neuromuscular contact point that will bring the centre of gravity and the counterweight back into a state of balance. With the recipient is lying in a prone position a very gentle series of rub-outs are applied to the postural muscles, while the neuromuscular contact point is held.

Finger-Tip PresSure

The level of contact during the alignment is 5 gm which is the same as the weight of a 20p piece on the back of the hand. This is enough stimulus to bring about the maximum physiological response in the tissues but will not initiate fascial guarding. With this level of contact we allow the body to change as much as it is able to at each appointment.

As you can see from the photos above this can be dramatic even in a young healthy person.

After Care Advice

The after care advice we give at the end of each appointment is very important as the muscles respond to habitual movements so we need to encourage the recipient to think about and introduce changes in the way they use their body. For example in the case above, the young lady was a keen horse rider and regularly mucked out the stables, so the advice included working from the opposite side, in her case the left side, when doing this task.

More Information: To watch a five-minute video of an asSesSment and alignment please go to wWw.ishtaspinaltouch.com where you can also find information on training.

Sue Weller and Allyn Edwards are Chiropractors and have been in practice since 1990. They have had individual practices in London and Liverpool and now have a very busy joint practice in Staffordshire specialising in treating people with structural and postural problems.

They became the European tutors in Ishta Spinal Touch in 1998 and run training courses for existing body work practitioners.

The training is a Seven-Module course delivered over 6 months, with a mix of attendance and on-line learning. Midlands based. Next courses begin 1st & 2nd of March. Full information at: www.ishtaspinaltouch.com/PractitionerCourse.html Telephone: 01785 616409 Email: mail@ishtaspinaltouch.com Web: www.ishtaspinaltouch.com

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collegeprofile

Working Team: Tanya Milne: Senior Tutor and Principal since 2000, specialising in Sports, DeEp TisSue & Remedial MasSage Therapy.

Practitioner for over 20 years BilL Milne: Course Director & Lecturer since 2000, Sports Physiologist Kirsty Milne: AsSistance Tutor since 2010, specialising in Sports, DeEp TisSue & Remedial MasSage Therapy - Practitioner for over 12 years Katrina BulLimore: TraineE Tutor since 2013, specialising in Sports, DeEp TisSue & Remedial MasSage Therapy Background

Why train with us?

ASCT has been providing Sports & Remedial Massage Courses since 2000. In 2007 we became an accredited school with the ISRM and now provide BTEC Level 5 Sports & Remedial Massage Diploma Courses. ASCT also provide a variety of CPD Workshops/Courses for therapists of all levels, as well as an Introductory Course for those who have never massaged before, and would like to see if it’s for them. We are also in the process of setting up a Level 3 Course to start mid 2014.

We are a family run school which offers a warm and friendly environment in which to learn. We aim to give the best possible tuition, and to make your learning experience a happy one. Our courses are small numbers (12 max) to ensure that you get as near to one to one training as possible. We are located in the East Midlands with easy access.

Our program Our BTEC Programme is both under graduate (for those who need to start from the beginning) and post graduate (for those already qualified that want to be Level 5). The techniques to be learned are varied, and great care is taken in ensuring our students’ techniques will give them the ability to offer effective & safe treatment for the client, as well as being safe for them to apply.

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For further information on our courses please contact us on: E: admin@ukmassagecourses.co.uk T: 01509 551513

faqs!faqs?faqs!faqs?

STUDENT Q&A

Let me introduce myself, I am Anita Snowball and will endeavour each issue to answer questions that never seem to get answered or that you forgot to ask. Email me at massageworld@btconnect.com. Here is a selection of recent enquiries and their replies: I’ve just completed my ITEC holistic massage course and I’m doing my case studies. The client I saw today has been on Warfarin for some time as he had a pulmonary embolism in the past. I wasn’t sure whether this was a contraindication, but I had him sign a disclaimer just in case. It seems to me that the medication should stop him being susceptible to blood clots; therefore it’s OK to treat him.

Blood-thinning medications such as warfarin may make your client more vulnerable to bruising and bleeding with any pressure. I would advise that they should ask their doctor whether massage is appropriate for them. I would also question if it is appropriate to work on a client presenting with this condition for your case studies. Please remember you are still in training so enjoy your case studies and choose wisely who you work on.

I have a client, male 56yrs who has just been diagnosed with Dupuytrens Contracture. He has developed nodules in the palm of his hand in line with the fourth and little finger and there is an area of contracted skin there too. Is there anything I can do to help?

Dupuytren’s contracture causes thickening of tissues in the palm.

If it progresses, one or more fingers bend (contract) into the palm and you cannot straighten the finger. The cause is not

known. In many cases it remains mild and does not require treatment. If the condition becomes more severe or the function of the hand becomes affected then a specialist may recommend treatment.

I have always provided a good hand massage, opening up the palm as much as I can then finish with some MET. My clients have found this to be beneficial.

I have had an enquiry from a client who has ME, but also has Thoracic outlet syndrome, for an Indian Head Massage. Is there any reason that I should not work with them?

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a group of disorders that occur when the blood vessels or nerves in the space between your collarbone and your first rib (thoracic outlet) become compressed. This can cause pain in your shoulders and neck and numbness in your fingers. As your client is asking for Indian Head Massage I would be cautious with any grasp and pulling to the muscles of the neck and just be careful of pressure used until you have seen how they react. With care this will be a lovely treatment for them and will enable relaxation in the muscles in the cervical area.

I have just started Indian Head Massage training - this being the second therapy I have trained in. I have been getting a bit frustrated with the lack of strength and fluid movements with my left side. I am right handed and

Anita Snowball is a Senior Tutor at the Middlesex School of Complementary Medicine in London, established since 1992. As a Senior Tutor she has had to deal with a wide variety of queries from both students and graduates. So go ahead, send in your questions and test her knowledge!

have seemed to pick up the movements much quicker on this side and can apply a good amount pressure but it just does not really seem to be improving much with the left side. My other therapy is Reflexology and I do not have issues with that, but I think this is because the movements are much less vigorous!

Is this something other people have experienced?

Well I would say practice, practice and more practice! We always seem to think that we will be able to do it because we are qualified already; I had real problems with my left hand initially in my application of Indian Head Massage; however with a lot of work and thoughtful application my left hand caught up with my right. Don’t over think it and you will soon be a natural.

If you would like your questions answered, please send them by post or email to our address on page 3, marked Student Q&A.

CNHC celebrates new quality stamp of approval Readers will be aware that the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) is the UK voluntary regulator for complementary healthcare that was set up with government support. CNHC has now been approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) as an Accredited Voluntary Register or AVR. In this piece we describe what this means for massage practitioners and how CNHC registration demonstrates your commitment to professionalism and standards.

Over 1,100 massage therapists on the register CNHC was set up to protect the public by holding a register of practitioners who have met national standards. The register opened in January 2009 and CNHC now has over 5,000 practitioners on the register. More than 1,100 of these are massage therapists who practise a wide range of approaches including holistic, remedial, sports and advanced massage techniques.

All practitioners on CNHC’s register have confirmed that they meet minimum standards of training, that they hold professional indemnity insurance and that they agree to adhere to CNHC’s Code of Conduct, Ethics and Performance.

John Lant CNHC’s chair

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CNHC announces its new accreditation The big news for CNHC is that it has now been approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) as the holder of an Accredited Voluntary Register or AVR. The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) is the independent government-appointed body that oversees the work of the nine statutory medical, health and social care regulators such as the General Medical Council (GMC), the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC – formerly HPC).

PSA now also accredits the registers of health and care occupations that are not regulated by law and CNHC has successfully completed this process.

Accreditation by the PSA means that CNHC has met the Authority’s demanding standards in the areas of governance, setting standards, education and training, managing the register, providing information and handling complaints. It is a mark of quality.

Announcing the AVR accreditation at this year’s camexpo CNHC’s chair, John Lant, said: “Today marks the next step for CNHC as the voluntary regulator for complementary therapists.

I’m delighted that CNHC has met the Professional Standards Authority’s rigorous standards, and practitioners on the CNHC’s register can now use the new CNHC Accredited Voluntary Register quality mark. This reinforces the confidence that the public, employers and healthcare commissioners can have in choosing CNHC registered practitioners.”

In addition to CNHC’s status as independent regulator, CNHC’s accreditation offers enhanced protection to anyone looking for complementary therapy services, including massage, as people now have the option of seeking practitioners on a register that has been vetted and approved.

massagereport CNHC

What does this mean for massage practitioners?

Use of CNHC’s Accredited Voluntary Register Quality Mark Massage therapists registered with CNHC can now use the new CNHC Accredited Voluntary Register (AVR) quality mark and can publicise this to clients, employers, commissioners and others.

CNHC Chair, John Lant, commented: “The quality mark will give extra peace of mind for anyone looking for a massage therapist, letting them know that the practitioner who holds the mark is committed to professionalism and standards.”

Greater assurance to employers, commissioners, insurers and the public CNHC registration is already required or recommended by an increasing number of employers and commissioners of services. Many patient and consumer organisations also recommend that the public looks for CNHC registrants when choosing complementary therapists. CNHC is now working alongside the PSA to raise awareness of CNHC’s accreditation amongst the general public and a wide range of organisations.

CNHC’s aim is to maximise the advantages of being on CNHC’s accredited voluntary register (AVR) including: • greater awareness amongst NHS employers and commissioners • more chance of referrals from healthcare providers and insurers • greater public awareness of practitioners on CNHC’s register • providing additional assurance for standards of patient safety and service quality in the Any Qualified Provider (AQP) scheme in England.

What PSA accreditation is NOT! We are aware that this can be confusing as the accreditation is a new scheme and we do hear inaccurate information being circulated so here we dispel some of the myths.

• PSA accreditation is not regulation. The Professional Standards Authority is not a regulator and being accredited does not make an organisation a regulator.

CNHC is already a regulator. Accreditation means that CNHC has been accredited as the holder of an Accredited Voluntary Register or AVR.

• PSA does not accredit individual practitioners.

Accreditation does not imply that the Authority has itself assessed the merits of individuals on the CNHC register. It remains the responsibility of CNHC to ensure that registrants meet the required standards.

• PSA does not endorse any treatment or service. It accredits the register, not the therapy or profession.

Accreditation does not imply that PSA has endorsed the efficacy of any particular therapy or approach.

• PSA does not hold a register of individuals. It holds a directory of organisations that have been accredited.

CNHC is now on this directory.

What do massage therapists think?

Paul Medlicott, Chair of the General Council for Massage Therapy and the Sports Massage Association said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to CNHC on having its register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

As a CNHC Profession Specific Board member for Massage Therapy I’ve seen the rigorous work they have carried out first hand.”

Rachel Fairweather, joint winner of the 2011 and 2012 camexpo Outstanding Achievement Award, and Co-Director and Founder of the Jing Institute of Advanced Massage Training, added: “I’m delighted that CNHC has achieved this accreditation. As a CNHC registered practitioner and member of CNHC’s Profession Specific Board for massage therapy I’m looking forward to continuing to support CNHC’s work in whatever way I can. I encourage all CAM practitioners concerned about regulation and standards to support the excellent work of the CNHC.” For more information about CNHC and how to register go to www.cnhc.org.uk or call 020 3178 2199

Issue 83 2014

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Kick Start your Business and Get More Clients Than Ever in 2014

by Sumita Singh

Media recently reported better than expected growth however we all know that Britons are worse off overall as prices of commodities rise and wages fall. So how in this economic climate of adversity a business is to start and survive? We therapist obviously are passionate about what we do otherwise we won’t be in this sector. Business strategy and marketing are at times left to last as therapy training courses often don’t give adequate emphasis to these important aspects of running a therapy business.

Here are some practical ideas that we give to our students during Affable Therapy Training courses so that they become not only fully qualified therapists but also confident and successful in their therapy business.

1. 80-20 Rule: First of all we need to focus on 20% of our most regular clients. As a common rule in business “80% of our sales come from 20% of our clients” (Pareto’s Principle). This means that if we keep our 20% of most regular clients happy and add extra value is the treatments we do for them then they will keep coming to us. Offering an extra 15 min extended service won’t cost us much but reminds the client that they are being appreciated and given extra attention. Finding your niche is essential. Ask your clients why they like come to you for treatments and use this information to strengthen your business.

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2. No Cost Marketing: Nothing comes for free. But at least for these ideas you don’t have to pay someone else to do it. Just use your time and client data creatively. i. Build up a spread sheet for all the birthdays of your clients and at the start of their birthday month send them a personalised email or text to offer discounted treatment as a birthday gift. If you don’t have their email addresses perhaps collect them as for the next 3 steps that what you are replying on. ii. Transfer all clients email ids to email marketing software like mailchimp. It is free and easy to use. iii. Have a social media presence and put yourself out there. It doesn’t cost anything except your time and you will be surprised how many of your new clients find you via your social media profile. If you don’t know how to do it contact your local council as they run workshops on this for businesses from time to time. iv. Develop a marketing strategy for the year and have the promotions written up ahead of time so that last week of each month you can just type them up in your email marketing software and send to clients. To market your services effectively you need to have a monthly promotional offer for existing clients and this also helps to attract new ones. Here is a 12 month plan aimed at beauty and holistic therapists: • January – DETOX: If you are a massage therapist, offer body massages with special emphasis on stomach area to

help your client increase bowel movement and detox after the excesses of the festive months. If you are a beauty therapist then you can also combine body wraps to aid weight loss and help your clients get back in shape after Christmas.

• February – LOVE: With Valentine’s day looming, why not package your communication and encourage your clients to buy gift vouchers for their loved ones in February.

• March – Mother’s Day: The seasons of love and giving continue into March with Mother’s day. 80% of our clients are women in the industry. You can promote Mother’s day packages and perhaps tie up with another therapist to offer Mums and Daughter treatment together. Frankly the shops and other retail outlet do a lot of idea promoting around the Mother’s Day. All you need to do is to tap into the market and say the best gift is a holistic or beauty treatment. We know that mums will appreciate it so this promotion will not be hard sell at all.

businesstools kick start your business

•

Date March 20 at 18:26 UTC June 21 at 12:26 UTC September 22 at 04:03 UTC December 21 at 00:22 UTC

Northern hemisphere VVernal (Spring) equinox Summer solstice Summ Autumnal equinox Au Winter solstice Wi

massages that increase metabolic rate can help our clients get back in shape and show their beautiful skin. Don’t forget Father’s day treatment to help your clients pamper their dads.

April – Easter Bunnies & Wedding: Your promotional material this month needs to reflect the spirit of Easter.

People perhaps travel for Easter Holidays.

Think about putting promotions together for travel e.g. semi-permanent lashes, semi-permanent mascara, waxing, manicure, pedicure, tanning are popular travel treatments that can being you added revenue. Also it is the start of wedding season so has some packages for brides to be.

July – School holidays: Children break for school holidays and most families are preparing to go away for the summer.

Travel treatments: tanning, skincare, pedicure, waxing, etc., are really popular in July. You promotions should focus on packaging these together so you clients not only get the best value but tell others about you thereby boosting your business.

•

May – Bank Holidays: Statistically consumers spend more in May because of the bank holidays. Clients are generally in happy mood because of holidays and also (hopefully!) onset of sunshine. Tap into this happiness by offering discount on your normal treatments and get them to book packages so that your appointment diary gets full not only for that month but weeks ahead.

•

Southern hemisphere Autumnal equinox Au Winter solstice Wi VVernal (Spring) equinox Summer solstice Summ

August / September– Training and development: This is usually a quite month of salons as clients are away.

So it is ideal time for therapist to also take some time off and recharge their batteries. It is also time to train in new techniques and therapies or doing renovation in business premises, putting staff, product and treatment strategies in place for the coming festive period.

• June – Father’s Day & Summer Packages: We official start summer from the month of June. Your offers this month need to focus on treatments for summer.

Waxing, lashes, hand and feet but also slimming treatments like mud wraps, heat

•

October – Halloween: You need to have spooktacular offers for clients in October.

Dramatic make overs, or dramatic lashes, or manicures with seasonal nail colours will be hugely popular.

•

•

November – Start of winter: With the onset of winter, heat treatments’ sell well. Why not package a slow selling treatment with something like mud wraps, hot stone massage, warm bamboo massages so that you are able to attract clients for both.

• December – Festive spirit: Lots going on for all of us in December.

You can tap into the market with treatments for the party season like makeups, body treatments like

waxing, facials, manicures, lashes and gift vouchers for friends and family. Also people get very stressed in the run up to Christmas to body massage treatments are great to offer as gift ideas. Don’t’ forget special thank you discounts for existing clients who have been so good to your business throughout the year.

Remember look after your 20% of most regular clients well and they will in keep bringing in their business to you.

It is true that clients buy when they are ready to buy not when we would like them to buy.

However, by constantly communicating with them throughout the year, when they are ready to buy they will choose to buy from you and that what we want.

Sumita Singh, Director and Principal Tutor of Affable Therapy Training Limited.

Sumita has over 18 years of experience in the industry.

She was born and brought up in India and is an expert in numerous eastern therapies. She founded Affable Therapy Training in London in 2007. The business has organically grown to a multi-faceted massage and beauty training company. She is passionate to help other therapists start, grow and succeed in the holistic therapy business.

Affable Therapy, a training company dedicated to offer affordable therapy training to learners.

W: www.affabletherapy.com T: 02083381212 / 07917147302

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Reflexology

www.aor.org.uk

magazine

Welcome…

…to the Reflexology Supplement in Massage World

I

n this issue we are examining the lifestyle pressures our digestive systems face and how reflexologists can take a multifaceted approach to clients presenting with the resulting symptoms.

In the first article, Janice Hugh, FMAR examines the impact of stress on the gut and digestion and how she tailors her reflexology treatment to work with the digestive tract. Whilst Geraldine Giles FMAR explains how meridians can help a reflexologist understand the pathway of disease more comprehensively and magnify a treatment’s benefits.

2014 marks a very special year for members (MAR) of the Association of Reflexologists (AoR) as the association celebrates its 30th anniversary. The AoR is a not for profit organisation that has been providing, advice, guidance and a wide range of benefits to professional reflexologists over the last three decades. Earning its position as the foremost, aspirational and independent professional reflexology association in the UK. Whether you are a new or a long term member, or even considering joining, we hope you can get involved at one of the planned celebrations occurring throughout 2014. For further information visit http://www.aor.org.uk

Rosemary Cole MAR Association of Reflexologists

The Association of Reflexologists and Massage World is celebrating twelve issues of previously published reflexology supplements in an easy to read compilation. It’s available as a download via the Massage World App or from www.pocketmags.com. Alternatively, you can purchase a printed and bound copy for just £5 on www.reflexology.org

Reflexology Magazine is sponsored by

Feature

The Gut and Digestion System under Stress Reflexology – a Multi-faceted Approach

By Janice Hugh, FMAR, IIHHT, Pg.Certi cate in Teaching

K

nowing where to start in the circuitous problem of gut/digestion/stress is a challenge. It’s a ‘chicken and egg’ situation; stress exacerbating gut and digestive problems versus gut problems causing stress for the individual.

Stress is personal; a stressor or trigger for one could be motivating or exhilarating for another. Stress can be felt by anyone, in any walk of life. Causes include work(1) general life(2), relationships, money concerns or new situations - the list is endless. Due to the continuing economic situation a recent Government backed report(3) highlighted the ‘intensification’ of work, greater stress and job insecurity while working harder, with almost 60% saying they work under pressure and to ever tight deadlines.

What is relevant is recognising stress, and the trigger, and effectively dealing with it. A good understanding of the effect of stress and the stages of disease can be found in ‘Reflexology, A Practical Approach’ by Vicki Pitman(4) (ISBN: 0-7487-2867-8). Briefly, the stages of stress response are; alarm phase, resistance stage and, finally exhaustion stage.

These correlate closely to the stages of disease; acute, subacute, chronic, and finally the degenerative stage.

Whatever the stress or trigger, one of the first and most common manifestations is through the digestive system – tummy butterflies, churning stomach, feeling you can’t swallow, dry mouth, diarrhoea or constipation. All can be attributed to stress; and if not addressed can develop into real health issues, e.g. stomach ulcer, IBS, impacting on longterm health and wellbeing. A digestive system and gut health compromised through stress will struggle to process food and not obtain the essential nutrients even if the client’s diet is good.

The approach with gut/digestive issues relating to stress is multi-faceted. As a reflexologist you will gain a holistic view of your client through your initial consultation form which will detail their diet, general health, diagnosed conditions, lifestyle 48

Reflexology Magazine Issue 83 2014

and work/life balance. You might suggest some changes to support good digestive health; starting the day with a glass of warm water with added fresh lemon juice to kick-start the digestive process and as a colon cleanser; introducing porridge with nuts or seeds sprinkled on top. How many people do you know that eat ‘on the hoof’ never sparing a thought for the food they are consuming let alone allowing time to digest the food? Digestion needs time, to be mindful, to be in the ‘now’, plus an appreciation of the food presented to you as a gift from nature. Chew well, and don’t upset the balance with too much caffeine and not enough exercise.

Working the digestive system as a complete unit As a reflexologist you can try working the digestive system as a complete unit, as I do with all my clients, as a matter of course.

1. The difference for the reflexologist is working the digestive system as a complete block - from mouth/teeth (where digestion starts), to the rectum, instead of working the reflexes on the right foot and then the left. It might be different from the way you were originally taught, but is both logical and effective giving you a precise picture, especially along the large colon.

2. Incorporate plenty of relaxation moves too. As you work ask your client to close their eyes, take a good deep breath exhaling through the mouth (three times).

3. Commencing with the teeth reflexes talk your way through the system; explaining where you are, e.g., down the oesophagus smoothing and calming, into the stomach worked with a gentle rotating movement of the thumbs, mimicking the action of the digestive processes. Progress

Feature

Therapist tips 1. Bring your client’s attention to their food, digestion and its effects by asking them to keep a food and effects diary. Over a week or two (a month is even better), ask them to detail food and drink, plus a column to note any adverse effects, stressors or triggers, so they are able to see if there is a pattern. It could be a particular food, a specific situation. As the digestive system can react to stress over time, a retrospective look might also provide the clues.

The Digestive System along the digestive path, working both feet simultaneously as necessary, e.g. small bowel.

4. Describe the process; ask your client to visualise nutrients filtering through the small intestine to the bloodstream and cells; waste products collected in bin bags carried away along the large colon. The client can use their words or thoughts if preferred. This will encourage an understanding of the digestive processes, promoting ‘mindfulness’ creating a positive neural pathway between the brain and relevant reflex/organ.

This method has proved very beneficial for clients and I find provides clearer overall picture of the digestive health of my clients; something for you to ‘chew over!’ © Janice Hugh, FMAR, IIHHT, Pg.Certificate in Teaching Janice runs her own CAM practice http://www.theholisticsanctuary.co.uk/ on the outskirts of Llanelli, Wales. She is a board member of the Association of Reflexologists (AoR) and a qualified teacher who is able to run workshops and give talks across Carmarthenshire. To find out more about the benefits, advice and guidance the AoR offers to professional reflexologists please visit www.aor.org.uk

2. Now, you can start to address the situation and help your client. It might be dietary advice, making time for themselves, seeking professional help for financial worries, relationship issues, stress management, counselling and always, if in any doubt referral to their GP or care-giver. It’s all part of being mindful that your body and its health, is an intricate and wonderful being, not a machine. I believe we treat our cars with more care and respect!

3. Keep a diagram of the digestive system available for your client to see - a simple line drawing is perfect; many clients have no concept of their body and what goes on ‘under the skin.’

Many are surprised at where the organs are, the size (particularly the liver), and extent of systems; if the diagram has some basic information that is helpful too.

References / Bibliography (1) http://www.ukces.org.uk/news/Press-releases/2013/May/fearat-work A climate of fear: employees face greater stress and job insecurity while working harder UK Commission of Employment and Skills: 20 May 2013.

(2.) http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/ understanding-stress.aspx (3) http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/furtheradvice/whatisstress.htm (4) ‘Reflexology, A Practical Approach’ by Vicki Pitman (ISBN: 0-7487-2867-8)

Issue 83 2014 Reflexology Magazine

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Feature

The Digestive System Reflexology, Meridians and the Five Elements

By Geraldine Giles HMAR

T

oday, digestive systems are compromised by the lifestyle choices we make, food intake, environmental issues, the chemical and hormonal aspects of stress and of course what we were born with.

Some of these things are within our control and others we learn to live with and accommodate. As we know and are taught, reflexology won’t cure; we also need to look at the cause of disease and not just the symptoms.

I often ask students to consider our bodies like a finely tuned and expensive car. We service it regularly, change the tyres when worn and have MOTs. And for those of us who remember cheap 2 star petrol, we would never consider putting that in the fuel tank – yet we fuel our digestive system with poor quality food, food that is out of season, highly processed and certainly not value for money. We should be fuelling, preparing and servicing our machine (digestive system) so it can cope and doesn’t break down – first and foremost with the use of good nutrition - one of the key things we can control and make an informed choice on.

Take a look at a client’s typical food intake. One common problem is a lack of breakfast... therefore heading for low blood sugar mid morning when typically they will then fuel up with a sugary carb fix! Then begin the highs and lows of energy rush and - through poor fuel and a struggling digestive system - we crash and burn out after a stressful day... is it any wonder our nerves become on edge and it all starts again the next day?

The end result is the quality and condition of our skin, hair and excretion (sweat, breath, faeces). In today’s world we consume so much processed food. Most processed food is dense with high levels of ‘difficult to digest’ additives.

Alterations to our food chains such as these may be seen as contributors to digestive as well as various intolerances

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Reflexology Magazine Issue 83 2014

and sensitivities, which seem to be on the increase. This is another reason to expand the consultation process and ask clients the question, “What percentage of your food intake is processed?”

Now it’s time to relate some of this back to the meridians.

We need to look at the Earth element with the spleen, pancreas and stomach meridians. Earth is our support - it provides the nourishment we need, and is central to all the elements and meridians. It is not only important that we fuel our stomach with the right food (fuel) for health and energy reasons but also because of how it affects all the other systems and functions in our bodies.

As individual therapists, we have a wealth of techniques available and never stop developing new ways of looking at our profession. I know if I hadn’t explored the Meridian route I probably wouldn’t be a reflexologist today. Meridians help a reflexologist understand the pathway of disease more comprehensively, magnifying the treatment’s benefits.

Geraldine Giles HMAR is a regular leader of seminars and webinars organised by the Association of Reflexologists. For further information on events planned for 2014 visit www.aor.org.uk.

Artwork by Ditchfield www.davidditchfield.org.uk

Huge Savings Essential Oils & Aromatherapy Supplies

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t: 01664 501110 e: info@baseformula.com

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assage for books everybody Whether you’re a holistic, sports or healthcare industry professional, a student or simply an enthusiastic amateur, Lotus Publishing offers a comprehensive array of innovative, easy to use anatomy, bodywork and health and fitness books for all experience levels and interests.

Select from titles on Anatomy, Core Stability, Fitness, Stretching, Sports Injuries, Dance, Massage, Trigger Points, Acupuncture, Acupressure and many more.

lotus p u b l i s h i n g

Visit: W W W . L O T U S P U B L I S H I N G . C O . U K to view the full range of titles or buy from www.amazon.co.uk for the most competitive prices.

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health Providing oviding a career career, not just a course

Choose Avalon For electric treatment tables, portable tables, stools & therapy accessories The Avalon MultiFlex with 2, 3 or 5 sections

2 3 5

Ideal for Massage & Complementary Therapy Wide operating height range 18� 45cm - 39� 99cm Suitable for intensive daily use Fully manufactured in the UK Lifetime guarantee Unit 10 Glenmore Business Park, Colebrook Way, Andover, Hampshire SP10 3GQ Tel: 01264 364646 Email: enquiries@avaloncouches.co.uk

Your clients deserve Avalon www.avalon-couches.co.uk 52

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classifiedsclassifiedsclassifieds BRISTOL COLLEGE of MASSAGE and BODYWORK ◆ Professional Diploma Courses in Holistic Massage ◆ Advanced Diploma Courses in Remedial & Sports Massage, Indian Head Massage, and Thai Massage ◆ Introductory Workshops every month ◆ Advanced Workshops and Massage Practice days Contact us:T: 0117 377 1201 ◆ Regular Supervision Groups E: enquiries@bristolmassage.co.uk

W: www.bristolmassage.co.uk

Accredited by the Massage Training Institute (MTI). Our courses exceed the

standards of 1 the General Council for Massage Therapy.

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FTT BEAUTY AND TRAINING CENTRE www.ftt-beautyandtraining.co.uk 01727 768559 / 07796268782 Intensive Short Courses All certified and approved by BABTAC and THE GUILD. In house training can be provided.

NVQ/VRO’s Levels 2, 3 & 4 now available.

• Manicure/Pedicure • Nail Extensions • Nail Art • Facials • Microdermabrasion • Eye Lash Extensions • Waxing • Advanced Waxing • Body Massage • Hot Stone Massage • Indian Head Massage • Thai Massage with Herbs • Hopi Ear Candles • Spray Tanning • Body Wrapping • Anatomy and Physiology • See website for more courses.

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01342 410 505 54

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courselistingscourselistingscourselistings Sports and Clinical Massage Courses and Workshops

Dates: Various dates available throughout the year.

A full range of sports & clinical massage and soft tissue therapy workshops in Manchester, London and Plymouth. We also offer sports injury and sports therapy training.

E: admin@activehealthgroup.org.uk W: www.activehealthgroup.org.uk

Mostly Massage Thai Massage, Spa & Yoga Tours with Greg Morling In our 10th year, Mostly Massage offers you the professional and personal opportunity of a lifetime, learn Thai massage, Thai reflexology, Spa techniques or Yoga in Chiang Mai on our guided tour. Call Runci on 01628 685550

Dates: 1 or 2 week group tour leaves on 19th Sept 2014 or guided single or small groups any time.

E: runci.weeden@surrealholidays.com

Abdominal-Sacral Fertility Massage (CThA Approved) 4-DAY hands-on massage course treating Fertility and Digestive issues. You will learn how to massage the uterus to improve fertility and how to massage the intestines to aid digestion and elimination

Venues:

London, Kent, Essex

Cost: £385 (see website for dates)

T: 0780 1930 403 E: emotionalrepair@aol.com W: www.abdominal-sacralmassage.com

Inspire Massage Workshops 1 and 2 Day CPD courses to expand your career and introduce you to new technique.

T: 0844 478 0477 E: info@inspiremassageworkshops.co.uk W: www.inspiremassageworkshops.co.uk

Art Riggs – Fundamentals of Deep Tissue Massage with Art Riggs Join Art Riggs for a 5-day class covering all aspects of Deep-Tissue Massage and Myofascial Release work with nuts and bolts emphasis upon broad understanding and cultivating your touch and perfecting your body mechanics.

Cost:

1 day courses from £130 2 day courses from £210

Venues: London, Edinburgh and Kent locations

Dates: 21/22/23/24/25 March 2014 Venue: London (venue TBC).

T: +44 (0) 28 9058 0764 E: workshops@anatomytrains.co.uk W: www.anatomytrains.co.uk

Diploma in Sports & Remedial Massage (Level 5) On this intensive 12-month Course you will: Revise and consolidate general massage techniques. Learn advanced soft tissue techniques. Analyse touch /connection /palpation.

Explore injury and recovery - analysis and treatment. Discover the how to massage in non-clinical settings. Investigate Posture and Core Stability. Examine Flexibility/Stretching/ Relaxation. Gain knowledge of Nutrition & Sports Psychology. And MORE.

Details: Course 1 – 26th April 2014: Loughborough; Leicestershire Course 2 – 27th September 2014: Coventry

T: 01509 551513 E: admin@ukmassagecourses.com W: www.ukmassagecourses.com

CPD 2014 Advanced Techniques - Breathing Workshop – 1 Day • (TSR) Testing Stretching Rehab Workshop – 2 Days • Introduction to MET – 1 Day • Post Graduate Chair Massage – 1 Day • Introduction to Soft Tissue Release – 1 Day

Details: Please contact us for more information

T: 01509 551513 E: admin@ukmassagecourses.com W: www.ukmassagecourses.com

A personal journey to a new future…

Based in Cirencester in the Cotswolds our professional academy offers small, personal and successful courses and workshops, in the Complementary Therapy and Sports Massage industries. Plenty more courses on our website, visit our homepage to sign up to receive up to date course information.

T: 01285885122 E: info@cotswoldacademy.co.uk W: www.cotswoldacademy.co.uk

Instrument Assisted Massage (IASTM) 3 hr Introductory Seminars and I Day Advanced Courses across the UK and Ireland.

A fast and very effective soft tissue release technique for all hands on therapists including massage, sports therapists, physiotherapists, chiropractors and more – a huge hand saver!!

“The most useful addition to my manual therapy skills since I qualified as an Osteopath”.

M: 07802 473323 E: enquiries@iamtools.co.uk W: www.iamtools.co.uk

Details: ITEC Level 3 Diploma Aromatherapy – Feb 2014 ITEC Level 3 Body Massage – commencing 24th Feb 2014 BTEC Level 4 Diploma Sports Massage – commencing 1st Feb 2014 ITEC Level 2 Beauty Diploma – 22nd Mar 2014 ITEC Level 3 Diploma Reflexology Mar 2014 Indian Head – 30th & 31st Jan 2014 Hot Stones – 3rd & 4th Feb 2014 Details: 3hr Seminars - £65 – (3hr CPD) New dates to be confirmed for 2014, please visit the website for regular updates.

1 Day Advanced Courses - £140 – (7hr CPD) Saturday 8th February 2014 – Leamington Spa, Saturday 22nd March 2014 – Cardiff, DTR Clinic Saturday 5th April 2014 – British School of Osteopathy, London Private 1-2-1 coaching available in Warwickshire £110 for 2 people (min of 2 required for this option) In-house courses delivered at your venue, please contact us for more information.

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Bristol College of Massage and Bodywork Advanced Workshops

Details:

BCMB offer a range of massage courses from introductory workshops, professional qualifications in holistic, remedial & sports, Indian head and Thai Massage, and a comprehensive range of CPD workshops.

A range of CPD workshop every month.

Professional Training courses with intakes in February and September each year.

E: enquires@bristolmassage.co.uk W: www.bristolmassage.co.uk

BODY IN HARMONY TRAINING – Organisers of the British Fascia Symposium May 10/11 2014 – www.fasciasymposium.co.uk

See website for more details

Diploma in Body Realignment • CPD courses in Fascial Unwinding Intensive training in Fascia release for physical and emotional trauma.

T: 01753 867877/07724 027 748 E: info@bodyinharmony.org.uk W: www.bodyinharmony.org.uk

Pain Management and Essential Oils Course A one day workshop exploring how aromatherapy, essential oils, some herbal products and bases can affect the way we experience and control pain. This course is invaluable for those working with people in pain as it discusses different essential oil blends and application techniques used in hospital and hospice settings. Chalice College; an IFPA accredited Penny Price Satellite School, South Yorkshire.

Date: February 22nd 2014 Venue: Chalice College, South Yorkshire, S64 0NN

T: 01709 579193 E: alix19@btinternet.com W: www.chalicecollege.co.uk

Ishta Spinal Touch® Learn a quantifiable postural assessment followed by a very gentle technique designed to bring about a lasting positive change to your clients’ posture, health and wellbeing. Easily integrated into your existing modalities. Introductory and full training for existing practitioners.

T: 01785 616409 E: mail@ishtaspinaltouch.com W: www.ishtaspinaltouch.com

Certi ed Kinesio Taping Courses Kinesio is a taping innovation cutting muscle injury recovery times and aiding lymphoedema reduction. Using a unique adhesive tape, alongside specialist applications, Kinesio provides muscle support, without affecting range of motion.

Training covers fundamental, corrective and advanced taping techniques. Endorsed by the Kinesio Taping Association, founded by Dr Kase.

T: 0191 2877008 E: training@kinesiotaping.co.uk W: www.kinesiotaping.co.uk

LaStone Hot and Cold Stone Training

Details:

Seven module course delivered over 6 months, mix of attendance and on-line learning. Midlands based. Next courses begin 1st/2nd March and 5th/6th April. Full information at: www.ishtaspinaltouch. com/PractitionerCourse.html 6 Berkeley Street, Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 8LS

Details: Jan 18th/19th – Chester Jan 23rd/24th – Nottingham Jan 25th/26th – Calne Jan 25th/26th – London Jan 30th/31st – Newcastle Upon Tyne Feb 15th/16th – Stafford Feb 22nd/23rd – Sheffield Mar 1st/2nd – Birmingham Details on website. Price £250 ex vat Cost: Courses nationwide and Onsite POA

LaStone are the original Hot and Cold Stone educators. We combine the Wisdom of the past with the Science of the future. The correct application of Hot and Cold makes it the Therapy for all Seasons.

T: 07777637343 E: lesley@lastoneuk.co.uk W: www.LaStoneuk.co.uk Meridian Professional Training in Massage – Courses for Quali ed Massage Therapists in Birmingham 1 day workshops covering Sports and Remedial techniques: Is a “No pain no gain” attitude necessary? We don’t think so! Instead we’ve developed an accredited Sports and Remedial course that acknowledges this – together with the psychological and emotional needs of the client. Working with and listening to tissue allows us greater depth and remedial benefit - the difference is palpable. Indian Head Massage Diploma FHT accredited: Learn traditional techniques with a western influence. A fabulous therapy for mobile therapists.

T: 07967 521 397 E: info@meridiancentre.co.uk W: www.lhmeridian.co.uk

School of Bodywork Professional training in the heart of the city • Currently enrolling for Post Graduate courses in Exeter • All diploma courses are APNT accredited • One of the most highly regarded professional bodies – Est.1986 by Mario Paul Cassar • Fantastic training with excellent results • 75% of our Remedial Massage Diploma students gained distinction in their exams.

“That was a fantastic diploma course! There is an equal mix of theory and practical and it is well integrated to suit your individual learning needs. Right from the start you are hands on and the encouragement and support you receive from tutors and fellow students is second to none. I feel like I have joined a community that will help me on my new found path. I would not hesitate to recommend the school and this course.”

T: 07711 656011 E: info@schoolofbodywork.com W: www.schoolofbodywork.com

Sports Massage / Soft Tissue Therapy Courses & Quali cations SPS Ltd Established 1991 • Vocational & Higher Education Courses • Anyone over 18 can apply No previous massage experience required • venues around the UK • flexible education from friendly, knowledgeable tutors • funding available

T: 029 2048 9999 E: admin@spslearn.co.uk W: www.spslearn.co.uk 56

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Details: Trigger Point Therapy Neuromuscular technique: 30th Nov, 1 Day CPD £70 Postural Analysis: 14th Dec, 1 Day CPD £70 Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) - 11th Jan 2014, 1 Day CPD £70 Soft Tissue Release - 12th January 2014, 1 Day CPD £70 Indian Head Massage Diploma FHT accredited: Starts 25th Jan, 4 days £295 Venue: Birmingham Details:

Remedial Massage Diploma: 12 days over 6 months £995 Sports Massage Diploma: 12 days over 8 months £995 Seated Acupressure Massage Diploma: 6 days £395 Indian Head Massage Diploma: 4 days over 6 weeks £295 Hands Free Techniques: Protect your body: 2 days £140 Myofascial Release Diploma: 9 days £995 Deep Tissue Massage: 2 days £195 Body Reading: 2 days £195 Energy worker Foundation: 2 days £195 Special Needs Massage: 1 day £95 FANTASTIC RANGE OF INDIVIDUAL CPD DAYS: £95

Details: Variable start dates Venues around the UK Costs from under £300

Bowen Technique A soft tissue remedial therapy which is gentle on both practitioner and client while still being powerfully effective. Add Bowen to your existing practice, offering it as an alternative to new and existing clients. Training is rigorous but fun with an emphasis on your practical skills. Download our prospectus one from the website. Join one of the many Part 1 courses on offer across the UK.

Details: Deep Tissue Massage September 7 – 8th ( £120 Early bird ) Movement and Flow September 28th ( £60 Early bird ) 3D Side Lying Massage October 6th ( £65 Early bird )

T: 01373 461812 E: info@thebowentechnique.com W: www.thebowentechnique.com

BSc (Hons) Sport Therapy 3 year programme and top-up route available (Accredited by the STO)

Cost: please visit www.marjon.ac.uk

Our facilities include a state-of-the-art injury clinic, sport science laboratory and teaching rooms. Request your prospectus from our website.

T: 01752 636890 E: admissions@marjon.ac.uk W: www.marjon.ac.uk

BSc (Hons) Rehabilitation in Sport and Exercise (Accredited by BASRaT)

Cost: please visit www.marjon.ac.uk

Our facilities include a state-of-the-art injury clinic, sport science laboratory and teaching rooms. Request your prospectus from our website.

T: 01752 636890 E: admissions@marjon.ac.uk W: www.marjon.ac.uk

Diploma Practitioner Training in Hawaiian Massage

Cost: See website for details

Rosalie Samet, the UK’s leading Master Practitioner Trainer of the Hawaiian Massage UK Training Centre. A beautiful dance, Hawaiian Massage is a joyful fusion of Aloha love and ancient wisdom from Hawaii combining long flowing strokes of Lomi Lomi with the profound spiritual ceremony of Kahuna Bodywork. Also One Day Introductory Workshops available. Accredited by the APNT.

T: 01273 730508 E: info@hawaiianmassage.co.uk W: www.huna-massage.com

Infant Massage Teacher Training

Cost: See website for details

5 day comprehensive training. Accredited by the Guild of Infant and ChildMassage. Exemplary training with excellent resources giving students confidence to run classes with individual parents or groups. Simple, effective massage techniques and research-based theory.

T: 01889 566222 E: info@touchlearn.co.uk W: www.touchlearn.co.uk

Axiom Wax Academy: Discover the Art of Waxing

Dates: see website for 2014 class dates

From bushy brows to hairy toes and everything in-between… Add a new revenue stream to your business with the UK’s most complete training programme for aspiring waxperts.

Accredited, trusted and proven techniques for a successful hair removal career.

Venue: London, Basingstoke & Wolverhampton

Cost: from £250

T: 0845 680 2467 W: www.axiomwaxacademy.co.uk

Base Formula Training Academy Fully accredited vocational and CPD courses in beauty and holistic therapies. Wide range of massage courses available to extend your knowledge and treatment portfolio. Expert tuition. Small group sizes. Centrally located in the East Midlands.

E: courses@baseformula.com W: www.baseformula.com

Bowtech A highly effective, yet gentle therapy which taps into the body’s innate healing ability.

Enjoy a full training which will give you astounding results yet with minimal physical effort. Take this opportunity to do something genuinely fulfilling. See course start dates. For info or download a prospectus for our Basic Course.

Details:

1 day Lomi Lomi Massage: 6 Jan or 10 March 1 day Bamboo Massage: 8 Jan or 5 March 1 day Cupping: 13 Jan or 17 March 1 day Herbal Compress Massage: 29 Jan or 3 March 1 day Hands Free Massage: 12 Feb or 19 March 2 day VTCT Diploma Indian Head Massage: 17-18 Feb & 13-14 March 1 day Indonesian Massage: 19 Feb or 12 March 2 day VTCT Stone Therapy: 20-21 Feb or 6-7 March

Details: Sherborne: 18th & 19th January 2014 Module 9 & 10: Sheffield: 22nd & 23rd March 2014

T: 0800 433 2885 E: bowentrainingukof ce@ntlworld.com W: www.bowentraining.co.uk W: www.bowen-technique.co.uk

Academy of On Site Massage The only City & Guilds accredited Seated Acupressure (On Site) Massage • Diploma • CThA accredited • Small classes (max 6 students to 1 Tutor) allowing individual attention from highly qualified and expert Tutors • Learn the basic routine, additional techniques, how to adapt your massage, looking after your own posture, cautions & contra indications, marketing your massage and much more • Advanced Skills • Massage Tools

Details:

Sheffield 25/26 Jan (Level 1) and 15/16 Feb (Level 2) London 1/2 Feb (Level 1) and 22/23 Feb (Level 2) Abingdon 02/03 Mar (Level1) and 23/24 Mar (Level 2)

T: 0118 927 2750 E: info@aosm.co.uk W: www.aosm.co.uk

Joint Manipulation & Mobilisation Technique Masterclasses with Osteopath and Senior Lecturer David Lintonbon DO Each course occupies a full day, with a one-hour lecture and six hours of practical application, carrying a credit for 7 hours CPD. The fee for each day is £140 per person, which includes practical hand outs.

T: 07958 488 784: E: dlintonbon@hotmail.com W:www.theartofhvt.com

Details:

Management of the Sporting Elbow and Wrist, inc RSI of the upper extremity: Sun 7th Jul ‘13| Reflexology & Gentle Manipulative Techniques of the Foot: Sunday 30 Jun ‘13 Management of Asthma: unlocking the thoracic cage, and how to improve the breath of life: Sun 4th Aug ‘13 Management of Low Back Pain and Associated Dysfunction: Sunday 8th Sep ‘13

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Thai Massage Sussex Workshops & Accredited Diploma Courses

Cost: See website for more information

Just returned from Thailand – experienced Teacher now in UK

T: 07861 248294 E: relax@mail2heal.com W: www.thaimassagesussex.com

Medical Acupuncture 2 Day Course

Dates: Dates available throughout the year

OMT Training will introduce the participants of OMT Medical Acupuncture into the theoretical and practical principals of using Acupuncture techniques within a clinical setting for the treatment of a number of musculoskeletal conditions. Advanced Acupuncture course also available.

Venue: Osteopathic Association, 8-10 Boston Place, Marylebone London, NW1 6QH

Cost: £250

T: 0207 043 6025 W: www.omttraining.co.uk

The EMMETT Technique The EMMETT Technique is a muscle release therapy that uses gentle finger pressure to create often instant changes to pain and restrictions. The EMM-Tech Short course is an 8 hour introductory course. The EMMETT Technique Practitioner course is longer and more suitable for health therapists and sports / exercise specialists.

T: 07908 117 955 E: info@emmett-uk.com W: www.emmett-uk.com

FTT Beauty and Training Centre

Details: 1 & 2 Feb 2014 Dublin; 15 & 16 Feb 2014 New Malden; 22 & 23 March 2014 Hexham; 12 & 13 May 2014 Reading EMM-Tech Short courses are offered regularly throughout the year. www.emmett-uk.com for dates and locations. For other enquiries info@emmett-uk.com Details: Call office for full details on dates and times

Well established training centre since 2000, Warm and friendly environment based in Hertfordshire.

Close to the M25 and M1. Accredited Diploma Courses and NVQ’s in Beauty and Holistic. Small groups (Max. 4) allowing more personal attention to the individuals. Courses are tailored to meet individual needs, suitable for beginners and qualified therapists.

T: 01727 768559 /07796268782 E: enquiry@ftt-beautyandtraining.co.uk W: www.fttbeautyandtraining.co.uk

The Massage & Beauty Academy (CHESHIRE) Taster Courses, VTCT Diplomas & CPD Workshops (FHT, IPTI, Embody): A&P, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, MASSAGE: Indian Head , Body, SPORTS L4, Infant, Pregnancy, Lymphatic Drainage, Hot Stone, Deep Tissue, Cupping, Indonesian, Balinese, Ayurvedic, Japanese Tsuboki & Hopi Ear Candling. Class sizes max. 8 people. All courses certified & recognised for full practitioner insurance.

Details: Dates available throughout the year, courses run every 8 weeks. All courses run in weekday & weekend (10.30am – 5pm) and evening modes (6pm – 9pm).

Location: Stockport nr Manchester. Easy parking on–site, few minutes from train station.

E: enquiries@orchidindulgence.com W: www.orchidindulgence.com

VTCT accredited Sports & Complementary Therapies training courses.

Fast track training courses in massage based therapies. Small classes – maximum 4 students –to ensure personalised attention. Combination of training days & supported home study. All tutors are experienced working therapists. Many workshops also available. 10% discount off training fee- quote MW3

Details: Courses on-going throughout the year. See website for more details.

Venue: Lostock Hall, Lancashire

T: 07796 297071 E: info@prestontherapycentre.co.uk W: www.prestontherapycentre.co.uk

Fascial Movement Taping The next step in the evolution of kinesiology taping. ROCKTAPE UK continues its commitment to deliver the highest quality kinesiology taping seminars in the UK. We have collaborated with professionals from around the globe to bring you the very best taping applications.

T: 01206 615464 W: www.ROCKTAPE.net Twitter@rocktapeuk

The Middlesex School of Complementary Medicine in London The Middlesex School of Complementary Medicine in London, UK offers the most comprehensive professional training available today. Since its foundation in 1992, MSCM has grown from strength to strength, becoming a recognised centre of excellence within the field of Complementary Therapies.

Details: Tiverton seminar Sat & Sun 25th & 26th January 2014 (FMT1&2) Essex seminar Sat & Sun 1st & 2nd February (FMT 1& 2) Preston uclan seminar Sat 1st february (FMT1) Aberdeen seminar Sat 1st february (FMT1) Peterborough seminar Sat & Sun 8th & 9th Feb (FMT 1&2) York seminar Sun 16th february (FMT1) London (bupa) seminar Sat 22nd february 1 day (FMT1) London seminar Sat & Sun 8th & 9th march (FMT1&2) Worcester seminar Sat & Sun march 15th & 16th (FMT 1&2) Sussex seminar sat 22nd (FMT1) open inservice Bristol seminar Sat & Sun 22nd & 23rd march (FMT 1&2) Derby seminar Sat & Sun 29th & 30th march (FMT 1&2) open inservice

Details: Visit our website www.mscm.co.uk for full details of our selection courses

W: www.mscm.co.uk

Really Useful Massage – CPD workshops with Katie Whitehouse Practical, enjoyable and immediately applicable CPD workshops led by experienced therapist and facilitator Katie Whitehouse, founder of Vital Touch and passional believer in the value of positive touch. APNT accredited.

W: www.reallyusefulmassage.bigcartel.com E: kt@ktwhitehouse.co.uk 58

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Details: Stretching The Boundaries: Massage in Pregnancy 2 day workshops Spring & Autumn 2014

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND YOUR BUSINESSES

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£4m/£6m Medical Malpractice £4m/£6m Professional Indemnity £4m/£6m Public & Products Liability £4m/£6m Liability for any one claim with an unlimited number of claims per year plus unlimited legal defence costs in addition » Taxation and Legal Package...& more

Balens are a 4th generation, ethical family business providing exclusive insurance schemes in the UK, Southern Ireland and Europe. Business Contents, Income Protection and Clinic packages also available. Balens are a one stop shop for all Insurance and Financial Service needs.

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Telephone: 01684 893 006

Web: www.balens.co.uk Email: info@balens.co.uk Balens Ltd, 2, Nimrod House, Sandy’s Road, Malvern, WR14 1JJ are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

Caring for the carers

a weekend of learning FHT Annual Training Congress 19th and 20th July 2014

East Midlands Conference Centre, University of Nottingham Campus NG7 2RJ • Learn from industry expert speakers • Enjoy exhibition discounts • Drop-in for advice on membership, insurance, business and online • Attend a FREE yoga session • Stay at the brand new, eco-friendly Orchard Hotel - just next door.

Expert speakers include: John Brazier, Julie Duffy, Maggie Evans, Liz Hawkins, Jing Institute, Jane Johnson, Sally Kay and Peter Mackereth.

BOOK NOW at fht.org.uk/2014