As an enduring fruit of the seminar SPICA will be publishing the Seminar Booklet, Aromatherapy - Treat or Treatment? with contributions from 20 international authors across the spectrum of aromatherapy from Holistic skincare to Clinical Aromatherapy in hospitals and hospices.
The Contributors to the Spring 2012 Seminar Booklet include Andrea Butje LMT (Aromachemistry) Sue Jenkins MIFPA (Essential oil safety) Christine Courtney MIFPA (Therapeutic Massage), Madelaine Knapp Hayes MIFPA (Palliative care and Co2 extracts). Jan Benham MIFPA (Holistic skincare with essential oils) Joon Wong (beauty uses of essential oils in Asia), Qian Yang MIFA (Healing with essential oils in China), Julie Foster MIFA (aromatherapy education in China) Saloni Malhotra (Healing with complementary therapies) Denise Tiran (Aromatherapy in midwifery) Essential oils profiles from leading aromatherapists. Free! if you book the Robert Tisserand Weekend Seminar May 12.13 London UK before 31st February 2012.
Aromatherapy facts
If you are interesting in learning more about aromatherapy training the Aromatherapy Council core curriculum is set out below
Aromatherapy training standards
Anatomy and Physiology and Holistic Massage are basic building blocks in your progress towards becoming a professional aromatherapist.
Holistic Massage
Perhaps the oldest of the healing arts, massage is in its many forms essential to total good health. A highly-trained experienced therapist with a thorough knowledge of anatomy and physiology and sensitivity of touch can improve and even correct any of the following conditions:
• back pain • neck and shoulder tension • arthritis • rheumatism • neuralgia • mental and physical fatigue • stress • removing waste products that accumulate in muscles after sport • calf cramps and other muscle spasms • improving muscle tone • rehabilitating stroke patients • reducing the healing time of fractures, breaks, dislocations, sprains and strains; chest pain • improving circulation • breaking and preventing adhesions to affect greater mobility • improving the function of internal organs; digestion • lymphatic system • nasal conditions and sinusitis • bronchial problems • all types of headaches and migraine • pre-menstrual tension and menopausal problems • wrinkles and rejuvenation • reducing body fluid.
The ITEC Level 3 Holistic massage includes full body massage, anatomy and physiology and professional studies.
The Course
This is a 3-module course
Anatomy and Physiology
Anatomy and Physiology is the foundation for all other complementary therapies. It is comprised of several units to cover all the systems of the body. The course covers the body structures and how things work as well as diseases and disorders allowing therapists to work safely and competently.
- Muscular System
- Skeletal System
- Neurological System
- Digestive System
- Vascular System
- Respiratory System
- Urinary System
- Lymphatic System
- Endocrine System
- Cells and tissues
- Skin
- Reproductive System
During the course students are expected to produce a folder of anatomy and physiology coursework, which will be inspected by the principal and the examiner.
Massage
Massage prepares the therapist to treat clients to a relaxing and stress releasing massage. You will learn a full body treatment that you can adapt to client needs. Again this is a foundation to lead on to any of the other complementary therapies.
Massage Theory
- Muscular System.
- The importance of the holistic approach.
- The history and development of classical Swedish massage.
- The benefits of massage.
- Consultation procedures including thorough medical history, general lifestyle and home care advice.
- Hygiene procedures.
- The contraindications to massage - total, local and conditions requiring G.P or specialist permission.
- Client care.
- The classical massage movements and their physiological effects and psychological effects.
- A brief study of other complementary therapies.
- How to deal with First Aid Emergencies in the clinic. A FIRST AID CERTIFICATE WILL BE ISSUED
Massage Practical
Students will be taught to perform the classical massage movements.
All areas of the body including the face will be thoroughly covered and students will demonstrate their ability to adapt the massage according to the client's needs and to identify areas requiring attention.
Students will practice on each other or on patients under close supervision.
Numbers are strictly limited so that no more than 6 students will be carrying out a treatment at one time.
Whilst working students will demonstrate appropriate client care, correct hygiene procedures and demonstrate that they are able to recognise any contraindications to massage.
They will be able to understand and explain the structures that they are working over.
Massage Case Studies
Students will treat 5 clients 4 times each and record all outcomes.
Professionalism and Business Awareness
Professionalism and Business Awareness prepares the new therapist for working in industry. It covers legislation relating to good practice, building customer relations and developing a business in the field of complementary healthcare.
The study will include the importance of professionalism and why it is necessary to build up a rapport with the medical profession and other therapists. Students will be instructed on how to set up and operate a clinic/private practice.
They will understand the laws involved with setting up a practice, acts and their relevance to a clinic situation, the accounting systems required and the main forms of advertising.
Students will have knowledge of how to plan the interior of their own treatment room.
Students are expected to complete assignments as part of the course as well as home study and revision.
Anatomy and Physiology
A one hour theory paper
Massage theory
A one hour theory paper
Professionalism and business awareness
A one hour theory paper
Practical
Students will perform a full body massage demonstrating the appropriate classical massage movements. Pressure must be adapted to suit the client, area and movement.
Client care, hygiene, appearance and posture of the therapist will be assessed.
AROMATHERAPY
Aromatherapy is an ancient therapeutic treatment in evidence thousands of years ago when aromatics were a part of Egyptian daily life. It is an holistic therapy involving the use of essential oils in treatments in order to attain a high degree of physical, mental and spiritual health equilibrium. It is not merely concerned with correcting deficiencies but also with the prevention of disease and the promotion of health.
Essential oils are the 'life force' of plants and their healing powers are used to rejuvenate and regenerate the human body, to relieve the stress of modern living and to enhance well-being. Research has revealed that essential oils penetrate the skin via extracellular liquids reach the blood and lymph, which then transports them to the internal organs. Certain oils soothe and calm relieving stress or nervous related disorders, whereas others stimulate and uplift the mind and body. Some oils aid circulation, others are capable of rejuvenating the skin and others are used to affect the functions of the body such as digestion and menstruation. The general physiological and psychological condition of the person improves, rendering it less vulnerable to illness.
THEORY
HISTORICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL ASPECTS
- Definition and philosophy of holistic aromatherapy
- History and development of aromatherapy from its roots to its emergence as a 20th century system of natural medicine.
SCIENCE AND SAFETY
- Taxonomic classification of aromatic plants
- Basic plant structure and functions
- Essential oil chemistry to include major families of essential oil components
- Safety issues relating to chemical composition
- Essential oil safety
ESSENTIAL OIL PRODUCTION AND QUALITY
- Methods of extraction
- Criteria for essential oil identification
- Methods of essential oil analysis
- Safe handling, storage, bottling and labeling of oils
- Carrier oils to include: almond (sweet), apricot kernel, avocado, borage, coconut, evening primrose, hazelnut, jojoba, kukui, macadamia nut, neem, olive, peach kernel, rose hip, safflower, sesame seed, sunflower seed, tamanu, walnut and wheatgerm
- Herbal oils to include: arnica, calendula, carrot, comfrey, devils claw, echinacea and hypericum
METHODS OF APPLICATION AND BLENDING
- The routes through which essential oils are absorbed by the body
- The ways in which essential oils may be used therapeutically
- Blending essential oils with various media
- Accurate dilution of essential oils
INDIVIDUAL ESSENTIAL OILS
- 50 essential oils will be studied in depth during the course: basil, chamomiles, cypress, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, lemongrass, mandarin, neroli, peppermint, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, thyme, ylang ylang, benzoin, bergamot, black pepper, cajeput, clary sage, fennel, frankincense, ginger, jasmine, juniper, lemon, lime, marjoram, myrrh, patchouli, tea tree, vetivert, cedarwood, grapefruit, melissa, palmarosa, petitgrain, rosewood, sage, yarrow, angelica, cardamom, cinnamon leaf, citronella, coriander seed, hyssop, myrtle, niaouli, pine and ravensara
AROMATHERAPY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
- The skills required for the safe and effective in clinical practice of aromatherapy will be developed
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
- Understanding the ethics and business requirements for the practice of aromatherapy
PROFESSIONAL SELF DEVELOPMENT
- Understanding the key elements of continuing professional development and research
- Conducting an appropriate consultation
- Selection and blending of essential oils and base oils so that the prescription relates absolutely to the individual in order to benefit the client on all levels. Physical, mental and spiritual aspects of the client are considered.
- Aromatherapy massage. The student is expected to develop a wide variety of techniques and to apply them to the needs of the individual. The student will have knowledge of lymph drainage techniques, spinal pressure points and facial pressure points amongst other techniques. The emphasis is placed upon tailoring the treatment to the individual.
- Providing suitable aftercare, advice and home treatments
Students are expected to produce 10-12 thorough case histories which have included a minimum of 60 treatments. These must be well presented and of a high standard.
1. The THEORY examination will consist of a three hour theory paper.
2. The PRACTICAL examination will require demonstration of a treatment designed to suit the needs of the individual. Oral questions will also be asked. It will include the taking of a case history and the recommendation of home treatments, where appropriate.
3. The CASE STUDIES - each component part of the assessment will receive EQUAL WEIGHTING.
