essentialsforhealth.co.uk

We are offering a free opportunity for you to try out some sports massage techniques, with Course Director Alan Rowe, to see if a career in sports massage is for you.

Date; Sunday 15th November

Time: 11am-1pm

Venue: St Thomas Hospital, Waterloo

Fee: Free but you must book as places are limited.

Our office are open from 9am – 5.30pm, so please call to book on 0203 0512110.

Noreen Carr past graduate of Essentials for Health (EfH)

Qualified in Holistic Massage

Qualification/s attained: ITEC & BTEC

I have recently completed the Holistic Massage training course which I thoroughly enjoyed.  The standard of teaching was exceptionally high.  I found the learning to be both enjoyable and fun.

Reflecting on my first case studies I worked with a disabled client who was born with Spina Bifida. The client suffers from chronic back ache, amongst many other complications and the pain relief that she got from massage was immeasurable to her.  After a couple of massage treatments I gained her trust and she allowed me to massage her feet, which were initially a ‘no-go’ area due to heightened sensitivity (she now looks forward to having her feet massaged). 

 This same client has a 7 year old daughter with Downs Syndrome. The client suffered from anxiety and occasional depression, but whilst receiving regular massage treatment her confidence and positive attitude grew and although she still felt anxious at times, she never felt depressed. 

At the time, being a trainee therapist and having limited experience, her response to massage surpassed any expectation that I ever had about the benefits of massage. 

 

Edel Casey past graduate of Essentials for Health (EfH)

Qualified in Holistic Massage and Sports Massage

Qualification/s attained: ITEC & BTEC

Since qualifying in Sports Massage from EfH I have worked as a Sports Massage Therapist at Richmond Physiotherapy since May 2008. 

During my massage experience a client story comes to mind.

“A young teacher came to see me with chronic neck and back pain as a result of a car accident 2 years ago. The pain seemed to be non-specific and difficult to pin down. The pain was constant and debilitating. Specialists kept dismissing her when x-rays came back clear. She left each time with hands full of painkillers and no solutions. She was becoming reclusive and depressed. She could not go on day trips with her boyfriend, wear belts, heels or handbags or have anyone touch her back.”

“It just took me 3 half hour sessions to notice a change in her. My client indicated that this was a life changing experience for her. She felt at least 2 inches taller after the first session!”

“I performed some deep tissue techniques and stretches on the muscles of her neck and back, all the time talking to her and reassuring her. After session 1 she was back in the heels. Now she can go out on day trips and even on whole weekends! She has even bought herself some fancy belts to wear with some nice new dresses. The pain is sometimes there but it is becoming more and more infrequent. Prescription painkillers have been ditched for the very odd neurofen. She is feeling better and better each day!”

Annabelle Platon past graduate of Essentials for Health (EfH)

Qualified in Sports Massage & Sports Treatments

Qualification/s attained: BTEC

Thanks to the excellent training I received at EfH I have had a successful client base with repeat business.

There are two really memorable cases which come to mind. One was a keen climber with a medial collateral ligament sprain grade 2. Through the treatment I was providing as well as physiotherapy, the client was able to return to climbing.

Another client was a 45yr old man experiencing lower back stiffness as a result of post surgery. Since working with him, he is feeling more flexible & enjoying a new lease of life.

The majority of my clients I have worked with experience neck or shoulder pains and it is always satisfying to provide relief.

Since being qualified as a Sports Massage Therapist I have worked in various places. These include Reflexions, working within two of their branches and at The Queen Mothers Centre.

Anita Harrison past graduate of Essentials for Health

Qualified in Holistic Massage Practice & Sports Massage

Qualification/s attained: ITEC in Holistic Massage & ITEC in Sports Massage

“I’ve successfully made the move from having a good but stressful career as an Executive Personal Assistant to being a Sports Massage Therapist.  I have varied experience working in clinics within gyms, I’ve also worked for ‘massage’ companies as well as working for myself.”

Since practicing massage I have had several clients presenting me with various cases, however there were two stories which come to mind…

“Client with postural issues (teacher of 6-7 year olds who has to bend a lot as part of her job) has been having physiotherapist treatment once a week since October 2008 for neck and shoulder pain which had been so bad she couldn’t sleep.  Following a 20 minute physiotherapist treatment she gets one night’s good sleep, however after having started treatments with me in May she finds the effects of my treatments much longer lasting so has reduced the physiotherapist sessions to one every 4-6 weeks and increased coming to me to every 7-10 days.”

“Client with ‘over mobile’ joints came to me when her surgeon said she should give up exercise (she was successfully taking part regularly in triathlon events) and that he wanted to operate on her.  She said she would rather continue her exercise and seek regular Sports Massage treatments when she came to me.  After 6 months, her surgeon is now happy with her condition and no longer wants to operate.”

Annabelle Platon past graduate of Essentials for Health (EfH)

Qualified in Sports Massage & Sports Treatments

Attained BTEC qualification

“Thanks to the excellent training I received at EfH, I have had many positive results which have meant a very successful returning client base. Amongst my most memorable cases there was a keen climber with a medial collateral ligament sprain grade 2 which alongside physiotherapy was able to return to climbing.  Another case was a 45yr old man experiencing post surgery lower back stiffness is now fully flexible and enjoying a new lease of life. I regularly work with clients experiencing neck and/or shoulder problems and it is always satisfying to resolve their issues.”

 ”EfH has helped me change my life and I now have a promising career. I have found both confidence and gratification in my work and this increases daily.”

Albert Dungate; past graduate of Essentials for Health (EfH)

Qualified in the Fast Track Diploma in Holistic Massage

Attained BTEC qualification

“I completed my BTEC in Holistic Massage with EfH and I found the vibe of the teachers to be empathetic, enthusiastic and infectious even!  Subsequent feedback from clients and professional therapists confirmed the quality and variety of the techniques that were taught to me.”

“My masseuse was impressed with my range of techniques and even said she would include some of them in her own massage practice. One of my case studies has successfully been weaned off her stilettos and her calves are much improved to date.  She has offered to arrange a “massage party” as a result!

I successfully referred one of my first case studies who suffered from Churg-Strauss syndrome to try acupuncture and she has reported some progress in this respect with her nerve sensations in her leg. I helped another club runner training for the London marathon to continue with his training after several calf pulls.  I am especially pleased with this since I explained that I am not a qualified sports massage therapist but nonetheless he trusted me.  The results were most satisfying for both of us.”

We hope this finds you keeping warm and gearing up for the holiday season!

We have been very busy at Essentials for Health HQ.

We had a great time at CAMexpo, welcoming old friends and new to our stand. We had staff and students on hand to answer people’s questions about our massage courses as well as to introduce our new Anatomy and Physiology virtual classroom (VTCT level 3 diploma).

We are very excited to introduce our virtual classroom! You can access a free trial on our website here;

www.essentialsforhealth.co.uk/courses/distance_learning.php

The anatomy and physiology virtual classroom is an online film based anatomy and physiology training package. It consists of 12 hours of activity based films for you to follow with activity sheets, interactive quizzes with drag and drop exercises, self assessments to measure your progress and teleconferencing support with tutors and other students.

The package is fun, inspirational and designed to be available for you to refer to once qualified. It has all the benefits of distance learning with regards flexibility including:

• Checking your progress with online interactive quizzes and progress reports
• Being able to watch again and again
• Completing at your own pace
• Having 24 hour access

****See the website for our special introductory price!!!

If you are considering a career in complementary health then an Anatomy and Physiology qualification is essential. We have designed this course with you in mind as you can study at your own pace and in a style that suits you. We are also talking to other education providers as the virtual classroom can also be used by other schools for an affiliates commission- if this is you, then give us a call!

Please get in touch and tell us what you think!

We wish you all a happy holiday season and look forward to hearing from you/learning with you in 2009!

Everyone at Essentials for Health

Hello all

We hope that this finds you all keeping warm, dry and happy in this wet, miserable weather!!

We are taking a break from our looking after yourself series to pass on our news.

We have been very busy moving to our lovely new offices-and after a few BT related teething troubles we are back to work in full effect!

The finishing touches are being applied to our new distance learning anatomy and physiology course.

We are going to be launching the distance learning anatomy and physiology course at Camexpo, at Earls Court the weekend of 25th & 26th October. We will also be on hand to answer questions about our courses and to explain business opportunities with us including our affiliate programme and school franchising opportunities. We would love for you to come and pay us a visit at camexpo where we will be on stand 1837 (-:

We hope that this blog finds you happy and healthy in spite of the unseasonable grey weather that we are suffering!

In our next few blogs, we are going to look at practising self care.

The need for self care

As therapists, as with others in the caring professions, we are often guilty of putting the needs of our clients above our own. We may find it hard to say no to that last minute booking or networking event, we may not take time to eat sensibly or our body may be telling us it is tired but we are too tired to listen to it!

It is essential that we ‘practice what we preach’ as therapists. We would certainly not advocate that our clients neglect themselves to the point they are worn out, would we? Through taking control of our own health and wellbeing we are better equipped to serve our clients and to lead by example. We also ensure a long and happy therapy career for ourselves!

How to practice self care

Over the next few blogs we are going to explore different strategies for keeping ourselves in tip top condition!

Today we are going to start with keeping our bodies in optimum nutrition. Working as a therapist, our work operates on mental, emotional and physical levels. A healthy balanced diet ensures that you have all the energy, vitamins and minerals you need to perform on all of these levels.

Diet rules

· Only eat when you are hungry

· Stop eating when you are full

· Do not eat while doing anything else

· Enjoy every mouthful

· Eat a little of what you like, not the whole lot

· Have a glass of water with your meal

· Never eat late at night- eat no less than two hours before you retire

· Always have breakfast

· Do not diet, just re-evaluate what you already eat

The five food groups are:

Bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, noodles and breakfast cereals

These foods are complex carbohydrates, which provide the energy you need for activity and bodily functions. They are also a good source of fibre and rich in B complex vitamins. Unprocessed, wholegrain varieties are best.

The Government recommends that 50% of our dietary calories come from these sources.

Fruit and vegetables

All frozen, fresh and canned fruit and vegetables and salad vegetables are included. This food group is a good source of vitamins and minerals as well as fibre, is naturally low in fat and calories. Fibre adds bulk to the diet your helps to improve the working of your digestive system.

The Government recommends at least five fruit and vegetable portions a day – one piece of fruit, a glass of fruit juice and two tablespoons of vegetable.

Milk and dairy products

Cheese, yoghurt and milk are all included in this food group. They are a rich source of calcium (for strong teeth and bones) and protein, but because of their high saturated fat content you should chose reduced fat versions.

The Government recommends that we have 700mg of calcium a day. This is equivalent to a pint of milk, two small pots of yoghurt or 80g of hard cheese.

Meat, fish and alternatives

This food group is an important source of protein- our building blocks-as well as iron and vitamin B12. When eating red meat, choose the leaner cuts and cut off excess fat. Try to eat two portions of fish a week, preferably the oily fish such as mackerel and kippers, as these are high in omega fatty acids essential for a healthy heart. Lentils, nuts, peas and beans are also in this group.

Health professionals recommend that 10-15% of energy in our diet should come from proteins.

Fats and sugars

Fats are essential for proper nerve function, but these should be in polyunsaturated or monounsaturated form, such as sunflower or olive oil. Sugars are an immediate source of energy, but are concentrated and effect weight control. Take all these forms of fat and sugar in moderation- butter, margarine, cream, ice-cream, low-fat spreads, cooking oils, mayonnaise, salad dressings, cakes, pies, biscuits, chocolate, sugary drinks, sweets, pastry foods and crisps.

The government recommend that we eat 2-3 portions of sweet and fatty food a day.

Drinks

As we are mostly made up of water, it is important to maintain our fluid balance, as even mild dehydration can effect your body functions and how you feel.

The government recommends that we drink two litres of water a day, and health professionals recommend that we drink no more than 2-3 caffeinated drinks a day.

Happy eating, until next time!