Courses for Massage Therapists

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The core training for massage therapists wishing to specialise in pregnancy massage is the four-day Diploma. This is regularly held in various locations in the UK (London, Bristol) and Ireland (Dublin) but can be offered on demand anywhere in the world. Individual organisations and corporations can arrange for the course to be taught in-house.

A one-day introduction is also available for those who do not wish to specialise immediately.

Once the course has been completed, further training is offered in post-natal massage, massage for labour and shiatsu for infants.

Once the course has been completed, ongoing support is provided through individual supervision, CPD and a message board (this is not a public forum).

All courses are available in the UK and worldwide, depending on demand.

Course booking information.

On this page:

For more information, you can read a review of the post-natal course by Lizzie Ruffell (massage therapist), some relevant articles, and "Pregnancy and Childbirth. A Holistic Approach to Massage and Bodywork", a new book by Suzanne Yates.

Quotes from participants of diploma course

"Suzanne's depth of knowledge made the class enjoyable and fascinating and a complete and opening experience"

"I've learnt so much from your expertise and phenomenal knowledge I never thought possible.. you have a refreshing view and support in this field which made your teachings a joy"

"..the joy I feel about being able to work with pregnant women in a supportive, confident and holistic way"

Diploma Course for Massage Therapists - four days

Accreditation

UK - APNT Diploma - Embody approved (30 CPD points)
Ireland - IMTA
US - NCBTMB
 Canada - OMTA (Ontario, Canada)
 Australia - (AMTA)

Shiatsu, massage and touch are powerful tools in supporting women to contact the wisdom of their bodies in pregnancy and birth and for parents to bond early with their developing child. This course enables you to become familiar with their use both in practical ways and in understanding a different approach to birth which can enhance your practice. There will be time to explore your own attitudes, as well as developing your touch sensitivity skills. You will learn to work in an holistic way, combining Eastern and Western philosophies and supporting your own personal growth.

This course is for those who would really like to specialise in pregnancy work and be able to work confidently during all three trimesters, during labour and into the postnatal period, as well as being able to work with the "higher risk" client (eg clients suffering from pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes etc). It covers detailed techniques and approaches for all areas of the body, especially focusing on the back and the abdomen. It includes some energy approaches as well as more traditional Swedish approaches and lymphatic work. On the last day of the course there is a practical assessment where students work for one and half hours with a pregnant woman. Afterwards there is a 6 month period of consolidation of the course through case study and project work. After receiving the diploma students can feel confident that they have one of the most rigorous pregnancy massage qualifications in the world. They can still continue to develop their work through Continuing education days and other courses which Well mother runs through the year.

Aims

1. To provide an in-depth understanding of techniques and positions for massage in pregnancy, birth and postnatally

  • Knowledge of different positions for different stages of pregnancy, including using floor or chair.
  • Awareness of back and abdominal care for mother, including positions and techniques to avoid.
  • Knowledge of energy work and shiatsu techniques and specific points.
  • Techniques for labour, including involvement of partner, and ability to teach massage to partner.
  • Knowledge of massage for the postnatal period.

2. To provide an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, particularly in relation to massage and exercise

  • Physiological and pathological conditions
  • Which conditions are amenable to treatment with massage and which need to be referred on and to whom; including both orthodox health professionals and complementary practitioners.
  • Effects of hormonal changes on ligaments and joints.
  • Understanding of function of and implications for exercise and massage of abdominal muscles, pelvic floor/perineum, spine.
  • Understanding changes in the cardiovascular system; respiratory system.
  • Understanding of development of foetus, including different fetal presentations, how these occur and can be changed and how this affects labour.
  • Understanding of the changes in the postnatal period.

3. Working towards an holistic model of pregnancy and birth and the postpartum period

  • Viewing pregnancy as a healthy expression of the journey into motherhood.
  • Introduction to some Eastern models of pregnancy.
  • Practical ideas and suggestions to support the work of the massage session e.g. simple exercises, breathing, massage for mother and partner to do for themselves.
  • Awareness of the baby during the massage.
  • Encouraging development of the mother's and father's relationship with the baby and confidence in their own bodies wisdom.
  • Role of diet and other complementary therapies.

4. To provide practical tools for self-development and for supporting massage therapists work in this period

  • Touch sensitivity skills.
  • Work on preparation for massage, breathing, stretching.
  • Developing your own style.
  • Feeling confident about working during pregnancy, confronting and working through anxieties around massaging pregnant women, looking at our own attitudes to pregnancy.

Features

  • Small group - maximum size 16
  • Written assessment and case study work
  • Practical assessment, working on pregnant mums, on last day of course
  • Diploma with the APNT (Association of Physical and Natural therapists) on successful completion of course and assessments
  • Options of follow up days and ongoing support and training.

Entrance requirements

  • Recognised qualification in Massage or Aromatherapy with 100 hours post qualifying experience.
  • Access to pregnant women for case studies.

Insurance

One frequently asked question asked by therapists is whether they will be covered for practicing on pregnant women or during labour, both after attending the course, and upon qualification. It depends on the insurance company, so ask them. If they want more information about the Well Mother Diploma. Suzanne can discuss this with them and supply further information as necessary.

Some insurance companies may require you to send them the certificate of course attendance plus your practical assessment results to provide cover whilst you are doing your case studies.

Denman Direct, which insures therapists under the GCP and MTI schemes, recognises the Well Mother course for those therapists working with women during labour - providing the therapist is acting under the auspices of a midwife.

Introductory day for massage therapists

This course is aimed at therapists who are not sure how much they eventually want to specialise in pregnancy work, but who would like to feel confident working with a client who becomes pregnant.

It covers the basic anatomy and physiology of the three trimesters giving an overview of the main changes for the mother and baby. It explores some simple antenatal exercises for the second and third trimesters and covers body positioning for the pregnant client, mostly introducing the side position on the couch, but also briefly exploring the option of all fours work. The role of mobilisations and stretches is explored in more detail, along with how to adapt basic massage strokes in the different positions. Some work with the abdomen/baby in the third trimester is also covered. At the end of the day students will feel confident working with the healthy pregnant woman during the second and third trimesters.

Introductory days are organised by:

Bristol: BCMB Bristol College of Bodywork

London: Essentials for Health

Reading: Federation of Holistic Therapists

Massage for the Postnatal Mother

This two day course is open to those who have completed the APNT Massage for Pregnancy Diploma

Aims

1. To develop an in-depth knowledge of massage and exercise for the postnatal period for mother

  • To be able to demonstrate effective massage techniques for different postnatal mothers from birth to one year postnatal
  • To be able to demonstrate appropriate exercises for the different postnatal periods for the mother, with and without the baby (ie first few days, weeks 1-6, weeks 6 to month 6, month 6 - one year)

2. To provide an understanding of the relevant underpinning theory (anatomy and physiology, basic eastern approach of postnatal period for the mother, particularly in relation to body work

  • To be able to demonstrate an understanding of western theory for mother and baby from birth to one year

3. To develop an holistic model of the postpartum period, including providing practical tools for self development and for supporting massage therapists in this field

  • To conduct a consultation and treatment with a postnatal client during the course
  • To work with at least 2 postnatal clients after the course and write up
  • To present a review of knowledge so far, especially feedback from birth module
  • To experience some of the needs of postnatal clients through guided visualisations
  • To experience the effects of exercise
  • To show an understanding of the therapist's role in relation to other health professionals

Massage for labour

Are you interested in taking your pregnancy massage skills a little further and studying more about how to support women with massage during labour?

The course is only open to those who have attended a Well Mother Massage & Pregnancy Course. It is 2.5 days and is recognised by Doula UK.

Content

This course will enable you to have an in-depth knowledge of massage suitable for different stages of labour, including how to work with birth positions and breathing. You will consider the role of massage therapist as labour support person. To gain Well Mother certification you will need to attend two births and write up two case studies of teaching partners to work in labour. To gain your doula certification (through Doula UK) you will need to write up attendance of four births.

Aims

1. To develop an in-depth knowledge of massage (including shiatsu techniques), including birth positions and breathing, for labour and the immediate postnatal period for mother and baby

  • You will learn effective massage (including some shiatsu techniques) for different stages of labour including
    - massage for birth initiation
    - massage for different stages of labour
    - how to work with the baby in labour
  • You will gain an understanding of birth positions and breathing for different stages of labour and how to teach mother and partner
  • You will be introduced to some massage for the mother in the first 6 weeks including how to work with birth trauma for mother and baby
  • You will learn how to support establishing breastfeeding (and other feeding choices)

2. To provide an understanding of the theory (both Traditional Chinese Medicine and anatomy and physiology, and the medical (including NHS) approach) of birth, for mother and baby, particularly in relation to bodywork

  • You will learn western theory as it relates to both mother and baby during pre-labour, labour and the immediate postnatal period, including bonding and breastfeeding (ie natural anatomy and physiology of birth and postnatal period)
  • You will learn eastern theory as it relates to mother and baby during labour and the immediate postnatal period, including bonding and breastfeeding
  • You will gain an understanding of the main obstetrical interventions during labour and how they affect the process of labour, the energy of the mother and baby, and their effects in the postnatal period. You will learn when they are necessary, and how to work with them, and the orthodox model of care

3. To provide an understanding of how to most effectively work with the mother and her partner in preparation for labour and the early postnatal period (including exploring the role of the mother’s partner, teaching birth support strategies/approaches and how to work with the partner if the therapist is present during labour, supporting feeding and bonding)

  • You will review your birth preparation teaching session to include awareness of issues such as; empowering a mother and partner to make choices during labour, how to give support during labour, advocacy and birth plans
  • You will teach 2 birth preparation sessions to mothers and partners after the course and submit written case studies of these sessions
  • You will gain an understanding of how to offer relevant postnatal support including awareness of how to support feeding

4. To develop an holistic approach to birth support, including providing practical tools for self-development and supporting massage therapists in the field of birth support (including CPD, networking etc) and to enable massage therapists to have a better understanding of the birth period and its implications for their own lives and those they work with.

  • We will review your knowledge from course so far, especially feedback from pregnancy course.
  • You will experience some of the needs of labouring women through guided visualisations
  • You will experience some of the needs of babies through guided visualisations
  • You will learn the effects of birth positions
  • You will develop an understanding of how to work with the relevant health care professionals during labour and the immediate postnatal period.
  • CPD – how to start work as a doula/labour support masseuse, including advertising, on going sources of support, networking etc.

Shiatsu for Infants

Integrating shiatsu skills and awareness into infant massage. A 2 day course, designed for infant massage instructors. Further details on shiatsu for babies page.

You can read an article written by Suzanne for a more in-depth view of the "Well Mother" approach to pregnancy, birth, early parenting and shiatsu.

UK and Ireland

Download booking forms here

APNT (Association of Physical and Natural Therapists) Diploma

A 4 day course, focusing mainly on pregnancy, but also including massage for labour and the postnatal period for mother (recognised by Embody, 30 CPD points. IMTA Ireland)

Costs
 £395 (with early booking discount)
£425 (full price), 550 (600) euros for Eire

This includes all assessment costs, certification, course manual, 6 months student membership of the APNT, but does not include towels, oils and couches (though couches can usually be arranged)

London
 (Wed –Sat) 24-27 November 2010 (code: MAS/10/UKL2) Kailash Centre
(Wed-Sat) 22-25 June 2011 (code: MAS/11/UKL1) Kailash Centre
(Wed-Sat) 9-12 November 2011 (code: MAS/11/UKL2) British School of Shiatsu Do

Bristol
 (Wed-Sat) 29 September-2nd October 2010 (code: MAS/10/UKB2)
(Wed-Sat) 23-26 March 2011 (code: MAS/11/UKB1)
(Wed-Sat) 7-10 September 2011 (code: MAS/11/UKB2)

Dublin
 (Wed-Sat) 27-30 October 2010 (code: MAS/10/IRD) contact Gail: gail13@oceanfree.net
(Wed–Sat) November 2011 dates to be confirmed (code: MAS/11/IRD) contact Gail: gail13@oceanfree.net

Introductory Days

Costs: contact organiser

BCMB Bristol College Massage and Bodywork, Bristol 2011 dates to be confirmed enquiries@bristolmassage.co.uk

FHT January/February 2011 dates to be confirmed, Reading www.fht.org.uk

Essentials for Health dates for 2011 to be confirmed London, essentialsforhealth.co.uk

International

APNT (Association of Physical and Natural Therapists) Diploma

A 4 day course, focusing mainly on pregnancy, but also including massage
For labour and the postnatal period for mother (recognised by GCP (UK), NCTCMB
(US), OMTA (Canada) and ATMA and AAMTA (Australia)

Costs; contact organiser

Australia
 9-12 September 2010

The Australian Shiatsu College
103 Evans Street
Brunswick VIC 3056
Ph: 03 9387 1161 Fax: 03 9387 1191
Email: aushiatsucollege@bigpond.com
www.australianshiatsucollege.com.au

Wellington Massage therapists
 Sept 2011
Jane Brenan

The Wellington School of Massage Therapy
Office: 5th Fl, 69 - 71 Boulcott St, Wellington 6011
Training Rooms: Level 3, James Cook Arcade Mini Tower, 294 Lambton Quay, Wellington
Postal : P O Box 11 871, Wellington 6142, NZ
Phone: 04 473 8788
jane@radianthealth.co.nz
www.radianthealth.co.nz