I was tasked with an exercise to look at four different complementary therapies. The history, treatment, training, regulations and governing bodies.

It shocked me enough to write about it.

Quality training in a hands-on therapy should matter to both the client and the therapist.

 The Importance of Hands-On Training in Massage Therapy:

Touch therapies are tactile– that is a skill– technique, pressure, how you use your hands, and intuition can’t be learned online alone. Face to face training is vital in developing therapist confidence and this will build client trust when you go into practice. While theoretical knowledge provides the foundational understanding of anatomy and physiology and pathology, the tactile nature of massage necessitates substantial hands on practice. Developing the ability to assess tissue, apply appropriate pressure and adapt to individual needs is only honed through direct experience and feedback.

Not All Courses Are Created Equal:

There are short courses, diplomas and online certifications. You can find a course with one-day of hands on, 3 days, 5 and 7 days of face to face and certifications that require you to attend once or twice a month over 3, 6 and up to 12 months. The balance between theory and practice– they both matter, but practical hours are vital in touch therapy.

What to Look for in a Massage Training Course (Tips for Aspiring Therapists):

• How many face to face hours are included?

• What’s the ratio of theory to practice?

• Are there supervised practical assessments?

• How many treatment practice hours and case studies do you need to complete?

• Is the course accredited by a recognised body (ITEC, VTCT, FHT)?

How Clients Can Ensure They Are In Safe Hands (Tips for Clients)

• Where did you train, and was it hands on?

• Are you insured and accredited?

• How do you stay updated on best practices?

• If you care about your body, you should care about the training of the person touching it!

• Red flag – If someone is advertising massage with no way of you checking their level of training you should ask the question. If they have great training they will want you to know!

A beginner to “Touch Therapies” would need more hands-on hours of training as touch therapy takes many hours of practice to learn and they would also need to log many practice hours and complete many case studies. A touch therapist with years of practice has the skill of touch and the experience of working with many bodies, they are learning a new skill but not how to touch.

The Long-term Benefits of Quality Training:

• For the therapist– Better client results, higher earning potential, career longevity.

• For clients– safer, more effective treatments that meet your individual needs.

I had to do a short assignment for a course that I am doing. I trained in movement 28 years ago and bodywork 25 years ago with much ongoing training in-between. On my current course I am needing to do my anatomy and physiology again, annoying, but actually probably a good thing. I love collaboration and found this a really useful task to do in thinking about referring clients to other people.

The diversity in massage training highlights the need for prospective students to carefully evaluate programs on practical components. Prioritising courses with high substantial hands on training will better prepare therapists to meet the demands of their clients and excel in their work.

Fiona Palmer-Evans

Acupressure –

Acupressure is a traditional healing practice rooted in ancient Chinese medicine, dating back thousands of years. It is believed to have evolved as a precursor to acupuncture, with the early practitioners using fingers and hands to apply pressure before the development of needles.

Acupressure has gained global recognition and for my interest in using with cancer patients, it might be seen by cancer patients as a more tolerable alternative to acupuncture. Techniques can also be given as homework to help with symptoms related to treatment, which empowers people at a time when they may feel totally out of control.

Acupoints – Are specific points along meridians or pathways on the body. Pressure can be applied to these points to promote health or help alleviate various problems.

The technique is based on the concept pf life energy, known as “qi” and this is believed to flow through these pathways.

During an acupressure session the aim is to stimulate the acupoints to help balance the body’s energy and address health concerns.

Benefits

Cancer-Related Benefits – Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is one of the most prevalent and distressing side effects among patients with cancer worldwide. Auricular acupressure has been recognised as a potential therapy for managing this. (Bushra Alhusamiah et al 2024) Smaller studies have also found that self-acupressure helped with nausea and vomiting. Self-acupressure has increasingly been proven to effectively alleviate cancer-related symptoms including pain and fatigue (HL Cheng et al 2023) and improve sleep.

It can help improve sleep quality and help people manage insomnia, it may help with low back pain, reduce anxiety and help with depression. In traditional practices, acupressure is believed to harmonise the body’s energy flow, enhance spiritual awareness and inner balance.

Treatment

A session could be 30-60 minutes and as short as 15-20 minutes for targeted relief.

The practitioner will assess concerns to identify length of treatment and treatment plan.

The therapist may use fingers, elbows or a special tool to apply pressure.

The number of sessions varies and this could be a one-off, to multiple sessions in a week or a monthly visit, it may even become part of a treatment.

A huge benefit to this treatment is practitioners can teach clients techniques to use at home to help manage symptoms.

Training and Regulations

You can do a 6 month diploma course (200 hours) and then apply for membership with the Acupuncture society – all candidates must be insured, log 15 cps hours each year with at least 8 of those hours as courses or workshops or seminars. At the other end of the scale is an online seated acupressure course at £130 that is accredited by FHT.

Key Points for Good Practice

Professional training. Hygiene and safety, using the correct techniques, client comfort and treatment timing especially those receiving cancer treatment. Client assessment, consultation and consent, with all records kept securely. Keeping up to date with current research and guidelines and continued training. Lines of communication between other health practitioners and medical teams as required.

Massage Therapies

Although there are many variations in bodywork and massage, as a general guide it is a therapy that involves manipulating the body’s soft tissues. Massage can help promote relaxation, alleviate pain, improve circulation and enhance well-being.

Massage can be traced back thousands of years with evidence it was practiced in ancient China, Egypt and India. Massage was used for its healing properties and as part of traditional medicine. Massage therapies gained in popularity finding its way across the globe, where it has made advances and evolved with new scientific evidence. Bodywork can be integrated into contemporary healthcare as a complimentary and supportive therapy and modalities such as scar therapy can improve healing and recovery and structural integration give a complete holistic approach to well-being.

Benefits  of Receiving Bodywork

During cancer treatment, massage can be a supportive intervention. Studies indicate that massage may help reduce pain, anxiety and fatigue, this can really improve quality of life. Techniques, level of touch, areas and duration need to be appropriate and open communication with the medical team is advised.

General benefits are reducing musculoskeletal pain, improving circulation, enhancing flexibility and can help people recover from injury. Using long slow strokes can help people to relax, deep tissue or sports massage can be adapted to pre or post events. Regular massage may help reduce stress and tension, improve mood and sleep and generally make you feel tikadiboo.

I believe there is gaining momentum in evidence in the roll of massage to support cancer patients and help them manage their symptoms and improve quality of life. Massage as part of an integrated approach to cancer care plans means collaborating with all areas of the healthcare system. One study pain reduction for breast cancer patients after oncology massage therapy showed a statistically significant reduction in pain levels.

Treatment

30-90 minutes would be a general guide. Those having cancer treatment might have as little as 15-20 minutes and on occasion people might have a full body including facial over 120 minutes.

The practitioner will assess concerns to identify length of treatment and treatment plan.

Goals of the treatment or series of treatments

A plan of action is set to include depth, goals and regular check-in for how it feels, if we are creating the changes expected and adapting as required.

Self care for homework might include self-massage, stretch, movement

Training

Training and accreditation varies – you can do a Swedish massage course for as little as £300 and one day of face to face training – going to level 3 and 5 massage – Sports injury therapy. Looking for a training course recognised by good insurance companies is probably a starting point and looking at trainings recognised by the larger and more reputable governing bodies like FHT. Training programs should include extensive A&P, have additional training for pathology or have a pre-requisite for this training at a certain level. People want to train for very little outlay and time input and unfortunately the general public are not aware of differences. Continued CPD can be used to add additional services and help you stay abreast of the latest practices, advances and research. Gaining specific training to work with oncology clients and be confident in planning and delivering effective treatments.

Key Points for Good Practice

Being insured, keeping records and keeping client information safe are the basics. Hygiene and safety, keeping the space clean and warm. I always think it is a great idea to occasionally have a treatment in the space you use to treat, it can highlight, things you might not see as a practitioner, such as how inviting a space is. Is it calm, does it have the right lighting etc. If we are thinking client-centred care, making sure we tailor treatments, provide clear explanations of what we are doing and making sure we have consent to touch.

Meditation

Meditation is a practice that involves focusing on clearing your mind and you might use physical or mental techniques to do this. It has been practised for thousands of years across many cultures and religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity. In the here and now it has been adopted for its health benefits such as reducing stress and enhancing well-being.

Meditation can be self taught and many mind-body practices like pilates and yoga offer a kind of meditation in that you need to focus during class.

I always remember these sentences from a previous course:

Meditation nurtures and expands mindfulness. Mindfulness supports and enriches meditation.

Benefits

For cancer patients meditation may help manage symptoms around stress and anxiety. Meditation and Mindfulness is gaining a larger evidence base for applications in a clinical setting. A recent study found that using the app provided for 10 minutes daily was substantially effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety – A study on a mobile app for mindfulness meditation for cancer-related anxiety and neuropathy (Ariel Siriton Orasud et al 2024) – I look forward to reading the results as they have not yet been posted. Meditation has been linked to various health benefits such as reducing blood pressure, improving sleep quality and helping with pain management. Meditation can help reduce stress and enhance self awareness and lengthen attention span.

Treatment

Meditation practices vary – using focused attention, breathing and being in a quiet space

A session could last just a few minutes or be practiced as part of a yoga or pilates session that are 45-90 minutes.

Homework of specific techniques can be given to help people through stressful situations and reinforce the benefits

You could do a walking meditation as practised in Zen Buddhism – where you focus on breath and the sensations in the body and feet

If you want to focus on the physical benefits of meditation then meditation in motion with Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Yoga and Pilates will all help

If your focus is stillness, or anxiety and stress a Bodyscan and deep breathing might be the way to go

Training

There is the British School of Meditation offering a  level 3 (equivalent to A level standard) with 5 days face to facetracning and around 50 hours written work. Mind Body Food Institute offer a 5-6 month training. International Institute For Complementary Therapies approved. Zen School of Meditation offer a level 3 meditation teacher diploma. If you do not want to be a member of lots of different organisations you will need to pick and choose trainings.

Key points for good practice

Regular practice will enhance the benefits of meditation. You need to be in a quiet and comfortable environment. The spaces you choose need to be free from distractions. If seated then props might be needed to maintain posture and comfort. Guidance from qualified teachers can help you as a beginner or if you want to expand your explorations.

Reflexology

Reflexology is based on the principle that specific areas, or reflex points, on the feet, hands and ears correspond to different organs and systems within the body. By applying pressure to these points, reflexologists aim to promote relaxation, improve circulation, and support the body’s natural healing processes.

Reflexology dates back to ancient times with evidence suggesting as early as 2500BC and ancient Egyptians performing hand and foot treatments. Similar practices have been documented in China and India. In the early 20th Century Dr William H Fitzgerald introduced zone therapy which was the foundation for Reflexology as we know it today. Later Eunice D Ingham further developed the concept by mapping the entire body onto the feet and hands and refining the techniques we use today.

Benefits

Reflexology is not a cure for cancer, but studies do suggest it can help alleviate some symptoms associated with cancer and treatment. A systematic review of studies carried out in 2024 (Moritz Klaus et al) concluded that reflexology is superior to passive control groups for pain, quality of life, fatigue but that more studies were needed. Other studies reveal that foot reflexology can significantly decrease pain for inpatients compared to traditional nursing care alone. More research is required.

Reflexology can help reduce pain, enhance circulation and promote relaxation. It can help support the body’s recovery processes and improve well-being. People report feeling calm after sessions. For some reflexology gives a deeper connection between body and mind.

Treatment

A session can last 30-60 minutes.

For clients that do not like removing clothing it can add to the sense of calm as they only need remove socks and shoes and roll trousers up.

Clients can be seated or lie on a couch, this also makes treatment very accessible to those with limited mobility.

Pressure is applied using fingers and hand techniques and the pressure is adjusted to suit each individual and their medical history

Homework of some of the reflex points can be given to maintain the benefits between sessions.

Training

You can find online training for £29 all online that will apparently lead to a level 3 diploma. Then there are ones like Gateway that offer blended training of theory online and face to face for hands on practical and exam. Reflexology is coordinated on a voluntary basis in the UK by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council. FHT recognises level 3 and above.

Key Points for Good Practice

Taking a full history, maintaining records and keeping client information secure. Good hygiene practices and emphasising this before, during and on completion of treatment. Client-centred care by tailoring a session to suit the person in-front of you and adapting touch and techniques as required. Staying up to date with the latest research and developments. Cancer is a fast changing field with new research almost daily. Keeping lines of communication with medical team

This was a really useful exercise. In our fast paced world people want to train quickly and cheaply. I think it is a bit of a minefield with organisations. I know FHT and feel this is pretty good for standards and it makes it easy to be a member of one instead of several.