Gone
are the days when a career was for life. More and more people
change careers and it is getting increasingly common to hear
that people want to leave the “rat race”, maybe
become self-employed, and investigate different philosophies
of life. Complementary Healthcare is a rapidly expanding
industry and many adults come to it wanting to help themselves
and others lead a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Reflexology
is a popular Complementary Therapy with ancient roots. It
is a pressure therapy primarily involving the feet. It revolves
around the understanding that there are reflex points on
the feet that relate to the structure and function of all
parts of the body. Applying pressure to these reflexes using
a gentle on-off pressure may influence the state of the body
in many ways. For example, reflexology has been found to
reduce stress and tension, relieve pain, improve bodily functions
and generally restore the body to a better state, so improving
physical well being.
Reflexology
is not as physically demanding to perform as some other treatments
such a full body massage. The therapist can sit throughout,
but intensively performing treatments over a long period
of time can take its toll on the hands and the thumb joints
in particular. So if you fancy training to become a Reflexologist
where do you start?
Anatomy & Physiology is the Starting Point for training in Reflexology
A
Level 3 Diploma in Anatomy & Physiology is
the starting point for most careers in Complementary
Healthcare. Before you can progress to study you chosen
therapy you must develop an understanding as to how the
body works. This is quite sensible when you think about
it. It would be unprofessional, and indeed dangerous,
to perform any hands-on treatment without a detailed
understanding of the body’s structure and function.
After all, you wouldn’t attempt to improve the
performance of a car if you didn’t understand the
mechanics of its engine.
Some
reflexology courses may incorporate elements of anatomy and
physiology. Other courses require a Level 3 Anatomy & Physiology
Diploma as a pre-requisite. You will often hear the phrase
Accredited Prior Learning (APL). If anatomy and physiology
is listed as APL for a course then it is necessary for you
to hold a qualification in anatomy & physiology before
you begin.
So Why a Level 3 Diploma in Anatomy & Physiology?
Before
you, as a Reflexologist, begin to treat any members of the
public you must take out insurances to protect both your
clients and yourself. You will have to show that you hold
an accepted qualification in Reflexology and that your anatomy & physiology
is up to the required standard. The industry standard for
anatomy & physiology is the Level 3 Diploma. A word of
warning – if the anatomy & physiology is run in
tandem, find out if a separate qualification in anatomy & physiology
is given. If not, you may have problems getting insured and,
despite your studies, your anatomy and physiology may not
be accepted as APL for another qualification. It is worth
the extra effort to gain the Level 3 Diploma because this
will open many doors for you in the future.
Which Level 3 Diploma in Anatomy & Physiology should I take?
To
help ensure that your Level 3 Diploma will be accepted as
APL, wherever you choose to study, it is wise to select an
Examining Board that is regulated by the QCA (Qualifications
and Curriculum Authority). The QCA are the regulatory body
for all public exams (e.g. GCSE’s and A-Levels as well
as Vocational Training) and they set the standards to ensure
that all of their approved Examining Bodies assess the candidates
to a standard level. A Level 3 Diploma issued by a QCA-approved
Examining Body should therefore be universally accepted.
The VTCT (Vocational Training Charitable Trust) are approved
and therefore governed by the QCA and offer a Level
3 Diploma in Anatomy & Physiology.
What Then?
It
is important that you find a Reflexology course that suits
you. You could contact your local college to see what they
have to offer. The Association of Reflexologists (AOR) also
offer much advice for those just setting out and their web
site www.aor.org.uk lists
approved AOR Training Centres.
Need Extra Help?
ETS
offer an excellent interactive CD ROM in Reflexology. It
provides a comprehensive account of the theory of reflexology.
Using videos, photos and graphics it walks you through the
principles of the therapy. This self-testing training tool
proves invaluable when you have qualified too as it allows
you to reference details of over 70 conditions and gives
advice on how to set up your own business. Full details can
be found HERE.
Click
here for our VTCT Level 3 Online Diploma in Anatomy
and Physiology UK & International Course