Thursday, 22 March 2012

Diploma - day six

sunday morning was spent going over what we had learned about cells and tissues from reading one of the course text books - this part of our previous weeks homework I had managed to do...  I had done higher biology at high school so I had a vague recollection of the structure of a cell, but the basics of tissue structure and types were new to me.

we then split into two groups and were allowed to confer whilst filling out a short test on what we had learned about anatomy, physiology and pathology so far - covering terminology, anatomical positions, muscles, bones, cells and tissues.  my group did very well - we didn't get full marks for all of the questions individually but with the addition of some bonus points we got full marks for the test as a whole!

the afternoon was spent discussing what aftercare and advice we would give to specific clients of varying ages, activity level and lifestyle and looked at how the client as a whole would determine what treatment you would give as well as what kind of aftercare and advice you would suggest.

the day was rounded off with a practical demonstration and summary of all the various massage strokes we had covered on the course so far with a chance to practice these on each other.

then Ros gave us our homework assignment for the next session of the course - which gives me four weeks to do everything!  I will get all my homework done for next time!  ...I will, I will!

and then it was home time... :)

Wednesday, 21 March 2012

Diploma - day five

on saturday morning I had booked myself in for a reflexology treatment.  I've never had any reflexology done before but a couple of friends had told me about their experiences with it and I was intrigued...  I wondered if it works and if it does, what can it do for me...

so I headed over to the therapist for my consultation and treatment at 11am.  I had booked it early so I wouldn't have to rush before heading out to Livingston for the start of my massage course at 2pm.  the therapist asked how my general health was and we talked over what would happen during the treatment.

while the therapist worked on my feet I experienced some tenderness and discomfort over pretty much all the areas she touched - tenderness means the corresponding area of your body is congested - so just about every part of my body is not functioning at 100%...  in particular my upper body - the heart, lungs, neck and shoulders were all areas which the corresponding areas of my feet were showing as having signs of congestion.  these are all areas where we can store emotional tension.  this rang true for me when the therapist explained later as I've been a bit stressed out and grumpy for the last few weeks...

when she was working on my big toes I had the most bizarre sensation that a wave of warmth or energy was washing over my head, starting at the very top and flowing all the way down to my neck and shoulders!  I learned afterwards that the big toe represents the cranium - freaky, eh!?! 

the therapist then explained at the end of the hour that I may experience some after effects of the treatment in the next 48 hours which may be out of the ordinary.  in much the same way after a massage treatment you can experience a sensation of being spaced out or woozy, lightheadedness, nausea, feeling extremes in body temperature, vivid dreams, changes in toilet habits to name but a few...  it is all to do with the detoxing effect these treatments can have on the body.

in the afternoon I headed to my massage course feeling none the worse for my morning treatment.  but by 5pm I was a wreak, I ended up giggling whilst we were learning the basics of massaging our own arms and hands, and then I couldn't stop!  I was like that until we finished at 6pm!!!

but despite that I did learn a lot on saturday - we had a catch up at the beginning of the session and handed in our homework (mine only half finished); we covered the muscles of the upper and lower arm leading into the hand and learned how to look after our own muscles by going over the basics of how to do a DIY hand and arm massage...

the girls on the course all thought it hilarious that I had lost it in a fit of giggles for so long!

thankfully it was only a short out burst - it didn't last all night!

I'm going back for another reflexology treatment in two weeks time...

more homework...

image by jester arts
on the run up to our third weekend of the course I was trying to get all my homework done in time...


I had three weeks to do it in, but with two weekends away and a hectic schedule at work with a trip to Liverpool thrown in I didn't quite manage it!


I found time to do the massage practice and most of the reflective writing up that goes along with it but I didn't manage to get all the assignments done, so I have two extra things to do before we go back for the next weekend in april...


ah well, at least I have four weeks to do it all in! :)  I just hope I'm not writing the same blog post next time...

Client N

image by jester arts
client N is an office manager, who sits at a desk all day long.


she has been suffering with lower back pain for the last 6-9 months and is currently seeing a physiotherapist (though she had to wait 6 months for the appointment with the local NHS).


she is hoping that massage may be able to help in conjunction with the work the physio is doing...

Client M

image by jester arts
client M is another family member - this time my auntie.


she is a staff nurse at the local hospital in my home town and works shifts - so it's fair to say she finds work quite stressful.


when she's not busy with work she likes to travel - she and my uncle are fond of a nice city break.

Tuesday, 13 March 2012

Client L

image by jester arts
client L is one of my oldest & bestest friends! (yes, I know bestest isn't a real word!)

she is something of a dare devil - she enjoys doing scary stuff to raise money for charity, like skydiving, wing walking and abseiling off railway bridges!

she is also a bit of a find in medical terms - she has scoliosis with a very pronounced curvature of her spine; a split in her spinal chord which is also tethered at its base; a compressed heart & one lung...

needless to say I was a bit nervous before our first massage session!!! ;)

Client K

image by jester arts
client K is another of my uncles. 


he can also be counted on to provide honest feedback!


just before christmas '11 he slipped on ice and fractured his ankle and broke his leg in several places.  he is still battered and bruised and in need of a relaxing massage.

Client J

image by jester arts
client J is one of my uncles.  

he is in a wheelchair and suffers pain & discomfort from spending alot of time sitting.

he is a good guinea pig as he will always be sure to give me honest feedback.

Client I

image by jester arts

client I was an unexpected addition to the list.  

his name is Dysel & he is a 2 year old spaniel. 

he enjoys having his paws & head massaged!

he is my uncles dog.

Client H

image by jester arts
client H is my granny.  she is almost 75 & will be the oldest of my willing guinea pigs.