Pregnancy and Post-Natal Massage and Aromatherapy

What, no Aromatherapists around here trained for Pregnancy?

Last year, I got this message by email:

"I am currently pregnant and want to find out more about aromatherapy in pregnancy and also for labour and birth, I'd like to find out what safe and what is not and also how me and my partner can learn to use oils etc. properly, I was wondering if you would be able to help me or point me in the direction of someone who could?"

I said I would try and find someone who had training and experience in this area of work to pass her on to.

Now, I know of many professional and experienced massage therapists in Lancaster and nearby areas who are providing massage for pregnancy. But - having spent a long time searching online, and having asked other therapists, I was unable to find anyone providing Aromatherapy for pregnancy anywhere remotely near here. Also, I found an awful lot of conflicting information and advice about the safety and efficacy of different essential oils around online - not a reassuring experience for any pregnant woman looking to benefit from Aromatherapy! So, I decided I should do something about it.

There is now!

In March this year, I attended a 2 day course in London with Jo Kellet of fromtheseed in massage and Aromatherapy for pregnancy, labour and post-natal care accredited by the IFPA - the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists. I now provide pre-natal and post-natal massage and Aromatherapy. I can't be there for the labour but I can offer some advice for you and your birth partner.

So ... if you know of anyone who is pregnant or trying for a baby, or someone who has just had a baby, who you think might be interested in the many benefits of massage and Aromatherapy - please tell them about me. :) 

FHT Local Support Group Co-ordinators Meeting, CAMexpo and Training Workshops

Weekend before last (5th and 6th October) I was funded by The Federation of Holistic Therapists for a trip down to London for a meeting with other Local Support Group co-ordinators from around the UK. What a lovely bunch my fellow co-ordinators are, was lovely to meet them.

Plus what a great opportunity to hear from our professional organisation on their plans for the future, and to feedback to them what we would like to see happening in the FHT and in our growing network of Local Support Groups. As of last week we now have 108 groups which really makes us the largest network of its kind in the UK and probably Europe as well!

Here I am (front left) at dinner with other Local Support Group Co-ordinators.

More info about our local group - which is open to anyone interested in holistic health and wellbeing - at FHT Lancaster LSG. We got treated to travel, a healthy lunch, a lovely dinner (biggest helping of tiramisu I have ever seen!), and accommodation, and our meeting was timed to coincide with...

CAMexpo 2013

The UK’s only dedicated event for complementary, natural and integrated healthcare. 

I made the most of the opportunity to attend on the Sunday and booked myself on 4 workshops:

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction – Assessment and treatment for the massage therapist
Trigger point therapy for low back pain 
Being a massage therapist – It’s a lifestyle – not a job!
Introduction to Aromatherapy for Pregnancy