Newsletter or blog? What do you think?

Nerve Reflexology Diploma

2018 saw lots of changes for me in terms of what I teach in my CPD workshops but importantly it was an absolute pleasure to meet so many new practitioners and share my knowledge and experiences in the field of Pain Management in Reflexology. 
Nico Pauly of MNT-NR International, with whom I was an assistant teacher for almost 13 years handed me the reins to the UK training of the Nerve Reflexology Diploma and it is set to run for the first time this year in both Northern Ireland and Leicester.   https://www.reflexmaster.co.uk/nerve-reflexology-diploma.html .

When I originally trained in Nerve Reflexology I found it difficult to understand all the new terminology, the clinical reasoning and the finite details of the Nervous system.   So, before I started developing it here in the UK I decided to carry out some research utilizing skills from business students at the University of Portsmouth. We sent out a survey and those of you who responded told us that you wanted to learn the theory online with face to face practical days. Unfortunately, after doing a full cost-analysis on my behalf, it turned out, this is not a cost-effective way to learn.  It also turned out that despite already offering the diploma in module format not everyone was able to, or indeed wanted to, continue past the first module.  I travel across the UK to teach these modules and as time went by, it became less and less viable to continue teaching the diploma in this way.  In June 2018 we held a meeting of teachers with the MNT-NR board and agreed to retain the original format of teaching the diploma at three separate levels.   The ideas being, you can dip in and out when/where you choose, for example, you can do Level 1 here in the UK, and perhaps go across to Denmark and do Level 2 with TouchPoint, or perhaps to Belgium with the Master himself, Nico Pauly and his team. 

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Pain Management – An Introduction to Nerve Reflexology

The two-day workshop on Pain Management an Introduction to Nerve Reflexology continues to do well and will continue to be taught in 2019. Some new workshop dates have already been set up and more will be added as/when I can find suitable venues.  You can find out more here:  Course Dates
What practitioners found challenging in this workshop was the detailed information on the nervous system and the clinical reasoning.  So, for 2019 I am looking at ways in which I can make the learning more fun, more interactive and easier to learn.  In addition to the pre-course learning materials, post course links to video routines and a closed Facebook support group, there will be more practical time and a slower pace of learning. 

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Pain in Cancer Survivors 

In 2010 I was fortunate enough to take up a position at the University of Surrey as a Research Fellow, where I carried out research on the late and long-term consequences of Cancer and its treatments.   As a Cancer Survivor myself I know only too well the effects of treatment and of course I have an especial interest in pain.  I therefore developed the workshop ‘Pain in Cancer Survivors’ so that those of you who are working with this group of clients will have a better understanding of how you may be able to support them.  ‘Knowledge is Power’ after all. 

I am delighted at how well this workshop has been received and following your wonderful feedback I have extended it from a one-day workshop to a two-day workshop.  I am working on new materials based on scientific evidence and medical practice and will be offering more practical experiences for your within the course structure too.  New dates Pain in Cancer Survivors have already been set for 2019 and I will hopefully add more toward the end of the year.

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Highlights of 2018

One of the highlights for me in 2018, was becoming a finalist in the first ever, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Awards run by Chamberlain Dunn and supported by the Federation of Holistic Therapists.  My interview of the UK Health Radio, and participating as a speaker in the first UK based Reflexology conference in four years held by the lovely Sue Ricks. 

My niece, Tina Signorelli who is a Master of Art, has produced some stunning charts for me (see pictures above) of the Spinal Nerves and Plexus and the Autonomic Nervous system on the feet.  For those of you who participate in the workshops, I am delighted to say that you will receive an A4 copy of the two charts as part of your learning pack. 

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