Holistic Therapies

[victry77]

Hi, I'm soon to begin training in complementary therapies (I posted about this several months ago) and just wondered how many people here like such treatments or if anyone have ever had any problems receiving a treament due to your diabetes.

I'm starting my training (to practitioner level) with Reiki and Aromatherpay Massage. I then plan to follow this up in my second year with Advanced Aromatherapy and Indian Head Massage. Further down the line after gaining experience in the afore-mentioned I would like to qualify in Crystal Therapy and Reflexology.

I'm not thinking about starting up a business right away but it is a long-term goal and I think it would be quite interesting to tailor a section of treatments for people with diabetes. This coming from the perspective that the therapist is diabetic herself and to help promote relaxtion, positive mental well-being, etc.

I received some feedback from hana when I last posted (much appreciated) but would love to hear any other opinions. For example, I was turned down for a Reiki treatment one time because I'm T1 and the practitioner had been taught that you musn't treat anyone who uses insulin in case they have a hypo and try to sue.

If you have holistic treatments, would the idea of special rates for diabetics be appealing - or is there anything you would expect from a therapist "specialising" in clients with diabetes? Also, anyone have any favourite treatments that they feel does them good. Any throughts really appeciated.

 

[mindii]

Hi Victry77
I wanted to wish you all the best with the plan of becoming a Holistic Therapist!
I currently work in the Beauty industry and do a fair bit of holistic therapies (all kinds of massage and reflexology etc) My clients often quote that they cannot have such treatments because they are diabetic,AAArgh
SO I reply with why not? and they cannot tell me!! :roll: I find that being diabetic myself often allays their concerns and they then really enjoy their treatments and totally relax - as you know all good for EVERYONE's well being! I'm not sure that special rates for diabetics are a great idea from a business point of view but you do what you think, I think by telling your clientele that you have it will be enough to reassure them. Just make sure they know that certain treatments can lower blood sugars so to be aware of that after the treatments. As for people trying to sue use disclaimer forms with your consultation explaining that you have given the safety concerns and the client understands them and all should be ok. Also speak to your insurance company who will give you the correct procedure to follow to protect yourself should this problem arise and prevent any claims against you!
Lastly I personally would expect the same from any therapist whether diabetic or not,
So Again I just wanted to wish you luck in your new endeaver and to say enjoy your new job as it can be very hard emotionally so learn to protect yourself from other peoples negativity as it can wear you down to exhaustion (not nice) but it is also really really rewarding to know that you have helped someone to feel better about their selves and situations.
Let me know how you get on
Amanda
xx

 

[noblehead]

Victry77,

I had treatment by a Reiki practitioner for a on-going shoulder problem about 5 years ago, I did mention I was type 1 but was told this was fine, however it didn't help my condition at all, although I did feel quite relaxed afterwards and it was reasonably priced compared to some of the osteopaths I had seen previously.

Good luck and hope all goes well!

Nigel

 

[victry77]

Hi, thank you both very much for your feedback.

Amanda - that's very interesting that some diabetics have told you that they aren't meant to have treatments. I wonder where they get their information? That being said, I visit an holistic therapy forum & the subject of diabetes came up. One well qualified & experienced therapist said she'd turned away custom from umpteen people because they were diabetic. It was only now that the topic had come up on the forum (with input from myself and another lady who was T1) that she was kicking herself for losing out on so many new clients and also mis-informing them about how they couldn't have treatments due to their diabetes.

I think the problem is that on some of these course they are being told (by tutors who probably know very little if anything about the condition) that diabetics should not have treatments (they have diabetes so they surely must have all the problems that go withi it). Perhaps some of the clients you've treated have previously been told by another therapist that it's a no-no.

Anyway, yes, I will let you know how I get on. I'm very excited. I'm hoping it's going to be something really positive that comes out of getting diabetes. I'd doubt I'd have ever really got into holistics if I'd never become diabetic. Right now, though, I just want to enjoy learning it all with the idea of a little business being a long-term goal I can look forward to. Please feel free to share some of your experiences whenever you like

Nigel - thank you for your best wishes & sorry to hear the reiki didn't help with your shoulder. Did you just have one treatment or a series of treatments? I think reiki can be a tricky thing & while some people experience really interesting things other just don't. The idea is that it's meant to go where it's needed most. Also, it can often ease symptoms but if the problem is caused by something underlying then that is what needs treating, i.e. it can ease a toothache but if you need that tooth taking out... then it it needs to come out no matter what & the pain will still come back no matter how much reiki you get.

:? xx

 

[catherinecherub]

I am trained in massage and aromatherapy.
I would not treat a patient with diabetes without clearance from their G.P. as sometimes they do not fill out the medical questionnaire properly. If they have high BP then it is not a good idea as increasing their circulation through massage can increase their BP and if they have neuropathy they may not realize how deep you are massaging. I would rather be safe than sorry and you have a reputation to think of. This was included in my training and I had every confidence in my instructor.
My Insurance providers are very strict and need clearance from G.P.'s for some of the clients.

You will enjoy it as much as the clients and it is very satisfying to know that your treatments can relax people. I don't profess to cure anything but clients have a feeling of wellbeing afterwards and they all say that they sleep better.

 

[noblehead]

Nigel - thank you for your best wishes & sorry to hear the reiki didn't help with your shoulder. Did you just have one treatment or a series of treatments? I think reiki can be a tricky thing & while some people experience really interesting things other just don't. The idea is that it's meant to go where it's needed most. Also, it can often ease symptoms but if the problem is caused by something underlying then that is what needs treating, i.e. it can ease a toothache but if you need that tooth taking out... then it it needs to come out no matter what & the pain will still come back no matter how much reiki you get.

Hi victry,

I had 6 sessions of Reiki altogether, and the therapist concluded that the treatment wasn't working. Previously I had used Osteopaths, and found initially that this treatment worked for up to 6 months, but in time this was becoming less effective and the treatment was lasting no longer than 6-8 weeks, hence why I sought a alternative treatment such as Reiki.

I am a great believer in Holistic Therapy, and would definitely go back and use them again should the need arise, but I am due to have surgery on my shoulders soon so hopefully I will not need any therapy for some time.

Nigel

 

[victry77]

catherine, thank you very much for your input - that was very valueable Of course I can understand that some people may not be entirely honest in their medical consults. Have you ever written to a GP to get permission? I've heard many therapists say that they never receive responses from GP's when they've written to them. I suppose in many cases it can be awkward then for a lot of people with diabetes to go for treatments as I guess it can put them off if confirmation from their GP is needed, which you could wait ages for or not receive at all.

Also, I'm starting training in September and we're meant to practice on each other before getting our hands on real clients - I have my annual review coming up in a couple of weeks, so do you think it's worth askng my endo for a letter to confirm I have no complications, BP is fine, etc? I don't want to be told I can't get involved, best to be on the safe side, eh?

 

[catherinecherub]

I do most of my massage in a hospital setting.
I have telephoned a GP from time to time just to be on the safe side when I go to people's houses.. You will find when you get onto the course and the theory side, that there are lists of contraindications for massage. They become more obvious as the course progresses. The theory side is very involved and the exam is very detailed and some find it hard. I did Anatomy,
Physiology and Massage and then went on to do Aromatherapy. It took two years in total, once a week at college and homework. If you can afford it then buy a massage couch and practice at home. You often see 2nd. hand ones advertised. Some people do two Saturday mornings on the basics and then think they have all the qualifications needed. These are the people that can cause damage.
As for yourself, be truthful when you fill in the medical questionnare and you won't need a letter unless the Consultant thinks there is anything that needs to be known. Just mention it to him in a casual way. :wink:
Enjoy and have a lovely time.

 

[victry77]

Well, very excited, starting my courses this week

When I enrolled, I did mention to the tutor about being diabetic and she said I will need a doctor's letter if I want to take part in any treatments. I can practice on other students but they won't be allowed to practice on me without clearance from my doc. Apparently it's college policy that they don't treat anyone with specific conditions at this stage in the learning process.

Went for my annual review last week & endo wouln't do me one & said it was best to see GP. TBH, though, I've shelled out a lot of money to do these courses that I didn't really want to fork out more for a doctors letter, so I'm going to ask if I can just opt out of being practiced on. Guess that might be OK if there is an unequal number of students, but I don't want someone to miss out on getting a practice session in because I'm off limits to take a turn at being guinea pig.

 

[jaykay]

mmmm. I'm qualified in reflexology, reiki, massage and Bowen Therapy and have NEVER had a problem treating diabetics. I understand that the college is going to be more jittery in our litigious society but common sense should rule here. However as that is unlikely to happen, I would urge you to try and get a letter from your GP. Although it isn't neccessary that you receive treatments it is a good idea. For one, you get a better understanding of what effect you are having on someone else's body and two, hopefully you will get some benefit. After all, presumably you believe that what you are going to learn is beneficial?

 

[Dippy3103]

So what about reflexology and diabetes then? Would working on the pressure point relating to the pancreas be an issue? A bit off topic but was wondering

 

[jaykay]

I was taught that nothing in relexology would be a problem unless you go crazy and overwork a particular reflex point but as long as you give a complete treatment, the whole point is that reflexology tries to balance the body.
Oh apart from somebody with lymphatic cancer. Wouldn't work on them. Or first 3 months of pregnancy. Otherwise shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Dippy3103]

My friend trained as a reflexologist a few years ago. I was lucky enough to be one of the people she practiced on. I was very cynical at first, but changed my mind totally. I had a nasty sinus infection at the time, but during a treatment my sinus suddenly cleared. And I slept like a baby after every treatment.
Good luck with your studies.

 

[victry77]

After all, presumably you believe that what you are going to learn is beneficial?

Hi, jaykay. Oh absolutley. I only became interested in holistics since developing diabetes as I found they had a lovely positive effect on my general wellbeing. I get regular treatments from a therapist who has no issues with the diabetes at all. I was totally honest with her in the initial consultation & told her I had no complications, no problems with BP, etc, and there has never been a issue. She knows I look after myself (I probably wouldn't be going for treatments if I didn't) and she knows that if I feel I might be going hypo then I will tell her right away & the session will stop while I test & treat if necessary.

At least with the Aromatherapy course they are willing to allow me treatments with a letter. The Reiki is a complete no-no, however. The tutor actually doesn't agree with the policy, she is T2 and said to me that she would assume that I know enough about my condition and about the possible effects of a Reiki session to avoid any potential hypos. But college rules still say no. Oh and it's also the VTCT (awarding body) rules apparently. What's kinda weird about this Reiki rule, though, is that a large part of it is self-treatment. So, I'm allowed to do that but not allowed to have anyone else treat me :roll:

 

[jaykay]

Wow. That absolutely goes against everything I ever learnt about reiki! I'm a reiki master and never have heard of not treating diabetics. Anyway,I'm glad you enjoy your therapies . Good luck with your studies.

 

[mindii]

Hey all,
I just wanted to wish Victry77 lots of luck in her new venture! Holistic Therapies are Brilliantly rewarding for both therapist and client so enjoy making a difference in peoples life! just look after yourself there are people out there who will want to suck the life energy out of you - pls don't let them it will ruin how you feel doing you treatments so as always protection is the key!

The times we live in is really weird with everyone excessively worried about health and safety and getting sued that we forget the basics from time to time i think, so i think thats why places of learning really hold back when dealing with clients who have "special care conditions". Over time and experience you will find out how to deal with it in your own admirable way

a

 

[victry77]

Thank you, Mindii.

Started both courses & I'm already loving them The aroma tutor gave me a letter to give to my GP & he filled it in no probs. He put that he "didn't know of any medical study/research, etc, into why couldn't receive an aromatherpay treatment." Tutor was happy with that & I was allowed to be practised on.

As for the Reiki, I think the tutor is going to allow me to be practised on, too, without a GP letter. It's more the hypos that are the area of concern here not whether I have complications or not. That's why they won't allow insulin users to receive an official treatment just in case on their way home they have a hypo & nearly fall under a bus thus blaming the treatment.

Anyway, I'm happy I got the letter & I'm really looking forward to all of it. Getting attuned to Reiki 1 tomorrow & am thoroughly excited

Best wishes to you all xxx

 

[Patch]

Keep us up-to-date on the aromatherapy. I've read in the past that in some people, just the smell of food can cause a persons BG to rise. I'll be interested to see if aromatherapy has any effect on diabetes...