Shirley Price Aromatherapy Diploma Class
Inspirational tutors Jan Benham FFHT MIFPA, Sue Jenkins BSc MIFPA
Call for dates and costs
Rosie Brandrick College Secretary 01455 615466
Overall Aim of the Shirley Price Aromatherapy Diploma course.
The accredited course seeks to provide education and training opportunities in
developing a proficient professional aromatherapist who has the ability to work within
both the field of complementary and contemporary health care settings. The course
will provide the student aromatherapist with the opportunity for self development and
facilitate an awareness of the importance of evidence based practice within the field
of Aromatherapy.
General Learning Outcomes of the course.
Knowledge and Understanding (theory) Outcomes.
• Develop a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the principles of
Aromatherapy from a historical and philosophical perspective.
• Explore and develop an in depth understanding of the art and science of using
aromatic materials safely, in a range of therapeutic treatments.
• Examine the concept of health, illness, a range of medical conditions and the
factors which may impact upon Aromatherapy as a therapeutic intervention.
• Develop an in depth understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the
human body in relation to a range of body work techniques in Aromatherapy.
Course Components.
Aromatherapy Syllabus. (120 hours)
Therapeutic Massage Syllabus. (60hours)
Anatomy and Physiology Syllabus.(50 hours)
Case Studies. In addition theory/class contact hours at least 4 hourly treatment
sessions on 10 clients is required, totalling no less than 60 hours.
Massage Practice. At least 5 full body massages on 10 clients is also required.
Both case studies and massage practice should be recorded in a practice portfolio
which will be part of the practical examination
There are many applications of essential oils all
under the title aromatherapy from skincare, perfume, giving flavour to
food and drink to professional work in clinical, salon and spa settings.
The
Shirley Price Aromatherapy Diploma proceeds through 4 initial classroom
weeks to FHT membership. A further fifth week is offered as an upgrade
to IFPA membership.
One of these applications is clinical aromatherapy.
CLINICAL AROMATHERAPY RESEARCH
Presently
clinical aromatherapy research lends little support to the use of
aromatherapy. However Aromatherapy is a popular and apparently
potentially effective complementary therapy and research continues.
Indications
that aromatherapy is of interest include the work of aromatherapy
authors, scientists such as Gattefosse, Valnet, aromatherapists such as
Robert Tisserand and Shirley Price, worwood, Buckle, Tiran etc and the
day to day work of numerous professional members of professional
aromatherapy and aromatherapy trade bodies (IFA, IFPA, FHT, NAHA).
So
what does the research say? Clinical aromatherapy applications are
focused on pain relief in labour, post operative nausea and vomiting,
dementia and symptom relief in patients with cancer, possibly back and
pelvic pain in pregnancy.
Find out more - Cochrane Library
Pain management in Labour
Aromatherapy draws on the healing power of plants with the use of
essential oils to enhance physical and mental wellbeing. The oils may be
massaged into the skin, in a bath or inhaled using a steam infusion or
burner. The pain of labour can be intense, with tension, fear and
anxiety making it worse. Many women would like to labour without using
drugs, or invasive methods such as an epidural, and turn to
complementary therapies to help reduce their pain perception Many
complementary therapies are tried and include acupuncture, mind-body
techniques, massage, reflexology, herbal medicines or homoeopathy,
hypnosis, music and aromatherapy.
The review identified two randomised
controlled trials of aromatherapy. One trial involving 513 women
compared one of Roman chamomile, clary sage, frankincense, lavender or
mandarin essentials oils with standard care. The aromatherapy was
applied using acupressure points, taper, compress, footbath, massage or a
birthing pool.
The second trial involved 22 women randomised to bathe
for at least an hour in water with either essential oil of ginger or
lemongrass added. All women received routine care and had access to pain
relief.
The trials found no difference between groups for pain
intensity, assisted vaginal birth, caesarean section or the use of
pharmacological pain relief (epidural). Overall, there is insufficient
evidence from randomised controlled trials about the benefits of
aromatherapy on pain management in labour. More research is needed.
Post operative nausea and vomiting
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common and unpleasant side
effect of surgery, with 20% to 30% of all patients suffering moderate
to severe nausea and vomiting following general anaesthesia using
volatile agents (inhaled anaesthesia). Nausea is an abdominal discomfort
or queasiness that may be accompanied by vomiting (the forceful
expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth).
Current drug
treatments may not always work effectively or they may have unpleasant
adverse effects. Aromatherapy is sometimes recommended for treating
nausea and vomiting, though currently there is not sufficient evidence
that it is effective. Aromatherapy uses inhalation of the vapour of
essential oils or other substances to treat or alleviate physical and
emotional symptoms.
We examined nine studies of aromatherapy for PONV,
with a total of 402 participants. Six studies of the brief inhalation of
isopropyl alcohol vapours showed that it can have some effect in
reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting; however it seems to be less
effective than standard drug treatments. There was a moderate risk of
bias due to the design of some of the studies. Isopropyl alcohol is also
known as rubbing alcohol and is commonly found in the type of
'prep-pad' used to clean skin prior to injection. There is currently no
reliable evidence to support the use of other aromatherapies such as
peppermint oil to treat postoperative nausea and vomiting. No included
studies reported any adverse effects from the aromatherapies used.
Dementia
Aroma therapy is the use of pure essential oils from fragrant plants
(such as Peppermint, Sweet Marjoram, and Rose) to help relieve health
problems and improve the quality of life in general. The healing
properties of aroma therapy are claimed to include promotion of
relaxation and sleep, relief of pain, and reduction of depressive
symptoms. Hence, aroma therapy has been used to reduce disturbed
behaviour, to promote sleep and to stimulate motivational behaviour of
people with dementia.
Of the four randomized controlled trials found
only one had useable data. The analysis of this one small trial showed a
significant effect in favour of aroma therapy on measures of agitation
and neuropsychiatric symptoms. More large-scale randomized controlled
trials are needed before firm conclusions can be reached about the
effectiveness of aroma therapy.
nb see recent Research (Newcastle) on the use of Melissa and Rosemary
Aromatherapy for symptom relief in patients with cancer
This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows:
To
evaluate the effectiveness of aromatherapy and/or massage on pain,
psychological distress, immune function, quality of life, and other
physical symptoms in patients with cancer.
nb A review will be forthcoming but in the meantime the previous review has been withdrawn
Back and pelvic pain in pregnancy
.Many women experience back or pelvic pain during pregnancy. This pain
generally increases as pregnancy advances and it interferes with daily
activities (like carrying, cleaning, sitting and walking), can prevent
women going to work and sometimes disturbs sleep. Suggestions to help
manage the pain are varied and include special pregnancy exercises,
frequent rest, hot and cold compresses, a supportive belt, massage,
acupuncture, chiropractic, aromatherapy, relaxation, herbs, yoga and
Reiki. Sometimes drugs like acetaminophen have also been suggested. No
studies were found dealing with the prevention of back and pelvic pain.
For treatment, the review of trials found eight studies, involving 1305
participants, that examined the effects of various pregnancy-specific
exercises, physiotherapy programs, acupuncture and using special pillows
added to usual prenatal care. They were compared to usual pregnancy
care or other treatments. The quality of the studies was not the best,
and so the findings should be treated with caution. The review found
that specifically tailored strengthening exercise, sitting pelvic tilt
exercise programs and water gymnastics all reported beneficial effects.
The Ozzlo pillow seemed to be effective but is no longer available. In
addition, acupuncture seemed more effective than physiotherapy. Adverse
effects, when reported, appeared minor and transient. More research is
needed on this widespread problem of pain in pregnancy.
When you look at the number of studies cited in all the Cochrane Reviews
you have a handful. By contrast Robert Tisserands next edition of
Essential Oil Safety contains 4500 references. Theres a disconnect here
and the key is those two little words...customer service.
CAM and Psychology
http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/features/pro-43-6-576.pdf
Ian Brealey
