AROMATHERAPY

ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS

Students wishing to enrol on postgraduate courses must hold a recognised diploma in:

- Anatomy, Physiology and Massage Diploma

CAREER PROSPECTS

As public awareness and interest in alternative and complimentary therapies grows, so too has the need for the number of qualified practitioners to increase. There are probably around 1000 practising aromatherapists in Ireland at the present time.
The majority of aromatherapists are self-employed and work either from home or from a natural health centre or multi-therapy clinic.
There is also a growing interest in the therapy amongst nurses, physiotherapists and health visitors and many of them undertake the training for use within their own field.

COURSE DETAILS

Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils, which are derived from plants. Different oils have different properties and these can be used to treat both physical and emotional conditions. The main use of these essential oils is as massage oils as they dissolve in vegetable oil and are readily absorbed by the skin. The oils are too strong to be used neat. Therapists select the appropriate oil for the client to be treated and massage it into the body with special emphasis on massage to acupressure points helpful to the condition and to reflex points in the feet. The aromatherapy massage is to the whole body and not concentrated on the feet as in reflexology.

SYLLABUS

THEORY
- The history, definition and development of Aromatherapy
- Concepts and theories as to how and why it works
- Philosophy of complimentary medicines
- Essential oils
- Therapeutic properties of essential oils
- Use, care and storage of oils and ancillary products – creams, milks, masques, etc.
- A knowledge of carrier oils, their effects and benefits
- An introduction to other natural therapies
- Simple blending of essential oils/synergies
- Dangers of overdose
- Contra-indications and possible reactions to treatments
- Codes of practice and ethics

PRACTICAL TREATMENT
- A good working knowledge of essential oils
- Preparation of working area
- Reception of client
- Initial consultation and recording of client details
- Referral procedures for liaising with medical practitioners
- Aromatherapy massage – full body, facial and scalp
- Assigning appropriate length and manner of treatment
- Holistic aromatherapy treatment – effective whole body treatments to suit individual requirements
- Selection and blending of oils
- Other uses of oils – hydrotherapy, candles, burners, pulverisers, etc.
- Lymph drainage and pressure points
- Observation of client reactions during and after treatment
- Assessment of client through listening and observation
- Assessment of recording of treatment

EXTRA CURRICULAR LECTURES
- Marketing and advertising
- Client records and filing
- Guidelines on setting up a business
- Planning permission and location
- Health regulations
- Insurance
- Costing and financing of same
- Equipping premises and details of equipment suppliers
- Recruiting staff
- Stress management combined with Aromatherapy