STRESS MANAGEMENT

ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS

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

-Body Therapy (Physiatrics) Diploma
Or
-Anatomy, Physiology and Massage Diploma

SYLLABUS

STRESS
- Definition of stress
- Fight and flight syndrome
- Causes of stress
- Work
- Noise
- Families
- Change
- Accidents
- Illness
- Marriage/partnership
- Divorce
- Effects of stress
- Insomnia
- Hyperventilation
- Excessive drinking/alcoholism
- Eating
- Finger or foot tapping
- Looking for others to blame
- Intolerance of others and self anger
- Violence
- Irritability
- Road rage
- High blood pressure
- Cardiac irregularity
- Anxiety
- Lack of concentration
- Accident proneness
- Depression
- Headaches

PHILOSOPHY OF COMPLIMENTARY THERAPIES
- An understanding of the holistic nature of complimentary therapies
- An awareness of six natural therapies plus current views and research in Holistic medicine, e.g. Shiatsu, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Acupuncture, etc.
- Awareness of coluntary and statuary support within the community

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY REVISION
A general revision of the function of all systems as can be affected by Stress Management with particular reference to: -
- Nervous System
- Skin
- Blood/Circulation
- Internal organs
- Elimination process
- Lymphatic system

REGONISING THE SIGNS OF STRESS
- Heart rate accelerated/palpitations
- Blood pressure raised
- Perspiration
- Appetite changes
- Unable to keep still
- Irritability, hyper-excitation, depression
- Dryness of throat and mouth
- Irrational behaviour, emotional instability
- Strong urge to cry or escape
- Inability to concentrate
- Feelings of unreality, weakness or dizziness
- Fatigue/lethargy
- Fear/anxiety (cause unknown)
- Emotional tension and alertness
- Trembling/nervous habits/easily startled
- High pitched nervous laughter
- Stammering/other speech difficulties
- Bruxism (grinding teeth)
- Frequent need to urinate
- Diarrhoea, indigestion, queasiness, vomiting
- Migraine type headaches
- Menstrual irregularities
- Pain in the neck or lower back
- Increased smoking
- Increased use of legally prescribed drugs (tranquilisers, amphetamines)
- Alcohol and drug addiction
- Nightmares/irregular sleep patterns
- Neurotic behaviour
- Psychoses
- Accident proneness

PATHOLOGY
- Asthmas
- Angina
- Arthritis
- Diabetes mellitus
- Eczema
- Epilepsy
- High and low blood pressure
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)
- Psoriasis
- Pre menstrual tension (PMS)
- Menopause
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Stress related disorders
- Migraine
- Drugs
- Addiction
- Allergies
- Depression
- Eating disorders

CLIENT CARE AND CONSULTATION
- Preparation of the treatment room and couch/ chair
- Ensuring client comfort, privacy, warmth, etc.
- Obtaining information to include medical history, present medication and reason for treatment
- Noting and acting upon any apparent contra-indications