Latest News23.05.20 MeetingThank you to everyone - around 30 of you who logged onto our Zoom meeting last Saturday. I found it really moving that so many wanted to share and listen, support and feel supported in this way. We will definitely be doing it again. There was a sense of sadness present for many of us. However well we are doing to compensate for it, touch is irreplaceable and cannot be substituted for. This is a loss for us, but also a growing strength in our work. As one member said at the end of the meeting - Never has touch been more important. I believe we all went away with a greater embodied recognition of this; we could connect to it more powerfully through just being together for a couple of hours.
What we all agreed was that this current crisis with its accompanying mental health issues and its physically isolating aspect, are an opportunity for us. In our next meeting we would hope to be in a position to focus on just how exactly we can move forwards within the changing environment; how best as therapists and as a profession we can harness public need. On-line ContentThe link below will take you to a recent YouTube video made by Theo, our Professional Development Officer about body psychotherapy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnQln4iA10w&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR3rAkoRxxv74s-ScBdAXBbqKmfiD_RSuxSjnMfTG5Lpacv5bZ58O93lBH8 There is also one for Welldoing.org by our Chair, Lindsey about the unique therapeutic contact we make in biodynamic massage: https://welldoing.org/article/what-biodynamic-massage-therapy-video?fbclid=IwAR3J0iAZtwkW9DQRie2uz-5aaGOyzi2UaFrEToevIKocltFTNEvuGyMjK1I Biodynamic Massage and Covid-19
24.03.20
As with all professional associations at the current time, ABMT has been struggling as to how best to support our clients through this crisis, and how to balance therapeutic needs against national safety issues. We have received directives from Government and also from the CNHC, whose most recent advice is as follows: Disciplines involving hands-on therapies:
Our social responsibility outweighs other therapeutic concerns and therefore until further notice, ABMT recommends that no client work involving touch or face-to-face contact should take place. We are, of course, monitoring the situation and will update this bulletin as the picture changes and further advice is available. Scarwork and FasciaWe had a fantastic Afternoon Session on 23rd November, from Jan Trewartha, who spoke about her pioneering work in the field of scarring and working with the fascia. This is relatively new work in the UK and certain to develop extensively in the coming years, as its effects are transformational. I’d like you to read the testimonial below of one of our members, Laura Hawksley, who volunteered for Jan’s taster session, and to draw your attention to the course Jan is offering in July next year. Here is the link. https://www.bodyinharmony.org.uk/event/sharon-wheelers-scarwork-5 If you are thinking of applying, Jan has offered a £30 discount on the next course for members of the Association. All you need to do is to email her before applying. Here is what Laura has to say: "The AGM last weekend was an opportunity for those who attended to meet Jan Trewartha and hear her speak with a gentle conviction about Sharon Wheeler's ScarWork. Her demonstration of a couple of techniques and opportunity to practise on each other added an experiential element to a really relevant and fascinating session. For myself, I had the added experience of being able to volunteer a scar and thought I would share a little bit about it. Jan worked on my caesarean section scar, using feather touch and down the rabbit hole techniques. Using the lightest of touch and subtlest of movements I could feel shifts down my left leg, gluts and abdomen, leading to a feeling of more freedom of movement as I walked to the station. That night I was exhausted! At home both my partner and daughter noticed a change in the shape of my belly, less of a fold tightly pulled in and more of a flop! For myself, my gluts remain more relaxed, and I feel less constricted across my lower abdomen. My scar is shallower than it was and less tightly attached to my abdominal muscles. It is difficult to feel that I am doing justice in describing Jan's skill and the changes she has instigated in my scar. It feels that these benefits are continuing over time and I sincerely thank her." For those of you interested in this training, the course will be held at the North London School of Sports Massage, not far from Seven Sisters tube. Here is the link again: https://www.bodyinharmony.org.uk/event/sharon-wheelers-scarwork-5 To attend, you need to be a practising body worker with at least one year’s experience. It is also possible to pay in instalments. – you pay a 20% deposit and then spread the rest of the cost over 8 months. Our Journals
The ABMT aims to produce two journals a year - our most recent being in September 2019. You can find out more about these and how to submit for our peer-reviewed publication here: http://www.abmt.org.uk/the-journal.html Listing in Welldoing.orgWe are very pleased to announce that biodynamic massage is now included in the on-line therapy site, Welldoing.org, The link is: https://welldoing.org/types-of-therapy and there is a listing in the drop-down menu. To register as a practitioner therapists must be registered with UKCP or BACP. Thanks to Amy Barnes for her efforts here!
Registering with CNHC
Your membership with ABMT allows you to register with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), the government-supported voluntary register of complementary therapists. Most complementary therapies in the UK do not have statutory regulation, which means it can be challenging for members of the public to know what therapists have high quality training, ethical, and professional standards. By joining the CNHC register, you show that you meet these standards, and can be searched for by prospective clients on their website. Other benefits of CNHC membership include:
- Possibilities of employment in, or referrals from the NHS. - Exempt status from London Borough's special treatment licences. - PR and marketing support. - Reimbursement for clients with certain private healthcare plans. - Job, volunteering and CPD opportunities. Please note: from Monday 1 October 2018 the registration fee will be £70. If you are interested in registering, you can do so by completing the 'request to register' form here: Keeping in TouchTo receive information about ABMT activities including updates on research, articles from our journal and events join as an Associate Member and receive our bi-annual journal and regular newsletters. Discover more
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