Massage Therapists and Wholistic Practitioners ASSOCIATION OF THE MARITIMES Wholistic Modality Education Requirements Alexander Technique (D) Developed by Australian performer F.M. Alexander in the late 19th Century, the Alexander Technique is a form of education designed to improve one's self-observation in relation to movement. This results in more effective and efficient use of their body. Combined with hands-on treatment this prevents or helps recovery from tension, pain, postural and structural imbalances, and repetitive use injury. A practitioner must have successfully completed their training from a training program recognized by The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique nationally/internationally. This program must provide certification designation. Aromatherapy (D/S) Aromatherapists can assess and support the treatment of or enhance a variety of physical and mental conditions through careful selection of quality plant essential oils (not flower essences). Some may use lymph drainage or relaxation massage as part of the application. Discipline: A practitioner must have successfully completed their training from a certified program for the profession of aromatherapy and passed any written or practical examination that qualifies them as a certified Aromatherapist. Most programs are a year or more in length and must be from a program that provides certification designation. Most may have some online/distance and in classroom components. Training from an entire online program will not be accepted. Specialty: Continuing Education Courses are accepted for this modality when the member is registered in the discipline of Massage Therapy.
Bowen Technique (D) Bowen Technique addresses the body as a whole unit rather than only presenting symptoms. Bowenwork consists of a series of gentle rolling, connective tissue moves. The Body's Autonomic Nervous System responds to the work, allowing the body to restore itself to its original blueprint. The technique addresses the musculoskeletal framework, fascia, nerves, and internal organs. A practitioner must have successfully completed a certified course for the profession of Bowenwork and passed all examinations. Only programs that are registered with the trademark of BowenTech will be accepted as approved training. Continuing Education: The requirement for continuing education begins with accreditation as a Professional Bowenwork Practitioner. Thereafter, to maintain Bowenwork skills and accreditation, practitioners must complete 32 contact hours of Bowtech-approved continuing education every two years, with the requirement due on the anniversary of the accreditation date. There are three categories of continuing education classes. Of the 32 hours required each two years, at least 16 hours must be from the Category 1 classes. The remaining hours may be from any category. Category 1: Review of Bowtech training courses. Each 8 hour day is equivalent to 8 CE hours. Modules 1 to 6 Module 8 Module 9 (SP1) Modules 11 & 12 (SP2) Practitioner Day A: (Review Modules 1-6 lower body procedures) Practitioner Day B: (Review Modules 1-6 upper body procedures) Category 2: These Bowtech-approved workshops, which are listed in the same drop-down menu on the Learn Bowtech search page as are Modules 8 12, are designed to deepen the understanding of applying Bowenwork procedures in specialized areas of interest as well as reviews from different perspectives. Category 2 CE workshops earn eight contact hours per day.
Category 3: Other Bowtech/Bowenwork endorsed courses that broaden the practitioner s general knowledge base. A Category 3 course may contain some practical Bowenwork; however, the emphasis is more theoretical and includes a range of options to address different aspects related to practicing Bowenwork. Bowtech Conference attendance earns four hours per conference day, with a maximum of eight hours in any two-year period eligible for credit. Each 8 hour day is equivalent to 4 CE hours. Advanced Seminar Prerequisites apply, including the completion of Module 8 at intervals of at least three months over a period of nine months after completion of Module 7. Other courses that are approved by Bowtech for continuing education are listed in the drop-down menu on the Learn Bowtech search page. Not every course is available in all countries. Contact your regional office for details. Additional courses are continually under development to broaden the range of courses that qualify toward the continuing education requirement of 32 hours every two years. CranioSacral Therapy (CST) (D/S) CranioSacral Therapy was developed further developed and specialized from the osteopathic cranial sacral therapy by the osteopathic doctor, Dr. Upledger over 20 years ago. This gentle, hands-on technique involves the craniosacral system -- a system of the body composed of membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Practitioners utilize CST to loosen and release restrictions or "blockages" in the body that can contribute to pain and dysfunction; removing such blockages improves the functioning of the central nervous system and body as a whole. Discipline: The practitioner must have completed either the CST Techniques Certification or the CST Diplomate Certification from Upledger to be qualified to use any professional title. Specialty: Continuing Education Courses are accepted for this modality when the member is registered in the discipline of Massage Therapy. Training cannot come from an Osteopathic training program for the profession of an Osteopath if it is to be billed in conjunction with massage therapy for some insurance companies.
Feldenkrais (D) The Feldenkrais Method, named for its founder, Moshe Feldenkrais, DSc, is a form of education related to body movement. Feldenkrais is based on the belief that replacing bad movement habits (usually learned early in life) with good ones through increased self-awareness, leads to improvements in flexibility, coordination, range of motion, relaxation, and a range of other things. Feldenkrais stimulates the nervous system s innate self-organizing abilities through sensory motor activities, freeing us from habitual patterns and allowing new patterns of thinking, moving, and feeling to emerge. A practitioner must have successfully completed a certified training program for the profession of Feldenkrais. This program is usually 700+ hours and must be from a program that provides certification designation. Feldenkrais, Feldenkrais Method, Awareness Through Movement, and Functional Integration are registered service marks; Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner CM and Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher are certification marks of the Feldenkrais Guild of North America. German Auricular Medicine German Auricular Medicine was discovered and developed by Dr. Paul Nogier of France during the 1950s to 1980s, and further developed by Dr. Frank Bahr of Germany, along with recent breakthroughs in removing blockages to healing achieved by Dr. Beate Strittmatter, Director of Education of the German Academy of Auricular Medicine. Known for its effectiveness for chronic pain, neurological and hormonal imbalance and stress disorders, this form of acupuncture is only recently available in North America. A practitioner must have successfully completed each level Level One Certificate (80 Study Hours) includes the completion of Seminars I & II and oral exam can be completed during Seminar II and Clinical Practicum 1 (includes 10 case reports). Level Two Certification (69 study hours) includes successful completion of Seminar III and Clinical Practicum II (includes 5 advanced case reports).
Healing Touch (D/S) Healing Touch is an energy-based approach to health and healing. These non-invasive techniques use the hands to clear, energize, and balance the human and environmental energy fields thus affecting, facilitating, and harmonizing the client s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health and healing. Discipline: The Practitioner must have successfully completed all five levels and have their certification recognizing them to use the designated title, Healing Touch International Practitioner, HTI-P. The HTI-P is then eligible to apply for certification and can move on to the Teacher Level. Specialty: Continuing Education Courses are accepted for this modality when the member is registered in the discipline of Massage Therapy. They are unable to charge or advertise for this modality until they have completed the final certification as outline by the Healing Touch Certificate Program. Hellerwork (D) Hellerwork is concerned with emphasizing the body's structural balance and realignment through deep-tissue work and movement therapy techniques. Hellerwork is administered over the course of 11 sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. Practitioners spend one hour massaging clients and 30 minutes in movement education. During the treatment, practitioners help clients reach an elevated state of self-awareness by using verbal communication. Hellerwork is useful in treating chronic stress and tension, as well as aiding in relaxation and extended range of motion. A practitioner must have successfully completed a certified program for the profession of Hellerwork. Most accepted programs are approximately 1200 + hours and are eligible to use any designations.
Holistic Nutritional Counseling (D) R.H.N.s Registered Holistic Nutritionists, (or, Registered Holistic Nutritional Consultants in the Atlantic Provinces) (or, Holistic Nutritionists or Holistic Nutritional Consultants in Alberta) are professionals trained in Natural Nutrition and complementary therapies, whose principal function is to educate individuals and groups about the benefits and health impact of optimal nutrition. RHNs guide their clients through the maze of information from books, magazines, supplements and diets on the market. They work with clients to identify and help correct the nutritional causes of diseases, and they are qualified to design personalized diet and lifestyle programs that optimize health. Many RHNs also contribute to the health and well-being of Canadians by writing articles for prominent health care magazines such as Alive and Vitality. Must be a graduate of a recognize program for Holistic Nutritional Counseling and have written and passed their examination for the profession. This training program must be recognized as able to have its students sit any national exam and able to provide any trademarked terms. Many courses are a year in length. Polarity Therapy (D) Polarity Therapy is a comprehensive health system involving energy-based bodywork, diet, exercise and self-awareness. It works with the Human Energy Field, electromagnetic patterns expressed in mental, emotional and physical experience. It seeks to find and release energy to normal flow patterns, and to maintain the energy field in an open, flexible condition. The practitioner must have successfully graduated from a program for Polarity Therapy. This program must be recognized by the American Polarity Therapy Association able to provide designations for the following levels. Associate Polarity Practitioner (APP) Practitioner must successfully complete 120 hours of in-class training, 30 hours of clinical practice, 5 hours of personal sessions, and many hours of independent home study. Registered Polarity Practitioner (RPP). The Practitioner must require the APP prerequisites plus an additional 440 hours of class time, 70 hours of clinical practice, 40 hours experiencing personal sessions and guidance, and hundreds of upon completion, a practitioner will have invested close to 700 hours in classroom and clinical work, with independent home study and personal development in addition. These are minimum requirements - many schools require more
Quantum-Touch (D) Quantum-Touch uses life-force energy (known as chi in Chinese and prana in Sanskrit) to facilitate healing. The Quantum-Touch techniques teach how to focus and amplify life-force energy by combining various breathing and body awareness exercises. Life-force energy is an effective tool for healing because of the principles of resonance and entrainment. In physics, entrainment theory is the process where two vibrating objects, vibrating at different speeds, start to vibrate at the same speed when energy is transferred between the two objects. Using the Quantum-Touch techniques, we can create a high frequency of life-force energy. If we place this field of high energy around an area of pain, stress, inflammation, or disease, the body can entrain to the higher frequency, thus amplifying the body's ability to heal itself. A practitioner must have successfully completed a certified program for the profession of Quantum-Touch. This training includes 2 Workshops and 60 hours of documented sessions. Certification must be able to provide the practitioner with the trademarks to practice Quantum- Touch. Reflexology (D/S) This technique is based on a system of points on the hands, feet and ears that correspond, or "reflex," to other areas of the body. Similar in theory to acupressure, reflexologists believe that applying appropriate pressure to these points stimulates the flow of energy, thus helping to relieve pain or blockages throughout the entire body. Discipline: A practitioner must have successfully completed a certified program and exam for the profession of Reflexology. Specialty: Continuing Education Courses are accepted for this modality when the member is registered in the discipline of Massage Therapy.
Reiki (D/S) The word Reiki comes from two Japanese words - rei, meaning higher power or universal force, and ki, meaning life energy. Loosely translated, Reiki means universal or spiritually-guided life-force energy. Practiced since the early 20 th century throughout Japan, Reiki was the creation of Mikao Usui, a Buddhist monk and educator, who used the therapy to heal the sick. Today, Reiki is used as a method of healing illness and reducing stress through light touch or, more commonly, by placing the hands near or above the body in specific positions or patterns. Through these positions, a Reiki practitioner can correct energetic imbalances in the body by removing toxic energy, improving health and restoring a person's energy levels. Discipline or Specialty: Reiki Practitioners Levels 1 or 2 with a minimum of 8 hours class training, have held this level for 6 months, and practiced Reiki for a minimum of once a week on self/others. Reiki 3 Practitioner Level (does not qualify at Master/Teacher Level yet) with a minimum of 12 hours class training, have held this level for 6 months, and practiced Reiki for a minimum of once a week on self/others Registered Master/Teacher with a minimum of 12 hours class training, not less than 28 hours of training of 3 Level total. You have held this level for at least 1 year and practiced for a minimum of twice a week on self/others. Rolfing (D) / Structural Integration (D) Developed by Ida P. Rolf in the 1940s, Structural Integration, or Rolfing, works to correct imbalances in body caused by natural gravitational forces. This technique utilizes deep pressure to help lengthen and relieve built up tension in the body's connective tissues. Benefits of this technique include improved balance, posture, and range of motion; increased energy; stress reduction; and alleviation of pain and discomfort. Rolfing is done either as an individually tailored program or as a 10-part series, using deep tissue bodywork to release the whole-body connective-tissue stress patterns that prevent optimal functioning in gravity. The practitioner must have successfully completed certified training from The Rolf Institute or from a school that The Rolf Institute supports and recognizes. If the practitioner is not a member of The Rolf Institute, who is the sole certifying body for Rolfers, then they may use the term, Structural Integration only to refer to their work. If a practitioner is a member of The Rolf Institute, they may refer to themselves as Certified Rolfers and Rolf Movement Practitioners. To determine if a practitioner is a Certified Rolfer, look for the trademark, ROLF, ROLFER, ROLFING, ROLF MOVEMENT and THE ROLF INSTITUTE.
Trager (D) The Trager Approach is a system of movement re-education and bodywork promoting health and freedom of movement. Treatment facilitates deep relaxation, increased physical mobility, and mental clarity; it is used for health maintenance, rehabilitation, and pain management and relief. A practitioner must have successfully completed The Trager practitioner certification level and entrance into Trager International to obtain their certificate as a practitioner of The Trager Approach. Continuing Education: The member must also adhere to the continuing education standards set out by Trager International Within 2 years of obtaining Practitioner Certification, attend either of these two 3-day Trager Training: LEVEL IV OR Basic Reflex Response Fieldwork Following the LEVEL IV or Basic Reflex Response Training above: Give at least 15 sessions integrating the material from the selected training. Receive at least 5 sessions. Have at least 1 Tutorial to evaluate integration. Ongoing Requirements After completion of the Initial Requirements, the ongoing requirements are self-documented as follows: Every three years accumulate at least 24 hours of training related to movement or somatic education, private practice, or group presentation/group leadership. Training may be taken from Trager International or other recognized providers, such as official bodywork organizations (AMTA or NCBTMB in USA), The Upledger Institute, Aston-Patterning, Bodymind Centering, Feldenkrais, Continuum, and Authentic Movement. NOTE: These 24 hours must include at least one Trager Tutorial These requirements apply to Practitioners, Senior Practitioners, and Practitioners pursuing Senior Practitioner Certification.