Pregnancy Massage and Shiatsu Immersion Course: Earthspirit Centre, nr Glastonbury 4 days residential

This is probably one of the most in depth courses taught ( 4 full days with case study work). It integrates traditional massage techniques (Swedish, sports) along with some energy holds and connections based on acupressure techniques. This particular course is open to both massage and shiatsu therapists as massage can be useful for shiatsu practitioners and shiatsu can be useful for massage therapists.  The reason that these are integrated, apart from adding to your skills, is that sometimes more traditional physical techniques may be contraindicated in certain situations. Simple energy techniques, such as supporting the mother and baby connection are always useful. Suzanne Yates, who developed the course, believes that in most situations, including the first trimester and with many higher risk women, massage is still beneficial. She has been working with pregnant women with massage, and also shiatsu, since 1990 and developed the course in 1999. She is continually refining and developing the course based on her student's and fellow teacher's feedback and her increasing knowledge.

No: We integrate techniques which are able to be learnt by massage therapists with no prior knowledge of shiatsu or acupressure. However if you already know some, then you can deepen your skills and add to your practice.

Since this course is also open to shiatsu practitioners you can learn alongside them to deepen your knowledge.

No.You will have the option to include some massage if it feels appropriate but the work will be shown clothed and what we include can easily be integrated by you.

Both shiatsu and massage therapists work on the floor or the table. We will include both. This increases your range of options of working with pregnant women, however if you are not comfortable working on either the floor or the table, don’t worry. We accommodate both options. Indeed we also explore working with a ball either sitting or forward leaning.

They are an accrediting body for massage therapists.  If you are a shiatsu practitioner, this part is not relevant, unless you are a member of the BCMA.

The British Complementary Medical Association (BCMA) holds an international register of qualified and comprehensively insured therapists belonging to our Member Associations. All are members of the BCMA and adhere to the BCMA Code of Ethics and Disciplinary Procedure.

BCMA Philosophy - Why we are different :-

We are non-profit making and therefore have only your interests at heart.

We champion the preservation of all holistic values not to be compromised by bureaucratic regulation.

We support meaningful voluntary self-regulation where the VSR Council created by the therapy peers maintains control. This protects the therapy associations and practitioners as well as the public.

We embrace and support complementary schools and clinics that meet our criteria.

The BCMA Council IS the membership, not a separate body.

This is for massage therapists.

They will either send an assessor to the practical assessment OR mark the written course work. They can also provide insurance for your case studies if you need it.

It is easier to approach private classes, rather than NHS classes (UK: National Health Service) run ones. Often pregnancy yoga or aquanatal teachers are happy for you to come to the beginning or end of a class and explain what pregnancy massage is: as long as they are not a massage therapist themselves! You could also try approaching NCT (National Childbirth Trust: private classes) teachers: but women tend to attend these classes towards the end of their pregnancy. It is good to make contacts anyway with other people working with pregnant women. Once you have got your first pregnant woman, she will often know many others. Posting on your local area FB page is also an option.

For massage therapists: You have six months (you can apply for extensions up to one year) to complete four case studies of four sessions per client (ideally a range of all trimesters) and a short project on how you are working with pregnancy massage. There is no written exam, as we have a practical exam, and we use the project and case studies to verify your knowledge.

For shiatsu practitioners: You can choose to complete the written work as part of the Wellmother Diploma. This is Two Case Studies on Pregnancy.

You can attend the course and not complete the written work, if you wish! Although I strongly encourage you to do so! Students say that they appreciate this time of consolidation and development of their work and they learn a lot by completing it. However, if you don't want to do it, or are not able to do it, then I can issue a certificate of attendance which verifies you have passed the practical assessment.

It depends on the individual insurance company, so ask them. If they want more information I can discuss this with them and supply further information as necessary.

Some insurance companies may require you to send them the certificate of course attendance plus your practical assessment results to provide cover whilst you are doing your case studies.

If you have any issues with your current insurer, then the BCMA which validate the course can arrange appropriate insurance cover for you.

Denman Direct, which insures therapists under the GCP and MTI schemes, recognises the Well Mother course for those therapists working with women during labour - providing the therapist is acting under the auspices of a midwife.

The FHT recognise the Well Mother Massage and Pregnancy Diploma course as qualifying therapists to work during the first trimester of pregnancy as well as the second and third trimester.

As there are so many courses, I can't recommend a specific one! However a good way is to ask local therapists where they trained and which schools in your area are good. Each course is slightly different so you need to find the one which suits you. Go along to an introductory day and meet the tutors and check you are happy with their approach. Then check that the course is recognised by one of the following regulating bodies or professional association:

In the UK

• British Complementary Medicine Association BCMA 
• International Association of Professional Aromatherapists
• Aromatherapy Council
• General Council for Massage Therapy GCMT
• Reflexology Forum RF

UK Professional Associations

APNT Association of Physical and Natural Therapist: accredits and recognises Well Mother courses

FHT Federation of Holistic Therapists: recognises Well mother courses

Embody : recognises Well Mother courses

MTI  Suzanne teaches for some schools and has presented several times at their Conferences

In the US

NCTCMB  The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage Bodywork: has accredited Well Mother courses

In Australia

Australian Association of Massage Therapists AAMT: accredits Well Mother courses