As of April 2021, it is estimated that there are 1.1 million people in the UK living with Long Covid. Our tenacious teacher Susan Harrison has been researching the subject and has recently had the below article published in the very prestigious Co-Kinetic Journal on how we, as massage therapists, can help with massage for long covid.
If you want to get in touch with Susan, she would love to hear from you: https://powertouchtherapy.co.uk/
Susan has also been working with our very own Rachel Fairweather to produce an online Long Covid course for our Jing students – Treating the Long Covid Client: Considerations, Modifications and Suggestions for Massage Therapists
All massage therapists should be looking to learn more about the effects and potential treatment of Long Covid as more of our clients present with that diagnosis or symptoms. We’re thrilled to be able to share this online course with you all.
Sign up Online Long Covid course
The aim is to help therapists make informed decisions on what techniques are appropriate and safe to do for the client in front of you. To be informed you need to have an understanding of what it is you are treating and when you might need to refer to other.
There is no agreed medical diagnosis for screening for Long Covid nor is there a clear, clinically proven treatment strategy. As of May 2022, the latest ONS data for Long Covid states that 1.8 million people have a Long Covid self-diagnosis with over 1.3 million people still experiencing them 12 weeks after initial infection.
So, where does that leave us as massage therapists in treating a non-specific condition where many people are making their own diagnosis about symptoms?
We already have a wealth of experience in treating conditions where often a diagnosis is by exclusion of other conditions: ME/CFS, non-specific low back pain and stress to name a few. However, the concern with Long Covid is the vast array of symptoms and understanding when to refer and what we can treat.
This course is designed specifically to help provide massage therapists with in-depth information so that you can understand any cautions and make informed decisions in preparing your treatment plans with clients.
The course will discuss:
· The common symptoms of Long Covid
· The biopsychosocial effects of illness
· The consultation process
· Considerations and modifications for treatment
· Ideas for self-care
Member of the JAMMM our innovative mentoring and support group? Then your sessions are free as part of your subscription. Click here if you are interested in joining the JAMMM
Sign up Online Long Covid course
The course will be run as weekly Zoom sessions. The course will be interactive so we would love it if you can attend live but will also be recorded and added to your online course to catch up with, for those busy in clinic!
Live Virtual Classrooms will be one and a half hours long and cover the following topics:
Lesson 1: Overview of Long Covid and the biopsychosocial approach Wednesday 8th June 2022: 12pm-1.30pm
Lesson 2: Insights into common symptoms Wednesday 15th June 2022: 12pm-1.30pm
Lesson 3: The consultation process Wednesday 22nd June 2022: 12pm-1.30pm
Lesson 4: Treatment strategies Thursday 30th June: 12pm-1.30pm
Lesson 5: Ideas for self-care Wednesday 6th July: 12pm-1.30pm
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