Advice on exercises?

[Gennothink]

I've just had a bit of a row with my reflexology tutor. She says I ought to be advising my clients on what exercises to do if, say, their shoulder reflex comes up. My take on that is that I'm not qualified to give advice on exercise. I don't do it myself. I've caused myself problems by exercising alone and without adequate supervision, and I know my limits. I'd rather advise clients to see a physiotherapist, or a personal trainer, than possibly cause more harm than good.

Any thoughts anyone?

 

[parkhead (bhoy)]

Hi Chris

From a Reflexologist of 10 years you are totally right not to give advice! Some kind of tutor you have!

If you do not have the necessary qualifications to give the advice and a patient injuries/hurts or becomes ill themselves because of what you told them to do, you can be sued!

You are best once qualified to seek out various highly recommended/qualified practitioners in your area for when such things come up. ie a Nutritionist, physiotherapist, medicinal herbalist and so the list could go on. You may already know of such people already however once you know of them its always nice to introduce yourself to them and see if its ok to refer patients to them if in need. You never know the referral could work the other way.


Hope this helps

 

[syco2236]

Hi Chris,
I totally agree with you, how would your reflexology tutor feel if I started giving reflexology treatments/ advice without training. I have spent years working in sports coaching, fitness industry, sports massage and therapy. I can honestly say that the majority of my gym based clients are given poor exercise advice by recently qualified or unqualified staff, in some cases down right dangerous advice. Stick to your guns and tell tutor you are not willing to risk the health of your clients, instead tell tutor you intend to find a suitable exercise instructor who you can refer to, and in return they can refer their clients to you, its about networking, turn the negative advice into a positive response to tutor,
regards
Gaz

 

[stephanie j]

Hi Chris,

Refer, Refer, Refer !!! Your tutor must have forgotten that bit !!

meridianmoon xx

 

[NemAcconyNent]

What examining body are you under?

I agree, you aren't trained to do this, however you could refer the client to a personal trainer/ physiotherapist or direct them to an article or website which might be able to give them some direction. You certainly cannot prescribe a course of exercise. At most you can discuss exercise options and look at the possibility of taking up some form of exercise.

 

[Fareed Ali]

Hi ya Chris

There are several issues here:

1. Is reflexology an accurate system of diagnosis. No! Your tutor is making a hugh assumption.

2. What does the syllabus of the examination board say about home care advice you should be giving?

3. If you do give home care advice i.e. exercises for home use, you could back it up by suggesting to seek professional advice and refer. Then you are covered and can be part of the case study.

A problem I have as a tutor (on ITEC courses) is that the case studies have to be backed up with homecare advice. But I'm teaching a specific therapy, not exercise routines or dietary advice* etc (which I'm qualified in as well). I personally don't like this and as the students say, "We are not qualified to do this". Personally I agree with them. But life isn't always simple and there is grey areas. If you approach case studies with some commonsense and make suggestions** to clients (ie exercises) but not prescribe them, you should be OK. You can back this up in a case study with a handout photocopied from a book or downloaded from the internet (including references of course). If this is not satisfactory to the tutor, then make a complaint.

Best Wishes on your course.

Reiki Pixie

*Don't see a problem reminding clients of the benefits of at least 5 portions of fresh fruit and vegetables per day, and reducing coffee consumption etc.

**An example of which would be, "You may benefit from Pilates, here is a leaflet about it and local classes available".

 

[Shaaaawty(:]

Hi all and thanks for your comments.

Reiki Pixie, my tutor has told me that VTCT expect me to give advice on exercises. I've been trying to get hold of the syllabus but VTCT tell me they only give this to tutors and not students. (I've been an FE tutor for nearly 20 years and find this attitude insulting!) So if anyone out there has a spare copy of the Level 3 Diploma syllabus for Reflexology, please can I borrow it?

Personally I find it hard to believe that governing bodies expect us to do anything we are not qualified in, and suspect that this is more a matter of interpretation, but without the actual syllabus I can't adequately fight the case.

It just so happens that I rent a therapy room from a Pilates teacher!

Anyway, if anyone has any more thoughts I'd loveto hear them.

 

[erarperbgor]

Hi Chris

I'm VTCT qualified in Reflexology. We were expected to provide GENERAL after care advice and I included advice in my case studies on breathing exercises, meditation, suggestions a client may benefit from yoga or pilates, cut down on caffeine, try herbal teas, eat more fruit and veg, etc. Where relevant (breathing exercises, short meditation suggestions, etc) I gave the case study client a hand out and included a copy for the tutor.

It does sound like this is down to your tutor's interpretation of what is required. I'll have a look trhough my course folders and see if there is any specific VTCT guideline on after care advice and get back to you if I find any.

Best wishes

 

[Marc Vigeant]

Hi sparkie
Thanks for this - I appreciate it.

 

[mrfrudd2006]

Hello again Chris

I've had a look through my files and can find nothing specific on syllabus. I did have a look through my Record of Assessment Book (I assume you have the D1080 green record book?) It is worth checking through this as it lists the criteria and requirements for the qualification, and therefore competencies needed to qualify.

The main references I found were page 16, criterion 39; page 18, range statement 8; page 20, 4th paragraph, specifically criterion 28; these all refer to after-care, but the best one to quote back to your tutor is on page 32, criterion 12 "Why a therapist must only advise on matters within the limits of the professional training and the restrictions of the codes of practice, codes of ethics and insurance."

Hope this helps,

Best wishes

 

[YalwaysME]

I agreed 100% with you, Refer to the people qualified for the specific principle. We should recognize and respect each others fields and the world will be a a much more balanced place.

 

[JoannKoddis]

Sarah, Thanks for this. I shall get my record of achievement book out and mark it accordingly!