See the "Contacts"  page for details of my (Ian's) e-mail. The following represents only a guide to what will be covered on each course and I reserve the right to change it without notice.

See the "Courses" page for details of dates, venues etc and for contacting organisers.

All courses are accredited by the Association of Natural and Physical Therapists (APNT). See their website www.apnt.org. I am also willing to discuss other formats for the courses, in Athens over 2006/7 I am offering the full programme over 7 weekends each one month apart and this will be repeated in 2007/8. I would like to do this in UK so if this interests you get in touch. (In UK it could be one weekend shorter as there is no translation.)

Four New Courses

I have designed four new courses to be of general interest and they will also act as an introduction to my teaching and Spineworks. They are suitable for all levels of expertise and the Quality of Touch would also be good for students of other systems. Check the "Courses" page for the latest dates and venues.

The Power of Touch - making the Heart connection

Most people have been on a workshop and tried to avoid practising with someone. Most of us have probably been that “someone” for someone else.

Why? What is it that attracts you to someone else and makes it a comforting experience to practise with them? What is it that gives that “other level” of connection between you and your clients that makes the treatments so much more effective and beneficial?

As physical and energy therapists most of our working life is spent touching others. Yet many in society rarely touch anyone outside their immediate family – and maybe then not very often. How does this affect our work and ethics?

This seminar will explore how we touch, with exercises and discussion. There will be lots of feedback from your practice partner and observer so you can learn more about how your touch feels to someone else. We will also explore the ethics of working as a touch therapist.

Trigger Points? – an Advanced Perspective

Many of you will have heard of Trigger Points (TP) but what are they and how do they work?  How can they be used in the treatment of myofascial pain? Can they be incorporated within other treatments, and importantly, what benefits do they have?

There has been much written about these mysterious little points, from the highly clinical Travell & Simons (T&S) to a wide range of complementary approaches. The methods of treating them also vary; T&S inject with local anaesthetic, others use force or rubber tipped sticks or movement. All these approaches seem to insist on fixed patterns and a defined response for any TP.

In my experience this fixed pattern is just the tip of the iceberg and invites further exploration. The more I work with students and clients the more I find so much more to learn.

Within Spineworks we have developed a special way of working with TPs which uses the clients’ own subconscious to re-establish the brain-nerve-muscle connections. It is this we will be exploring in this hands-on workshop. You will learn how you can help your clients and yourself. You will experience, both as giver and receiver, how the Spineworks technique releases holding tissue and opens the healing process. You will discover the mystery!

Back Massage – the Importance of the Front

Many therapists work with back massage. Many clients request a back massage. And it can give great relief to tired and stressed people. But do you realise the effect that tight muscles on the front can have on the back?

In this seminar we will explore how working the front can release tissue in the back. You will learn techniques to release the ribs, the diaphragm and the psoas – and much more.

Balls to Movement

In this “playshop” we will use 190mm and 170mm balls (mainly) to learn how to self-massage and release tension in spasmed muscle. Taking responsibility for your own body brings its own rewards in the effectiveness of these techniques and any treatments that you give or receive. And once learnt you can take them anywhere! And give them to your clients. One yoga teacher said “I have had problems with this muscle for years and in a one-hour class session with you it has released!”

This day is suitable for non-therapists to learn how they can release their own physical problems. Therapists are encouraged to bring along their clients so they can work together after the course.

For dates see the "courses" page.

Qualifications

All remaining courses are aimed at people who are either:

If you are uncertain about this and whether a course might be suitable for you PLEASE call me (+44 (0)7793 908 790) or contact me in some other way, see "Contacts".

Private Courses - or arrange your own

This is proving to be a popular option for those who have friends or colleagues who are also interested. Get dates to suit your own schedule - weekdays or weekends. If you do not have the qualifications but would like to learn Spineworks this can be a way as I will arrange the training to suit.

If you would like to arrange courses in your locality or at your school then please get in touch.  (See the "Contacts" page.) My basic fee is £50 per person per day plus expenses. To that you will need to add your own costs for room hire etc. I am of course open to negotiation and all sorts of offers, so let's talk. Call me or e-mail me for more details.

Minimum numbers are 6, maximum 10

Specialist Courses and CPD

Several specialist courses are offered which can be used to increase your ability to handle difficult cases requiring remedial treatments or as CPD education for your organisation or school.

All these specialist courses run from 10am until about 5pm. They are intensive. All attendees must be practising body therapists with knowledge of A&P to ITEC equivalent. The courses consist principally of demonstration and practice and very little theory until we reach the Practitioner course.  There will be a maximum of 14 participants so as to allow as much individual tutoring as possible during the practice sessions.

A manual and a certificate of attendance will be given with each course.

After doing all four courses (in any order) you can if you wish attend a special residential "Practitioner Course" to become a Spineworks practitioner. There is more theory in this course to back up the techniques you have learnt. Note that this process also includes case studies and a treatment on Ian.

The following specialist courses are offered:

The practitioner course will aim to develop the set of techniques learnt on the specialist courses and integrate them into a complete system. It will guide you through the concept of building a series of treatments, using all the techniques you have already learnt. You will learn new techniques (eg shoulder and other joints, ribcage, coccyx) within the system that have not been covered on the specialist courses, including new exercises.

We will also spend time discussing case studies, addressing the general principles of Spineworks and looking at some of the theory in more depth. There will still be plenty of time for the practical work which is such an essential part of all the Spineworks training.

This is an intensive residential course with three sessions daily (morning, afternoon and evening) and there will also be time to swap practice treatments under guidance. It is a wonderful opportunity to spend a time immersed in Spineworks with other people, to learn, and share your experiences of the system.

Qualifying

To qualify as a Spineworks Practitioner and advertise your new skills you must complete the four specialist courses plus the Practitioner Course and also:

You can then call yourself a "Spineworks Practitioner" and advertise your services as such.

From time to time I will hold revision courses. These focus as much on the form of treatment as on techniques, with the aim of helping you structure your treatments for each individual client.

Revision courses are generally available for those who have completed:

If in doubt ask me.

Topics for revision are:

From time to time I will hold Development (or advanced) courses. You must have attended a Level 3 (old format) or Practitioner course (new format) before you can attend any of the Development courses. Each course is intended for you to deepen your practice and your understanding of Spineworks.

There is no specific programme for these courses as it will depend on individual requirements and what I happen to be studying or working on. It is as much an opportunity to ask detailed questions, to practice and to share experience with other Practitioners.

Past Advanced courses have included: