Category: Other

Sea swimmers from Devon are taking part in a study looking at the benefits of cold water swimming on mental health. One sea swimmer interviewed had been struggling with anxiety as a result of menopause. She said, ‘It’s a real feeling of dread when you wake up in the morning sometimes… The immersion of your…

Funded by the Durham University COVID-19 Response Fund, a new survey aims to discover the effects of PPE and distancing on communication in health, social care and wellbeing services. Through the Behind the Mask survey, experts aim to find out more about the experiences of people who give and receive care under COVID-19 guidance. Questions…

‘To say that this year has been challenging is of course an understatement. Unable to carry out face to face treatments we have all had to utilise our skills in other ways, writes Amanda Vickers, MFHT.  ‘I work within a team of complementary therapists at the NHS Mustard Tree Macmillan Cancer Support Centre. Ensuring cancer…

The COVID-19 lockdown has meant that sadly, FHT local groups (LGs) have been unable to meet face-to-face for months. In the latest issue of International Therapist we brought a special focus to the innovative ways LGs have come together, bringing a much needed sense of community and togetherness. Norwich holds weekly Zoom meetings FHTs Relationship Executive, …

Good for the Sole World Reflexology Week takes place from 21-27 September and relieving stress and tension is just what we all need right now, so we want to help members spread the word about how reflexology can support health and wellbeing. To help spread the word, you can: Download our free promotional leaflet/poster, to print…

Thank you to everyone who entered and nominated in the 2020 FHT        Excellence Awards. It’s never been more important to showcase your work and show the many ways professional therapists can make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of others. We’re delighted to announce our finalists… FHT Complementary Therapist of…

In her new book, Nutrition Brought to Life, nutritional therapist author Kirsten Chick brings to life the science and research behind nutrition. In this short excerpt,  Kirsten explores how to bring mindfulness into your mealtimes. Three mindful mouthfuls Setting the scene: Even if you won’t be doing the cooking, take an active role in deciding…

With the increased need for handwashing during COVID-19, the British Skin Foundation recently asked 250 parents of young children about the effect this has had on their skin. The results showed that 56% of children are experiencing some type of skin problem associated with their hands. Further still, 1 in 4 children (24%) are now…

As new government guidance is announced and changes are made to the FHT statement on coronavirus (COVID-19), we realise our members are spending a lot more time reading information online. We understand that there can be a lot to look through, so wanted to share one handy tip to easily find a word or phrase…

The Integrated Healthcare Collaborative (IHC) – of which the FHT is a core member – has written to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP – as well as to other business ministers, across the UK – asking for the government to provide clear guidelines during…

Family and friends are very often the primary caregivers for patients with cancer, despite not being paid or having any formal training, and can commonly experience sadness, anxiety, fatigue and sleep disorders (Toygar et al, 2020). A recent randomized controlled trial carried out in an oncology unit of a university hospital evaluated the short-term effect of foot reflexology on sleep and anxiety in 66 informal caregivers. The subjects were randomly allocated…

Shinrin-yoku is a Japanese term that literally translates as ‘forest bathing’. It refers to immersing oneself in a forest and deeply connecting with this natural environment through the senses.  Forest bathing does require more purpose than simply stepping into a forest, however. Learn more about this mindful activity in an article by Carlos Ponte and Emma Wisser from Universe Mindfulness in our latest issue of International Therapist…