NEWI offers an alternative course

31 August 2006

NEWI has launched two new ground-breaking degrees in the area of complementary and alternative medicine which are both available for students to start studying this September.

The programmes have been created taking on board the National Occupational Standards for Massage, Reflexology, Aromatherapy and Nutrition to meet the public need as part of the ongoing strategy that seeks to enhance public health and social cohesion by providing a more holistic model of health than the conventional therapies currently dominating the health agenda.

The degrees are available both full and part-time.

Though there is a cross over between the two programmes they also both have individual characteristics that clearly distinguish them.

The Chinese Medicine degree aims to equip students with specialist practitioner skills in acupuncture and patent herbal medicine.

Chinese Medicine is a unique and complete system of medicine based on principles dating back more than three thousand years. The course covers Acupuncture where by very fine needles are inserted into specific points on the body to restore and improve health. Acupuncture is supported by the use of patent herbal medicine (prepared pills and tinctures as opposed to loose or raw herbs) together with lifestyle and dietary advice to encompass a holistic approach to health.

The Complementary Medicine Practice degree aims to equip the student with specialist practitioner skills in massage, reflexology and aromatherapy to an advanced level.

Complementary Medicine is the ‘broad term’ that encompasses many varied complementary therapies. This degree focuses on three of the more evidenced-based therapies – massage, reflexology and aromatherapy. These therapies have a historical and cultural background developed over thousands of years. Massage is a treatment which employs physical manipulations and techniques to benefit the body by correcting musculo-skeletal and postural problems, improving circulation and promoting health. Reflexology uses the principles of energy channels in the body to provide therapeutic benefits through special manipulations and techniques on specific points to the hand and feet. Aromatherapy uses a variety of massage techniques combined with aromatic oils to reduce stress and when combined with effective aftercare can promote positive health.