Redundancy and a desire for a change in direction is making more people choose complimentary healthcare as a career

THE lights are low, the scent of lavender hangs in the air, and a woman lies face down on a treatment bed covered with navy blue fleece fabric. Standing around her oiled body are a mixture of young and middle-aged women, plus one tough-looking man, whose coiled snake tattoo is exposed by the short sleeves of his black gown. Despite the concentration on his face as the tutor demonstrates a shiatsu chop, this bloke looks as if he'd be more at home administering a karate kick.

• Picture: Complimentary

We're in Essence, the new complementary therapy suite at Carnegie College in Dunfermline, and this collection of people are part of the facility's influx of complementary therapy students studying for a year-long internationally recognised ITEC (International Therapy Examination Council) qualification.

In comparison with the teenage girls taking classes in beauty in the adjacent room, the 70 or so students who're taking part in this course represent a wider demographic than you might imagine. For example, there are five men in a field that is considered primarily female, and plenty of representatives of the 35-plus age group, here because they are either looking for a change of direction, or starting a new career after being made redundant.

None of them fit the sandal-wearing patchouli-oil-scented stereotype that still persists in the minds of those who are dismissive of complementary therapies.

"One of our students is an Elvis impersonator by night," says Marion Scott, head of business and society at Carnegie College. "And another used to be a fireman."

According to Scott, the job market for her graduates includes employment with airlines, at sports clubs and in hotel spas, to name just a few possibilities. And so popular is the course that it was hugely over-subscribed. That's not so surprising when you consider that this vocational course (which includes tuition in holistic massage, reflexology and aromatherapy) can now form the foundation year of a degree: a four-year BA (Hons) in Complementary Healthcare, being offered in association with Edinburgh Napier University.

"The university is hoping to aim graduates at the National Health Service," explains Scott. "That's because it's a professional-level degree, which means that graduates will be on a parallel with a nurse. There's a lot of anatomy, physiology and pathology included. After all, you can't just let people loose with oils and treatments, they could do damage."

Proper qualifications, such as these ITEC Diplomas, are especially useful in a rapidly expanding industry that isn't known for being well regulated. Currently The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), with around 2,000 voluntary members, is responsible for "enhancing public protection" by encouraging practitioners to register. But with Britons spending a total upwards of 1.6 million each year on alternative treatments, keeping tabs on the numerous masseurs and therapists who're raking in that cash – with or without any relevant training – is a tricky job.

"We try our best to make sure that we employ bona fide people," says Dr Lyndsey Myskow, a partner in Edinburgh's MedicAlternative clinic, which offers a regular general practice alongside treatments such as reiki, Bowen Technique and massage.

"That's what people are most worried about, they don't want to spend money to see someone who hasn't been well trained. So it's nice to be able to recognise people's background training and qualifications.

• www.carnegiecollege.ac.uk www.napier.ac.uk

'I'll go from the most stressful job in the world to the least '

MORAG MCALLISTAIR, 39, FORMER ROYAL AIR FORCE POLICE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR, ITEC REFLEXOLOGY STUDENT

"I HAD already done a course in reflexology, so when I knew I was coming up to my retirement with the Royal Air Force, I thought I'd fancy a career in doing this sort of thing.

I put my name forward for the Carnegie College course a while ago, but then I was deployed in Afghanistan, so I missed out for a couple of years.

When I was away, I needed people to practice on, so I asked a couple of guys if they'd help me out. They wouldn't let me at first, but I remember persuading a rugby player to let me do some reflexology on him, and he came back at least once a month after that because he loved it so much.

When the others saw this big 'roughty toughty' man getting (treatments] done, it completely changed their view.

Because everyone was so stressed in Afghanistan, I thought I could raise money for CHAS (the Children's Hospice Association Scotland) by doing treatments and letting soldiers pay me in donations. I raised 1000. They'd be out in the field, and wouldn't get back until 1am, when I'd do their treatments. It was amazing how much it put them on an even keel and prepared them for going back out there.

My previous career was a lot to cope with, as it mainly involved investigating the deaths of soldiers. I was sick of sending dead boys home.

Whereas now, to see someone falling asleep because you're relaxing them is amazing. I'll be going from doing the most stressful job in the world to the least."

'I'm glad I'll be my own boss'

DARREN TAIT, 39, FORMER POST OFFICE WORKER, ITEC REFLEXOLOGY GRADUATE

"COMPARED to my old job in the post office, which involved getting up very early in the morning, my new career is less stressful and has improved my confidence.

I took the plunge after thinking "it's now, or never" and I'm glad that I'll eventually be my own boss, with more control of my life.

My colleagues were sceptical, however, postmen are on their feet all day, and a lot of them have sciatica. Some of my friends who had back pain found that within ten to 15 minutes of me treating them they were feeling better. It makes me feel wonderful to think that my hands can make someone better and heal them.

My wife is very supportive. I give her massages quite regularly, but only reflexology once a week, because it's such a powerful treatment.

I qualified this year and will set myself up as self-employed.

At the moment I'm just trying to build up my client base, although I'm back at college now, to learn more about remedial sports massage and maternity reflexology for pregnant women."

'I think medicine, without doubt, is more accepting of our role'

ERIC NICOLS, 52, FORMER SOCIAL WORKER, ITEC COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY STUDENT

"I HAD spent 21 years working for the local authority and thought it was time for a change, as I prefer physical, hands-on jobs like gardening. There are similarities between my old career and working in complementary therapy, however. The engagement with people is the same, as massage is a "personal social service" after all. It's still in the caring field, so the self-fulfilment, when it comes to helping someone, is identical. The good thing about complementary therapy is that you see the immediate benefit and feedback tends to be positive. In public service, some days you'll wait a long time for an acknowledged success.

We tend not to be "touchy feely" in the UK, compared to those who live in the Mediterranean region, so to be able to "touch" in a professional sense is nice. When clients walk out from the treatment, you can see that they've thoroughly enjoyed it – although some people don't understand what's on offer when I say I'm an aromatherapist – they think that I faff about with perfumes.

I've certainly got reservations about the fact that we tend to take our lead from beauty. They're two entirely different industries. Instead of renting a room in a hairdresser's, which is almost normal practice, I'd like to take the lead and have them rent one of my rooms.

I think medicine, without a doubt, is more accepting of our role. As an aspiring professional, I want to be linked with the health services. It's about being accountable and part of a bigger debate, not about opening up a wee shop and getting on with it."

TOP SEVEN THERAPIES

AROMATHERAPY

A term coined in the 1930s by French chemist RM Gattefosse to describe the art of using essential oils extracted from flowers, stems, leaves or roots, to ease stress and common ailments through massage or inhalation.

REFLEXOLOGY

A practice that originated in Egypt and China, which involves massaging, squeezing or pushing on the parts of the feet (also hands or ears) that are felt to be linked to organs within the body. It's believed that this manipulation unblocks energy, helping to heal the afflicted organ.

INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE

A scalp massage, which can also include the upper back, arms, neck, head and face. This is usually carried out on a fully clothed client sitting upright. Also known as champissage (a portmanteau word combining champi, the Hindi term for the practice, and massage).

HOT STONE MASSAGE (also known as La Stone massage)

A massage using smooth basalt stones, which are made from a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains warmth. These are heated to between 125C-135C and it's claimed benefits include improved elimination of toxins and waste, as well as improved circulation.

REIKI

In Japanese, reiki (pronounced "ray-kee") means "universal life energy". This manual therapy involves the practitioner's palms being held over the body to direct and correct the flow of life energy.

SHIATSU

A massage technique developed in Japan in which finger pressure is applied to acupressure points and meridians in order to stimulate the body's natural energy (called chi) and unblock meridians (energy channels).

BOWEN THERAPY (or Bowen Technique)

A gentle therapy involving extremely light pressure on soft tissue and key pressure points, with the aim of helping the body to rebalance itself, release tension and promote the natural healing process.