What is the EMMETT Technique?

A safe, simple to apply, light touch body therapy, it is gentle and easy on the body and hands of the practitioner. Using light pressure, the technique works on unique points within the muscles and muscle groups, triggering a relaxation response in the soft tissues of the body, resulting in the feeling of improved comfort and wellbeing. These unique points are present all over the body and therefore the therapist can target the area of concern.

Carried out sitting, standing or lying down; on skin or through clothing; the relaxation response is usually immediate. It is extremely flexible and many people come for this non-invasive therapy that may not wish to pursue other hands on therapies, as it is so gentle and can be done through clothing.

Any area of the body can benefit from a release in muscle tension. In my clinic, the major symptoms I have been helping with have been head, neck, shoulders and wrists in the recent times.

The technique is available for people, horses and dogs too.

Obviously, once the Covid-19 crisis draws to a close and we can get back to work, we may be more involved in helping clients deal with the stress and anxiety of such uncertain times.

Would a client have to have repeat treatments.

Sometimes, it is possible to make a change in the first session but it may be beneficial to have a follow-up treatment session to re-enforce the treatment.

The need for more sessions depends on the presenting issue. Often people will have a list of areas of the body that need help. In those cases it is important to take the sessions one by one, working with the client to identify their priorities.

Many clients all choose to schedule maintenance sessions, especially if they work in physically or psychologically challenging occupations. Also those clients with chronic conditions feel it beneficial to come for an EMMETT session on a regular benefit to maintain their comfort levels.

 What was I doing before?

Prior to finding the EMMETT Technique I had been many years in the Health and Social Services as well as in Higher Education, involved in delivering Occupational Therapy skills and in teaching it too.

Training in the EMMETT Technique

 There are a number of choices for learning EMMETT Technique.

Easy Muscle Management – also called EMM_Tech

There is an 8 hour Introductory short course available for those who want to learn 10 techniques for self care as well as a for family and friends. Obviously at this level, this is not a professional training, although a lot of practising therapists, medical and exercise professionals do come to that course to see if it is something that they would like to take further.

This short course is available to learn to help people, horses and dogs.

Specialist Courses

An exciting new development, which I have been heavily involved in, has begun to be rolled out.

A specialist short course for people who have qualifications in a foot care profession – podiatry, chiropody, reflexology and foot health professionals. This 6 hour course adds more EMMETT techniques focussed on the lower leg and foot.

It allows these professionals to integrate EMMETT with their other techniques to enhance their treatments. The EMM-tech course is a pre-requisite for this course.

 More specialist courses are in the planning stage.

Professional Training

The practitioner level training is a 12 day course, taken in two day modules with around 6 – 8 weeks between modules to allow for practise. This training allows students to be registered and insured as an EMMETT Practitioner.

there is no pre-requisite for this training.

Professional training is available for to treat people, horses and dogs.

 Are there many EMMETT Practitioners in the UK

At the moment there are around 500 practitioners with many more in training.

 Adding the EMMETT Technique to existing therapy skills
It is an ideal therapy to add to a therapist’s existing skills. We have the full range of complementary therapists who have trained, as well as a growing number of medical and exercise practitioners. Being able to add a quick and simple correction in the middle of another treatment can add so much value for the client, and it can also take the strain out of performing the heavier duty therapies. We also have people who are trained in the “talking therapies” who will often add a physical correction to allow the client to feel more relaxed and in less discomfort during a talking session.

How long has EMMETT been around.

Ross Emmet taught his first course here in the UK in 2007, and I was privileged to be a student on his first course. Since then, Ross Emmett has travelled the world running training courses and the technique has now reached 40 countries.

My personal goals for my business in 2020

Given the current self isolation, my personal goals are

 a. To support the students that are in the middle of their training and also who have trained with me. We will all be in need of support and treatments when we get out at the other end of this crisis.

 b. To support my clients as much as possible – even though I can’t put my hands on them at the moment. Some need someone to hear what they need to say in difficult times. to maintain contact by phone, e-mail and social media

 c. To re-establish my business once it is safe to do so and get back to treating and teaching. Arranging and promoting the self care short courses until such time as new professional course can be offered – as many therapists will have been without income for a few months.

 d. As I am now also an EMMETT Practitioner for Dogs and teach the Introductory course, I will be working on promoting these services alongside my human work.

e. Developing marketing support for fellow instructors and practitioners so that the transition back into practise may be eased.

What do I like to do when not working

This period of isolation has made me think about how I spend my time – as many self employed sole traders – my business is a huge part of my life and sometimes it can be wake up – go to work – come home – catch up with admin and go to bed.

I have an interest in photography and have just re-strung my very old classical guitar and have found the old tuition books and have re-started learning how to play.

I also enjoy crafting – but have not had the time to do much – until now. So, once I have caught up with all the admin I plan to do during this period – I will start exploring my more creative side.

If you would like to contact Judith at the Holistic Directory – you can find her contact details here:

https://theholisticdirectory.co.uk/listings/everybodys-better/