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THE Burren’s college is launching a new selection of courses this month from it’s base in Gort. Starting in early January, the Burren College of Complementary Therapy, is offering a host of courses on complementary therapies in a number of different skill levels.
The college is being run by Enid McAleenan, who is accredited by International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC) and has been prac- ticing in the field locally and in Dub- lin for a number of years.
“What I am really doing 1s courses in complementary therapy and there are a lot of thing that come in under that banner – from holistic massage,
anatomy, physiology, aromatherapy, hot stone therapy, dietary and nutri- tion,’ said Enid.
“I get a variety of different people coming along to these courses. I get people who are interested in holistic therapies for a number of different reasons – some people are just drawn to it for themselves while others are interested in setting up some practice for themselves from their home, and maybe making some extra money out of it. Most people come for the foundation course and that is really the basics for a number of other com- plementary therapies.”
Complementary therapies have become much more popular in re- cent years with lay people and some mainstream medical practitioners.
“This is complementary therapy and not alternative medicine. I think GPs, doctors and nurses are starting to look at different ways that people can look after their health more and more,’ continued Enid.
“Somebody who is attending the doctor for a wide variety of com- plaints may now be referred to peo- ple like me for therapy. It’s just an- other way of dealing with a problem – about looking at things through not totally medical eyes and thinking about other ways to treat a situation. I think people are looking at ways to take a little more control of their own health.
“People are starting to get more open-minded about it and in the past I have worked side by side with GPs
in treating conditions in different ways. This is about working with more mainstream medical practi- tioners. It’s not alternative, it’s not instead of them, it’s about working with them and enhancing the overall treatment for patients.”
Funding is also available for unem- ployed people to take courses at the college. For more information on all of this contact the Burren College of Complementary Therapy on 091 633878 or check out www.burren- courses.com.