complementary and alternative medicine
Medical practices which are not part of the standard care in healthcare.
Shiatsu practitioners provide health maintenance, health education, whole health evaluation and recommendations for wellbeing, and treatment of certain illness through energetic evaluation of the body's life energy system (Ki) and regulation of the life energy system through various energetic and manual techniques.
Competences and skills
56 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 8 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
3 competencespathologies treated by acupuncture
The types and range of conditions such as physical pain, head aches, back pain, allergies, addictions, digestive problems or cold, which are treated by acupuncture.
traditional Chinese medicine
Theories of traditional Chinese medical practices that put emphasis on various mind and body practices, as well as herbal medicine to treat or prevent various health problems.
Cross-sector
5 competenceshuman anatomy
The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.
human physiology
The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.
massage theory
Principles of holistic therapeutic body massage, the application of massage techniques and the appropriate body posture, massage sequences and different mediums, massage benefits and contraindications.
massage types
Techniques used and types of massage therapies such as shiatsu, deep tissue massage, Swedish, hot stone and Thai massage.
relaxation techniques
The various methods and techniques used to alleviate stress and bring peace and relaxation to the body and mind. This includes activities such as yoga, qigong or t`ai chi.
Essential skills and competences 14 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
9 competencesapply context specific clinical competences
Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of practice.
develop therapeutic relationships
Maintain the individual therapeutic relationship to engage the individual's innate healing capacities, to achieve active collaboration in the health education and healing process and to maximise the potential of healthy change.
ensure safety of healthcare users
Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
follow-up on healthcare users' treatment
Review and evaluate the progress of the prescribed treatment, taking further decisions with the healthcare users and their carers.
give shiatsu massages
Perform massages on clients to reduce their stress and pain according to the shiatsu principles, based on the theoretical framework of traditional Chinese medicine.
identify customer's needs
Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.
identify energetic meridians
Identify and locate energy meridians, the paths in the body through which, according to Traditional Chinese medicine, the life-energy “Qi” flows.
observe healthcare users
Observe healthcare users and record significant conditions and reactions to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents, notifying a supervisor or physician when required.
promote mental health
Promote factors that enhance emotional well-being such as self-acceptance, personal growth, purpose in life, control of one`s environment, spirituality, self-direction and positive relationships.
Cross-sector
5 competencescommunicate with customers
Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
empathise with the healthcare user
Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.
listen actively
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.
maintain work area cleanliness
Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.
provide health education
Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.
Optional knowledge 18 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
9 competencesacupressure
The principles applied in acupuncture using only physical pressure on acupuncture points on the body, unblocking meridians through which the energy called "Qi" is flowing.
acupuncture methods
Techniques and methods used to normalise the flow of Qi energy in the body for relieving pain and related symptoms by applying various specific types of needles into different acupuncture points.
auriculotherapy
Alternative medicine therapy which has as its basis the idea that the ear is a microsystem which represents the entire body. Thus the physical, mental or emotional health conditions can be treated from the ear surface by means of reflexology and acupuncture.
balneotherapy
The use of therapeutic baths to treat a variety of conditions, through relaxation, massage or stimulation techniques. This includes the beneficial properties of mineral waters and mud-wrapping techniques.
homeopathy remedies
The characteristics, components and effects of homeopathic medication.
iridology
Alternative medicine therapy which has as its basis the idea that the patterns and other characteristics of the iris represent the entire body, thus the physical, mental or emotional health conditions can be seen by studying the iris.
kinesiology
The study of human movement, performance and function, the sciences of biomechanics, anatomy, physiology and neuroscience.
phytotherapy
The characteristics, the effects and the use of herbal medicines.
types of aromatherapy treatments
Field of information which distinguishes a variety of ways to apply aromatherapy treatment, such as massages, inhalers, baths, vaporizers, compresses, diffusers, meditiation or deodorizers.
Cross-sector
9 competencesetiopathy
Alternative medicine therapy which has as its basis the idea that the practitioner uses only his hands to treat the patients' symptoms on longer term by diagnosing the deeper cause of the illness.
fasciatherapy
A manual therapy applied on the fascia (the connective tissue woven through the entire body) which is used for the treatment of physical or psychological disorders such as pain and movement disorders.
general medicine
General medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
homeopathy
The alternative medicine whereby pills or liquid mixtures containing only a little of an active ingredient (usually a plant or mineral) can treat a disease.
kinetics
The study of movement and its causes.
neurophysiology
The medical specialty which is concerned with the study of the nervous system functionalities.
reflexology
The application of pressure to plantar, palmar, facial, cranial, dorsal, atrial and reflex points of the body with a specific finger or hand gestures and techniques, such as acupressure and the massage of reflex points located on the body.
skin types
The different skin types, such as dry, normal, oily, and sensitive.
sterilization techniques
The methods and techniques used to destroy or remove microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria that can contaminate medical instruments or any type of material in a health care setting.
Optional skills and competences 16 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
10 competencesaccept own accountability
Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.
address side effects of menopause
Address side effects of menopause such as fatigue, body temperature changes, mood swings, depression and weight gain. Search for symptoms of health problems that can be caused by menopause, such as heart disease, vision issues and osteoporosis.
advise on healthcare users' informed consent
Ensure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.
advise on mental health
Advise persons of all ages and groups in terms of the health-promoting aspects of individual behaviour and institutions with regard to the personal, social and structural factors on physical and mental health.
apply a holistic approach in care
Use bio-psycho-social models for care and take into account cultural and existential dimensions of the healthcare user, transforming a holistic understanding into practical measures.
apply acupuncture
Use procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques, such as penetrating the skin with thin, metallic needles manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation in order to relieve pain or achieve other therapeutic benefits.
apply aromatherapy
Use the therapeutic benefits of essential oils to produce massage blends, cream or lotions and help improve the physical and emotional health and well-being.
carry out preventative internal medicine interventions
Recommend to patients, depending on their condition, preventive and therapeutic treatments such as the use of medications, lifestyle changes, modification of addictive behaviours, physical therapies, nutrition or complementary medicine.
promote healthy lifestyle
Provide information to clients about the role of physical activity, modes of exercise and related services and the importance of healthy activities for daily living.
select acupuncture points
Based on the examination of the patient and his/hers symptoms, decide on which acupuncture points to be stimulated and with what technique.
Cross-sector
6 competencesadvise on healthy lifestyles
Promote healthy lifestyles, preventive measures and self-care by strengthening empowerment, promoting health and enhancing behaviours and therapeutic compliance, providing patients with the adequate information in order to support compliance with and adherence to prescribed treatments, medication and nursing care.
apply deep tissue massage
Apply precise techniques and pressures to bring changes to specific tissue layers in the body.
apply massage therapy
Apply massage therapy to relieve patient's pain by using various specialised techniques.
demonstrate professional attitude to clients
Demonstrate responsibility and professional duty of care to clients which will include communication skills and a focus of customer care orientation.
educate on the prevention of illness
Offer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and health conditions. Provide advice on the identification of risks leading to ill health and help to increase the patients' resilience by targeting prevention and early intervention strategies.
give massages
Provide clients with head, hand, neck, facial or full body massages.