About Me

Dave massaging a baby elephant in Thailand 2008

I have been involved in complementary therapies since 1996, specialising in Oriental Therapies, and have extensively studied in the UK, India, Thailand and Indonesia. I have worked at St. Luke’s Hospice in Plymouth with cancer patients, a local NHS trust with learning disabilities clients, and at the 5-star Hotel Tresanton.  Taught therapies for the Workers Educational Association (WEA), Truro College, and Cornwall Adult Education Service, from short workshops to ITEC level 3 diplomas. Recently have teaching on the 1st & 2nd year Health Coaching courses at the International Macrobiotic School.

I regularly work with a broad range of clientele: sports people, performance artists, builders, pregnant women, teenagers, the elderly, engineers, office workers, and adults with learning disabilities. All treatment modalities can be changed and mixed together to meet the individual needs of each client. 

What I love about Oriental Therapies is that it combines the ancient art of healing with modern anatomical knowledge, making it into effective natural healthcare for all.

Registered with the:

Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) – Professional Standards Authority Accredited Register www.cnhc.org for Massage Therapists

Complementary Therapists Association (CThA) www.ctha.com register for multi-disciplined Complementary Healthcare Practitioners.

 

Qualifications, Continued Professional Development (CPD) & Workshop Attendance

Qualification courses highlighted in brown.

1994 Started studying Tai Chi (Taijiquan) & Chi Kung (Qigong) at the Plymouth Tai Chi Club

1996 Reiki levels 1 & 2 – Reiki Master Fran Hardiman

1997 Certificate in Tai Chi & Chi Kung – Plymouth Tai Chi Club; AoR Diploma in Reflexology – South Devon School of Reflexology

1999 Reiki Master Teacher Certificate – Reiki Master Fran Hardiman

2000 RIPHH Diploma in Nutrition & Health – Plymouth College

2002 City & Guilds 7307 Parts 1 & 2 Teachers’ Certificate – Plymouth College

2003 ITEC Certificate in Indian Head Massage – Truro College; Certificate in Hopi Ear Candling – Pressuredown Therapies; Diploma in Vibrational Healing – Iris School of Colour Therapy

2005 BhTEC Diploma in Thai Traditional Massage – Bodyharmonics Centre

2006 Diploma in Advanced Thai Massage – Lek Chiaya Nerve Touch School (Thailand); Diplomas in Thai Foot Massage & On-Site Massage – TMC School (Thailand)

2007 BhTEC Masters Diploma in Thai Massage & Manipulation, BhTEC Diploma in Thai Sports Injury Massage, Maintenance & Rehabilitation, BhTEC Diploma in Indonesian Traditional Massage – Bodyharmonics Centre; Diploma in Oriental Sports Massage – ITM School (Thailand); Diploma in Thai Herbal Compresses – ITM/Spa Mantra School (Thailand); Certificate in Tibetan Acupressure Head Massage – TM Therapies

2008 Certificate in Tui-Na Therapeutic Massage – Three Treasures School of TCM; Diploma in Advanced & Deep Tissue Massage – Gateway Workshops; Diploma in Thai Aroma Oil Massage – ITM / Spa Mantra School (Thailand); Diploma in Pregnancy & Baby Massage – School of Massage for Health (Thailand); Diploma in Yam Kang (Foot Pressure) Massage – School of Massage for Health (Thailand); Certificate in Advanced Thai Yoga Massage – Sunshine Massage School (Thailand)

2009 Certificate in Medical Qigong – Three Treasures School of TCM; Personal tuition with Traditional Massage & Healing Practitioners in Bali (Indonesia)

2010 Massaging People who have Dementia – advanced massage workshop with LMC Training; Certificate in Chi Nei Tsang Abdominal Massage – Sunshine Massage School (Thailand); Basic Balance Ball Yoga & Posture Improvement Course – RSM International School (Thailand)

2013 Diploma in Ayurvedic Yoga Massage levels 1 & 2 – Ayurvedic Yoga Massage Institute (Goa, India); Making Herbal Balms CPD Course – College of Chinese Medicine (London); Attended the Universal Healing Tao foundation workshops with Grandmaster Mantak Chia (London)

2014 Certificate in Chi Nei Tsang Abdominal Massage – Blue Garden Yoga Centre (Thailand); Certificate in Tok Sen Therapy – Ming Thai Massage School (Thailand); Certificate in Rusie Dutton Thai Yoga Exercises – Ong’s Thai Massage School (Thailand); Attended Introduction to the Medicine Buddha workshop lead by Karrim Rabi-Laleh; Attended Nei Gong Tui Na and Tai Chi workshops with Dr Wang Zhi Xiang; Informal study of massage techniques in Taiwan (ROC).

2015 Attended Tai Chi-Chi Kung workshop with Leigh from the Universal Healing Tao (London); Environment & Health teachings with Lama Samten; Interfaith & End of Life Care seminar

2017 Macrobiotic Foundation Certificate – International Macrobiotic School; Attended Advanced Ampuku (Japanese Abdominal massage) CPD workshop at the International Macrobiotic School; Attended series of lectures about the Energetics & Science of Food by Steve Gagne at One World Festival

2018 Macrobiotic Health Coaching & Wholefood Cook Certificate (including Emotional Work, Do-In Exercises & Wellbeing Shiatsu Treatments) – International Macrobiotic School; Roots & Branches Shiatsu (Chakra Work) CPD workshop at the International Macrobiotic School; Shinrin Yoku Practitioner Training with Nature & Therapy UK; Attended the International Macrobiotic Conference in Lisbon.

2019 A Whole Body Approach To TMJ Dysfunction Certificate with TMJ Massage Therapies; Dynamic Thai Massage Certificate – Blue Garden Yoga Centre (Thailand); Attended Foot & Abdominal Shiatsu CPD workshops – International Macrobiotic School.

2021 Attended Transactional Analysis 101 and Anger, Rage & Relationship workshops at the Iron Mill College; Macrobiotic Health Consultant (aka Macrobiotic Counsellor, and includes Shiatsu Therapy and Medicinal Cooking) Diploma – International Macrobiotic School.

2022 Attended Macrobiotic Counselling Intensive CPD Workshop – International Macrobiotic School. Attended Inner Alchemy of Tai Chi Chi Kung (Taiji Qigong) workshops with Grandmaster Mantak Chia – Universal Healing Tao. CPD Certificate in Shiatsu Shin Tai Conception Vessel & Hara Work with Kindy Kaur.

2023 Attended the International Macrobiotic Conference, Kent UK. Transactional Analysis Foundation Certificate – Iron Mill College.