The Federation of Holistic Therapists is to host a series of 3 specialist conferences in 2010, reflecting the interests of its diverse membership. The Sports Therapy Conference will take place on the 20th November at Coventry University. Entitled ‘Sports Therapy: Treating the Elite’, this conference will explore the use of sports therapies by elite sports people, and how to succeed in the sports industry. Featuring the latest in injury recognition and treatments, this one-day conference is set to inspire.

The FHT has brought together recognised experts to educate and inform therapists on the very latest developments in sports therapy and treating elite athletes. Speakers and sessions are as follows:

Mel Cash – ‘The Sports and Remedial Debate’.Mel Cash BA, LCSP (Assoc) has been a massage therapist since 1985, and has become one of the world's leading authorities on the subject through his books. He has been the principal tutor of the London School of Sports Massage, and has lectured in anatomy and physiology at the University of Westminster. Mel will explore therapy inside and outside of sport and look at injuries within  the bigger picture.

Dr Christopher Norris - 'Sports Injuries – Foundations for Treatment'.  Dr Christopher Norris PhD MSc MCSP is a physiotherapist with over 25 years experience treating sports and general musculoskeletal injuries.  Christopher is an external lecturer and examiner at several UK universities and runs postgraduate courses for therapists on sports injuries, rehabilitation, and acupuncture.  The author of 10 books, Christopher published a leading textbook on sports injuries (Elsevier) now in its 4th edition and has a new book ‘The complete guide to sports injuries’ (Blacks) due out in April 2011.  He consults on sports injuries for leading athletes and sports teams.

James Earls – ‘Research into Fascia and the Implications for the Sports Therapist’. James Earls BA Hons, KMI, has been practicing bodywork for 15 years and has trained in a variety of approaches. He is founder and director of Ultimate Massage Solutions, works closely with Tom Myers, originator of the Anatomy Trains theory, and is a registered advanced lecturer of his approach.  He has worked at the World Triathlon Championships in Hawaii and been invited to work with Premiership football teams, teaching their sports medicine teams and working on "problem" players.  James will explore the current research into the way fascia works in the body and how sports therapists can consider fascia when treating sports people of all levels.

John Gibbons – ‘Muscle energy techniques for the shoulder complex’. John Gibbons BSC (Hons) Ost is a qualified and registered Osteopath with the General Osteopathic Council. He is also a Sports & Remedial therapist, Acupuncturist and a lecturer in Sports Medicine/Athletic Performance for the University of Oxford. John will explain from his own experience with the Oxford heavyweight rowing team, how muscle testing and muscle energy techniques can assist in treating the shoulder.

Christian Platts – ‘The influence of the Psoas muscle on the Core’. Christian Platts has vast experience of working with clients with all sorts of conditions, pains and problems. He currently lectures for the Active Health Group in various manipulative techniques and his speciality is working to rehabilitate posture in everyday and sporting activities. Christian will discuss how the Psoas muscle, when dysfunctional, has a detrimental effect on the posture.

Cameron Reid – ‘Assessing the athlete with lower extremity pain’. Cameron Reid BSc (Hons) DO OST has 23 years of experience as a registered Osteopath and has held the position of clinical tutor at the British School of Osteopathy. Cameron focussed on providing sports therapists’ access to osteopathic techniques. Also he will speak about the assessment process, what can be overlooked and how to assess lower extremity pain.

This sports therapy conference is another step in sharing the FHT’s vision of an integrated approach to complementary therapies.  Commenting Melanie Prince, FHT General Manager says, “Sports therapy is a growing area for therapists in the UK and the purpose of the conference is to offer the latest advice in the industry. An increasing amount of research is being done in this area and as a result techniques, knowledge and understanding are expanding rapidly, something that we want to share with all therapists. We have managed to bring together some of the most well respected speakers and practitioners in sports therapy so it’s a day that should not be missed by anyone involved in the industry.”

Taking place at the University of Coventry, this event is open to anyone with a keen interest in sports therapy. Places are limited, costing £45 for FHT members booking before the 31st July and £50 thereafter. Non-member tickets are priced at £105
For more information call 0844 875 2022 OPTION 3 or visit www.fht.org.uk/2010conference

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For more information/images on FHT contact Ros Harker @ Vivid Communications on 0114 274 5691 or email  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Vivid Communications, 60 Norton Park Road, Norton, Sheffield S8 8GQ.  

Notes to editors 
Founded in 1962, the FHT is a not-for-profit organisation that, by maintaining industry standards, ensures best practice for therapists and their clients. No other association has influenced the acceptance of Complementary Therapies in the UK more than the FHT. 
The FHT works in close association with the voluntary regulator, sector skills councils and the governing bodies for complementary, sports and beauty therapies towards promoting the adoption of high standards of practice and professional conduct.