Is Aromatherapy as popular as it once was?

[Coog75]

Hi everyone,

Long time reader, but first timeposting a messagehere!

I'm about to embark on an IFA aromatherapy course (I'm already qualified in Holistic Massage and Indian Head). However, in my search for the right coures, the right qualification and the right school (!) I've found that the schools are complaining about the lack of take-up for aromatherapy courses....

This has led me to ask the question : do clients not request aromatherapy as much as before? (Not that this will change my mind about studying it - am fascinated by it!). Just wondering if any therapists out there have found that other therapies they offer have become more popular...? Do therapies succumb to "trends"?

Thanks all!
x

 

[Red Jacket]

hi Bushbaby,
I think aromatherapy is still widely used, but a lot of people 'self treat' using off the shelf products from places like Boots etc.

I studied aromatherapy about 15 years ago, and it was extremely popular in my health food shop, both treatments, and aromatherapy products. Over the years I think more people have looked into aromatherapy, and as i said before, use it themselves at home.

At our clinic now, its very rare for people to book aromatherapy treatments, probably only about 1% of our bookings.

I think therapies do succumb to trends, however good old fashioned massage has been estimated to be a growth industry for the next 20 years, both here and in places such as America.

 

[loryntoo]

Hello Bushbaby and welcome to HP.

I did the IFA course a few years ago and most of the people I studied with are practicing at least part-time, but all do other therapies, ranging from reiki to MLD, and are training to do more. From 15 people in our year, I think it went down to about 8 or 9 the following year.Of course with the IFA courses being much more expensive than a local college course for example, so I'm not surprised that the numbers aren't what tutors would hope for.

I hope you enjoy the IFA course - I got so much from mine.

 

[Glitch]

Hi Bushbaby,
I don't know where you are writing from, but I get the impression here in London that there aren't enough aromatherapy courses to meet the demand. Of course, a lot depends on cost. At the further education colleges, I understand funding is being withdrawn by the Learning and Skills Council from adult courses - so more can be spent on teenagers' education - and course prices are rising dramatically as subsidies are removed. My brother, in another town, was quoted three times as much as I paid to do an aromatherapy course at his local college. And prices are going up at my college next year too - so it looks as though I got in just in time!