AWARDS 2011: Julie's European Shiatsu Mission
21 December 2010
Derby student Julie Tasker (front row, nearest camera) at a recent Shiatsu Society meeting.
University of Derby student Julie Tasker is hoping her memorable 2010 can help put the traditional hands-on Japanese healing art Shiatsu more firmly in the public eye.
Julie has just completed her BA (Hons) in Complementary Therapies at Derby this summer and has recently been voted onto the Shiatsu Society board of directors - a national body which aims to increase awareness and practice of the therapy.
The Shiatsu Society is the largest professional association of shiatsu practitioners in the UK and is part of the European Shiatsu Federation (ESF).
Julie has been appointed in a three-year role to become the Shiatsu Society's Treasurer and European Shiatsu Federation UK representative and is hoping to promote the therapy across the continent through her new position.
Julie graduates at the University's Derby Awards Ceremonies in January with a 2:1 degree, and manages her own organisation, Julie Tasker Healing, which is based in Mansfield, offering a range of different therapies.
As part of her degree course at Derby, Julie's final dissertation was called: "Would Shiatsu be an appropriate therapy to alleviate skeletal muscle spasms, including those associated with multiple sclerosis?"
Her study discussed the fact that many muscle spasms are potentially complex which reflect either a reflex reaction to an underlying condition or can be signs and symptoms of disease such as multiple sclerosis.
It is a delicate subject area which divides health professionals and experts, and Julie recognises the need for Shiatsu practitioners to adhere to professional standards and that success would be dependent on a case by case basis.
However, she says that following investigation about whether a muscle spasm could be problematic for a patient in the future and the potential sign of disease, both the multiple sclerosis treatment experts and biomedical professionals suggest a useful treatment approach often involves medication together with physical, relaxation and breathing techniques.
She said: "These are all aspects involved in Shiatsu. Shiatsu is therefore proposed as potentially an appropriate therapy to alleviate skeletal muscle spasms, including those associated with multiple sclerosis.
"The controversial nature of this dissertation was acknowledged in the introduction (to the study) through isolating the application of shiatsu to alleviate muscle spasm.
"The literature reviewed emphasises benefits of including muscle spasm within a whole diagnostic picture yet enables consideration of more direct treatment for the specific sign or symptom of muscle spasm."
Her tutor, Martyn Parker-Eames, Programme Leader for Derby's Unit of Therapeutic Arts and Complementary Medicine, said: "Julie exemplifies many of the outstanding features of our graduates and their ability to lead in the field. We are proud of her.
"Julie's appointment within the Shiatsu Society is very significant both personally and professionally for the University.
"She achieved this while still a student on the programme and is the first member of our programme to hold office. Our programme is the only degree programme in Shiatsu in Europe and her appointment reflects the importance of our unique programme."
Shiatsu Society (UK) Chairman Tracy Footitt said: "Julie joined the Shiatsu Society board of directors in April 2010 after being voted on by members at the AGM. Her areas of responsibility include Treasurer, Membership and Revenue and European Shiatsu Federation (ESF). Julie has brought a lot of positive dynamism to her roles and the board in general.
"She recently represented the Society at an ESF meeting in Prague and is currently involved in a working group to establish a European Core Curriculum and Standard for Shiatsu."
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For more information contact Deputy Head of Corporate Relations Simon Redfern on 01332 591942 or 07748 920038 or email s.redfern@derby.ac.uk
