To help you choose the most appropiate therapy for your needs, see the following definitions.
Acupressure
Uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities
Acupressure is an ancient healing art developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's 12 meridians, or natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body's life force energy to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses gentle but firm pressure.
The pressure is applied directly to the points of the body mainly by using the hands, fingers, thumb or knuckles and sometimes by using a smooth, blunt object. Stimulation of the body’s meridian system by touch is perhaps one of the oldest healing systems, and many other therapies use Acupressure techniques.
Advantages of using acupressure include relieving pain, balancing the body and maintaining good health. The healing touch of acupressure reduces tension, increases circulation, and enables the body to relax deeply. By relieving stress, acupressure strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness
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Acupuncture
An ancient Chinese medical procedure involving the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific sites
Dating from 4,000 years ago, acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical procedure involving the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific sites (acupuncture points) along the body's meridians to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of qi through the individual. The practitioner may also stimulate the acupuncture points using other methods, including moxibustion, cupping, laser therapy, electro-stimulation and massage, in order to re-establish the flow of qi.
Acupuncture is an effective, natural and increasingly popular form of health care that is being used by people from a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds.
In 1979, the World Health Organisation listed some 40 diseases that could be successfully treated with acupuncture.
Acupuncture treatment includes:
• Headaches, migraines, difficulty sleeping, nervous tension, stroke.
• Cardiovascular disorders such as high or low blood pressure, fluid retention, chest pain, poor circulation, cold hands and feet, and muscle cramps.
• Respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, sore throat, influenza and the common cold.
• Digestive system disorders such as toothache, gingivitis, mouth ulcers, diarrhoea, constipation, haemorrhoids, weight control.
• Urogenital disorders such as cystitis, prostatitis, orchitis, low sexual vitality, urinary retention
• Gynaecological and obstetric disorders such as premenstrual tension, period pain, difficulty with conception
• Skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, nerve rash, herpes zoster, acne, scar tissue and resultant adhesions, hair loss and dandruff.
• Eye conditions
• Musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis, sciatica, lumbago, weak back, low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, shoulder and neck pain,
• Sporting injuries
• Psychological conditions such as depression, phobias, emotional disturbances, anxiety, nervousness and addictions such as smoking.
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Alexander Technique
The Alexander technique is a way of learning how you can get rid of harmful tension in your body.
The Alexander technique is a way of learning how you can get rid of harmful tension in your body.
The Alexander Technique is used to help to teach people about how efficiently and effortlessly they can use their bodies in everyday life. Often, we develop bad posture and habits without being aware of this, and expend too much energy or muscle force to achieve a task. Alexander Technique teachers help to adjust the client’s posture to recognise the difference between current habits and what it feels like to use muscles with minimum effort and in a relaxed, fluid way. The Technique teaches how to become more aware of your own posture, balance and movement in everyday life.
The lessons usually last for between 30 and 45 minutes and are normally on a one-to-one basis.
The teacher uses his/her hands to gently correct any muscular imbalances and encourages the body to a better alignment. This is a direct body experience, so the client becomes familiar with the sensation of correct alignment in their own body.
The Alexander Technique was developed by an Australian actor, Frederick Matthias Alexander (1869-1955).
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Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the art and science of using natural, essential oils
Aromatherapy, practiced by healthcare professionals, is the art and science of using natural, essential oils extracted from various parts of plants to calm, stimulate or balance the body and mind.
Essential Oils, are the volatile liquids extracted from flowers, leaves, needles, rind, seeds and roots of plants. Their small molecular structure allows them to evaporate easily at room temperature and penetrate the skin. Most essential oils mix with other oils and alcohol but not with water. These oils act on the central nervous system to relax or stimulate an individual's mood and arousal level. Oils may be blended to accentuate effects.
The oils are usually applied by massage; they can be given as a relaxing treatment covering "stress" areas such as back, shoulders, face, legs.
Essential oils can also be inhaled, using an oil burner or breathing in an infusion and can also be very beneficial when added to baths.
Aromatherapists treat many conditions, and often see a great improvement in nervous disorders, such as depression, anger, stress and other related symptoms such as headaches and insomnia.
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Astrology
The divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects
The divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects.
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Aura Soma
Aura-Soma is a form of colour therapy.
The remedies are a collection of small bottles, each containing a layer of coloured essential oil on top of a layer of coloured spring water containing herbal extracts. There are over 90 bottles in all and most of them contain two colours each. You are asked to choose the four colours that most appeal to you. The four that you choose are the most relevant to your physical and emotional condition and by applying the combination of colours to your skin daily, allows the body to absorb the colours and rebalance the body. There is no standard duration of treatment and the therapy is used as often as it is felt necessary.
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Australian Bush Flowers
Healing remedies using Australian bush flower properties
Developed by Naturopath, Ian White, a fifth generation Australian herbalist who grew up in the Australian bush, Australian Bush Essences are now outselling the better known Bach Flower Remedies, and a growing number of natural healers are successfully using them as an adjunct to therapies such as natural fertility treatments, reflexology, and aromatherapy.
The 64 Bush remedies bring flower healing into the 21st century with essences for sexual abuse, infertility, ‘smother love’, stress, sibling rivalry, exam nerves, abundance, and genital herpes. There are even remedies for attention deficit disorder and dyslexia. White has also now produced 16 different combination tinctures, creams, and mists for problems as diverse as relationship troubles and long haul jet lag.
The key to understanding how flower remedies work lies in vibrational or energetic medicine. In other words, and unlike herbalism or healing with essential oils, it is not the chemical properties of the plant you are using - but its unique energy pattern or vibration.
All flower essences are safe enough to give to children and animals. You can take them with medication and there have never been any recorded side-effects.
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Ayurveda
An ancient medical systems with its origins in India.
Ayurveda is most certainly the most ancient of all medical systems. It has its origins in India, and is still the most important form of medicine in the Indian subcontinent; its philosophies are also gaining ground in the West.
The word 'Ayurveda' comes from Sanskrit and means 'the science of life', the whole aim of Ayurveda is prevention. The ancient texts say that the human lifespan should be around 100 years, and that all those years should be lived in total health, both physical and mental, therefore the Ayurvedic practitioner is looking to balance the body and mind, find health problems before they occur or arrest them before they do any real harm. It is a complete philosophical and spiritual system, which has over thousands of years become subtle, sophisticated and highly complex. However, the basic tenets are reasonably easy to understand and have changed little over the centuries.
The five elements - ether, air, fire, water and earth are the foundations on which the Ayurvedic interpretation of all matter and life is based, they are not to be interpreted literally however, each represents qualities and different types of force and energy, as well as some form of physical manifestation.
Tridoshas, are what form the basis for diagnosis, treatment, cure and health maintenance in Ayurvedic medicine. Life and all its forces can cause the doshas to become unbalanced which can lead to ill health.
What to expect
There is no typical Ayurvedic session - even the methods of diagnosis may vary from practitioner to practitioner. The basic diagnosis is known as the three-point diagnosis and involves detailed observation of your appearance, examination by touch, and a detailed questionnaire about your life and health. After diagnosis comes treatment, and the range of treatments is vast, however, you will be given guidelines for healthy living and instructed in the diet, which will soothe and correct imbalances in your body type. You may be prescribed a course of purification to eliminate toxins from the body and to energize the body's elimination mechanisms. Herbal preparations may be prescribed. A host of other healing techniques including massage, exercise, breathing and meditation may be used.
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Bach Flower Remedy
Flower remedies which restore imbalances
The term ‘Flower Remedy’ refers to the products developed by Dr Edward Bach, a London bacteriologist and homoeopath. ‘Flower Essences’ are products devised by various people following on from Dr Bach’s work.
Dr Bach believed that illness was a result of mental or emotional balance and that the unique energetic property of a plant could be used to rectify an imbalance and restore the awareness of ‘wholeness’. Using the homoeopathic law of potentisation, he reasoned that the healing effects of plants might also be contained in the morning dew found on their flowers.
Dr Bach believed that harmful emotions were the main cause of disease and he classified the various emotions into seven main categories. These seven categories were then divided further into 38 negative feelings. Each negative emotion is associated with a particular plant. He also developed a compound of five flowers called Rescue Remedy to be used in emergency situations or for trauma.
Flower Remedies and Essences are liquid preparations created by boiling parts of plants in spring water or by placing the flowers onto the surface of spring water and leaving them to infuse by natural sunlight for a period of time. After these processes, the water is preserved in brandy.
The Remedies are intended for self-help use, although many practitioners from other disciplines also prescribe their use. The Remedies are sold in concentrated form and the method of use is either by placing drops directly on the tongue, or by diluting them in liquid.
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Body Harmony®
An open system, integrating both traditional and esoteric bodywork methods
Body Harmony® is an open system of treatment, it represents a philosophy that takes into account all aspects of the client; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
Body Harmony® sees the client as the true source of healing and their way as the path to that healing. The client is observed both still and in motion, so that an analysis can be made of body posture, movement and functions, relevant to the goals set by them. By listening to the body and following each person's unique path, Body Harmony® allows the body to unwind and release past traumas.
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Bowen Technique
A gentle and non-invasive holistic treatment that aims to restore balance to the body
Bowen Technique is a gentle and non-invasive holistic treatment that aims to restore balance to the body by using small, gentle moves to specific areas of the body. Because the therapy is so gentle, it is considered to be suitable for all ages. The precise, light movements are applied either directly on the skin or through light clothing to the muscles, tendons or ligaments. A delicate, cross-fibre movement is used to release tension and energetic blocks held in the muscles, allowing the body to rebalance itself naturally and therefore maximise the potential for healing.
The technique was developed in Australia by Thomas A Bowen (1916-1982). Although he did not explain or document his theory of how the Bowen Technique worked, he did allow six apprentices to study his methods with him during his lifetime.
A Bowen treatment usually takes place with the client lying on a couch or sitting in a chair. A practitioner uses his fingers and thumbs to ‘roll’ the muscles and connective tissue using gentle pressure at specific points. Many of the points used correspond to the trigger points used in massage or the acupressure points. The movements assist blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, helping to clear toxins from the body. A session usually lasts from half an hour to an hour with frequent pauses between movements to allow the body time to assimilate changes. The client is left to rest at the end of the treatment for the same reason.
Symptoms that may respond well to the Bowen Technique include back pain, sciatica, neck and shoulder problems, sports injuries, migraines and headaches, menstrual problems, chronic fatigue and stress related problems.
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Chiropractic
Chiropractors aim to maintain the spine and nervous system in good health through neuromusculoskeletal manipulation
Chiropractors aim is to maintain the spine and nervous system in good health through neuromusculoskeletal manipulation. Methods of consultation include - case history, physical examination, labatory analysis and often x-rays
A client will be asked to strip down to their underwear and posture will be studied whilst standing, sitting and lying down. Reflexes will be tested, and muscles palpated for signs of tension and spasm. Legs may also be measured to ascertain that they are of equal length. It is only after a thorough examination, that a chiropractor will decide if a problem is suitable for treatment. The aim of such treatment is to restore a full range of movement to the joints of the spine, relax and lengthen muscles, tendons and ligaments and relieve pain. Manipulation may be carried out by stretching muscles and short, controlled thrusts against a joint, also included in a treatment may be soft tissue techniques such as massage, heat, ice and kneading.
A treatment may last between 10-30 minutes, and generally a course will be prescribed to ensure maximum benefits are obtained.
Chiropractors recommend the method for a variety of conditions ranging from chronic back trouble to migraine, ADD in children and many gynecological conditions. It does also have contraindications for a number of complaints such as osteoporosis, cancer and serious circulatory problems, so it is important to ensure that the practitioner is fully qualified and registered with a suitable governing body.
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Colonic Irrigation
Colinic Irrigation/Hydrotherapy is the cleansing of ones colon to restore and maintain optimum health
Colinic Irrigation, also known as Colonic Hydrotherapy or Colon Therapy, practice was reputedly used in Ancient Egypt, China and India. However, the method common in the West today has its origins in 19th Century European spas.
A treatment will begin with a detailed case study, and an explanation of the procedure. The client is then asked to remove all clothing and wear a gown provided by the therapist. The client then lies down on a treatment table and warm, purified water is introduced into the colon via the rectum, the therapist will use special massage techniques during the procedure to stimulate the release of stored faecal matter. The colonic will take between 30-45 minutes. Herbal and probiotic implants may be used and advice will also be given on dietary changes to enhance the treatment. Advice will also be given on how many sessions will be necessary, and a colon cleansing programme may be recommended to support the treatment.
To be registered, a therapist must have satisfactory training in anatomy and physiology, and considerable training and experience in a body based therapy. Subsequently they will have been trained at one of the approved and inspected Colonic Hydrotherapy training colleges. The premises of therapists are inspected prior to their admission to the Register, and these are periodically re-inspected. Most therapists have experience in treating such conditions as chronic fatigue, digestive disorders, headaches, skin problems and back pain.
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Colour Therapy
Colour therapy is based on the ancient art of using colour and light to treat disease
Colour therapy is based on the ancient art of using colour and light to treat disease.
Practitioners believe that by altering the colours that surround us, it is possible to enhance health and well-being.
The earliest forms of therapy included the use of coloured gems and sunlight. There is now a wide range of treatment options available and many practitioners combine the use of colour with other complementary therapies such as aromatherapy, massage, reflexology, crystals and yoga.
The human body absorbs light that is made up of the colour spectrum. Each colour in the spectrum has a frequency, wavelength and energy associated with it. The colours we absorb can have an effect on the nervous system, the endocrine system and subsequently on the release of hormones and other organic substances within the human body. They can also have an effect on the more subtle energies of the chakra system. This may affect our mental, emotional, psychological and physical states of health.
The symptoms of disease are a sign that there is a shortage of, or improper utilization of colour and light in the cells and organs of the human body. This may be due to factors such as our lifestyle, our environment, stress or too much, or too little of a particular colour frequency in our energy system. This imbalance can be corrected by the selective use of colour frequencies. The forms by which the frequencies of colour can be transmitted to the body are numerous.
Colour is used in orthodox medicine for the treatment of neonatal jaundice and other specific medical conditions. It is used in complementary therapy to boost the immune system and promote healing from within.
It can benefit a wide range of problems including stress-related conditions such as insomnia, anxiety, asthma, behavioural disorders and depression and many more. In particular, it can help to restore health after surgery or illness. It can also aid creativity and help learning.
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Craniosacral Therapy
A gentle form of holistic therapy developed from cranial osteopathy and oriental approach to bodywork
Cranio-Sacral Therapy is a gentle form of holistic therapy developed from cranial osteopathy and oriental approach to bodywork. It uses touch to evaluate and affect the cranio-sacral system, i.e. the cranium (skull), the spinal column and the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It is believed that changes in the cerebrospinal fluid will in turn affect every cell in the body via the connective tissue.
Dr John E Upledger, an American osteopath, developed cranio-sacral therapy from the cranial osteopathy work of Dr William Garner Sutherland. The key differences in Upledger’s development of the therapy was to focus the treatment on the soft tissues, fluid and membrane of the cranio-sacral system rather than the bones, and that the rhythm of the cranio-sacral fluid was independent to the heart and respiration rates.
Treatment usually takes place on a couch with the client wearing light clothing. The practitioner will gently palpate areas of the body (usually the sacrum at the base of the spine and the head), using a very light touch to feel the cranial rhythmic impulse (CRI) of the cerebrospinal fluid. The treatment aim is to restore balance by allowing the removal of restrictions to the movement of the CRI to facilitate the body’s own self-healing. A Cranio-Sacral session will normally last between 30 and 60 minutes and is suitable for everyone, including babies, children and the elderly.
Cranio-Sacral Therapy may help many conditions as it can affect all aspects of the body by enhancing general health, reducing stress and improving brain and spinal cord function. It is commonly used to treat conditions such as chronic pain, scoliosis, coordination problems, post-operative care, sports injuries, depression, birth trauma, hyperactivity and hormonal imbalances.
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Crystal Therapy
Healing and therapy using crystals
The essence of Crystal Healing is to assist the body in healing itself. A Crystal has a perfect atomic structure, which gives out a resonance of perfection, a blue print for the human body to follow.
Working in a space attuned to promote peace and well being the healer will help you to help yourself. There is a strong emphasis on self empowerment for the patient.
Crystal Therapy can assist with….
• Deep Relaxation
• Self Development
• Stress Relief
• Improved Self Confidence
• Focus
• Self Awareness
• Balance between Mind, Body & Spirit
• Life Path
• Creativity
• Spiritual Development
• Clearer Communication between Self and Others
• Self empowerment and Responsibility
• Moving Through Change
During the crystal healing session you will be asked to either lay on a couch or to sit in a chair. No removal of clothing is required, only your shoes, for your own comfort.
The healer will help you to relax usually with a visualization or music. Crystals will be placed on or around you, in some instances a combination of both.
Sessions usually run for one hour and a brief profile will be taken on the first visit
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Ear Candling
Ear candling or coning is a method of cleaning the ears and the mind
Ear Candling, also known as Ear Coning, is a simple, effective method for removing ear wax build-up, fungus and impaction from within the ear canal.
A hollow candle that tapers at one end fits into the ear. The opposite end is set to flame creating a vacumm that cleanses residues out of the ear including fungus, old wax and past infections.
Candling is said to stimulate the immune system and peripheral blood circulation. Ear candles may also be used to cleanse and harmonise a person’s energy fields or auras, prior to meditation or trance work.
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Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
An 'emotional form of acupuncture'
EFT practitioners describe their therapy as an 'emotional form of acupuncture'.
EFT is a technique that uses tapping on certain acupressure points and, when you combine it with focusing on a particular negative thought / problem (and accepting that you have the problem!), seems to release the negative emotion within that memory. It has now been used very successfully for the past 9 years and has bought amazing relief to countless different problems.
EFT is a revised form of TFT (Thought Field Therapy) which involved 'tapping' the body's 365 acupressure points to aid restoration of the body's energy flow. The technique was revised by a personal development coach called Gary Craig, who only used 11 of these points and called it EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). It is this routine that is used by many of the worlds 3,000+ EFT practitioners.
A client is assisted in tuning in to their problem; the practitioner will then use fingertips to tap a map of points, and a series of affirmations to bring about balance. The technique is said to aid many conditions from Anxiety and stress, to phobias, compulsions and pain.
The technique can be self administered after a period of study.
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Feldenkrais
The Feldenkrais Method was developed by a Russian doctor, Dr Moshe Feldenkrais in the 1940’s. It is a preventative therapy rather than a treatment and is similar in its approach to the Alexander Technique. It uses movement and awareness to improve flexibility and functioning of the body. Dr Feldenkrais believed that awareness is developed through experience and developed methods using movement to re-educate the body and to help to break down established patterns of behaviour.
Body awareness – posture, movement and spatial orientation – is the main key to the Feldenkrais Method. By becoming more conscious of how we move, areas that are less flexible and formed habitual patterns, then this creates an awareness that can be used to initiate change in how we choose to use our bodies. By repeated attention to how we move and by practising exercises to counter old patterns, the brain’s signals to the body can be modified, becoming a new, ‘chosen’ way of moving. This can develop into a greater ease of movement, an increase in vitality and well-being.
Feldenkrais Method sessions can either be on a one-to-one basis or in group work. It encourages clients to take responsibility for themselves and anyone can benefit from this method as it’s purpose is to discover the potential for living effortlessly according to each individual’s abilities. It is therefore suitable for any age and most conditions, including neurological, conditions, orthopaedic problems, chronic and acute pain.
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Feng Shui
Feng Shui is the Chinese system of living in harmony with the natural elements and forces of earth.
Pronounced "fung shway," feng shui literally means "wind and water." Its roots are 5,000 years old.
Feng shui seeks to promote prosperity, good health, and general well being by examining how energy, qi, pronounced "chee," flows through a particular room, house, building, or garden.
Feng shui can be used to decide the location, construction, and architectural features of buildings, the placement and style of furniture, colors and decorating schemes, and the location of plantings, paths, and other outside features. By creating a more pleasing atmosphere, feng shui has been credited with improving family communication, restoring employee cooperation, and increasing a store's sales.
The principles can be applied to any style of building or decorating, not just to Chinese or Asian modes.
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Healing
Most healers believe that they are channeling an energy which exists all around us. This energy helps repair and re-establish balance in the aura around a person and, through that, affect changes at a physiological or psychological level as well as work at a spiritual level. The healing of one person by another can be done either from a distance or by the laying-on of hands.
Although the many forms of healing have been derided by the orthodox medical establishment for far too long, many people have benefited from receiving healing. It is only very recently that some people in the medical world have started to accept that healing can be beneficial, to the extent that healers can now be found in some hospitals and clinics.
During healing, you will most probably be asked to sit upright or to lie down, relax and close your eyes whilst the healer passes his or her hands over you, usually a few centimetres away from your body. You may experience a sensation or warmth and energy through you and become very relaxed indeed. You may also feel energised. Some people begin to feel better almost immediately whilst others may not feel any benefit for days or weeks, and then not always in the ways in which it was expected.
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Hellerwork
Joseph Heller started Hellerwork in the late 1970's. Hellerwork has three basic concepts: Bodywork - deep tissue massage that unblocks the body, Movement Education - to correct postural alignment, and Verbal Dialogue - to assess emotional holding patterns.
Hellerworkers believe that not only is memory held in the brain, but also in the muscles and tissues of the body - therefore by changing someone's body on a structural level, you will affect their being on an emotional level and vice versa.
The massage used concentrates on the body's fascia (the connective tissue that contains and links the muscles and muscle fibres, as well as forms the tendons and ligaments of the body) the movement education works on the principle that the body must be straight and evenly balanced, with the line of gravitational force running down the centre. Specific exercises are given to remedy any problems. Verbal dialogue is a psychotherapeutic technique that attempts to identify and remedy the cause of any troublesome state of mind, in order to release areas of the body that may be affected.
Hellerwork has a rigid structure of eleven sessions lasting 90 minutes each. The first session will include a detailed history, and a study of how you walk, sit and stand. Before and after photographs may also be taken. Further sessions will be divided into three main groups targeting certain areas - the Superficial section, the Core section and the Integrative section. After the eleven sessions are completed, advice will be given on exercises to do at home, and follow-up sessions will be recommended after any physical or emotional trauma.
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Herbal
This is a complete holistic system of medicine which uses the healing properties of medicinal plants. Each patient is treated on an individual basis, according to his needs. The medicine can be found in the form of drinks, ointments, tablets or poultices
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Homeopathy
This holistic approach is based on the principle that “like cures like”. The homeopath uses minute amounts of diluted substances to treat a wide range of medical conditions. The patient’s personality as well as his symptoms is assessed by the homeopathic doctor before prescribing a homeopathic remedy.
Homoeopathy is indicated in the treatment of many conditions, including:
• in the initial treatment of acute infections, of the upper and lower respiratory tract, and skin.
• for chronic conditions such as skin disease, arthritis, postviral fatigue.
• for recurrent conditions-upper respiratory tract infections, glue ear, rhinitis, bronchitis, cystitis, vaginitis.
• in the treatment of hormone related diseases-PMT, endometriosis, and menopausal problems.
• for psychosomatic problems, stress related illnesses, including headaches, migraine, backache and muscular tension.
• for allergies
• for depression and anxiety
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Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy has nothing to do with what can be seen on stage where performers try to manipulate people into acting in silly ways. Unfortunately, much of the public knowledge of hypnosis is based on such shows which very often leads to a fear of hypnosis and a reluctance on the part of many people to seek for the help that hypnotherapy can give.
Somewhere between wakefulness and sleep is the state of consciousness that hypnotherapists use. That trance like state is similar to the one that occurs spontaneously in sleepwalking or daydreaming. Most people will experience hypnosis as a state in which they become more aware of their inner being, their emotions and state of mind so as to make it possible to work and transform those emotions and states which may have become a problem. You will not lose consciousness or awareness, but become able to gain a different perspective on what has been troubling you.
Through accessing the unconscious mind, hypnotherapy can help you learn how to react differently to certain situations and help you to understand better the development mechanism of your mind.
It also is possible with hypnotherapy to access memories and past events which are still having a detrimental impact on the present..
Really, that will depend on what is troubling you. A good therapist will try to help you understand what is the root cause of your problem and how to transform your response to it.
Remember that you already have within yourself the answers to the problem, even if you are not aware of that at a conscious level. No matter how good he/she is, the therapist cannot just give you the answers that you seek as he/she cannot know what is the best solution for you. He/she can only help you to find those answers within yourself and help you draw on your existing resources to transform your emotional difficulties. The therapist will help you access and utilise those resources so that you may learn how to make better use of them.
Hypnotherapy is particularly useful in helping people to deal with stress and anxiety related conditions such as panic attacks, phobias, insomnia and other emotional problems like depression, lack of confidence and self esteem, etc.
It can also be of help with problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, migraine, skin problems, ulcers, asthma and high blood pressure. It can be of great help in the management of chronic pain.
Hypnotherapy can also help you change unwelcome habits such as smoking and nail-biting, and deal with problems relating to food and body image. This is achieved by finding out what the real problem is and finding better, more positive ways to meet your needs.
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Iridology
Iridology was developed in Hungary in the 19th Century and involves the study of the Iris of the eye (the coloured sector) and the Pupil, using microscopic analysis of the surface structures to determine the health of the whole body. Genetic strengths and weaknesses, levels of inflammation and toxicity, the efficiency of the eliminative organs all build up a picture of both current health status and predispositions.
An Iridologist may use a specialist camera to take pictures of a client's iris, or simply examine them with an ophthalmoscope and will not claim to diagnose an actual disease with these methods, but to identify weaknesses in the body.
Iridology is a safe, non-invasive and inexpensive method of analysis that can be integrated into both orthodox and complementary medicine.
The human iris and pupil - the eye- is one of the most intricate structures in nature and is one of the most visible parts. Its thousands of nerve endings are connected to the brain via the hypothalamus, giving readouts on conditions in all organs and systems of the body. The iris provides accurate information about our constitutional type, helping patients to understand their strengths and weaknesses, thereby enabling them to become more personally aware of what they can do to help themselves in both the short and long-term.
As bodily tissues become inflamed or congested, the iris registers the processes, enabling the Iridologist to determine the root cause of current disorders. For example, a toxic digestive system may be responsible for seemingly unrelated problems such as migraines, skin disorders or joint problems
A few minutes focused observation of the eyes will point you in the right direction, saving a great deal of time, energy, guesswork and frustration.
By establishing the root cause of disorders, an appropriately trained and qualified Iridologist can advise the most effective forms of therapy that will attain the best results for the individual - a truly wholistic approach.
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Kinesiology
Kinesiology is a method of evaluating the function of the body on all levels. Kinesiology works through testing muscle strength in response to a "question" that is presented to the body. This technique was originally developed by a chiropractor in the 1960's and has since been incorporated into the practice of many disciplines, including health, education and psychology.
There are a number of different ways of using muscle testing in assessment - as a series of specific muscles tests, to find out how well the body is functioning in all aspects - structural, chemical and emotional, and with an indicator muscle test, which uses a single muscle to get a non-verbal response to a stimulus. All branches of Kinesiology use both methods, and some branches make greater use of the indicator muscle test.
Almost all Kinesiologists will give a session lasting one hour or longer. Much of the first session will be spent in gathering information, in order that the practitioner can built up a picture of the balance of your structural, nutritional and emotional state. The Kinesiologist will pay attention to any specific symptoms you may have, but all aspects will by covered, as it is a holistic treatment. At the end of the first session, the practitioner will be able to give you a summary of the main areas of imbalance that your body has shown. You may also be told about the corrections you have been given. You may be advised to attend weekly for three to four sessions, and then at less frequent intervals.
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Life Coaching
Life-coaching is a means of bridging the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. It often involves clarifying those two first.
Life-coaching works through a dynamic partnership focussed entirely on the client and the client's agenda. Our lives have become so complex, opportunities so plentiful, that exploring what's important to us as individuals and our own unique situation is the quickest and often the only way to know exactly what to change and how to change it. And to identify and move beyond those things that are holding us back from the lives we really want.
In life-coaching, people experience significant shifts in their lives. They become clearer on who they are and what they need in their lives to be fulfilled. Living the live that's truly right for them, it all becomes easier, more joyful. They also get to do, be or have more of what they want or need in every conceivable area. Better than this, they do so more quickly and easily, with more enjoyment and far less stress. They go from being driven by need to inspired by their goals or life. And they create the conditions to easily sustain this easier, happier way of living.
Life coaching covers any or all aspects of your life. Some people come for specific issues (such as health, relationships, finances or a transition) or projects (like creating a new life or developing a seminar program). Some come to enjoy more what they've already got, to fine-tune some aspects of their life or for self-development. Others are drawn to coaching by a general dissatisfaction or a sense that something could be better. And some create more space for themselves and for spontaneous, joyous action by cutting back on their commitments.
Coaching sessions are friendly, relaxed but focussed and amazingly powerful on many levels. Most coaching takes place through regular, pre-arranged telephone sessions. Email coaching can also be very effective and clients benefit from both, with email coaching between calls.
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Lymphatic Drainage
Manual Lymph Drainage is an advanced form of massage that aims to stimulate the lymphatic system to remove congestion and stagnation from within the body, and so help it return to a healthy condition.
The treatment will involve a consultation and a massage using gentle rhythmic pumping techniques. Follow up advice on diet and other ways to stimulate the lymph may also be given.
Symptoms that are said to respond well to MLD are a weakened immune system, chronic congestion (sinus etc), rheumatoid arthritis and the healing of wounds, burns and scars. MLD is also often incorporated into the treatment and control of Lymphoedema.
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Magnetic Field Therapy
Magnetic Field Therapy involves the use of magnetic and electromagnetic force fields to treat a variety of disorders. It can be used in both diagnosing and treating physical and emotional disorders. This process has been recognized to relieve symptoms and may retard the cycle of new disease.
Magnetic field therapy is ideally suited for the treatment of many physical conditions and health maintenance. This modality is of great value because the person may continue treatment on her/his own over a long period of time if necessary. This decreases dependence on the practitioner, which is very important for ongoing self-care. Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy can be used as the sole treatment in many cases but is often even better with other accepted modalities. Magnetic fields penetrate the body as if it was air. They are noninvasive and nontoxic, which makes them ideal for the gentle and gradual body rebalancing and healing. Magnetic fields work individually on the natural healing systems of the body but also work through the acupuncture systems. A whole body treatment with magnetic fields can be as strong as acupuncture in many cases. Treatment of the whole person requires an understanding of the underlying causes of the individual's difficulty. Magnetic fields, like other therapies, can help to rebalance the individual but full recovery is unlikely unless the cause of the problem is also managed.
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Massage
Massage is a systematic, therapeutic stroking and kneading of the soft tissues of the body. The word is derived from the Greek ‘masso’, to knead and the Arabic ‘mass’, to press gently. It has been used as a form of therapy for thousands of years and touch is the most instinctive response to pain. Touch is an essential requirement for healthy development in early life and research has shown the babies who have received massage from their mothers have increased weight gain, increased nerve and brain cell development and better hormonal functioning and cell activity. Earliest records of the use of massage as a therapy come from China over 5,000 years ago.
The use of massage in the West became more popular in the 16th Century when a French doctor, Ambroise Pare incorporated a more anatomical and physiological approach. A Swede, Per Henrik Ling, developed a system of massage and gymnastics in the early 19th Century which became what we now know as Swedish Massage.
There are many different types of massage that have been developed; some approaches focus on the physical effects that the massage techniques have on the body, whilst others focus attention on the flow of ‘energy’ within the body. All types of massage can have an effect on the skin, muscles, blood vessels, lymph, nerves and some of the internal organs.
How Does Massage Work?
The relationship between the exterior and interior of the body is closely interlinked via the nervous system and it has been found that by stimulating specific areas on the surface of the body can have a corresponding effect on the internal organs and systems of the body. The dermis layer of the skin contains nerve endings which respond to touch and, on stimulation, the receptor nerves relay impulses via the spinal cord back to the brain. The brain then relays messages back to the area involved. The effects may include the relaxation of voluntary muscles, the sedation of nerve sensors and improved blood circulation to the area. The receptor nerve endings affected by touch travel more quickly than those involved in chronic pain and can reduce the brain’s perception of the amount of pain from the affected area. Chemicals known as endorphins are also released from the brain and act as the body’s natural painkillers. These help to counter the sensation of chronic pain and give a feeling of well-being and relaxation.
The following gives a brief description of some of the various types of massage available:
Anma
This is a traditional Japanese massage that works tsubos or acupressure points on the body. Anma became the basis of energy-based body techniques like shiatsu, tuina and Kahuna.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the combination of healing massage with the medicinal properties of essential oils from plant extracts. The essential oils are absorbed through the skin during massage and also by inhalation through the nose.
Aston Patterning
Developed in America by Judith Aston and has its roots in Rolfing, Aston Patterning is a system of massage, soft tissue bodywork, fitness training and movement education. It can be helpful in alleviating pain and improving posture by encouraging fluid body movements and even distribution of body weight.
Ayurvedic Massage
This is the massage aspect of Ayurvedic medicine. It is based on affecting the flow of ‘prana’ through the 107 ‘marma’ points on the body. This is very similar to the approach used by Oriental Medicine as in Acupuncture. Depending on the constitution and the ‘dosha type’ of the client according to the principles of Ayurvedic Medicine, suitable oils are chosen to be used in the massage. There is also a form of massage for self-use.
Biodynamic Massage
Developed in the 1960’s by a Norwegian physiotherapist and psychologist, Gerda Boyesen. The therapy aims to release energy believed to be trapped in the muscles and gut causing physical and emotional pain. Techniques can be soothing or more vigorous and Swedish massage is used together with other methods like ‘lifting’ the limbs to free trapped ‘bio-energy’ which is then released via the abdomen. Discussion is encouraged if the treatment raises any issues.
Chavutti Thirumal
Chavutti Thirumal comes from southern India and is part of the Ayurvedic system. It is said to have developed to promote suppleness to traditional dancers and martial art practitioners and is regarded as a specialised form of massage to aid the circulation, lymphatic system and digestion. The therapist is suspended above the client using a rope, and uses his or her feet and toes to apply firm, continuous strokes to stimulate the body’s energy lines.
Hellerwork
Developed by Joseph Heller, an American engineer and Rolfing Practitioner, in the 1970’s, it could be described as a blend of Rolfing, Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method. It has three components: bodywork, movement education and verbal dialogue. The bodywork is a deep massage to the fascia which is where Joseph Heller believes stiffness and tension accumulate.
Indian Head Massage (Champissage)
Traditionally practised in India to the head and hair in order to keep hair lustrous and healthy, it has been extended and enhanced to include deep and relaxing massage to the upper back, shoulders and neck which is an area susceptible to the build-up of tension. It helps to relax the thin layer of muscle covering the head, improving blood flow, nourishing the hair follicles and alleviating anxiety and stress.
Kahuna
An ancient Hawaiian system of massage that aims to help clients accept their own body and love themselves. Connection to one’s own self-love is believed to strengthen the ability to recognise the beauty in our life and surroundings. The treatment involves the practitioner using long rhythmical strokes over a two hour period with the client lying naked on a treatment table. The massage increases the vibrational rate of the cells of the body
Lomi
A deep tissue massage based on a Hawaiian Kahuna tradition.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
A very light pressure massage is used on the skin to encourage and stimulate the superficial lymphatic system in order to assist the removal of toxins from the body via the lymphatic nodes. Dietary correction can also be advisable.
Remedial Massage
This is a corrective massage to encourage muscular alignment to muscle groups that are strained from overuse. The massage is deep and specific, concentrating on the muscles that are tight and stiff.
Rolfing
Rolfing (or Structural Integration) is a system of manipulation designed to bring the body into correct alignment.
Sports Massage
This is ideal for loosening muscle groups to regain flexibility and prevent strains occurring. It focuses on muscle recovery rate and helps to cleanse the muscles of toxins allowing less muscle fatigue after exercise. Deep massage is applied to the muscle groups.
Thai Massage
Thai massage is a blend of Chinese and Ayurvedic systems. It uses gentle stretching, bending and pulling techniques to affect the flow of ‘prana’ or vital force in the body. Treatment is focused on the massage channels and points on the body and a practitioner will use hands, feet and elbows to affect this flow and help to restore harmony to the body.
Therapeutic Massage (Swedish Massage)
Is the manipulation of the soft tissues (skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments) of the body. It is a firm massage and has a set routine of techniques that vary from deep pressure to stimulate the body’s systems, to a slower, more superficial movement to assist relaxation.
There are four basic movements used in Therapeutic Massage:
Effleurage: relaxes and stretches the superficial muscles of the body.
Petrissage: kneading and squeezing of superficial and deeper muscles and soft tissue.
Friction: breaks down adhesions between tissues and relaxes muscle fibres.
Tapotement: a variety of percussive strokes to stimulate skin and muscles to increase blood flow.
Zero Balancing
It was developed in the 1970’s by Dr Fritz Smith, an American doctor, osteopath and acupuncturist and is a touch technique that combines Eastern and Western medicine. Treatment aims to restore a smooth flow of energy throughout the body paying attention to ‘foundation’ joints that act as shock absorbers for the weight distribution of the body and to breathing patterns, eye movements and stomach rumbles. The improvement to the energy flow can help to improve posture, increase harmony and the body’s own self-healing ability. The practitioner uses gentle touch via the fingers to stretch and hold the client, who lies fully clothed on a treatment table.
Due to such a variety of massages we are not able to list them all in our selection list, however try searching the various types of massage in the keyword search!
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Meditation
Meditation is a safe and simple way to help you move towards balance and harmony and is often used as a path towards knowledge of the Self. It is a practice that is perhaps as old as mankind and can be used as an aid in dealing with stress and illnesses.
A state of meditation happens when your attention is focused upon the experience of the moment and is often reached by the use of techniques to calm the mind and body. There are several forms of meditation, most of which can be grouped into two basic approaches:
1. Focused or concentrative meditation
2. Mindfulness
Whilst the first brings a narrowing of the attention upon a particular subject such as an image, a mantra or other symbols, the second tends to be more like observing the flow of experiences and sensations without interfering with them. Some practices are a mix of those two approaches.
Focused meditation can be likened to looking through a microscope, it helps us go deeper into the experience, whilst a state of mindfulness can be more like gazing through a window, noticing everything that passes and our own experiences in relation to what is being observed. Both approaches can be combined with great effects.
With the practice of meditation, you can learn how to relax and how to direct your attention for the purpose of exploring your Self and learning about your own emotional and mental responses. It is a useful tool in the quest for understanding, self knowledge and spiritual development. Meditation should only be taught by an experienced and knowledgeable teacher who will be able to guide you in your inner journey, thus helping you to understand better what you may encounter and how to work with it.
When in meditation, the mind is in a state of restful alertness whilst the body becomes more relaxed, thus allowing for a natural healing and harmonising to take place. The benefits of meditation can be found on three levels: physical, psychological and spiritual.
Physical benefits: It has been shown that the regular use of meditation can strengthen the immune system, making it better able to resist infections. Physiological problems that are stress related, or influenced by stress, can also be helped as the meditator learns to cope better and to respond more positively to the stressful situation
Psychological benefits: Meditation can help most people feel more relaxed and better able to cope with life's events. It can promote a more aware attitude, leading to a recognition of the choices one has in life. This can help the meditator to realise that life is not something that just happens to us, but something that is to be embraced and where the person has power.
Spiritual benefits: To tell someone what to believe is to take away their freedom. Meditation is a personal journey towards understanding and knowledge of Self and of the Source. It is an exploration that has the potential to reveal the secrets of life. Meditation will help you find your own answers... and many more questions.
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Myofacial Release Therapy
Myofascial Release Therapy is a specialized form of manual treatment that is well suited to the healing of many acute and chronic pain conditions, fibromyalgia, chronic myofascial pain syndrome, movement restrictions, TMJ disorder, and carpal tunnel syndrome, to name a few.
Myofascial Release is a gentle form of therapy that produces profound effects throughout the body. Myofascial Release addresses restrictions in the connective tissue, or fascia, of the body. The fascia is an extremely tough tissue that surrounds every muscle, bone, organ, nerve, and blood vessel, down to the cellular level. Fascial restrictions can result from accidents, injuries, repetitive stress situations, surgical or traumatic scarring, and abnormal postures. Any of these traumas can cause the fascial tissue to bind down, exerting abnormal pressures and tensions on pain producing structures.
Myofascial Release is a whole-body therapy. Functionally, the fascial system forms a continuous web from head to toe. Injury to any part of the system can have far-reaching effects on other parts of the body. This helps to explain many individuals' seemingly inexplicable combination of pain complaints. Often times, painful symptoms occur in what might be considered unrelated regions of the body. A basic tenet of Myofascial Release is that no part of the body is separate from the other.
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Naturopathy
Naturopathy is a complete system of natural healthcare that believes the body has the knowledge to heal itself. Symptoms are viewed as signs that the body is attempting to heal itself, and treatment addresses the underlying causes of illness, primarily unfavourable habits of lifestyle.
The aim of naturopathy is to induce health by making the individual more resilient, and the immune system stronger. The first stage being to prevent the development, or further development of disease through a variety of natural health care methods.
The three basic principles of naturopathy state that:
• The body has a natural drive to maintain equilibrium, symptoms of disease are viewed and indications that the body is striving to heal itself.
• The root cause of all disease is the accumulation of waste products and toxins,
due to poor lifestyle habits.
• The body contains the wisdom and power to heal itself, provided treatment serves
to enhance this power.
A naturopath will often view themselves as a teacher, whose job it is to educate and support the client. The treatment involved will vary from client to client, and will also depend on the areas of expertise that the naturopath has trained in, these may include:
• Physiotherapy
• Therapeutic exercise
• Chiropractic manipulation of joints and soft tissue
• Reflexology, acupressure or massage
• Acupuncture
• Hydrotherapies
• Biofeedback, meditation, or autogenic training
• Nutrition
• Herbal remedies
• Homeopathic remedies
Naturopathy can be used to treat a wide variety of illnesses and complaints. However, treatment is often dictated by the patient's willingness to change or participate. As primary care providers, naturopaths also know to refer a patient to a specialist when the illness is outside their area of expertise, or better served by modern medicine.
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Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Neuro Linguistic Programming (or NLP as it is now commonly known). has been described by one of its co-founders as "an attitude of mind leaving behind it a trail of techniques".
Neuro-Linguistic Programming is a powerful body of information about how the human mind works built up since the 1970's and continuing to evolve through new research. You are likely to find many different descriptions of NLP.
At the heart of NLP is a wide range of methods and models it offers for understanding how people think, behave and change. It offers a flexible approach which brings about positive, fast change in individuals and organisations and empowers them to adapt to an ever-shifting world.
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Nutritionist
A nutritionist is a health specialist who devotes their professional activity exclusively to food/nutrition science, preventive nutrition, diseases related to nutrient deficiencies, and the use of nutrient manipulation to enhance the clinical response to human diseases.
A nutritionist may consider a person's medical history, use laboratory tests, and physical examination findings to determine how to improve a patient's health
A nutritionist manipulates a patient's diet and creates a nutritional supplement program to prevent disease or to enhance treatment of a disease, or to actually treat disorders that will respond to nutritional therapy.
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Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a system of therapeutics, based on the normalising of the body and its functions on the principle that health depends on the maintenance of proper relationships among the various parts of the body. According to osteopathic theory, defects in the musculo-skeletal system—the muscles, bones, and joints—influence the natural function of internal organs. To correct structural abnormalities, osteopathic therapy, or treatment with the hands or by mechanical means, is used (including massage to relax stiff muscles, stretching to help joint mobility, and manipulation and high-velocity thrust techniques which can restore easy movement to the body). Using these techniques, the osteopath will endeavours to remove the abnormalities and thus re-establish the normal functioning of the body's activities.
Osteopathic medicine holds that true health involves complete physical, mental, and social well-being, rather than merely the absence of disease. The body is viewed as having a capacity for health that the osteopath can help the individual fulfil. He or she must therefore treat the whole patient, considering such factors as nutrition and mental habits in addition to the physical symptoms.
Osteopaths are generally consulted to treat problems of the musculo-skeletal structure such as back pain, and many doctors refer patients to them for such treatments. It can also be used to ease pain during pregnancy, for asthma, constipation and pre-menstrual syndrome.
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Pilates
Pilates was developed during the 1st World War by Dr Joseph Pilates - he was a German interned by the British who used his time to teach his fellow internees exercise techniques that could be done with limited space and props, yet would aid recovery for injuries and ill health. After the war he emigrated to New York where, along with his wife Clara, he opened an exercise studio and began to promote his method. The studio was soon attracting the cream of New York's ballet and dance circles, who found the Pilates technique invaluable for rehabilitation after injury, as well as a useful addition to their own skills.
The central philosophy of the method is to strengthen the core postural muscles and develop balanced alignment through the use of slow, controlled movements and breathing. It has eight major principles: Centering; Alignment; Co-ordination; Concentration; Relaxation; Breathing; Stamina and Flowing Movements.
In recent years, with the growth of mind/body awareness, Pilates has grown and now attracts people from many walks of life - sportsmen and women, celebrities and the general public. A variety of videos are available, however it is generally recommended that beginners should initially attend a class in order to learn correct alignment before commencing with home exercise. Pilates can be taught on a one-to-one basis, or in small classes of between 8 and 12 - this ensures that the teacher is able to focus on individual needs.
The benefits to the body of Pilates have been well researched, and it is often recommended by the medical profession for chronic backache and RSI injuries. Many teachers of the discipline are former dancers with a good working knowledge of muscles and injuries, or physiotherapists who see it as a way to empower people with the means to help themselves recover from injury or pain.
Pilates professionals also recommend it for first time exercisers, the elderly, those suffering from ME and people who in general wish to improve their physical and mental well being.
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Pranic Healing
Pranic Healing is a highly developed and tested system of energy based healing techniques that utilises "prana" to balance, harmonise and transform the body's energy processes. "Prana" is a Sanskrit word that means "life-force".
Pranic Healing is a simple yet powerful and effective no-touch energy healing. It is based on the fundamental principle that the body is a "self-repairing" living entity that possesses the innate ability to heal itself. Pranic Healing works on the principle that the healing process is accelerated by increasing the life force or vital energy on the affected part of the physical body.
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Reconnective Healing
Reconnective Healing is a form of healing that is here on the planet for the very first time. It reconnects us to the fullness of the universe as it reconnects us to the fullness of our beings and of who we are. It is considered to be able to reconnect us to the universe and to our very essence not just through a new set of healing frequencies, but through possibly an entirely new bandwidth. The reality of its existence has demonstrated itself clearly in practice as well as in science laboratories. This new spectrum of healing frequenices works with energy, light and information to help people heal on all levels of body, mind and spirit.
The Reconnection is the umbrella process of reconnecting to the universe, which allows Reconnective Healing to take place. These healings and evolutionary frequencies are of a new bandwidth brought in via a spectrum of light and information. It is through The Reconnection that we are able to interact with these new levels of light and information, and it is through these new levels of energy, light and information that we are able to reconnect with the fullness of our own potential and the Universe. This is something new. This is different. This is real—
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Reflexology
Reflexology is a form of complementary medicine and involves a method of treatment using massage to reflex areas found in the feet and the hands. Most commonly, the feet are used as the areas to be treated.
It is said to have originated in China some 5000 years ago, when pressure therapy where used to correct energy fields in the body.
In the feet, there are reflex areas corresponding to all the parts of the body and these areas are arranged in such a way as to form a map of the body in the feet with the right foot corresponding to the right side of the body and the left foot to the left side of the body. Thus, it becomes possible to treat the whole body and the treat the body as a whole. This latter point is an important factor of a natural therapy and allows not only symptoms to be treated but also their causes.
It is thought that illness occurs when 'energy channels' in the body are blocked, causing damage to one area of another. Massage is aimed at destroying these blocks, allowing energy to flow freely again and so to heal the damage.
Reflexology does not claim to be a "cure all", but numerous different disorders seem to be responding well to this natural therapy. These disorders include such things as migraine, sinus problems, hormonal imbalances, breathing difficulties, digestive problems, circulatory problems, back problems, tension and stress.
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Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese word meaning Universal Life (Rei) Energy (Ki). It is a spiritual healing discipline and has its roots in ancient Buddhist teachings. The founder of Reiki, Dr Mikao Usui, spent many years seeking the knowledge of healing and found information on Reiki in Sanskrit texts. He received information on Reiki through a vision when meditating on a Japanese mountain.
Reiki is the vital life energy which flows through all living things and which can be activated for the purpose of healing. Reiki practitioners believe that everyone has the ability to connect to their own healing energy and use it for the purposes of strengthening the Ki (or life energy) of others.
The Reiki therapist channels the Ki through his or her hands to the recipient, activating the body’s natural ability to heal itself. When a person’s Ki is strong and flowing freely, the body and mind are in a positive state of health. However, the vital energy may become weak or blocked, and this may lead to symptoms on a physical or emotional level.
A Reiki practitioner will have received ‘attunements’ to open their healing channels. The guidelines for the practise of Reiki are concerned with ethics and behaviour and include living in harmony with others, taking responsibility for one’s own health and happiness, helping others, and being positive about all things.
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Rolfing
Rolfing is a series of deep massage treatments, which aim to re-establish the natural alignment and structural integration of the body. Dr Ida Rolf developed the system during the mid 20th century. Dr Rolf had a PhD in Biochemistry and Physiology from Columbia University; she subsequently worked at the Rockefeller Institute in Chemotherapy and Organic Chemistry. Her search for solutions to family health problems led her to study the effect of the body's structure on its functioning, hence Rolfing, or Structural Integration, was born.
Dr Rolf believed that "an effective human being is a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts". Successful, meaningful integration depends on appropriate relationships in space among the components of the body. She believed that form and function are a unity - two sides of the same coin. In order to enhance function, appropriate form must exist or be created - a joyous radiance of health is attained only as the body conforms to its inherent pattern.
As with Hellerwork, the client will attend a number of sessions (10), with each session building on the work of the previous. The treatments are progressive with each one concentrating on a certain area of the body; the aim is to bring harmony and alignment to the body through the loosening and balancing of the connective tissues - both the surface and deeper levels. Once a course is completed, the client can return for occasional 'treatments' to keep the structure in line.
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Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a traditional Japanese healing art. It has its roots in ancient Oriental medicine and has evolved from Traditional Chinese Medicine and Anma, a traditional Japanese form of massage. The philosophy underlying Shiatsu is that vital energy (Qi in Chinese, Ki in Japanese) flows throughout the body in a series of channels called meridians. For many different reasons, Ki can stop flowing freely and this then produces a symptom. Shiatsu can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions – from specific injuries to more general symptoms of poor health.
Shiatsu uses touch to affect the flow of Ki in the meridians. A Shiatsu practitioner will consider your state of health, the symptoms you are experiencing and depending on your constitution and general energy levels, will use a variety of techniques to improve your energy flow. These may include gentle holding, pressing with palms, thumbs, fingers, elbows, knees and feet on the meridians, and when appropriate, more dynamic rotations and stretches. As the quality of the Ki changes, the symptoms associated with an imbalance in the movement of Ki will gradually improve. Shiatsu is a therapy that works on the individual as a complete being – the physical body and also on an emotional and/or mental level.
Each treatment will last approximately one hour. The first session will be longer since a detailed case history will be taken to develop a complete picture of your health according to the principles of Oriental Medicine. Each session usually takes place on a padded mat or futon at floor level. The client stays fully clothed.
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Spiritual Healing
Spiritual Healing compliments conventional medicine by channelling life energy to the patient in order to help them recover from illness, injury or distress. Spiritual healing is now beginning to be recognised in the west but in the east has been acknowledged for thousands of years. 'Chi' and 'Prana' are two of the better known names for these energies. The simplest way to describe it is as the 'life force'.
Healing energy can be directed by the healers consciousness and may flow through the hands of over any distance. This spiritual energy can help speed up the natural healing process of the body and improves recovery time. It can be used to combat serious illness and the effects of treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Spiritual healing is a natural energy that flows through the healer to the subject being healed. You do not have to believe in it for it to work and no religious faith is required. It is a natural energy that most people have to some extent and which can be used alongside conventional medicine."
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Sports Massage & Injury
Incorporates the study of massage with a specialised focus on sports injury prevention and treatment. Sports therapists have training in Remedial massage, anatomy and physiology. They assess and treat sports injuries, provide rehabilitation advice and offer pre and post event massage.
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Tai Chi
Tai Chi, also Known as Tai Chi Ch’uan, and is part of the Tai Chi Ch’uan System, which, originally, was a formidable martial art operating on several levels of awareness. It embodies Taoist Philosophy, and accordingly is extremely beneficial to good health. Tai Chi is a comprehensive series of gentle physical movements, and breathing techniques, with mental and spiritual intent, which allows you to experience a meditative state. It is calming and rejuvenating, and assists the body and mind to maintain balance, and exercises the body, mind and spirit, together with the internal organs. It includes both the inner and outer expressions of the body and mind. Here we are able to balance the Yin and Yang life force energy of Chi. In this way this system develops the ability to balance the “yielding and attacking” aspects in martial art combat. It has also been such a major influence in all the martial arts we see today.
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Thought Field Therapy
Thought Field Therapy (TFT), originated and evolved by Californian clinical psychologist Dr. Roger J. Callahan, is a unique form of meridian therapy. TFT is best described as a natural, non-invasive, drug and chemical free system for the elimination of negative or troubled emotion.
Callahan discovered that by moving the body's energy in specific ways, distressing emotions could by eliminated with the chemical and cognitive corollaries of a distressed emotion no longer functioning in the pre-therapy manner.
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