Complementary therapies work to encourage and enable healing and are
often complete systems in their own right.

Massage, manipulation and remedial massage are effective treatments for the easing and stretching of painful joints and muscles as well as restoring health and wellbeing.

See what’s available to suit you – scroll down the list to the left.

Acupuncture has been practised in China for some 3,500 years, but the exact date of its origin is unknown. A legend says that this complex healing system developed when it was noticed that soldiers who survived arrow wounds in battle sometimes also recovered from other long standing ailments. In the intervening years it has been thoroughly researched and practised. Indeed, one quarter of the world’s population rely on it.

Most people find acupuncture deeply relaxing. Extremely fine stainless steel medicated and disposable needles are inserted, allowing a quick, painless and bloodless procedure. You may experience a slight tingling sensation over each point of entry or an energy transfer along the Meridian to another part of the body. The needles may be left in for just a few minutes or up to half an hour, depending on the patient and the condition being treated.

The stimulation of certain acupuncture points have been shown to affect areas of the brain that are known to reduce sensitivity to pain and stress, as well as promoting relaxation. Acupuncture may help relieve chronic pain by stimulating nerves located in muscles and other tissues which leads to the release of endorphins, reducing inflammation and improving muscle stiffness, joint mobility by increasing local circulation, thus aiding the dispersal of swellings.

Alison Courtney runs a pain clinic at The Terrace using traditional Chinese acupuncture. Alison is including auricular (ear) acupuncture free within the acupuncture treatment to support with the management of pain. Shorter pain focused appointments are available.

An aromatherapy massage combines gentle touch with the therapeutic properties of essential oils, the combination of which may help to prevent and treat a variety of conditions.

Essential oils which are extracted from flowers, herbs, trees and roots are diluted in a carrier oils such as grapeseed or sweet almond to produce a blend individually prepared for each client following a detailed consultation.

As the oils are absorbed through the skin using slow firm strokes the aroma stimulates the olfactory and limbic systems in the brain triggering chemicals to be released.

The most notable affect of an aromatherapy massage is that it will be deeply relaxing. Conditions such as muscular and joint pain, headaches and stress related digestive disorders may be linked to stress and anxiety and may respond to regular aromatherapy massage. Hormonal imbalances may also respond well to aromatherapy.

Bowen is a gentle, non-invasive remedial therapy that offers effective treatment for a wide range of ailments. It is essentially a muscle release technique developed by an incredibly talented body worker called Tom Bowen in Australia some 40 years ago. The Bowen Technique is now available on many private healthcare policies and is recognised by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council. It has been practised in the UK for approximately 15 years.

During the treatment a series of gentle, rolling type moves are made over muscle at key points of the body using fingers and thumbs. Each set of moves is followed by a rest period of roughly two minutes to allow your body to respond with maximum effect. There is no adjustment or deep tissue manipulation and it is not a form of massage. For this reason it is suitable for all age groups including the very young and the very old. Treatment can be performed directly on the skin or through light clothing. My sessions normally last approximately 1 hour and three treatments, at weekly intervals, are usually sufficient to achieve lasting relief.

Bowen is a holistic treatment; we treat the body as a whole and don’t just focus on the problem area. The body works as a whole, and therefore it is possible and in fact usual that a chronic back ache actually originates from tight hamstrings, or that a shoulder problem has started in the neck etc. I aim to get to the root cause of a problem and address it from there. Through receiving treatments for unrelated problems, clients have also noticed improvements in conditions such as IBS, hay fever, hormonal imbalances, high blood pressure, depression, sleep disorders, constipation, headaches and many more.

Chinese herbs can be taken by the traditional brewing of herbal tea or in convenient capsule and powder form. Chinese herbs are said to regulate the internal organs and the immune system and greatly assist in helping skin conditions such as eczema.

All the ingredients used are natural and, unlike most western drugs, have no side effects. There are over 400 Chinese herbs in common use.

No two prescriptions are the same for each patient. A herbal prescription is tailored to treat the specific ailment of teh individual unlike western prescriptions which are standardised by pharmaceutical companies. There is no such thing as an automatic repeat prescription.

With or without acupuncture, Chinese herbs can be a powerful therapy.

Cranio-sacral Therapy (CST) has developed from the work of an American Osteopath called William Sutherland. As a result of his clinical observations, it became clear that all cells of the body express a rhythmic movement that can be measured with delicate scientific instruments. Sensitive hands can feel this subtle motion and also where its expression is absent or reduced.

Sometimes, painful experiences become held in our bodies creating areas of ill health and pain. CST uses gentle touch to interact with these areas and with the subtle rhythmic movements in your body to assist your capacity for self-repair. The therapist does not apply an external force but works with the intelligence and health in the body to bring about resolution of painful problems.

Cranial treatment promotes physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing. People with conditions as diverse as migraine, sinusitis, panic attacks or Irritable bowel, back and joint problems can benefit. Its gentleness makes it suitable for babies and all ages.

The treatment is usually very relaxing and clients often leave feeling a deeper connection to their wellbeing.

Holistic Massage works on skin and muscles using oil to perform a series of movements to relax, invigorate and relieve tension. The movements and strokes in holistic massage are vigorous and work deeply relieving deep muscle tension.

By encouraging the removal of waste and toxins from the body holistic massage helps to relieve tension from tired, stiff joints; relieve stress; improve digestion; aid sleep problems and leave the body and mind feeling energised.

Massage may help many long term conditions including back and shoulder problems, headaches and migraines, skin disorders and digestive problems.
Although clients usually notice a difference after the first treatment, all types of massage are more beneficial when a short course of treatments is given.

Homeopathy is a system of medicine developed over 200 years ago and used widely around the world right up to today.

Homeopathic treatment brings a healthy balance to your body and mind using carefully selected remedies to stimulate the natural self-healing resources we all have. The remedies are made from a vast range of substances and the unique process of preparation renders them free of toxic effects and safe for people of all ages – even for children or during pregnancy.

The homeopath considers the person as a whole, not just their condition, as health and disease affect every aspect of the individual. Each prescription is tailored to suit that person because we each experience health and disease in our own unique way.

When is homeopathy useful?
People have found homeopathy useful when suffering a vast range of health problems at all stages of life and for both acute and chronic conditions. In particular it can be helpful:

• to resolve persistent or recurring health problems, such as infections, allergies, indigestion
• when conventional treatment is not appropriate eg in pregnancy
• if you know you could feel better eg always tired and ‘not yourself’
• to support you through life’s changes and difficult events eg bereavement, stress

Hopi Ear Candling has been used for centuries by many cultures. Its historical roots can be found with the Hopi Indians. The candles are made from pure linen, soaked in beeswax and honey and infused with sage, St.Johns Wort and Chamomile.

There are many conditions and symptoms that can be relieved with ear candling: excessive wax, tinnitus, neuralgia, sinusitis, rhinitis, colds/flu, headaches & migraines, vertigo, motion sickness and snoring. It can assist with hearing and balance, depending on medical diagnosis, is soothing and helpful for earache, stress, nervousness and children suffering from glue ear. Candling can draw out infectious material from deep inside the ear and sinuses.

During treatment, a lighted candle is placed in the entrance to the outer ear, and is burned down to a safe level and then removed. This is then repeated on the other ear. A head and facial massage follows to enhance the candling, to stimulate lymphatic drainage and acupressure points and to further drain the sinuses. The treatment is gentle, effective, pain free and safe.

Traditional Indian Head Massage concentrates on just the head but the westernised version of the therapy goes further than the scalp.

By working on the back, shoulders, neck, head and face Indian Head massage is ideal for relieving tension in these areas which often comes from working for long periods of time sitting at a desk working at a computer; driving and from heavy lifting. The treatment brings calm to the whole body, relieving stress; increasing circulation and lymph flow and improving hair condition.

It is a good treatment for someone new to massage as it can be performed without oils over light clothing as well as with oils directly onto the skin. It is performed while the client sits on a chair. As this treatment only takes 30 minutes it is also good for people short of time.

People who suffer from eyestrain, hearing disorders such as tinnitus, sinus problems, sleep disorders, headaches, migraine and Temporo Mandibular Jaw(TMJ) as well as muscular and joint pain in the back, neck and shoulders pain may all benefit from Indian Head Massage.

The Lightning Process is a 3 day training programme with ongoing follow up support, combining aspects of NLP, lifecoaching, physical / posture exercises to enable people to retrain their neural pathways so that they stop firing up destructive patterns and relearn to fire up healthy patterns instead.

The Lightning Process is particularly well known for the results it achieves with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Post Viral Fatigue, Fibromyalgia and Burnout because it teaches people to turn off the dysfunctional autonomic nervous system which is keeping them trapped in Fight and Flight response. It is equally successful with anxiety, panic attacks, stress responses and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many people, such as in Tinker’s testimonial, use it to overcome depression or any other destructive pattern such as jealousy, co-dependency, compulsion or unhelpful habits.

Lymphatic drainage massage works to improve the body’s circulation and removal of fluid waste through the lymphatic system.

With skilled manipulation of the soft tissue of the body and gentle pressure, a sluggish lymphatic system can be improved, benefiting skin tone and giving a wonderful detoxifying effect.

This treatment is very beneficial to clients with oedema or areas of cellulite. With regular treatments, the lymphatic system can be stimulated to gradually remove these areas of excess fluid and fatty deposits, and together with moderation to diet and lifestyle, the results are clearly visible.

Gentle massage may help older clients with muscular and joint pain and breathing disorders. For many clients who live alone a regular massage also provides the regular nurturing touch that they so miss.

My own mum was 79 years old when she received her first ever massage when I was training. She immediately noticed a difference to her arthritic joints and promptly told her GP on her next visit that massage should be available on the NHS!

Very frail or modest clients may prefer a massage just to their arms and hands; legs and feet or face or head.

A weekly or monthly massage during pregnancy may help to reduce stress and anxiety and promote relaxation. It may relieve muscle spasms, cramps and general aches and pain. By increasing circulation the possibility of varicose veins and swelling in feet and legs may be reduced. Massage in pregnancy may also help to keep the skin supple reducing the likelihood of stretch marks. Other side effects of pregnancy such as digestive problems and sleep disorders may also be reduced through regular massage.

During pregnancy massage the mum to be’s comfort is given the utmost consideration to ensure that she fully enjoys the experience.

Only aromatherapy oils which are considered safe to use during pregnancy will be offered.

Reflexology for pre conception:

When a couple are planning to have a baby it is important that they prepare themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually for the exciting and sometimes challenging times ahead.

Reflexology is a natural treatment which can help to balance any disorders in the body to prior to trying to start a family.

Reflexology for sub fertility and assisted conception:

Sub fertility can occur in both men and women. Despite being fertile a couple find that they cannot conceive. Stress, life style, and physical health are among the reasons for sub fertility. For many couples there seems to be no reason. This can put emotional strains on both partners.

Reflexology has an excellent reputation in helping couples to conceive by balancing body, mind and spirit to create the best possible state of emotional and physical health for conception to occur.

When assisted conception is taking place the balancing and calming qualities of reflexology can compliment the medical procedures. For this reason some fertility clinics employ reflexologists.
NB When assisted conception is planned medical permission is needed for reflexology treatments to take place.

Treatments for preconception and sub fertility have maximum benefit when both partners are treated.

Reflexology during pregnancy:

The influence of hormones during pregnancy and the developing life within her create a time of total transition for the mother. As she undergoes huge physical changes reflexology helps to maintain the mother’s health by relieving minor ailments and physical discomforts of pregnancy.

A record of treatments will be provided that can be shared with the midwife at antenatal appointments.

The McTimoney method of chiropractic was developed by the late John McTimoney over 50 years ago and is taught only at the McTimoney College of Chiropractic in Abingdon, near Oxford. It is well known for being a precise, whole body approach to chiropractic care. The gentle nature of the McTimoney method makes it especially suitable for people of all ages.

McTimoney chiropractic has helped thousands of people for over 50 years and around 150,000 new patients consult a McTimoney Chiropractor each year. Over 8000 people are cared for by McTimoney Chiropractors each working day.

The gentle nature of the McTimoney method makes it especially suitable for people of all ages. Including young to old, and even during pregnancy.

Chiropractic is a straight forward method of adjusting the bones of your body to improve the alignment of your skeleton, and through this process help the nervous system to work more efficiently. The purpose of chiropractic care is to realign and rebalance your body to relieve pain and discomfort, and increase mobility.

A misalignment of the joints can occur for many reasons; some of the most common are incorrect lifting, car or sporting accidents, falls, stress, and poor posture. This can lead to pain, numbness, pins and needles, or restricted mobility.

The following conditions can benefit from chiropractic care:
•Back, neck and shoulder pain
•Pain, discomfort and stiffness in joints
•Migraine
•Muscular aches
•Sports injuries
•Arthritic pain

Click on the following link to watch a demonstration of McTimoney Chiropractic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGIEfpRui28

The mindfulness stress reduction programme (MBSR) is designed to help you learn new ways of managing difficult physical sensations, feelings and moods and to live life more in the present moment.

The core skill that you will learn is mindfulness meditation, a way of paying attention, on purpose, non judgementally to what goes on in the present moment in your body, mind and the world around you. Mindfulness can enable you to see things differently. It can increase your sense of personal confidence, of having more options and more strength to face the different challenges in your life.

Mindfulness has been widely researched and is used to help people manage anxiety, depression, stress, chronic pain and chronic conditions. People come for a range of reasons; to help them deal with pain, emotional difficulties, stress, chronic health conditions or just to slow down and live life more in the present moment.

Reflexology helps to activate the natural healing powers of the body. By using special pressure techniques to stimulate reflex points, congestion or blockages may be treated to restore balance and maintain well being to the whole body.

It is usually performed on the feet but hands can also be used. In our feet and hands we have reflex points which correspond to all the major organs, glands and body parts. Removing these blockages may help to cleanse the body of toxins and impurities; promote deep relaxation helping to reduce stress and anxiety; improve circulation and revitalise energy and improve concentration.

Reflexology may help in the treatment of hormonal imbalances; digestive and skin disorders; fertility issues; ear and breathing disorders; muscular and joint pain as well as other acute and chronic conditions.

Baby and Toddler Reflexology classes give you the skills to use reflexology to calm and settle your baby and improve sleep; ease colic, reflux, teething pain and constipation. Baby Reflex is a gentle but effective method of reflexology that parents can be trained to give to their own babies and young children from one month old. It is a natural therapy that provides parents with soothing remedies at their fingertips and can be done anywhere in an emergency as clothing does not have to be removed.

As well as improving the general well being of the baby and young child it helps to strengthen the loving bond with their parents.

Once your child starts to move around then Toddler Reflex will show you how to use the same techniques on the hands rather than the feet – much easier with a wriggly toddler!

Reflexology will have the same overall benefits for children as for adults. The calming effect of a treatment may be extremely helpful if a child is going through a stressful period in their life due to changes in family life, a change in school or while undergoing exams. It may also help to relieve on going conditions such as ear disorders; breathing disorders; headaches and migraine and digestive disorders.

Stress may be felt by children as much as adults and may present itself through physical symptoms such as muscular and joint pain, headaches, migraine, digestive disorders as well as behaviour difficulties.

As well as working with children and young people directly Irene offers her ‘Cuddle and Calm’ programme which teaches parents to use simple massage strokes, reflexology techniques and acupressure points to promote emotional and physical well being for their own children.

Some children with learning or developmental difficulties or disablities such as cerebral palsy, autism or Aspergers syndrome may also benefit from a short massage routine and parents can be shown simple strokes to use between treatments.

Massage and Reflexology for children and young people under 16 can only be carried out with parent’s consent and a parent must be present while the treatment is taking place.

Remedial massage is a holistic treatment that works for the whole body to improve total health and not just the area being treated.

Remedial massage is a hands on technique that gently massages the soft tissue and because it works deeper than regular relaxing massage, its effects are usually deeper and longer lasting.

Remedial massage can be used to prevent injury and recover from injury, covering both skeletal and muscular dysfunctions, including fibrosis, spondylitis, arthritis, frozen shoulder, muscle cramps, whiplash, muscular atrophy and sports injuries etc.

Remedial massage will increase blood flow to and from the area as well as increase the lymphatic flow reducing pain, swelling, inflamation and speeding up the bodies own healing process to relieve stress and tension.

Sports massage is a versatile treatment, developed to reduce aches and pains whether they are caused by sport, injury or simply the stresses of modern life. The treatment can increase flexibility and mobility and each massage treatment will incorporate many techniques to promote the desired result.

Who can benefit from Sports Massage?

People with any level of activity can benefit from sports massage. Treatments can improve muscle tone, flexibility as well as promoting recovery from training and competing.

For athletes, each treatment will be tailored to suit where you are in your training. For example, warm up pre-performance, cool down post-performance, during training or in rehabilitation. If you are looking for a way to improve your athletic performance, then sports massage may be for you.

However, it’s not just athletes who can gain from the benefits of sports massage but anyone who has aches and pains that refuse to go away on their own. A massage is an ideal treatment for people who want to keep their bodies relaxed, mobile and in good condition.

Treatments are available for men and women of any age. However, treatments for those under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

A treatment will be a mixture of massage and stretching, depending on what is required at the time. Each treatment is unique; tailored to suit the individual needs of the client at that time. You can leave a massage feeling relaxed or invigorated, it’s up to you.

Swedish massage was developed in the 1700s by Swedish doctor Per Henrik Ling.

Swedish massage feels good and is both relaxing and invigorating. A massage affects the nerves, muscles, glands, and circulation, while promoting health and well being. But not only does a massage feel good but it increases the oxygen flow in the blood and releases metabolic waste from the muscles.

Swedish massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time. The techniques used stimulate the body’s natural circulatory system without increasing the load on the heart. These techniques include effleurage or long strokes, kneading, friction, percussion and vibration motions.

The effects of Swedish massage vary from client to client and most report feeling calmer immediately after a treatment and are left feeling more mobile. Many clients feel sleepy following a treatment so it’s a good idea to allow time to unwind after the session.

Occasionally, there are circumstances under which a massage is inappropriate (following surgery for example). A brief consultation will take place prior to your treatment to ensure that it is safe to proceed.

Please allow around half an hour for a back, neck and shoulders massage and an hour for a full body massage.