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For many years she has practiced relaxation and meditation
and found such great benefits to her life. Several years ago
she was approached by friends and asked if she would teach
them techniques to help alleviate stress and anxiety.
Woman's Zone has managed to convince Donnah to peel herself
away from her own company abfablife, to be our very own
stress buster.
Giving hints, tips and advice to us ladies on how to manage,
de-stress and find that moment of stillness that we all very
much need.
Over the next few months Donnah will be sharing and helping
us to all become a little bit less wound up than normal...
Make sure you check back to keep yourself updated with the
best advice from your very own funky stress busting guru
Donnah Morgan!
You can find her advice column at The Woman's Zone Sanctuary
or check out one of Donnah's very own workshops she runs at
http://www.abfablife.co.uk/
Why not print this section for
easy reference! This exercise works best if you are in a
hurry, late and the traffic lights change to red as you
approach.
INSTRUCTIONS
If you
feel frustrated smile at yourself
You have
been given a whole minute to stop and do nothing
Let your
body and mind slow down and relax.
Take a
deep sigh, lingering on the out-breath
Let your
face and stomach soften
One whole
minute to breathe softly
Be aware
of the excess tension in your body
Gently
shake it free, as you settle back into the seat.
Look
around slowly.
The
exercise finishes as the lights turn green. Now devote
your attention to driving safely and well.
There are a wide range of stressors in our lives which
affect us on a daily basis? Check out the list below and
then consider some of the strategies to help overcome them.
My students have a go at identifying the ones which affect
them but only one at a time so they can give it their whole
attention – then they move on to the next. What are yours?
Do you want to de-stress?
ENVIRONMENTAL
e.g. Noise, lighting (especially fluorescent), telephones,
cramped work space, proxemics, (space between people).
CHEMICAL
e.g. Coffee/tea/processed foods/junk food/medicine (aspirin/
antibiotics), inhaling substances, (cleaning fluid, hair
spray, air freshener, car fumes), pollution.
PHYSICAL
e.g. Running/aerobics/jogging/working out/long distance
driving.
MENTAL
e.g. Trying to do too much at once/financial worries/taking
on too much (can't say NO !) inability to complete
tasks/unemployment.
EMOTIONAL
e.g. Relationship problems/guilt/inability to give or
receive affection/love, grief.
SYMPTOMS OF DIS-STRESS
Four main headings under which the symptoms may be
categorised.
Loss of self worth e.g. low self esteem, depression,
withdrawal, lack of
confidence.
Loss of control e.g. confusion, compulsive behaviour,
weepiness, irritability,
difficulty in completing tasks, de-motivation
Loss of health body reactions e.g. headaches tension in
muscles,
indigestion, backache palpitation high blood pressure
unaccountable pains
Loss of the ability to relax e.g. inability to sleep
properly, waking too
early, not able to settle to any one activity, can't stay
still, not easy to relax with
others.
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF COPING WITH STRESS. (We all know these but
forget to use them and they don’t cost a lot)
Eric Harrison’s Bodyscan is an excellent
practice in its own right and it can also be used as a
preliminary to other techniques.
Divide the body into seven regions and
deliberately shift from one to the next. You can scan the
body up or down, quickly or slowly. You could shift from
region to region with each out breath. Or you could count
five or 10 breaths in each region.
Instructions
1.
Sit comfortably and shake your body loose.
Casually survey your body and release any obvious tensions.
Take a couple of deep breaths, and let go completely as you
breathe out.
2.
Scan the body at your own speed; five or 10
breaths to each region. Focus on the subtle detail:
·
scalp and forehead
·
the face and lower part of the head
·
neck, throat, shoulders, arms and hands
·
chest and back
·
diaphragm and solar plexus
·
your stomach
·
hips, legs and feet
3.
Centre on the flow of the breath anywhere in
the body: chest, throat, nostrils or stomach. Count the
breaths, as in previous relaxation. Be aware of the
background sensations of deeper relaxation: heaviness,
tingling, warmth and expansion.
4.
Repeat steps two and three as you wish.
Alternatively, you may want to scan the body in an upwards
direction. Scanning downwards is relaxing in effect.
Scanning upwards raises energy and keeps you more alert.
Reference – Eric Harrison ‘Teach yourself to
Meditate’ a ‘fab’ book to use as a tool for development
I have been
teaching relaxation/meditation techniques to aid stress
release for many years with a wide group of students. This
came about when I realized that I needed to find methods to
enable me relax when I was juggling many aspects of my life.
I found the range of techniques so helpful shared them with
friends and encouraged by them, the wider community.
So why is relaxation so necessary in the 21st century? It
really helps with:
• Combating tiredness
• Helps to increase energy levels
• Helps reduce mild hypertension - (latest Research - May
2008)
• Help with reducing problems like insomnia
• Lack of self-esteem
• Low self-confidence
• Can help reduce PMT
• Encourages weight loss
Most of my students using the techniques we practice have
found that tension in their body has reduced considerably.
Relaxation can also aid coping with our day to day lives in
this busy world, it helps us to focus on the present rather
than rushing furiously into the future or stop. Using a
range of techniques including autogenic relaxation,
progressive muscle relaxation, and Body-Scans can make a
massive difference to how you feel providing you include
them regularly in your life. I would also ask you to
consider the difference between passive and focused
relaxation and its effects on the 'whole' person.
Undertaking practice on a regular basis can aid reducing
high stress levels and enable individuals to take more
control over their lives and ultimately find time to have
more FUN. My students are encouraged to keep a journal of
their practice and their journey - why not give it a go? You
would be amazed at what you gain from this practice and how
it can empower you to make those changes you promise
yourself.
What is Meditation-Lite? It is being in a state of focused
relaxation so the body is relaxed but the mind is relaxed
and alert. Some people believe that it's about emptying the
mind but unfortunately thoughts can creep in, that's life.
Meditation-Lite helps to gently move those thoughts and
random images away and focus on the present moment, our
breathing, and sensations in the body, an object or a sound.
The type of meditation I facilitate is non-religious; it is
a focused relaxation which has no links to any particular
group. Some people are suspicious of meditation however
there is nothing to fear and for most people it has a range
of positive outcomes for example it can:
• Aid concentration
• Help relieve stress
• increase creativity
• Help you stay focused
• Increases emotional-wellbeing (source Professor Kathy
Sykes O.U. & Bristol University)
•
Have a go at walking meditations; consider meditation whilst
washing up and good old sit down to meditate techniques.
Share your experiences with others, encourage them to have a
go to, you might find you have some fun at the same time.
One of my students practiced ‘Moon-Walking’ (focused
walking) before going into difficult meetings and found that
peoples attitudes to her changed for the better (or was she
more confident?)
Don’t take yourself too seriously, you don't need special
clothes or shoes, but remember, drink water to hydrate the
body.
2 Limit or
avoid naps as they can interfere with night-time sleeping
3 Avoid
caffeine, nicotine and alcohol late in the evening (after
about 7pm)
4 Take regular
exercise
5 Limit your
fluid intake close to bedtime to reduce night-time toilet
visits
6 Establish a
routine to help you relax before you go to bed, such as
taking a bath, reading, or listening to music
7 Avoid using
your bed for anything other than sleep
8 Make a
to-do-list before you go to bed to help to relieve worries
that keep you awake at night – (keep a notebook & pen by
side of bed)9 If you can’t fall asleep, don’t fight it, get
up and distract yourself by reading or doing some other
non-stimulating activity
The following meditation can help relieve insomnia:
Objective: To help you sleep
Frequency: Use nightly
Duration: 10 minutes
Complementary treatment: Progressive muscle relaxation
Practice
• Lie comfortably on your back or side. Focus on abdominal
breathing: relax your body
• Count backwards slowly from 10 to 1 while you visualise
your body getting heavier and heavier with each count: ten
one thousand….nine one thousand… gently let go.. eight one
thousand…. Seven one thousand…six one thousand…five one
thousand let go more deeply.. four one thousand.. three one
thousand.. let go and relax.. two one thousand.. one one
thousand
• Start to count down from ten once again. Give yourself
over to the weight and heaviness of your body…. Feel
yourself sinking deeper and deeper
• Return to the top of the count (10) and count down again,
giving yourself the suggestion of slipping deeper and deeper
into relaxation
• If your mind wanders, simply return it to the breath.
Repeat these cycles of counting until you naturally slip
into sleep.
•
Remember to practice as you need to change your learned
behaviour
Enjoy and sleep
Donnah Morgan www.abfablife.co.uk
(Reference – taken from The Meditation Doct)
Acupressure
(shiatsu) - How does it work?
Shiatsu is based on the same principles as acupuncture but
without the needles, concentrating on meridians or energy
lines. Everything is related to the five elements that
correspond to different parts of the body: Heart =
FireKidneys = WaterSpleen = EarthLungs = MetalLiver =
WoodThe idea, as in acupuncture, is to balance the life
energy in the body which is disturbed when we become ill.
Through a series of finger pressures all over the body along
the meridians or pathways, Shiatsu can rebalance the body's
energies, regulate the function of the organs and improve
circulation. By releasing the body's natural energy flow,
our self-healing process is able to take place. Shiatsu
practitioners often use their elbows, knees and feet as well
as their fingers during therapy, but they seldom use the
palms of their hands unlike other traditional Western
contact therapies.
Shiatsu can even detect energy imbalances before there are
any symptoms, and as such Shiatsu is used widely as a
wonderful preventive therapy which will leave you relaxed
and feeling rejuvenated.
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 Alexander Technique was developed by an Australian
actor, Frederick Matthias Alexander (1869-1955). He suffered
from respiratory problems as a child, which later affected
his voice and career in the theatre. He tried many remedies
without success and eventually began a process of
self-observation to try to find a way of curing himself. He
realised that the voice problem was a result of muscular
tension in his whole body and that his thought patterns also
had a great part in contributing to the tension that had
become an ingrained habit. Alexander studied his posture
with the aid of mirrors to see how this was affected when he
recited and as a result could see that his body alignment
was incorrect. He gradually taught himself to correct his
posture and found that he had cured his voice problem. He
went on to pass the technique to others and eventually
opened a clinic to help people to learn about their own use
of posture.
Allergy
testing -There are many methods of allergy testing. Among
the more common are the skin tests, elimination-type tests,
and the radioallergosorbent test (RAST).
Skin tests are the most common. Specific methods vary. The
scratch test (one of the most common methods) involves
placement of a small amount of suspected allergy-causing
substances (allergens) on the skin (usually the forearm,
upper arm, or the back), and then scratching or pricking the
skin so that the allergen is introduced under the skin
surface. The skin is observed closely for signs of a
reaction, usually swelling and redness of the site -- a
controlled hive with so-called wheal and flare. Results are
usually obtained within about 20 minutes, and several
suspected allergens can be tested at the same time.
Aroma
therapy A holistic approach Today, aromatherapy is one of
the most popular of all complementary therapies, offering a
wide range of highly effective treatments to both the acute
and chronic stages of illness and disease. At the same time,
regular use of aromatherapy treatments and home-use products
can help to strengthen the immune system, thereby
establishing a preventative approach to overall health.
One of the reasons that aromatherapy has been so hugely
successful is because it uses a holistic approach, whereby
the aroma therapist takes into account a persons medical
history, emotional condition, general health and lifestyle
before planning a course of treatment. The whole person is
treated - not just the symptoms of an illness - and this is
in direct opposition to the modern trend of just treating
the presented condition.
Backache, irritable bowel syndrome or headaches, for
example, are often the result of stress and not actually a
physical problem. Therefore no amount of pill-popping is
really going to provide a long term solution since it only
masks the symptoms without addressing the problems. By
looking at the causes of the stress and providing treatments
to ease and manage it, the aroma therapist will alleviate
the condition in a much more efficient manner.
Art
therapy - The use of art has always been used for
self-expression and to convey ideas and emotions that are
difficult to describe verbally. It's potential as a
therapeutic tool became apparent after World War 2 when
survivors of the war used art in hospitals and
rehabilitation centres to help to overcome the traumas they
had experienced. Art Therapy is a non-verbal way of
revealing deeper emotions that may not otherwise be clearly
expressed.
Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy where art (creative
expression using various media: painting, drawing, sculpture
etc) is sued to allow safe expression of emotions. The
client is encouraged to express themselves freely through
art, allowing a link between the subconscious the product of
the art therapy. The resulting images can help to bring to
light any suppressed emotions or conflicts. Reflecting on
the images can help to understand and deal with the issues
that arise. Art Therapy is also used as a tool for personal
growth and greater self-understanding.
Auricular
Acupuncture and How Does it Work?
Simply explained, Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture is a
specialised complementary therapy where acupuncture points
on the outer ear are treated, using either needles or
electro acupunctoscopes to help relieve many chronic
complaints, e.g Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, Back Pain,
Depression, Drug Addiction, Hay Fever, Insomnia, Migraine,
Obesity, PMS, Sciatica, Sinusitis, Stopping Smoking, etc.
There are over 200 acupuncture points on the outer ear, each
point named generally after areas of the anatomy, e.g knees,
hips, shoulders, liver heart etc. The outer ear acts similar
to a switchboard to the brain, and when acupoints on the ear
are stimulated, they trigger electrical impulses to the
specific area of the body that is being treated.
Acupuncture
is a form of traditional Chinese medicine which involves the
insertion of very fine needles at key points (known as
acupuncture points) into the body. In the UK, acupuncture is
one of the most popular and well-established complementary
therapies, with approximately three million people
undergoing this kind of treatment each year.
Acupuncture is based on the Chinese belief that the human
body is controlled by a life force known as Qi (pronounced 'chee').
Qi flows through the body in channels, known as meridians.
When your Qi is disturbed, or unbalanced, it can make you
unwell. Acupuncture aims to restore the balance of Qi, and
helps it to run smoothly through your body. Posted by
Esoteric Online Media at
Australian
Essence flower Therapy The flower essences are not
therapeutic drugs – but work on the mind, soul and spirit
and are obtained by extracting the healing vibration quality
from the highest evolved part of the plant – the flowers.
Working on the emotional level, they harmonise negative
feelings and belief patterns held in the subconscious mind.
What is the purpose of the Bush Flower Essences?
The purpose of the Bush Flower Essences is to assist in
clearing the blocks that stop an individual getting in touch
with their true or higher self.
The Bush Essences not only help to give clarity to one’s
life purpose, but also the courage, strength and enthusiasm
to follow and pursue their goals and dreams. They can help
develop a higher level of intuition, self-esteem,
spirituality, creativity and fun. The Essences can also help
to resolve any drama and distress in one’s life.
Autogenics
is a relaxation technique involving a series of
attention-focusing exercises designed to induce relaxation
and enhance the body’s self-healing powers.
Similar to self-hypnosis and meditation its purpose is to
enable people to learn how to put themselves in a relaxed
state releasing muscle tension and dealing with anxiety
without the need of a trainer or therapists.
How it Evolved
Autogenic training evolved out of the research of Brain
physiologist Oskar Vogt in the 1880’s at the Berlin Neuro
Biological Institute.
Dr Vogt observed that some patients were able to put
themselves in a self-hypnotic state which seemed to have
positive effects on their recuperation. Along with his
colleague, Korbinian Brodmann, Dr Vogt experimented with a
range of self-hypnosis techniques which he found could
relieve many stress-related symptoms and diseases. His work
provided the inspiration for Johannes Schultz, a Berlin
psychiatrist and neurologist to investigate the therapeutic
potential of auto-hypnosis exercises from which autogenic
training emerged.
Ayurvedic
Medicine - The word Ayurveda comes from two Sanskrit words -
Ayur meaning life, and Veda meaning knowledge. This
traditional Indian life science is the oldest form of
medicine known to man; its guiding principles are said to
have been handed down from the Hindu gods, and written texts
date back 3500 years. Ayurveda still forms the basis of much
medical practice today in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan,
where Orthodox doctors work alongside ayurvedic physicians.
Following an Ayurvedic diet is considered to be an important
way of maintaining health and preventing illness and
disease.
Ayurvedic medicine is a complete healthcare system and
involves detoxification, diet, exercise, use of herbs and
techniques to improve mental and emotional health.
Bach
Flower Remedies - The Bach Flower Remedies are 38 plant and
flower based remedies, each one specially devised to treat a
different feeling.
They help you to manage the emotional demands of everyday
life,They are the original flower remedies made according to
the exact traditions of Dr. Edward Bach.
The Bach Flower Remedies work by stimulating the body’s own
capacity to heal itself, by balancing negative feelings,
helping you to take control, feel good about yourself, and
get more out of life.
The Bach Flower Remedies are unique, simple to use, suitable
for all the family and widely available from all major
pharmacies and healthfood stores.
Bee
Venon Therapy - Bee venom simulates the release of cortisone (cortisol)
and is therefore effective in the treatment of rheumatic
diseases, especially arthritis and multiple sclerosis (MS).
It can be applied directly or by intramuscular injections.
Other treatments, such as electrotherapy, hormone therapy,
can help to eliminate periarticular deformations, improve
joint movement and raise the general state of the organism.
Two products developed in Bucharest, an ointment - Apireven
- and a liniment both have been used successfully in several
cases of rheumatoid polyarthritis. The results have shown an
important reduction in muscular pain, sciatic pain, nerve
pain, neuromialgias and intercostal and bronchial nerve
pain.
What does Bee Venom contain?
Bee venom is hemorrhagic, differing from snake (viper)
venom, which is a coagulant. As well as containing: apamine,
melittin, phospholipase, hyaluronidase, which have the
opposing action of inhibiting the nervous system, and
stimulating the heart and the adrenal glands; the venom also
contains the mineral substances, volatile organic acids,
formic acid, hydrochloric acid, ortho-phosphoric acid. Also
present are some antibiotics, an enzyme – phospholipase A,
as well as two amino acids rich in sulphur methionine and
cystine. Sulphur is the main element in inducing the release
of cortisol from the adrenal glands, and in protecting the
body against infections.
How does it work?
Bee venom therapists apply bee venom to specific points on
the surface of the body. Patients are tested for sensitivity
before the first treatment, which involves an injection of a
minute dose of the venom.
The
Bowen Technique .a Bowen treatment affects the body in ways
that promote healing, pain relief and recovery of energy.
The experience of the treatment is gentle, subtle and
relaxing. The practitioner uses thumbs and fingers on
precise points on the body to make rolling type moves which
aim to disturb the muscles, soft tissue and energy within
the body. During the treatment there are periods in which
the client is left resting to allow the body to absorb the
gentle moves that have been performed. This gives the body
time to make the subtle & fine adjustments which help
relieve tension, reduce pain & initiate the healing process.
Bowen can safely treat common problems such as back & neck
pains, knee problems, sports injuries, RSI, frozen shoulder,
headaches, migraine etc. Initially 2-3 treatments are
required over a period of two weeks & then maintenance 2-4
times a year or tailoring to the individuals needs.
Biofeedback
is a technique that gives information about functions that
are usually regulated automatically by the body, such as
your heart rate or muscle contractions.
A therapist then teaches you how to use this information to
control the 'involuntary' activities.
In the case of urinary incontinence, it can help you
re-educate and strengthen your pelvic floor muscles,
particularly if your muscles are weak and you don’t know how
to produce a contraction.
Chelation
Therapy the word Chelation comes from the Greek word for
‘claw’ and means ‘to seek out and bind’. In Chelation
therapy a man made amino acid known as EDTA is administered
to patients with the aim of removing poisonous metals from
the body by converting them to an inert form which allows
them to be excreted.Chelation therapy has been used to treat
various conditions from metal poisoning, to heart disease
and stroke and has even been used to treat autism.This
therapy is somewhat controversial. Advocates swear by it,
and there are case studies in which patients have claimed to
feel better, but others are cautious about possible side
effects including kidney failure, low blood pressure and
convulsions.
Chiropractic
was founded in the year 1895 by a Canadian gentlemen by the
name of Daniel David Palmer and operates on the principal
that many, if not all health problems can be treated by the
manipulation of the spine.The word Chiropractic is taken
from the two words ‘cheros’ and ‘praktikos’ and means
literally ‘done by hand’.The philosophy behind this therapy,
like many others, is that the body has a powerful ability to
heal itself. The body’s structure (meaning the spine) and
its function are closely related, and it is the goal of
chiropractic therapy to ‘normalise’ this
relationship.Generally speaking, people seek out a
chiropractor when experiencing lower back or neck pain.A
treatment would typically consist of various manipulation
techniques designed to improve joint function, and relieve
pain and muscle spasms.Chiropractic is used to treat back
pain, headaches, whiplash and sporting injuries.
Chinese
Herbal Medicine, also known as TCM
covers a whole range of practises that have been developed
over thousands of years.There has been a surge of interest
in Chinese medicine in recent years, which has resulted in
Chinese Herbalists springing up on almost every high street
in the UK.The theory behind TCM is that the body needs to be
in balance in order to maintain optimum health. The balance
of yin and yang (male and female energy) is vital to healthy
chi and therefore good health, and lines of energy called
meridians connect everything in the body.Branches of Chinese
medicine include herbal medicine and acupuncture as well as
dietary therapy, exercise and lifestyle management.Herbs are
used to treat conditions such as skin problems, stress,
allergies, digestive disorders, respiratory problems
etc….Whilst the herbal concoctions may taste a little
unusual, they have not been found to have any harmful
effects.
Colonic
Hydrotherapy, also known as colonic irrigation has been in
the public eye due to it being a therapy of choice of
certain celebrities. Treatment takes the form of a type of
enema. A tube is inserted into the rectum and a quantity of
purified water is introduced to the colon. The fluid is then
released along with any waste products. Up to 15 litres of
water can enter the bowel, but in a controlled way!This
practice is actually ancient in origin, and was first used
as a treatment for constipation.Now it is used as a
‘wellness’ treatment, but its primary function is to treat
conditions such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome),
constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence, indigestion and other
digestive disorders. It is thought to detoxify the body
resulting in improved bowel function, clearer skin, less
headaches and the circulatory, immune and inflammatory
problems are said to be reduced
Colour
Therapy has a profound effect on us, and colour therapy uses the 7
colours of the spectrum to balance the chakras which balance
body, mind and spirit. Each colour corresponds to a charka:
red – base, orange – sacral, yellow – solar plexus, green –
heart, blue – throat, indigo – brow and violet – crown.
Colours are made up of different wavelengths and
frequencies, red operating on a much lower frequency than
violet. Although you can consult a colour therapist, many of
us already use colours subconsciously by say for example,
wearing a particular colour, or decorating a room a certain
way. Treatments can involve the placement of colour in a
particular place on the body or meditating on colour.
Although colours are very individual and can mean different
things to different people, the following can act as a
guide. Violet – is the colour of spiritual awareness hence
its use in churches. Indigo – relates to seeing whether on a
physical or intuitive level. Blue – relates to communication
and speech, and on the body the throat and larynx .Green –
is the heart area, therefore relates to heart complaints and
on another level, affairs of the heart, and the ability to
love. Yellow – on a physical level represents the liver,
stomach and spleen and spiritually is the power centre in
the body. Orange – corresponds to the lower abdomen and the
sexual organs and on a different level relates to our own
self respect. Red – is to do with the bladder and bowel but
also represents basic survival skill. Can be used to
represent courage, but also danger and anger
Craniosacral
Therapy this is a therapy involving the gentle manipulation
of cranial and spinal bones with the aim of relieving pain
and bringing harmony to the nervous system. A typical
treatment would take place with the client fully clothed on
a couch and would take about an hour. This is not a painful
process, on the contrary, it is found by many to be very
relaxing. It has been described by practitioner as being the
art of ‘listening with the hands’. Craniosacral therapy has
been used to treat a whole range of disorders including, jaw
problems, whiplash, curvature of the spine to wider issues
such as depression and exhaustion
Deep
Tissue Massage, as its name says, focuses on the deeper
layers of muscle tissue. It is designed to reach the deep
sections of thick muscles, specifically the individual
muscle fibres. Using deep muscle compression and friction
along the grain of the muscle, the purpose of Deep Tissue
Massage is to unstuck the fibres of the muscles and release
both toxins and deeply held tension points. Specific hand
positions and strokes are used to respond to various tissues
while breath and movement techniques are employed to release
muscular congestion. It helps to loosen muscle tissues,
release toxins from muscles and get blood and oxygen
circulating properly. It is both corrective and therapeutic.
It is beneficial for many physical problems, including
sports injuries and chronic pain. Because it works very
deeply, emotional issues can also be addressed, when these
have been stored in the body.
Detoxification
comes in many forms and refers to many different programs
that cleanse the body of toxins. Today, our environment is
toxic and the foods we eat, even the air we breathe and the
water we drink is laden with chemicals foreign to our
system. Therefore, everyone is undergoing some type of
detoxification to maintain life and health. Although basic
detoxification begins with diet, detox programs may include
nutritional fortification for the liver, lungs, kidneys,
bowels and blood.
Dream
Therapy - This is a technique often used by psychotherapists
and involves the use of dreams and the dream state to heal
on a physical and emotional level. It involves the
interpretation and analysis of dreams, and also the
technique of lucid dreaming (which is the process by which
one takes the conscious mind into the dream state) to search
for answers to problems. The aim is to link the conscious
mind with what is happening in the unconscious and then
interpreting patterns and symbols. The information received
can be used to heal situations or heal on a physical level
Electro-Crystal
Therapy is a gentle and non-invasive method of balancing the
human energy field. It uses the pulsed high-frequency
electromagnetic stimulation of crystals to induce
rebalancing in human and animal patients.
Electromagnetism has been used by conventional medicine for
many years e.g. X-rays in diagnosis and pulsed frequencies
to aid bone healing. Crystals have been used to aid natural
healing for thousands of years. The innovation in
Electro-Crystal Therapy is the synergistic combination of
the two and their specific application on the chakras and
meridians of the human energy field. The therapy works on a
subtle energy level.
Energy
healing (aura and chakra healing) is one of the most
profound and fundamental alternative therapies in the field
of alternative medicine and holistic health. It employs
spiritual healing methods which expand the awareness of the
energy healer and uses energy, colour and light healing
techniques to catalyze healing in the patient’s energy field
(aura and chakra system)—helping the patient break free from
afflictions and limitations of body, mind and spirit. It may
provide enhanced quality of life for the patient, and
facilitate spiritual growth. Energy healing is often a
powerful spiritual path for the practitioner as well
Essential
oils are organic compounds derived from plant sources such
as roots, bark, flowers and seeds. They are complex chemical
compounds and not technically oils at all! They are
extracted using a variety of methods to capture the scented
particles, leaving many of the other chemical constituents
of the plant behind. Aromatherapy is a complementary therapy
based on holistic principles, using the application of
essential oils to improve mental, physical, emotional and
spiritual well-being. Oils can be applied in a variety of
ways apart from massage
Feng
Shui is based on the Taoist vision and understanding of
nature, particularly on the idea that the land is alive and
filled with Chi, or energy. The main tools used in a feng
shui analysis are the Compass and the Ba-Gua. The Ba-Gua is
an octagonal grid containing the symbols of the I Ching, the
ancient oracle on which Feng Shui is based. Knowing the
Bagua of your home will help you understand the connection
of specific feng shui areas of your home to specific areas
of your life.
Herbalism,
or the use of plants as medicine has been used across the
world for many thousands of years. Many synthetic medicines
are based on plants, and, in fact it is estimated that at
least 7000 medical compounds in modern use are derived from
plants. As well as being used by shaman and ‘wise women’
from all cultures, animals also use the medicinal properties
of plants as they intuitively seek out the appropriate
plants when they are sick. Always use a qualified herbalist
as some plants are very toxic and other normally ‘safe’
plants can react to or affect other medical treatments.
Treatment can take many forms and herbs are administered in
a number of ways including, tinctures, elixirs, infusions,
inhalations and topical applications such as compresses. In
recent years there has been a huge upsurge in interest in
herbal medicine, and nowadays nobody thinks twice about
using tea tree oil as an anaesthetic or evening primrose to
help PMT
Homeopathy
The basic premise behind homeopathy is to ‘treat like with
like’. In other words, to cure an ailment, you would
administer a small dosage of a substance that would produce
the same symptom in a healthy person. Homeopathic medicine
was developed in the late 1700’s by a German doctor called
Samuel Hahnemann, and is said to work by boosting the immune
system of the body and stimulating the natural capacity of
the body to heal itself. Homeopathic remedies are plant,
mineral or animal extracts which are mixed with alcohol into
a tincture and then diluted to varying extents. A mixture
that has ‘30c’ potency contains less than one part per
million of the original substance! Treatments are very
individual, and are used to treat a wide variety of
conditions ranging from eczema to chronic fatigue syndrome
Hydrotherapy
As the name suggests, hydrotherapy is the use of water to
sooth pain, relax the body and treat disease. There is
nothing new about the healing properties of water, the
ancient Romans and Egyptians did it, and in Victorian times
it was very popular, with those with the means travelling to
Spa towns or the seaside to take the waters. Hydrotherapy
comes is a variety of techniques and can be used in the
treatment of anything ranging from back pain to arthritis,
spinal cord injuries, stroke to paralysis. Treatments
include, having a spa bath, sauna, hot or cold compresses,
foot spas, and often can be combined with the use of
essential oils which themselves have healing and relaxing
properties
Hypnotherapy
Is the use of hypnosis, a light trance like state, to treat
mental and psychological disorders such as anxiety, panic
attacks, phobias and to help with addictions such as
smoking, and for weight loss. In the relaxed state,
breathing, heart rate and metabolism can all slow down and
brain waves can change. In this relaxed state, suggestions
can be made by the hypnotherapist, the brain seems more
receptive than in the normal state of alertness, and learned
behaviours can be changed. This is not like stage hypnotism.
Most therapists will explain that the client is in control
at all times, and contrary to popular opinion you can
remember what has happened during hypnosis and you are not
made to do anything embarrassing!
Indian
Head Massage is an ancient technique, which as the name
suggests originated in India and Pakistan where is was a
part of the regular grooming routine and practised by
barbers. Indian Head Massage came to the west via osteopath
and massage therapist Narendra Mehta, and is known as
champissage (which incidentally in where the word shampoo
comes from). During an Indian Head Massage, various
different massage techniques, such as kneading, stroking,
hacking, squeezing and tapping are used, and the upper back,
neck, arms and face are treated as well as the actual head.
Benefits from the treatment include, increased blood flow
which improves the circulation and encourages healing,
increased lymphatic flow, which aids the elimination of
toxins, relaxation of the head, neck and shoulders and the
reduction of muscle spasms and restrictions in the muscle
fibres. A treatment can take up to an hour and can be done
whilst seated or on a couch with or without the use of oils.
Iridology This is a somewhat controversial technique where
the patterns and colours in the iris are used to obtain
information regarding a persons general health and well
being. Iridologists view the eyes as ‘windows’ in to the
state of the rest of the body. Flashlights, magnifying
glasses, microscopes and cameras are used to look in detail
at the iris, which is then compared to a chart which relates
different ‘zones’ of the iris to varying parts of the body
Kinesiology
describes the scientific study of body movements and applied
kinesiology involves the diagnosis of medical conditions by
the way of a muscle test. Imbalances within the body are
associated with a lack of smoothness in muscle response.
Often the test is done by raising an arm and seeing how it
responds to downward pressure. It is used in fields such as
the identification of allergies and food intolerances and to
treat asthma and stress
Light
Therapy It is a common belief that the quality and quantity
of light has an effect on our moods. Light therapy is the
exposure of the patient to specific types of light for a
certain period of time. Equipment used includes laser,
LED’s, florescent lamps and light boxes. Light therapy has
been used to treat certain skin conditions such as acne and
psoriasis and psychological problems such as seasonal
affective disorder known as SAD Light Touch Therapies This
is a name for any non invasive treatment which involves very
gentle touch on the body. There is no manipulation or
pressure involved, it is more of a relaxing nature. The aim
of light touch therapies is to restore balance to mind, body
and spirit and therefore release pain, disease and stress
Magnotheraphy
This is the technique of applying a magnetic field to the
body in order to help relieve pain and accelerate the
natural healing process. The principle behind this technique
is that the magnetic energy speeds up the blood supply thus
allowing more oxygen to enter the blood stream which helps
nutrients become absorbed. Popular products include magnetic
bracelets which are worn to help with conditions such as
arthritis, joint pain and poor circulation. Experiments have
also been done with drinking magnetically treated water on
plants and animals
Mama
therapy is a Ayurvedic technique, thought to have originated
in China. It is based around the chakra system, and 107
points on the body where two of more types of tissue meet.
Treatment often takes the form of a massage in which
pressure is applied to these areas. This brings about the
cleansing and unblocking of the vital life force, known as
chi, which restores the natural equilibrium of the body.
Benefits of this therapy are said to include the overall
nourishment of the body, added physical stability and the
promotion of good sleep patterns.
Meta-Aromatherapy
This is a modern and wider approach to aromatherapy, which
is basically the use of essential oils to promote health and
wellbeing. It can be used to treat many conditions but is
particularly good when used to deal with emotional problems
which have become manifested in physical ways. A
meta-aromatherapy treatment will normally begin with a
consultation which is followed by an aromatherapy massage.
Quite often however, other techniques are also brought in
such as hypnotherapy to help get to the root cause of the
problem. It can also include other complimentary techniques
such as counselling, reiki and stress management
Music
TherapyMusic has a profound effect on humans. It has the
power to relax, excite, to terrify and to bore, and most
people have a clear idea of what they like and what they
detest! Music therapy is the use of music to help restore,
maintain and improve health and well being on a physical,
physiological, emotional and spiritual level. A music
therapist will use a number of different approaches and
techniques, including, listening to music, the use of the
voice i.e. singing, playing instruments, moving to music etc
.Music therapy is used on a wide variety of clients but will
often include working with children and adults with
disabilities and special needs and those with emotional and
behavioural problems. It can be used to great effect with
the visually impaired and even with the deaf, who sense the
music through vibration
Naturopathy
Therapy is an umbrella term used to describe the
practice of treating the body in a way which allows the body
to use its natural ability to heal (or whole) itself. It is
used to describe any treatment which involves the use of
natural remedies rather than synthetic ones and therapies
such as acupuncture, Herbalism, aromatherapy and homeopathy
etc
Nutritional
Therapy this therapy is based on the belief that food is
medicine as well as fuel, and advocates the use of a good
diet of fresh food and any necessary dietary supplements to
maintain health. It is not just about what you eat, but also
looks at eating habits, what time of day do you eat, do you
eat regularly, how fast to you eat, do you take time to
digest etc…Nutritional therapy can be used to help treat a
whole range of digestive disorders such as IBS, Indigestion,
constipation, etc and to treat stress related conditions
such as depression, insomnia and headaches
Osteopathy
is a way of detecting and treating damaged muscles,
ligaments and joints and by manipulation and massage
techniques encourage natural healing to take place within
the body. It is used to treat common conditions such as
repetitive strain injury, postural problems, arthritis and
sports injuries
Oxygen
Therapy this is the practise of the administration of
oxygen. Oxygen therapy benefits the patient by increasing
the supply of oxygen to the lungs and therefore to the body.
It comes in three main forms. Liquid oxygen, which has to be
boiled so it turns to a gas form, oxygen cylinders which
contain compressed gas which is commonly used in first aid
and oxygen concentrators which removes nitrogen from the
air, making it more rich in oxygen
Panchakarma
is a form of body detoxification that originated in India
and was used as a preventative treatment as well as to treat
illness. It is believed that illnesses were caused by a
build up of toxins in the body, and that to prevent the
build up, they should be eliminated by various means. There
are 5 methods of treatment; herbal enema therapy, herbal
purgative therapy, emesis therapy, herbal inhalation therapy
and herbal oil enema therapy
Raw
juice therapy is the method of treating illness and disease
by taking on an exclusive diet of fruit and vegetable juice.
This is believed to be an effective way to restore health
and rejuvenate the body. It is believed that this diet
eliminates toxins by increasing the efficiency of the lungs,
liver, kidney and skin. The juices have a high vitamin and
mineral content and are easily digested, and some juices
have natural medicinal properties. Obviously, only fresh
juice is recommended. During this treatment juice can be
taken up to 6 times a day initially, and then is followed by
a phased return back to a normal balanced diet
Reflexology
Is an ancient healing technique that works on the principal
that different areas on the feet correspond to different
areas of the body, and that by massage and the application
of pressure to certain areas, healing is promoted.
Reflexology is good for relaxation and also for boosting
energy and can stimulate the release of toxins from the
body. After a treatment it is advisable to drink plenty of
water to help with this process. Conditions treated by
reflexology are wide ranging and include stress, digestive
disorders, neck and back pain and headaches and migraine.
Reiki
was ‘discovered’ and developed by Mikao Usui after he spent
three weeks fasting and meditating on a mountain top. The
word Reiki itself can be translated as meaning ‘universal
life force energy’ and it is taught that anyone can access
this once they have been through an attunement or initiation
process. A reiki treatment does not involve massage or
manipulation, it is a non invasive gentle laying on of hands
which takes place when the client is fully clothed. In fact
some practitioners do not touch their clients at all
preferring to treat ‘hands off’, and distant healings are
also done. Once you have learned reiki you can use it to
self heal as well as to heal others. It is a spiritual
practise, but is not related to any particular belief system
or religion. There are 5 principals by which those who
practise reiki try to live…Just for today…..Do not anger Do
not worry Honour your parents, teachers and elders Earn your
living honestly Show gratitude to all living things
Rolfing
- This oddly named therapy takes its name from its founder
Dr Ida Pauline Rolf and is a system of soft tissue
manipulation. It has been used by a wide variety of people
including athletes and dancers for improving posture as well
as increasing vitality and sense of well being, and reports
talk of people walking tall after a treatment. It is also
claimed that Rolfing can be useful in reducing stress, and
for treating conditions such as back pain and strain
injuries
Shiatsu
- This is a Japanese hands on therapy, shi means finger and
atsu means pressure. It was credited to Tokujuro Namikoshi
and is the technique of using the fingers and palm of the
hand to apply pressure to areas of the body to correct
imbalance and for maintaining and promoting good health. It
treats the body as a whole and helps to restore functions of
the nervous system, circulatory system, bone structure and
muscles and is said to stimulate the bodies natural ability
to heal itself
Spiritual
Counselling - Is practised by people from all types of faith
and is a term generally used to describe the advice and
support given to a person to help them develop spiritually
and to recognise that there is a higher source which can
assist them in their daily lives. Spiritual counselling can
help a person experience his or her spiritual nature more
fully and brings together mind, body and spirit. Techniques
used include psychology, silence, prayer, meditation and
visualisation
Stress
Management,
stress
is something that most people experience in their lives at
some time or another. It is how we deal with stress that is
important. If it is allowed to fester it can manifest itself
in physical ways such as headaches, digestive problems, high
blood pressure, heart disease etc…Stress management looks at
ways of recognising and dealing with stress and minimising
its impact by making small changes, such as time management
strategies and checking emotional reactions to difficult
situations
Swimming
is a great way to relax and unwind as well as being a good
from of exercise. It can also be of considerable benefit for
those with disabilities including those with cerebral palsy.
Swimming can provide relief from pain and muscle stiffness
and the natural buoyancy of the body takes away pressure
from the limbs. It can also tone and build muscle strength.
There are several techniques of swimming therapy used which
include Aquatic Feldenkrais, Halliwick, Task type and Watsu
Tai
Chiis a Chinese martial art which aims to promote health
and longevity. It involves learning fairly long and
complicated sequences and routines with the aim of balancing
yin and yang (male and female) for healthy chi (energy).
Movements of the body are timed carefully with the breath.
Tai chi is a martial art, and although today is practised
mainly for health and well being is also a system for self
defence
Tens
Therapy involves the use of mild electronic impulses as
an alternative to drugs, by the use of what is known as a
TENS machine. Tens stands for Transcutanous Electrical Nerve
Stimulation Therapy. It works by gently stimulating the
nerves and blocking pain signals before they can be received
by the brain. It can and has been used to treat all sorts of
pain ranging from back pain and post operative pain to
labour pain
Transcendental
Meditation or TM, is the name of a meditation technique
introduced in 1958 by a man named Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. TM
is typically practised for 20 mins daily and allows for the
quietening of the body and mind, and allowing access to
higher levels of consciousness. During a mediation research
has shown the physiology of the body becomes relaxed while
the brain function actually increases. It is said to be
helpful in the reduction of high blood pressure, treating
insomnia, reducing high cholesterol and reducing anxiety. It
has also been shown to help concentration and increase IQ
levels and creativity
Zen
therapy- as the name suggests has its roots in Buddhism but
was developed by Dub Leigh. It is similar to some other
therapies in that it aims to promote the free flow of energy
around the body by releasing blockages in the energy field
The
Alexander Technique
Aroma
therapy
Colonic
Hydrotherapy
Electro-Crystal
Therapy
Energy
healing
Essential
oils
Feng
Shui
Homeopathy
Hypnotherapy
Indian
Head
Kinesiology
Light
Therapy
Naturopathy
Therapy
Nutritional
Therapy
Reiki
Shiatsu
Stress
Management,
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