Therapies
We offer a range of therapies to suit a variety of patient needs. These can be offered separately or in combination to suit the individual. Receive your gentle treatment in a relaxed environment. You can choose from:
Osteopathy
A holistic therapy which works on the musculoskeletal system to help the body invoke its own self-healing properties. Osteopathy began in America in the 1800s, founded by Dr Andrew Taylor Still. He lost three children to meningitis, unable to help them even though he was a medical doctor. Disillusioned with conventional medicine, Still studied anatomy by using bones from native American graves and formulated the theory that the human body has an innate ability to heal itself and that poor health could result from restrictions in the musculoskeletal framework. Osteopathy is now known as a treatment for musculoskeletal disorders such as backache, sciatica, neck pain, headache, trapped nerves and joint problems. However, osteopaths regard it as much more far-reaching than this. Nerves and blood vessels which supply the organs must pass through or around muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments. Any structural imbalance can therefore have widespread effects on the whole body. Through this relationship, osteopathy can sometimes help with conditions such as migraines, bowel disorders, breathing problems and noises in the ear, to mention just a few. Osteopathy can thus treat the whole body by affecting the blood and nerve supply to the various parts and organs of the body through the spine, thus allowing the body to heal itself through the following concepts that Still formulated:
The body has its own natural healing powers and self-regulatory mechanisms
The body is an integrated unit and all its systems are interrelated
The mechanical component of the body is important in both health and disease
What happens in a treatment?
Joanne will take a case history about your health, past problems, family conditions and the reasons for your visit. You will need to undress to your underwear and your joints and movements will be examined Osteopathy is a holistic therapy and all body systems are interrelated: the cause of your pain may lie elsewhere, so the osteopath will need to look at the whole body. She may perform other tests such as blood pressure, reflexes, etc to make sure you are likely to benefit from treatment. If not, she might refer you elsewhere or to your GP. Treatment is tailored to the individual and varies from person to person and even between treatments. It is not usually painful, though you may ache afterwards. Joanne will also advise on posture, ergonomics and exercises to prevent recurrence.
Most problems will need more than one treatment session, but the average is 4-6 sessions. Some chronic (long-term) problems, such as arthritis, may benefit from regular "maintenance" treatment.
Reflexology
Reflexology is based on the principle that there are reflexes in the hands, feet and ears which correspond to all organs, glands and body parts. It is the technique of using the thumbs, fingers or crystals on these reflexes. It is an ancient therapy that may have been used in the distant past. For instance, in Egypt, in the physician's tomb (2300 BC) there is a pictograph which shows patients receiving treatment on their feet and hands. Modern reflexology originated in Zone Therapy, which was pioneered by Dr William Fitzgerald. He divided the body into ten longitudinal zones, the theory being that reflexes operate along these zones and can affect different body parts when stimulated. The term "reflexology" was coined in the 1930s by Eunice Ingham, an American physiotherapist, who learned the techniques of Zone Therapy from Dr William Fitzgerald and found that they speeded up healing in her post-operative patients. She worked on the feet, finding that they were more accessible and very effective. Eventually she mapped the entire body onto the feet.
Reflexology does the following:
Relieves stress and muscular tension
Improves blood supply and circulation
Encourages the unblocking of energy/nerve pathways
Aids the body's natural healing processes
Enhances homeostasis - the fine tuning of bodily functions.
Cleanses the body of toxins
Revitalises energy
What happens in a treatment?
Joanne will take a short case history about your current and your past health, your sleeping habits and stress levels, your family history and social habits and day to day activities. You will be able to choose whether to receive your reflexology in a sitting or lying position, whichever is most comfortable for you. Your feet will be gently cleaned with an antiseptic wipe and dusted with talcum powder. Joanne will use relaxation techniques on your feet and begin to stimulate the reflexes, mainly located on the soles of your feet, but also on the top and around your ankles. She may also use various crystals which can enhance the effectiveness of the treatment. She will usually end with a soothing foot massage and a glass of water.
Reiki
Reiki is the Japanes word for "Universal Life Force Energy". This indicates that the energy received by the patient does not come from the therapist, but from the universe. The practitioner is merely a channel for the energy. Reiki is believed to have originated in ancient Tibet and to have been rediscovered by Dr Mikao Usui in the 1870s. He had gone up into the Holy Mountain Kuriyama to fast and meditate for 21 days. Nothing happened until the last day, when he saw a shining light moving towards him with great speed until it hit him in the middle of his forehead. He saw millions of coloured bubbles and he saw the Sanskrit symbols of Reiki. From that day he was able to heal both himself and others. Usui passed this energy over to Dr Chijiro Hayashi before his own death and it was them passed on to Hawayo Takata, who took it to America, initiating 22 Reiki Masters, who brought Reiki to the West. It is thought to heal the body, release emotions and stress, increase awareness and creativity and amplify and balance energy.
The Principles of Reiki
Just for today I will live the attitude of gratitude
Just for today I will not worry
Just for today I will not anger
Just for today I will do my work honestly
Just for today I will show love and respect for every living thing
What happens in a Reiki session?
You need not remove any clothes to receive Reiki. You may lie on a couch or be in a seated position, whichever is more comfortable for you. You will be asked to close your eyes and the practitioner will place their hands on your shoulders. They will move their hands onto or over different areas of your body - if there are any areas (apart from the obvious) where you would prefer not to be touched, let them know. You may feel warmth, cold or tingling where you are touched. You may notice smells, tastes, sounds or see pictures or colours in your mind. You may experience none of these, just relaxation. Afterwards, you may feel relaxed or energised. Your symptoms may improve immediately or (temporarily) worsen. If the latter occurs, this should pass quickly and will be helped if you drink plenty of water. You will probably feel thirsty in any case, so you should drink more water for a few days after a treatment.
Indian Head Massage
This ancient technique originated in India, where it has played an important part for nearly 4,000 years as part of regular grooming routines. Indian women used various oils to nourish the hair while promoting circulation through massage. Families often sat one behind the other and massaged the hair and scalp of the person in front. Today, many local barbers in India give their male clients head massages after hair cuts, to promote hair growth and health. Although there are many different personal techniques, it was physiotherapist Narendra Mehta who formalised the version that he called Champissage. "Champi" is the Indian word for head massage and is the origin of the English word "shampoo". Mehta developed the technique in London in the 1970s. Because of his heritage, he felt strongly that head massage was necessary for good health, so he researched the ancient art and created his own technique. Apart from the physical actions, it works on the body's three higher Chakras (energy centres) located on the crown of the head, the forehead and the throat.
Benefits of Indian Head Massage
IHM is used to relieve muscle spasm and tension, improve circulation to the head, scalp and upper body and improve joint mobility in the neck and shoulders. It is thought to improve the health of the hair, particularly when used with oils. It induces calmer, deeper breathing and promotes feelings of peace and tranquility, thus enhancing mood. Other benefits include: decreased stress and fatigue, sleep promotion, added energy and concentration and deeper relaxation. It can also help with tension headaches, sinus congestion and eye strain.
What happens in an IHM session?
There is no need to remove clothing, but a cotton top or T-shirt is probably most comfortable. Treatment begins with a kneading and probing of the upper back, neck, arms and shoulders. The head is then worked, with the scalp being squeezed, rubbed, gently tapped and prodded. The hair is briskly tousled and gently "combed" and the.ears are tugged and pressed. Lastly, the face is worked, using pressure points to help relieve the sinuses, stimulate the circulation and increase alertness. The face is also very gently stroked. The session ends with the chakras being balanced and the client "grounded", followed by a glass of water.
Thermal Auricular Therapy
(Ear Candling)
This is also known as Hopi Ear Candling and was supposed to have been used by the Hopi Native American Indian tribe, but they have apparently denied this! It is thought that ear candling was used in Ancient Greece and other ancient cultures, mainly to drive out evil spirits! Its medicinal properties were discovered later by the West and it is now used to help with conditions such as tinnitus, blocked ears, sinus problems and head colds. Apart from this it is extremely relaxing! They work by means of the heat, which softens the wax, and the "chimney" effect of the candle which gently creates a drawing force to help dislodge any blockage.
What happens in a TAT session?
You need not remove any clothing for a session although if you take off your top (you will be given a towel) the therapist will more easily be able to perform a face and shoulder massage at the end of the session. You will need to remove any earrings and necklaces and you will be asked some questions about your health. Ear candling is not suitable if you have grommets, a perforated ear drum or ear infection. You will be asked to lie on your side as long as this is comfortable for you. The therapist will cover your face with a fitted cloth to protect your hair and face in case any ash should fall. One of the candles, which are like small, narrow cones, will be lit and the unlit end placed in your outer ear canal so that a seal is formed. You should feel a gentle, pleasant warmth and may hear a soft crackling noise, like sizzling bacon. The candle burns down in 10-15 minutes after which it is extinguished safely and the other ear is then treated. During the treatment, you may find that you get a sensation of a change of pressure (like in an aeroplane) - this should only last for about half a minute. After both ears have been treated, you will be given a relaxing face, neck and shoulder massage which enhances the therapeutic effects of the candles. Afterwards, your ears and head should feel clearer and the effects will continue for up to 48 hours following the treatment (you may find small pieces of wax continue to emerge from your ears during this time, so protect your pillows, etc). You may be recommended to have further treatments if your ears are badly blocked.
Needle-free Acupuncture
Joanne has taken a course in modern acupuncture for pain relief and uses a needle-free battery-operated unit to stimulate the various acupuncture points, without having to use needles. This avoids problems of disposal and handling of blood sharps and the pain of inserting the needles as well as addressing needle phobia! It has similar benefits to conventional acupuncture, whilst avoiding the less pleasant aspects.
What happens in a Needle-free Acupuncture session?
You will need to remove some of your clothing, probably to your underwear. Each point will be located by means of the head of the machine, which emits a high-pitched whine when it is over the point. Each point appropriate to the condition being treated will then be stimulated for approximately 30 seconds by means of a small electrical current, which feels like a prickling sensation. This should not be painful and the intensity can be reduced if it is too uncomfortable. A session can last anything from 10 - 30 minutes, and the price will be adjusted accordingly. (Prices given on this site are for 30 minutes). If the session is short it may be of benefit to return daily for another session for a week or so.
Hot and Cold Stone Massage Therapy
This treatment is the ultimate in relaxation and stress relief! It can help relax tense muscles and spasms in the back, neck and shoulders and promotes stress relief and helps with sleep problems. Joanne offers a half hour treatment or a full hour, which includes a hot and cold stone facial!
What happens in a Hot and Cold Stone Therapy Session?
You will need to remove most of your clothing, but towels with be placed over you for warmth and modesty. The treatment involves being massaged with stones heated in a large water heater, specially made for the purpose. Your feet will be wrapped in a towel containing a hot stone and smaller hot stones will be placed between your toes, so your feet are deliciously warm! Then special, smooth, Basalt stones will be used, with oil or wax, to massage your legs, arms and body on both sides. The temperature will be checked with you first to ensure the stones are not too hot, but always say if anything feels uncomfortable. The hot stones will be alternated with cold (unless you request cold stones not to be used) to improve the circulation and promote healing. While treating your arms, stones will be placed in your hands to warm them and later your face will be treated with hot and cold stones too. Two cold stones will be placed over your eyes to improve bags or dark circles. At the end you will be offered a drink of water.
Or ask Joanne about combining treatments for a truly individual and tailor-made therapy for you!
More therapies coming soon!
