An A to Z of Therapies

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of ancient Chinese medicine in which fine needles are inserted into the skin at certain points on the body. Acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, or 'life force', flows through the body in channels called meridians.
This life force is known as Qi (pronounced 'chee').

Practitioners who adhere to traditional beliefs about acupuncture believe that when Qi cannot flow freely through the body, this can cause illness. They also believe that acupuncture can restore the flow of Qi, and so restore health.


Animal Chiropractic

Animals may need chiropractic for much the same reason that humans do. Anna Hindley trained with the International Academy of Veterinary Chiropractic and has been using chiropractic manipulation on animals for several years.  

When a horse injures a ligament in the middle of a round of jumping, or a dog pulls a hamstring catching the Frisbee he has caught a 1000 times before, it may not be the jumping that caused the injury, but an underlying problem that is finally showing itself. 

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils to help maintain health and vitality. The oils are extracted from natural sources ~ plants, flowers, herbs, resins, twigs, and leaves.

The oils can be used in a variety of ways, within the clinic they are mixed with a carrier oil (for example almond oil), and used as a massage blend.  It might be recommended for oils to be used at home too, such as: aromatic baths, vaporisers, inhalations, creams, lotions and compresses to enhance and support the effects of treatment. 100% pure essential oils are only ever used in the clinic. The massage style is gentle but deep, rhythmic and slow, allowing the oils to be absorbed by the outer layers of the skin into the body and organs through the capillaries.  The oils are also absorbed through the mucous membranes of the nose. From the lungs they will be taken into by the blood stream and distributed through the body.


Chiropractic

People of all ages and walks of life may benefit from chiropractic care, from babies and children, through adulthood and into later years and including pregnant women. Chiropractors treat problems with joints, bones and muscles, and the effects they have on the nervous system. Working on all the joints of the body, concentrating particularly on the spine, Chiropractors use their hands to make often gentle, specific adjustments (the chiropractic word for manipulation) to improve the efficiency of the nervous system and release the body's natural healing ability.  We have two chiropractors at the Centre - Anna Hindley and Victoria Jones. Y

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, commonly known as CBT, is a form of talking therapy that looks at how you think about yourself, the world and other people around you. CBT believes that 'we feel the way we think' and by changing the relationship with your thoughts, and replacing them with more healthy ones, you will feel happier. 

Research has shown that CBT is effective in treating a wide range of psychological and health conditions.

Counselling

Counselling is a form of talking therapy where you can discuss what is worrying you in a confidential and non-judgmental space. It is a collaborative process that allows you the opportunity to talk openly about things that you may be having difficulty with or feel uncomfortable talking to family or friends. 

Life has it's ups and downs and that's normal and sometimes finding it hard to cope with them is normal too. Difficulties at home, work or socially can impact on our lives without you realising and talking to someone about them can help. Counselling is proven to help with a wide range of psychological, emotional and behavioural problems that can occur.

Food Intolerance Testing 

Blood tests can be measured against 50, 75, 100 or 150 different foods, from food groups including meats, dairy, fish, vegetables, fruits, grains, spices and herbs and nuts, and has a reproducibility of greater than 98%, using a finger prick blood test.  This is arranged by Anna Hindley, if it is appropriate following a consultation.

The term ‘food intolerance’ and ‘food allergy’ are often confused but are two very different things. Whilst food allergies occur in around 2% of the population, food intolerances are much more common and are estimated to occur in around 45% of the population. 

Although food intolerances are not life threatening as is with food allergies, the impact of food intolerance on the body should not be underestimated.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is a powerful technique which can help you change negative beliefs, achieve goals, treat emotional problems and alleviate a range of medical conditions. It works by accessing your subconscious mind, where all your automatic behaviours take place, and creates new patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving.


Sports Massage

Deep tissue/sports massage using a variety of techniques to assist clients out of acute and chronic pain conditions, such as neck and shoulder pain, lower back pain, sciatica, frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel, plantar fasciitis, sports injuries, sprains and strains. Each massage is tailored to the clients specific needs. Through listening, observation and touch, techniques are combined to relieve trigger points, pain and stress. 

For clients wishing to have a more relaxing massage, this can also be provided as each massage is tailored to the clients wishes.

Thai foot massage is a pressure treatment for the feet that involves applying focused pressure to certain known "reflex" point located in the foot. Each of these points correspond on a physical level to certain other area in the body which contribute to overall health and well-being.
Thai Foot Massage is great for tired feet, improving circulation and lymphatic drainage in the feet and lower legs, and improving flexibility.It is designed to balance the body’s energy system and is effective relieving pain and many other health problems. It is used as a tool for maintaining good health and well being, leaving you feeling relaxed, balanced and invigorated.  ​


Therapeutic Massage | Deep Tissue Massage

This is a form of massage based on the Swedish style but uses more advanced techniques which are designed to target particular problem areas/imbalances/postural issues. It utilises deep tissue techniques, neuromuscular techniques, trigger point work, pulsing, friction, acupressure, PNF, MET, soft tissue release, and other remedial and sports massage techniques. This framed within a framework of relaxation strokes to soften the tissue before the deeper work can be done. Hence less “pain”!