What is Complementary Therapy?

Article by:
Terri Martin MICHT
Complementary Therapist   

Complementary Therapy is a general term that is used for a wide range of treatments that can be used alongside conventional medicines.

There are many therapies available today and these are gradually becoming recognized by the medical profession.

These therapies are mainly ‘holistic’ which means that the therapist is treating the mind, body and soul.

There are many types of massage ranging from Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Reiki, and Shiatsu to name a few. Each has a unique way of attempting to help heal the body and restore its natural balance or Homeostasis.

It depends on the type of massage you prefer, you may like a slow sedate fragrance massage which involves using Essential oils and so then you may choose Aromatherapy.

On the other hand you may prefer a brisk and stimulating massage such as Swedish massage or a Hopi Ear Candling Therapy which is a very calming and relaxing therapy.

Or if you don’t mind having your feet touched then Reflexology would be a good choice.

The benefits of these treatments are endless, below are just a few for some of these therapies.

Hopi Ear Candling Therapy

This Therapy originated from the Hopi Indians.

The candles have hollow tubes and are made from organically grown flax, extracts of honey, herbs and beeswax. It is non-invasive, relaxing & soothing.

Treatment is completed with a mini face massage!

This therapy has many uses and here are a few ways that it could help you:

• Headaches or Migraine
• Diminish chronic Sinusitis
• Eliminate build up of mucous
• Relieve ear pain
• Noises in ears for example ringing, & Tinnitus
   

Aromatherapy

• Could help alleviate stress and tension

• Promotes relaxation or stimulation

• Could help alleviate minor aches and pains

• Aids the removal of toxins and waste from the body

• PMS or menstrual complaints

• Postnatal depression

This therapy was used before Christ was born!

Using Pure Essential Oils extracted from plants to massage the body that can give both a relaxing or stimulating massage and this depends on the blend of oils that are tailor-made for each individual client.

Reflexology

• Could help aid minor circulatory problems

• Aids relaxation

• Could help alleviate stress and tension

• Could reduce dependency on medication

• Could help to improve waste removal

This Complementary Therapy has been practised in many countries and for many, many years.

Reflexology provides a specific method of working to diagnose problems and stimulate health in the whole body.  It is based on the principle that the body is divided into ten vertical zones each corresponding to an area of the foot, so this means the feet are a map of the body.

A sensitive area of the foot indicates a problem in the corresponding organ of the body and by working with pressure on this troubled spot the problem can be helped.  Reflexology can be an effective way of relieving pain and help to restore the body’s natural balance.

Acupuncture

• Can be used to treat Neurological disorders

• Also can be used for Musculoskeletal disorders

• To help people give up smoking

This is ancient Chinese medical treatment and is the balancing of the body using fine needles inserted into the invisible meridian pathway lines.

This method of treatment is best known for ‘control of pain’ which can be used for many problems or conditions.

Alexander Technique

• Could help to alleviate stress on the bones, joints or internal organs

• Could help improve breathing and circulation

• Could alleviate muscle tension

• Could help with body balance

• Could help with co-ordination

The history of this therapy dates back to an actor in 1869 called F M Alexander.

It is used to analyse the whole movement pattern and not just the symptoms.

The technique can teach you to be aware of your posture at all times so that there is less tension causing the body concern, which can help relieve stress on the bones, joints and internal organs

Reiki

• PMT and menstrual problems

• Sinus and respiratory difficulty

• Back problems

• Stomach troubles

• Help relieve pain from headaches, stress or anxiety

This therapy was re-discovered in Japan by Dr Mikao Usui in the beginning of the 20th century.

Although Reiki energy is spiritual in nature it is not a religion.

Bach Flower Remedies

• Bach Flower Therapy helps us to deal with the negative behaviour patterns of human nature

•  Jealousy

• The inability to say no

• Impatience

This was created by a Harley street medical physician in the 1930’s.

There are a variety of different remedies that can be adapted to your mood or emotion and these is easily taken by diluting 2 drops of the chosen remedy into a glass of water or drink and sip this at intervals.

Bach Flowers remedies are completely safe, natural and can be used by all the family.

The Bowen Technique

• Can be used to treat back or neck pain

• Headaches or migraine

• Frozen shoulder

• Tennis elbow

• Respiratory or kidney problems

• High blood pressure

• Arthritis or knee pains

• Fatigue, stress or sleep patterns

This technique was developed by Tom Bowen who lived in Australia.

The therapist makes gentle rolling movements over the muscles, tendons and ligaments using mostly the fingers and thumbs, but no hard tissue manipulation is used.

Chiropractic

• Spinal misalignment

• Muscular stiffness

• Stress

• Improve the well-being

Chiropractic was founded by Daniel David Palmer in 1895; he was a student of physiology & anatomy in Iowa.

This therapy can be performed by either mobilization or manipulation.

Chiropractors sometimes use soft-tissue techniques using massage, ice, and heat and kneading to relax a patient’s muscles before the manipulation.

Spiritual healing

• Helps the patient to deal with illness or injury

• Could speed up recovery of illness or major surgery

• Could help with effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy

• Will compliment conventional medicine

The National Federation of Spiritual Healing was founded in 1954 and is the principle healing in the United Kingdom.

Spiritual healing is a natural energy that flows through the healer to a patient; although it is spiritual no religious faith is required for it to work.

Herbalism

This dates back to the ancient Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Babylonians and Native Americans.  For over 4000 years Herbalism and medicine were used as one.

It is used by many people who do not want to use conventional medicines for a particular ailment, but it is advisable to check with the GP to make sure if you are on conventional medication for something else that it would be safe to take this type of medication.

Homeopathy

Homeopaths see the symptoms of a disease as the body trying to heal itself, and so they will see the symptom as a positive sign that the body is trying to fight the underlying cause.

A Homeopath will diagnose the patient as a whole and not just their symptoms, taking into account their temperament, personality and emotional and physical responses are studied when prescribing a remedy.

There are 3 laws of cure

1. A remedy will start at the top of the body and work downwards
2. A remedy works from within the body outwards, from major to minor organs
3. Symptoms clear in reverse order that they appeared

Kinesiology

• Headaches

• Migraine

• Insomnia

• Menopausal problems

• Muscle pain

This is a Natural Health therapy that is used to address and rebalance all aspects of human being.  It brings together the principle of traditional Chinese Acupuncture and the Western knowledge of muscle testing, anatomy, physiology and nutrition.

The treatment given is tailor-made and personalised for each client depending on the ailment.

Osteopathy

• Asthma or breathing problems

• Postural or back problems

• Trapped nerves and whiplash injuries

This is the treatment of the body as a whole to find out the problem in your muscles, joints and skeleton.

An Osteopath will focus on your posture as tension and inflammation in the spine can affect the whole nervous system.

Physiotherapy

• Back or neck pain

• Cerebral palsy

• Asthma or breathing problems

• Arthritis

This type of treatment can help people who are recovering from an injury or illness, and it can help improve mobilisation and the quality of life.

Each treatment is tailor-made to the individual needs as physiotherapists help people of all ages.

Physiotherapy is well recognised for the treatment of sports injuries, it may use exercise in water, ultrasound d, acupuncture, mobilisation, manipulation and guided exercise.

Shiatsu

• Back pain and whiplash injuries

• Menstrual problems

• Sports injuries

• Depression

• Eases tension

• Improves circulation

• Improves breathing and posture

This is a traditional hands-on Japanese healing therapy, it is deeply relaxing experience and regular sessions can help prevent the build up of stress in our daily lives, and it can be relaxing to the mind and body.

Yoga

• This can have an extreme effect on the circulation

• Functions of the inner organs, glands and nerves

•  Many common physical ailments can be improved

This form of therapy is meditation which is an excellent way to maintain your brain.  There are many styles of Yoga that can be performed by young and old alike.

Some styles are fast flowing such as Ashtanga Yoga or the more sedate type Viniyoga which is a gentle emphasis on healing.

The Santyandanda Yoga is a gentle traditional style and is suitable for all ages and shapes.

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