What We Do: therapies offered

Integrating different skills of Chinese Medicine together enables Megan to give a very unique treatment specifically tailored to meet the needs of each individual

Traditional Chinese Medicine is an extremely effective and proven system
of healing. Over 3000 years old, its principle aim is to treat the body
as a whole, not just the most obvious symptoms. Treating physical,mental
and emotional needs together enables you to get well and stay well.
Broadly speaking, acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points with
a fine, hair-breadth needle. The acupuncture points are placed on
"meridian lines" which are invisible pathways of energy behaving in a
similar way to a continuously flowing river. The stimulation of
strategic points encourages a healthy flow of energy or "qi" in the
meridians. Chinese herbal medicine may be included with the
acupuncture.In a general sense, the herbs work slowly to build up any
weakness in the body, whereas acupuncture has a faster more moving
effect (good for releasing pain for example.) Acupressure massage
sometimes precipitates acupuncture enabling a more effective diagnosis.
It also helps make the session more relaxing.
A course of acupuncture can vary between 4- 10 treatments depending on
the nature of the condition.These are administered at weekly intervals
usually although for some conditions fortnightly or monthly. Dietary
advice is sometimes given with regard to the different seasons and your
condition.
Acupuncture can help with so may things it would be impossible to list
all of them. Here are a few suggestions.
muscular/skeletal (back pain, tennis elbow, sciatica, arthritis)
gynaecological (menstrual difficulties including endometriosis, symptoms
of menopause, infertility)
digestion (I.B.S,  heartburn, stomach ulcers, bloating, nausea)
mental/emotional (irritability, restlessness, feeling wound-up,
insomnia, feeling out of balance, inability to concentrate)
tiredness, lethargy, feeling flat..
Please don't hesitate to contact me with a query as I would be happy to
discuss anything with you. Treatment sessions cost £35 . and last for 1
hour.

People come for Alexander lessons for many reasons. They may have damaged themselves and have pain or they are dissatisfied with their posture. Perhaps it is some stress related difficulty which prompts them and sometimes the impetus is to improve a sporting activity. The technique has a good reputation particularly with riders and golfers. Actors and musicians are keen on it too and just occasionally someone comes because the principle of the technique fascinates them. Whichever avenue prompts the lessons, it is very likely the technique will help relieve problems but it does much more. The Alexander Technique isn’t specific, hence the wide-ranging spectrum of people who seek it out. It isn’t for any “type” of person in particular. Why? Because it doesn’t focus directly on fixing specific problems. It focuses on deeper, underlying often unconscious patterns (physical and mental) of behaviour which are perhaps the roots of the immediate troubles but may also be underpinning other malfunctions. Alexander himself set about finding relief from a persistent voice problem but once he started giving lessons about what he’d discovered, the feedback astonished him. Pains, headaches, anxiety attacks, stomach troubles, sleeping disorders etc were all being helped just by applying his technique. It isn’t a therapy you see, Alexander Technique is something you learn for yourself, to apply in ANY circumstance of life as diverse as chopping an onion, mucking out the stables, unloading the boot, holding a yoga pose, walking down the street or even performing a mazurka!

It is important to consider taking a series of lessons since undoing poor, long held habits of a lifetime doesn’t sadly happen immediately.

Sessions with Jo Barlow at Sorrowlessfield last 45 minute

Bowen Therapy is for back problems, sciatica, pain in shoulder, knee, and ankle and other joints, etc.
Treatment does not directly address spinal vertebrae or other bones, but focuses on the structures which support and maintain the problem – muscles, ligaments and other tissues.
Treatment consists of a series of gentle moves over muscles at key places associated with the problem. These moves release the pattern of holding, allowing the system to re-set itself. Treatment is offered with deep consideration for the pain the person has suffered and with respect for the body’s own powers of self-healing.
Neural Touch
One of the leading American instructors in the Bowen Technique, Gene Dobkin, has developed the therapy – (most Bowen practitioners hold that the technique must be applied exactly as Tom Bowen used it, without any change or development) – and calls this subtler, more elaborated form of treatment “Neural Touch”.  John has completed trainings with Gene Dobkin in the USA and in the UK.
  
www.bowen-technique.co.uk
www.usbowen.com

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle means of addressing a wide range of health issues.
An American osteopath, Dr. William Sutherland, began in 1900 a series of discoveries that led to the development of this form of treatment.
 
Conditions treated include back and joint pain, headaches and most of the effects of excessive stress. The recipient lies on a treatment table, fully clothed, for 30-45 minutes. The therapist places his hands on the recipient’s head, feet, sacrum, etc. Minimal pressure is used. Through direct contact with the craniosacral system, the therapist encourages the person’s own healing system to make the necessary changes.
The results can be very powerful and beneficial. The atmosphere during sessions is peaceful, relaxing and accepting. Several sessions are usually recommended.

www.craniosacral.co.uk

Herbal Medicine is the traditional use of whole plant medicines to encourage the body’s natural healing processes. It is one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world and is the forerunner of orthodox medicine. This connection is still evident today in the fact that plants are used as the origin of 18% of the top 150 most commonly used drugs.
Medical Herbalists believe that the complexity of chemicals as they naturally occur in plants work together to form gentle yet effective medicines whilst minimising side effects. An example of this is Meadowsweet, a plant traditionally used for its painkilling and anti-inflammatory actions.
Meadowsweet contains salicylates and was the inspiration behind the development of acetylsalicylic acid, the active compound in aspirin. A common side effect of aspirin is irritation of the stomach lining; however this does not occur when using Meadowsweet as a whole plant. In fact, Meadowsweet is commonly prescribed for acidity and heartburn as it has a soothing and healing effect on the stomach.
The Medical Herbalist’s approach to healthcare is holistic, seeking to identify and treat contributing factors as well as relieving symptoms. A first consultation takes about an hour. A full case history is taken, which includes your own and your family’s medical history, your diet and lifestyle, and any medications you may currently be using. Your blood pressure is recorded and any other relevant examination such as listening to the lungs or assessing joint mobility carried out. An individual herbal prescription is formulated and any necessary dietary and lifestyle alterations are discussed. Shorter repeat consultations are usually requested to assess progress. The length of treatment depends on whether the condition is acute or chronic and how long it has been present.
Herbal Medicine is suitable for people of any age, including children, and can be used alongside other treatments including many orthodox drugs. It can help a wide variety of health problems, both acute and chronic, such as hormonal imbalance, skin problems, digestive disorders, insomnia, stress and anxiety, sinusitis, coughs and colds, allergies, circulatory problems and joint disease.

www.nimh.org.uk

Homeopathy is a gentle form of treatment which, if the correct remedy is given, can bring about deep and ongoing changes in health and vitality.

The first consultation takes up to one and a half hours as the patient needs to be listened to with great care, in order to come to a deep understanding of the main problem.   A homeopathic remedy which closely matches the pattern of the patient’s symptoms is then prescribed.

At a shorter follow-up appointment (4 to 6 weeks later), patient and therapist together assess progress and further treatment is agreed. Once improvement is established the remedy is only taken from time to time, as and when required

What is hypnosis?

Therapeutic hypnosis induces a state of deep relaxation during which the unconscious mind becomes amenable to change.   These changes can only occur if they are in tune with the individuals’ goals.   In other words, you, the patient, remain in control throughout.

To a large extent, the effectiveness of the treatment depends on the motivation of the individual.

Whappens durin a session of hypnosis?

At first meeting, hypnotherapy is explained and questions answered.   A full history is taken, including medical details and gentle exploration of emotional issues.
The hypnotic state is induced.   Most people find this pleasant and deeply relaxing.
Simple therapy is undertaken and usually a technique of self-hypnosis is taught so the patient can practice and reinforce positive changes at home.
Those who fear ‘giving up control’ need not worry, as this therapy invites you to harness your own abilities to make the changes you need.   You will remain mentally alert throughout.
The first session usually lasts between 1 and 1½ hrs.
Some issues may respond to one session.   Sometimes a series of sessions are required.

At a shorter follow-up appointment (4 to 6 weeks later), patient and therapist together assess progress and further treatment is agreed. Once improvement is established the remedy is only taken from time to time, as and when required

What conditions can hypnosis help?

smoking habit
anxiety states
low self-esteem
phobias (such as fear of flying)
weight control
insomnia
performance anxiety
pain management
(many other conditions)

In the Natural Health field the term kinesiology is seen and used in a wider context than the traditional use of the term referring to the study of muscles and movement in the body.
In kinesiology as a form of therapy, muscles become monitors of stress and imbalance within the body. “Muscle testing” is used to detect and correct various imbalances in the body which may relate to stress, nutrition, learning difficulties, dyslexia, pain, injuries and so on.
Kinesiology is a touch therapy that links traditional Chinese acupuncture, meridians and energy balancing with Western muscle testing and anatomy and physiology. The idea is to bring about balance in the body by releasing energy blocks, eliminating toxins reducing tension and enhancing the body’s natural healing ability. Kinesiology is therefore a system of natural health care that treats the person as a whole and restores balance. It has its roots in the early sixties with George Goodheart, an American Chiropractor. Dr. Goodheart began using muscle testing to evaluate muscle performance, posture and general imbalances. His continued research led him to link the meridian energy flow with muscles and organs. This work also included discoveries of other corrective treatments.

Kinesiology and intolerances
Kinesiology can play an important role in discovering what an individual body cannot tolerate, whether it be a food, an inhaled irritant, a substance that the skin may come in contact with. No two people are the same in their reaction to the environment. Some of us have a high tolerance others not. Sometimes this is hereditary and sometimes it is acquired.
Vials containing homeopathic doses of possible stressors are placed on the body and via muscle testing, the body’s reaction to each vial is tested and it is discovered whether the body is regarding the substance as beneficial or harmful.
Sometimes the body ‘misreads’ a substance and something normally beneficial, is regarded by the body as dangerous. It is then necessary to help the body change its reaction, so that it can be accepted.
It must be made clear however that in the case of true allergy where anaphylactic shock could or has occurred, treatment should only be sought from a medically qualified doctor.
Kinesiology and life blocks
While our bodies can have strange reactions to our environment, our minds can as well. Sometimes we are plagued by fears and phobias, often brought on by one event, which can then make one react in a similar way every time similar circumstances are present. An example could be fear of flying. It may only take one experience of air turbulence and fear of flying in a plane is born. Just as with substances that the body does not like, so too with circumstances that the mind does not like. Kinesiology is an effective way of changing the ‘default’ setting of the mind, so that instead of reacting with similar emotions every time a similar event occurs, it can respond without the emotional charge of a previous occasion. Kinesiology can also be helpful for finding why we are unable to achieve our goals and for removing the blocks to this achievement. This may be caused by our subconscious belief systems about ourselves, and our circumstances. Removal of these self-limiting beliefs helps us to move on in life.
www.Kinesiologyfederation.org

www.icpkp.com

Most of the time we may feel content with our lives and ourselves, however, there are times when we experience a sense of unease, sadness, distress. This could be because of the end of a relationship, difficulties at work, a bereavement, feeling we have lost direction or question the meaning of our lives and so on. In essence psychotherapy and counselling is about relationship; relationship with ourselves and the world around us. It can help us to open up to how our world impacts upon us and the choices we make due to this.

Psychotherapy and counselling is different from a comforting talk with our family or friends in that it encourages us to open to a deeper understanding of the relationships in our lives. It can help us to become more at ease with who we are and consciously make changes when necessary. From the perspective of a psychology of hope, psychotherapy and counselling can help us to become more aware in our lives and give direction to this awareness. While acknowledging the pain we experience it can help us to look beyond the pain and open ourselves up to our choices.

Reflexology is a therapy that is based on the principle that there are reflexes in the hands and feet that relate to all the organs, glands and systems of the body. A reflexologist will use her thumbs to work each of the tiny reflex points, mainly on the soles of the feet. This can be an extremely relaxing therapy, and one which gives individuals a chance to take time to reflect on their own health and welfare

SHEN was developed by an American Physicist, Richard Pavek, at the end of the 1970’s. SHEN’s standpoint is that all emotion either contracts or expands the Human Biofield – the physical field that both surrounds and permeates our bodies.
We believe that the Biofield has a huge effect on our emotional state, our ability to express ourselves, and our responses to life’s everyday occurrences.
We work from the standpoint that if the field is contracted, it has an effect on the tissue surrounding that contraction, leading eventually, to possible disease. Richard Pavek developed a number of techniques to release these contractions and even today, continues to do laboratory studies into the Human Biofield, in order to further improve our work as Therapists.
SHEN is not a “heal all”, it works on specific, emotionally based problems, including: Migraines, IBS, PMT, Post Traumatic Stress, Phobias, Panic Attacks, Eating Disorders and some forms of Depression. If you are overstressed, over react to situations, are in pain that cannot be medically explained, or, are recovering from emotional, physical or sexual abuse, then SHEN would probably be very effective for you.
SHEN is normally done in a series of sessions – the number of which are determined by what the problem appears to be, your objectives during the course of the work, and your emotional history. After returning a form (which is assessed free of charge, to determine whether SHEN would be suitable for your condition) a complete case history is documented – this normally takes about 1.5 hours – and then your SHEN sessions begin.
During a SHEN session, you lie, fully clothed on a massage table, as the Practitioner gently lays their hands on your body, in order to direct the Biofield. This is done in a pre planned pattern that is unique to each individual. It is not uncommon for people to drift off into a dream state whilst receiving SHEN, feeling relaxed and revived at the end of the session. Throughout the process, your practitioner will regularly assess your progress, noting any shifts in your emotional or physical state.
The International SHEN Therapy Association has very strict codes of conduct, and any information you divulge during the course of your sessions, will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. For your peace of mind, any written records will either be handed back to you at the end of your SHEN series, or destroyed by your practitioner. For more information on SHEN Therapy, please contact:
Julie Nock CSP on 07815 880908
Visit the SHEN Therapy website on http://www.shentherapy.info/home.htm
Or call into Sorrowless Field for a leaflet

Massage is an ancient healing art, and has been used in almost all cultures and countries. Most of us have experienced some form of massage, be it a gentle rub on a tight muscle or receiving a professional session. So what is meant by 'therapeutic' massage? A professional massage therapist is aware of the many therapeutic benefits of massage e.g. the loosening or stretching of tight muscles, the enhanced circulation of blood and lymph, the easing of headaches or migraine, improved sleeping patterns, etc. Many of our ailments come from the fast-pace of our lifestyle, and not allowing ourselves to unwind, relax and change gear from 'doing and rushing' to 'stopping, resting, and being present'. So relaxation is the biggest benefit of massage, because when body and mind relax, they naturally function better. Many people work with and from the head and forget the rest of the body, or are out of touch with it. A full body massage gives a sense of wholeness, connectedness and grounding. As we know there is an intrinsic relationship between body, mind, emotions and spirit; most sessions have a meditative quality that increases awareness of these different levels.

Each person is unique, so each session is tailored to the individual needs