Treatment: The Bowen technique
This growing trend of massage teaches the body good posture. The theory is that our body's movements become distorted from poor habits or physical stress. The technique works by specifically massaging the connective tissues - the collection of cells that wrap around our muscles and link them to the bone.
A study from University of Lancashire found that the Bowen method was an effective treatment for frozen shoulder. Results showed that 70 per cent of patients regained full mobility by the end of their treatment.
Contacts: For a practitioner, call 01373 461873 or visit www.thebowentechnique.com.
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6. EMOTIONAL HEALTH
Treatment: Homeopathy:
Homeopathy makes use of thousands of remedies, diluted from animals, minerals and plants. Practitioners claim there is good evidence to show that homeopathy can treat a variety of mental problems from anxiety to mild depression.
In 1991, the British Medical Journal published a review of 107 controlled clinical trials of homeopathy and found that 77 per cent had positive results on conditions including trauma and psychological problems.
It is thought that remedies help release substances in the brains such as endorphins - our body's own natural feel good hormones. White arsenic is typically used to combat anxiety and gold or snake venom is used to treat mild depression.
Contact: The British Homeopathic Association, 020-7935 2163 or visit www. www.trusthomeopathy.org.
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Treatment: Cranial sacral therapy: Cranial sacral therapy aims to improve the flow of spinal fluid found around the
spinal cord and the brain. This fluid is thought to be essential to physical and
mental well-being because it unblocks tissue tension.
Practitioners place their hands on specific parts of the body, including the skull and sacrum (the base of the spine), and claim to detect patterns of tissue congestion caused by stress. A typical treatment takes one hour and symptoms can start to improve in four to five sessions. A single session can cost from £25 to £40.
Contact: For a practitioner visit the Craniosacral Therapy Association of the UK at www.craniosacral.co.uk
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7. ADDICTIONS AND WEIGHT CONTROL
Treatment: Complementary nutrition:
This is a holistic approach to understanding why a person is under or overweight. Your practitioner will look at your diet, medical history and lifestyle.
He or she is looking for reactions of the body to particular foods which could involve food intolerances, metabolic problems or psychological problems. By analysing your symptoms, your practitioner will prescribe herbal supplements made from plants or enzymes to help trigger healthy digestion.
Contacts: To find a practitioner, contact the Institute of Nutrition on 020-8 877 9993.
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Treatment: Reflexology:
Practitioners claim reflexology can help people with addictions such as smoking because working on specific points around the foot can help reduce stress and craving for nicotine. The big toe corresponds to the brain and manipulating this reflex point will help reduce stress and anxiety.
The back of the toe corresponds to the chest and lungs to relieve congestion, while working on the small toes will help clear the sinuses.
Contact: The British Reflexology Association on 01886-821207 or visit www.britreflex.co.uk. ________________________________________
8. CHRONIC FATIGUE
Treatment: Cranial sacral therapy:
Cranial sacral therapy encourages the spinal fluid found around the spinal cord and brain to flow freely around the body. Practitioners claim chronic fatigue is caused by an overactive nervous system when the organs, ligaments and muscles are permanently tensed up.
Practitioners claim gentle touch of the spine will calm your nervous system down and trigger energy.
Contacts: For a practitioner visit the Craniosacral Therapy Association of the UK at www.craniosacral.co.uk.
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Treatment: Aromatherapy massage:
A practitioner will carefully blend oils to such as lavender, bergamot or rosemary to lift mental fatigue and calm the body. When the oils are inhaled they also pass through the nerve endings in the nasal passage and pass directly to the limbic centre of the brain, which stimulates your brain waves and helps lift your energy levels.
Contacts: The International Society of Professional Aromatherapists on 01455 637987.
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9. SKIN PROBLEMS
Treatment: Chinese herbal medicine:
This type of therapy is particularly good for eczema. In fact, a clinical trial at London's Royal Free Hospital showed that 60 per cent of patients found an improvement in skin problems after taking a mixture of ten Chinese herbs.
Chinese herbal medicine is based on the idea that a balanced body is not too hot, cold, damp or dry and practitioners aim to correct any obvious imbalances.
Practitioners claim inflammation of the skin in eczema is an external manifestation of internal heat. A typical herb prescribed to treat eczema is white peony said to cool down dryness - a direct result of heat.
Contacts: To find a Chinese herbal practitioner visit www.rchm.co.uk.
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Treatment: Homeopathy:
Practitioners claim homeopathy can help treat skin problems, particularly acne and eczema. Typical remedies used for acne are extracts of the mineral sulphur, while silica or aluminium are used to treat eczema.
Contacts: The British Homeopathic Association, 020-7935 2163 or visit www. www.trusthomeopathy.org.
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10. HEADACHES AND MIGRAINES
Treatment: Medical acupuncture:
This treatment is best for prevention, rather than treating individual migraine attacks and practitioners claim it is as effective as taking tablets.
Your practitioner will treat your migraine by inserting fine needles into the back of your neck - the point where muscular tension collects and often the place where a migraine starts. A practitioner may also place needles in certain nerve routes found along the spinal cord - including the shoulder.
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