Here is just a small sample of the therapies our members practise. If you would like information about complementary, beauty and sports treatments, which are not included on this list, please click here >>
Acupressure is similar to acupuncture but does not use needles. Therapists use fingers, thumbs or knuckles to stimulate specific points or “acupoints” along the body.
Seated acupressure is commonly used for staff in corporate organisations, as it can be done quickly and effectively. You can also remain fully clothed for this treatment.
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that acupressure is right for you.
Acupuncture is the placement of needles through the skin for the treatment of a range of ailments. Originally an aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine, practised by traditional acupuncturists, it has also developed as a western therapy.
Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified therapist in safe and hygenic conditions.
For full details about this treatment and how it can be used, the NHS has further information available. Visit http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Acupuncture
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that acupuncture is right for you.
"The Alexander Technique works by helping an individual to identify and prevent the harmful postural habits.An Alexander technique teacher will advise individuals how to look at the way they move, stay still, breathe, learn, organise our awareness and focus their attention, and how they choose to react in increasingly demanding situations.The technique works through re-establishing the natural relationship between the head, the neck and the back - the "core" of the body that supports the strength of the limbs and which provides the structural environment for breathing and for the internal organs." (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council - CNHC www.cnhc.org.uk)
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that Alexander technique is right for you.
"Aromatherapy is the systematic use of essential oils in holistic treatments. Essential oils, extracted from plants are thought to possess distinctive therapeutic properties.
These natural plant oils are applied in a variety of ways, for example:
An essential oil is an aromatic, volatile substance extracted from a single botanical source by distillation or expression. Essential oils have been utilised in fragrances, flavours and medicines for thousands of years and there are some 400 different oils extracted from plants all over the world." (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council - CNHC www.cnhc.org.uk)
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that aromatherapy is right for you.
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian holistic system, based on achieving physical and mental harmony with nature and has been practised for more than 5,000 years. Ayurveda quite literally translates as ‘science of life’ (‘Ayu’ meaning life and ‘Veda’ meaning science), and was first recorded in the Vedas, the world’s oldest surviving literature.
Ayurveda sees everything in the universe, including human beings, as composed of five basic elements – space, air, fire, water and earth. These five elements in turn combine with each other to give rise to three bio-physical forces, or doshas, within the human body – vata (air and space), pitta (fire and water) and kapha (water and earth). Together they are known as tridosha.
Ayurveda is used according to a person’s dosha using a system combining diet, herbal remedies, detoxification, yoga, ayurvedic massage, lifestyle routine and behaviours which may stimulate positive emotions.
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that Ayurveda is right for you.
Image by kind permission of the European College of Bowen Studies (ECBS) www.thebowentechnique.com
"Bowen technique is a soft tissue remedial therapy that involves the therapist using fingers or thumbs to move over muscle, ligament, tendon and fascia in various parts of the body.
The main feature of Bowen technique is that between sets of moves the therapists will leave the room and allow the patient to rest. This is a key element of Bowen and is a defining aspect of the technique." (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council - CNHC www.cnhc.org.uk)
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that the Bowen technique is right for you.
Crystals are said to each have their own properties, assisting in the rebalance of the body’s energy system (chakras). The crystal’s piezoelectric charge is believed to interact with the magnetic/electrical field around the body.
The body has 7 main chakras or energy centres and crystals are said to stimulate the chakras, enhancing their correspondence with each other.
Crystal therapy can also be incorporated into other treatments such as massage or Reiki.
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that crystal therapy is right for you.
Ear candling is an ancient practice that has been used for centuries in many cultures throughout the world. They are hollow tubes made from unbleached cotton or linen and hardened with beeswax.
You will lie on your side on a massage table and a protective cloth with a slit in it will be placed over the ear. The ear candle will be lit and gently inserted into the opening of the ear. Once treatment is completed, it will be repeated on the other ear. During treatment you may experience gentle heat around the ear area. You may hear popping sounds and a pleasant crackling as the ingredients are burning.
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that ear candling is right for you.
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is an emotional form of acupuncture except that needles aren't used. Instead, fingertips are tapped to stimulate certain meridian points while you are tuned into a problem.
EFT is a non-invasive complementary therapy and your therapist will teach you how to tune into problems and use this technique on yourself, for your own personal development.
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that EFT is right for you.
Holistic skincare has become increasingly popular, using natural products containing essential oils, botanicals, vitamins and anti-oxidants as an alternative to chemically based products. Holistic facial massage uses various techniques and products, tailored to specific skin types and conditions.
A therapist will begin a treatment by removing any traces of make-up on the eyes and lips, followed by a thorough cleanse of the face and neck. Exfoliants will be gently massaged into the skin, avoiding eyes and sensitive areas. The therapist may also steam the skin by applying hot towels to remove blockages and to soften the pores. A facial massage will then follow, nourishing the skin with oil or cream. Facial massage involves a range of massage movements, adapted to the client’s skin type and condition. Following the massage, a mask may be applied to the skin and your treatment will conclude with a moisturiser. An eye cream may also be applied.
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that the holistic facial is right for you.
Indian head massage has been used in Asia for over 5,000 years and works specifically on the area surrounding the head, scalp, face, neck, shoulders and upper back. Indian head massage comes from Ayurveda, an ancient method involving natural therapies, which takes into account mind, body and spirit.
An Indian head massage usually lasts for approximately 30-45 minutes, although the treatment can be shortened to 15-20 minutes if it takes place in the workplace.
You will be invited to take a seat and relax on a low backed chair. The use of oils is optional e.g. sesame, coconut, mustard, olive or a special blend of oil with added herbs and spices. If oil is used, a towel will be used to ensure your modesty. Alternatively, you can remain fully clothed.
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that Indian head massage is right for you.
Infant massage is taught to parents. Throughout history, massage has been used by parents to soothe babies throughout all parts of the world.
Group classes are often available but the most intimate way for parent and baby to learn is in a one-to-one teaching environment.
Image by kind permission of Sue Hall
Kinesiology includes muscle testing, addressing physiological, mechanical, and psychological mechanisms. The application of kinesiology includes rehabilitation, such as physical and occupational therapy, as well as sport and exercise.
"There are over 80 types of massage therapy and in all of them, therapists press, rub, and otherwise manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body, often varying pressure and movement.
Practitioners mostly use their hands and fingers, but may use their forearms, elbows, or feet. Typically, the intent is to relax the soft tissues, increase delivery of blood and oxygen to the massaged areas, warm them, and decrease pain." (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council - CNHC www.cnhc.org.uk)
Despite being used for many years, massage is only now building a body of clinical evidence to support its use in the healthcare arena. Guidelines recently published by the National Institute for Clinical Evidence (NICE) recommends that patients with persistent, non-specific low back pain have access to a choice of different treatments, including massage. The NICE guidelines state “The effect of massage on patients with chronic low back pain lasted at least a year after the end of treatment.”
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that massage is right for you.
*Savingy P, et al (May 2009). Low Back Pain: early management of persistent non-specific low back pain. London: National Collaborating Centre for Primary Care and Royal College of General Practioners. Available from the NICE website at: www.nice.org.uk
"Nutritional therapy is the application of nutrition and health science that seeks to enable individuals to maximise their health potential.
Nutritional therapists recognise that each person has unique dietary and nutritional requirements and will assess the nutritional status and functional capacity of each individual. They recognise that each person’s needs may be dependant on a number of factors from inherited weaknesses, to the influence of diet, lifestyle and environment.
In addition to dietary and nutritional advice, recommendations may include guidance on natural methods to support digestion and absorption, and procedures to promote colon health." (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council - CNHC www.cnhc.org.uk)
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that nutritional therapy is right for you.
"Reflexology deals with the principle that there are reflex areas in the feet and hands which are believed to correspond to parts of the body. It is a unique method, using the thumb and fingers, usually performed on the feet but in some cases also on the hands and ears. A practitioner will work the reflex areas, which may help to relieve stress and tension." (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council - CNHC www.cnhc.org.uk)
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that reflexology is right for you.
Reiki is a non-invasive complementary therapy, said to use natural energy flow for well-being.
Reiki may be used on the whole body or can be localised to a specific part of the body. A full body treatment can last between 45 to 90 minutes, with a localised treatment lasting approximately 20 minutes.
You will remain fully clothed and typically be asked to lie on a massage table or be seated in a chair. Your therapist may need a few moments to enter a calm state and will then place his or her hands on or near various parts of the body, including head, torso, knees and feet. The hands will remain in each position for up to three minutes before moving to the next position.
Some practitioners may follow a fixed set of positions while others will use their intuition to guide movements.
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that Reiki is right for you.
"Shiatsu is a touch-based therapy that applies pressure to areas of the surface of the body for the purpose of correcting imbalances. Shiatsu, a Japanese word that literally means finger pressure, derives its theoretical and practical roots from the ancient traditions of Oriental medicine.
Today it is an autonomous treatment method influenced by Chinese, Japanese and Western knowledge. Several styles of Shiatsu exist, ranging from mechanical to mystical, but all with a common aim: to promote the flow of Ki through the energy-channels or meridians of the body.
Ki is a Japanese word (Chinese, Qi or Chi) used to describe the life force said to flow through the Meridians, sometimes described as bio-electro-magnetic energy." (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council - CNHC www.cnhc.org.uk)
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that Shiatsu is right for you.
Soft tissue therapies can be used to aid recovery from injury or as part of a long-term training programme. It is not just for elite athletes but for the average club player too.
Soft tissue therapies focus on muscle systems used in athletic activities. It can combine Swedish style massage with trigger point compression and other techniques to reduce soreness and help enhance power, endurance and flexibility.
Your therapist will devise a programme most suitable for your body, your sport and the problems you need to address. Your treatment may involve manual manipulation of your muscles and limbs..
Due to the nature of deep tissue manipulation it can be uncomfortable at first, but your body will respond as muscle stiffness reduces and flexibility increases.
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that sports massage is right for you.
Sports therapy uses a range of therapeutic techniques for the prevention, recognition and treatment of minor sports injuries. It can also be used to provide support with people wanting to maintain and improve fitness. A typical session will involve appraising the injury using a number of techniques including posture analysis, gait analysis, biomechanical assessment, as well as soft tissue assessment. The session itself may include soft tissue therapy, mechanical and electrical treatment, cooling or warming therapy and mobilisation.
Sports therapy may be used to address an extensive range of injuries. It may also be found to be helpful in the mental preparation of athletes for sporting participation.
Stone therapy is an exceptionally relaxing treatment, rooted in ancient therapy practices and used to create balance within the body. Hot basalt and cold marble stones are used by most therapists, with the positioning and temperature of the stones tailored to the individual client. A stone therapy treatment provides a deep massage to the whole body as well as concentrated areas.
Stone therapy is based upon geothermal therapy, which is the application of either heated or chilled stone to the body for the purpose of changing physiological responses.
A therapist will apply warm, oiled stones in several ways during the treatment. Stones will be placed on the body, delivering heat to concentrated areas and your therapist will massage other areas of the body with more heated stones in comfortable strokes.
Cold stones are also useful for muscle injuries as they have a soothing effect.
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that stone therapy is right for you.
A Thai massage is a deep, relaxing massage which also incorporates stretching techniques. For a Thai massage, you should wear comfortable clothes and you will be asked to lie on a massage table or mat.
Your therapist will massage the body with their hands and forearms, applying a firm rhythmic pressure and will also move you into positions similar to yoga poses throughout the massage.
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that Thai massage is right for you.
"Yoga therapy is taught by yoga teachers who have additional training and experience in the therapeutic applications of yoga for individuals with impaired health or compromised well being.
Tailored practices are developed to meet an individual’s needs based on established yoga models. These models help the therapist analyse and address the needs taking into account physical, energetic, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects.
Practices may include: posture work, breath work, meditation, reflection, relaxation, use of sound and short supportive phrases, and visualisation." (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council - CNHC www.cnhc.org.uk)
As with all treatments, a full consultation should be completed with your therapist to ensure that yoga therapy is right for you.