Effectively Alleviating Pain Through Bodywork Therapies

All of our individualised treatments are carefully designed to assist in alleviating pain and helping you live a happier, more comfortable life. Our perception of health focuses on our patients' body's structure, physiological systems, diet and nutrition, and their emotional and psychological state.  Your treatment may include one or more of the below therapies.

This ancient Chinese healing modality is gaining widespread acknowledgement as a tool for healing. In 1997, the National Institute of Health released a consensus report detailing its proven efficacy in treating pain and promoting healing. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published an extensive list of conditions that acupuncture can treat. The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) has produced factsheets on conditions supported by research that can be accessed by the public at https://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-conditions.html. Further research can be viewed at https://www.acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-of-conditions/a-to-z-of-conditions/6558-research-digest.html

Your first session involves an in-depth consultation to gain an understanding of your main complaint and your general health and lifestyle. This involves asking questions about your current symptoms and your medical history, as well as such things as your sleeping pattern, your appetite and digestion, and your emotional wellbeing. Women are also asked about their menstrual cycle and any past pregnancies. Based on this review, the best treatment for each individual will be determined.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin sterile needles along specific points of the body in order to correct an imbalance. Because acupuncture needles are very thin and flexible, there is little or no discomfort when they are inserted. Once the needles are in, there is a sensation, often a distending or tingling feeling, but usually not pain. Many patients experience feelings of relaxation and well-being during a treatment; some even fall asleep. 

Our Acupuncture treatment can help with numerous acute and chronic conditions and will be tailored to your needs to harmonise your system. When you are better balanced and relaxed, you tend to make healthier choices, which in turn results in healthier lifestyles, and ultimately in a well-balanced individual. 

When you are better relaxed, you tend to make healthier choices, which in turn results in healthier lifestyles, and ultimately in a well-balanced individual.

A Specialised Chinese Massage Technique

Distinct from many skin-focused massages, Tuina involves penetrating movements that activate the blood circulation of deep tissues. This pain-relieving technique reduces inflammation and releases pain. Of course, in Tuina, the practitioner uses calming, gentle movements that induce relaxation. Tuina is a specialist style of Chinese massage that may be performed on any part of the body, such as legs, back, shoulders, and neck. Tuina is also very effective in treating children.

Tuina (pronounced twee naw) is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine and refers to a wide range of therapeutic massage and bodywork techniques. It is based on the Chinese medical principle that pain and illness are symptoms of a blockage or imbalance of Qi, the body’s vital energy. Although relatively new to the Western world, it has been practiced for thousands of years in China.

Tuina is not generally used for relaxation in the same way as Swedish massage therapy. It is a form of energetic medicine used to address specific patterns of disharmony. It can either be vigorous or gentle, depending on the condition being treated, and the constitution and age of the person. Tuina includes what is popularly known as "acupressure," where practitioners use finger pressure instead of needles to stimulate the acupuncture points.

Tuina can be effective in relieving many common health conditions such as musculoskeletal pain and stiffness like arthritis and sciatica. By directing the flow of Qi within the body it can also work at a deeper level to treat deep-seated conditions like emotional trauma, depression, and insomnia. It is especially effective when combined with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

The benefits of Tuina can be enjoyed by all at any stage of life from infancy to an advanced age. 

Some massage techniques may be taught for inclusion in your self-care home plan.

You do not have to undress for this treatment. 

Aromatherapy is a holistic treatment modality that uses essential oils to help restore and maintain the balance of body, mind, and spirit. Essential oils are very powerful and concentrated essences extracted from aromatic plants, fruits, flowers, roots, and resins. They have been used in healing for thousands of years. Aromatherapy can help to treat many acute and chronic conditions, rather than suppressing them. The correct choice of essential oils is able to gently unlock deep-seated mental, emotional and physical trauma. So, if you are feeling like your body and soul are not exactly connected or looking for a relaxing treatment experience, our aromatherapy combined with Swedish massage treatment will put you at ease. Take some time out of your busy day to begin to heal yourself the natural way.

What is cupping treatment and how does it work?

Cupping is the modern term for another type of traditional Chinese medical treatment. A glass, bamboo, ceramic, or metal jar is applied to the skin and the pressure in the cup is reduced by briefly heating or suctioning out the air. Because of the low pressure inside the jar the skin and superficial muscle layer is drawn into and held in it. Cupping creates a series of blood-infused raised sections on a patient’s skin. It is believed that this generates a negative energy flow which can work against the patient’s current state of stagnation. It also works by promoting blood circulation and Qi flow, activating the lymphatic system, and thus alleviating swelling and pain. Cupping is the best deep tissue massage available.

What diseases are treated with cupping?

Cupping is often used for internal diseases, gynaecological diseases, pediatrics diseases, and trauma, etc. The treatment is often used in conjunction with acupuncture to enhance previous acupuncture.

Examples of gynaecological conditions that cupping can help are infertility, PCOS, endometriosis, irregular menstruation, painful menstruation, and vaginal discharges, etc. It also helps with male infertility. 

Is cupping treatment safe? 

The procedure is painless, safe, and free from side effects. During a cupping treatment, the patient experiences a mild pulling sensation which calms the sympathetic nerves and allows deep relaxation to move through the whole body. The cup is generally left for several minutes. The skin becomes reddened due to the congestion of blood flow. The redness will go away within an hour. Occasionally a bruise along the side of the rim of the cup can remain for up to a week (depending on the extent of blood stagnation present).

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique (or adjunct therapy) that involves the burning of mugwort herbs. The herb (also known as Artemisia Vulgaris or ai ye in Chinese) is dried and finely ground to form a spongy mass. It can then shaped into a cone or cigar-like stick, to facilitate healing. Moxibustion has been used throughout Asia for thousands of years and its application is either direct or indirect. The purpose of moxibustion strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of qi, and maintain general health.

Moxibustion can be used to treat female menstrual problems as it is an agent that increases blood circulation to the pelvic area and uterus and stimulates menstruation. This may explain its use in treating breech births and menstrual cramps. Noteworthy to mention, there has been recent scientific research called MoxaAfrica in Uganda, where moxibustion has been shown to be successful in the treatment of Tuberculosis (TB).