Other complementary therapies

Acupuncture

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is part of a medical system whose origins go back over 2,000 years. Two classics of Chinese medicine, the Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine) and the Nan Jing (The Classic of Difficult Issues) which were compiled in the first or second centuries B.C., discuss theories which still underlie Chinese medicine. These include Yin and Yang, the idea that Qi energy flows through channels in the body, pulse diagnosis and the functioning of internal organs.

Theories

According to traditional theories, when our health is out of balance, this is reflected as excess and deficiencies of Qi in the channels that pass along our bodies, and in the internal organs which these channels are connected to. By diagnosing and treating the channels and the internal organs, harmony can be restored. Acupuncture can thus be used to treat both external problems (relating to the channels) and internal problems (relating to the organs).

Holistic

From these ancient texts, we can also see that Chinese medicine places importance on the physical and emotional as well as spiritual levels; it advocates living a balanced healthy life, in tune with natural environmental cycles. Although acupuncture has developed greatly over the centuries, the same principles underlie traditional acupuncture to this day. It is now recognised as a complete holistic medical system with proven efficacy the world over.

Diagnosis

A traditional Chinese diagnosis is based on the Eight Principles of Internal & External, Hot & Cold, Full & Empty and Yin & Yang. For example, if the body's energy is weak, and needs tonifying, it is an Empty condition, whereas if there is an invasion of an external pathogen, it is a Full condition, and the treatment needs to expel or disperse the excess.

How can acupuncture help you?

The World Health Organization (WHO), the health branch of the United Nations, lists more than 40 conditions for which Acupuncture may be a useful treatment.

Conditions appropriate for acupuncture therapy

• Digestive - abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, hyperacidity, indigestion
• Emotional - Anxiety, depression, insomnia, nervousness
• Neurosis - eye-ear-nose-throat, cataracts, gingivitis, poor vision, tinnitus, toothache
• Gynaecological - infertility, menopausal symptoms, premenstrual syndrome
• Miscellaneous - addiction control, athletic performance, blood pressure regulation, chronic fatigue, immune system support, stress reduction
• Musculoskeletal - arthritis, back pain, muscle cramping, muscle pain / weakness, neck pain, sciatica
• Neurological - headaches, migraines, neurogenic, bladder dysfunction, parkinson's disease, postoperative pain, stroke
• Respiratory - asthma, bronchitis, common cold, sinusitis, smoking cessation, tonsillitis

Craniosacral

Cranio sacral is currently not on offer as a stand alone treatment at the centre. However, it can be used as part of a chiropractic treatment if appropriate.

[more details about what this therapy is]

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy offers treatment and rehabilitation for a wide variety of conditions. These include: all musculo-skeletal conditions such as back and neck conditions, joint problems, whiplash, repetitive strain injuries, work and posture related injury, muscle imbalance, sports injuries, and rehabilitation for orthopaedic conditions and post surgery rehabilitation, e.g. hip, knee, back injury. Treatments include: passive mobilising and manipulation for the spine and all joints, massage, electrotherapy, acupuncture, rehabiliation exercise programs, Pilates exercise regimes, posture re-education and advice.