Complementary Health Links

Homeopathy is the system of medicine which works on the principle of 'like cures like'. All homeopathy medicines are given in a very low dosage. This is called as 'potentisation'.

British Homeopathic Association
Overview; what is homeopathy; growth & popularity; homeopathy in the NHS; evidence for homeopathy.

Acupuncture stimulates the nerves in skin and muscle. Typically, fine needles are inserted through the skin and left in position briefly, sometimes with manual or electrical stimulation.

Osteopaths work with their hands using a wide variety of treatment techniques. These may include soft tissue techniques, rhythmic passive joint mobilisation or the high velocity thrust techniques designed to improve mobility and the range of movement of a joint. Gentle release techniques are widely used, particularly when treating children or elderly patients.

Chiropractors use their hands to adjust the joints of your spine and extremities where signs of restriction in movement are found, improving mobility and relieving pain. Your body's own healing processes (which we normally recognise in its ability to heal bruises, cuts and broken bones) will then be able to get on with the task of improving your health. This treatment is known as 'adjustment' or 'manipulation'.

Herbs and Vitamins and Minerals
This is a commercial website (Vitamin UK), but it gives articles and fact sheets about the herbs and supplements most commonly available, including when you should NOT take them!

BurstingWithHealth
Another commercial website - click on 'Information' for vitamin, mineral and herbal supplement information.

Chinese medicine is based on the theories of yin (negative) and yang (positive), and of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.

Aromatherapy combines the soothing, healing touch of massage with the therapeutic properties of essential oils.

The Guide to Aromatherapy from Fragrant World
Descriptions of the oils, carrier oils, symptoms guide, glossary, plus list of suppliers and practioners.

Hypnosis is a state of altered consciousness in which the therapist can help you to access the deeper levels of awareness, to which you are usually oblivious in your normal day-to-day functioning.

BHA Hypnotherapy Association
Links to hypnotherapist websites and publications; Can hypnotherapy help you?

Hypnosis online in the UK
Finding a therapist in the UK; the therapeutic benefits; consulting a therapist; what happens in a session.

Mr A.Halliday DIP (PSYCH) Registered
Questions and answers on hypnosis, stress management workshops, visualisation seminars.� Addiction therapies and counselling. Based in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, UK.

Reflexology involves a method of treatment using massage to reflex areas found in the feet and the hands. Most commonly, the feet are used as the areas to be treated.

The Alexander Technique is a method that works to change movement habits in our everyday activities. The technique teaches the use of the appropriate amount of effort for a particular activity, giving you more energy for all your activities. It can be applied to sitting, lying down, standing, walking, lifting, and other daily activities.

Feng Shui IS the practice of living harmoniously with the energy of the surrounding environment which naturally leads to the art of placement, not only of buildings, but of everything within them.

In a Reiki Healing session, the practitioner places his or her hands onto the patients body at a number of strategic points. The patient almost always feels the energy begin to flow into them, either as a heat, a coldness, or a strange "flow" through their body, often in places remote from the point at which the practitioner has their hands. Reiki is said to "know" where it is needed, and flows to the point where it can do most good.

Shiatsu is a Japanese massage therapy. Shiatsu literally means "finger pressure" , but in reality the shiatsu practitioner uses palms, fingers, thumbs, elbows and knees to apply pressure to "tsubos" (these are the same points along the body's meridians or energy channels as are used in acupuncture).

The fundamental philosophy of Ayurved says that suffering is disease and contentment is good health. No human being can be called healthy if he does not posses a sound sharira (body), a sound mana (mind) and a sound atma (soul).

The therapist works on the upper back, shoulders, upper arms, neck, scalp, face and ears, systematically working all these energy centres where tension is most likely to accumulate.

The Bowen Technique is a remedial and holistic form of gentle hands-on-body work.� The practitioner uses thumbs and fingers on precise points of the body.

The development of mental tranquillity with concentration.

Pupils learn through a carefully graded and systematic programme of asana (posture). Pranayama (breath control) is gradully introduced.

The British Register for Alternative Practice
National Directory for complementary health practitioners and therapists. General information - links to regulatory bodies, organisations etc. all forms of healing and health.