Integrative complementary healing is an inclusive holistic approach to modern health care and is now recognised for its valuable contribution in this field, by its inclusion in current medical training programmes around the world. A further recognition of this contribution is endorsed by health care insurance companies who value some therapies including Reflexology, Acupuncture& Chiropractic care. Contemporary conventional western medicine is viewed as a sophisticated collection of organs and systems with specialists in each ‘system’, e.g. endocrine, urinary, circulation etc, in addition it is well recognised that it has seen more advances in the past four decades than at any time in its history; however it has been less successful in combating ‘mind-body’ emotional illnesses, seeing them as being separate from the body (as per Professor David Peters, Chairperson of the British Holistic Health Association), such as anxiety, stress, anger, grief, and other powerful emotions which are part and parcel of life, leaving the client seeking out other methods of treatment.
Hippocrates (c.460 -377 BCE), celebrated as the father of Western medicine, emphasised the need to adopt a holistic approach. He said, ‘it is more important to know what sort of a person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has’. There are a large number of therapies that acknowledge this inclusive approach to holistic healing based on centuries of observation, illustrating Hippocrates’ dictum that ‘Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease’, these include; Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Sotaii, Indian Head Massage, Reiki, Herbal and Nutritional Therapies. Behind many of these therapies is a common perspective. The body has remarkable powers to heal itself. The holistic approach treats the whole person, body mind, emotions and spirit. The holistic practitioner aims to treat the body, considering the person as a whole, rather than the presenting condition itself, while emphasising prevention and the creation of wellbeing to enhance the overall quality of life. To quote Plato…”the part can never be well unless the whole is well”. A common principle of ‘health and wellbeing’ is shared between the conventional and holistic approach. Holistic practitioners do not consider their therapies to be in conflict with conventional medicine, but regard them as complementary to the clients’ health care system.At the same time they believe in encouraging individuals to tune into their own bodies and become aware of their own tensions and tendencies. Focusing on a particular area may help to unwind established patterns of tension and stress in the body.
It is said that there are about 7,000 nerve endings on each foot. Treatments usually include a variety of massage and relaxation techniques. The amount of pressure depends on individual preferences. Reflexology is never ticklish or painful. Fleeting moments of discomfort are interspersed throughout the treatment indicating congestion or imbalances in a corresponding part of the body. Each treatment is personalised to the individual to provide the correct balance of stimulation and relaxation required.
Types of Interactive therapy available at the MS North West Therapy Centre
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