1. We define and explain Complementary and Alternative therapy compared with orthodox(Western) medicine.
2. Complementary therapies: We explain and describe therapies- from acupuncture through kinesiology to shiatsu.

Complementary therapies

What are complementary therapy, alternative therapy / medicine and holistic treatment and what is the difference with the orthodox allopathic medicine available through the NHS?

Let's define Complementary therapy:
A treatment or therapy that is applied alongside and in support of conventional medical methods. That means, it complements the range of services provided by the NHS. In contrast, alternative medicine is treatment used in place of conventional (ie orthodox Western medicine). This web site covers only complementary therapies.

So what is the difference between complementary and orthodox medicine? Complementary therapists stress that their work is based on the interaction between the body, the mind and the energy system that combines them. This belief is known as holistic medicine, and contasts with conventional (allopathic) medical views which focus on trauma and illness and medical intervention using surgery and drugs. The truth is that they overlap a lot, with some complementary therapies like acupuncture now being available under NHS. Medical insurance policies currently cover some therapies but not others.
There is a thoughtful comparison of conventional and complementary therapy as well as a brief but very readable history of medicine through the ages, on the following web site: www.healthk.co.uk/holistic.htm

Complementary therapies explained:

Acupressure Massage Therapy
Acupressure massage is the ancient art of healing, which uses finger pressure on key points of the body, to stimulate the body's natural energy systems to promote health. Read more.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a system of healing practiced in China for thousands of years. It is used to treat a wide range of illnesses such as pain, tiredness, stress and mental disorders. It focuses on overall wellbeing rather than the isolated treatment of symptoms. Read more.

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the art of using essential oils to restore health and wellbeing in mind, body and spirit. Read more.

Angelic reiki
Angelic Reiki is a complete system of hands on energy healing which was channelled from the Archangel Metatron. Read more

Bach Flower Remedies
The 38 remedies formulated by Dr Edward Bach nearly seventy years ago-work on an emotional level to treat "every known state of mind". They are used to to successfully treat Adults, Children, and animals and can safely be used in conjunction with other therapies or medication. Read more.

Bowen Technique
Read full definition

Brain Gym
A series of simple exercises and corrective techniques that are able to enhance the brain’s co-ordination and functioning. Already used in many schools around the world, and useful for conditions such as dyslexia, learning difficulties and hyperactivity. Read more.

Chakras
Definition to follow .....................................................................................

Counselling therapy
Counselling therapy provides an opportunity to confide and seek help, support and understanding of difficulties within our personal and working lives with the security of confidentiality.Read more.

Crystal therapy
Crystals are composed of molecules arranged in a regular lattice. Similarly, the human body is composed of many different types of molecule, resonating with energy. A crystal therapist uses appropriate crystals for their interaction with the body, to help the healing and recovery process. Read more.

Emotional Freedom Technique
A simple yet powerful and very effective way of releasing the damaging effects of negative emotions. Use for fears, phobias, grief, anger, stress, aches and pains, and many other physical and emotional problems. Read more.

Feng Shui
Feng shui (pronounced "fung shway") is the ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment. The literal translation is "wind and water". The goal of feng shui guidelines is to locate and orient dwellings, possessions, land and landscaping, etc., so as to be attuned with the flow of qi. Read more

Geopathic Stress
If your home or office sometimes makes you feel sick or tired, GS may be the cause. Geopathic Stress refers to natural or man-made energy disturbances in the Earth. they can affect your health in many ways, but simple techniques can be used to deal with the problem. Read more.

Health Kinesiology(HK)
HK is an holistic system of natural health care which uses muscle testing to communicate directly with the body. By accessing the body’s inner wisdom directly, HK can identify the areas of stress in the body - and in the mind - and then find the best way to remove these stresses by using gentle yet powerful energy-correcting techniques. Read more.

Homeopathy
A holistic system of medicine which treats the root cause of your disease using powerful but gentle, specially prepared medicines, without side effects. The medicines rebalance and increase your energy and boost your immune system to leave you symptom –free and happy in yourself. Many conditions can be treated. Read more.

Hypnosis
Hypnosis is not a state of deep sleep, although it does involve the induction of a trance-like state, when the patient is actually in an enhanced state of awareness. It is an effective way of making contact with our inner (unconscious) self. Read more.

Hypnotherapy
Therapy suggested to the subconscious mind (where all emotions, memories and thoughts are stored) during a relaxing state of hypnosis in order to alter the destructive states of mind, habits, phobias, anxiety panic attacks, lack of confidence and much more. Read more.

Indian Head Massage
A holistic massage therapy which aims to balance the mind, body and spirit by relaxing the muscular system, relieving headaches and tension and improving the mobility of joints. Read more.

Iridology
The very close study of the iris of the eye enables the practitioner to identify genetic and acquired signs that indicate weaknesses and tendencies to disease in the body. This is a diagnostic technique and not a treatment. Read more.

Kinesiology
A therapy that uses ‘muscle testing’ to identify your body’s specific needs for health improvement. Muscle testing is a gentle way of accessing information from the body’s own inner wisdom, telling the therapist exactly what treatment the body requires, and in which order, to maximise healing. Read more

Life Coaching
Provides help, support and guidance while you recreate your life in a more fulfilling and enjoyable style having identified what is missing and what is blocking your path. It focuses on the present building bridges into the future. Read More

Light therapy
You can find information on another page

Magnet Therapy
Magnets improve blood circulation, so that blood vessels dilate and a greater volume of blood flow is brought to an injured area.  Tissue healing is stimulated, the body's natural healers are set in motion. Read more

Massage
The therapeutic benefits of massage have been known for thousands of years and today it is being recognised again as a truly holistic therapy having an influence on the mind, body and spirit. Traditional massage is also known as Swedish massage. Read more.

Natural Healing
Natural Healing channels universal energy in order to restore balance and good health, to remove chronic and acute pain, help cope with stress. Clients are helped to develop coping strategies to deal with life's crises and problems.

NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming)
Definition to follow Full definition here

Numerology
You can find information on another page

Quantum Touch
Quantum-Touch is a hands-on-healing therapy which combines meditation and controlled breathing techniques to activate and focus energy to activate the body's in- built healing process. Read more

Reflexology
The application of pressure to specific areas in the hands or feet to stimulate the nerve pathways to various areas of the body to encourage normalisation and balance. Tenderness often indictes congestion within a related part of the body. Read more.

Reiki
Reiki is the Japanese Universal Life Force energy channeled through the practitioner to the patient loosening blocked energies and stimulating the body's own natural ability to heal itself. Read more.

Sekhem or Siechem
A powerful Egyptian energy which can be directed by the healer to the areas of the body that are giving trouble. Read more.

Shamballa Healing
A highly refined and extremely transformational multi-dimensional frequency which travels where it needs to go in the body and the energy field and works not only on the mental, emotional, spiritual, physical and past life levels, but through the deepest levels of cellular memory, DNA and to the highest vibrations of the energy body. More

Shiatsu
A powerful Egyptian energy which can be directed by the healer to the areas of the body that are giving trouble. Read more.

Spiritual Healing
Spiritual Healing has been practiced for hundreds of years and is a natural holistic energy which complements conventional medicine by channeling life energy through the Healer to the patient in order to treat the mind, body and spirit. Read more.

Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the identification of patterns of energetic disharmony, which affect the normal functioning of the body’s key organs. Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and acupressure aims at rebalancing the body’s energy flow to invigorate health. Read more.

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