Osteopathy
- Joanna C Cheaney D.O. (Hons)
- Maureen Pickup D.O.
- Elizabeth Halsey BSc (Hons) Ost, M.Phil
- Fabio Castellini B.Sc Ost
Each has undergone a four-year full time training course at the British School of Osteopathy and between them now have many years of experience out in practice under their belts!
Osteopathy is a form of treatment which tends to focus on imbalances in the musculo-skeletal system, looking at each problem and how it affects the whole body, rather than just locally. For this reason, whatever problem a patient brings to the practice, the Osteopath will probably need to look at the whole spine and limbs and how the posture holds this structure together.
Osteopathy is appropriate for people of any age – from babies and children right through to adults and senior citizens. The type of problems that osteopaths can help with varies from sudden acute attacks of pain to long standing more complex problems. Typical examples are simple joint strains, tennis elbow, frozen shoulders, “lumbago”, sciatica, scoliosis, trapped nerves, through to problems which may have a link to the musculo-skeletal system such as headaches/migraine, asthma, irritable bowel and menstrual disorders.
In babies we treat a lot of problems which often stem back to difficult births such as Colic, poor sleeping and general irritability. Whilst in children, challenges of the body keeping up with growth spurts, commonly present as growing pains, joint irritability and even dyspraxia / dyslexia and hyperactivity.
Treatment varies from very gentle balancing techniques, known as cranial osteopathy, to soft tissue massage and stretching and sometimes manipulation of restricted joint areas. The number of treatments required differs depending on the severity of the problem and the time it has been in existence.
As with any of the treatments available at this practice, if you would like any further details, please ask the receptionist or one of the practitioners who would be only too pleased to discuss your problem with you.
Acupuncture
- Joshua Enkin B.A., S.T.A.T., Lic.Ac., M.B.Ac.C.
Joshua obtained his Licentiate of Acupuncture in 1996 from the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in Reading. He practices 5 element style and TCM. He is registered with the British Acupuncture Council (BAC). Joshua has done Zita West's post-graduate courses on 'Fertility and Pregnancy' and has considerable experience in this field of interest.
In Acupuncture all illness is considered the result of imbalance of energy. Treatment is aimed at restoring balance of the whole person. Acupuncturists, therefore, treat a range of conditions and specific symptoms that can be short term or long standing. The types of problems treated vary from hayfever to stress, insomnia and menstrual problems, chronic fatigue, asthma, intestinal disorders, migraine and arthritis.
Treatment involves the insertion of fine needles into points on the body surface, which are connected to pathways of energy. The needles may be removed immediately or left in for up to twenty minutes. Moxibustion, the warming up of acupuncture points through the application of herbs, is often used to supplement treatment.
The number of treatments needed varies depending upon the length of time the person has had the condition and the severity of the disorder. In general, acupuncture works best with several weekly treatments at the beginning. The first treatment usually lasts up to an hour. During this consultation the practitioner aims to determine the underlying disorder by careful questioning and observation. Subsequent treatments last for about an hour.
The Alexander Technique
- Joshua Enkin B.A. S.T.A.T., Lic.Ac., M.B.Ac.C.
Joshua completed his three year training to become an Alexander Technique teacher in Darlington, Devon. Since 1985, he has had a practice in Manchester and taught at various institutions – The Royal Northern College of Music, UMIST Theatre Department, Arden School of Acting, the BBC and on conferences near and far afield.
The Alexander Technique teaches us to use ourselves more effectively in daily life. In young children we frequently see an alertness and poise which allows them to sit, stand and move gracefully without strain. Yet rarely do we see that same poise continuing into adult life. Most of us have developed habits which interfere with our natural co-ordination and functioning in ways which are frequently harmful to our well-being and reduce our effectiveness in whatever we do.
The integration of our system as a whole is primarily affected by our head, neck and back co-ordination. When we interfere with it we create distortion and strain throughout the organism and we can be said to be misusing ourselves.
The results of this misuse may be experienced as specific symptoms, including headaches, backache, stiff neck and shoulders, or more generally as a lack of poise, lack of vitality and a sense of being “out of touch” with the body. Since the mind and the body are part of one system, lack of physical poise can affect our state of mind and our ability to cope with life.
People learning the technique come from all walks of life and may be motivated to take a series of lessons because of particular problems or simply a desire to improve awareness and co-ordination. The benefits can include relief from aches and pains associated with misuse, improved physical and mental health and enhanced performance and poise.
Homœopathy - 'Like cures like'
- Joshua Enkin B.A. S.T.A.T., Lic.Ac., M.B.Ac.C.
Joshua is a registered homeopath and has completed a four year training course at the North West College of Homeopathy in Manchester.
Homeopathy is based on the principle of ‘like cures like’. When a person has certain symptoms, a substance which is capable of producing similar symptoms will act to cure their illness. An example of this is the remedy Allium Cepa, made from onion. Allium is used to treat colds where the patient has watery eyes and a runny nose – similar symptoms are experienced when chopping onions!
Over 7000 natural substances have been made into homeopathic medicines, and these have been used to treat a variety of illnesses. The most common conditions treated include:
- Hormonal imbalances (associated with pregnancy or menopause)
- Allergic conditions
- Eczema
- Recovery from trauma
- Digestive problems
- Recurring viral problems and low immunity
- Depression and anxiety
Homeopathy is a safe and effective form of medicine that is complementary to, and can be used alongside, conventional medicine. Remedies are prepared in a special way so that they are extremely dilute but can stimulate your system to improve your health. There are no unpleasant tasting medicines to take; the remedies are administered as small sugar tablets which are popular with children of all ages! Homeopathy has been in use for more than 200 years and is used in several Homeopathic hospitals as well as by the Royal family.
A homeopathic consultation involves a discussion about your current health and any symptoms you are experiencing. By considering all your symptoms a homeopathic medicine is selected. The initial consultation takes approximately 90 minutes, subsequent appointments take 45 minutes.
Aromatherapy and Massage Therapy
- Justine King BA(HONS) IIHT MICHT MIFPA
Justine has studied several different forms of complementary therapy, as a fully qualified registered Aromatherapist and Massage Therapist she trained full time at North Area College in 2003/4.
In such a busy world we need to find ‘balance’, complementary therapies can help release tension and stress and enable you to boost your immune system whilst improving your energy levels and general well-being.
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils (highly concentrated plant extracts) in a carrier oil, specifically blended for an individual person’s needs. It is applied to the body through massage and works on both a physical and emotional level. Blends can also be tailor made in creams or for use in the bath, to help between treatments.
Massage Therapy helps to relieve muscle tension, ease aches and pains and reduce stress. By boosting the circulation system, helping eliminate toxins and thereby nourishing all the body’s cells and boosting the immune system we can feel revived, relaxed and refreshed.
Reflexology and Indian Head Massage
- Justine King BA(HONS) IIHT MICHT MIFPA
Justine has studied several different forms of complementary therapy, as a fully qualified registered Reflexologist she trained full time at North Area College in 2003/4.
Reflexology is a massage and pressure therapy applied to the feet or hands, it treats the whole person and not just the symptoms helping the body return to its natural state of ‘homeostasis’. Reflexology can improve energy levels and promote a feeling of well-being. It also helps stress related disorders such as tension headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia and feelings of anxiety/depression.
Indian Head Massage originates from the ancient healing practice of Ayurveda. It helps relieve upper body muscle tension, disperse toxins from the body; it stimulates circulation and relaxes the neck and scalp muscles where lots of people hold tension. IHM can help relieve chronic upper body tension, headaches, migraine, sinusitis, eye strain and improve hair condition and aid deep sleep.
Counselling
- Sara Pearson (Dip Couns) MBACP
Sara qualified in 2006 and as well as working for this practice she works at St. Anne's Hospice as a bereavement counsellor.
Counselling enables you to explore areas of your life which may be causing distress and preventing you from seeing a way forward. Counselling can help explore these thoughts and feelings which perhaps have been pushed to one side.
It offers the opportunity to talk to someone outside your family, not be judged in any way and where confidentiality is assured. It does not involve giving advice or direction but by the very nature of counselling it helps you to find your own inner strengths to make your own decisions.
Counselling provides the opportunity to make changes, understand ourselves better or perhaps just sharing it with someone makes it easier to bear.
Six weekly sessions are agreed initially with a review on the fifth week to look at progress and decide if further counselling is required. Each session is for approximately 50 minutes to an hour.
