Therapies

Aromatherapy is based on the use of concentrated essential plant oils. This means they come from the essence.

It can be used to relieve stress and maintain health and wellbeing, as well as to complement conventional medical treatment. The oils are absorbed through your skin via gentle massage of parts of the body, back, hands, feet or just shoulders and neck.

Thai Foot Massage includes massage of the legs and feet. Originating in Thailand over 2000 years ago. The ultimate goal of traditional Thai massage is for both the giver and the receiver to reach a state of inner calm. Thai foot massage heals physically, emotionally and also spiritually. Like other styles of massage, traditional Thai massage increases vascular activity which breaks up and moves trapped toxins. Thai massage is unique because it releases all the toxins, both energetically and physiologically, leaving clients feeling centred, grounded and energised after the treatment.

Hopi Ear Candling, or Thermo Auricular Therapy as it is also known, can be used to treat many conditions of the ear, nose and throat area. The candles work by vapourising their ingredients once lit, causing convectional air flow towards the first chamber of the ear. The candle creates a mild suction which lets the vapours gently massage the eardrum and auditory canal. Once the candle is placed in the ear it forms a seal which enables wax and other impurities to be drawn out of the ear. This treatment is followed by an ear massage to complete the relaxation felt. (£15 per treatment as HOPI candles are £8 per pair to purchase).

Indian Head Massage therapy consists of massage to the back, shoulders, neck and scalp while the client remains sitting in a chair. Benefits include improvement in the general blood circulation, increase of oxygen to the brain and the release of toxins from tense knotted muscles. The treatment helps relieve mental tiredness, depression and anxiety. It also improves circulation and alertness.

Reflexology is the practice of massaging, squeezing, or pushing on parts of the feet, or sometimes the hands and ears, with the goal of encouraging a beneficial effect on other parts of the body, or to improve general health.

There is no consensus on how reflexology is supposed to work; a unifying theme is the idea that areas on the foot correspond to areas of the body, and that by manipulating these one can improve health.

Reiki treatment - the method of receiving a Reiki treatment from a practitioner is a very simple process. The recipient simply lies on a couch and relaxes. If they are unable to lie down the treatment can be given in a sitting position, the main thing is for the recipient to be as comfortable as possible. There is no need to remove any clothing as Reiki will pass through anything, even plaster casts. The practitioner gently places their hands non-intrusively in a sequence of positions which cover the whole body. The whole person is treated rather than specific symptoms.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a therapy which is designed to improve the functioning of the lymphatic system. This is achieved by gentle, rhythmical movements of the skin which stimulate the contraction of the lymphatic vessels. As a result of this more metabolic waste products and excess fluid are removed from the body's tissues and enter the lymphatic system. Once in the lymphatic system the fluid is known as lymph and while travelling through the system will pass through a series of lymph nodes where it will be cleansed of dead cells, bacteria and other waste products. The clean lymph is then returned to the blood stream.

Holistic/Swedish Massage During Swedish massage, massage therapists use blended or base massage oils to facilitate smooth, gliding strokes called effleurage. Other classic moves include kneading, friction, stretching and (sometimes) tapping. This kind of massage uses firm but gentle pressure to promote relaxation, ease muscle tension and create other health benefits.

Zen Shiatsu is ideally performed while the recipient lies on a futon on the floor, allowing the practitioner access from all sides and the ability to apply pressure using body weight (as opposed to pushing just with finger pressure, as may be done with other shiatsu techniques). The shiatsu recipient should be dressed comfortably with light clothing. No massage oils or lotions are used or needed because the practitioner does not slide along the body surface, but gives a series of presses along the pathways.