Complementary Therapies

Complementary Therapies are gentle and pampering. They ease tension and help you feel more at peace with your body. They can help you tap into your own inner strength and energy.

Our complementary therapists are highly skilled professionals who hold recognised qualifications.

If you have an eating disorder, a touch-based therapy like aromatherapy massage or Indian Head Massage, can help put you in touch with your body again and with the feeling that your body is a safe, nice place to be when it’s felt like a battle zone for a while.

Carers need care too, why not book yourself a course of therapies.

TYPES OF THERAPIES

Aromatherapy Massage

Aromatherapy uses essential oils from plants to promote relaxation in the body, mind and emotions. The massage can help relieve feelings of stress, lack of energy or self esteem and can help you feel relaxed and uplifted. It can also help skin conditions, pains, tension and cramps, as well as sleep and digestive problems.

Before the session, the therapist will ask you some questions about your general health. This allows the therapist to choose the oils and massage treatment that will be most appropriate for you. The oils are mixed with vegetable carrier oil before being massaged into your skin.

The therapist will discuss what clothing you feel comfortable with removing for the treatment. When you remove your clothes, you will be covered with towels throughout.

Afterwards you may feel relaxed and sleepy, or you might feel full of energy. It’s advisable to drink plenty of water for at least 24 hours after treatment and to avoid any alcohol.

Your therapist may recommend oils to use at home in the bath or in a vaporizer.

Indian Head Massage

You are seated for this massage, which is given to the scalp, face, neck, shoulders, upper back and arms. It can help relieve anxiety and insomnia and other symptoms of stress, such as tight shoulder and neck muscles.

It induces a feeling of calm and wellbeing. It can be particularly helpful if you are suffering from tension and pain in the neck and head, from sinus congestion, eye strain, insomnia and respiratory problems.

Reiki

Everyone experiences Reiki differently. Some feel a slight tingling or sensations of warmth, others just a deep relaxation. Others feel rejuvenated and energized. Some even fall asleep.

Reiki brings deep relaxation, which reduces stress, anxiety and depression. It can unlock your natural creativity and bring clarity and a sense of purpose.

The practitioner places her hands very lightly on your body (or just above your body) in a variety of positions. The patient is normally lying down and remains fully clothed throughout.

Acupressure

Acupressure balances the body’s energy by applying pressure to specific points on the body. The term “pressure” is misleading, since acupressure actually uses a very light touch. The practitioner uses her fingertips to make contact with the body. It’s the location of the contact that’s important, not the amount of pressure.

The practitioner touches a point until she feels a pulsation under her finger. When energy is attracted to the surface, the flow of blood increases at that location and the pulse is felt. The pulse is a confirmation that the energy is flowing.

Acupressure produces a deep level of relaxation that allows us to reduce stress and strengthen the body’s natural healing ability.