THE CLINIC OF NATURAL THERAPY

This unique treatment uses a combination of the best eastern and western techniques to diagnose and treat muscular, skeletal and internal imbalances within the body, facilitating the body's own healing mechanism to restore balance and good health.

Incorporating TCM tongue and pulse diagnostic methods, muscle testing; acupunture and accupressure; anmo fu; qi gung; cranial-sacral balancing; tuina massage, cupping etc many conditions may be helped.

These include hormonal imbalances (eg menstrual problems), digestive disorders, sleep disturbances, stress, back pain, sciatica, headaches and migraines, lack of energy, general musculo-skeletal problems, sports injuries, skin complaints and many more...

Traditional Chinese Acuptunture and Patent Herbs

ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is a treatment using very fine surgical steel needles which are inserted into points on meridians. The meridians are invisible lines of energy circulating the body through which the qi (vital energy) flows. This energy also influences the flow of blood and both are dependent on each other.
When we suffer dis-ease there is an imbalance in the flow of energy and or blood. This can be either an excess (a blockage) or a deficiency (empty) which will appear somewhere along the meridian of the affected organ.
By inserting the needles in appropriate points the balance is restored through moving the energy or blood to either clear the excess (blockage) or improve flow or to fill the deficiency.
Acupuncture is considered a Yang treatment, as it works from the outside in, and is often used in conjunction with herbal remedies which are yin treatment, working from the inside out.
Acupuncture can be used effectively to help many conditions or even just for health maintenance.

Pregnancy and Childbirth
Fertility issues and other gynaecology disorders
Back pain and other musculo-skeletal problems
Stress and anxiety
Headaches/Migraines
........... and more

The needles used in clinic are single use needles. Each needle is supplied in a single blister pack which is only opened at the time of use. Following use it is disposed of.
Acupuncture is not painful; in fact it can be very relaxing. At worst there may be a very slight pin prick which lasts for no more than a second. Occasionally there may be a slight throbbing – this is a good sign as it indicates a state of de qi has been achieved. This is when the needle has acquired the qi. Again, this lasts for no more than a few seconds.
Following withdrawal of the needle there may be a little bleeding and occasionally a small bruise may appear.

CUPPING THERAPY
Cupping is the art of placing suction cups on points all over the body. The cups can be made from bamboo, glass, rubber or plastic - I use glass, plastic and rubber cups. It can be used as a single treatment or in conjunction with acupuncture or massage and is very effective in the treatment of many conditions including back pain, joint pain, cold and damp conditions. I have found it to be particularly good for helping to resolve the common cold, chesty coughs and even cellulite!!!
To create the suction a small swab of cotton wool which is soaked in surgical spirit is clamped in pair of forceps. This is then lit to create a flame which is placed inside the glass cup for a few moments. The swab is then withdrawn and the cup very quickly placed on the selected area. The air in the cup is initially warm but, as is cools it contracts, this causes the cup to 'suck' against the skin.
In the hands of a skilled Practitioner the amount of suction produced by the cups can be varied to suit the patient and it can be used on young and old alike – in fact children love it.
The cups can be left on for about 10-15 minutes or can sometimes be drawn along the skin or applied and removed in quick succession. I always oil the skin first for more comfort.
Cupping can produce bruise like marks that make it look as if you have been attacked by a giant Octopus! This is normal with heavy cupping and some conditions but they do fade. Do you recall Gwyneth Paltrow’s famous “cupping bruise”??

TCM EXAMINATION and DIAGNOSIS
Examination is carried out by palpation, observation, listening and smell. A consultation will be conducted, as in western medicine, and questions will be asked regarding the condition, its onset, whether you are hot or cold, if pain is present, how is manifests, bowel functions, bladder functions, appetite, emotions, sleep pattern and women will be asked about menses and obstetric history.
The first consultation may be lengthy and you may even be asked seemingly irrelevant questions! Each type of problem gives clues to the practitioner about the possible causes for your complaint and how best to treat it. One characteristic about TCM inquiries are the detailed questions concerning present symptoms; a simple seemingly harmless symptom may be significant clinical clue to discerning what the problem is.
A weak voice will indicate a deficiency syndrome, a chesty cough an excess syndrome. A pungent smell will indicate damp heat.

Palpation: Feeling the pulse
According to TCM, the pulse is the palace of blood; it is governed by the heart and commanded by qi (vital energy). Whatever the causes of the disease, abnormalities or pathological changes can be reflected by the pulse, and from this arise changes in the pulse image. Pulse-taking helps in judging the location and nature of a disease and the prosperity and decline of qi (vital energy) and pathogens to infer prognosis of the disease and form the basis for treatment.
The common location for pulse taking is above the wrist where the radial artery throbs; the first three fingers are pressed on it, which are named: the cun, guan and chi regions. (Please see picture for reference). There are various descriptions concerning the relationship between these three regions and their corresponding organs. It is generally acknowledged that the three regions of the left hand reflect respectively the conditions of the heart, liver and kidney; and those of the right hand reflect the conditions of the lung, spleen and kidney.
When feeling the pulse, the patient places the arm at the same level with the heart. The wrist is extended and the palm faces upward. This position facilitates smooth circulation of qi (vital energy) and blood. The practitioner usually uses his left hand to check the right side's pulse, and the right hand to check the left side's pulse. Generally, fingers are pressed on the three regions with the same strength, and then each region is felt separately according to the actual pathological conditions. Each pulse reading should be at least 50 pulse counts.
The pulse is differentiated in terms of depth, speed, strength, shape and rhythm. Different conditions of the pulse indicate different syndromes. A normal pulse is smooth, even and forceful with the frequency of four beats per breath (approximate 60/min). However, the pulse may vary due to age, sex, and body constitution, emotional state and climatic changes. Due attention should be paid to distinguishing it from an abnormal pulse.

DIAGNOSIS by TONGUE OBSERVATION
Observation of the tongue, also known as tongue diagnosis, is an important procedure in TCM examination. It includes observing the tongue and any coating it may have. The tongue body refers to the muscular tissue of the tongue. The tongue coating (fur) refers to a layer of "moss" over the tongue surface, which is produced by the stomach qi. In ancient times, it was established that different parts of the tongue correspond to different internal organs. The tip of the tongue reflects the heart and lungs; the middle part, the spleen and stomach; its root, the kidneys; and both sides of the tongue, liver and gall-bladder.
The tongue body and fur together create the tongue sign. Tongue signs are an important factor in diagnosis as changes in the signs reflect changes in the condition of the disease. A normal tongue sign is proper size, soft in quality, free in motion, pale red in colour and with a thin layer of white coating which is neither dry nor overly moist.

Ref: http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/principles/index.html (accessed 13/3/08)
Patent Herbs are herbs that have been ground down and formed into either capsule, tablet or tiny little black pills that resemble ball bearings. They are formulated from Chinese medicine classic and modern herbal remedies to combat the 'syndromes' recognised in Traditional Chinese Medicine. A typical example is Xiao Yao Wan which clears liver qi stagnation and harmonises the liver and spleen energies. I particularly prescribe this for such problems as pre-menstrual tension.

Patent Herbs are not like 'western' medicines, you often take 8 three times a day of the standard little black pills and they can take over a month to start working. They work at a deep level in our bodies and are prescribed to treat the underlying imbalance and occasionally the symptom. It may be that the herbal formula will be changed from time to time. This is not because the wrong one has been prescribed; rather it is to take account of the changes in the signs and symptoms.

Herbs are often prescribed alongside other treatments to enhance the healing process from the inside.

REFLEXOLOGY
Reflexology is a complementary therapy that works on the feet or hands using pressure and massage techniques. Following illness, stress, injury or disease, it is in a state of "imbalance", and vital energy pathways are blocked, preventing the body from functioning effectively. Reflexology can be used to restore and maintain the body's natural equilibrium and encourage healing.

A Reflexologist uses hands only to apply pressure to the feet. For each person the application and the effect of the therapy is unique. Sensitive, trained hands can detect tiny deposits and imbalances in the feet, and by working on these points the Reflexologist can release blockages and restore the free flow of energy to the whole body. Tensions are eased, and circulation and elimination can be improved. This gentle therapy encourages the body to heal itself and aids relaxation.

EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique
EFT is a simple and effective method of dealing with all the fears, phobias, anxieties, anger, grief and guilt and any other emotion which creates the imbalances in the energy of body and ultimately results in the pain, illness and disease we all suffer at some point in our lives. For more information and visual/verbal testimonials click on: EFT Video