Floatation therapy to hypnotherapy: A-Z of complementary medicine

Discover the benefits of complementary medicine with our indispensable A-Z

 

Floatation therapy

Designed in the US in the 1970s as a way of inducing deep relaxation, treatment involves lying in an enclosed tank of warm, salted water, with the lights out, so removing all external stimuli. Floatation usually lasts one to two hours, during which time the brain releases its own ‘happy chemicals' - endorphins. Floatation therapy is used to combat stress, and is also recommended for the relief of arthritis, headaches and back pain. It is not suitable for people who suffer from claustrophobia. To find out more, call The Floatation Tank Association UK/Eire on 020 7627 4962 or visit www.floatationtankassociation.net.

 

Flower remedies

The English doctor and homeopath Edward Bach believed firmly that illness was caused by emotional imbalance and developed his flower remedies during the 1930s because of his conviction of a link between the energy in certain plants and specific emotional states. Flower remedies are dropped onto the tongue or rubbed onto the lips and are used for an array of problems, including grief, PMS, anxiety, fear and fatigue. Other flower remedies have also been developed since the 1930s, including desert remedies and Australian bush remedies. For more information on flower remedies and how they work, call the Dr Edward Bach Centre on 01491 834678 or visit www.bachcentre.com.

 

Herbal medicine

Herbal medicine is the most ancient medicine of all, and the most pervasive - all cultures have used herbs for healing, from the very earliest times. Roots, stems, leaves, fruits, flowers and seeds of plants are used to treat specific problems, promote general well-being and trigger the body's own self-healing mechanisms. Many studies have shown the efficacy of various plants. (Note: some herbs can have side-effects if taken with other medicines, and should only be taken with expert advice.) To find a herbalist, visit the website of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists at: www.nimh.org.uk or call 01392 426022.

 

Homeopathy

Based on the theory that ‘like cures like', homeopathy can be traced back to Hippocrates, but was rediscovered by a German doctor in the late 18th century. The aim is to fire up the body's own self-healing mechanism by administering miniscule doses of a substance that would cause the same symptoms in a healthy person to those already being suffered by the patient. For instance, minute doses of belladonna would be used to treat scarlet fever, because the symptoms caused by belladonna match those of scarlet fever. Homeopathy is thought to be helpful in the treatment of a wide range of problems, including hayfever, skin disease, high blood pressure, irritable bowel disease, insomnia and depression. To find a homeopath, visit the website of The Society of Homeopaths at www.homeopathy-soh.org or call 0845 450 6611.

 

Hydrotherapy

Spas have been popular since Roman times, and modern hydrotherapy uses water in varying temperatures to revitalise and restore health. Treatment may include whirlpool baths, to massage and stimulate circulation; steam rooms to eliminate toxins; and sea-water treatments to cleanse and relax. Hydrotherapy can be used for back pain, muscle strains, circulatory problems and stress-related conditions, and is often used as part of naturopathy. To find a naturopath, visit the website of the General Council & Register of Naturopaths at www.naturopathy.org.uk or call 0870 745 6984.

 

Hypnotherapy

Ancient Greeks and Egyptians often used healing trances, but modern hypnotherapy stems from the work of the 18th-century Austrian doctor Franz Anton Mesmer. Patients are sent into a dream-like state through hypnosis and, with access direct to the sub-conscious, practitioners are able to address pain, fears and phobias. Studies have shown hypnotherapy to be successful in treating irritable bowel syndrome and asthma and for giving up smoking, but it's also thought to be useful for weight problems, pain relief, insomnia and stress. To find a therapist, contact the National Register of Hypnotherapists and Psychotherapists on 01282 716839 or visit: www.nrhp.co.uk

 

 

A-Z of complementary medicine...

...acupuncture to Ayurveda

..Chinese herbalism to crystal healing

...iridology to nutritional therapy

...osteopathy to reflexology

...shiatsu to zero balancing

 

These natural remedies are intended to be complementary therapies only and should not be interpreted as substitutes for conventional medicines. For specific health problems, please see your GP. For more information on conventional medicines, visit www.netdoctor.co.uk

 

 

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