Acupressure Massage

Acupressure aims to treat the person as a whole.

It addresses the causes of ill health as well as specific symptoms. The form of acupressure that I practice involves diagnosis and treatment using the concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

According to TCM, both physical and emotional ill health are caused by an imbalance in the body's vital energy or"Qi" (pronounced "chee").

Qi flows in channels that pass throughout your body's internal organs, within your muscles and under your skin. Symptoms of ill health may appear if the balance of Qi is upset.

Stimulating various points on the body can encourage Qi to rebalance and restore health.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture is an ancient, comprehensive system of medicine which originated in China over two thousand years ago. It has been developed over the centuries as a method of healing which can bring about profound changes in well-being on mental, physical and emotional levels.

Acupuncture has been proven to be effective for a very wide range of health problems, as well as improving quality of life and well-being.

The theory of acupuncture rests on the idea that Qi flows through the 14 channels or meridians of the body. These meridians are anatomically located and the acupuncture points are to be found in specific locations along these lines. Various factors such as stress, illness and trauma can upset the flow of Qi and consequently illness results.

What Can It Help?
Acupuncture has been proven to help a wide range of disorders including the following:

• Painful and musculo-skeletal disorders including back pain, sciatica, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, osteo-arthritis, sprains and injuries to soft tissue and their after effects etc.
• Neurological disorders including headache & migraine, after effects of stroke, facial paralysis (bells palsy)
• Menstrual, gynaecological and obstetric disorders including premenstrual syndrome (PMT), painful periods, morning sickness, malposition of the foetus, delayed labour, insufficiency of breast milk
• Male and female infertility
• Anxiety states, panic, depression and insomnia
• Digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, haemorrhoids, and obesity
• Urinary tract diseases such as recurrent cystitis and urethritis
• Circulatory diseases such as Raynauds disease, intermittent claudication, and recurrent cramping
• Addiction disorders including tobacco, drug and alcohol addiction

Diagnosis
Your diagnosis is made by not only looking at the symptoms themselves, but what may be their underlying cause. This includes questions about medical history, lifestyle, diet, digestion and sleep etc. It also involves looking at your tongue and feeling your pulse on your wrist to determine the balance of Qi in your body.

Treatment
Acupuncture needles are very fine and are barely felt when they penetrate the skin. When the needles are at the correct point and depth you may experience a tingling or tugging sensation or a dull ache which lasts a short while. Needles may be removed immediately or left in place for about 20 minutes. You may be treated with moxibustion to warm your energy. Moxibustion involves the application of a dried herbal preparation close to the skin and does not hurt.

Acupuncture is holistic in approach and works by treating you as a whole person rather than simply treating your symptoms. Acupuncture has an excellent safety record.

Frequency and Duration of Treatment
The frequency and duration of your treatment varies from person to person. It usually takes more than one treatment to deal with any particular problem. We will discuss the course of treatments in the first session. Depending on your problem you may need to come for a few weekly sessions first then gradually spread out the intervals between treatments.

Needles
Only sterilized disposable "one use only" needles are used.

British Acupuncture Council
Members of the British Acupuncture Council have completed a thorough training in traditional acupuncture and are entitled to use the letters MBAcC after their name. UK members are covered by a professional indemnity and public liability insurance scheme and are bound by the Council's Codes of Ethics and Practice. Please visit the British Acupuncture Council website for further information: www.acupuncture.org.uk.

Aromatherapy Massage

Professionally applied Aromatherapy combined with the careful use of essential oils and massage can help bring about healing of mind, body and emotions.

Each essential oil has its own therapeutic benefits, vvith its own special potential for helping the body heal itself.

After consultation an individual blend of oils is created and gently massaged into the body.

Aromatherapy is beneficial for stress related conditions, menstrual cycle problems, anxiety, depression and other diverse conditions thus helping to promote well-being.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine has always been considered pre-eminent amongst the various methods of healing within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is practised extensively throughout clinics and hospitals in China alongside Western medicine. Its systematic approach and clinical effectiveness has had the most profound influence on the practice of medicine all over the Far East. Countless generations of doctors over thousands of years have carefully observed patterns of illness and have used powerful natural remedies to alleviate these conditions and restore good health.

TCM combines a detailed analysis of signs and symptoms with a unique system of pulse and tongue diagnosis to develop a detailed picture of the course and process of disease. After diagnosis each person will be prescribed an individual formula, tailor made to their specific requirements. This allows for a subtle but powerfully effective form of treatment with minimal side-effects. Considerable research into many aspects of TCM has been conducted in China and the West, proving beyond doubt its efficacy and merit. People of any age and constitution can benefit from Chinese medicine.

Chinese Herbal Medicine is able to treat a wide range of acute and chronic disease, including:

• Skin disease: Eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, urticaria, lichen simplex, lupus erythematosus, fungal & yeast infections, bacterial & viral disease such as herpes simplex, impetigo etc.
• Allergic and Auto-immune disease: Hay fever, asthma, thyroid disease such as Grave's & Hashimoto's disease, myasthenia gravis, Sjogren's syndrome, multiple sclerosis MS
• Gastro-intestinal disorders: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic constipation, diarrhoea, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease
• Gynaecological conditions: Pre-menstrual syndrome, painful periods, endometriosis, infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome
• Male disorders: Infertility, low sperm count & motility, impotence, chronic prostate problems
• Respiratory conditions: Asthma, bronchitis, chronic coughs, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis Urinary conditions: Chronic cystitis, interstitial cystitis, painful bladder syndrome
• Psychological disorders: Insomnia, depression, anxiety
• Supportive therapy in the treatment of cancer: Side effect of chemo and radiotherapy, fatigue, nausea, low blood count etc.
• Neurological conditions: Headache, migraine, dizziness, peripheral neuropathy
• Cardio-vascular disease: Angina, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
• Other: Hepatitis A, B, C, chronic fatigue syndrome ME, symptoms associated with HIV infection

Chinese Herbal Medicine is undergoing a process of statutory regulation to ensure safe practice. Members of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (www.RCHM.co.uk) and suppliers of herbs are already conforming to all the requirements set by the government.

Chiropractic (McTimony-Corley)

What is McTimoney-Corley Chiropractic?

The Oxford College of Chiropractic (formerly the Witney School of Chiropractic) was founded by Hugh Corley BA DC FBAAC, in order to pass on his great knowledge to future generations of Chiropractors and patients.

He himself qualified under the late John McTimoney DC, from whose teaching he has developed the techniques known as the McTimoney-Corley method.

The basic principle of Chiropractic is to promote health by relieving pressure on the nerves and blood vessels which supply the areas of the body affected by pain or illness.

McTimoney-Corley Chiropractors achieve this by gently and individually realigning the bones which are interfering with the proper functioning of their neighbouring soft tissues.

Although Chiropractic does involve manipulation of the bones, there is a minimum of intervention with this treatment. The Chiropractor will work methodically to realign each bone facilitating the patient's own healing capacities.

She will focus her work primarily on the spine and the pelvis, softly articulating the joints using small, quick movements of her hands and fingers.

Following the examination and treatment, careful consideration is then given to the ways in which the trouble may have originated. It may then be possible to offer the patient practical advice on how to avoid a recurrence of the problem, or to suggest exercises to prolong the effect of the treatment.

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy is a very gentle manual therapy which was developed by the Osteopath Dr. William Garner Sutherland at the beginning of the twentieth century.

He discovered a slow rhythmic movement at the core of the human body. This rhythmic movement occurs as a pulsation or tide in the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

This in turn causes a rhythmic movement in the connective tissues and bones of the head and spinal column. Because of the inherent interconnectedness of our bones, fluids and connective tissue, this movement is transmitted throughout the whole of the body like a gentle whole-body breath.

This is called the Primary Respiratory Impulse.

The Primary Respiratory Impulse appears to be vital to the integrated functioning of the body and has a key role in the self-healing processes of the body.

The Craniosacral Therapist uses a very gentle touch to discover any imbalances and disturbances to the free expression of this Primary Respiratory Impulse throughout the body.

The therapist's skill lies in helping to facilitate the resolution of these underlying imbalances and enabling the self-healing powers in the body to come into play.

Deep Tissue Massage

Once any injuries are taken care of it is highly advisable to continue treatment, even if it is only 1 treatment every 6-8 weeks.

A deep tissue massage is, as the name suggests, a massage where the emphasis is on working the muscles as well as relaxation.

Many patients request a Deep Tissue Massage even if there are not/have not been any specific injuries in the past. This treatment works the muscles well, you will know that you have had a massage, whilst aslo inducing a deep feeling of calm and relaxation.

Within the session time of an hour we can work solely on the back, neck and shoulders, or maybe you would prefer the backs of the legs and a full back? The more areas of the body that the patient requests to be worked on the less time will be spent working deeply.

For examle, a full body massage within the hour, will be more of a Therapeutic Massage rather than a Deep Tissue Massage.

During the intial consultation the type of treatment required will be fully discussed. 'The patient does not need to choose the specific therapy when they book - this can be discussed during your consultation; a combination of treatments is a poular choice for patients.'

Holistic Massage

Holistic Massage Therapy effectively addresses emotional and physical stress related problems such as IBS, anxiety, insomnia, muscular tension and headaches.

This work can also assist in the release of emotions, encouraging positive self-image and a sense of safety with regard to touch.

Homeopathy

What is Homoeopathy?
Homoeopathy is a safe and effective system of healing that takes a very different approach to disease to that of conventional medicine.

Homoeopaths have always recognized that mind and body are intimately inter-related and a complaint of one part is an expression of dis-ease in the whole being.

Homoeopathy seeks to understand the circumstances that have led to the disharmony and treat the person suffering from the disease and not just the disease alone. Different people suffering from the same diagnosed condition will inevitably receive different remedies.

Homoeopathic remedies are sourced from all the kingdoms of nature. They are prepared in a unique way by serial dilution that allows the innate healing power of the substance to be fully revealed. This method ensures the remedies, when correctly prescribed by a professional, are completely safe, non-addictive, and have no side effects.

Remedies can be taken in liquid, powder or tablet form and are pleasant tasting and easy to use. People who are allergic to orthodox medication and pregnant women who wish to avoid taking conventional drugs will find homoeopathy particularly useful.

What is Classical Homoeopathy?
Kathy practices homoeopathy according to ‘Classical’ principles. This means that her aim is to select one single remedy to match the totality of the person’s complaints and prescribe as little of the substance as possible (the minimum dose) to bring about beneficial change.

What Happens at a Homoeopathic Consultation?
The first consultation is an opportunity for the person to describe, in detail, their life and health issues.

For the homeopath it is a time of empathetic listening, saying very little and paying great attention to the life story and entire pattern of mental, emotional and physical characteristics. Even very young children are encouraged to tell as much as they can about their condition (with the addition of help from parents!).

All information is strictly confidential.

What can Homoeopathy treat?
Homoeopathy is capable of treating people with a wide variety of simple everyday problems such as coughs, colds, injuries, recurring infections, etc.

Also people suffering from a vast range of more chronic and complex conditions (too numerous to mention here) can be successfully restored to health.

Emotional problems such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, violent tendencies, anger, exam nerves, fears and phobias, or just feeling ‘stuck’ after an upsetting incident or trauma such as a bereavement, can all be helped with homoeopathy.

It is also successful when a person feels unwell but no diagnosis is available, or, when all other forms of treatment have failed.

Hotstone Therapy

Hotstone Therapy combines Massage with the use of smooth, Heated Basalt or Volcanic Stones which are applied to the body as an extension of the therapist hands.

The warmth of these heated stones penetrates the muscles and balances the nervous system.

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Hypnotherapy

Have you ever been so involved with a task that you have lost track of time? Have you ever driven from one place to another and arrived there safely, but not remembered the journey? Have you ever read a book and became so involved with the plot that you can see the scenery and hear characters speak? Have you ever day-dreamed? These are every day examples of an altered state of awareness.

Hypnosis is another example of an altered state of awareness - one which can be used for self help. It is a perfectly natural state which occurs between being fully awake and fully asleep. In the clinical setting hypnosis is usually accompanied by a pleasant state of physical relaxation which in itself is beneficial, especially if the symptoms are induced or aggravated by stress.

Hypnosis is a two-way activity. It requires the full co-operation of the client for it to be successful. The client must:

a) want it to happen
b) expect it to happen
c) allow it to happen

Hypnosis is often extremely beneficial in the relief of pain and also for helping you to relax or in enabling you, should you wish, to talk freely about inner conflicts which you might find too embarrassing or difficult to speak of in a normal state of consciousness.

There are no tricks in hypnosis and there is no magic wand that will make you stop smoking, or stop you feeling panic attacks, or cure your headaches but the relaxation which it gives you will help you to achieve all or any of those ends, if you wish to do so.

It is important to note that no one can be hypnotised against their will and no one can be forced to do things while hypnotised that they do not want to do.

Indian Head Massage

This is an excellent treatment to alleviate stress and induce an overall sense of peace and relaxation.

Both physical and emotional stress can lead to a tightening of the muscles in the upper body, in particular, the head, neck, shoulders and back. These are the areas that are focused on during an Indian head Masage.

It is based on the ancient Ayurvedic healing system and has been practised in India for over 1000 years, originally for the women to keep their hair in beautiful condition.
If someone is feeling stress, tension will accululate in the muscles around the head and neck. This leads to poor blood flow, possibly resulting in headaches and a feeling of "not being able to think straight", as if you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.

At the beginning of the treatment, the patient's mind is usually very active - many thoughts cluttering their mind. As the treatment progresses their breathing slows, the mind quietens and, by the end of the session, they are filled with an overall sense of peace. For such a gentle treatment the results can be quite astonishing.
For this form of IHM no oil is used on the head and hair itself, although your hairstyle may not completely survive!

There are 2 options available for this treatment:
Option 1
The patient remains clothed and seated throughout the session. the head, neck, shoulders and arms are treated. The patient then leans forwards onto the couch where the back is treated. To finish, the patient sits up and the head is massaged again followed by a facial massage using oil. (Pateints are welcome to bring their own face cream for use during the facial)

Option 2
The patient is asked to remove their upper body clothing, when they will then be wrapped in a towel.
Initially, they will be seated whilst the therapist works on their head and neck. then the patient is asked to lie face down on the couch, whilst the therapist masages the upper back and neck using oils. Finally, the patient lies on their back where we finish with the facial massage. The facial masage is optional - some patients prefer to have the time spent on their back and neck.

Whichever option you choose, the end result will be toal relaxation.

Lifeskills Coaching

Lifeskills Coaching integrates Life Coaching, Counselling, Personal Development Training, Positive Thinking, Hypnotherapy and NLP.

Starting from where you are right now and tailored to your individual needs, Gabriella combines elements from the above therapies and guides you towards the fulfilment of your dreams and towards living the highest vision of who you are.

For more detailed information, feel free to phone Gabriella on 0131 315 3532.

See also:
Integrative Louise Hay Counselling,
Hypnotherapy.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Advanced massage technique using butterfly-light touch and gentle pumping movements to stimulate normal functioning of the lymphatic system.

Helps with stress, cellulite, PMT, fluid retention, sinus infections and detoxing.

Polarity Therapy

Developed by the Osteopath and Chiropractor Dr. Randolph Stone, Polarity Therapy works primarily with the energy fields that underlie the human body.

It is based on the energy model that was developed in India three thousand years ago and is combined with the Western understanding of the structure and function of the body.

The resulting combination becomes a very potent therapy which has a wide application to health at the mental, emotional and physical levels.

The energy fields derive from a number of energy centres in the body. The free flow of energy from these centres is necessary for good health.

The therapist assesses the quality of these energy fields and the treatment is aimed at encouraging the open and free flow of this energy throughout the body.

The gentle "hands-on" treatments are supported by the use of exercises between sessions which have been developed to stimulate and balance the energy in our bodies.

Attention may also be directed to the food we eat and to our attitudes and lifestyle.

Reflexology

Reflexology is an ancient form of healing through pressure points in the feet. All ailments in the physical body can be detected through our feet and hands. The reflex areas in the feet correspond to all the organs, glands, muscles and nerves in the body. Applying pressure to the big toe, for example, has a related effect in the head.

The aim of the treatment is to release blockages, congestion or imbalances in the corresponding part of the body. Blood and lymph circulation improves, enabling the body to break down and eliminate toxins. The entire body is thereby encouraged to work more effectively as a whole.

At the end of a session, the body will feel notably more relaxed and balanced; as a consequence natural resistance to illness is increased. Treatment helps the body's power to heal itself.

Sport and Remedial Massage

Sport and Remdial Massage is normally carried out by a therapist who has completed further education in anatomy and physiology.

This greater knowledge allows the therapist to work on more specific muscles and muscle groups, in such a way as to improve the normal function of the muscle, reduce pain and speed up the healing process.

The term "sport" refers more to the type of treatment rather than the type of person coming in for the treatment! A good majority of sports massage patients have presenting complaints resulting from desk based work and repetitive injury strains from driving or sleeping positions.

More often than not, by the time a patient seeks treatment, the injury has been there for more than few months. As the body is so adaptable, the muscles will shorten and knit together any which way that they can to prevent the injury from happening again. This resulting criss-crossing of muscle fibres can result in the patient suffering pain.

The aim of the treatment is to break down these incorrectly aligned muscles fibres and "persuade" them to a) run the correct way and b) heal.

Depending on the severity and length of time of having had the injury, this treatment may not be the most relaxing of treatments as breaking down the misaligned muscles fibres can be uncomfortable. However, we want the patient to describe this process as a "good" kind of pain, not sore.

Everyone is different and the patient is encouraged to communicate with the therapist as to how comfortable they feel.

Initially, the specific area of discomfort will be treated. As the symptoms improve, a larger area will be worked on. Usually, it is recommended that 2-3 sesions are booked, one week apart, then, the sessions are scheduled with larger gaps in between treatments.

Rosen Method BodyWork

Rosen Method is distinguished by its gentle, direct touch.

Using hands that listen rather than manipulate, the practitioner focuses on chronic muscle tension. As relaxation occurs and the breath deepens, unconscious feeling, attitudes and memories may emerge.

Rubenfeld Synergy Method

Rubenfeld Synergy® is a method of body oriented phychotherapy that combines verbal therapy with a range of other techniques including gentle touch, body awareness, movement, breathwork, imagery and humour.

These techniques enable you to resolve personal, physical and emotional issues and begin to self heal.

This method opens the gateway to positive conscious choices about how you live - with yourself, your family, and in the world.

Rubenfeld Synergy is a therapeutic approach based on the philosophy that body, mind, emotions and spirit are all part of a dynamic integrated whole.

When one of these systems is affected, the others are too. It embraces the idea that we all have innate wisdom and we know what is right for ourselves, and have a capacity for self healing.

Through your body you can contact old feelings and beliefs that exert strong, but unconscious influence over you in the present.

In the safety of the Rubenfeld Synergy session you can bring these feelings and beliefs into a conscious awareness, discover their origins, experience them from a new perspective, and choose to alter them

Shiatsu

(Japanese Acupressure Massage)

Shiatsu encourages a rebalancing of the body's Ki energy and through relaxing, toning and rejuvinating the body brings about a feeling of positivity, contentment and well being.

Shiatsu, translated as 'finger pressure', is a form of massage which when applied through the clothes stimulates, tonifies and balances the body's natural energy.

Rooted in the theory of Chinese Medicine, the practice of Shiatsu is continually developed by both Japanese and Western practitioners through their approaches to the body, energy, and holistic health care.

Treatment can involve a variety of techniques, the most specific being the application of various qualities of touch or pressure at specific points or areas of the body in order to release, tonify or support energy. It may involve the subtle manipulation of joints, the stimulation of various tissue structures, breathing techniques, stretching, visualization and movement.

Chinese Medicine and philosophy are based on the understanding of how energy (Ki) is the fundamental principle of our universe. When Ki is flowing well in our body we experience good health. When Ki becomes blocked or unbalanced we can experience dis-ease in the body on an emotional, physical or mental level which can manifest in symptoms such as headaches, stress and tension.

Tara Rokpa Therapy

Tara Rokpa therapy brings together Eastern and Western understandings of the mind and how we can work with our lives in the 21st Century.

Tara Rokpa therapy is the work of Dr. Akong Rinpoche and a group of western trained therapists. Akong Rinpoche is Tibetan and he is highly trained and accomplished in medicine, meditation and in working therapeutically with those who seek his help.

"Tara" in Tibetan is the very essence of compassionate activity and "Rokpa" means "help where help is needed".
Individual sessions are based on the components of relaxation, visualisation, using art and writing materials, as well as talking and listening. At heart is the basic certainty that everyone has a central, unchanging core of wellness and a potential that is also our capacity for growth, creativity and transformation.

This more spacious view of ourselves and our constructed realities allows for a less solid idea of who we are and thus enables change.

Therapeutic Massage

From infancy to old age, touch is of the greatest importance to our physical and emotionai health. Through attentive and respectful touch we can let go of the tensions we carry, we can be nourished, we can rest, we can renew our relationship with ourselves and with the world around us.

Therapeutic Massage is a form of touch which is specifically developed to assist relaxation in the body and mind, focusing on manipulation of the muscle and soft tissue and encouraging movement in the joints. It stimulates the circulatory and eliminatory systems of the body and boosts the immune system.

Many physical ailments can be helped in this way, from neck and shoulder tension, to arthritis, headaches, back pain, PMT, fluid retention, digestive and respiratory problems.

With the support of the practitioner, as we become more open and fluid in our bodies, we can begin to feel the energy of our symptoms, our emotions, our life stories and the natural healing processes of our body. Getting to know this dimension of our lives brings us to a deep sense of restfulness.

At whatever level you would like to approach massage, just to wind down and ease pain or to follow your body's deeper stories, this practice is always simple and follows your sense of your own body.

At The Whole Works we are a group of massage therapists who are committed to working with the public in a skilled, respectful and sensitive way. We each hold nationally recognized accreditation and belong to our relevant professional associations. Each therapist works in a unique way, bringing our individual training, gifts and interests to our work.

When you come for a session

All enquiries can be made through The Whole Works. If you wish to speak to a practitioner directly before making an appointment then this can generally be arranged.

Please do not eat a large meal or drink before treatment. Wear warm clothes for after the session, particularly if the weather is cold.

Your first appointment will include time for detailed medical history to be taken. This is useful for the practitioners to develop a 'picture' of your body and to plan the treatment.

Appointments usually last one to one and a half hours for full body massage. Half hour appointments are available by arrangement.

Massage is given using oil, worked directly on to the skin, so you would usually undress for the treatment and towels are used cover your body. The practitioner will clarify this at your appointment and your needs for privacy will always be respected.

Sometimes a series of sessions is most helpful to address a particular area of pain or more deeply held tension; sometimes a single session is all that is needed. The practitioner can give advice but the timing of sessions is always for you to decide.

Gift vouchers for Therapeutic Massage to any value are available from practitioners or from Reception at the Whole Works.

We ask for 24 hours notice of any cancellation. Otherwise a cancellation fee will be charged.