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Complementary Therapies

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WHAT IS COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY?

Complementary therapies are used alongside conventional medical treatments. They can help people to feel better or to manage the symptoms of illness better, and therefore may improve your quality of life.

There are several complementary therapies on offer at the Centre including:

  • acupuncture
  • foot health
  • massage
  • yoga
  • lymphoedema therapy

HOW COULD COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES BENEFIT ME?

The general aim of any complementary therapy is to reduce stress and tension and promote a sense of wellbeing. By doing this certain MS symptoms may be alleviated.

ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine. The aim of the treatment is to restore the body’s energy by recreating balance in the body and thereby releasing ‘Qi’, the life energy.

Symptoms that can be eased by acupuncture include:

  • Spasticity
  • Bladder problems (frequency and urgency)
  • Fatigue
  • Pain in the body due to muscle imbalance
  • Headaches
  • Sensory problems
  • Insomnia.

FOOT HEALTH

Foot Health treatment provides routine foot care to keep feet healthy and comfortable.  This includes nail cutting and removal of hard skin or callus. It also includes the treatment and management of common foot problems such as corns, verrucas, ingrowing toenails and fungal infections.

Assessment and monitoring of circulation and footwear advice are provided as well as onward referral to GPs or Podiatrists if considered necessary.

Our foot health appointments are not covered under our membership and are £30 per session to be paid directly to the therapist.

MASSAGE

One of the oldest and most transformational healing arts. Traditionally, a massage is aimed at relaxing the muscles, loosening the tendons and ligaments. Firm strokes applied with pressure serve to increase the arterial blood flow and relaxes the tense muscles. bjxmfd03

Among the most widely recognised benefits of massage are:

  • Release of emotional and physical tension
  • Reduction or elimination of back pain
  • Decrease in chronic pain
  • Improved sleep
  • Relief from sore muscles
  • Better skin tone (maintains tissue viability/integrity)
  • Greater flexibility
  • Improved body and mind awareness.

YOGA

Yoga is one of the most popular therapies for people with MS. It helps to provide core stability. It is a unity of mind and body and is as much about your breathing and your outlook on life as it is about postures. Done properly, yoga calms the mind and energises the body, as well as helping to counteract stress, fatigue and depression. It has a good effect on the endocrine glands, the circulatory and respiratory systems, and improves wellbeing.

The Centre is fortunate to have highly experienced and well-qualified teachers to deliver our classes.

Our online classes are run by Emily Cuckson, a highly experienced teacher who runs her classes via Zoom.  At present we are only running online classes.

Our online classes take place every week.

Mat Yoga – Wednesdays at 2.15pm
Seated Yoga – Fridays at 9am

To book your place please email Carol Jackson or call 01296 696133

LYMPHOEDEMA THERAPY

The lymphatic system relies on the movement of smooth muscles to transport fluid through the lymph vessels.  As MS can affect muscle movement, the condition can interrupt the normal flow of lymphatic system, causing lymph fluid to build up in a particular area of the body, often in the arms or legs, where it can causing swelling. This condition is called lymphoedema.

Lymphatic massage can reduce swelling (mainly in the lower limbs) and improve circulation throughout the lymphatic system.

As well as massage compression hosiery can sometimes help to prevent or reduce swelling.  We can help to get these prescribed for you if needed.

HOW TO ACCESS OUR COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES?

Members can access any of the complementary therapies once they have had their initial assessment at the Centre.
Please contact Carol Jackson or call 01296 696133 to book an appointment or request a referral.

The safety of our staff and members is paramount during this pandemic and so most of our complementary therapies have been suspended at this time, with the exception of online yoga classes and acupuncture.

OUR TREATMENTS AND THERAPIES