GUIDE TO CHOOSING YOUR THERAPY

Ideally, you should have your doctor's agreement before either consulting a practitioner of natural medicine or using any of these treatments as self-help remedies. This is because it is essential to have a diagnosis, and to be reassured that your symptoms are not the first symptoms of a serious disease that needs surgery or other conventional treatment. The list provided here offers some guidance as to which treatment may be helpful for certain conditions. It is not exhaustive because individuals vary greatly and symptoms can have more than one cause.

ADDICTIONS
acupuncture, aromatherapy, counselling, hypnotherapy, massage, meditation, psychotherapy, yoga

ALLERGIES
Alexander technique, fasting, herbal medicine, homeopathy, reflexology, relaxation therapies

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
herbal medicine, homeopathy

ANGINA
acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy

ANXIETY
acupuncture, Alexander technique, aromatherapy, Bach flower remedies, counselling, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, hypnotherapy, massage, meditation, nutrition therapy, relaxation, visualization, yoga

ARTHRITIS
acupuncture, balneotherapy, chiropractic, healing, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, massage, nutrition therapy, osteopathy, peat therapy, yoga

ASTHMA
acupressure, acupuncture, Alexander technique, Bach flower remedies, bioenergetics, chiropractic, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, meditation, nutrition therapy, osteopathy, reflexology, yoga

ATHLETE'S FOOT
aromatherapy, herbal medicine

BACK PAIN
acupressure, acupuncture, chiropractic, hydrotherapy, massage, osteopathy, reflexology

BEREAVEMENT
see grief

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
acupressure, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, nutrition therapy, osteopathy

CATARACTS
nutrition therapy

CATARRH
acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition therapy

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME
acupuncture, aromatherapy, counselling, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, meditation, nutrition therapy, reflexology, relaxation, yoga

COLD SORES, MOUTH ULCERS, AND GENITAL HERPES
aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition therapy

COLDS, COUGHS, INFLUENZA
acupressure, acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, nutrition therapy

CONSTIPATION
acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, nutrition therapy, reflexology

CYSTITIS
acupressure, acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition therapy

DEPRESSION
aromatherapy, Bach flower remedies, cognitive therapy, colour therapy, counselling, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, massage, psychotherapy, reflexology, yoga

DIARRHOEA
acupressure, herbal medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, nutrition therapy

DIVERTICULITIS
acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, nutrition therapy, reflexology

ECZEMA / DERMATITIS
acupuncture, aromatherapy, Chinese herbs, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, nutrition therapy

ERECTION PROBLEMS
aromatherapy, herbal medicine, hydrotherapy

FAECAL INCONTINENCE
acupressure, homeopathy, nutrition therapy, yoga

FAINTING
acupressure, Bach flower remedies

FIBROSITIS
acupressure, acupuncture, biochemic tissue salts, chiropractic, healing, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, massage, myotherapy, nutrition therapy, osteopathy, Rolling, shiatsu

FLATULENCE
herbal medicine, nutrition therapy, reflexology

FROZEN SHOULDER
acupressure, acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, massage, osteopathy, TENS

GASTROENTERITIS
herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition therapy

GOUT
acupressure, chiropractic, herbal medicine, homeopathy, massage, nutrition therapy,
osteopathy

GRIEF
counselling, homeopathy

HAEMORRHOIDS AND VARICOSE VEINS
aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, nutrition therapy, yoga

HANGOVER
homeopathy, naturopathy

HAYFEVER
acupressure, aromatherapy, homeopathy, nutrition therapy

HEADACHES
acupressure, chiropractic, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, osteopathy

HEAT RASH
aromatherapy, homeopathy, nutrition therapy

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
acupressure, acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, hypnotherapy, nutrition therapy, yoga

INDIGESTION AND HEARTBURN
aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition therapy, relaxation therapies

INSOMNIA
Alexander technique, bioenergetics, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, massage, meditation

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
acupuncture, aromatherapy, counselling, fasting, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, massage, meditation, nutrition therapy, yoga

JET LAG
aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy

LIBIDO PROBLEMS
aromatherapy, chi kung, counselling, Rolling

ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis)
see chronic fatigue syndrome

MENOPAUSE
acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition therapy

MENORRHAGIA ( heavy periods)
acupuncture, aromatherapy, homeopathy, nutrition therapy

MIGRAINES
acupuncture, Alexander technique, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, massage, meditation, nutrition therapy, reflexology, relaxation therapies, shiatsu, yoga

NAUSEA
acupressure,, aromatherapy, nutrition therapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy

NEURALGIA
acupressure, acupuncture, aromatherapy, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, naturopathy

OBESITY
fasting, homeopathy, naturopathy, nutrition therapy

OEDEMA
acupressure, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, massage

PAIN
acupressure, acupuncture, Alexander technique, aromatherapy, chiropractic, healing, hydrotherapy, hypnotherapy, massage, meditation, nutrition therapy, osteopathy, psychotherapy, relaxation therapies, TENS

PROSTATE ENLARGEMENT
acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy

REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY
acupressure, acupuncture, Alexander technique, chiropractic, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, massage, osteopathy

RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, massage, nutrition therapy, osteopathy

SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD)
aromatherapy, cognitive therapy, herbal medicine, light therapy, psychotherapy, relaxation therapies

SHINGLES
acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition therapy

SPRAINS
acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic, homeopathy, massage, osteopathy, TENS

STRESS
aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, massage, meditation, nutrition therapy, psychotherapy, reflexology, relaxation therapies, visualization, yoga

STROKE
acupressure, biochemic tissue salts, chiropractic, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, massage, nutrition therapy, osteopathy, yoga

SUNBURN
aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, naturopathy

TINNITUS
osteopathy, reflexology, yoga

URINARY INCONTINENCE
acupuncture, homeopathy, nutrition therapy

URTICARIA
aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy

VARICOSE VEINS
see haemorrhoids

WARTS
aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy

WHIPLASH
acupuncture, Alexander technique, aromatherapy, chiropractic, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, massage, osteopathy

FLOWER REMEDIES

Today, in the West, the name that is probably most frequently associated with flower remedies is Dr Edward Bach (pronounced batch). Practising in London in the early twentieth century, he noticed that his patients' psychological responses to disease varied greatly and came to believe that emotional problems caused illness. He searched for a therapy that would reduce the negative emotional attitudes that he had observed in his patients, and found that flower essences were beneficial. Bach developed 38 remedies, but today additional flower remedies have been prepared from flowers that grow throughout the world.

Flower remedies are made in two ways. One method is to float freshly picked flowers in water, which is then left in full sunlight for three hours. The other method is to boil flowering twigs in water for half an hour. The resulting liquid is strained and a portion is diluted with an equal volume of brandy before being stored in a clean amber-coloured glass bottle.

Crystal And Gem Therapy
Crystal and gem therapy is used y healers who believe that crystals have the power to focus and strengthen healing energies. An extension of this belief is the use of gems and crystals in various places around the house to absorb negative energy from geopathic stress (see previous post) or electrical pollution, especially from computer and television screens. Crystals used in this way should be washed regularly in cold running water and left in the sun to recharge. There is little hard scientific evidence to support the beneficial effects of using crystals in this way, but those who have used them believe that they can be helpful for stress and chronically painful conditions.

Rescue Remedy
Rescue remedy is made from five of Bach's remedies: rock rose, impatiens, clematis, cherry plum and star of Bethlehem. Put four drops in water and sip after an accident, argument, surgery or any emotional, physical or mental shock. Repeat as needed.

Flower remedies can be made by floating freshly
picked flowers in water and leaving them in the sun for three hours.

Using The Flower Remedies
The remedies are usually taken by sipping mineral water to which a few drops of the essence have been added. It is not certain how they work, although the action may be closer to homeopathy (see previous post) than to herbal medicines. Professional counsellors and therapists often recommend them for use in addition to conventional medicines.

Conditions that can be treated with flower remedies include:

- Mood swings, including depression and anxiety.

- Nervous disorders, including lack of confidence, jealousy and apathy.

- Sudden emotional, physical or mental shock.

This list is not intended to be comprehensive. Flower remedies are helpful for self-help as a first-aid treatment, but it is best to ask your doctor's advice about longer-term problems.

FENG SHUI

Feng shui is the art of maintaining harmony of achieving free movement of the universal life force, the Qi (see previous post). In their long practice of feng shui the Chinese have positioned their houses, furnishings, wells and even roads to be in harmony with the energy of the Earth. For them, correcting bad feng shui is essential for healing.

Self-Help Feng Shui Includes:

• Having plenty of plants and flowers both at home and work: some plants have the capacity to absorb some of the toxic chemicals found in modern buildings.
• Having a laundry basket to keep dirty clothes tidy before being washed, and doing any necessary mending as soon as it is needed; otherwise items are not put away.
• Throwing out old clothes and cosmetics, and out-of-date medicines and packets or cans of food.
• Tidying drawers.
• Sorting out personal papers and taking newspapers for recycling on a regular basis.
• Having a clean and tidy desk at work.

Geopathic Therapy
Geopathic therapy aims to relieve any stress caused by the natural energy of the Earth. This energy form has been recognized for thousands of years, but was probably easier to detect before industrialization. Geopathic therapists believe that ancient cultures located their religious and other significant sites where the Earth's energy was particularly strong. Such sites may, in part, reflect the electromagnetic fields that can be associated with specific types of soil and detected by trained dowsers. Dowsers are, in some way, sensitive to very small changes in electromagnetic fields, which appear to affect the way their muscles contract. This effect is transmitted to a pendulum or dowser's rod, held in the hand. Adverse energy can sometimes be avoided by moving bed or chair. Alternatively, practitioners of geopathic therapy believe that negative energy can be deflected with mirrors, or captured in crystals or coils that can then be cleansed. Such treatment may help insomnia, headaches, digestive symptoms, anxiety or depression.

HEALING

Healing is the restoration of good health. Many alternative therapists believe that good health depends on the freedom with which energy flows throough the body, and that therapy helps to free blockages and restore the imbalance that either causes or results from ill health.

Spiritual Or Psychic Healing
Healing and healers are found in all the world's religions and also outside formal religious practice. Spiritual healing often occurs through the 'laying on of hands', and during the past 30 years a number of nurses and other healthcare professionals have been taught Therapeutic Touch, sometimes known as TT. Other healers provide a distant healing service and do not have direct physical contact with their clients. People often experience the healing energy as a warm or cool feeling that promotes a sensation of well-being and relaxation.

Conditions that can be treated by a healer include:

• Emotional , spiritual and physical ailments.
• Painful joints and muscles.

Reiki
Reiki means 'universal energy'. Treatment by a Reiki practitioner promotes physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Healing is given when the practitioner's hands are placed on specific parts of the body, although some practitioners do not physically touch the body, but administer healing to the energy field (aura)surrounding the body. Reiki energies appear to provide a longer-lasting benefit when the recipients accept responsibility for the healing process.

Cautions
Healing is a safe therapy, but you should avoid healers who demand substantial payment, or insist that you change your religious beliefs or abandon conventional medical treatment. The law in different countries can vary, especially regarding healing of children under 18. Healing should be obtained in addition to more formal medical treatment, not instead of it.

Healing therapy is practised throughout the world, and is achieved by the 'laying on of hands' or from a distance without physical touch.

SHIATSU

The word shiatsu means finger pressure in Japanese, and the therapy of the same name has been called Japanese physiotherapy. It is an ancient Eastern therapy in which sustained and stationary pressure is applied to the same points as those used in acupuncture and acupressure. In addition, the muscles are stretched to relieve muscular tension and various gentle manipulative techniques may also be included.

Shiatsu Treatment
You will usually receive shiatsu lying on a mat on the floor or in the sitting position, and the pressure is applied through the clothing, so there is no need to undress. However, it is advisable to wear loose clothing to allow free movement as required.

The therapist makes a diagnosis of the areas of weakness by taking a history, examining the pulse and palpating the abdomen. The treatment lasts between 60 and 90minutes, and produces a feeling of deep relaxation and well-being.

You may experience healing reactions, such as flu-like symptoms or a headache after the first treatment, but these usually last only a day or so, and become less and less marked as the course of treatment progresses.

You can receive shiatsu techniques from a friend to maintain health and reduce stress, but it is best to consult a practitioner if you require treatment for an ailment.

A course of shiatsu therapy usually involves four to eight sessions on a weekly basis, but many clients continue to have a maintenance treatment every month or so.

Conditions that can be treated by a professional shiatsu therapist include:

• Digestive disorders, including constipation and diarrhoea.
• Back and neck pain.
• Migraine and toothache.
• Stress, tension and mild depression.
• Insomnia and disturbed sleep patterns.

This list is not intended to be comprehensive. It is best to make a preliminary enquiry about your own conditions, or ask your doctor's advice.

Shiatsu means finger pressure in Japanese

Cautions
Shiatsu should not be given immediately after eating or when there is a high fever. Shiatsu is not applied to wounds, areas of inflammation or scar tissue. It should be used with caution when treating people with cancer, heart disease or those who are elderly or frail.

Simple Shiatsu For Your Partner
The following technique can be used to release tension in the neck. Sit your partner on the floor, on a rug or a cushion, and kneel behind.

• Place your hands on your partner's shoulders and pause briefly. Then start to squeeze and knead the trapezius muscle between your fingers and thumbs. This muscle connects the lower neck to the shoulders; you can feel it tighten if your partner shrugs his or her shoulders.
• Use a gentle chopping movement along the length of the muscle with the outer edge of your hand. You can increase the pressure, but make sure your partner does not experience undue discomfort.
• Kneel at the right side of your partner with your left knee supporting his or her back. Support your partner's forehead with your right hand and, using the thumb and fingers of your left hand, knead the muscles at the back of the neck on both sides of the spine.
• Kneel behind your partner again and place your forearms on his or her shoulders. Apply gentle pressure by leaning forward. Ask your partner to take a deep breath, then as he or she breathes out, roll your arms outwards towards the shoulders. Repeat several times.
  
  

REFLEXOLOGY

Reflexology is a specialist form of massage that is applied to the feet, but it can also be used on the hands. It has probably been in use for at least 5,000 years, and is depicted on the frieze of the 4,000-year-old tomb of an Egyptian doctor. The Inca and Native Americans used various forms of foot massage. In fact, it may have been observation of the latter that inspired the American physician, Dr William Fitzgerald, whose work laid the foundations of modern reflexology.

Reflexology is a popular therapy that can help stress
disorders, headaches and digestive problems.
Fitzgerald believed that the body can be divided into 10 energy zones, five on each side. These zones start at the big toe (zone 1) and run up through the body to the head. He believed that stimulation of one zone on the foot or the hand affects other parts of the body that belong to the same zone. The work was continued by one of Fitzgerald's assistant. Eunice Ingham. She developed a complete body chart illustrating the body zones on the feet. These zones are known as reflex points.

How Does Reflexology Work?
In the philosophy of many therapeutic systems it is believed that the life force or energy (Qi, see previous post), or prana , flows in the body, and that illness occurs when the movement of this energy is obstructed. Reflexologists believe that blockage is caused by crystalline calcium deposits forming on the end of nerves as a result of congestion, inflammation or other disorder in the nerve pathways. The resulting blockage is removed when pressure is applied to the reflex points mapped out on the feet and hands.

Little scientific research has been done to prove the theories of reflexology. It is a popular non-invasive therapy that appears to be reasonably safe in the hands of none-therapists, who can give valuable health support. For treatment, however, it is best to consult a professional therapist.

Conditions that can be treated by a professional reflexologist include:

• Digestive problems.
• Stress and stress-related disorders, including fatigue and palpitations.
• Various aches and pains, including back pain and repetitive strain injury.
• Certain skin conditions.
• Migraine and other headaches.
• Ear problems, including tinnitus.
• Sinus problems and rhinitis.
• Various chest problems, including asthma.
• Chronic conditions affecting the elderly, such as dementia.

This list is not intended to be comprehensive. It is best to make a preliminary enquiry about your own condition, or ask your doctor's advice.

Cautions
Reflexology should not be used when thrombosis is present. Some therapists advise against the use of reflexology on people with arthritis, osteoporosis or disorders of the heart or thyroid gland.

The Consultation
The therapist takes a history of your past and present health problems, usually including your lifestyle. You will be asked to sit or lie in a comfortable position in a peaceful atmosphere in order to undergo treatment; the therapy is most effective when you are relaxed.

Your therapist will check for corns, calluses and other areas that might be painful when pressure is applied. Treatment consists of the firm application of pressure to the reflex points on the feet. Various movements are used, such as rubbing and rotating with the pads of the thumbs and fingers over small areas at any one time. Eastern practitioners may use a sharpened stick and other practitioners apply a vacuum (see previous post). The therapist usually maintains constant touch, while working methodically over the areas to be treated. Because it is impossible to apply pressure accurately if the skin is slippery, oils or creams are not used in reflexology. Sometimes a little powder is used.

A full reflexology session will take more than an hour. Initially the feet will be relaxed before being given a full workout. The hands are then treated. You are likely to feel some effects from your treatment as it is proceeding. Any pain or discomfort that results from 'congestion' of the energy force is usually brief, and followed by a feeling of release. Most people feel light and relaxed immediately after a treatment, as well as having more energy. However, this may be followed by symptoms, known as cleansing reactions, such as a headache, a runny nose, frequent urination or a mild skin rash.

Vacuflex Reflexology System
The Vacuflex reflexology system was devised during the 1970s by a Danish reflexologist, Inge Dougans, who believed that reflexology is more closely related to the Eastern meridians than to the zones proposed by Dr William Fitzgerald. There are two stages to vacuflex reflexology. In the first stage special boots are fitted to the feet. When the air inside the boots is pumped out, the feet ate squeezed, so that all the reflex points are stimulated at the same time. The vacuum is maintained for about five minutes. The boots are then removed and the therapist has about half a minute to examine the feet and note any yellow or red colour changes on them. These are believed to indicate which parts of the body are in need of treatment. The therapist then places silicon pads along the appropriate meridian lines of all the limbs, using a number of different sizes of pad. These are briefly held in place by suction, which is thought to provide sufficient stimulation for healing to occur.

Refloxologists work to unblock crystalline calcium
deposits that they believe form on the ends of
nerves.
Relaxing Your Partner's Feet

- Your partner should be warm and comfortable with his or her feet supported at the level of your chest. If necessary, warm your hands.

- 'Greet the feet' by curving your hands over the top of them and holding them steadily for a minute or two.

- Place your left thumb behind the toes of your partner's right foot to support the foot, leaving your fingers curled over the top of the foot. Using the thumb of your right hand massage the diaphragm line. This crosses the instep just below the ball of the foot and the solar plexus point. Make small circular movements, and each time you move the position of your thumb, rock the toes over your left thumb. Repeat on the left side.

- Return to the right foot and massage each toe in turn between your thumbs and index fingers. Then gently move the toes up and down. Repeat on the left.

- Cup the heel of the right foot in one hand, and grasping the toes with the other hand, loosen the ankle joints by moving the foot up and down and then in a circular manner. Repeat on the left side.


- Hold the sides of the left foot with your thumbs about 5cm (2in) apart. Gently stretch the top of the foot rather like breaking open a bread roll. Repeat on the right side.

- Place one hand on the outside of each foot and press the solar plexus points firmly with your thumbs, using small rotational movements (see where the thumb is positioned in the picture above).

- Hold both feet again as at the start for a few minutes, allowing your partner to relax.

A full session will take more than an hour: Any discomfort will usually be followed by a feeling of release.

HOMEOPATHY

Modern homeopathy, which was founded by Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), is based on two principles. The first is that 'like cures like'. In other words, medicine given to an ill person can cure the same symptoms that it causes when given to a healthy person. The second principle is that the minimum necessary dose should be given, to avoid causing harm. The first principle was not new; Hippocrates taught it more than 4,ooo years earlier. Hahnemann proved it on himself, however, when he took low doses of quinine and developed the symptoms of malaria. In fact, quinine is used even today to treat malaria.

The Homeopathic Consultation
The first consultation with a homeopath will often take around an hour because homeopaths believe that family history and inherited characteristics should be considered, along with the physical, mental and emotional characteristics that have been acquired by your experience of life. These include what you like or dislike eating, whether you are thirsty, what sort of weather you prefer; your fears and whether you are tidy, a spendthrift or a saver.

The homeopath will want to know about your symptoms in ways that differ from a consultation with a conventional doctor. It is important for the homeopath to discover what makes the symptoms better or worse, when they occur, whether there were any great upheavals or illnesses in your life when the symptoms started, and how your illness is affecting you emotionally. In addition your homeopath may ask questions about the times when you are well. Taken together, all these characteristics are considered to establish the 'constitutional' type of the patient.

Your constitutional type can change during your life, and even to the most experienced homeopath it is not always clear. Some people show characteristics of more than one constitutional type. Other people may truly need more than prescription to become healthy again, although many homeopaths prefer to give just one prescription when possible.

What Can Homeopathy Treat?
Homeopathy can be used to treat almost any complaint that can be treated with conventional medicine, as opposed to one requiring surgery. Chronic conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, headaches, allergies, digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome and psychological disorders such as anxiety or depression, are best treated with constitutional prescriptions. However, many people become very good at treating their own acute illnesses, such as coughs, colds, stomach upsets and minor injuries (see the homeopathic first-aid box, later post).

What Do Homeopathic Medicines Look Like?
Homeopathic medicines are made up in liquid form, usually with alcohol as a preservatives. This is dropped onto tablets, granules or powders that are usually made from lactose. If you cannot tolerate lactose you can ask the pharmacist to use a different sugar. It is also possible to have the homeopathic medicine prepared in liquid form in alcohol or water, but the latter has a very short shelf life.

Homeopathic medicines can be used to treat many medical problems, except those that require surgery.

Homeopathy can restore health and a sense of well-being without causing side -effects.

Cautions And Side-Effects
Homeopathic medicines are very safe for people of all ages but if, as sometimes occur, your symptoms become worse, you should stop taking the medicine. This aggravation will generally reduce within a few days, and often then disappear. Sometimes you will develop new symptoms, or have a recurrence of old symptoms. You should note these because they can help your homeopath choose your next prescription.

The legislation governing who can practise homeopathy varies from one country to another, and some homeopaths are also conventionally trained doctors. If you consult a homeopath who is not a doctor, it is wise for your own doctor to make the diagnosis since other treatment may be more appropriate than homeopathy.

Self-Help With Homeopathy
Homeopathy can be used to treat common everyday ailments very safely. Many people buy homeopathic medicines to treat simple conditions as they arise, and gradually build up a stock of different medicines. To remain effective, the medicines must be stored in closed containers. These should be kept in the dark, and away from perfumes and other aromatic substances, especially mothballs.

Schuessler Mineral Salts
Schuessler mineral salts (also known as biochemic salts) consist of 12 of the minerals that occur naturally in the tissues of the body. They are prepared in the same way as homeopathic medicines, but only to a low potency, and they are used in a similar way.

Suggestions For Your Homeopathic First-Aid Box
Argentum nitricum
Anxiety or fear when anticipating a big event.

Arnica
Shock after injury to yourself or someone else; jet lag, bruising, sprained joints, strained or torn muscles

Arsenicum album
Fear or panic when you are alone; diarrhoea and vomiting occurring together

Bryonia
Swollen joints that are painful when you move; painful dry cough

Calendula ointment
Infection in cuts and grazes

Gelsemium
Influenza with chills, when the head and body feel heavy; anxiety and confusion before an important event

Glonoine
Heat exhaustion, bursting headaches or menopausal flushes

Hypericum
Pain from crushed nerves, such as a crushed fingertip

Ignatia
Shock or grief from bad news

Ledum
Puncture wounds such as insect bites, or after an injection

Natrum mur
The effects of grief or bereavement; a cold or hayfever with sneezing and a clear nasal discharge

Nux vomica
The effects of eating or drinking too much; insomnia from mental strain

Pulsatilla
Sinusitis with yellow bland nasal discharge; the effects of a sudden soaking

Rhus tox
Arthritis that is worse in cold, damp weather, but better after a very hot bath; cold sores and shingles (use in addition to medical advice)

Urtica ointment
Minor burns and scalds, skin allergies, and insect bites and stings

The potency most readily available over the counter is usually labelled 6 or 6c, and it is safest to start with this. In acute conditions take a dose every 30 minutes for up to six doses, but decrease the frequency as the symptoms improve. You may then need to take a dose three times a day for a few days, but you should stop when your symptoms improve. If there has been no improvement after six doses you will need to change the medicine. In chronic conditions, such as arthritis, take two or three doses a day when symptoms are present and none when they are absent.

ACUPUNCTURE AND ACUPRESSURE

Acupuncture originated in China and is an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine (see previous post). Acupuncture usually involves the insertion of very thin needles into the skin to adjust the flow of energy in the body. The needles are inserted at carefully selected 'points' in the meridians, or energy channels. These points have been likened to whirlpools energy that develop where the energy flow along the meridian is disrupted. Some of the points are tender when pressed, but acupuncturists find others by using methods of measurement that have been developed over many centuries. It is believed that the insertion of the needles and their gentle manipulation disperses stagnant energy and restores the normal energy balance.

In China, acupuncture is used to maintain health rather than treat illness, but in the West few people consult an acupuncturist until something has gone wrong, and usually not until other treatment has failed. Despite this delay, acupuncture can often heal or alleviate the problem.

Scientific Acupuncture
Some acupuncturists believe that acupuncture can be explained in terms of modern scientific knowledge, ignoring the traditional belief in the meridians. They accept that it has long been noticed in the West that the gentle massage of small areas of tenderness on the skin can relieve pain in distant parts of the body. These areas have been likened to acupuncture points, and practitioners of 'scientific acupuncture' believe that the Chinese have developed the recognition of these points far more extensively than in the West. Scientific acupuncturists use Chinese acupuncture points without accepting the underlying philosophy of Chinese medicine (briefly mentioned on previous post).

The Acupuncture Needles
Acupuncture needles are made of stainless steel, silver or gold, and many practitioners now use disposable needles. If needles already used on you are to be reused, however, they should be sterilized first. Make sure that the practitioner never uses needles that were used on another patient first.

Acupuncture needles are solid and much finer than the
hollow needles used for injections.

Acupuncture needles come in various sizes, but they are all solid and much finer than the hollow needles used for injections. They have rounded tips, which divide the flesh, rather than piercing it. When inserted they rarely cause bleeding. In general, acupuncture sessions last 20 to 45 minutes. The size of the needles varies according to the size where they are used. Longer, larger needles are inserted more deeply onto fleshly areas, such as the buttocks. Finer, shorter needles are used for areas where the flesh is thin, such as the forehead. The acupuncture points that are chosen may remain the same at each treatment, but they may need to be changed when the patient's health alters or improves.

The Acupuncture Consultation
The initial diagnosis can take up to an hour and you will be asked:

• To provide information about your current problems, your medical history and that of your family. The acupuncturist will also want to know more about how your body is functioning generally, such as how you are sleeping, whether you have any other symptoms or health problems - either physical or psychological - and how you react to heat or cold. The acupuncturist will also assess your psychological health.
• To undergo a physical examination. This may be similar to an examination by your doctor, but acupuncturists often examine your tongue in greater detail and use the Chinese method of assessing the pulse. This is more complex than a conventional Western examination, because it includes feeling the wrist pulse in 12 different positions and noting up to 28 different aspects of the pulse.

T'ai Chi
T'ai chi consists of a sequence of gentle flowing movements that are precisely performed, and coordinated with breathing. Conventional scientific studies have revealed that t'ai chi can have benefits that are similar to aerobic exercise, but less physical stress and strain. It can benefit high blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety, muscle tension and various other causes of chronic ill health.

Acupuncture needles can be left in place for up to 20
minutes.
The acupuncturist will then decide whether acupuncture is an appropriate treatment. Acupuncturists who are fully trained in traditional Chinese medicine may also prescribed herbal treatment. In addition to the use of acupuncture needles, your therapist may suggest cupping (see previous post) or moxibustion (see later post).

Assessing The Results
Some patients feel a change immediately after treatment but others only become aware of results after a number of sessions. It is often difficult to remember exactly how you felt at the start of treatment; your therapist may jog your memory by reminding you of how you described your initial symptoms. Your acupuncturist will assess your progress by observing your appearance and manner as well as by re-examining your pulse.

The number of sessions that are needed varies from person to person. Acute symptoms usually clear up within four treatments, but chronic conditions generally take longer.

Conditions where acupuncture may be helpful:

• Respiratory problems.
• Arthritis and rheumatism.
• Circulatory problems.
• Digestive disturbances.
• Ear, nose and throat problems.
• Menopausal symptoms.
• Mental and emotional problems.
• Urinary problems.

This list is not intended to be comprehensive. It is best to make a preliminary enquiry about your own condition, or ask your doctor's advice.

Chi Kung
Chi kung (pronounced chee goong)is an ancient Eastern exercise that is believed to aid the free flow of energy through the body by means of movement and balance. This allows healing to occur and good health to be maintained. The chi kung practitioner aims to avoid stress on the joints and muscles, and encourages an inner awareness of the movement of energy within the body. Chi kung can help overcome stress, sexual problems and conditions associate with ageing.

Cautions
Acupuncture should never be performed on a person with a high fever, or who is under the influence of either alcohol or an illicit drug. Acupuncture should be performed with caution on patients taking blood-thinning medication. It is a safe treatment when performed by a fully qualified practitioner who takes special care when treating elderly or frail people. If you are concerned bout the use of unsterile needles, discuss this with your acupuncturist, who will be able to explain the procedure he or she follows.

Auricular Therapy
Acupuncture points on the ear are used for auricular therapy, either alone or in conjunction with the acupuncture points elsewhere on the body. It is most often used for the treatment of addiction or the relief of pain. The acupuncture points on the ear have to be very carefully located. There are more than 300 auricular points and they are very close together. Small needles are used and they are sometimes kept in place for a few days with surgical adhesive tape.

Auricular therapy is most often for the treatment of addiction or relief of pain.

A weak electrical current is sometimes used to stimulate the acupuncture points on the ear, but other points elsewhere on the body are also sometimes stimulated in this way. Since the 1950s, techniques of electro-acupuncture have been used in China to provide anaesthesia for surgery. This form of anaesthetic is of particular benefit for surgery of the upper part of the body. It is useful for old or frail patients since it is less risky than conventional anaesthetics, and the recovery time is usually quicker.

Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a technique that is used to supply warmth. The affected part of the body may be described as feeling cold, or the pain may have been relieved by the application of heat, such as in a warm bath or with a hot water bottle. The herb moxa is also used to nourish Qi(vital energy) and the blood, when the symptoms include general weakness and a lack of energy.

Moxibustion involves burning a small amount of herb moxa (Artemisia vulgaris), also known as mugwort, in one of four ways:

A moxa stick being used by a therapist to relieve pain.

• The dried herb is attached to an acupuncture needle already inserted in the skin and then lit to supply deep heat.
• To replenish energy, cones of moxa are allowed to smoulder on specific points on the skin (called direct moxa), being removed by the therapist when heat is felt by the patient. This treatment can cause scarring and many experts recommend against it.
• When the therapist wishes to apply heat to a larger area, moxa is burned in a box placed on the appropriate ate area of skin.
• A moxa stick is lit before being held over the body to warm it. This method of moxibustion can also be done by the patient at home.

Using A Moxa Stick
The moxa stick looks somewhat like a cigar, and is best lit from a candle, which can take about half a minute. Ash will form as you are using it, and this should be tapped off into an ashtray. The lit stick is then held over the skin at a distance that provides you with comfortable warmth. You may choose to move the stick closer to the skin with a dabbing movement for extra warmth, but you should take care not to burn the skin. Once the area being treated feels warm you can move to another area, or extinguish the stick by cutting off the end. You can use moxibustion once or twice a week, but take a couple of weeks off every month or so. The application of moxa should be relaxing and pleasurable: if it is not, you should not continue to use it.

Cautions
Moxibustion is generally safe. However, it should not be used:

• To treat inflammed tissues or during acute illness, especially if you have a fever.
• If you have a skin rash or if the skin is broken, cut or grazed.
• If you have high blood pressure.
• If you find that the smoke given off by the burning herb is an irritant.
• Near sensitive skin, such as on the face.

Seitei
Seitei is an Eastern combination of acupressure, manipulation and nutritional therapy. It is based on the theory that the body can be made stronger if its energy system is stimulated, and that the correct nutritional support enables the body to heal any structural problems more quickly.

Acupressure
Like acupuncture, acupressure uses the points on the energy meridians, but here they are stimulated by the application of gentle pressure either in a sustained manner, intermittently (by alternately pressing and releasing) or with small massage movements. Acupressure is related to massage, reflexology and shiatsu.

Promote Your Health
The most important role for acupressure is the maintenance of health, although, as with acupuncture, a professional therapist can use the technique for treatment. It is most effective when it is used frequently and for short periods and is therefore a therapy that is ideally suited for self-treatment. Your therapist may teach you how to continue the treatment he or she has started. Or you may start to apply acupressure after learning the positions of the acupoints from a book or even a friend. Once you have gained confidence you will be able to use the acupoints for immediate first-aid treatment for acute conditions, as well as for maintaining your health.

Conditions that may be helped by acupressure include:

• Headaches
• Back pain
• Constipation
• Asthma
• Fatigue

This list is not intended to be comprehensive. It is best to make a preliminary enquiry about your own condition, or ask your doctor's advice.

Cautions
Acupressure can alter symptoms and may mask the early symptoms of serious conditions, such as cancer. You should, therefore, seek advice from your doctor before consulting a therapist for any condition other than an acute problem, such as a cold or a cough, so that an accurate diagnosis can be made. Always start treatment very gently, especially if you are feeling weak or fatigued. Acupressure should never be used when you are under the influence of alcohol or non-medicinal drugs. Acupressure must not be practised on broken or inflammed skin, or over scars, bruises or veins that are enlarged or painful.

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

Traditional Chinese medicine, which is a complete system, has been practised for centuries and contains a number of similarities to Ayurvedic medicines, partly due to the influence of Buddhism. Chinese medical practice includes acupuncture and acupressure, moxibustion (see later post), the use of herbs, cupping (see below) and attention to lifestyle and diet.

In traditional Chinese medicine there is a belief that health is maintained when there is a balance between the mind, the body and the outside world. The causes of illness can therefore come from unresolved emotional problems, from a stressful lifestyle, from smoking or eating too much or from external factors, such as climatic conditions.

Qi: The Vital Energy
The idea that blood circulates through the body is familiar to Western society, and the Chinese believe that the vital energy or qi (pronounced chee) circulates in a similar fashion along energy pathways known as meridians. Most of these are connected to the major organs of the body, and their existence has been confirmed by electrical measurement. In addition, the organs of the body are related to the five elements : wind, water, earth, fire and metal, and these too have to be in balance for health.

The universal forces of yin and yang are thought to regulate Qi. These are interdependent forces that represent opposite qualities, yet each contains a seed of the other.

Yang Qualities

• Heat
• Strength
• Light
• Expansion
• Above
• Back

Yin Qualities

• Coldness
• Weakness
• Darkness
• Contraction
• Below
• Front

In illness, it is believe that coldness, pallor and fatigue indicate the yin state, while a fever, with heat and a flushed appearance, indicated the yang state. The basis of treatment is to restore the balance between yin and yang.

Chinese Herbalism
Chinese herbalism has probably been practised for 4,000 years. Prior to the writing of the first textbook in the sixteenth century many of the recipes were handed on from parent to child. The raw ingredients of Chinese 'herbs' consist of dried materials derived from plants, but may also include animal products and minerals. They are classified according to their properties, such as being warming or cooling.

Chinese Medicine
Cupping
Cupping is thought to remove any wind, cold or damp that may be trapped in the body, and is commonly used to relieve swollen and painful joints, and to treat the early phases of colds or influenza. The cups are made from glass, bamboo, metal or ceramics. A lighted taper or match is placed briefly inside the cup to create a vacuum before placing it on the skin. The vacuum increases the flow of blood to the skin in the area under the cup. More than one cup at a time may be used, and they are usually left in place for up to 15 minutes, before being removed by pressing the adjacent skin to break the vacuum.

Chinese Herbs
Traditional combinations of herbs are cooked and made into medicinal soups, which are often bitter. Historically, the recipes were changed according to the patient's progress. More recently, however, fixed combinations have been produced in factories in forms more acceptable to the Western palate. Where these fixed combinations are used, regrettably some of the flexibility of prescribing for the individual has been lost. Chinese herbs are useful for the treatment of a wide range of ailments, including asthma, skin diseases, migraines and digestive disturbances.

Chinese herbs have become very popular in the West, but some problems have arisen where medicines have sometimes lacked adequate quality control. If you want to use Chinese herbs you should ensure that they come from a reputable source. Herbs from Taiwan, the US and Britain have fewer quality-control problems.

AYURVEDIC MEDICINE

Ayurveda means 'the knowledge of life'. It is one of the oldest and most complete medial systems, and Indian scholars date its origins to around 6,000 BC. Ayurvedic physicians believe that health reflects the harmonious operation of the body, mind and soul, and that disease is caused when an imbalance occurs. Ayurvedic medicine is part of a complex philosophy, which most conventionally trained health-care practitioners today would not consider to be an integral part of healing.

In Ayurveda the human being is regarded as a microcosm of the universe. The five elements of the universe correspond to the five senses of the body and five modes of action. The life force, known as prana, is controlled by three basic forces, or doshas, which exist in all things and function in human beings as follows: pit, or bodily fire, controls the biochemical functions of the body; kaph, or biological water, controls the fluid metabolism of the body and certain psychological functions; vat, or bodily air, controls movement and the nervous system. Diseases occur when these forces are not n balance within the individual.

Polarity Therapy
Polarity therapy, developed by Randolf Stone (a chiropractor, osteopath and naturopath) in the 1950s, is based on the Ayurvedic principle that health and happiness depend on the free flow of energy between the five chakras, the energy centres of the body. Therapy includes the use of touch, the development of psychological awareness, cleansing diets and gentle exercises.

Ayurvedic Elements, Senses And Actions
Element

• Space or ether
• Air
• Fire
• Water
• Earth

Sense

• Hearing
• Touch
• Vision
• Taste
• Smell

Organ

• Ear
• Skin
• Eye
• Tongue
• Nose

Action

• Speech
• Holding, giving, receiving
• Walking
• Procreation
• Excretion

Vehicle of action

• Mouth
• Hand
• Feet
• Genitals
• Anus

Ayurvedic Practice
Various therapeutic methods are used in Ayurvedic medicine, and specialities, such as surgery, have developed in modern conventional medicine. Treatment is chosen to match both the constitution of the patient and the particular illness that has occurred.

There is great emphasis on diet, both for its direct effect on the patient and also for its influence on the action of any medicine that might be prescribed. It is believed that an inappropriate diet can cause the accumulation of toxic substances. These are called ama and are thought to cause disease by disturbing the natural balance of the body. As a result, dietary changes, including the use of fasting, are usually recommended at the start of treatment.

Yoga, meditation (see previous post), chanting, attention to posture, sleep and other aspects of lifestyle are also usually included in an initial prescription. Herbal medicines may be recommended, and again these are chosen specifically for the individual. They may be prescribed to be taken at particular times during the day, a concept that has only recently begun to be developed in modern conventional treatment.

Stronger treatments may be required if the disease fails to respond to the initial therapy. These include purification by inducing diarrhoea or vomiting and surgery. These treatments are recognized to be potentially weakening and so, when the disease has been eliminated, rejuvenation therapy is prescribed to restore full balance and strength.

Medication
The Ayurvedic pharmacy is highly developed and complex. There are more than 8,000 preparations, most of which derived from plants and minerals. Some of the substances used have been subjected to modern research and found to have pharmacological properties relevant for the disease for which they are prescribed. For example, cumin, which is given for rheumatic conditions, contains curcurmin, which has anti-inflammatory properties.

It is possible that some Ayurvedic medicines may have useful properties that, so far, the pharmaceutical industry has been unable to re-create. These include substances that may protect the body from the side effects of drugs that suppress the immune system, often used after transplant surgery, or protect the live from overdoses of paracetamol.

ENERGY

Many alternative practitioners believe that we have a vital inner energy within the body, and that illness occurs when this energy is blocked or becomes unbalanced in some way. Although this energy cannot be scientifically defined or understood as yet, re-establishing an inner balance of energy is a recurring theme in many of the complementary medical systems desribed in this post.

AROMATHERAPY

For many centuries aromatic oils have been extracted from plants and used medicinally, for pleasure, as well as to embalm bodies. The French cosmetic scientist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse first used the word aromatherapy in 1937. Although his main interest was cosmetics, Gattefosse realized that the essential oils he was using not only had antiseptic properties, but were also able to relieve pain. He discovered that oils applied to the skin are absorbed into the body and carried around in the blood.

Aromatherapy oils are essential oils extracted from plants.

Aroma Families

When you start using aromatherapy oils you will find that you have a huge and possibility confusing choice. Some of the more popular oils are listed below. You might like to select your first oils from different families:

Citrus: bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, lime, mandarin, orange

Floral: geranium, chamomile (Roman), rose otto (or rose phytol), lavender






Herbaceous: chamomile (Roman), lavender, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree

Camphoraceous*: eucalyptus, cajeput, rosemary, peppermint, tea tree

Spicy: coriander, black pepper, ginger, cardomom

Resinous: frankincense, elemi, myrrh, galbanum

Woody: cedarwood (Virginian), sandalwood, pine, juniper berry, cypress

Earthy: patchouli, vetiver






*Homeopaths disagree about the effect of aromatherapy on homeopathy. Some believe there is no interaction, some believe that oils from this family can neutralize homeopathic medicines, and others believe that all aromatherapy oils can neutralize homeopathic medicines. If you are using aromatherapy at the same time as homeopathy, discuss this with your homeopath.

Caring For Your Oils
Most essential oils, including bergamot, will keep for several years. The other citrus oils may deteriorate within nine months. Once oils have been blended with a base oil (see Massage post), they keep for about two months if stored correctly in dark coloured glass bottles, at a cool temperature, in a dark place.

What Are Essential oils?
Essential oils are the aromatic liquid found in plants. They are sometimes known as essences or volatile oils and, as the latter name suggests, they evaporate very quickly if left in the open air. Essential oils are contained in different parts of the plants, including the flower petals (rose), leaves (eucalyptus), seeds (caraway) and bulbs (garlic). The price reflects the amount of oil that is available for extraction in any particular plant, and this varies greatly.

A number of methods are used to extract the oil from the plant, and the quality of the oil depends to some extent on the method used. One of the oldest methods is distillation in which the plant material is exposed to steam. The steam is then condensed to hot water and the captured essential oil is distilled from the water. A number of other solvents, including carbon dioxide under pressure, can also be used. Certain oils are extracted by applying pressure - for example, oils from citrus fruits are obtained by squeezing the peel.

Buy your oils from a reputable company because adulteration is common, and the label should state that the oil is 100 percent essential oil. The word aromatherapy is often applied to products that have an aroma but contain very little, if any, essential oil. Although pre-diluted oils seem to be less expensive, they can work out to be more costly than undiluted oil. They are not strong enough to be used by the drop to perfume a bath, for example, and a whole bottle is likely to provide insufficient essence for more than one massage.

The Benefits Of Aromatherapy
At a basic level, you can use aromatherapy to help you relax or to provide stimulation and invigoration. The symptoms of short-term acute illnesses, such as coughs and colds, will also often respond well to simple aromatherapy. However, for more chronic problems the help of a professional aromatherapy is recommended.

Conditions that can be treated with the help of a professional aromatherapist include:

• Depression and anxiety
• Painful muscles and joints
• Digestive disorders
  
  
  
  Aromatherapy oils can be used in your bath to enhance a good night's sleep.

• Respiratory conditions including asthma
• Menopause and vaginal yeast infections
• Skin conditions, including cold sores and athlete's foot
• Circulatory problems
• Headaches

This list is not intended to be comprehensive. It is best to make a preliminary enquiry about your own condition, or ask your doctor's advise.

Using Aromatherapy Oils
Aromatherapy can be applied in a number of ways:

• Aromatic baths: for pleasure, to enhance restful sleep, for skin problems or painful muscles, for relaxation or for stimulation. Sprinkle up to eight drops of essential oil onto the surface of the bathwater and agitate the water to disperse the oil. If you have sensitive skin, use only one or two drops. If you have dry skin, you may wish to dissolve the essential oil in a base oil, such as sweet almond, but this will leave the bath greasy. For relaxation, have a warm bath, at about body temperature, and use chamomile or lavender. For stimulation, have a cooler bath and add pine, rosemary or eucalyptus. You can also use aromatherapy oils with hydrotherapy (see previous post). If you prefer to have a shower, put two or three drops of oil onto a facecloth or sponge and rub it over your body as you shower.
• Sauna: clear your airways by inhaling the vapours from the oil. Mix just two drops of essential oil into about 600ml (just over 1 pint) of water and pour onto a heat source. Do not be tempted to use more or the aroma will be overwhelming. Appropriate oils include eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint or pine. It is best to avoid sweet-smelling oils such as rose and geranium. (Caution: saunas are not suitable if you have any heart or lung disorders)
• Inhalations: to clear the nasal passages when you have a cold, place 5-10 drops of an oil onto your handkerchief or pillow, or put a few drops onto dampened absorbent cotton wool and place this on a radiator. This will also freshen a stuffy room. To make a steam inhalation, place a couple of drops into about 500ml (just under 1 pint) of hot, but not boiling, water and inhale the steam.
• Massage oils: essential oils need to be diluted in a base oil before they can be used in a massage. Many oils are suitable for a base, and common examples are olive, almond, safflower or sunflower. These should be labelled either 'unrefined' or 'cold pressed'. Remember to test them if you have sensitive skin (see below). Base oils generally keep for about nine months in a refrigerator or other cool place. Massage oils are usually diluted at a rate between 0.5 and 2 percent using the weakest mixture for sensitive skin. For 0.5 percent you will need one drop of essential oil in 10ml (2 teaspoons) of base oil, and for 2 percent you will need 2 drops of essential oil in 5ml (1 teaspoon) of base oil. For a full body massage you will need about 30ml (6 teaspoons) of oil, or a little more for hairy or dry skin. (For massage techniques, see previous post)

Safety First: Testing Your Skin
Even if you do not have sensitive skin, it is good idea to do a skin test before using any oil that you have not used before. If your skin is sensitive such a test is essential. Mix one drop of the essential oil that you wish to test in a teaspoonful of a base oil that you know does not cause a reaction. Rub some onto an area of the skin that is particularly sensitive, such as behind the ear, the front of the wrist or the inside of the elbow. Do not cover or wash the area for 24 hours and then check to see if the skin is red or feels itchy. If not, the oil is safe for you to use.

Light And Colour Therapies
Light and colour therapies are based on the belief that light and colour can influence the sensory system of the body since they can be seen through the eyes. Many people say they feel much better on a bright day than on a dull one, and this is thought to be the result of the influence of light on the body's energy. In winter, especially in colder countries, the lack of natural light is thought to lead to depression, fatigue and overeating. People most deeply affected can develop seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which may respond to light therapy. Normal daylight provides a full spectrum of colour, plus ultraviolet and infrared colours that cannot be seen by the human eye. Colour therapists believe light and colour change the internal balance of the body, and they work with colours to restore disturbed balance.

Cautions

• Keep essential oils out of the reach of children.
• Do not apply undiluted essential oils to the skin (apart from lavender oil for minor burns and cuts)
• Keep essential oils away from your eyes.
• Never take essential oils in a sauna or diffuser. Severe allergic reactions of the skin and respiratory system can occur with large exposure to oils. Read instructions that come with the diffuser.
• Keep oils away from varnished surfaces.
• Citrus oils can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight: avoid these shortly before exposing your skin to sunlight or a sun bed; if you have had a melanoma or other skin cancer; or if you have age spots, large moles, warts or many freckles.
• Avoid using the same oil for longer than three months without taking a break of about two months, because it is possible for your skin to become sensitive to the oil. If you have sensitive skin always test your skin before using any oil that you have not used before.
• If you have epilepsy, avoid the essential oils of rosemary, fennel and sage.
• Extra precautions are necessary if you wish to try aromatherapy with children or pregnant women.
  
  
  

MEDITATION

Many people believe that energy flows through the body, and that illness occurs when the flow is blocked. Meditation is a way of harnessing this inner energy to promote healing and well-being. Meditation forms a part of the practice of most religions, often as part of an associated mystical tradition. However, it can also be a cultural or secular activity, and it is increasingly practised as people seek places of retreat to help them cope with the pace of modern life.

Meditation is simply 'time out' from the hustle and bustle of daily life. You can learn it from a book or teacher, but ultimately the only way to meditate is to practise it regularly.

Adopt a comfortable position in a quiet place, gently focus your mind and become still. You may find it helpful to repeat a word or phrase inwardly, to focus your eyes on a flower or religious object or to concentrate on your breathing, which should become slower as you relax. If your attention wanders, gently refocus it. Gradually relax your mind and your body.

During meditation many of the muscles relax, the breathing slows and the blood pressure decreases. On returning to activities following meditation, people report decreased anxiety, anger and other inner tension. Mentally, there is often greater clarity of thought and a release of creativity. Conditions that may respond to meditation include:

• Blood pressure problems and other circulatory disorders.
• Stress and stress-related problems.
• Chronic pain, including muscular pain, headaches and migraines.
• Respiratory problems , including asthma.
• Problems with sleeping.

This list is not intended to be comprehensive.

Transcendental Meditation
Transcendental meditation (TM) is based on the idea that you can achieve a state of restful alertness by mentally repeating a short phrase, or mantra. TM lessons are given by trained teachers and should be practised for 15-20 minutes each day.

HYPNOTHERAPY

Inducing a trance in a client is an ancient method of healing that has been practised in many cultures, but it is a therapy that is deeply mistrusted. This is partly because healers who have used hypnosis have often appeared to be in touch with supernatural agencies, and partly because hypnosis connotes something less than hard science to most people. Modern hypnotherapy dates from the eighteenth century, when Anton Mesmer began to experiment with the use of hypnosis as a method of healing. It was not until the second half of the twentieth century, however, that doctors accepted that hypnosis can be useful as a therapy.

What Is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis can be regarded as a state of profound relaxation, both mental and physical, in which the subject is detached from reality. This state happens to almost everyone when they lose a sense of time, for example while reading or even walking along a familiar road. The conscious mind drifts off, leaving the subconscious mind in charge of safety. In hypnosis, a person learns how to elicit aid from their own unconscious to produce positive change. Scientific assessment of hypnosis has included the use of electroencephalographs (EEGs) and these have shown that hypnosis seems to lie between being fully alert and sleep. As the trance deepens, the pattern of the EEG changes to one that is nearer to that recorded during sleep.

Creative Arts Therapies
Creative arts therapies include the use of dance, music, art and other practical activities to stimulate self-expression. These therapies are based on the belief that emotions and emotional memories are stored in the body and that they can be safely expressed by taking part in the creative arts. In this way the causes of abnormal behaviour can be understood. Therapists are also trained to recognize clues that will enable the resolution of the problem by means of psychotherapy. Ailments that may benefit include anxiety, depression, migraines and digestive problems,as well as disorders of sleep, eating and addiction. These therapies are safe, but it is essential that you choose a therapist who is registered and holds appropriate qualifications.

Visualization
Visualization is the formation of mental images that have meaning to the person undertaking this therapy. It is usually used in conjunction with relaxation techniques (see previous post) or hypnotherapy. Once the habit of visualizing a relaxing and happy place has been established, the image can easily be recalled during times of stress. However, visualization can also be used to recall incidents in the past, to create images of beneficial lifestyle changes that could be adopted, or to increase a feeling of relaxation by imagining the systems of the body all working in harmony.

Visualization can benefit various psychological problems, sleep disorders and problems with the heart, circulation and digestion. However, visualization can trigger physical reactions. If you suffer from respiratory problems do not attempt visualization without consulting your doctor first.

Is Hypnosis Safe?
Contrary to popular belief, the person being hypnotized remains aware of what is going on and can choose to terminate the hypnosis at any time. However, even when we are fully conscious we can sometimes be tricked by a persuasive person to do things that are against our best interests and this can also happen in hypnosis. For this reason, it is best to avoid being hypnotized by anyone who is not a fully qualified, professional practitioner.

Conditions that can be treated by a professional hypnotherapist include:

• States of anxiety, such as phobias, panic attacks and difficulties with relationships.
• Stress symptoms, such as blushing, impotence, comfort eating and headaches.
• Addictions, such as those to alcohol, tobacco or drugs.
• Problems with a lack of self-confidence and moods such as sadness and anger.
• Chronic pain

This list is not intended to be comprehensive. It is best to make a preliminary enquiry about your own condition, or ask your doctor's advice.

Cautions
For most people hypnotherapy is safe when it is provided by a qualified practitioner. However, it should be avoided by anyone with history of epilepsy. A person with a history of severe emotional, physical or sexual trauma should approach hypnosis with great caution. For them it is essential to choose a therapist who has experience of treating these problems, and who is either a doctor or holds a recognized mental health qualification. If in doubt, consult your own doctor or psychiatrist for advice.

How Does Hypnotherapy Help?
A therapist may want to use hypnotherapy to achieve complete relaxation in order to further analytical therapy (see previous post), or to implant positive suggestions that link current feelings and problems with events from the past. Positive suggestions can be used to replace negative patterns of thinking and behaviour. This may be used to help with problems such as anxiety or smoking. Some therapists induce hypno-anaesthesia to control pain, such as during dental treatment.

Is Self-Hypnosis Worth Trying?
With practice, a light trance can be achieved by self-hypnosis. If you practise autogenic relaxation (see previous post), you can spend time, once you have achieved complete relaxation, to reinforce suggestions that you wand to make for yourself, such as believing that you can stop smoking. You may find a commercial self-hypnosis tape helpful, but it is often better to make your own tape tailored to your own needs. Self-hypnosis should not be practised when doing any task requires you to be alert.