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Well being: Checking out the alternatives
by Sarah Warden9/ 6/2005
THERAPIST Stephanie Edgar can spot your problems with
reflexology and then go on to tackle them with aromatherapy.
Her two-pronged attack is an unusual offering at her salon, which
she opened last month after spending eight years working as a
complementary therapist.
"Complementary therapies are about treating people holistically,"
she said. "It's about looking at the body and the mind, and can be
good for treating conditions such as stress, which can manifest
themselves physically."
The reflexology element of Stephanie's relax and unwind treatment
was in many ways similar to a foot massage and she explained that
different parts of my feet related to different body parts, so if
she felt stiffness or blockages that could indicate a problem in
the corresponding area.
In between relaxing massage moves, she prodded and poked my feet in
a way that was not uncomfortable, and also not ticklish, which was
something I had been afraid of.
She told me I had some blockages in areas relating to my back and
eyes, which I decided were probably caused by too much time at my
desk, and in the parts representing my throat and lungs, which
could have been related to the remnants of a cold.
She also mentioned a stiffness in the hips, which intrigued me as I
was born with dislocated hips, though they've never troubled me
since.
The reflexology was very relaxing and made me reflect that feet are
a very neglected area. It was also curious to feel parts of my body
relax, though that could obviously be because they were being
discussed.
After it was over with, Stephanie made up a prescription of
aromatherapy oils.
She explained that different oils could treat particular ailments
and could also make the treatment relaxing or energising depending
on the individual.
I asked for something fairly relaxing, but not sleep inducing, and
a delicious-smelling mixture was prepared.
The full body massage was heavenly and one of the best I've had,
though I wouldn't recommend having the treatment before returning
to the office, as the oils take time to absorb and I walked around
looking greasy for the rest of the day, watching colleagues sniff
the air like Bisto Kids as they passed.
Stephanie, who is also trained in Reiki and various forms of
specialist massage, stressed that people with medical problems
should not see reflexology as a diagnosis but more a way of
flagging up imbalances and niggles. Likewise, aromatherapy should
not be looked to as a cure to replace conventional medicine.
She also recommended that anyone seeking a complementary therapist
look out for a practitioner who is registered with any one of the
industry's professional bodies, to ensure that the person has
received the right amount of training.
"I would never advise people to see a therapy as a diagnosis or
cure in itself - anyone with an illness should consult their
doctor," she said.
"Also, it's important to look out for a qualified therapist, as
virtually anyone could just set themselves up with no training or
experience. Check that they are a member of the International
Council of Holistic Therapists, or a similar organisation."
I've never really been a huge believer in complementary therapies,
but I felt fantastically stress-free and ready to chill out in the
sun afterwrads, so if stories about relaxation boosting the immune
system and improving health are true, then the treatments worked
for me.
Bring on the summer.
Stephanie Edgar can be contacted on 07817
542157.
A peculiar practice
YOU might expect that a solution to panic, trauma or grief would
be a long, drawn-out process involving talking through problems,
but Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) claims to be able to tackle
the issues even if the person involved doesn't want to discuss
them.
EFT is based on the theory that negative thoughts are rooted in the
body's energy system and that stimulating acupressure points on
various parts of the body can reduce them.
And practitioners claim the treatment can also work for some
physical conditions, such as headaches or breathing problems.
Douglas Craddock, a hypnotherapist who trained in EFT after being
impressed by a seeing how quickly it worked, practices EFT at the
Manchester Therapy Centre in Whalley Range.
He said: "EFT is a non-invasive treatment that the client does
themselves under the direction of a practitioner.
"The client focuses on the issue and comes up with a statement or
affirmation then stimulates the acupressure points, which I would
demonstrate.
"We would give it a scale going up to 10 and try to reduce the
problem to zero.
"The number of sessions needed can vary, sometimes people can find
results after one session, sometimes it takes two or three.
"But the thing with EFT is once the client has learnt how to do it
they can use it on their own, with no need to go back to the
therapist.
"One thing about it is that the client doesn't have to talk about
what the issue is, they can use a code word or a colour if they
prefer.
"This is a simple, gentle treatment with no side effects and it's
very effective.
You are tapping into the body's energy meridians while the client
focuses on the issue."
A one-hour session of Emotional Freedom Therapy at Manchester
Therapy Centre costs £25.
To contact Douglas Craddock about
Emotional Freedom Therapy call 0161 282 9291.
Profile
NICK Littlehales is the man of your dreams.
Nick works as a professional sleep coach at Private Sanctuary in 1
Piccadilly on Portland Street, Manchester - the world's first
sleeping experience store.
He helps members of the public to get a good night's sleep and
overcome sleeping problems, everything from a bad back to insomnia
and narcolepsy, through consultations.
The 44-year-old has been designing and supplying products for
people to sleep on or with for more than 25 years and was for two
years chairman of the UK Sleep Council. In that time he has advised
top Premiership football clubs, the FA and England squad, the
Ministry of Defence and various celebrities and top business
people.
"Sleep is such a big part of our lives," he said. "Yet we take very
little notice of how we could improve it and therefore improve
ourselves, our lives and life expectances.
"At Private Sanctuary we change people's lives by showing them how
to sleep for the first time in their lives. Today's well-being
generation will just not accept sleeping on anything and just
sleeping OK any longer.
"As well as the celebrities I have also helped pilots, doctors,
surgeons, solicitors, nurses, bus drivers and other professionals
with sleeping problems."
Born in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, Nick worked for five
years as a professional golfer before joining the furniture trade
as a sales rep for Slumberland. By the age of 24 he was key
accounts manager for the company, rising to the position of sales
and marketing director at 30, and then onto become the
International sales and marketing director of the Slumberland
Group. He has also worked for a number of other bed
suppliers.
"I still would like to be an actor or a major sports star but until
then I have a mission to help the world be a better place to sleep
in," he said.
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