Therapies Available
Foot reflexology
CranioSacral Therapy
Remedial Massage
Foot Joint Mobilisation
OrthoBionomy - Practitioner-in-training
Please scoll down the page to view information about each Therapy and the benefits it provides ....
Foot Reflexology
- Reflexology is the practice of applying pressure to the feet utilizing specific thumb, finger and hand techniques, and is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet, with a premise that such work effects a physical change in the body.
This is a therapy that is not well known in NZ, however it is used extensively in Europe, where a patient visiting their GP for eg: Hypertension or diabetes, would see the Practice nurse for reflexology as well. Also the Midwives, District and Palliative care nurses would use Reflexology as part of their treatment. So a long ways to go here yet!
What to expect in a Treatment
On arrival you will soak your feet in warm water with lavendar essential oils added whilst I take your history of symptoms/complaints/medications/ past injuries or operations. Then you lie on the table (fully clothed) with a bolster under your knees and covered to keep you cosy. After visually assessing your feet, a small amount of cream is applied with some massaging movements prior to beginning the Reflexology. A series of points are then 'pressed', held and stroked. Often there are areas that feel sore, and you should notice over a few treatments that these sore areas become more normal in feel. At the end people say they feel like they are walking on air!
What are the benefits of reflexology ?
Research has shown the specific techniques of reflexology to be effective and beneficial in many ways. A survey of 170 reflexology studies from 21 countries shows that reflexology is effective, impacting a variety of physical and psychological concerns.
Reflexology:
Creates relaxation: From the moment the reflexologist's hands start their work, the relaxation begins as shown in research using EEG brain activity. All together, 24 studies demonstrate reflexology's relaxation effect.
- Reduces pain: Pain reduction following reflexology work is documented in 27 studies including research showing impact on individuals of all ages and health states
- Eases hormonal effects: Women who received reflexology experienced help in reducing symptoms of puberty, menopause, and post-partum hormonal fluctuations. Very useful in relieving some of the common discomforts associated with pregnancy eg: morning sickness, heartburn/indigestion, constipation, haemorrhoids, backache and oedema. Can also aid with fertility issues.
- Ameliorates health concerns: Research shows that reflexology work helps individuals of all ages with some 78 health concerns ranging from aggressive behavior in children to urinary concerns of the elderly.
- Improves blood flow: Separate studies show that reflexology work increases blood flow to the feet, brain, kidneys and intestines.
- Aids post-operative recovery: Reflexology work aids recovery after surgery as shown by several studies, reducing pain and lessening the use of post operative analgesics.
- Impact on physiological measures (e. g. blood pressure and cholesterol; measurements by ECG, EEG, and MRI)
- Enhances medical care: Reflexology helps where nothing else can for many: phantom limb pain sufferers, neuropathy patients, and hemodialysis patients to name a few.
- Benefits mental health: Research demonstrates that reflexology can reduce depression (11 studies) and anxiety (9 studies).
- Complements cancer care: Pain, nausea, vomiting, and/or anxiety eased for chemotherapy patients following reflexology work as shown by 16 studies from 7 countries.
- Aids digestion:I have found that my clients have experienced relief from the symptoms of many forms of digestive ailments ranging from Caeliacs disease, diarrhoea or constipation, IBS and indigestion/flatulence.
- Reduces Lymphoedema: Lymphoedema has been eased in women's arms following mastectomy.
CranioSacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy addresses the craniosacral system. This system includes the cranium, spine, and sacrum which are connected by a continuous membrane of connective tissue deep inside the body, called the dura mater. The dura mater also encloses the brain and the central nervous system. Sutherland noticed that cerebral spinal fluid rises and falls within the compartment of the dura mata. He called this movement the primary respiratory impulse; today it is known as the craniosacral rhythm (CSR) or the cranial wave. Craniosacral therapists can most easily feel the CSR in the body by lightly touching the base of the skull or the sacrum. During a session they feel for disturbances in the rate, amplitude, symmetry, and quality of flow of the CSR. A therapist uses very gentle touch to balance the flow of the CSR. Once the cerebrospinal fluid moves freely, the body's natural healing responses can function.
Indications for CranioSacral Therapy:
Experience has found benefit for several groups of problems including:
What to expect in a Treatment session
It is a non-manipulative, gentle whole body therapy usually carried out sitting or lying on a treatment table fully clothed. The practitioner listens with their skilled hands to the body's intrinsic movement, health, rhythms, pulsations and patterns of congestion and resistance. Treatment usually lasts 1 hour for an adult, and varies with children.
During this process the client may feel energy movements or even bones or organs re-aligning. This is normal and to be welcomed, as the body begins to return to perfect health and balance. Alternatively, the client may feel nothing, or may feel a deep sense of relaxation. This, too, is an expression of cranio-sacral therapy as it facilitates the needs of the body in that moment.
Cranio-sacral therapy is deeply relaxing. It assists the body's natural healing processes, increasing physical vitality and well-being.
It aids in pain relief and encourages the nervous system, organs and musculoskeletal system to balance and heal. Craniosacral therapy is client-led, allowing the individuals' system to set the pace at which the work progresses. In general a series of sessions is advised.
Indications for CranioSacral Therapy:
Experience has found benefit for several groups of problems including:
- migraine and tension headaches, temporo-mandibular joint pain (TMJ), and other facial pain problems
- neck, shoulder girdle, and lower back pain
- post-traumatic injuries of the head and neck, and whiplash
- more generalized problems such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome
- problems with alertness, concentration, or memory
- anxiety and stress-related problems
What to expect in a Treatment session
It is a non-manipulative, gentle whole body therapy usually carried out sitting or lying on a treatment table fully clothed. The practitioner listens with their skilled hands to the body's intrinsic movement, health, rhythms, pulsations and patterns of congestion and resistance. Treatment usually lasts 1 hour for an adult, and varies with children.
During this process the client may feel energy movements or even bones or organs re-aligning. This is normal and to be welcomed, as the body begins to return to perfect health and balance. Alternatively, the client may feel nothing, or may feel a deep sense of relaxation. This, too, is an expression of cranio-sacral therapy as it facilitates the needs of the body in that moment.
Cranio-sacral therapy is deeply relaxing. It assists the body's natural healing processes, increasing physical vitality and well-being.
It aids in pain relief and encourages the nervous system, organs and musculoskeletal system to balance and heal. Craniosacral therapy is client-led, allowing the individuals' system to set the pace at which the work progresses. In general a series of sessions is advised.
Remedial Massage
When muscles and tendons become damaged or impaired, knotted and tense or immobile, Remedial Massage provides a healing treatment that can be gentle or strong, deep or shallow. Remedial massage holistically treats the whole body and traces the discomfort as far as possible back to the original cause, healing both the cause of the disorder as well as the symptoms.Therefore a remedial massage uses different techniques than a relaxation massage, and I may include Myofascial release, Deep tissue massage (not deep enough to bruise or be intolerably painful), CranioSacral therapy,Foot reflexology and Spironic stretches... or any combination of these.
Benefits of Remedial Massage:
Key benefits of Remedial Massage include: the stimulation to the blood supply allowing toxins in the muscles to be removed; the calming of the peripheral nervous system to ease pain and discomfort; and the toning and relaxing of muscles to improve joint mobility. An improvement to the health of the cells, the repairing of tissues, and the easing of stiffness and tension can also be experienced through therapeutic relaxation.
Muscular and skeletal dysfunctions often addressed with Remedial Massage include Fibrositis, Spondylitis, Arthritis, general neck and back pain, frozen shoulder, OOS or RSI, muscular cramps, Whiplash, muscular atrophy, sports and dancing injuries, and post-operative rehabilitation.
What to expect:
Sessions take an hour, and I will sometimes just address a specific area, or give a whole body massage. We decide together at the beginning of the session depending on your needs that day. As I use oils, E-balm and the wonderful Artemis creams, it is necessary for you to be unclothed for the treatment (leave on underwear and I cover you with lovely warm towells :-)
Key benefits of Remedial Massage include: the stimulation to the blood supply allowing toxins in the muscles to be removed; the calming of the peripheral nervous system to ease pain and discomfort; and the toning and relaxing of muscles to improve joint mobility. An improvement to the health of the cells, the repairing of tissues, and the easing of stiffness and tension can also be experienced through therapeutic relaxation.
Muscular and skeletal dysfunctions often addressed with Remedial Massage include Fibrositis, Spondylitis, Arthritis, general neck and back pain, frozen shoulder, OOS or RSI, muscular cramps, Whiplash, muscular atrophy, sports and dancing injuries, and post-operative rehabilitation.
What to expect:
Sessions take an hour, and I will sometimes just address a specific area, or give a whole body massage. We decide together at the beginning of the session depending on your needs that day. As I use oils, E-balm and the wonderful Artemis creams, it is necessary for you to be unclothed for the treatment (leave on underwear and I cover you with lovely warm towells :-)
Foot Joint Mobilisation
Feet are often neglected, yet incorrect foot stance or walk, has repercussions on the whole body. Back, knee, hip, shoulder and neck pain can often be traced back to the way we use our feet. As you walk, the ankle and toes of your back foot bend and stimulate the nerve sensors in the ankle, foot and toes, sending information up to the shoulder on the same side. This information causes the muscles in the back of the shoulder to relax and the muscles in the front of the shoulder to contract, so that your arm moves smoothly forward in synchronization balance. Also if any of the 28 bones in the feet are incorrectly aligned (or dislocation) the whole body is affected. The knee can rotate inwards; this then affects the hip, which in turn affects the back, groin and stomach muscles.Instead of placing even pressure on the foot, many people favour one part, causing stress as the body attempts to compensate.
By correcting the alignment of the bones in the feet, posture, stability and balance will improve, which leads to more effective movement patterns.
Foot Joint Mobilisation consists of 17 moves to realign the bones of the feet, followed by exercises or some massage. These exercises also need to be done by you daily. Two half hour treatments are needed each week over an 8 week period.
Conditions Foot Joint Mobilisation can benefit
By correcting the alignment of the bones in the feet, posture, stability and balance will improve, which leads to more effective movement patterns.
Foot Joint Mobilisation consists of 17 moves to realign the bones of the feet, followed by exercises or some massage. These exercises also need to be done by you daily. Two half hour treatments are needed each week over an 8 week period.
Conditions Foot Joint Mobilisation can benefit
- Back pain
- Aching feet
- Sciatica
- Knee pain
- Hip pain
- Flat feet
- Shoulder pain
- Arthritis
- Neck pain
- Shin splints
- Recurrent corns
- Bunions (if not already had surgery)
- Swollen ankles
- Calluses
- Cold feet
History of Foot Joint Mobilisation - Dr Harvey Lampell, a podiatrist in America who founded Foot Joint Mobilisation, discovered that more than 80% of his clients were able to reduce the need for surgery. Dr Lampell had a successful podiatry clinic in California until life handed him a challenge from a parachuting accident. He was left with severe back pain. Finding that reflexology (the application of specific pressures to reflex points in the hands and feet) gave him the most relief, he learnt to use this in his clinic. But he became dissatisfied with the misshapen feet of his clients and developed the technique of Foot Joint mobilisation.
This is not a beauty treatment and does not make any promise of perfect feet, but offers a better level of comfort than the present state.
- This treatment is not available to any persons who have already received surgical treatment to alleviate any foot condition as the structure of the foot will no longer reverse after surgery. This type of surgery includes: plates, pins, screws and bunion removals.