Other treatments The following treatments can be used in isolation, however, depending on your presenting condition, a combination of treatments may be used. It is not unusual for me to use acupuncture, cupping and massage in the course of a treatment (all included with the price), or recommend a certain Chinese herbal formula. The emphasis is on using a combination that is appropriate for you and one which will speed your recovery Chinese Herbal Medicine Chinese herbal medicine is a major part of healthcare provision in China, and is provided in state hospitals alongside western medicine. Although historically patients were given a bag of raw herbs to boil up, there are more convenient and palatable forms available now. I use either granules which dissolve in hot water, or concentrated tablets. All Chinese herbs stocked are from UK suppliers approved by the register of Chinese herbal medicine and are free from contaminants and animal products. What can Chinese Herbal Medicine treat? Chinese herbal medicine is successfully used for a very wide range of conditions and is often used alongside acupuncture, however some choose to use herbal medicine alone. A prescription will usually give a daily dose of a herbal formula – in effect a treatment every day! – over a period of 2-3 weeks. This makes herbal medicine an attractive choice for those with time and/or financial constraints Among the more commonly treated disorders are: Skin diseases Gastro-intestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, ulcerative colitis, bloating, indigestion Gynaecological conditions, including pre-menstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, infertility and PCOS Chronic fatigue syndromes and M.E., whether with a background of viral infection or in other situations Respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, and chronic coughs, hayfever and sinusitis Rheumatological conditions (e.g. osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis) Urinary conditions including chronic cystitis and urinary tract infections Psychological problems (e.g. depression, anxiety, panic attacks) Children's diseases Traditional Chinese Dietary Therapy – often very different from the western view of diet! This involves recommending foods that are suitable for rectifying your current imbalance, reducing foods that are contributing to the imbalance and formulating good strategies in order to maintain & promote personal health. This advice is often given as part of an acupuncture consultation, though can be given individually for those not wishing to have acupuncture. Implementation of this dietary advice can substantially help speed your recovery. The basic theory behind this approach is that certain foods target certain organs. Depending on which of your organs are in a state of ‘imbalance’, certain foods will be recommended and others you may be advised to reduce. The Chinese approach to diet in general is a very healthy and balanced one with a few differences from the conventional view of diet. For example, for weight reduction, the Chinese believe that for many people, cold and raw foods should be avoided. This might seem a little unusual to you, but if you have ever suffered from loss of energy, feelings of coldness or bloating/flatulence after eating these types of foods, then you may be want find out more! Massage Massage can take the form of a gentle relaxing massage to help distress and unwind or a slightly deeper massage integrating the knowledge of acupuncture points and meridians and applying pressure with thumbs/fingers (generally referred to as acupressure). This type of massage can be relaxing and yet stimulating and therapeutic. In this type of massage areas of tension/tightness are addressed as well as any underlying problems. There are specific essential oils and combinations of oils used in Chinese medicine used to treat certain conditions. One particular combination, unique to Chinese medicine – Po Sum On oil - is very effective at relieving tension in the shoulders and neck. Ask for more details. Other: I have sourced a range of nutritional supplements, ointments, sports/health aids that are available for people to buy (whether clients or not). These include cold wraps for sport injuries, Chinese herbal bruise plasters, special Chinese massage oil (specifically formulated for tense/tight shoulders and neck), wild oregano oil, Traumeel, VegEPA, Eskimo Oil, plus many more. Depending on the condition you present with, you may be advised which of these products may help to speed recovery. Advice: An unusual addition to the page perhaps, however, advice is free, there is no obligation to book in for a treatment. I am more than happy to advise in any way that I can. Please do not hesitate to contact me.