Holistic Therapies I am interested in alternative therapies and myself use several 'holistic' therapies instead of resorting to drugs if I can. Do you have any favoured treatments. For example, reflexology, crystal healing or aromatherapy.

More and more doctors and hospitals are using some holistic therapies alongside modern day medicine. What are your views on this.

:bigsmile:

Magnets and copper wire apparently have a reputation for reducing pain and easing arthritis in some cases.

I personally think it's a load of bull. :gag:

Tonight I burned my hand quite badly on a hot pan handle. I have just become quite interested in Colour Therapy and Crystal Healing, but haven't learnt any techniques yet. I got out my bag of crystals and held a clear Quartz one in one hand and a Rose Quartz one in the burned hand. I kept them there for about two hours and guess what? Still a tiny bit sore, but no blisters!!! Considering how hot the handle was and how my fingers sizzled, I am amazed that I didn't need medical treatment.

I have used crystals too for meditation and emotional healing and have found they have been really good too.
Would love to learn more about therapies just don't have the time at the moment.

I did a Reiki first degree course nearly 3 years ago and I've just booked myself onto a second degree course. I didn't know anything about Reiki when I had my first treatment (about 6 years ago). I actually went for a relaxation massage and I was offered the Reiki as well, I thought "Why not? If nothing happens then I've not lost anything. If something does happen then great". I was amazed at what happened. I felt absolutely incredible, from then on I was hooked!

i did a level 1 reiki course a couple of years ago and i regularly self-treat. i've found it very beneficial and i still go every once in a while and have a 1 hr session at greenways.

i've also had reflexology and found that to be beneficial too.

These are old remedies making a come back in new packaging and in many cases they have been completely warped by their make over rendering the original effectiveness almost inert.

Reiki - not much faith in it myself. From what I can understand it was developed by a Japanese doctor in the 20th Century and a lady in the States started teaching and selling. She was not a doctor. It seems to me that it has developed in teaching and practice much along the lines of tupperware - pyramid selling. Nothing wrong with commercialism but in my mind it sits ill with a practise of healing that is in effect a channeling of energy or a laying on of hands.

I have never had the pleasure of a treatment, but I have to severely question not only it's ethical practise giving it's inception but also it's effectiveness in the west given that the energy signatures from town to town are completely different not to mention the international ones. I have concerns over an un connected public suddenly becoming qualified in a foreign energy practise without first 'tuning' into their own.

I cannot stress enough the importance of checking who it is you are actually seeing and checking their credentials to make sure they are properly qualified....if there could seriously be such a thing. Some of the certificates I have seen for aparent qualifications in subjects that even I have problems beliving made me laugh so hard I nearly bust something.

Moon

lol what a load of rubbish............... you can just imagine a huge car crash with 100s of people hurt and someone in the crowd shouts "let me through! I'm an aromatherapist!"

Originally posted by ianmitchell
lol what a load of rubbish............... you can just imagine a huge car crash with 100s of people hurt and someone in the crowd shouts "let me through! I'm an aromatherapist!"

LMAO

*cough* oh come on Ian at least put it into perspective.. :rolleyes: or do you have no concept of old ways?...not many cars running around then...the odd wolf (i forget what other wild animals we had in the UK) or rogue crane fly perhaps?

Just to add that I am on an holistic therapy course at the moment and last week we did 'ear candling'. The treatment goes as far back as the Egyptians and more recently by the Hopi Native American Indians.

The candle is not a candle in the sense of the word but a thin cylinder that is placed in the ear and lit. This creates a vacuum that draws out wax. The cylinder is made from beeswax, camomile and honey. The whole process for me was very relaxing and took around 25 minutes. The ear candles burn to a red mark and then they are extinguised in water. When the candle is unfolded, the ear wax ( if any ) is left in the base with the filter. Mine had several lumps of wax in them and I was really surprised.

The treatment is less aggresive than syringing and benefits those with sinus, migraine and tinnitus in particular.

The candles themselves cost around £6 a pair and treatment in a salon around £20.

I was really sceptical but can truly reccommend this treatment to anyone.

youcan get Hopi ear candles MUCH cheaper on Ebay for anyone who is interested!

Originally posted by mitziwillow
Just to add that I am on an holistic therapy course at the moment and last week we did 'ear candling'. The treatment goes as far back as the Egyptians and more recently by the Hopi Native American Indians.


slavery also goes back to the Egyptians but we're not doing that are we?!?!?!

Why so cynical ianmitchell?! If it works for someone else then why can't you just leave them to it?! I think the idea is for these types of therapies to complement modern day medicinal practices. I wouldn't dream of trying to aid a car crash victim with a Reiki treatment. :loopy:

I have only ever treated friends and family members who have asked me for a treatment. I would never go ahead without their permission or ask them if they would like a treament should they feel uncomfortable saying No to me.

I can only go on my experience of Reiki which has been quite amazing and personally I find it fascinating. Nearly every time I self-treat something remarkable happens. Each to their own, it works for me so I'm happy!

These types of therapies are there for those that are interested. If they don't work for you then you still have the choice of walking away. (Which I presume you do ianmitchell?! :) ).

No but a healthy bit of skeptiscism helps so you do not have your arms and legs ripped off by the latest faddy commercial piece of healing from the states :)

I have to admit I am caught between the 'live and let live new age happy clappers' and the 'OMG don't do that that is flippin dangerous bridgade'. I can appreciate the possibility and reasoning why reiki may work, but do not underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers ;)

Moon

Originally posted by Lou
[B]Why so cynical ianmitchell?! If it works for someone else then why can't you just leave them to it?!

I totally agree Lou. Don't knock it until you've tried it! :clap:

lol :blush:

apologies for any offence caused people but it's simply something I don't believe in.....

Mitzi I am just a bit of a cynic when it comes to these kinda things, the way I am. :P

What do you propose I try?

Originally posted by ianmitchell
lol :blush:

apologies for any offence caused people but it's simply something I don't believe in.....

Mitzi I am just a bit of a cynic when it comes to these kinda things, the way I am. :P

What do you propose I try?

How about an aromatherapy massage? you never know you might enjoy it:thumbsup:

I have allways fancied that ear thingy done...i saw it on
'The Word' years ago and i have wondered about it since..

Anyone know where it can be done?

I dont fancy doing it myself i will proberbly burn the house down or melt my brain or something!

Originally posted by mitziwillow
How about an aromatherapy massage? you never know you might enjoy it:thumbsup:

how does it differ from a normal massage?

I wasn't really offended ianmitchell, just curious as to why you were dismissing it completely. I am more cheesed off by Moon's comment if I am being bracketed in with the "new age happy clappers"!

I am still a little sceptical of some types of holistic therapies myself. I'm not sure how the whole of the body is mapped onto the feet in reflexology and how that works for example. But I'm open-minded enough to say that if someone benefits from it then good for them. That then makes me curious and want to ask myself "Well, how is it working for them?".

I agree that's it's sensible advice to check out the credentials and training of a holistic practitioner before diving right in. And sadly I agree that there are unqualified persons out there who can take advantage of others perhaps feeling a little vulnerable when looking for something different, and convince them that what they are doing is benefiting them.

I have a friend who was a complete and utter sceptic and dismissed all holistic therapies as utter BS. However, she began to suffer from anxiety, depression and terrible panic attacks that she had to be signed off work. She had private health cover and went to a Priory Healthcare Centre. I was surprised to find that the sceptic had been learning relaxation techniques and meditation. She had also had group counselling and had even read some "self help" books. I'm glad to see that she has benefited and even she's amazed that she even picked up a "self help" book after having been so sceptical in the past.

If, for example, a person suffering from chronic back pain is relieved with a chiropractic treatment when painkillers/anti-inflammatories are no longer helping then I can't see what's wrong with that. I think holistic therapies have their place and shouldn't ALL be dismissed as rubbish, but a sensible amount of caution/sceptism can be appropriate.

Originally posted by Lou
I am more cheesed off by Moon's comment if I am being bracketed in with the "new age happy clappers"!

Do you follow without reason Lou? Do you go baaa when the latest fad is brought out in new age, old craft and rush to spend your pennies without actually engaging your brain as to whether it may or how it may work?

If the answer is yes to any of these then I am afraid yes I would class you as a happy clapper. :clap:

Isn't that a bit of a sweeping generalisation when you don't even know anything else about me?! No I don't follow without reason. No I most definately don't go baa at the latest fad. And I do engage my brain before spending pennies. Did you read the rest of my post where I put that I do remain sceptical about some alternative therapies?

I think the fact that I have a science degree and I have worked in the Pharmaceutical Industry in Clinical Trials Research for 7 years gives me a pretty good grounding in modern day medicine? I just like to have a balance in my interests between the two.

I've done a few aromatherapy courses and I've never felt better. My ex had a back problem at the time and drugs wouldn't work so we had to try alternative therapies.

Being the only male on the course I was always being practised on which was great. Normally within an hour of getting home I was fast asleep.

That black pepper oil really gives you a good clean out and like the lavender and tea tree universal oils.

I've got no one to practice on now though so my skills are getting a bit rusty as I could spot a muscle knot really easily and got tuned into skin temperature so I could find damaged areas.

I've got a lavender burner going at the moment to try and stave off the cold bugs that are going around now.

Originally posted by Lou
Isn't that a bit of a sweeping generalisation when you don't even know anything else about me?! No I don't follow without reason. No I most definately don't go baa at the latest fad. And I do engage my brain before spending pennies.

Lou what you getting your knickers in a twist for...you just said no, what have you to worry about? :confused:

Moon

I don't see what's wrong with me wanting to check whether or not I was being stereotyped as something I feel I am not?

Originally posted by Moon Maiden

If the answer is yes to any of these then I am afraid yes I would class you as a happy clapper. :clap:

your concerns should have been killed on the above post.

there's quite a big step from believing that joint manipulation can affect back pain (chiropracting), or that meditation and relaxation techniques can help someone who is anxious and stressed to believing that someone can channel positive energy or manipulate your body's field of energy and rebalance your chi, isn't there?

Originally posted by Lou
I wasn't really offended ianmitchell, just curious as to why you were dismissing it completely. I am more cheesed off by Moon's comment if I am being bracketed in with the "new age happy clappers"!

I am still a little sceptical of some types of holistic therapies myself. I'm not sure how the whole of the body is mapped onto the feet in reflexology and how that works for example. But I'm open-minded enough to say that if someone benefits from it then good for them. That then makes me curious and want to ask myself "Well, how is it working for them?".

I agree that's it's sensible advice to check out the credentials and training of a holistic practitioner before diving right in. And sadly I agree that there are unqualified persons out there who can take advantage of others perhaps feeling a little vulnerable when looking for something different, and convince them that what they are doing is benefiting them.

I have a friend who was a complete and utter sceptic and dismissed all holistic therapies as utter BS. However, she began to suffer from anxiety, depression and terrible panic attacks that she had to be signed off work. She had private health cover and went to a Priory Healthcare Centre. I was surprised to find that the sceptic had been learning relaxation techniques and meditation. She had also had group counselling and had even read some "self help" books. I'm glad to see that she has benefited and even she's amazed that she even picked up a "self help" book after having been so sceptical in the past.

If, for example, a person suffering from chronic back pain is relieved with a chiropractic treatment when painkillers/anti-inflammatories are no longer helping then I can't see what's wrong with that. I think holistic therapies have their place and shouldn't ALL be dismissed as rubbish, but a sensible amount of caution/sceptism can be appropriate.

I read a book on "Healing with Mind Power" which for a while really changed my life. I learned how to put myself into a self hypnotic trance, reach the subconsciousand then try to alter the things I didn't like about my life or a least make dealing with these aspects more enjoyable.
Made for much better days and daft as it seems really worked

Hazel

Originally posted by hazel
I read a book on "Healing with Mind Power" which for a while really changed my life. I learned how to put myself into a self hypnotic trance, reach the subconsciousand then try to alter the things I didn't like about my life or a least make dealing with these aspects more enjoyable.
Made for much better days and daft as it seems really worked

Hazel

Burn the witch!! ;)

Moon Maiden you made me laugh,

Hazel

well that is nice to see...I generally annoy the pants off people :)

Moon

Originally posted by ianmitchell
how does it differ from a normal massage?

Practitioners administer the oil in a variety of ways, usually by rubbing it into the skin. The oils are readily absorbed into the body and circulated through it. The fragrance of the oil also appears to be important in the therapy. Advocates of this type of complementary medicine claim that conditions as diverse as inflammation, oily skin, dry skin, influenza, and decreased physical immunity can be successfully treated. Aromatherapy oils act on the olfactory nerves sending signals to the brain.

Here are some essential, essential oils to start you off

*Lavendar ( French ) can be used directly on to the skin. Good for burns.

*Tea Tree great for spots and preventing head lice

*Rose absolute - for ageing skin

*Ylang-ylang - a sensuous oil, aphrodisiac

Oils are used in burners, the bath, in a massage oil, direct ( please check ) and in water as a rinse for the hair. Essential oils can be used to make your own beauty products - much more natural smelling than manufactured goods.

You should always follow the safety advice and keep out of reach of children.

All oils should be used with care. Seek advice from a qualified aromatherapist if you are in any doubt, especially if pregnant, suffer from epilepsy, heart disease, post operative or cancer sufferer.

Originally posted by Cyclone
there's quite a big step from believing that joint manipulation can affect back pain (chiropracting), or that meditation and relaxation techniques can help someone who is anxious and stressed to believing that someone can channel positive energy or manipulate your body's field of energy and rebalance your chi, isn't there?
Yes I agree there is. But the only answer I can give is that I can only go off my personal experience with Reiki. It's something I think people have to experience for themselves so I doubt I will be able to convince anyone on here with words alone! I've just done my Reiki 2 course and I feel like a new person! I've seen and experienced too many remarkable things for this not to be real for me.

Does Thai Che come under this heading
I am just starting a course and find it really interesting especially the spiritual part.

Hazel

I find alot of pagans who also study eastern disciplines are very focused but are out of tune and in direct conflict with the energies of where they live.
This can be problematic for certain crafts but not always.

Moon

Moon maiden,

If that was a reply to my Thai Che question, I don't unddrstand a word of it.
I don't understand it anyway

Originally posted by hazel
Moon maiden,

If that was a reply to my Thai Che question, I don't unddrstand a word of it.
I don't understand it anyway

sorry only just back on the forum I obviously haven't read your post right sorry :loopy:

Moon

i realise now you were answering the other post
You had me completely flummuxed
hazel

Originally posted by hazel
Does Thai Che come under this heading
I am just starting a course and find it really interesting especially the spiritual part.

Hazel
Is that the same as Tai Chi or something different?! If we're talking about the same thing I would say Tai Chi is a type of holistic discipline. I've never tried it myself but is it based on balancing the body and mind through performing martial arts based movements? In order to perform each movement correctly I would imagine that the mind has to be concentrated and when the mind's concentrated you can forget about all the everyday worries and concerns which in turn should be beneficial for the body.

I find when I do yoga I have to concentrate. It's amazing how lovely it feels to clear my head of all the things I've been thinking about. But the same could be said for a lot of other types of exercise.

As a reflexologist, I am biased. I love it. I would say it works for the majority but not for everyone.

You can get hopi ear candle treatment at Wainwright Therapy Centre in Sharrow - ask for Audrey.

It's surprising how we're starting to scientifically 'discover' some 'old' remedies that had been forgotten with the discovery of modern medecines. How did our ancestors discover things like witch hazel?

Many people treat their dogs with alternative therapies, but I was becoming quite frustrated with being innundated with their opinions when they heard Brude's story. What works for them is fine, but in our case surgery was the only option. I strongly believe in seeking alternatives to drugs, but that doesn't invalidate modern medicine either.

That sounds like I don't believe! I think practices such as osteopathy should be available on the NHS, especially when they work, and cost less than 'approved' treatment.

Originally posted by Lou
the same could be said for a lot of other types of exercise. I used to do tae kwon do - it's amazing how easy it is to forget exam stress when you're dealing with a kick to the head!!!!