Блог Анкара

■ his appendix contains an A-Z of every complementary medical therapy W That I can fit in these pages!

All the main therapies that feature in this book have chapter references so that you can nip directly to the chapter if you want to find out much, much more. All the jargon words, such as Meridian And Acupoint, Are explained in the relevant chapters, too.

The A-Z also contains lots of other, perhaps lesser known, therapies that I wasn’t able to squeeze in anywhere else in the book. If a single, main contact link for the therapy exists, then I’ve tried to include that, too.

Mention of these less well-known therapies in the A-Z list doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re effective or have been scientifically validated or are even safe. However, neither can you necessarily assume they’re no good. Many of these therapies are relatively new and have not yet been investigated independently. For all we know, some of these therapies may even become mainstream in the future.

If you want to try out any of these therapies, find out as much as you can about the therapy and the practitioner’s level of skill and experience before treatment. Take a look at Chapter 1 and the individual chapters on all the main therapies for guidance on how to select a therapy, how to know if it’s effective, and the type of questions you may want to ask.

If I’ve missed out any therapy in this A-Z through oversight or ignorance, then please let me know about it and I’ll consider including it in future editions of this book.

I hope you find this handy reference guide useful.

Acupressure: The application of finger-tip or thumb pressure to different points on the body in order to balance the meridian (vital energy) system. For more, see Chapter 9 on acupuncture and Chapter 17 on massage.

Acupuncture: The insertion of fine needles into points on the skin, said to balance the flow of Qi (vital energy) that is believed to flow in invisible channels known as Meridians. For more, see Chapter 9 on acupuncture.

Alexander Technique: A technique for realigning posture devised by Australian actor, F. M. Alexander. For more, see Chapter 16 on bodywork therapies.

Allergy testing: A range of diagnostic approaches used to determine which food or inhaled substances may cause body imbalance or illness. For more, see Chapter 12 on nutritional medicine and Chapter 22 on energy medicine.

Amatsu: A modern-day synthesis of Anma Massage with Japanese bodywork techniques. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Anma: An ancient Japanese massage technique using fingers, thumbs, and hands, or sometimes elbows and feet, to apply pressure to acupoints and stimulate flow in the acupuncture meridians. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Anthroposophical medicine: A system of medicine based on creative therapies, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and healthy eating of foods grown bio-dynamically. For more, see Chapter 23 on creative therapies.

Applied kinesiology: See ‘Kinesiology’.

Aqua detox: A therapy involving placing the feet in an electrically operated footbath supposedly designed to remove toxins from the body. Regarded by some as a scam but others swear by it! For more, see Www. aquadetoxuk. com or Www. devicewatch. org/reports/aquadetox. shtml.

Aqua touch: A whole body treatment given in water.

Aromatherapy: The use of essential oils, extracted from plants, in massage, inhalations, and so on. For more, see Chapter 19 on aromatherapy.

Art therapy: The use of art (painting, drawing, collage making, sculpture, clay modelling, and so on) to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. For more, see Chapter 23 on creative therapies.

Auricular acupuncture: Acupuncture treatment for the whole body using just the ear! For more, see Chapter 9 on acupuncture.

Auro-soma: See ‘Colour therapy’.

Autogenic training/therapy (AT): A relaxation technique to ease mental and physical stress. For more, see Chapter 21 on psychological therapies.

Ayurveda: Traditional Indian system of medicine with treatments that include diet, yoga, and meditation. Also includes Marma massage, Panchakarma purification techniques, Chavutti Thirumal, and Indian head massage. For more, see Chapter 5 on Ayurveda and Chapter 17 on massage.

Baby massage: Gentle massage strokes and stretches to stimulate the baby’s immune system and aid digestion and relaxation. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Bach flower remedies: Flower remedies developed by Dr Edward Bach for the treatment of emotional conditions. For more, see Chapter 22.

Bates method: Exercises to improve eye health and vision developed by Dr William Bates in the US. For more, see Chapter 16.

Bi-aura therapy: A system of bio-energy healing used to remove blockages in energy flow. See Chapter 22 for more.

Bibliotherapy: The therapeutic use of literature, through books, film, and theatre, to help resolve trauma or emotional problems. For more, see Chapter 23 on creative therapies.

Biodynamic massage: A form of massage therapy to release physical and energetic blockages. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Bio-energetics: A therapy involving holding various physical positions and exploring feelings to release inner blockages. For more, see Chapter 16 on bodywork therapies.

Bio-energy therapy: A system of gentle hand movements to increase the flow of vital energy, or Qi, In the body and remove blockages. See Chapter 22 and

Www. bioenergyhealing. net.

Biofeedback: The use of electronic devices to feed back information on body functions with the purpose of bringing them under voluntary control. For more, see Chapter 21 on psychological therapies.

Biorhythm therapy: Calculating biorhythms, supposed cycles of emotional, physical, and mental ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ calculated mathematically on the basis of your birth date, to determine the best day for activities, operations, and so on. For more, see Chapter 21 on psychological therapies.

Bowen technique: A soft-tissue therapy developed by Tom Bowen involving light finger and thumb movements over the body to relax and release tension. For more, see Chapter 16 on bodywork therapies.

Buteyko breathing technique: A system of breathing exercises devised to promote relaxed breathing and relieve asthma. For more, see Chapter 18.

Chelation therapy: A treatment designed to remove heavy metals from the body that has also been used to help clear blockages in the arteries. For more, see Chapter 12 on nutritional therapy.

Chinese medicine: Also known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a system of medicine that for thousands of years has incorporated acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage (Tui na), Therapeutic exercises (Qi Gong), And dietary and lifestyle regimes. For more, see Chapter 4.

Chiropractic: A system of spinal manipulation and therapy for joint and muscular problems. See also McTimoney chiropractic. For more, see Chapter 15 on chiropractic.

Chua Ka: An ancient form of Mongolian massage originally used by warriors preparing themselves for battle. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Clinical ecology: Also known as environmental medicine, this involves assessment with electronic devices to detect sensitivities to foods, chemicals, moulds, pollens, and so on. For more, see Chapter 22 on energy medicine and Chapter 12 on nutrition.

Colonic hydrotherapy: Involves the therapeutic cleansing of the colon using water, or other liquids, which can be done by machine or manually. For more, see Chapter 13 on naturopathy.

Colour therapy: The use of coloured light, with different wavelengths and frequencies, or exposure to coloured materials, liquids (auro-soma), and so on, to affect the body therapeutically. For more, see Chapter 23 on creative therapies.

Cranial osteopathy: A subtle form of osteopathy that focuses on the ebb and flow of cerebro-spinal fluid and slight movements within the cranial bones. For more, see Chapter 14 on osteopathy.

Cranio-sacral therapy: A system of light pressure techniques on the cranium (skull) and sacrum (tailbone) that is designed to release tension and promote free flow of the fluid in the spinal cord. For more, see Chapter 14 on osteopathy.

Crystal healing: Healing via different types of crystals designed to balance energy in the body. For more, see Chapter 20.

Dance therapy: The use of movement and dance to promote mental and physical well-being. For more, see Chapter 23 on creative therapies.

Darkfield microscopy: A form of live blood analysis that uses powerful microscopes to illuminate the blood cells and is claimed to detect internal health problems and disease risk. For more, see Chapter 22 on energy medicine.

Deep-tissue massage: A form of massage that uses slow, deep finger pressure to break down scar tissue and release toxins, tension, and pain. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Do-In: A traditional Japanese system for personal and spiritual development that combines self-massage, acupressure, and shiatsu stretches with a macrobiotic diet, breathing exercises, and meditation. For more, see Chapter 7 on Japanese medicine.

Dolphin therapy: Swimming with dolphins has been found to be therapeutic for various conditions such as depression and autism. For more, see www. Idw. org/html/about_idw. html.

Dowsing: The use of a pendulum, branch, or rod to detect water or diagnose imbalance in the body. For more information, see Chapter 22 on energy medicine.

Dramatherapy: The use of theatrical techniques to increase self-awareness and promote mental and physical health. For more, see Chapter 23 on creative therapies.

Dream therapy: Analysing dreams for insights into current problems. See Chapter 21 on psychological therapies.

Emotional freedom technique (EFT): Involves light tapping with the fingers on 11 acupressure points to release emotional blockages. For more, see Chapter 21 on Psychological Therapies.

Feldenkrais technique: A system of gentle movements devised by Moshe Feldenkrais, an Israeli physicist and Judo expert, to reduce patterns of muscular tension and pain and promote ease of movement and vitality. For more, see Chapter 16 on bodywork therapies.

Feng shui: Various techniques used to rebalance energy flows in order to create harmonious environments and increase health, happiness, and prosperity. For more, see Chapter 23 on creative therapies.

Flotation: Floating in salt water in an enclosed tank to promote deep relaxation. This therapy grew out of American physiologist and psychoanalyst

John C. Lilly’s work on sensory deprivation in the 1950s. For more, see Chapter 18.

Gerson Diet: A form of nutritional therapy based on raw food, devised by German army surgeon Max Gerson in the 1950s, to control his migraines and now used as a therapeutic regime for cancer. For more, see Chapter 12 on nutritional medicine.

Healing: The use of the hands, heart, and mind to transfer healing energy and promote healing in another being. For more, see Chapter 20 on healing.

Hellerwork: A form of deep tissue massage combined with psychotherapy and postural realignment developed by Joseph Heller, a pupil of Dr Ida Rolf (creator of Rolfing). For more, see Chapter 16 on bodywork therapies.

Herbal medicine: The use of the stems, roots, leaves, branches, and fruits of different plants to promote healing and relieve illness. Herbal traditions exist in both Eastern and Western traditions. For more, see Chapter 11 on herbal medicine.

Holographic re-patterning: Now renamed resonance patterning, this therapy synthesises polarity therapy, kinesiology, and acupuncture to ‘re-pattern body frequencies causing dissonance’. For more on polarity therapy and kinesiology see Chapter 16 on bodywork therapies.

Homeopathy: A therapy based on treating ‘like with like’ using infinitesimal doses of diluted plant, mineral, human, and animal substances to enable the body to repair itself. For more, see Chapter 10 on homeopathy.

Hot stone massage: The application of stones, heated or cooled to different temperatures, to different parts of the body to promote circulation and relaxation. For more details, see Www. lastonetherapy. com.

Hydrotherapy: All kinds of therapeutic treatments using water. For more, see Chapters 8 and 13 on Nature Cure and naturopathy.

Hydrotherm massage: A massage performed while you lie on a mattress filled with warm water. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Hypnotherapy: The introduction of therapeutic suggestions to the mind during a receptive and relaxed state to facilitate healing of mental, physical, and emotional problems. For more, see Chapter 21 on psychological therapies.

Indian head massage: See ‘Ayurveda’.

Indonesian massage: A form of deep-tissue massage that uses the thumbs to work deep into the muscles and surrounding tissues. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Iridology: Diagnosis of the iris in the eye, viewed under magnification. For more, see Chapter 13 on naturopathy.

Jin Shin Do: A synthesis of acupressure, Qi gong Exercises, and psychology for releasing physical and emotional tension. For more, see Chapter 17 or

Www. jinshindo. org.

Johrei: A healing approach involving the channelling of ‘universal energy’ or ‘divine light’ through the giver to the receiver. For more, see Chapter 20 on healing therapies.

Kahuna: A Hawaiian form of deep-tissue massage for the whole body, sometimes called Lomi Lomi. For more about massage, see Chapter 17.

Kinesiology: A system of muscle testing to detect and regulate body imbalances. For more, see Chapter 16 on bodywork therapies.

Kum nye: Poses and breathing exercises designed to increase awareness and still the mind, a part of Tibetan medicine. For more, see Chapter 16 on bodywork therapies.

LaStone therapy: See ‘Hot stone massage’.

Laughter therapy: Using humour and laughter to boost mental and physical well-being. For more, see Chapter 21 on psychological therapies.

Light therapy: Therapy that involves exposure to sunlight, full-spectrum light, or coloured light. For more, see Chapter 23 on creative therapies.

Magnet therapy: The use of fixed magnets or pulsed magnetic field devices to stimulate tissue healing, improve circulation, and aid muscle relaxation. For more, see Chapter 22 on energy medicine.

Manual lymphatic drainage: A gentle massage approach designed to stimulate the flow of lymph in the tissues. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Massage: Gentle pressure applied with the fingers and hands and sometimes other body parts (such as knuckles, elbows, or feet) to relax and heal, performed with or without oil. For info on all types of massage, see Chapter 17.

McTimoney chiropractic: A gentle form of manipulation therapy devised by British engineer and chiropractor John McTimoney. For more, see Chapter 15 on chiropractic.

Metamorphic technique: A gentle touch technique designed to release emotional, mental, and physical blocks created while in the womb. For more, see Chapter 16 on bodywork therapies.

MORA therapy: A type of ‘bio-resonance’ therapy using an electro-acupuncture device to test for allergies and imbalances. For more, see Chapter 22 on energy medicine.

Music therapy: The use of musical sounds and sound frequencies to stimulate healing. For more, see Chapter 23 on creative therapies.

Myofascial massage: A type of massage that stretches the tissues to release tension and pain. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Naturopathy: A system of natural medicine incorporating nutritional and herbal medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, and Nature Cure and designed to stimulate the body’s innate healing ability. For more, see Chapter 13 on naturopathy.

Neuro-linguistic programming: A set of techniques for modifying language, behaviour, and experience. For more, see Chapter 21 on psychological therapies.

Neuromuscular therapy: Also known as trigger-point therapy or myotherapy, this involves direct thumb or finger pressure on tender points, known as trigger points, to improve circulation and release pain. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Nutritional therapy: Also called nutritional medicine, this therapy uses foods and sometimes nutritional supplements to improve digestion and ease common ailments. For more, see Chapter 12 on nutritional medicine.

On-site massage therapy: Mobile massage therapists take a portable chair into workplaces and perform 15- to 30-minute massages on the head, neck, upper back, and arms. For more about the different types of massage, see Chapter 17.

Orthomolecular therapy: The treatment of disease using concentrated doses of vitamins and minerals. For more, see Chapter 12 on nutritional therapy.

Osteopathy: A type of manipulation therapy that uses mobilisation and massage techniques to improve mobility and restore structural balance. For more, see Chapter 14.

Oxygen therapy: The use of oxygen, either inhaled or introduced into extracted blood as in ozone therapy, which is believed to oxygenate the tissues and help limit the spread of bacteria and cancer cells.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT): The application of light-sensitive substances to increase oxygenation at cancer sites, which is believed to help trigger cancer cell death. For more information, see Chapter 22 on energy medicine

Or Www. doveclinic. com.

Pilates: A system of exercises for increasing body awareness, improving posture and alignment, and increasing flexibility. For more, see Chapter 16 on bodywork therapies.

Play therapy: The use of sand play, art, story telling, drama, puppetry, music, movement, and so on to help children with emotional, behavioural, and mental health problems. For more, see Chapter 23 on creative therapies.

Polarity therapy: A system using massage techniques, touch, and healing to rebalance the body’s ‘energy field’. For more, see Chapter 16 on bodywork therapies.

Pranayama: See ‘Yoga’.

Pregnancy massage: Massage technique specially designed for use with pregnant women to ease discomfort and facilitate blood flow to the unborn child. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Psionics: A form of dowsing similar to radionics. For more, see the discussion on radionics in Chapter 22.

Psychic healing: Healing given by someone while in a trance-like or meditative state, involving the transfer of energy and sometimes even ‘surgery’, where the body is apparently entered by hand or cut open without anaesthetic or surgical instruments. For more, see Chapter 20 on healing therapies.

Psychosynthesis: A form of psychological therapy that emphasises self-awareness and Soul Knowledge. For more, see Chapter 21 on psychological therapies.

Qi gong: Part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this form of movement therapy is designed to free the flow of Qi (vital energy) and promote flexibility and healing. For more, see Chapter 4 on TCM and Chapter 16 on bodywork therapies.

Quantum touch: A form of energy healing using such elements as hand healing and breathing techniques. For more, see Www. quantumtouch. com.

Radionics: A form of dowsing, using a hand-held pendulum or a radionic device to detect energetic imbalances in the body and ‘broadcast’ healing at a distance. For more, see Chapter 22 on energy medicine.

Rebirthing: The use of breathing and other physical techniques to ‘re-enact’ your birth and resolve birth traumas that can impact on later life. For more, see Chapter 21 on psychological therapies.

Reflexology: A form of foot massage using finger-tip and thumb pressure to nerve reflex points on the feet. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Regression therapy: Sometimes called past-life therapy or past-life regression therapy, this therapy involves deep relaxation and then being taken back supposedly to specific times in your early life or even past lives. For more, see Chapter 21 on psychological therapies.

Reiki: A Japanese healing approach involving the transfer of healing energy. For more, see Chapter 20 on healing.

Remedial massage: A form of soft tissue massage often used for healing joint pain and sports and other injuries. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Rolfing: Also called structural integration, a bodywork system for correcting misalignment developed by Ida Rolf in the 1950s. For more, see Chapter 16 on bodywork therapies.

Self-massage: Simple do-it-yourself massage techniques, using finger-tip and hand pressure and kneading to release tension and promote circulation. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Shamanic healing: The use of rituals, singing, dancing, drumming, fasting, consciousness-altering plants, and trance-like states for self-development and healing. For more, see Chapter 20 on healing therapies.

Shiatsu: A Japanese massage system, often performed through clothing, involving pressure from fingers, elbows, feet, and knees to rebalance the body. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Sonodynamic therapy: This therapy uses low-level ultrasound in an attempt to destroy tumour cells. For more, see Chapter 22 and Www. doveclinic. com.

Spiritual healing: The channelling of universal healing energy or ‘life force’ via a trained healer intended to promote mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. For more, see Chapter 20 on healing therapies.

Sports massage: A combination of massage techniques designed to enhance sports performance and promote healing of injuries. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Swedish massage: A popular form of massage developed in Sweden and sometimes called therapeutic massage, Swedish massage is based on kneading, stroking, and pummelling movements designed to stimulate circulation and promote relaxation. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Ta’i chi: Part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this movement therapy involves slow, flowing sequences of movements and breathing techniques to stimulate and regulate the flow of Qi Energy. For more, see Chapter 16 on bodywork therapies.

Thai massage: A thorough form of deep-tissue massage with muscle stretching and pressure techniques designed to ease tension and pain and promote relaxation. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Therapeutic touch: A type of laying-on-of-hands therapy. For more, see Chapter 20 on healing.

Thought field therapy (TFT): A form of psychological treatment designed to ease emotional problems, stress, and anxiety rapidly. For more, see Chapter 21 on psychological therapies.

Tibetan massage: An ancient Tibetan medical technique involving oil massage and pressure to particular points on the body to ease pain and obstructions and promote healing. For more, see Chapter 6 on Tibetan medicine.

Touch for Health: Developed out of applied kinesiology by US chiropractor John Thie, who believed simple techniques for body balancing could be learnt and used by anyone. See also ‘Kinesiology’.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): See ‘Chinese medicine’.

Tragerwork: A system of gentle, rhythmical movements, devised by one-time chronic back-sufferer Milton Trager, to ease tension and pain and improve mobility. For more, see Chapter 16 on bodywork therapies.

Trigger-point therapy: See ‘Neuromuscular therapy’.

Tsubo therapy: Therapy involving stimulation of Tsubo, Acupoints, using massage, heat treatment, or electrical stimulus. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Tui na: A Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) form of massage that uses fingers, hands, arms, elbows, and knees to rub, knead, and roll the skin. Tui na Is designed to release blockages in the acupuncture meridians and to release muscular tension. For more, see Chapter 17 on massage.

Visualisation: Sometimes also called mental imagery, guided imagery, or creative visualisation, this therapy involves creating positive images, while in a relaxed state, to help resolve mental or physical problems. For more, see Chapter 21 on psychological therapies.

Watsu: Shiatsu performed in the water! The idea is that the body is relaxed and weightless to aid stretches. See also ‘Shiatsu’.

Yoga: A system of therapeutic exercises and breathing (pranayama) And meditation techniques that are a part of Ayurveda. For more, see Chapter 5 on Ayurveda and Chapter 16 on bodywork therapies.

Zero balancing: A light manipulation therapy designed to rebalance the ‘energetic body’. For more, see Chapter 16 on bodywork therapies.

Zone therapy: See ‘Reflexology’.

In This Chapter

^ Ten outstanding herbs and their uses in complementary medicine ^ Simple teas, syrups, and other remedies to make and use at home

Certain herbs, easily grown in your garden or kitchen, have been used for centuries by herbalists, naturopaths, homeopaths, aromatherapists, and nutritionists. In this chapter, I pick out ten of my favourites and give you tips on how you can use them safely at home.

If you can’t lay your hands on fresh herbs, have a go with dried herbs (available from any supermarket). Substitute one heaped teaspoonful of dried herb for one handful of fresh herb.

Where I’ve given no warning for any of the herbs in this chapter, these herbs are generally considered safe to use. If in doubt, consult a herbalist, natur-opath, nutritionist, or aromatherapist as appropriate.

Camomile

This plant with daisy-like flower heads grows wild in many places and has been used by herbalists, naturopaths, and homeopaths for centuries for its wonderfully calming and anti-inflammatory effects.

For a calming drink at bedtime, infuse one tablespoon of camomile flower heads with freshly boiled water and steep for ten minutes before drinking. Add a teaspoon to baby’s drinking water to relieve colic or teething. Soak two cotton wool pads in the cold leftovers and place over the eyes for ten minutes as a tonic for tired eyes. Homeopaths use the remedy Chamomilla 30c to ease painful teething, irritability, and colic in babies.

Camomile occasionally causes skin rash or irritation. If so, discontinue use.

Dandelion

This plant with its cheerful, bright yellow flowers grows everywhere. Its deep roots bring up nutrients from the soil and its mineral-rich leaves are prized by herbalists, naturopaths, and nutritionists who use them to treat liver problems, ease constipation, and relieve water retention.

Pick fresh dandelion leaves well away from roadsides and add to salads or simmer in a little water and strain and dilute the juice (one to two teaspoons of dandelion decoction per glass of water drunk twice daily) to ease constipation and improve liver function.

Only use clean dandelion leaves and not the flowers or stalks, the latter of which contain a bitter, milky fluid. Don’t take dandelion without consulting a qualified practitioner if you have gall bladder, or intestinal blockage, or inflammation.

ElderfloWer

Elder is a shrub that grows throughout the countryside and in many gardens. Its attractive, large, white flower heads are great for aromatic cordials and its dark purple berries in autumn are rich in Vitamin C and immune-boosting bioflavonoids. Herbalists, naturopaths, and nutritionists use elderberry syrups to treat and prevent colds, flu, and sore throats, and to boost the immune system.

In summer, pour freshly boiled water over elderflower heads (around five times as much water as flower heads), steep, cool, and strain. Top up with sparkling water and sweeten to taste for a refreshing summer cordial or dab a little of the juice on the temples, said to ease headaches. In the autumn, place elderberries, a few slices of ginger, some cloves, and three teaspoons of demerara sugar in a pan and cover with water. Simmer gently for 30 minutes, then cool, strain, and bottle. Take one teaspoon every hour at first sign of a cold, flu, or sore throat and continue until better.

Consult a practitioner if you’re pregnant or lactating.

Lavender

This fragrant woody shrub with purple flowers grows throughout Europe and is commonly used as a perfume and for food flavouring. Essential oil of lavender is one of the most popular aromatherapy oils and is used both to relax

And to lift the spirits. Herbalists use lavender infusions to relieve headaches, nervousness, and depression.

Strew a large handful of lavender seeds into a bucket, or large bowl, of warm water to make a wonderfully invigorating foot bath for tired feet. Add a few drops of essential oil of lavender to your bath for a relaxing end to the day or place a couple of drops on a handkerchief next to your pillow to aid sleep.

Parsley

This green, leafy herb grows readily in pots and in the garden. Parsley’s often used in cooking and was traditionally used to freshen rooms or chewed as a form of natural toothpaste! Herbalists value its ability to ease water retention and digestive wind; naturopaths use it in poultices to ease swellings; while nutritionists recommend it as a good source of iron and other minerals.

Chop a handful of fresh leaves and infuse in freshly boiled water for a refreshing, mineral-rich drink, or use a pestle and mortar to pulp some leaves and apply them to insect bites, stings, or swollen joints (held in place with clean gauze or a plaster) to bring relief. Chew parsley to banish bad breath.

Peppermint

Peppermint was used by the Greeks and Romans to crown themselves at banquets, to freshen breath, and to make sweets. Nutritionists often prescribe it for digestive problems such as wind or irritable bowel syndrome.

Pick a handful of fresh peppermint leaves, wash, and put through the juicer for added zing when making vegetable or fruit juices. If you don’t have a juicer, simply add a sprig to any bought juice or infuse in a teapot for a stimulating tea that can ease tummy upsets.

Rosemary

This aromatic shrub, traditionally used at weddings as a symbol of love and fidelity, is a favourite amongst herbalists, naturopaths, and aromatherapists for its ability to calm anxiety and tension and relieve digestive upset.

Tie up some sprigs of rosemary and attach these under your bath tap as you fill the bath with water to create a wonderfully aromatic bath that can ease

Stress and tiredness. Infuse a handful of washed leaves with freshly boiled water in a teapot for 20 minutes. Herbalists recommend drinking one cup of this infusion daily to improve circulation and lower blood pressure. Add a few drops of rosemary essential oil to an aromatherapy vaporiser/burner, or onto a handkerchief, to ease colds, catarrh, and nasal congestion. Or add a couple of drops to your shampoo and massage into scalp for a great hair tonic.

Rosemary oil can irritate sensitive skin, so test on a small area of your skin first. The oil is not advised during pregnancy or if on medication for high blood pressure or epilepsy or if suffering from insomnia.

Sage

This Mediterranean herb has soft, pale green leaves with fabulous scent and flavour. Compounds in the leaves, called Phytooestrogens, are believed to help ease menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes. Herbalists and naturopaths use sage to treat sore throats and fevers.

Pick a handful of fresh sage leaves (red sage is best but any sage will do), soak in warmed cider vinegar (K Pint warmed cider vinegar to 1 ounce of sage leaves) for eight minutes and then strain and dilute with >2 pint of cold water. Gargle with this liquid every hour to ease sore throats. Alternatively, steep the leaves in freshly boiled water for ten minutes, sweeten to taste, and drink a cup daily to help balance hormones or hourly to cool a mild fever.

Sage isn’t advised for long-term use and shouldn’t be taken by anyone on the pill, HRT, Tamoxifen, or medication for epilepsy or diabetes. If you take it in supplement form, follow the dosages carefully. If fever is high, consult your doctor.

Thyme

This wonderfully aromatic Mediterranean herb contains a special oil, Thymol, That is powerfully antiseptic and can help clear the airways. Herbalists use it to relieve respiratory complaints such as colds and flu, chest infections, and bronchitis. Thyme can also be used to clear mucus.

Infuse a handful of fresh thyme leaves in some freshly boiled water for ten minutes, then sweeten to taste. Drink a cup daily to ward off coughs and colds. Make a syrup by steeping leaves in a little water and sugar in a pan and simmering until a syrup is produced. Bottle and take one teaspoon every hour at the first sign of a cold or chest infection. For a chemical-free antiseptic wipe,

Soak a teaspoon of crushed thyme leaves in a little warm water for 15 minutes, then strain and use the liquid to cleanse wounds, wipe down kitchen surfaces, and so on.

Valerian

This summer-flowering plant used to be called Heal All In medieval times. Herbalists use it to treat insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, spasms, and cramps. The famous herbalist Culpeper used the leaves to treat headaches.

Infuse a handful of fresh valerian leaves in boiled water, sweeten to taste, and drink an hour before bedtime to aid peaceful sleep. Rub the leaves between the fingers and apply the juice to the temples to ease headaches.

Valerian can cause drowsiness. Don’t use it if you’re taking medication for insomnia or depression. If valerian is ineffective as a sleep remedy, try passionflower or hops instead.

In This Chapter

^ Introducing ten amazing superfoods and their properties

Finding out why they’re so good for you ^ Touching on their uses in complementary medicine ^ Discovering ways to include them in your diet and lifestyle

N this chapter, I discuss some real superfoods that can be seriously healthful! You’ll have come across some of them before – such as garlic, watercress, and ginger – but maybe haven’t really considered their superfood status. Others may surprise you, such as the seaweeds, weeds, and sprouted seeds that I’ve included. Read on to find out how they can be superlatively good for you!

Garlic

Garlic is probably best known for its odour and for warding off vampires! This vegetable’s part of the onion family and is used in Ayurvedic medicine for heart, digestive, and joint problems and in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for respiratory and digestive problems. Herbalists especially value its antiseptic and immune-boosting properties.

To make medicinal garlic syrup, dissolve two tablespoons of brown sugar in a pan over a gentle heat and then stir in the juice from one to four crushed cloves of garlic and a dash of lemon juice. Cool and seal in a sterilised jar or bottle. Take one teaspoon of the syrup at the first sign of a cough or cold.

Keep medicinal garlic syrup refrigerated and use within seven days after you open it. Keep away from the skin because garlic oil can cause skin irritation. Avoid excess garlic during pregnancy, because it can cause digestive upset or heartburn, and while breastfeeding because babies don’t like the smell of it in breast milk!

Watercress

Watercress is a pungent, dark green plant that grows in running water and is packed with no less than 15 vitamins and minerals, most importantly iron. Nutritionists, herbalists, and naturopaths use watercress to treat skin problems, weakness, and fatigue.

For a nutritious summer cold soup, blend two generous handfuls of washed, organic watercress in a blender with half an avocado, some sprigs of parsley, some chopped cucumber, a squirt of lemon juice, and a glass of water until smooth. Add a dash of seaweed salt and eat immediately. Delicious!

Avoid excess watercress if you have kidney disease.

Ginger

Ginger is a superfood because it enhances circulation, contains valuable antioxidants that may help prevent cancer, is antiseptic, aids digestion, and stops nausea.

Simply add grated fresh ginger to porridge, soups, steamed vegetables, stewed fruits, or herbal teas to warm the body and boost circulation. You can also tie chunks of ginger in muslin in your bathwater for a warming bath in cold weather.

Don’t take large quantities of ginger during pregnancy, if you’re on any sort of blood-thinning drug such as Warfarin, if you have gallstones, if you suffer from heat and flushes, or if you have a fever.

Nettle

Nettle leaves are rich in minerals and high in fibre. Herbalists and nutritionists use them to treat skin, kidney, and heart problems and for detoxing the body.

To make nettle tea, don some thick gloves to avoid stinging, pick a handful of young nettle tops (the top 4 to 6 inches are best), and infuse in freshly boiled water in a teapot for 10 minutes. Strain, pour, and drink, sweetening with honey to taste if you like. Use several times a week to aid healthy skin, hair, and bones.

Always wear gloves when picking nettles to avoid stings. Use young leaves, preferably in the spring, and Never Consume them raw – always pouring boiling water onto them to kill off the sting before eating or drinking. Avoid leaves near roadsides because they may be polluted. Don’t drink nettle tea every day because this can stress the kidneys.

SunfloWer Seeds

Many types of edible seeds are now becoming part of people’s everyday diets. Sunflower seeds (actually the kernel from sunflower hulls rather than the actual seed) contain healthy fatty acids, are a great source of dietary fibre and protein, are rich in minerals, and are packed with plant compounds called phytosterols that help maintain healthy cholesterol levels in the body.

These nutrients mean that sunflower seeds can help protect your heart, maintain good circulation, and regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels, to name just a few of their benefits! Other excellent seeds with similar benefits are pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds.

Grind sunflower, pumpkin, and sesame seeds, plus a couple of nuts if wished (such as almonds, walnuts, or brazil nuts), for a few seconds in a small coffee grinder. Add this mixture to cereals, smoothies, rice, and so on for a nutritious, protein-rich boost.

Always try to get the freshest organic seeds that you can and store them in a cool, dark place to stop the oils in them going rancid.

Flax Seeds

^AUftj. Flax seeds are rich in fibre, essential fatty acids, minerals, and Lignans, Which W^/^N Are special compounds that may play a role in preventing breast cancer and ‘ x ‘ other cancers and aid ovulation in women. Flax seeds help keep your bowels regular; can support heart, liver, and brain function; and aid hormonal balance and joint mobility.

Place two tablespoons of flax seeds in a coffee grinder together with a teaspoon of sesame seeds (black or white) and a dash of seaweed or herb salt. Then grind for a couple of seconds to make a fine condiment that you can use daily, sprinkled on any savoury dish or eaten directly as a healthy snack food.

Buy the seeds whole, and preferably organic, and store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, or in the fridge, to keep them fresh.

Lecithin

Lecithin (phosphatidylcholine) Is usually made from soybeans or eggs. It is a valuable source of choline, which is part of the family of B vitamins. Lecithin can aid memory and brain function, support your nervous system, help healthy liver and gall bladder function, and aid fat metabolism.

Add one to two tablespoons of lecithin granules to your food every day, such as in smoothies, on cereals, or on rice.

Buy organic and GMO-free (that is, made from non-genetically modified ingredients) lecithin when possible. Don’t heat the granules because doing so destroys their health benefits, although you can add granules to warm food as a thickener. Fresh lecithin tastes pleasant and nutty. If it tastes nasty and bitter, the oil in it has gone rancid and it needs to be discarded.

Bioflavonoids

Bioflavonoids are plant compounds, found in fruits, vegetables, tea, and even red wine, which may help improve circulation and protect against cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

To get more bioflavonoids in your diet, replace your usual black tea or coffee with health-giving green tea, which has higher levels of bioflavonoids. For great taste, place a heaped teaspoon of green tea leaves per person in a teapot and pour on freshly boiled (but not boiling) water. Allow to steep for only a few seconds and then pour off all the liquid into cups and drink. Don’t leave to steep because the tea becomes bitter and unpleasant.

Seaweed

Seaweed is part of the staple diet in Asia and has also been eaten in Scotland and Ireland for centuries. Sea vegetables are incredibly nutrient-rich and contain special compounds that may bind with heavy metals and remove them

Safely from the body. Seaweed is a good source of the mineral iodine, which is important for the thyroid gland and for healthy teeth and bones.

To incorporate seaweed in your diet, try using seaweed salt or dried sheets of Nori Seaweed, which may be shredded and added to rice as a topping, or laid flat, covered with rice and then rolled to make sushi rolls.

If you are hypothyroid and taking thyroxine, you should take your medication at least several hours apart from consuming seaweed, because its iodine content may interfere with the effective uptake of the drug.

Sprouted Seeds

Sprouting refers to the practice of germinating seeds, pulses, and nuts until they start to sprout. They can be grown easily and inexpensively year-round, even in small spaces with just a jam jar and some water and light. Sprouted seeds are rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, fibre, and live enzymes.

To sprout, put a heaped teaspoon of seeds (alfalfa, mungbean, and fenugreek are all good but any seed or pulse may be used) into a jam jar and cover the open end with mesh or cheesecloth held in place with a thick rubber band. Soak the seeds for a few hours, then drain and place the jar at an angle on a draining board or window sill. Rinse each night and morning with clean water until little shoots appear and then start to sprout. This process normally takes five to eight days, depending on the type and size of seed, and room temperature. The sprouts are then ready to rinse and eat as a snack or as a tasty, nutritious addition to salads, sandwiches, and so on.

For best results, use good quality, organic seed and good quality water, such as filtered water. Don’t let your seeds become water-logged because they’ll go mouldy. Make sure that all water is drained off after rinsing and that air can circulate in the jar at all times. Avoid direct sunlight and heat and keep sprouts in an even, warm temperature.

In This Chapter

^ Identifying ten tips for healthy living

^ Determining how therapies can help you achieve great health

Ost of the complementary therapies covered in this book contain precious nuggets of self-care advice for optimising health.

In this chapter, I extract ten of the best, simple, self-care tips from these therapies that can help put you on the road to the best of health.

Be Aware

The traditional medical systems of China, India, Tibet, and Japan, as well as early European Nature Cure (see the chapters in Part II of this book for more about all these), all advocated body awareness and living in tune with the seasons. This awareness means getting to know your body well, being observant of changes, and learning how to read and interpret body signs of health and disease, such as in tongue and face analysis and urinalysis.

You’ve probably heard stories of people sometimes proving to be a better judge of what was wrong in their own bodies than their doctors, specialists, or even expensive diagnostic equipment.

Of course, in many cases early medical detection and treatment is accurate and effective. Yet developing the skill of body awareness, and learning to fully trust it, is surely good for your health – and in some rare cases may even turn out to be life-saving.

M

Take a look at the self-diagnosis skills described in Chapter 2 to help you increase your body awareness.

Remember to always seek medical advice if you have a cause for concern.

Well

Practitioners of nutritional medicine are passionate about helping you to optimise your digestion and nutritional status by eating well.

Decide today to move away from consuming junk food, burgers, sugary foods, saturated and hydrogenated fats, and excess alcohol, tea and coffee and to replace these with lots of healthy whole grains; fresh fruit and vegetables; oily fish and lean meats (if not vegetarian or vegan); nuts, seeds, pulses; and even seaweeds, sprouted seeds, and grasses. And don’t forget to add plenty of essential fatty acids from plant, nut, and seed oils (or fish oils if you eat oily fish) and oodles of water for adequate hydration.

For more comprehensive nutritional tips, go to Chapter 12.

Boost Immunity

Boosting your immune system is probably one of the best ways of staying healthy. We are all constantly exposed to bacteria and viruses, but if your immune response is good, you’ll be most able to dispel these or render them harmless.

Herbalists have a range of herbs that they recommend to support the immune system. One of the most popular is the plant echinacea (also known as the purple coneflower), which you can take in tablet or liquid tincture form (available from health food shops). Echinacea has been shown to raise white blood cell count and reduce the likelihood of getting a cold or decrease its duration and severity if you already have one.

Other ways to boost the immune system include regular intake of bioflavonoids and other nutrients (see Chapter 26) or treatments such as acupuncture (more about this in Chapter 9).

For more on echinacea and other great herbal medicines, go to Chapter 11.

Balance Those Bones

Structural alignment and posture are also key to health. Years of bad habits such as balancing phones between the ear and shoulder, hours spent hunched over games consoles or computers, always carrying bags on one side of the body, sports injuries, and so on all take their toll on the bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Gradually, the full range of movement of joints can be lost, wear and tear can occur, and repetitive strain is also a possibility.

Osteopaths and chiropractors can help rebalance the body and increase the range of movements as well as recommend exercises for practising at home to help maintain improvements. Therapies such as the Alexander Technique and Pilates can also help to improve posture and flexibility.

Give your body an indulgence and have one of these treatments, and learn some of their exercises to practise yourself everyday. For more on osteopathy and chiropractic, check out Chapters 14 and 15, while you can find details of the Alexander Technique and Pilates in Chapter 16.

Breathe

Ancient yogic sages have claimed over centuries that breathing is the key to life. They argued that each person has a finite number of breaths and that when you’re stressed or angry your breath becomes shallower and more rapid, which means that your lifetime’s supply will be used up more quickly!

This theory is unproven but it’s certainly true that when you’re relaxed and happy your breath is more relaxed and full and you breathe at a slower rate using your diaphragm more rather than restricting breathing mainly to your upper chest. On the other hand, lots of activities today, such as computing and gaming, which often involve stooped postures and intense concentration, lead people to hold or restrict their breathing, and thereby decrease the oxygen supply to the body.

Naturopaths and yoga practitioners recommend practising deep breathing in the fresh air every day in order to relax the body and oxygenate the tissues. Naturopaths also recommend taking air and sun baths for around 15 minutes daily whenever possible because moderate, sensible sunlight exposure facilitates the production of Vitamin D in the body and allows air to circulate around the body, which helps promote healthy skin.

Resolve to increase your breathing awareness from today and to get in some good full breaths of fresh air whenever and wherever possible. For more about naturopathy, read Chapter 13 and for more on breathing exercises check out Chapter 18.

Move It!

We all know that exercise is good for us but, as in all things, getting a balance is important. Overtly physical or aerobic exercise can increase oxygenation of the tissues and lead to the production of feel-good chemicals – the Endorphins - in the brain. However, overdoing it can lead to long-term damage of joints and tissues, cell death, and even exercise addiction!

In Oriental medicine, the emphasis has been predominantly on therapeutic rather than aerobic exercise, with a focus on stretching, breathing, and coordination. Exercises such as yoga, T’ai chi, And Qi gong May look simple but they require stamina, precision, and good breath and muscle control. They are also said to facilitate the flow of ‘vital energy’, known as Qi Or Ki.

Research has also shown that these exercises can have profound health benefits; for example, medical yoga treats such conditions as asthma, irritable bowel problems, and more.

Incorporating these types of exercise into your regular exercise routine can therefore be very helpful. Resolve to start discovering one of these therapeutic movement systems this year, or to deepen your practice, or learn a new form if you’re already competent in one. For more about these movement therapies, check out Chapter 16.

Rest and Sleep Well

You cannot be in the best of health without incorporating adequate rest into your lifestyle and getting good sleep.

Famous politicians such as Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher are well known for having perfected the art of cat-napping in order to cope well with their busy lives and demanding schedules. Fatigue and insomnia (inability to sleep at night and wakefulness during the night) can grind you down, making it impossible to function effectively and leading to irritability, impatience, burn-out, and a myriad of health problems.

Oriental medicine practitioners advise you to build brief rest periods into every day; my Qi gong Teacher in China always argued that taking short rests enables you to achieve more – not less – in your day overall. Acupuncturists also have a great remedy for insomnia using the acupoint Heart 7. This point is located on the inside of the wrist in the groove in line with the little finger when the hand is bent inwards. Clinical and research evidence suggests that massaging or applying pressure to this point can help facilitate a good night’s sleep.

For more about acupuncture, see Chapter 9; for relaxation therapies head to Chapter 18.

De-stress

Moderate stress is actually good for you. It can stimulate the brain and lead to improved performance, production, and so on. But too much stress can set you on a downward spiral of anxiety, fatigue, burn-out, and stress-related disorders.

Psychological therapies such as psychotherapy, counselling, and hypnotherapy can make a difference by helping to identify areas of major stress and providing new coping strategies.

In the realm of self-care, even using positive affirmations and visualisations can make a difference. Many leading sports people now use these techniques to cope with pre-match nerves and to bring out their best performance.

Employing these techniques in everyday life is easy to achieve by increasing awareness of negative self-talk and then replacing such statements with healthier alternatives. For example, mental messages such as ‘I’m useless at this’ and ‘I’m never going to finish this on time’, which can rack up stress, may be replaced with repetition of ‘I am capable of doing this’ and ‘I will be able to finish this on time’.

Homeopathic remedies (available over the counter and from qualified homeopaths) are also popular with some people to ease the strain. For example, the remedy Passiflora 30c is said to help to switch the mind off and reduce mental anxiety. Flower remedies are believed to increase mental positivity (check out Chapter 22) while some aromatherapy oils such as lavender and lime can be wonderfully relaxing and uplifting when you add them to bath water or room burners (more on aromatherapy in Chapter 19).

For more about homeopathy, see Chapter 10. Information about positive affirmations and creative visualisation is in Chapter 23.

Create and Express Yourself

Expressing yourself creatively is sometimes ignored as an aspect of health and seen more as a luxury or a leisure pursuit to be fitted in when time allows. Yet music, art, and drama therapies are established therapies that have been shown to be helpful for all types of people with various types of health problems.

Drama therapy, for example, can help adults work out emotional issues, sand play therapy can help children to non-verbally express their feelings about problem situations within their family, and art therapy has been successfully used in prisons enabling inmates to have an outlet for feelings of aggression and frustration.

On a more mundane level, incorporating some sort of creative activity into your daily life can be relaxing and enjoyable and can help you to release daily stresses. Just look at all the celebrities who’ve taken up knitting for this purpose! You also gain the satisfaction of looking at your finished ‘masterpiece’ and sharing it with others.

If you don’t already then why not have a go incorporating sketching, painting, pottery, sewing, knitting, music playing, singing, amateur dramatics, or whatever turns you on into your life. Being creative is healthy and fun too! For more about creative therapies, take a look at Chapter 23.

Satisfy Your Soul

Health in body, mind, and spirit means paying a little attention to your spiritual needs too. For some doing so may mean following a particular religion but for others ‘soul satisfaction’ may be achieved through meditation, or through feeling a connection with ‘universal energy and love’.

This satisfaction can come just through a special moment, meeting eyes with a loved one, catching sight of a beautiful flower, sensing the awesome power of nature, or through healing therapies.

Healing therapies such as Reiki claim to connect you directly with ‘universal energy’, thereby facilitating the body’s own inherent healing power, while spiritual healers claim to channel ‘divine energy’ into the body. Many people enjoy these therapies and say that they lead to experiences of a deep sense of spiritual peace, calm, and well-being.

Try to find at least a few moments at the start and end of each day to ‘tune in’ and nourish your soul or find a personal or group spiritual activity that can have this effect on a regular basis. For more about healing therapies, visit Chapter 20.

The 5th Wave By Rich Tennant

Tha-t should do it

In this part. . .

The best things come in small packages, and these mini chapters are no exception. Every For Dummies Book ends with an offering of condensed information that’s easily digestible and fun to devour.

I give you some great tips for healthy living, the best superfoods to incorporate into your diet, and a list of herbal remedies to boost your health.

Also in this part is a handy A-Z list of therapies that you can use as a reference guide.

In This Chapter

^ Finding out what creative therapies are all about ^ Exploring different types of creative therapy ^ Discovering what creative therapies can be good for ^ Examining the evidence

^ Knowing what to expect in a typical creative therapy session ^ Knowing how to find safe and effective therapists

Creative therapies utilise art, music, sound, light, movement, colour, and the placement of objects as forms of self-expression and for their therapeutic effects. These therapies have a long history as treatments for both mental and physical health problems and some are also used in conventional medical settings, such as hospitals and clinics.

In this chapter, I take you on a creative journey from clay modelling to psy-chodrama and demonstrate who and what these therapies may be good for and the evidence to support their use.

I let you know what each of the therapies involve and give you some tips on how to decide which might be good for you and how to find an appropriate therapist to guide you on your creative journey. At the end of the chapter I give you some creative tips, based on the art of Feng shui, that you can try out for yourself!

Finding Out about Creative Therapies

Creative traditions have existed since the birth of culture – even cave men and women drew in their caves, and all ancient tribes and civilisations have had music, dance, and other creative past-times as part of their lives.

Creative therapies Refer to creative expression via different mediums that is used for a therapeutic purpose. Take painting, for example, apart from painting for pleasure painting may be used to express difficult emotions or memories that are hard to talk about or to explore unconscious feelings.

An art therapist may help you consider why you selected particular materials, shapes, images, or colours in your work and to find out what insights your selections can give into your current situation. Sometimes, the creative act is healing in its own right as it can enable you to leave your troubles behind and immerse yourself in a playful and enjoyable activity that gets the creative juices – and the ‘life force’ – flowing.

Creative activities can also help you to re-connect with your Inner child. Sometimes with the pressures of study, work, family life, and so on you may forget how to play, and may lose sight of the joy that was experienced as a young child when you could just dabble in finger painting, build models out of egg boxes, or whatever! Creative therapies can enable you to step outside of your busy, stress-ridden life and remember the simple joy of letting time, and the world, slip by as you enjoy being part of a unique, creative process.

Completing creative works can give you a sense of achievement and can help boost your self-esteem and confidence. No judgement or competition is involved; the focus is on the Doing Of the activity, whatever the end result.

Exploring Modern-day Creative Therapies

The formal use of creative traditions in a therapeutic way has developed in the last 100 years or so to the point where creative therapists, such as music, art, or drama therapists, are now well-established.

Each tradition has its own special features, which I tell you about one by one, going in alphabetical order.

Art therapy Bibliotherapy

Colour therapy (including aura-soma)

V Dance therapy

V Dramatherapy (psychodrama)

V Feng shui and geomancy

V Light therapy

V Music therapy

V Play therapy

V Sound therapy

Art therapy

The use of art (painting, drawing, collage making, sculpture, clay modelling, and so on) to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being developed partly from the work of Rudolf Steiner (see the nearby sidebar ‘Anthroposophical medicine’) and of European psychoanalysts and psychotherapists such as Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and Melanie Klein (see Chapter 21 for more on psychological therapies) and also from the work of the American educator/therapist sisters, Margaret Naumburg and Florence Cane. The term Art therapy Is credited to the UK artist Adrian Hill, who used art to aid the healing of himself and his fellow inmates while in a sanatorium with tuberculosis in the 1940s.

How does it work?

Producing artwork is said to enable difficult or suppressed emotions to be safely expressed. Art therapists are trained in psychology, imagery, symbolism, and non-verbal communication to facilitate exploration of difficult issues and an increase in self-awareness.

What’s it good for?

Art therapy is found in schools, clinics, hospitals, prisons, rehabilitation centres, and so on and has been used to aid a wide range of mental, emotional, and physical imbalances and also as a form of stress relief or a self-development tool. The good news is that you don’t have to have any specific artistic talent to benefit from this therapy!

What’s the evidence?

Art therapy is now an accepted profession in several countries, including the UK and US. It has been studied extensively and appears to be helpful in various contexts, such as helping children with behavioural or emotional problems, assisting adults with relationship issues, and aiding people with addictions and mental health problems.

How can I find an art therapist?

British and American art therapy associations have been in operation since the 1960s, and offer a wealth of information:

V British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT): Www. baat. org

V American Art Therapy Association (AATA): Www. arttherapy. org

In the UK, art therapy has been registered as a ‘Profession Supplementary to Medicine’ in the NHS since 1997. A recognised training and membership of the BAAT are a requirement for employment.

Within NHS settings, art therapy is free but some art therapists also work privately. Art therapy is also offered as part of anthroposophical medicine.

Bibliotherapy

The roots of bibliotherapy are unknown but it seems to have grown out of psychotherapist Anna Freud’s work on play therapy (discussed later in this chapter). Bibliotherapy involves the use of literature (normally books, but nowadays also writing, film, theatre, and so on) in a therapeutic way to help resolve trauma or emotional problems.

Rudolf Steiner, a highly innovative philosopher and educator, whose work spanned the fields of medicine, education, agriculture, culture and spiritual thought in the 20th-century, coined the term Anthroposophy, To describe a new form of ‘spiritual science’.

Steiner believed that medicine should treat not only the physical body but also the subtle ‘bodies’ described by esotericists of his time, namely the Etheric, Or energetic body; the Astral, Or unconscious body; and the Ego, Or consciousness body. He believed that these aspects of the self could be reached through creative therapies

Such as art and movement and could be treated via homeopathic and herbal remedies. He also believed in the power of wholesome food and a healthy lifestyle, and he advocated Biodynamic gardening, That is, planting and harvesting according to the cycles of the moon. In fact, he believed that cosmic cycles had a profound effect on all life forms, influencing not only plant growth and potency but also human thought and feeling. Steiner’s anthroposophical clinics, schools, and medicines are popular even today although critics argue that there is no scientific validation for his approach.

Ira Progoff, a 20th-century American psychotherapist who studied with Jung in Switzerland in the 1950s, devised a novel creative therapy in the form of intensive journal writing. More than just noting down your thoughts in a diary, this method involves a series of writing execises designed to stimulate self-awareness and promote creativity. The exercises explore, amongst other things, relationships, career, health, dreams,

And the meaning of life! The technique involves creating a loose-leaf journal with sections for dialogue, remembrances, meditations, and so on. Today, Progoff’s method is used in clinics and prisons and by individuals such as writers, dramatists, and artists to stimulate their creativity. For more info, check out Www. intensive Journal. org.

Bibliotherapy may involve using a story of a real-life trauma situation to help people work through their own feelings on the issue. For example, children suffering from the death of a parent, or separation from a parent due to marital breakdown, may find it helpful to read or be read a story about a child in a similar situation. Reading of the story may also be combined with play, art or drama therapy as ways of bringing the child’s own story to life. Alternatively, bibliotherapy may be combined with writing therapy, where the self can be expressed through the story’s characters, or journaling, where feelings can be expressed privately and then reflected on with the therapist later.

How does it work?

The idea is that children (or adults) can identify with the characters in the story and use them to explore their own current experience. The characters can also be used as models to introduce new or alternative ways of dealing with a current issue.

What’s it good for?

Both children and adults can benefit from bibliotherapy, and it is thought to be especially helpful for dealing with personal, family, or relationship problems, as well as trauma and emotional issues.

What’s the evidence?

Not a lot of research exists on bibliotherapy, so the evidence is mainly reports from individuals who’ve found it helpful.

How can I find a practitioner of bibliotherapy?

Among those who practise bibliotherapy are psychologists, creative therapists, and educationalists. Though no specific training or member organisation exists, you can find more information about bibliotherapy via The Bibliotherapy Education Project (Www. bibliotherapy. library. oregonstate. edu/ index. php).

Colour therapy (including aura-soma)

Colour has been used since ancient times for health and healing. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks both used colour in the form of garments, ornaments, wall hangings, drapes, oils, and ointments to treat physical and mental conditions. The ancient Chinese also associated colours with each of the seasons and internal organs and felt that different coloured foods had different effects on the body.

Ayurvedic medicine (see Chapter 5) and yoga have long regarded colour as a form of divine energy that is filtered through the body’s energy centres called the Chakras.

^MC9/> The great Persian physician Avicenna first devised a system linking different D^/^7"\ Colours to different diseases and using them as a type of treatment. At the ‘ s ‘ turn of the 20th-century, American Edwin Babitt, who had studied Hinduism and Ayurveda, compiled this knowledge into a huge text, The Principles of Color, And made this information available to Westerners. He also devised Chromatology, Whereby water is radiated with sunlight via different coloured filters and the ‘potentised’ coloured water is used for healing.

In the 20th-century, Rudolf Steiner also taught that different colours could influence mood, development, and learning.

Another great colour pioneer was the Swiss psychologist and psychotherapist Max Luscher, who devised a colour test that is now used all over the world. In the test, you order your preference for eight colours and your selection is used to analyse your personality and state of mind. Luscher believed that colour could be used for diagnosis and healing and this work has been further developed in the UK by Theo Gimbel.

How does it work?

Every colour has its own wavelength and frequency, and colour therapists think that each of these can affect the body in different ways. Colour therapists variously argue that colours can affect the glandular system, the functioning of the chakras, or the aura that surrounds a person.

Aura-soma is a type of colour therapy that uses an array of bottles that each contain two coloured liquids. The idea is that you choose four bottles, with each one representing a different aspect of yourself. The first bottle represents your life’s mission, the second your difficulties and obstacles, the third your progress on the path, and the fourth your future possibilities. A therapist then helps you interpret your choices. The therapy was developed by Vicky Hall in 1984. She was a chiropodist,

Herbalist, and pharmacist, then 66 years old, who had been clairvoyant since birth but whose extra-sensory abilities were said to have increased after she started to lose her normal sight. In a series of visions, she claims that she was ‘told’ to create this system from essential oils, herbal extracts, and spring water as a form of ‘soul therapy’. For more details, see www. auro-soma. net or to find a practitioner contact the Aura-soma International Academy of Colour Therapeutics on Www. asiact. org.

In a colour therapy session, you may be wrapped in coloured cloths, sat in front of a device that emits coloured light into a darkened room, or have coloured light applied to different parts of the body via a special torch.

What’s it good for?

Colour therapy is believed to help alleviate both physical and mental ills and may help relieve depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure. However, little scientific evidence supports this.

What’s the evidence?

A lot of work has been done on the effects of individual colour by Max Luscher and his associates in Switzerland and at universities around the world. These studies have shown that, for example, certain colours are exciting while others are calming, and this information is widely used in advertising and in commerce. However, the therapeutic and spiritual aspects of colour therapy have not yet been widely researched.

How can I find a practitioner of colour therapy?

Various types of therapist use colour therapy, and no one association regulates it. The Luscher institute (Www. luscher-color. com) offers training in Max Luscher’s methods while the International Academy of Colour Therapeutics lists aura-soma practitioners (see the nearby ‘Aura-soma’ side-bar).

To find out more about colour in general, log onto the colourful, fun, and informative Colour Museum site at Www. colour-experience. org.

Dance therapy

Dance therapy employs movement and dance, either one-to-one or in groups, to promote mental and physical well-being. Dance has always been part of many different cultures as a way of expressing emotion, storytelling, exercising, promoting co-ordination, and enjoying oneself!

Dance as a method for expression featured in the work of psychoanalyst Carl Jung and Rudolf Steiner. Modern dance pioneers such as Martha Graham also showed how free movement could be a vehicle for expressing moods and feelings. The Austro-Hungarian dancer, choreographer, and social activist Rudolf Laban pioneered dance therapy in the 1950s, in his work with industrial workers and sick people.

Various professional dancers have devised ways of using dance in therapeutic settings, notably Marion Chace in the US and the wonderful Audrey Wethered in the UK, under whom I long ago had the privilege of training in drama and movement therapy. Audrey was a private pupil of Laban, as well as a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, and she used his work to develop movement therapy with psychiatric patients, people with learning disabilities, patients undergoing psychotherapy, and maladjusted children.

How does it work?

Being able to move freely, alone or in groups and with or without music, can be an extraordinarily liberating experience that seems to free up the physical body and may also help release mental and emotional blockages.

What’s it good for?

Dance therapy has been used therapeutically in facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and schools with people with various mental, emotional, and physical difficulties, as well as a form of self-expression. You don’t need to be a good dancer or even have a sense of rhythm as freedom of expression is the key!

What’s the evidence?

A great deal of work exists that describes the beneficial effects of dance therapy, and scientific studies are now emerging. For more details on dance therapy research, see the research page on the American Dance Therapy Association Web site (Www. adta. org).

How can I find a dance therapist?

To experience dance movement therapy, check out the Association for Dance Movement Therapy in the UK (Www. admt. org. uk) or join expressive dance

Classes at the Laban School (Www. laban. org). In the US, you can obtain further information from the American Dance Therapy Association (www. Adta. org).

Dramatherapy and psychodrama

Dramatherapy uses theatrical techniques to promote mental and physical well-being and self-awareness. Drama has been used since ancient Greek times as a form of expression and catharsis (emotional cleansing).

Dramatherapy developed out of work by the Russian psychiatrist Vladimir Iljine, who developed Therapeutic theatre, Involving performance and reflection, and Russian playwright and producer Nikolai Evreinov, who used theatre and role play as a way of exploring human behaviour.

In the 1920s, Romanian psychiatrist Jakob Moreno, developed Psychodrama Using dramatic techniques in group therapy. Another dramatherapy pioneer was Peter Slade in the UK, who spent decades demonstrating how the therapy could be used as an important tool for expression and self-development, as well as to combat delinquency!

From the 1950s, onwards, occupational therapists working in psychiatric hospitals started to incorporate dramatherapy techniques in their work, as did some psychotherapists. Remedial drama, using drama in clinical settings, was established in the UK by Sue Jennings and Gordon Wiseman and also Audrey Wethered (mentioned in the section on dance therapy earlier in this chapter) in the 1960s.

Dramatherapy has been state registered in the UK since 1997.

How does it work?

Dramatherapy exercises enable you to explore thoughts, feelings, relationships, and behaviours in a novel way that combines role-playing with both language and movement. Techniques used include improvisation, role-playing, puppetry, mask work, theatrical production, mime, pantomime, and psychodrama.

Dramatherapy can give you a safe way of exploring new communication, social, or behavioural skills. It can also help build self-confidence and can be great fun to do, too.

What’s it good for?

Dramatherapy has been used with both children and adults to help deal with emotional, relationship, social, and mental health problems.

What’s the evidence?

Dramatherapy research is developing and studies have suggested benefits for autistic children, those with special needs, and adults suffering from mental health problems such as dementia, schizophrenia, and thought disorder but more research is needed. You can find examples of studies on the research page of the British Association of Dramatherapists (Www. badth. org. uk).

How can I find a drama therapist?

In the UK all registered drama therapists are members of the British Association of Dramatherapists (Tel: 01242 235 515; Www. badth. org. uk).

In the US, contact the National Association for Drama Therapy (NADT) (Tel: (585) 381-5618; Www. nadt. org).

Feng shui and geomancy

Feng shui (pronounced Fong shway) Is an ancient art that has been practised in China, Japan, Tibet, India, and elsewhere from long ago to the present day. The word Feng Means ‘wind’ while Shui Means ‘water’, and Feng shui Relates to the balancing of energy flows in order to create a harmonious living environment and increase the chances of health, happiness, and prosperity.

In recent years, Feng shui Has become increasingly popular in the West where it is often associated with simply moving furniture around, clearing clutter, and placing wind chimes, gold coins, dragon symbols, or models of toads in strategic places in the home or office.

However, this rather trivialises the art of Feng shui As traditionally it was seen in a much wider context and intended as a way of understanding and building a harmonious relationship between humankind, the natural world, and the heavens. Feng shui Was used to understand subtle energy flows as a way of working with the natural landscape to arrange the best sites for buildings, burial places, and more, and of creating harmonious work, home, and public environments. Even today, many buildings in the Far East are designed and built according to Feng shui Principles.

How does it work?

In the same way that acupuncture aims to balance the flow of vital ‘life force’ energy, or Qi, In the physical body, Feng shui Aims to work with Qi, yin And Yang, And the five natural elements in the surrounding environment in order to create harmony and flow. (For more about the meaning of all these terms, take a look at Chapter 4 on Traditional Chinese Medicine.)

Geomancy, Which comes from the Greek Geo Meaning ‘earth’ and ManteiaMeaning ‘divination’, is a system for interpreting the shapes and patterns of grains of sands, scattered pebbles, or handfuls of dirt, or pencil markings on paper. The interpretation is based on both intuition and the actual positions of the pebbles and other materials and the patterns formed.

In the 19th-century, Feng shuiWas translated by missionaries as geomancy, but in fact the

Two are not the same because Feng shuiIs employed as a form of science, with complex calculations, to order environments rather than as a form of divination for answering questions.

Geomancy was popular in the Middle Ages as a form of fortune telling but was also sometimes used to decide the appropriate form of medicine for a sick person!

The state of flow, or Qi, Is assessed by means of two special tools, the Luo Pan, A circular compass marked in rings with astrological, date, and other details, and the Ba-Gua, A diagrammatic chart based on elements from the famous divination book, the I Ching, Or Book of Changes. The Ba-Gua Is superimposed on the room, building, or plot of land being considered to see if any of its eight sections, each of which correspond to a different aspect of life (such as wealth, family, career), is missing. If so, steps are taken to put this situation right by changing the structure or moving furniture.

What’s it good for?

Feng shui May be used for new or existing buildings, health centres, and clinics, and it is also used in the home.

What’s the evidence?

No real scientific research exists on Feng shui. Anecdotal evidence suggests that people feel better in homes and rooms that have ‘good’ Feng shui, And some reported cases exist of people’s health improving after their environment has been modified according to Feng shui Principles.

How can I find a Feng shui practitioner?

Many different schools of Feng shui And different organisations representing practitioners exist. Check out the type and length of training that a person has had and their experience in actually applying Feng shui In a real-life setting.

One of the most reputable schools, whose practitioners offer consultations all over the world, is the Imperial School of Feng Shui (Tel: 0208 950 8282; Www. imperial-fengshui. com).

For other UK and US Feng shui Practitioners and associations, enter Feng shui Practitioner into a computer search engine or consult Www. fengshui Directory. com or Www. fengshui-usa. com. (Please note: I don’t have any personal connection with these directories and am not endorsing them. I provide them simply as a resource and starting point in your search for a practitioner.)

For some self-help Feng shui, Have a look at the tip at the end of this chapter.

Light therapy

Nature Cure practitioners and Naturopaths (see Chapters 8 and 13) have for centuries held that sunshine and natural daylight are essential for health. Modern science has shown that this belief is correct, for we now know that some daily light exposure is necessary to stimulate the body’s production of Vitamin D (check out Chapters 8, 12, and 13 for other mentions of this) and also to maintain normal hormonal and mood balance. Recent studies have shown that lack of light during winter months can contribute to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which triggers depression and lethargy.

In light therapy, you sit in front of a light box or underneath a full spectrum light, both of which emit bright, white, and usually full spectrum light that has been filtered of ultra-violet rays (the ones that cause damage to skin and eyes). Alternatively, in heliotherapy (sunlight therapy – see Chapter you increase safe levels of exposure to natural sunlight.

How does it work?

As light passes through the eye, it travels along the optic nerve to stimulate the area of the brain linked to mood, appetite, sex drive, and so on. It also stimulates the pineal gland, which plays a role in regulating the body’s hormones. Light therapy is thought to help reset the body’s internal clocks and improve mood and hormonal balance. Natural sunlight also triggers Vitamin D production and has an anti-bacterial effect.

What’s it good for?

Light therapy has been shown to improve SAD, thereby relieving depression, lethargy, and appetite and sleep disturbance. Sunlight therapy is used to strengthen bones and relieve skin infections and respiratory conditions (traditionally, it was used as a part of the treatment for tuberculosis).

Light is measured in lux units. A typical sunny day has a brightness of around 5,000 to 10,000 lux. A cloudy day, or the average home or office interior, has light of around 500 to 1,000 lux. Light boxes used in light therapy vary according to

The amount of lux that they emit. 2,500-10,000 lux is needed for therapeutic effect. The higher the lux, the less time that you have to spend in front of the boxes. Proper UV filters are essential to protect your skin and eyes.

What’s the evidence?

A small amount of research evidence exists on the use of light therapy in the treatment of SAD, and a few studies suggest that it may be helpful for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. More research is needed.

How can I find a light box?

Light boxes may be purchased for home use from reputable suppliers such as Outside In (Tel: 01954 780 500; Www. outsidein. co. uk).

Follow instructions with the light box carefully to avoid damaging your eyes. Also, don’t use late at night as doing so can make sleep difficult. If you develop eye sensitivity to the light, then decrease or stop use.

Music therapy

Music is a part of every cultural tradition and has long been used to uplift the spirit and for pleasure and enjoyment. The therapeutic use of music began in the aftermath of the Second World War when traumatised and injured soldiers reported feeling better after listening to music. The music may be listened to, played, or sung on a one-to-one level or in groups.

How does it work?

Music in different keys and rhythms has been shown to have a beneficial effect on blood pressure, respiration, and brain waves, as well as to promote relaxation and mood.

What’s it good for?

Music therapy has been widely used with children and adults with learning difficulties and mental, emotional, or physical health problems.

What’s the evidence?

Research has confirmed some of the physical and psychological benefits of music therapy, including decreases in heart rate and blood pressure, boosting of the immune system, and improved ability and mood in children and adults with learning difficulties, depression, and so on.

How can I find a music therapist?

Music therapy has been an accepted profession in the UK, US, and Australia since the 1950s. In the UK, music therapy is quite widely available within the National Health Service (NHS). For more information in the UK, contact the British Society for Music Therapy (BSMT; Tel: 0208 441 6226; Www. bsmt. org) or the Association of Professional Music Therapists (APMT; Tel: 0208 440 4153; Www. apmt. org). In the US, contact the American Music Therapy Association, (AMTA; Tel: 00 (1301) 589 3300; Www. musictherapy. org).

Within NHS settings, music therapy is free but some music therapists also work privately. Music therapy may also be offered as part of anthroposophi-cal medicine (see the ‘Anthroposophical medicine’ sidebar earlier on in this chapter).

Play therapy

Play therapy uses a range of creative techniques, including art, story telling, dramatherapy, puppetry, masks, clay work, music and movement, creative visualisation, and sand play (known as the Tool Kit) used particularly with children with emotional, behavioural, and mental health problems. The therapy is based on principles developed since the 1960s, by Virginia Axline, Violet Oaklander, and others who were influenced by the work of different psychologists.

British paediatrician Margaret Lowenfield, working in the 1920s, was responsible for developing sand play therapy as a tool in its own right. Her work was further developed in Switzerland by a Jungian therapist, Dora Kalff, in the 1950s. Basically, you’re presented with a tray of sand and a host of toys and figurines and

Allowed, through free-play, to create any forms or patterns that you want in the sand and any arrangement of the toys and figurines. The therapist sees the end result as a reflection of your inner state and can analyse it. Both adults and kids can play! For more information, see www. Sandplay. org and Www. sandplay. net.

How does it work?

Through play, children can express their emotions and perspective of the world and can learn new ways of communicating and behaving.

What’s it good for?

Play therapy may help children with emotional, behavioural, and mental health problems and adults with emotional and relationship issues.

What’s the evidence?

Quite a body of research by psychologists and play therapists supports the use of these techniques.

How can I find a play therapist?

In the UK, contact the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT; Tel: 01932 828638; Www. bapt. info) and Play Therapy UK (PTUK; Tel: 01825 712312; Www. playtherapy. org. uk). In the US, contact the Association for Play Therapy (Tel: 00 1559 252 2278; Www. a4pt. org).

Sound therapy

Sound therapy uses sound waves at different frequencies for their reputed therapeutic effect on both the body and the mind. Devices may be used to apply these sound waves to the body’s tissues. Alternatively, chanting may be used, as per the as Tibetan, Mongolian, and Hindu traditions.

Machines that emit sound waves for therapy have been in use since the 1950s. More recently, computer and sound recording technology have been used to create tapes and CDs that you can listen to at home as a form of sound therapy. Sound and listening therapies in use today include the following:

Tomatis method: A type of listening therapy devised by French ear, nose, and throat specialist Alfred Tomatis in the 1950s, this therapy uses an Acoustic ear That plays certain sounds into the ear via headphones, causing the muscles to contract and re-training the ear – a kind of ear gymnastics, if you like! For more information, see Www. tomatis-group. com or Www. tomatis. com.

Auditory integration training (AIT): Devised by Dr Guy Berard, also a French ear, nose, and throat specialist, after working briefly with Alfred Tomatis. He went on to develop his own Ears education and retraining system; See Www. drguyberard. com. (For an interesting comparison of

Tomatis and AIT, see Www. autismwebsite. com/ari/treatment/ tomatis. htm.)

Johansen auditory discrimination training: Known as Auditory discrimination training (ADT) In Europe and Hemisphere specific auditory stimulation (HSAS) In the US, this therapy was developed by Danish educationalist Dr Kjeld Johansen over the last 35 years. It involves listening to specially recorded tapes designed to stimulate nerve pathways to the areas of the brain concerned with language ability. For more, see Www. johansen Soundtherapy. com or Www. dyslexia-lab. dk.

I SAMONAS (spectrally activated music of optimal natural structure): This type of listening training, devised by German physicist, sound engineer, and musician Ingo Steinbeck, involves listening to CDs (of music and natural sounds) at home to heal auditory dysfunction. For more, see

Www. samonas. com.

I Cymatics: This therapy developed out of work by the Swiss scientist Hans Jenny (he coined the term from the Greek Kyma, Meaning ‘wave’, and Ta kymatica, Meaning ‘related to waves’), and his demonstrations of how sand crystals order themselves into beautiful patterns when vibrated on a metal plate by sound waves. Dr Peter Manners, a UK doctor who met Jenny, believed that sound waves could have a similar effect in ordering the function of human cells. He developed Cymatics therapy, Also known as Bioresonance, Which involves using sound to transform unhealthy tissue back into healthy tissue. This therapy is done by means of devices that emit a specific healing frequency over affected parts of the body. For more, see Www. cymatics. org. uk.

I Vibrational sound therapy: This therapy was created by French musician and acupuncturist Fabian Maman, who devised a method for using tuning forks and coloured lights instead of needles on acupuncture points and along the spine. For more, see Www. tama-do. com.

I Physioacoustic methodology (PAM): This therapy involves computer-generated sound waves played through speakers into a special chair in which you sit – basically musical furniture! – and was devised by Scandinavian music therapist Petri Lehikoinen. For more details, see

Www. soundwavetherapy. co. uk.

I Functional orientated music therapy (FMT): Devised by another Scandinavian music therapist, Lasse Hjelm, this therapy uses musical codes and patterns to improve physical and psychological function. For further information, check out Www. fmt-metoden. se/engfmt/fmt. htm.

I Overtone chanting: This therapy comes from central Asia and is a form of throat singing using just one note to resonate through the cavities of the throat, mouth, and nose. It is widely used by Tibetan and Mongolian monks and was introduced to the West by the composer Karl Stockhausen. For more, see Www. jillpurce. com.

I studied sound therapy with Fabian Maman when he first visited the UK many years ago. He gave us a series of lectures and had us all out in the park performing his unique form of Qi Gongmovement therapy, Tao Yin Fa, Much to the bemusement of passers by! He also offered private sessions to find your ‘fundamental note’ – everyone is supposed to have one – by which he used a combination of tuning forks and intuition

To find the note that most resonated with me and which would ‘help empower the cells in my body’. To be honest this note didn’t seem to make a huge difference to me and I was never quite sure what to do with it nor how much the note varies from person to person and what that may mean. However, several other versions of fundamental sound now exist and proponents claim that it can be a useful tool in therapy.

How does it work?

Sound frequencies are absorbed and reflected by various body tissues as well as received via the ears (for example, they’re used in the making of ultrasound images). Practitioners believe that therapeutic frequencies can be used to improve physical and mental function and to affect certain physical systems such as slowing down the heart rate and lowering blood pressure.

What’s it good for?

Sound therapy has been used extensively for children with autism, learning difficulties, and developmental delays. Listening therapies have also been used by actors and singers to enhance their voice and communication skills.

What’s the evidence?

None of the above therapies have been conclusively verified in clinical trials, although quite a lot of research is available for review on Dr Guy Berard’s auditory integration training Web site (Www. drguyberard. com).

How can I find a sound therapist?

Refer to the list earlier in this section of therapy methods available, which includes Web links to direct you to practitioners of each therapy.

Experiencing Creative Therapies

The cost for the various types of creative therapy varies from free (such as art therapy or drama therapy available on the NHS in the UK) to several hundred

Pounds for some of the sound therapy trainings. The number of sessions varies from one-off to repeated sessions over some years.

If you’re dissatisfied with your treatment, talk things over with your therapist or make a complaint to whatever professional body your therapist may belong.

Helping Yourself with Creative Therapies

Try applying some simple Feng shui Principles to enhance your home or work environment.

Clear clutter as much as possible. Clear work surfaces at the end of the

Day, empty waste baskets, remove debris from the floor, and hang clothes back in wardrobes. You’re also supposed to sleep better if you don’t keep things under your bed!

I Position yourself well. At work, try to place your chair against a wall to provide yourself with comfort and support, and seat yourself so that you have a good view of the door or overall office. Don’t place high shelves or books above your desk as these will ‘weigh you down’. At home, place your bed so that you have a wall behind you and a clear view of the door but make sure that your feet point towards a solid wall when you lie down.

I Add plants and water to your surroundings. Place living plants with rounded leaves in the room to enhance well-being. Avoid sharp-leaved plants as these are believed to create discord. Aquariums or water features, if placed correctly, can facilitate energy flow and prosperity.

I Spread light. Use mirrors cleverly to spread light through rooms and in dark corners. Avoid mirrors in bedrooms, however, unless they’re on the inside of cupboard doors.

I Repair broken items. Don’t keep broken items, cracked vases, and other damaged things in your home as these are believed to be damaging to the flow of vital energy. Repair them or get rid of them.

In This Chapter

^ Finding out what energy medicine is all about

^ Discovering what energy medicine can be good for

^ Examining the evidence

^ Knowing what to expect in a typical consultation ^ Finding a practitioner

Јnergy medicine is a broad term used to refer to the diagnosis, treatment, and/or enhancement of the subtle energy system in the body. It encompasses what is also sometimes termed Bio-energy medicine, functional medicine, Or Vibrational medicine.

The concept of subtle energy is referred to in many forms of traditional medicine and was sometimes diagnosed by means of divining techniques and treated with magnetic stones, gemstones, and the like. Nowadays, a range of electrical and other devices have been designed that claim to be able to measure the flow of subtle energy in the body or to provide energy-based treatments intended to rebalance the body. A range of modern-day treatments are based on energy medicine including magnet therapy, gem therapy, and flower essences. Some medical doctors, acupuncturists, nutritionists, homeopaths, and others use these devices and therapies, but energy medicine remains highly controversial because little scientific evidence exists to support its use.

In this chapter, I give you some background to the roots and principles of energy medicine and then take you on a guided tour of the most common forms that you may encounter. I also let you know what can happen in an energy medicine consultation and the kind of results you may receive. At the same time, I let you know what (if any) scientific backing the different techniques have.

To some people, the whole world of energetic medicine is a step too far into the realms of the weird and wacky while for others it represents the medicine of the future. Delve into this chapter and decide for yourself.

Finding Out about Energy Medicine

,&^tif- Energy medicine is based on both ancient wisdom and modern scientific and technological advances. Each of the ancient medical traditions mentions a (~ ^ I Vital, subtle energy system in the body that is crucial to health. In Traditional

VNjf J Chinese Medicine (TCM), this subtle energy is called Qi; In Japanese medicine, it is Ki; In Tibetan medicine, it is Loong, Or ‘wind’, and in Ayurveda, it is Prana. This subtle energy is said to flow through a network of invisible channels in the body known as the meridian system in acupuncture or the Nadi System in yoga.

For decades researchers around the world have been interested in developing devices that may measure and treat the flow of this subtle energy, and the electro-magnetic field believed to surround the body. A range of these devices is now available and in use by complementary medicine practitioners. This chapter explores the most common ones, while also looking at some other forms of energy medicine, including radiesthesia and radionics (divining techniques using pendulums or electrical devices), magnet therapy, gem therapy, and flower essences.

A (very) brief history of energy medicine

Energy medicine in its oldest form consisted of divining techniques, often using a pendulum, rod, twig, or other instrument (known as Dowsing), For detecting imbalances in the body and also for other purposes such as for locating water and evaluating the therapeutic properties of plants. The ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese are all believed to have used forms of dowsing and the technique is thought to have been fashionable in 18th-century France. Dowsing was resurrected by French Jesuit priests in the 1920s, who taught it to their missionaries as a way of determining the therapeutic properties of plants in areas where no medicine was available.

SV—

The French priest Abbe (Father) Alex Bouly coined the term Radiesthesie, from the Latin Radius Meaning a ray or beam, and the Greek Aisthesis Meaning a feeling or perception. This term has been translated as Radiesthesia And is used to mean literally ‘perception of the radiation or vibration of a person or thing’.

Pendulums are usually made of metal, such as brass, or wood, generally have a point at the end, and are suspended by a thread or chain. To begin using a pendulum, you first determine what its line of movement will be to indicate ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Users suggest that you hold the pendulum suspended directly below your fingers without moving it and then ask it to give you a ‘yes’. After a short time, the pendulum may gather momentum and move in a clockwise or anti-clockwise fashion or move forward and back or side to side. You then repeat this exercise asking the pendulum to give you a ‘no’. For many people, a clockwise movement is ‘yes’ and an anti-clockwise movement is a ‘no’.

Next, you suspend the pendulum in the air, or over the body part, plant, or object that you’re

Investigating and then mentally ask questions about it. The way that the pendulum swings determines the answer. For example, you may ask questions about the therapeutic value of a particular plant. Dowsers believe that the pendulum amplifies the unconscious mind and tunes into the vibrational frequency of the matter being investigated. This idea may sound far-fetched, and no real scientific evidence supports this technique, but in fact dowsing is used by the military, local authorities, and mineral companies to detect water and mineral deposits, and it has even been used by the police in criminal investigations.

Abbe Bouly and two other Jesuit priests, Abbe Alexis Mermet and Abbe Jean Jurion, pioneered the medical use of dowsing. They surmised that if dowsing could be used successfully for divining water, it could also be used to determine the circulation of blood and the condition of the tissues in the body.

At the turn of the 20th-century in another part of the world, American doctor Albert Abrams formulated the idea that disease was caused by an imbalance of electrons (tiny sub-atomic particles) in affected tissue rather than imbalance in the cells. He believed that these electrical particles radiated a charge that could be detected outside of the body and that different electronic reactions were linked with different diseases. He developed devices for measuring these changes and called his system Radionics.

Although a recognised medical expert at Stanford University in California, Abrams was ridiculed for his ideas, as was Dr Ruth Drown, a chiropractor who took up his work and developed ways of diagnosing and treating at a distance using samples of hair or blood. However, in the UK, Abram’s work found more acceptance after a medical committee tested his findings and replicated them and an American living in the UK, David Tansley, popularised his work in the 1960s. Dr Cyril W. Smith, a retired UK lecturer in engineering, has also done pioneering work on the body’s electro-magnetic field, summarised in his fascinating book, Electromagnetic Man.

In Germany, a modern-day pioneer of energy medicine was Reinhold Voll, a doctor who studied acupuncture in the 1950s, and then, together with a group of colleagues, became interested in the electrical properties of acupuncture points.

Voll developed a simple electrical device to measure these points and used them to map the acupuncture meridians, verifying the known ones and adding some of his own along the way. He also converted some of the traditional Chinese medical terminology into Western physiological terms, which made his system, that he called EAV (ElectroAcupuncture according to Voll), more widely acceptable amongst medics.

Voll used the application of tiny micro-electric currents to abnormal points to bring their measurements back into the normal range and held that this procedure could help relieve illness and imbalance. He also claimed that incorporating homeopathic remedies, nutritional supplements, or medicines into the circuit could alter abnormal measures and could be effective in treating a range of conditions including inflammation and allergies.

Voll’s method was simplified by some other German doctors who developed Bioelectronic Functions Diagnosis and Therapy (BFD), Which reduced the number of points being measured to around 60 and also limited the number of medications tested.

The innovative Dr Helmut Schimmel was always interested in bridging the gap between orthodox and natural medicine and between science and religion. He studied dentistry, medicine, natur-opathy and homeopathy and was constantly striving to make a synthesis between orthodox and alternative disciplines. He felt he had a lifelong calling to work in ‘bio-energy (functional) medicine’ and believed that this really was the medicine of the future. Schimmel summed up this belief by saying:

‘I personally believe that functional medicine will prove to be the medicine of the 21st-century. Orthodox medicine has no answers and no means of coping with the problems of chronic and degenerative diseases. I regret having to say this, but something dreadful will probably have to happen before functional medicine can free itself of its isolation. This means that chronic

Diseases will have to increase drastically, that the health insurance companies will probably become bankrupt due to the immense costs, and that the normal patient will finally understand that orthodox medicine has to be complemented by functional medicine. The public will demand changes in our public health system. Traditional medicine will be forced to do something, just because of the pressure of public opinion. I’m afraid that these changes will be fundamental and drastic. But these are the forces that move the world. When such idealistic thoughts coincide with these materialistic events, the result will be a break-through.’

(c) Copyright Wholistic Research Company 2001. Reproduced with kind permission from the Wholistic Research Company (www. Wholisticresearch. com).

The BFD system is still in use today but has been overtaken in popularity by the VegaTest method developed by Dr Helmut Schimmel in the 1970s. His system was a further refinement because it involved measuring trays of ampoules of test substances rather than different points on the body. The VegaTest method, or VRT (vegetative reflex test), has been constantly updated and is now used in many countries including the UK, Germany, Australia, the US.

Researchers in other countries, such as Dr Hiroshi Motoyama in Japan and others in Russia, Hungary, the US, and elsewhere, have also done pioneering work investigating different ways of measuring the body’s subtle energy flows and electro-magnetic fields. With the advances in information technology, energy medicine devices for assessment and treatment are now increasingly available both in clinical settings and for home use. However, many practitioners remain sceptical about them because little evidence supports their claims for effectiveness.

Understanding how energy medicine works

Energy medicine approaches such as radionics, magnet therapy, and flower essences are based on the idea that every living thing has an electromagnetic ‘field’ or ‘vibration’, which is different in health and disease and which may be affected by different remedies, types of healing, or devices.

Many energy medicine devices are types of Electro-dermal screening (EDS) Devices – that is they measure changes in the ability of the skin to conduct electricity, known as the Electrodermal response (EDR) Or Galvanic skin response (GSR). This ability changes according to physical and emotional states and environmental influences such as dryness or humidity. High speed computerised versions have also been developed, known as Computerised electro-dermal screening (CEDS).

Other devices use different forms of measurement, such as skin tissue sampling (the AMI device) or infra-red pulses (the MERID).

Treatment devices then add a substance into the electrical circuit with your body and it is believed that this can then directly influence your own body’s electro-magnetic field and indirectly help to rebalance internal organ function and restore health.

However, little scientific evidence supports these theories or assessment and treatment approaches.

What’s the evidence?

Not much evidence currently exists to verify the principles underlying energy medicine or the effectiveness of energy medicine treatments. Some studies

Confirm the link between EAV (Voll) assessment and allergies, and other studies have suggested a link between skin polarisation values (as measured by the Motoyama AMI – see below) and different types of health conditions. However, many of these studies have used only very small samples, have had design flaws or have not been replicated.

More damaging are investigations that have shown that people can get different results when measured by the same machine in different places, as shown for example with Vega food intolerance testing in high street chemists. Critics argue that people who get better after being tested on the Vega device do so because of cutting out obvious foods that may be causing problems, such as dairy and wheat, rather than the accuracy of Vega diagnosis.

However, in the hands of well-trained practitioners, large numbers of patients do claim to have benefited from following advice and treatment regimes based on VEGA test results.

Currently, insufficient evidence exists to support the methods of assessment and treatment used in energy medicine, but the numerous testimonies of benefits by both practitioners and their patients suggest that further consideration and investigation may be worthwhile.

Stones with magnetic properties (lodestones) have been used for healing since ancient times. More recently extensive research into magnet healing has been carried out in Russia, Eastern Europe, Austria, Germany, the US, and the UK.

Fixed therapeutic magnets are usually encased in plastic or ceramic material and then placed against the skin by means of a plaster or wrap. They may also be embedded in items such as mattress covers and shoe insoles. Pulsed electro-magnetic devices are usually hand-held and moved over the affected area.

Magnets vary in strength, size, and thickness, and magnet products vary in terms of how many magnets are used and their placement. To be effective therapeutically, the magnets must be strong enough to penetrate the skin tissues and the product must contain enough magnets.

Magnet strengths of 800 to 1,000 gauss are needed and thicknesses of %to 3X Inch are helpful. Generally, the stronger, thicker, closer, and more numerous the magnets are, the greater the therapeutic effects are likely to be. Horseshoe, bar, and fridge magnets are not suitable for healing as they aren’t strong enough!

Magnet therapy is used by vets, podiatrists, acupuncturists, osteopaths, physiotherapists, and sports coaches to heal injuries and ease conditions such as arthritis, headaches, foot pain, and more.

Magnetic devices shouldn’t be used by people with pacemakers, defibrillators, insulin pumps, or other electro-insulin devices, as the magnets may interfere with their activity, nor by pregnant women, as the effect on the foetus or on babies is unknown.

Energy medicine today

Energy medicine isn’t regulated in the UK. Some of the energy medicine devices used have now obtained a CE mark in Europe, which means that they satisfy European Community directives, or have FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval in the US. However, these approvals relate mainly to issues of safety and don’t necessarily verify what the devices claim to be measuring or the effectiveness of their treatment.

Countries such as the UK, Germany, and the US have attempted to establish training standards for the use of particular devices, but the range of devices and the many different types of practitioners who use them have made establishing any universal standards or unifying association or training body difficult.

Radionics, magnet therapy and flower and gem essence therapy also remain unregulated at this time.

Introducing Different Types of Energy Medicine

Energy medicine devices currently in use that assess and/or treat the body include the following:

The AMI (new version is called AMICS), Devised by Dr Hiroshi Motoyama in Japan, measures polarisation values at acupuncture Source Points on the fingers and toes to determine meridian balance and, it is claimed, the health of corresponding internal organs.

The ASYRA, A device approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was developed by Mark Galloway and uses fewer point readings than the BEST system, incorporating software that scans a vast range of remedies, including all the single and nosode homeopathic remedies, Scheussler tissue salts, Dr Reckweg formulations (see Chapter 10 for more about each of these), flower remedies, and so on.

The BICOM (BlO-ogical COM-puter) takes electro-magnetic readings from the body and compares them across 400 preset therapeutic programs.

The LISTEN System, which developed into the BEST (MSAS, or meridian stress assessment system) BioMeridian system, also uses devices that measure electrical changes over acupuncture points and tests for food intolerances, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, environmental sensitivities, and so on.

The MERID, A device developed in Holland by Derk Buiskool Leeuwma, uses pulses of infra-red light, at gradually increasing levels of intensity, to measure responses at 24 points on the hands and feet and provide information on the energetic state of meridian channels.

The MORA, Devised by German physician Dr Franz Morrell and electronics engineer Mr Eric Rasche in the 1970s, was named by combining the first letters of their names. The various MORA devices now available measure ‘ultra-fine electro-magnetic oscillations’ by taking electrical measurements at acupuncture points on the body and also using pre-set programs to assess toxicity and imbalance.

The NES (Nutri-Energetic Systems) device, developed by Peter Fraser and Harry Massey, involves the client placing a hand on an input device, which then relays information to a computer that analyses disturbances in the human body field.

The OBERON Is a device developed by a team of Russian scientists that scans the body with a range of different frequencies of magnetic field and identifies areas of diseased tissue in the body.

The QXCI (Quantum Xxroid Consciousness Interface) and SCIO (Scientific Consciousness Interface Operations System), Developed by American William Nelson, is a computerised biofeedback system that collects data from measurements via wrist, ankle, and head electrodes and then assesses them across sophisticated software for a wide range of remedies and conditions.

The SCENAR (Self-Controlled Energo Neuro Adaptive Regulation) is a hand-held biofeedback device with an electrical contact that is passed over areas of inflammation, injury, or infection on the body to stimulate healing.

The VEGA Electro-dermal screening (EDS) devices measure electrical changes at an acupuncture point and are used to test for food intolerances, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and environmental sensitivities.

Kirlian photography Is a controversial technique used in energy medicine involving Energetic photography. Developed by Russian engineer Semyon Kirlian and his wife Valentina in 1939, it measures electromagnetic fields around the hands and body and reproduces these on photographic paper. Luminous, regular patterns are claimed to be signs of health, whereas broken outlines are believed to indicate disease. Kirlian photography produces beautiful images but as a method of diagnosis it has not yet been proven to be very reliable or accurate.

Other forms of energy medicine include dowsing and radionics, mentioned at the beginning of this chapter and also the following:

Magnet Therapy: Magnets are placed directly on the skin or electromagnetic devices are used to pulse a magnetic field around the affected body part. Some research suggests that the magnets may stimulate cellular activity and tissue repair and reduce inflammation.

Dr Edward Bach (pronounced Batch) A Harley Street doctor and homeopath in the 1930s, came to believe that mental attitude and emotional health played a vital role in illness and recovery. He identified 38 primary negative states of mind and, over years of careful research, created a flower or plant remedy to treat each one. These came to be known as the Bach Remedies and are used individually or in combination and taken as drops on a daily basis. One combination of five remedies created by Dr Bach is known as Rescue remedy And he recommended its use during emergencies or traumas.

More recently people all over the world have started to develop flower, tree, mineral, gem, rock, desert plant, and even dolphin remedies based on Bach’s principles. Some of the most well-known ones in use today include the Bailey Essences, created by Dr Arthur Bailey in 1967, the Australian Bush Flower Remedies, created by Ian White, The Findhorn Flower Essences, The Alaskan Essences, and the Perelandra Essences.

U Gem Therapy: Gemstones or crystals, such as rose quartz, amethyst, jade, and lapis lazuli are placed on different parts of the body, or worn as pendants. The gemstones are believed to emit certain frequencies that trigger healing of physical, emotional, and even spiritual problems. This type of therapy has been practised since ancient times but little scientific evidence exists to support its use.

U Flower and vibrational essences: Flowers, or other plant materials such as bark, are soaked in spring water in the sun or boiled to extract their essence. Alcohol is added to this Mother tincture As a preservative. You take a few drops of the essence daily to treat emotional states such as anxiety, grief, and disillusionment. These flower and other remedies are now made and sold worldwide and it is believed that the vibrational energy contained in the essences can alter mental, emotional, physical and spiritual states. However, no scientific evidence supports this.

Discovering Whom and What Energy Medicine Is Good For

In clinical ecology, also known as environmental or functional medicine, Electro-dermal devices (electrical devices used to measure points on the skin) such as the ones mentioned earlier on in the chapter may be used to determine whether your body is reacting to the following:

U Irritants inhaled through the air, such as pollens U Components of certain foods, such as lactose in dairy products

U Chemicals ingested with your food or otherwise swallowed or inhaled, such as chemicals from the linings of tins of food or mercury from tooth fillings

U Stored toxins, such as from previous chemical or pesticide exposure

See Chapter 12 for more details about this and other ways of testing for food intolerance and food allergy.

Flower and gem remedies are widely used to treat emotional states; magnet therapy is often used to treat pain and inflammation; and radionics and dowsing may be used for any condition.

Little scientific evidence exists to support these therapies and approaches as yet.

What can energy medicine treat?

The devices mentioned earlier in this chapter are used to treat allergies and other sensitivities (such as to chemicals), asthma, joint problems, digestive problems, and a whole host of chronic diseases. Often people who go to energy medicine practitioners have tried everything else, which makes the oft-reported dramatic improvements all the more interesting. Radionics practitioners treat any condition, even at a distance, by claiming to be able to Broadcast Remedies far afield using devices or simply mental intention. Flower remedies are believed to be especially helpful for emotional states.

To sceptics such treating at a distance, or the healing of emotional problems using water with trace amounts of plant material seems impossible. Yet perhaps, once we understand more about subtle energy fields, we may get closer to an explanation.

When not to use energy medicine

Energy medicine is generally believed to be entirely safe because no direct physical intervention is involved. The only exception is magnet therapy, which isn’t suitable for pregnant women or for those with pacemakers. However, people with serious diseases or chronic conditions need to ensure that they seek medical advice rather than relying entirely on the assessments and treatments as mentioned in this chapter.

What to Expect in a Typical Consultation

Energy medicine is unusual amongst complementary therapies in that you may not need to answer questions, give a medical history, complete a questionnaire, or even be physically present! In the case of radionics, diagnosis and treatment given at a distance sometimes all that is required is a lock of your hair or just your name on a piece of paper! In the case of the energy medicine devices, however, you do need to be present and you’ll be in some way connected to the device either by means of electrodes or by holding an electrode and then being tested with a probe touched to a point, or points, on the skin.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made on the basis of the swing of the pendulum, the measurements of the radionics device, or the manual or computerised measurements of the electro-dermal measuring devices. In the case of flower and gem remedies, diagnosis is made either online after answering questions about mood and emotions; by yourself with the help of books or dowsing; or in consultation with a trained therapist.

Treatment

In the case of radionics, treatment may be ‘broadcast’ by means of a pendulum or radionics device. The ‘matter’ being broadcast may be a homeopathic remedy, a nutrient, a herb, or even a word or loving thought.

In the case of the devices, treatment is more sophisticated and may be a homeopathic or other remedy that is ‘put into the circuit’ and transferred into drops or pills or onto a magnetic strip on a card and worn on the body.

For magnet therapy the magnets are worn on the body or received from a pulsed magnetic field device. For flower and gem essences you take the remedy as drops in water several times a day.

What to expect once you start treatment

Treatment is very subtle, so you may notice nothing very much at first. However, people often report having effects similar to those created by

Homeopathic remedies (see Chapter 10 for more about these) – for example, they may initially get a flare-up of symptoms and then a decrease. Many people report improvements in how they feel within a relatively short period of time.

Your first consultation with a practitioner may last from 30 to 60 minutes. Subsequent visits may be shorter, usually 30 minutes or so. You may need to return for one or two follow-ups or until your health problem has cleared up.

If you’re given a remedy in the form of drops, pills, or magnetic strip card, you need to continue to take or wear them as directed by your practitioner. In the case of magnet therapy, the magnets are usually worn until you feel better and may be used continually for health maintenance and prevention (as in the case of magnet mattress pads or insoles).

Knowing Whether Your Energy Medicine Treatment Is Working

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You may experience immediate benefits from your energy medicine treatment or remedy, or you may find that you get an initial worsening followed by an improvement. Some people feel more tired than usual afterwards. This effect should pass quickly. Here are some more pointers about using energy medicine:

U If you experience a significant deterioration in your symptoms, contact your practitioner for advice.

U Ask your practitioner what improvements you can realistically expect over what sort of timescale.

U For best results, carefully follow the directions for taking the remedy, using the magnet, as well as any diet and lifestyle advice given by your practitioner.

U If you have no improvement after a course of treatment, it may be that energy medicine isn’t effective for your condition. Discuss this situation with your practitioner.

Common Questions about Energy Medicine Treatment

Here are some questions that I get asked about energy medicine:

U Does this type of measurement hurt? No. The most you may feel is a tiny tingle from the application of the tiny electrical micro current.

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U How do I know which device to go for? Each device has its strengths and limitations. Read up about them and ask the practitioner lots of questions before committing yourself. Also, check that your practitioner is thoroughly trained in using the device and knows how it works!

U Does it matter if the magnets get wet? Usually the magnets are encased in plastic or ceramic and are fairly waterproof, but try to keep them dry or they lose their power. I washed some of mine in with the laundry once by mistake and they were too weak to pick up a single key afterwards, whereas before they could pick up a whole bunch!

U Can radionics be used for someone at a distance without their consent? Not usually, no, because an individual needs to be involved in their own healing, and ready to play an active part in it.

Finding a Good Practitioner

No formal national registers of energy medicine practitioners exist. In the UK, two of the foremost centres for energy medicine are the Centre for Complementary and Integrated Medicine in London, run by Professor George Lewith and his colleagues, and the Dove Clinic, run by Dr Julian Kenyon:

U Centre for Complementary and Integrated Medicine (Tel: 020 7935 7848; Www. complemed. co. uk).

U Dove Clinic for Integrated Medicine (Tel: 01962 718000; Www. doveclinic. com). The Dove Clinic also has a London practice (Tel: 020 7580 8886).

You can find flower and Vibrational Essence practitioners in the UK via the British Flower and Vibrational Essences Association (Www. bfvea. com).

Alternatively, ask friends, family, and colleagues for personal recommendations, or try accessing names of practitioners via online directories such as The Institute for Complementary Medicine Www. i-c-m. org. uk (for the UK) or Www. EnergyMedicineDirectory. com (mainly for students of Donna Eden in the US and around the world).

Questions to ask your practitioner

You may want to ask your practitioner about the following:

U Qualifications and training: Most practitioners are happy to give these details. If you have any doubts as to their validity, check them with the organisations themselves.

U Insurance: Check that they’re a member of a professional association and have appropriate indemnity insurance.

U Device: If your practitioner is using an energy medicine device, ask what exactly it is measuring, how it works, what the research is behind it, and what the evidence is of its usefulness in therapy.

U Experience: Ask your practitioner about their experience in treating your particular ailment and their usual degree of success!

U Treatment: Ask about the likely frequency of consultations that you may need and the costs involved.

Counting the cost of energy medicine

Initial energy medicine consultations may cost from Ј35 (for high street chemist VegaTest consultations for food intolerances) to Ј100 or so for more sophisticated forms of measurement. The cost of remedies may be separate. Magnet therapy prices range from Ј15 for a disc magnet to around Ј90 for a pulsed magnetic field device. Pendulums can be obtained from Ј5 to Ј15 upwards. Gemstones vary from a few pounds to hundreds of pounds depending on the size and quality of the stone. Flower and other vibrational essences range from Ј5 upwards.

Ensuring satisfaction

Because no formal registration of energy medicine practitioners exists, your only recourse if you’re not satisfied with your therapy is to talk things over with your practitioner or contact their professional body if they belong to one.

Helping Yourself with Energy Medicine

You can have fun using a pendulum, as described earlier in this chapter, to dowse anything from lost objects to remedies for your health. However, if in any doubt about a remedy, always contact a specialist practitioner for advice, and if in doubt about a medical problem, always consult a qualified health professional.

In This Chapter

^ Finding out what psychological therapies are all about ^ Exploring different types of psychological therapy ^ Discovering what psychological therapies can be good for ^ Examining the evidence

^ Knowing what to expect in a typical treatment session ^ Locating a safe and effective practitioner

Owadays the mind and body are generally accepted as interconnected. # W Your thoughts and emotions Can Have a bearing on ill health and may influence perceptions of pain, recovery time after surgery, and even the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

In this chapter, you explore some of the complementary therapies influenced by modern-day psychology that aim to help you have a healthy mind. You’ll take a look at hypnotherapy, autogenic training, and re-birthing, and some quite recently developed therapies such as thought field therapy and the emotional freedom technique.

I let you know what you may be letting yourself in for with these therapies and how they may be beneficial. Then, at the end of the chapter, I give you a little tip on how to make positive thinking an everyday part of your life!

Finding Out about Psychological Therapies

Psychological therapies is a broad term that I use to refer to those therapies that specifically target your mind and emotions. However, this definition is really too narrow. The word Psychology Is nowadays taken to mean the ‘study of the mind’, but in its original meaning, it came from the Greek word Psykhe, Which means ‘breath, spirit, soul’ or ‘animating spirit’; ‘the invisible animating principle or entity, which occupies and directs the physical body’.

Thus, although these therapies target thoughts, emotions, and mental attitudes, the underlying aim is really to reach the soul, to create a sense of peace and happiness that can radiate throughout your life. Many practitioners also believe that such ‘soul contentedness’ can have a direct effect on the physical body. This effect is being increasingly backed up by modern-day research, which basically shows that happiness is good for you!

These therapies draw strongly on the work by famous psychologists and psychiatrists of the past such as psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, behaviourists Ivan Pavlov and B. F.Skinner, psychiatrist Carl Jung, and psychologists Carl Rogers, Erik Erikson, and Erich Fromm, to name but a few.

The origins of psychology go back to the great Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, who wrestled with the concepts of the soul and the mind and what it means to be a human, thinking being. Over time, many more philosophers added to the mix and in the early 16th-century the term Psychology First started to be used. (Marko Marulic, the Serbo-Croatian humanist and poet, is thought to have first coined the term.)

Psychology gradually developed into a study subject in its own right and over the last 200 years a whole host of theories and different types of therapies have been created.

More recently, individuals have taken inspiration from the fields of psychology, and sometimes combined elements from other complementary therapies to create new forms of therapy for balancing the mind.

Exploring Modern-day Complementary Therapies for the Mind

Defining psychological therapies as Complementary medicine Is difficult because some, such as hypnotherapy, are also used in orthodox settings by medical

Doctors. In this section I cover the main popular modern-day therapies that deal with the mind.

Autogenic therapy (AT)

Autogenic therapy (AT) was developed by a German neurologist, Johannes Schultz, in the 1920s, to ease stress, aid relaxation, and promote healing for a range of psychological and physical conditions. AT was later further developed by his Canadian colleague, Dr Wolfgang Luthe. Autogenic Means ‘generated from within’ and gentle self-awareness is the focus of the exercises.

How does it work?

You are taught a series of six exercises over eight to ten weekly sessions, either one-to-one or in small groups. The exercises calm the mind and decrease the stress responses of the body. Studies have shown that during AT practice, the brain produces waves similar to those seen during meditation.

Who or what is it good for?

Anyone can learn and practise AT – from business people to children – and you can practise it anywhere that you can sit quietly or lie down. The therapy has been used to treat stress, migraine, asthma, and insomnia, among other ailments, and to facilitate pregnancy and birthing.

What’s the evidence?

More than 3,000 studies have been conducted, and the studies suggest effectiveness for a wide range of physical and mental conditions.

HoW can I find a practitioner?

In the UK, health professionals who have taken a one-year part-time course to become a member of the British Autogenic Society are listed on Www. auto Genic-therapy. org. uk.

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Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a method of therapy that measures ‘autonomic responses’ in the body – that is, physical responses that you normally cannot control voluntarily such as finger-tip temperature, heart rate, and brain waves – and then feeds back this information by means of a signal so that you can learn to control them. This work began in the US and the UK in the 1960s, as scientists became interested in trying to verify extraordinary feats by Indian yogis who appeared able to control their body’s internal physical processes. Doctors Elmer and Alyce Green pioneered this work at the Menninger Foundation in the US.

How does it work?

Biofeedback devices measure a specific physical process and then feed back changes to the person being measured by means of numerical dials, beeps of varying sounds, or visual scales. The person then tries to control the process, such as lowering blood pressure or increasing finger-tip temperature, and the device tells them how successful they are. Over time, people develop the ability to control the process without the feedback being necessary.

What’s it good for?

Biofeedback has been successfully used in the treatment of many conditions, including anxiety, insomnia, migraine, and bruxism (teeth grinding), and in helping to induce states of relaxation. Neurofeedback, Which is biofeedback of brain waves, has been used to treat a range of conditions, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, epilepsy, and alcoholism.

What’s the evidence?

Lots of studies since the 1960s, have now confirmed that biofeedback is effective.

How can I find a practitioner?

Practitioners vary hugely in their level of training and expertise. Some can be accessed via Www. worldwidehealthcenter. net. In the US, a good source is the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America (BCIA; Www. bcia. Affiniscape. com).

Biorhythms

Biorhythms are supposed cycles of lows and highs related to emotional, physical, and mental (intellectual) function that are calculated mathematically (in the form of sine waves of fixed frequencies, for those who want to know!) from your day of birth. Biorhythms grew out of observations by Dr Wilhelm Fleiss (a great pal of Sigmund Freud and, incidentally, the one who tried to get him to give up the ten-cigar-a-day habit that gave him mouth and jaw cancer). Fleiss looked at medical records and noticed cycles for the occurrence of physical and emotional problems. Later, an Austrian mathematician, Alfred Teltscher, noticed what appeared to be intellectual cycles in the marks of his students. Subsequently, others have investigated, with varying results, cycles in accident rates of drivers, death rates following surgery in hospital, and so on.

How does it work?

You can purchase charts of biorhythms or access them via the Internet for free. You simply type in your date of birth and – hey presto! – a chart appears with cycles for physical, emotional, and mental function appearing in different colours.

What’s it good for?

^SJBfVTf Biorhythms are good for fun, really. Some people claim that using biorhythm charts to foresee difficult times can help you weather the storm or even prevent accidents while planning activities on ‘peak days’; for example, writing a book on days when you have an intellectual high can help to optimise performance. Certainly as a writer you have days that are easier and days that are harder but – for a bit of fun – I checked my biorhythm chart a few times during the long months it’s taken to write this book and I really didn’t find much correlation! Still, some people seem to find knowledge of biorhythms useful and I can’t see the harm in it unless the charts are followed slavishly and start to take over your life. (I used to know someone who decided everything on the basis of the charts, which seemed to me to be taking things too far.)

What’s the evidence?

Not much evidence exists – and is pretty erratic, to say the least. However, some interesting work in the field of chronobiology looks at rhythmical cycles of certain physiological processes such as hormone cycles or blood pressure. Some of these cycles appear to be linked to lunar cycles (the cycles of the moon) – for example, post-operative bleeding in patients during and after operations appears to be worse during full moons. This field of study can have huge implications for surgery and more work on this needs to be done.

How can I find a practitioner?

This therapy is do-it-yourself. However, some ‘biorhythm experts’ do offer to talk you through your chart – for a fee, of course!

Brief therapy

^ALfty^. The term Brief therapy Was coined by American psychiatrist Milton H.

^^/"^ Erickson to describe his way of addressing issues in therapy in just a few ses-

Sions. This idea was then picked up by American psychotherapist Steve de Shazer and his wife and colleagues in their solution-focused approach to family therapy. Basically, this approach is a talking therapy that focuses on

Solutions to problems in a few short sessions, rather than delving into the past.

How does it work?

The practitioner uses ‘respectful curiosity’ to help you identify your problem and then gives you a series of questions to help you identify solutions that can be tried out in practice. These include the ‘miracle question’, where you are asked how things would be different if a miracle happened and everything was sorted.

What’s it good for?

Brief therapy’s been used for all kinds of relationship problems, depression, anxiety, addictions, stress, and insomnia.

What’s the evidence?

Research suggests that this approach can produce some lasting changes within quite a short time of therapy (usually no more than five sessions).

How can I find a practitioner?

In the UK, you can contact the Brief Therapy Practice (Tel: 0207 600 3366; Www. brieftherapy. org. uk).

Emotional freedom techniques (EFT)

This therapy is a synthesis of a simplified version of Roger Callahan’s thought field therapy (TFT) combined with neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) techniques – see the later sections about these. Created by American engineer and minister Gary Craig, this approach is now practised by more than 3,000 people around the world, and has been rapidly picked up as he offers the basics of the system free on his Internet site (Www. emofree. com).

How does it work?

The tapping of acupuncture points is combined with affirmations such as, ‘Even though I have this (anxiety, depression, stiff neck, whatever), I deeply and completely accept myself.’ This therapy is said to aid release of stress, negative emotions, and so on, and to help balance the body’s energies, based on the premise that negative emotions underlie all types of physical illness.

What’s it good for?

EFT has been used for every kind of emotional and physical problem, including anxiety, depression, stress relief, phobias, and pain.

Franz Anton Mesmer, an Austrian doctor in the 18th-century, was able to induce trance-like states in his patients. He claimed this trance was due to ‘animal magnetism’ (from the Latin Animus Meaning ‘breath’), which, by the way, has nothing to do with animal behaviour. He used the term to refer to the ‘life force’ that he believed was in all living things and that was sensitive to influence. He claimed this force flowed in unseen channels of the body and that obstructions in this flow caused illness. This concept is very similar to that of acupuncture, described in Chapter 9.

In the beginning, he used magnets to influence this ‘flow’, but later believed that he could change it simply by staring deeply into the person’s eyes and making a series of passes over their body with his hands. This approach

Came to be known as Mesmerism, And he received some acclaim but was later (perhaps unfairly) denounced as a charlatan.

Around the same time an Indo-Portuguese priest, Jose Custodio de Faria, started to replicate Mesmer’s work but insisted that the effects were all due to the openness to suggestion in the mind of the receiver rather than any special ability on his side. Mesmer’s work was also picked up by a Scottish doctor, James Baird, who coined the term Hypnosis And demonstrated how it could be used with suggestible people for surgery. French pharmacist Emile Coue, in the 1920s, went on to demonstrate the healing power of auto-suggestion (a type of self-hypnosis), and in the 1960s, modern-day psychotherapist Milton Erickson developed this approach into medical hypnosis.

What’s the evidence?

A huge amount of anecdotal evidence exists but no published studies, which means that most of the medical profession dismisses this technique as unsubstantiated and mere placebo – that is, all in the mind (for more about the placebo effect, check out Chapter 10).

How can I find a practitioner?

Gary Craig’s EFT Web site, Www. emofree. com, lists practitioners all around the world and also offers a free download to learn the technique for yourself.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy involves the introduction of suggestions while the mind is in a receptive state and the body is deeply relaxed. Trance states and suggestion have been used since ancient times by shamans and healers. Modern-day hypnotherapy arose out of the work of a number of men, including Mesmer, Faria, Baird, Coue, and Erickson.

How does it work?

When the body is relaxed it is believed that the unconscious part of the mind can be accessed and is very open to suggestion. Auto-suggestion, Or Self-hypnosis, Can be carried out when in a waking, fully conscious state, but some individuals are able to enter such a deep trance that they have no knowledge of what they have done or said when they come out of it. During this state it has been shown that brain waves change and various other biochemical changes also take place.

What’s it good for?

Hypnosis has now become accepted and is practised by some doctors and dentists as well as specially trained hypnotherapists who use it to treat phobias, addictions, anxiety, insomnia, and so on.

What’s the evidence?

Various studies have shown that hypnosis can affect relaxation and can have a beneficial effect on a range of conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), asthma, headache, pain, and so on.

How can I find a practitioner?

In the UK, anyone can currently call themselves a hypnotherapist, and a very large number of different hypnotherapy associations and training bodies exist, all with varying requirements and standards. This situation also exists in other countries.

The UK Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations (Tel: 0800 952 0560; Www. ukcho. co. uk) is an umbrella body for the hypnotherapy profession in the UK and lists a number of independent hypnotherapy associations, each of which has directories of members.

The General Hypnotherapy Register (Tel: 01590 683770; Www. general-Hypnotherapy-register. com) was set up by the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council in an attempt to create a single register of trained hypnotherapists.

Hypnotherapy associations in the United States include the following:

American Association of Professional Hypnotherapists (AAPH; Tel: 00 (1650) 323 3224; Www. aaph. org)

American Hypnosis Association (AHA – set up by the Hypnosis Motivation Institute; Tel: 00 (1818) 758 2747 (also includes lay members);

Www. hypnosis. edu)

National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH; Tel: 00 (1603) 429 9438; Www. ngh. net)

The American Board of Hypnotherapy (ABH; 00 (1808) 596 7765;

Www. hypnosis. com)

I American Psychotherapy and Medical Hypnosis Association (APMHA; Tel: 00 (1509) 662 5131; Www. apmha. com)

I The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH; Tel: 00 (1630) 980 4740; Www. asch. net)

I The National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists (NBCCH; Tel: 00 (1800) 449 8144; Www. natboard. com)

You can find some other hypnotherapy associations, including ones in Canada and Australia, on Www. naturalbloom. com.

Please note: I am not endorsing any of the above associations, nor is this a comprehensive list.

Neuro-linguistic programming(NLP)

Developed around 1973 by Americans Richard Bandler, a psychology student, and John Grinder, a linguistics professor, with additional input from the social scientist Gregory Bateson, Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) refers to the study of neurology (the brain), linguistics (the use of language), and patterns of behaviour that you can observe (programmes). NLP as a therapy is a set of techniques for modifying language, behaviour, and experience.

How does it work?

Understanding how you have learnt to make sense of your experiences consciously and unconsciously via perception, thoughts, and feelings enables you to make changes in the way that you process information and communicate with others.

What’s it good for?

NLP has been applied to everything from relationship problems and physical and mental conditions to the workplace and the training of salespeople!

What’s the evidence?

NLP techniques are widely practised around the world and have been extensively researched. For lots of research papers, see Www. nlp. de/research.

How can I find a practitioner?

You can find many organisations that represent NLP practitioners. Two good places to start looking are the following:

I UK Association of Neurolinguistic Programming (Tel: 0845 053 1162; Www. anlp. org).

I Global Organisation of NLP (GONLP; Tel: 0845 141 2161; Www. bbnlp. com). This site lists practitioners worldwide.

Psychosynthesis

A form of therapy that emphasises self-awareness and ‘soul’ knowledge, psy-chosynthesis was developed by Italian psychiatrist Roberto Assagioli in the early 20th-century. Assagioli had been a student of Freudian psychoanalysis but later rejected it to develop a more spiritual approach. The term Psy-chosynthesis Was used to represent the idea of synthesising different aspects of the self into a unified whole.

How does it work?

Painting, drawing, movement, meditation, creative visualisation, and other methods are used in one-to-one or group sessions to unify personality and develop potential.

What’s it good for?

Psychosynthesis is suitable for anyone interested in personal development.

What’s the evidence?

Psychosynthesis has been extensively researched and written about in psychological literature and journals.

How can I find a practitioner?

Look for a practitioner via the newly formed Psychosynthesis Professional Association (PPA; Www. psychosynthesis. edu/ppa), or at the Institute of Psychosynthesis clinic (Tel: 0208 202 4525; Www. psychosynthesis. org).

Rebirthing

Rebirthing is a therapy that uses breathing and other physical techniques to ‘re-enact’ your birth so that you can resolve any traumas associated with it.

This therapy grew out of work by a small group of psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and psychologists, including Stanislav Grof and Elizabeth Fehr, interested in the influence of foetal and birth experiences on later mental health and personality. The therapy was utilised by Scottish psychiatrist R. D. Laing, who ran rebirthing workshops, and has been popularised by Americans Leonard Orr and Sondra Ray. Orr’s rebirthing technique, which initially used water but later focused on special breathing techniques, has spread around the world.

How does it work?

Rebirthing is based on the idea that your mental life begins in the womb and that birth trauma can have a profound effect on the development of your personality, often leading to feelings of separation and anxiety.

What’s it good for?

Rebirthing is supposed to reduce feelings of separation and resolve feelings of anxiety, depression, and so on, as well as help resolve relationship problems.

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What’s the evidence?

No solid research evidence supports this therapy although anecdotally many people report that they find it helpful.

When I was a young psychology student, I became interested in the radical approaches to mental illness that were being proposed by innovative psychologists and psychiatrists such as Ronald David Laing. Ronnie, as he was known, was famous for establishing a therapeutic community where patients and therapists lived together. I went to live and work in one of these therapeutic communities for a while after I graduated and one day heard on the grapevine that Ronnie was going to lead a rebirthing workshop in an old church hall in London.

I went along, excited at the opportunity to meet the great man himself. He arrived about an hour

Late, rather tipsy but oozing charisma, and organised everyone into small groups. We had to make a human ‘womb’ over individual members of the group one at a time; the chosen one was to curl on the floor in a foetal position and then attempt to push their way out in order to be ‘born’. As the ‘birthings’ got under way the hall became filled with the sound of grunts, groans, screams, and tears.

Many people seemed to find this experience an immense catharsis, with lots of group hugging and sharing of experiences. It was an unforgettable experience but it all seemed a bit crazy and haphazard to me so, when Ronnie slipped out, I gratefully took my ‘reborn’ self off home too!

Hazel Denning held two Master’s degrees as well as doctorates in clinical psychology and metaphysical counselling. She spent more than 37 years working as a full-time past-life regression therapist and parapsychologist. I had the pleasure of meeting her in Japan one year when she came to visit Dr Hiroshi Motoyama’s world-renowned Institute for Religion and Parapsychology, where I worked for some years. During her visit she presented a paper on past-life regression at the Institute’s annual conference and did a live demonstration of regression in front of over 500 people. I knew the person that

Volunteered for this demonstration and was fascinated to see him go into a relaxed state and then suddenly apparently start to relive another life totally different from this one. From being a laid-back West Coast American journalist, he suddenly became a warrior from another age! Hazel was a wonderfully warm and sincere person with a sharp intelligence and participated in our research at the Institute for several days. She died peacefully in 2006 at the age of 98, saying she was looking forward to ‘going dancing’ with her husband on the other side (he had died over 20 years before!).

How can I find a practitioner?

You can find rebirthers in the UK via the British Rebirth Society (Tel: 0845 330 8214; Www. rebirthingbreathwork. co. uk), whose practitioners use Leonard Orr’s breathing techniques.

Leonard Orr’s rebirthing Web site (Www. rebirthingbreathwork. com) has a directory of US rebirthers.

Regression therapy

Regression therapy, also sometimes called past-life therapy or past-life regression therapy, involves deep relaxation and then being ‘taken back’ to specific times in your early life or even your past lives. This therapy was pioneered by, amongst others, the American clinical psychologist Hazel Denning.

How does it work?

In a deeply relaxed or hypnotic state, old memories may be accessed from the unconscious mind. Some claim that these relate not only to early childhood and forgotten experiences but also may even relate to time spent in the womb or to past lives, lived before the current one.

What’s it good for?

Regression therapists claim to help treat phobias and other physical or mental conditions.

What’s the evidence?

Most is anecdotal but some studies show that people’s brain waves change in a novel way during regression therapy and that normal, healthy people are more likely to report past lives than mentally ill people. Some reported past-life experiences have been checked and supposedly verified, but not everyone is convinced by this ‘evidence’.

How can I find a practitioner?

You can locate practitioners worldwide via the International Board for Regression Therapy (IBRT; Www. ibrt. org).

Thought field therapy (TFT)

A technique devised in the 1980s, by American clinical psychologist Roger Callahan for treating stress and trauma, Thought field therapy (TFT) links the mind and emotions with knowledge about the ‘energetic body’ taken from acupuncture and energy medicine (take a look at Chapters 9 and 22 for more about these treatments).

How does it work?

You are asked to visualise a relevant traumatic event or emotion while tapping different acupuncture Energy points On the body in a specific sequence. Other techniques involve humming, counting, or moving your eyes in a particular direction while doing this tapping. These techniques are believed to re-programme the body and to balance your energy fields.

What’s it good for?

TFT has been used to treat a range of psychological problems, including anxiety, insomnia, depression, addictions, phobia, and post-traumatic stress.

What’s the evidence?

TFT practitioners claim high success rates, but this therapy remains controversial as no hard evidence exists to support its use. The American Psychological Association no longer recognises TFT as an acceptable form of study for continuing professional development (CPD) of psychologists.

How can I find a practitioner?

In the UK, you can find TFT practitioners via Www. thoughtfieldtherapy. Co. uk. In the US, look through the directory on Roger and Joanne Callahan’s Web site at Www. tftrx. com.

Visualisation

Visualisation, also called mental imagery, guided imagery, or creative visualisation, involves creating positive images in the imagination, while in a relaxed state, in order to change mental or physical problems or improve performance. This therapy has been used medically with cancer patients by Dr Carl Simonton in the US and has also been pioneered in the work of, amongst others, Shakti Gawain, Dr Larry Dossey, and Louise Hay.

How does it work?

You normally relax first with your eyes closed and then create a mental picture of how you would like things to be. Positive statements known as affirmations may also be used. Treatment may be done alone or with the help of a therapist. Studies have shown that during visualisation the right hemisphere of the brain is stimulated and changes in hormone production, and other aspects of the body’s physiology, result.

What’s it good for?

Visualisation has been used for many different things from relieving asthma, to overcoming interview nerves, to improving sports performance.

What’s the evidence?

Some research has shown that visualisation can produce physical changes such as lowered blood pressure and increased production of breast milk in nursing mothers and also that it may help to reduce discomfort in sufferers of various ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and headache. Sports science research has also showed that having an ‘inner game’, for example visualising your golf ball going into the hole or your tennis ball going over the net, can improve performance results.

How can I find a practitioner?

Many different types of practitioners, such as psychologists, hypnotherapists, and counsellors, may employ visualisation and affirmation techniques. You can also teach yourself – see the ‘Helping Yourself with Psychological Therapies’ section at the end of this chapter.

Other therapies

Other psychological therapies include Dream therapy, Where your dreams are analysed for insight into current problems; and Laughter therapy, Where you are encouraged to laugh as a way of releasing tension, anger, and pain. Laughter has been shown to boost the immune system and promote various other healthy physiological changes.

Having Psychological Therapies

Because so many different types of practitioners use psychological therapies with such varying levels and standards of training, satisfying yourself that your practitioner is properly trained and competent is essential. If you have any kind of history of mental illness, you must be particularly careful about selecting a therapy and practitioner. Some of these therapies may not be suitable for you and can aggravate your condition. Consult a trusted health professional if you are in doubt.

Before embarking on therapy always enquire about training, membership of professional associations, experience in dealing with your particular condition, and so on.

The cost for any of the therapies discussed in this chapter may vary hugely – from Ј20 or so to Ј100 or more depending on the nature of the therapy, the duration of the treatment, and the experience of the practitioner.

If you’re dissatisfied with your treatment, talk things over with your therapist or make a complaint to their professional body if they’re a member of one.

Helping Yourself with Psychological Therapies

Visualisation and affirmations are a great way to improve your daily life by making your experiences more positive! Here’s a simple technique you can use every day:

On waking, stay in bed for a few extra minutes and visualise your day ahead. See yourself doing everything well and easily and feeling happy and contented.

U Identify any parts of your day that you’re worried about and then visualise things turning out well. For example, if you have an interview that you are nervous about, visualise yourself entering the room confidently, speaking well, and having a good rapport with the interviewers.

U If you want, add a verbal affirmation to support whatever you most need help with or are most concerned about. For example, with the interview situation, you can mentally say to yourself, ‘I will be calm and relaxed in my interview and all will go well.’

U During the day, whenever you can, close your eyes for a few seconds and recall your positive image, or mentally or verbally repeat the affirmation to yourself.

You may not always get the outcome that you want – such as landing the job from the interview – but these visualisations can certainly make your day smoother and easier. Many people also say that these techniques help to boost their confidence and enable them to realise their potential.

In This Chapter

^ Finding out what healing therapies are all about ^ Exploring different types of healing ^ Discovering what healing therapies can be good for ^ Examining the evidence

^ Knowing what to expect in a typical healing session ^ Knowing how to find safe and effective healers

Ealing therapies have existed in every culture from the dawn of time.

At the most primitive they involve simple hand touch for comfort and support, but certain healing therapies claim to be able to radiate specific healing energy from the hands or to even ‘channel’ healing energy from an external source. Often healing has been linked to specific shamanic, religious, or spiritual traditions. Healing may focus on the physical body or on a more subtle level.

In this chapter, I explore some age-old healing traditions and some more modern ones. I look at their history and practice and find out what they’re used for and what evidence supports their use. I also tell you how you can locate healers and give you some tips on self-healing.

A (Very) Brief History of Healing

All ancient cultures are known to have identified certain individuals as healers and to have called on their services at times of need. In early primitive societies, healers were often shamans, attributed with magical or healing powers, and the ability to enter trance-like states to get information on diseases and their cures. Some of these shamanic traditions still exist today.

In Medieval times in Europe, where Christianity held sway, healing was seen as a divine gift from God. Accordingly, healing came under the auspices of the Church and was achieved through prayer, laying on of hands in the name of God, penance, pilgrimage, and taking the waters at holy sites.

The Victorian era witnessed a great surge of interest in the occult, spiritualism, and the paranormal. During this time, mediums and spiritualists were often called on to give direct or absent healing at a distance.

More recently simple laying-on-of-hands, as a form of spiritual healing has become extremely popular with many thousands of lay people training in this kind of healing. Also, new forms of energetic healing have been developed whereby practitioners claim to be able to channel healing energy from a higher source.

Exploring Different Types of Healing

Several different types of healing are used in different healing therapies. The following list outlines the main types:

U* Absent healing: This healing is done at a distance without the recipient being present. The healers usually close their eyes, visualise the recipient or connect with them via a lock of hair or other personal item, and then mentally direct healing to them.

U* Auric healing: Auric healing is based on the concept of an energetic, electro-magnetic, or light body, also called an Aura Surrounding the actual physical body. Healers claim to be able to sense or see this aura and to remove blockages in it they believeare linked to diseases in the physical body.

U* Chakra healing: This healing is directed towards rebalancing the seven main subtle energy vortices, known as Chakras, According to the Indian yoga system. These Chakras Are not visible to the naked eye, but sensitive people claim to be able to perceive them and to be able to affect their functioning.

U Faith healing: This healing is where a so-called higher power or religious figure is invoked, such as Jesus, the Virgin Mary, the Buddha, Krishna, or a spiritual teacher, and the recipient needs to have faith in that higher power for the healing to be successful.

U Laying on of hands: In this type of healing, the healer’s hands are laid on the body or held just off the body. Healing power is believed to radiate from the hands into the diseased or painful area in the recipient’s body.

U Psychic surgery: In psychic surgery, the healer’s hands are said to be guided by an unseen spirit or force enabling the healer to transfer ‘healing energy’ into the person or actually penetrate their body and remove the diseased tissue.

U Spiritual healing: Spiritual healing is similar to faith healing in that the healers believe that they are acting as channels for healing energy from a divine source but, in this case, no belief or faith is required on the part of the recipient.

U Trance healing: As the name suggests, this healing is performed while the healer is in a trance state and supposedly being guided by a healing entity rather than consciously directing their healing work.

A famous example of this type of healing was Edgar Cayce, an American who had little formal education, but was able to go into trance and then answer detailed medical questions and give extensive health and spiritual advice (for more about him, go to Www. edgarcayce. org). Cayce did this work for decades yet appeared to have little knowledge of what had been said once he came out of his trance state.

Little evidence supports many of the claims for these different types of healing and many people remain sceptical, believing that any healing that occurs is merely a Placebo Effect; that is, a chance effect due to the person’s personal belief in the healing.

Looking at Popular Healing Therapies Today

This section introduces you to the main healing therapies used today (in alphabetical order):

U Crystal healing U Johrei

U Psychic healing and psychic surgery U Reiki

U Shamanic healing U Spiritual healing U Therapeutic touch U Other

Many healing therapies are given for free. Some practitioners, however, do charge or ask for donations. Charges vary according to the amount of time the therapy may take, the amount of training the person has undertaken, and what is involved in the healing.

If you’re dissatisfied with your treatment, talk things over with your healer or therapist or make a complaint to their professional body.

Crystal healing

Crystals and gem stones have been valued and used in healing since ancient times and different types of crystals are attributed with different Healing Qualities. For example, rose quartz is said to be soothing and to facilitate heart and circulatory function, whereas amethyst is said to help calm the mind and aid throat function.

When you have crystal healing, the healer places crystals on or around your body, either individually or in patterns or grids. Alternatively, the crystal may be used in the form of a ‘wand’ to direct healing power, or crystals may be placed in the room or worn as jewellery.

Crystal healers claim to be able to use crystals for Aura cleansing And Chakra purification, Which is essentially a form of spiritual purification of the person.

How does it work?

Crystals are believed to emanate vibrational frequencies that resonate with different organs of the body and the body’s energetic centres, or Chakras.

Who or what is it good for?

Anyone can utilise crystals and users claim they can help ‘clear’ the mind, relieve pain, and even ease common ailments.

What’s the evidence?

No real scientific evidence supports the idea that crystals have specific healing powers, and many geologists and gem experts get quite hot under the collar about such therapeutic claims!

How can I find a crystal therapist?

There are no regulations in place or governing bodies for crystal healing. In the UK crystal healers may be located via the Affiliation of Crystal Healing Organisations (Tel: 07837 696 301; Www. crystal-healing. org) or the International Association of Crystal Healing Therapists (Tel: 0161 702 8191;

Www. iacht. co. uk).

Currently, the US has no umbrella organisation for crystal healing, but two leaders in the field are the Association of Melody Crystal Healing Instructors (www. Taomchi. com); and the Crystalis Institute (Www. crystalisinstitute. com).

Okada believed that disease was linked to the intake of toxins, unnatural behaviour, and the separation of the soul and the body.

How does it work?

Universal energy or divine light is believed to be channelled through the palm of the giver towards the receiver a short distance away.

Who or what is it good for?

Anyone can learn Johrei and give it to anyone. Johrei is often used to treat stress or pain or as a form of absent healing. The aim is not to cure physical illness but to purify the spiritual body and increase happiness.

What’s the evidence?

There is no firm scientific evidence to support this technique but some research is underway in the US. Check out Www. johrei-institute. org for more details.

How can I receive Johrei?

For more on Johrei and its availability contact: the Johrei Association (UK) (Tel: 0207 281 1532; Www. johreiassociation. co. uk), the Johrei Fellowship and Johrei Foundation via (Www. johrei. com), the Izunome Association (USA) (Www. izunome. org), and the Vancouver Johrei Centre (Tel: 00 1604 273 0212).

As mentioned earlier in this chapter, psychic healing involves energy transfer or actual ‘surgery’ – cutting into the body without normal surgical tools or anaesthesia – by someone, often in a trance-like or meditative state.

Johrei

Johrei (also written as Jorei), Meaning Purification of the spirit, Is a healing approach established by Mokichi Okada in Japan in 1934.

Psychic healing

How does it work?

The psychic surgeon is believed to channel a healing force or divine energy that enables healing to occur and/or the physical body to be penetrated.

Some psychic surgeons use their hands while others use instruments such as knives, to ‘cut’ the body open.

Interestingly, although these tools are unsterilised and the ‘operations’ are carried out in non-surgical conditions, no reported cases of infection exist.

Who or what is it good for?

Psychic surgeons are willing to attempt treatment for any type of ailment, even a serious or terminal one.

What’s the evidence?

There is no conclusive evidence to support this type of healing and claims of miracle cures have not yet been substantiated to the satisfaction of sceptics.

I have both witnessed and experienced psychic surgery. Many years ago I travelled with a group to India. One member of the group was Stephen Turoff. He was a big bear of a man – tall and well-built but also softly spoken and affectionate and with a broad cockney accent. I had never heard of him but was told he was a healer. One day we were with a group of people and he was asked if he would do some healing. He agreed and underwent an extraordinary transformation. His whole demeanour and voice changed and he started to speak with a German accent! He then asked a woman to lie down, placed his hands on her eyeball and, moving it aside, quickly thrust a penknife a couple of inches into her eye socket, turned it quickly, and then pulled it out with some tissue-like material!

The whole thing happened very rapidly but everyone gasped as they saw the blade clearly disappear to some depth behind the woman’s eyeball. Turoff then returned to his normal ‘self’ and said that the woman had had a tumour behind her eye that he had now removed. He said that she would have lost the sight of her eye if it had been removed surgically in the normal way. He claimed that during the surgery

He was ‘overshadowed’ by a deceased German surgeon who enabled him to Operate. To everyone’s surprise the woman then said that she’d been having increasingly bad headaches and pain behind that eye for some weeks and been meaning to go to a doctor but had put it off. She had not mentioned these headaches to anyone previously but the next day reported that both the headaches and pain had completely gone.

Sometime later I took someone who was ill to see Stephen at his London clinic. I had expected simply to be an observer again but to my surprise he suddenly asked me to lie down and then rapidly cut into the side of my abdomen with a knife! I had the extraordinary sensation of his hands actually being Inside My abdomen and then it was all over and he was out of the room without a word. I looked down at my abdomen and there was a thin, red line, just like a surgical scar, where I had been ‘cut’ open and which stayed for about three days. The whole area was also tender for that period of time and felt as I imagine it would feel if real surgery had been performed. I do not know what he was operating on but it was certainly a unique experience and a quite extraordinary sensation!

How can I find a psychic surgeon?

Many of the most famous psychic surgeons hail from the Philippines or Brazil, and several tour operators organise trips to visit them. Since some have been found to be fraudulent you need to be very wary before parting with your money or embarking on such a trip.

In the UK, one of the most well-documented psychic healers is Stephen Turoff, who practises at the Danbury Healing Clinic (Tel: 01245 348325; Www. stephenturoff. org).

Reiki

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Reiki (pronounced ray-key and meaning ‘universal life energy’) is a type of hand healing developed in Japan in the late 19th-century by Mikao Usui. He was an avid student of philosophy, medicine, and Buddhism who was inspired to make a form of healing readily available to the public. He developed a system of Attunement, Whereby you align yourself with universal healing energy, and then transfer it to the recipient by means of a series of hand positions and visualisation. One of Usui’s students, Chujiro Hayashi, continued his work at a clinic in Tokyo and added more detailed hand positions, as well as a three-stage process of initiation. His work was then brought to Hawaii by one of his patients, Hawayo Takata, in the 1930s, and from there it has spread around the world.

The essence of Usui’s original teaching is that Reiki be simple and accessible for all. Therefore, the complex series of initiations and levels, and the very high fees requested by certain teachers and practitioners is controversial. Other practitioners have developed their own techniques and made them freely available.

How does it work?

During Reiki healing the practitioner places hands in 12 different positions on or near your head, abdomen, and back holding each position for a few minutes. During this attunement the practitioner becomes aligned with universal energy and then uses the different hand positions and symbols to transfer this energy to different parts of your body to heal and rebalance it.

Who or what is it good for?

Anyone can receive Reiki. It is often used as a form of stress or pain relief but is also used for easing specific ailments and as a form of self-development. It can also be performed on yourself or used for absent healing.

What’s the evidence?

No scientific studies exist to conclusively explain what goes on during Reiki or to prove that it is effective, but research is underway.

How can I find a Reiki practitioner?

Reiki practitioners in the UK have started a process of voluntary self-regulation and the newly formed Reiki Regulatory Working Group (Www. reiki Regulation. org. uk) lists various Reiki associations, which have directories of practitioners.

In the US, Reiki healers can be located via: the International Association of Reiki Professionals (IARP; Tel: 00 (1603) 881 8838; Www. iarp. org); the International Center for Reiki Training (Tel: 00 (1800) 332 8112; Www. reiki. org); and the Reiki Alliance (Tel: 00 (1208) 783 3535; Www. reikialliance. com) that lists practitioners from the Takata lineage around the world.

Shamanic healing

Shamans use ritual, song, dance, trance, drumming, fasting, sweat lodges, visualisations, or the use of consciousness-altering plants, mushrooms, or other plant materials to heal or for self-development.

How does it work?

Shamans supposedly act as intermediaries and guides helping you to interpret dreams and symbols, interacting with ‘spirits’ and other entities on your behalf, and guiding you on the spiritual path. Some focus on visualisations, meditation, and dream work, enabling you to explore and change attitudes and beliefs and to open your eyes to new concepts and methods of understanding.

Other shamans have a good knowledge of plants, including hallucinogens, and may use these to enable you to enter altered states of perception.

Consciousness-altering plants can have very potent, and sometimes very disturbing, effects, and need to be used only under the careful supervision of someone experienced in their use.

Who or what is it good for?

Anyone can call on the services of a shaman. Some people use shamanic healing for specific ailments but many use it for self-development.

What’s the evidence?

Many anthropological and sociological studies of shamans exist, as well as some scientific work on the effects of the hallucinogenic plants used by shamans, but there is no real evidence that specific shamanic rituals can heal.

How can I find a shaman?

You must be very careful when searching for a genuine and reputable shaman. Many Westerners now claim to have shamanic abilities but traditional shamans sometimes call these people Plastic shamans - that is, people who have done little training and do not really understand what they’re doing.

You can read more about shamanic healing via the Foundation for Shamanic Studies (Tel: 00(1415) 380 8282; Www. shamanism. org); the Centre for Contemporary Shamanism (UK) (Tel: 01435 810233; Www. shamanism. co. uk); and Living Magically (UK) (Tel: 015394 31943; Www. livingmagically. co. uk).

Spiritual healing

Spiritual healing is the channelling of Universal healing energy Via a trained healer and is sometimes described as the simple transfer of ‘love and light’.

How does it work?

The healer channels healing via hands held on, or just away from, the body. You do not need to have any particular faith or belief to receive this healing and it may also be used for absent healing.

As the body relaxes and tension is eased during healing, it is believed that this may stimulate internal self-healing.

Who or what is it good for?

Anyone may receive spiritual healing but it is often used to relieve stress, anxiety, and pain, and to ease discomfort in those with chronic or terminal illnesses.

What’s the evidence?

Several studies have suggested that pain and anxiety may be eased with healing but more good studies are needed.

How can I find a spiritual healer?

The UK Healers Self-Regulatory Body is now very active in trying to get a consensus for regulations governing spiritual healing in the UK and lists all the

Main UK healing organisations: (Tel: 0113 2741028; Www. ukhealers. info). Another useful resource is the Doctor Healer Network (Tel: 0208 800 3569; Www. doctorhealer. net).

You can locate healers in the US via the American Association of Healers

(Www. americanassociationofhealers. com).

Therapeutic Touch

This type of laying-on-of-hands therapy was devised in the US in the 1960s, by nursing professor Dolores Krieger and her healer colleague, Dora Kunz. Krieger wanted to create a simple therapeutic healing system that she could incorporate into nursing training. This technique is now widely practised by nurses and other practitioners around the world.

How does it work?

The therapy has four main steps: attunement; checking the energy field by placing the hands on or over different parts of the body; sweeping the body to unblock any problem areas; transfer of healing energy.

Therapeutic touch is based on the idea that everybody has an energy field that can be rebalanced through manual and visualisation techniques.

Who or what is it good for?

Anyone can receive therapeutic touch but it is especially widely used by nurses in clinical settings such as hospitals or clinics to treat those with pain, anxiety, diseases of ageing, and so on.

What’s the evidence?

Quite a large number of studies have been done demonstrating lowered blood pressure and decreased stress and anxiety after therapeutic touch. However, some argue that these changes were due to placebo rather than any specific healing effect and two review studies have found no real evidence of any therapeutic effect.

How can I find a therapeutic touch therapist?

In the UK, therapeutic touch practitioners may be members of the healing organisations listed under UK Healers (Tel: 0113 2741028; Www. ukhealers. info) or the British Association of Therapeutic Touch (Redmire Farm, Mungrisdale, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0TB). You may also be able to locate therapeutic touch practitioners through the Sacred Space Foundation (Tel:

017684 86868; Www. sacredspace. org. uk). In the US, you can locate practitioners via the Nurse Healers-Professional Associates International (NH-PAI; Tel: 00 (1518) 325 1185 or Toll Free 00 (1877) 32 NHPAI; Www. therapeutic-Touch. org); and Therapeutic Touch at Pumpkin Hollow Farm (where the technique was originally devised and taught by Kreiger and Kunz) (Tel: 00 (1518) 325 3583; Www. therapeutictouch. org).

Other healing therapies

Other healing therapies may focus specifically on healing the Energetic body Of the person, that is, the electro-magnetic field or aura, said to surround the physical body. One of the most well-known of these is the healing approach taught by Barbara Brennan’s School of Light in the US, Germany, and Japan. Brennan, a former NASA physicist, has spent 30 years studying the human energy field and developed a system of healing that combines hand healing with psychological and spiritual approaches. For more information, contact the Barbara Brennan School of Healing (Tel: 00 (1800) 924 2564; Www. barbarabrennan. com).

Helping Yourself with Healing Therapies

You can do healing for yourself. The following is a simple technique that you may like to try.

1. Sit in a relaxed and comfortable position, preferably in a quiet and warm environment.

2. Rub the palms of your hands together vigorously for a few seconds.

3. Place a warm palm, or both palms, on the area of the body that you want to heal. You may alternate palms or place one hand over the other, depending on the area of the body being worked on.

4. Leave the hands(s) in place for about 30 seconds, breathing deeply and relaxing your body.

5. Rub the hands together again and repeat the process.

6. If you want, you can also add visualisation while the palms are in place. Imagine light streaming in through the top of your head and radiating out through your palms into the area that needs healing. Visualise the part of the body being healed.

7. You can repeat this whole process several times during the day and also use it on other people as well as on animals.

In This Chapter

^ Finding out about aromatherapy

^ Understanding how aromatherapy works

^ Discovering what aromatherapy can be good for

^ Knowing what to expect in a typical consultation

^ Finding out about safe and effective use of aromatherapy

Romatherapy is the use of essential oils extracted from plants, flowers, trees, and seeds for therapeutic purposes. Scented oils have been used since ancient times for their healing properties, but more recently, scientists have investigated the psychological and physical effects of particular essential oils.

Nowadays, aromatherapy is one of the most popular forms of complementary therapy, and it is even used in schools, clinics, hospitals, maternity units, hospices, and work settings.

In this chapter, you’ll explore the roots of aromatherapy and look at modern day practice from aromatherapy massage to medical aromatherapy (internal use of aromatherapy oils). You’ll get the low-down on how aromatherapy may work, the evidence for its effectiveness, and key points for the safe use of aromatherapy oils.

Then I let you know what a typical aromatherapy consultation involves, and finally I give you some tips on how you can enjoy using aromatherapy oils at home.

Finding Out about Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy Literally means ‘treatment using scents’ and involves the therapeutic use of fragrant essential oils extracted from plants and plant materials. The oils may be massaged into the skin, inhaled, vaporised, or diffused throughout the room. In France, under careful supervision from a medical aromatherapist only, certain oils may also be taken internally.

Never take essential oils internally except under medical supervision because they can be toxic!

The oils appear to work on the brain and nervous system via absorption through the skin into the bloodstream and via the nose to act on the olfactory centres (the areas of the brain that respond to smells).

Aromatherapy may be used to relax or invigorate or to treat specific health problems such as insomnia, nervous problems, circulatory or respiratory problems, digestive disorders, and so on.

A (very) brief history of aromatherapy

The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese, Persians, Romans, Aztecs, Native Americans, and Indians are all believed to have used aromatic plants and scented oils, either in religious ceremonies, to perfume their clothes and bodies or for massage.

Early aromatic oils were made by soaking herbs in olive or castor oil or by expressing them, for example, by squeezing the oil out of citrus peel. Around the start of the 11th century, however, the great Iranian philosopher, physician, and scientist Abu Ali Sina, also known as Avicenna, is credited with inventing a new distillation process that used steam and a coiled pipe to successfully extract volatile oils from rose and other plant materials.

The Crusaders brought this technique back to Europe, and traders over the next few centuries brought an increasing array of novel herbs and oils from different parts of the world.

In the 15th century, the alchemist Paracelsus is believed to have first coined the term ‘essence’ and began using essential oils of plants medicinally. Soon essential oils were being prepared and sold by apothecaries and perfumery developed as an art and a science in its own right. Later, in the 19th and 20th centuries, individual constituents of essential oils were isolated and research on their aromatic and medicinal uses continued.

Story has it that in 1910, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, a French chemist working in a perfumery, burned his hand in his laboratory one day and instinctively plunged it into the nearest liquid, which happened to be lavender oil. To his surprise his skin is said to have healed quickly and without scarring. This aroused his curiosity and he went on to investigate and then write about the protective effects of certain essential oils against infection. It is believed that he may have experimented by using them at military hospitals with injured First World War soldiers and that he discovered that lavender, thyme, clove, and lemon all had useful antiseptic properties. Gattefosse is credited with coining the

Term ‘aromatherapie’ and wrote a best-selling book under this title, which is still used today. He is widely regarded as the father of modern aromatherapy and influenced many French physicians to use his methods.

One of the physicians inspired by Gattefosse was French army doctor Jean Valnet, who successfully used essential oils to treat infections of soldiers during the Second World War and went on to pioneer their medical use for treating burns, diabetes, and even cancer. This work has remained a part of French medical practice to this day.

Modern aromatherapy grew out of the chance discovery in the early 1900s, by French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse that lavender oil could heal burns.

The use of essential oils for therapeutic massage and beauty purposes was pioneered in the 1960s, by the biochemist, nurse, and beautician Marguerite Maury. She was born in Austria but moved to France, married a French physician, and spent decades studying and developing aromatherapy.

Modern pioneers who’ve promoted aromatherapy include Micheline Arcier, Shirley Price, Daniele Ryman, and Robert Tisserand.

Grasping the idea behind aromatherapy

Essential oils are concentrated volatile oils extracted from plants and plant materials by means of distillation, expression, or solvents.

Distillation: Involves passing steam through a container holding plant materials, which causes the volatile oils to vaporise. As the vapour travels down a coiled glass tube, it is cooled and turns back into a liquid oil, which can then be collected. This method is used for the extraction of most essential oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint, or lavender. In this

Process, floral waters, also known as hydrosols or hydrolats, may also be produced as a by-product.

Expression: In this method the plant material is collected and then pressed, usually using mechanical equipment, to extract the oil. Essences of lemon, lime, and orange are collected in this way by expressing the peel of the fruit.

Solvent extraction: Some plants only contain minute quantities of volatile oils and so solvents may be used to draw them out of the plant material. An example of this process is the extraction of the essential oil Rose Absolute.

The term Essential Refers to the fact that the oil is the essence of the scent of the plant, or plant material, rather than that it is essential to the plant’s survival.

The oils are extracted from the leaves, flowers, berries, peel, bark, seeds, roots, wood, and resins of plants and then used therapeutically for both psychological and physical ailments by means of inhalation or application to the body.

Aromatherapy today

In the UK, aromatherapy is currently going through a process of voluntary regulation under the auspices of the Aromatherapy Council (Www. aromatherapy Council. co. uk). In the US, no official form of accreditation or regulation exists at this time. In France, aromatherapy remains a part of orthodox medicine, cosmetology, and beauty therapy.

Aromatherapy is hugely popular as both a complementary therapy and a self-help therapy. It is widely used in Europe, North America, Australia, Japan, and elsewhere.

Finding Out How It Works

Aromatherapy is believed to work in two ways, via inhalation or absorption.

In the case of inhalation, as you breathe in the aroma of the essential oil, tiny receptors in the nose are stimulated and these in turn stimulate nerves, which are connected to the olfactory centres of the brain, that is, the areas stimulated by the sense of smell. These areas are linked to other parts of the brain connected to mood and so it is thought that somehow different scents can produce different moods such as feeling relaxed or happy.

Absorption of compounds in the oils takes place when the oil is massaged into the skin. These compounds pass into the bloodstream and from there affect the

Nervous system, which also can somehow affect mood and physical health. Exactly how this process works isn’t yet known and the mechanism for specific effects of individual oils in the body is not yet fully understood.

Exploring Different Types of Aromatherapy

The main types of aromatherapy currently practised are:

Massage aromatherapy: This therapy involves therapeutic massage (see Chapter 17 for more on massage techniques) using essential oils diluted in a carrier oil. Sometimes acupressure and other massage techniques are incorporated. This is the most common form of aromatherapy used in complementary medicine.

Cosmetic aromatherapy: Here, essential oils are combined into various beauty products, such as skin or hair products, and used for beauty therapy treatments or home use. This is also practised by beauticians and beauty therapists.

Olfactory aromatherapy: Essential oils are released into the atmosphere via vaporisers, burners, or sprays for inhalation. This type of aromatherapy is mainly for home use but is also used in some schools, hospitals, and work places.

Medical aromatherapy: This therapy is sometimes called aromatology. It involves essential oils being taken internally. This is only practised by medically trained aromatherapists, mainly in France.

Culinary aromatherapy: This uses essential oils in cooking, for example in the form of infused oils drizzled over vegetables or used to flavour rice or herb butters.

Discovering What Aromatherapy Is Good For

You can use aromatherapy to relax, rejuvenate, and energise, or to promote well-being and aid healing. It is often used for the following types of conditions:

Stress, anxiety or insomnia Joint and muscular problems I Chronic fatigue

I Hyperactivity

I Skin problems

I Sports injuries and pain relief

I Menstrual and menopausal imbalance

Aromatherapy is also used in cancer and hospice care and in burns and cardiac units in hospitals as well as sometimes in classrooms, to facilitate learning.

6

When not to use aromatherapy

Only use aromatherapy under careful supervision by an experienced aro-matherapist with very young children or if you are:

I Pregnant

IU Breastfeeding

I Suffering from asthma, high blood pressure, epilepsy, varicose veins, deep-vein thrombosis, or broken or infected skin

Always tell your aromatherapist if you are, or may be, pregnant; if you’re trying to conceive; or if you suffer from any of the above mentioned disorders.

Possible side effects

Pregnant and breastfeeding women and young infants need to be careful because essential oils can be toxic. For this reason they should also never be taken internally except under medical supervision.

The oils are very concentrated and may cause irritation or allergic reactions if applied neat to the skin. For this reason always dilute them in a suitable vegetable carrier oil (exceptions are lavender oil for burns and tea tree oil for infections, which you can apply neat). Test a small amount of oil on the back of the earlobe to test for allergic reactions before full use. Avoid contact with the eyes.

Certain oils may interact with prescribed medicines so seek advice from your aromatherapist or GP if you’re on medication. Some citrus oils also increase the skin’s sensitivity to light, making it more prone to pigmentation.

Evidence that it works

Research on individual oils has confirmed their various properties. For example, tea tree has been shown to have potent antiseptic, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties, while the sedative properties of neroli and lavender have also been confirmed.

In clinical studies, aromatherapy has been found to aid relaxation and help relieve anxiety and depression. Aromatherapy may also be helpful for other conditions such as dementia, premenstrual syndrome, and bronchitis, as well as in cancer care. However, many studies have only used small numbers of people and have had design flaws, so more research is needed.

For details of some published aromatherapy studies, check out the following:

I NHS Complementary and Alternative Medicine Specialist Library

(Www. library. nhs. uk/cam)

IU The Cochrane Library (Www. cochrane. org/reviews/ clibintro. htm)

What to Expect in a Typical Treatment

Aromatherapy treatment generally starts with some questions about your health.

Questioning

Your aromatherapist may ask questions about your general physical and emotional health including current symptoms, medical history, stress levels, lifestyle and diet. You may also be asked whether you want the aromatherapy for general relaxation or to address a specific health concern.

Selecting the oils

The aromatherapist will use the information from your answers to questions to determine which essential oil, or combination of oils, may be the most

Therapeutic for you. You may also be asked to smell and choose between certain oils to determine your particular preferences.

Aromatherapists don’t make any medical diagnosis, unless they’re medically qualified, so if you’re in any doubt about your condition consult your doctor first.

Good aromatherapists usually only use pure, and sometimes organic, essential oils rather than synthetic or diluted ones.

Aromatherapy treatment

For the treatment you’re usually asked to undress down to underwear and then are covered with towels as you lie on a treatment couch in a warm room.

Most professional aromatherapists treat you with therapeutic massage (see Chapter 17 for more about massage techniques) using selected essential oils diluted in a vegetable carrier oil such as sweet almond, jojoba, sunflower, or grapeseed. Alternatively, the oils may be added to lotions or creams.

The massage may be for the whole body or just part of the body such as the neck and shoulders or a facial massage. Some aromatherapists also incorporate manual lymphatic drainage and/or acupressure techniques into the treatment (check out Chapter 9 on acupuncture and Chapter 17 on massage for more about these).

Other types of treatment

Sometimes you may be advised to use the oils at home as inhalants or added to bath water (see the ‘Helping Yourself with Aromatherapy’ section at the end of this chapter to find out how to do this). Your aromatherapist may also give you some general advice on diet and lifestyle.

At the end of treatment

You’ll often be left alone for a short while to complete your relaxation, allow the oil residues to be fully absorbed into the skin, and to slowly bring yourself back to reality! You can then get dressed and it is a good idea to drink a glass of water or herbal tea to rehydrate after the massage.

Duration and frequency

Aromatherapy sessions usually last around 60 to 90 minutes for a full body massage or 30 minutes for a facial or neck and shoulder massage. Follow-ups can

Be as often as you like. Very tense people often choose to have aromatherapy at regular intervals – say weekly, fortnightly, or monthly – to ease tension and relieve stress.

Knowing whether your aromatherapy treatment is working

The success of aromatherapy depends on the quality of the essential oils used and the skill and experience of the practitioner. Pure, organic essential oils, carefully made and used within sell-by date, are the most effective. Essential oils adulterated with chemicals, pesticides, diluted, or left to go rancid are not likely to be effective and can even smell sickly or unpleasant. Reputable essential oil manufacturers provide information on the purity and quality of their oils. Well-trained aromatherapists are happy to confirm for you their level of training and experience. After the treatment you should feel relaxed and comfortable with an enhanced sense of well-being.

Common Questions about Aromatherapy Treatment

Here are some questions that I’m often asked about aromatherapy that are not covered in the chapter so far:

IU How are essential oils classified and combined into blends? They can be classified according to their ‘notes’, that is their scent characteristics, as well as other characteristics. ‘Top notes’ are scents that give you a quick first impression and that are often fresh and uplifting. They include citrus essential oils such as lemon, lime, and orange as well as peppermint and eucalyptus. ‘Middle notes’ are rounder, softer scents such as lavender, rosemary, or chamomile. ‘Base notes’ are more solid, enduring scents such as sandalwood and cedarwood. Good blends often combine oils with top, middle, and base ‘notes’.

IU What should the ratio of essential oil to carrier oil be? Usually the ratio is between 0.5 and 3 per cent essential oil to carrier oil, depending on age, condition and body size.

I What will I feel like afterwards? You may feel very relaxed, tired, sleepy or thirsty at the end of the session. Allow yourself time to ‘come round’ before driving or operating machinery and, if possible, clear your schedule of demanding activities and avoid heavy meals and alcohol for a few hours after treatment.

Finding a Good Aromatherapist

The Aromatherapy Council (Tel: 0870-7743477; Www. aromatherapycouncil. co. uk), is the new, voluntary self-regulatory body for aromatherapists in the UK and operates a directory of members who follow a code of professional practice and ethics.

In the US, where currently no national system regulates the practice of aromatherapy, and regulations for ‘hands-on’ therapy vary from state to state, the best way to find an aromatherapist is to look in local directories or contact local qualified massage therapists. You can find a lot of information about aromatherapy in the US online at Www. aromaweb. com. However, always remember to ask about training, experience, licensing, insurance, and so on.

Counting the cost of aromatherapy

Aromatherapy sessions can cost from Ј30 to Ј90 depending on whether a full body massage or a partial massage, such as a facial, is carried out. Aromatherapy treatments on the NHS are usually free or subsidised. Private health insurance does not usually cover aromatherapy treatment.

Ensuring satisfaction

If you’re dissatisfied with your treatment, first talk things over with your practitioner.

If you think that the practitioner has been negligent, incompetent, or unethical in any way, contact their professional association. The new Aromatherapy Council has a formal complaints procedure.

Helping Yourself with Aromatherapy

Here are some of the ways that you can enjoy using essential oils at home:

I Baths: Add five to ten drops of a relaxing essential oil such as lavender or geranium to warm bath water and stir vigorously before getting in. Soak for 10 minutes.

I Inhalation: Add two to three drops of essential oil to a bowl of steaming water, cover your head with a towel, lean over the bowl, and then breathe

In the vapour. Oil of eucalyptus or lemon are good for clearing your head and easing colds or nasal blockage.

Make sure that the bowl is on a stable surface and won’t tip and scald you. If you suffer from asthma get advice from a trained aromatherapist on the best and safest essential oils to use.

I Diffusion: Put five drops of essential oil in a vaporiser, aromatherapy burner, or light bulb ring (these can be purchased from health shops) and allow the room to fill with a wonderful aroma. Good oils for freshening rooms are geranium, lime, and ylang ylang, depending on your personal preference.

If using an aromatherapy burner with a dish for water and a lighted candle, take care that the water doesn’t run dry and that the candle can’t become a fire hazard. Keep safely out of reach of children and pets. Alternatively, use a plug-in electric vaporiser. With light bulb rings, make sure that no oil drops onto the light bulb itself as it may then overheat and blow.

I Massage: Mix five to ten drops of essential oil per 10ml of a carrier oil such as almond, jojoba, or good quality sunflower oil. Warm your hands and then massage the oil blend directly onto the skin.

Use towels to prevent staining clothes or bed linen. Ensure that the room is warm so that exposed skin doesn’t get chilled.

I Compresses: Add three to five drops of essential oil to 300ml of warm/hot water and soak a clean flannel or soft cloth in this liquid. Wring out and apply to affected part of the body. Warm essential oil compresses can be used for menstrual pains, cystitis, and boils. For bruises, sprains, or headaches, first cool the compress in a bowl in the fridge for 20 minutes and then apply.

I Gargles and mouthwashes: Add one to three drops of lemon, tea tree, or thyme essential oil to a glass of water and mix well. Take a mouthful and rinse the mouth or gargle and then spit out – don’t swallow.

Don’t take essential oils internally unless under the supervision of a medical aromatherapist. Avoid bringing the oils into contact with the eyes. Halve dosages for children and get professional advice if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or wanting to use aromatherapy with infants.