A centre for alternative and complementary medicine
SERVICES
Welcome to Risborough Therapy Clinic
Acupuncture
Acupuncture, along with Chinese herbal medicine, and Chinese massage and exercise, is one of the components of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a complete system of medicine with a recorded history of over 2000 years.
Traditional Chinese Medicine fundamentally differs from Western medicine in its understanding of the human body and its approach to diagnosing and treating illnesses. Western medicine takes a mechanistic view of the body in which different organs are viewed as each performing an individual and self-contained function, much like the separate components within a machine, and consequently its treatments target individual symptoms largely in isolation. By contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine views the body as an integrated system, and diseases as manifestations of imbalances within that system. Therefore Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments aim primarily at restoring and maintaining balance and harmony within the body.
What can acupuncture treat?
Western-style or medical acupuncture, as practised by doctors and physiotherapists, is a recent development based on Western medical diagnosis. It uses a limited range of techniques and is primarily focused on pain relief.
Traditional acupuncture, as practised by members of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC), employs the full range of diagnostic and treatment techniques developed over more than two millennia. By treating the person as a whole, acupuncture can effectively address the root causes of a wide range of both acute and chronic conditions, as well as benefiting the overall well being of the patient. Conditions that can be treated by traditional acupuncture include:
- Digestive disorders
- High blood pressure
- Menstrual and gynaecological problems
- Asthma
- Infertility
- Skin diseases
- Depression and other emotional problems
- Chronic fatigue
- Muscular-skeletal problems
Depending on your individual circumstances and personal preferences, acupuncture can be used either as an alternative to Western medicine or to support Western treatment.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
The origin of Chinese herbal medicine is sometimes attributed to the legendary Shen Nong, who is credited with introducing agriculture to the Chinese people around 3000 BC. The first known text on Chinese herbal medicine is Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica Classic), which is dated around 300 BC and lays the foundations for the study of Chinese herbs by recording, describing and classifying 365 medicines. Successive generations built on and expanded that work, and today the Chinese pharmacopoeia includes over 6000 different medicinal substances along with their properties and effects. Of these, about 600 different herbs are in common use today.
Throughout its recorded history Chinese herbal medicine has been the subject of extensive research into all aspects of its use, and this continues today. In Chinese hospitals, Chinese herbal medicine is regularly used alongside Western medicine.
What are herbs?
Traditionally Chinese herbal medicine uses substances derived from plant, mineral, and animal products. The vast majority of herbs is plant-derived and can include leaves, stems and roots. Examples of "herbs" of mineral or animal origin include oyster shells and deer antlers.
The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM) enforces a strict policy prohibiting the use by its members of any type of endangered species, and requiring all prescriptions to use exclusively plant ingredients.
What can Chinese Herbal Medicine treat?
Chinese herbal medicine is primarily aimed at redressing internal imbalances and encouraging the body's self-healing abilities, rather than treating the symptoms alone. It can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including:
- Skin diseases
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol levels
- Digestive disorders
- High blood pressure
- Menstrual and gynaecological problems
- Asthma
- Infertility
- Depression and other emotional problems
- Chronic fatigue
As part of the same system of medicine, Chinese herbal medicine is a natural complement to acupuncture treatment. It can be used either as an alternative to Western medicine or to support Western treatment.
Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment that lays its main emphasis on the structural and mechanical problems of the body.
The osteopath’s job is to diagnose and treat faults that occur in the body’s framework. The faults may be due to injury, habitual misuse or overuse, disease states, congenital or developmental abnormalities.
Osteopaths work with their hands using a variety of treatment techniques. As osteopaths are concerned with the structural integrity of the whole person, the scope of treatment is considerable, from neck and back pain to all joint problems, from sports injuries to mechanical problems experienced in pregnancy. In fact osteopathy can help people with mechanical problems associated with every age from the trauma of birth to the arthritis of the elderly.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is based on the idea that there are vast internal (unconscious) resources that are largely untapped and that can be utilised to make the changes the client wishes. The client remains aware and in control at all times. Only ideas or actions that are in accord with the internal standards and values of the client will be accepted.
The aim of hypnotherapy is to by-pass the conscious mind, which is always busy analysing, and to access the unconscious mind so that changes can be more readily accepted and acted upon.
Congnitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a therapy approach that has been shown to be clinically useful for problems such as low mood, anxieties, behavioural and relationship problems, and the like.
CBT is an interaction between therapist and client where both work together to help alleviate symptoms and produce new behaviours and feelings. Negative thoughts and old beliefs can be challenged and modified.
Sports and Remedial Massage
Sports massage is a speciality in the field of massage therapy, which focuses specifically on helping the training regime, thereby preventing injury and aiding the healing process when injuries do occur.
Patients can have a programme of stretching exercises individually designed for them. The movements can be done at home or at work at the patient’s own pace, to achieve a healthy recovery and sustained fitness level.
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a profoundly effective treatment for a wide variety of conditions. It is an exceptionally gentle yet extremely powerful therapy which addresses both the patient’s symptoms and their underlying causes. The primary aim is to help the patient towards optimum health.
The patient remains fully clothed and treatment focuses on the head and spine. David works by using extremely gentle fingertip pressure to release the tensions or traumas which have been ”stored” in the body and which have restricted its proper functioning. No manipulation is involved.
CST can be used for all ages and all states of health. Its gentleness makes it suitable when other therapies may be less appropriate such as during pregnancy or after birth, or after a period of stress, accident or injury. CST is uniquely effective in helping a very young baby deal with the effects that may follow a traumatic birth.
Reflexology
Reflexology works on the principle that every organ, system and structure of the body has a corresponding point or zone in the feet. These points are known as "reflexes". When pressed, they create a response/reaction in another area of the body.
A reflexology practitioner uses light pressure to massage all areas of the feet including the toes and ankles, to release tension, remove energy blockages, disperse accumulations of calcium and uric acid, stimulate blood circulation and promote healing of both body and mind.
Reflexology is a holistic therapy in that the practitioner explores all aspects of a client's health (physical and mental) and lifestyle to ascertain the cause of illness or imbalance.
What does reflexology treat?
Reflexology is a good therapy for treating: stress and stress-related disorders, back pain, headaches, digestive problems, menstrual problems, other aches and pains, breathing problems, fertility and sinus problems.
raditional Chinese Massage (Tui Na) and Exercise Therapy (Qi Gong)
Traditional Chinese massage (Tui Na) and exercise therapy (Qi Gong) are part of a medical system developed over thousands of years (acupuncture and herbal medicine are the other therapies within that system). The aim of these treatments is to improve health by adjusting the flow and balance of the energy within the body.
With traditional Chinese massage this is achieved by gently massaging along specific energy channels and applying pressure to certain points. This massage is usually carried out through your normal clothing. However, muscle tension can also be relieved through gentle stretches and by massaging tense areas with oils.
Traditional Chinese exercise therapy involves performing gentle movements to activate the energy in the channels. For clients that are interested I can draw up a daily programme which would reinforce the massage treatment.
These techniques can be very effective in the treatment of a wide range of both physical and emotional conditions, and to improve general health even if no specific condition is present. They can also help with weight loss (combined with dietary changes), and the recovery from illness or injuries - they are often particularly effective in the treatment of sports injuries.
Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a form of clothed bodywork, which aims to promote the free flow of energy within the body by encouraging balance and healing on a physical and emotional level, enhancing general wellbeing.
Shiatsu is a Japanese word meaning 'finger pressure'. In practice, it combines various techniques, such as stretching, rocking and holding, with pressure (which may be applied using thumbs, fingers, palms, forearms, elbows, feet and knees). As a complete system of healing through touch, it draws extensively on key aspects of Traditional Oriental Medicine and many of the techniques are applied to the same energy channels and points used in acupuncture.
Why Shiatsu?
Shiatsu can relieve a variety of symptoms and for example may help:
- Induce deep relaxation
- Boost the immune system
- Increase energy levels and stamina
- Relieve anxiety, tension and disturbed sleep
- Ease general muscular aches and pains
- Ease neck, shoulder and back pain
- Relieve digestive disorders
Individual, Couple and Family Therapy
Systemic Psychotherapy focuses on relationships. These may include any of our personal relationships such as with our partner or child, or the relationships between our thinking, behaviour, emotions or beliefs. If you are experiencing conflict or stress with any of these relationships Systemic Psychotherapy can help you to understand the sources of your discomfort and find ways of improving the quality of your life.
Systemic Psychotherapy can help couples to re-connect, and to understand each other in a new way. Couples can use the space to work out how to stay together or how to live happily and separately.
Systemic Psychotherapy can bring families together in a safe and supportive environment to explore their relationships and to focus on strengths and solutions.
Systemic Psychotherapy can provide a safe and non judgemental space for individuals to explore feelings, experiences and relationships. This may be during a crisis, or as a way of getting to know themselves better.
Systemic Psychotherapy can help with a wide range of difficulties including family transitions (such as birth of new baby, divorce, school moves, separation, death and bereavement), work/family balance, trauma, addictions, anxiety, depression and the effects of violence and sexual abuse.
Reiki
Reiki (pronounced Ray-key) is a system of natural 'healing' discovered by Dr Usui in Japan in the late 19th century. It works by balancing the body's energies, thus promoting health and well-being. It is a deeply relaxing treatment and treats a person on all levels - mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally.
What does Reiki treat?
Reiki can be used as a treatment on its own or to enhance other complementary therapies. If you wish to use Reiki in conjunction with your Massage or Reflexology session please let your practitioner know.
There are no contraindications to treatment and is therefore safe for all.
Service Categories
Acupuncture, Chinese Massage, Herbalists, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
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