Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the technique of applying needles and the body of knowledge that governs where the needles are applied. The practice is both ancient and modern. Thousand year old texts describe a beautiful and complicated system of how the human body works which is supported and tested by the most up to date medical trials. Acupuncture rebalances the body to positively affect health. The effects can be subtle, giving you a calm relaxed feeling while at the same time being able to help with real physical issues that many people experience day to day.

Cupping
Cupping is a method of applying acupressure by creating a vacuum next to the skin using glass globe-shaped cups. The therapy is used to relieve what is called "stagnation" in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). As well as being a deeply relaxing treatment it is also used to provide benefit in the treatment of conditions such as; common colds, stress as well as musculoskeletal issues such as lower and upper back pain, relief from the symptoms of sciatica and neck and shoulder pain.

Moxa
Moxa (Mugwort, Europe) is a herb used in the form of a carbonised stick that is burned near the skin, generating a deep relaxing warmth similar to that of infrared lamps to help relieve any localized tension.

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the systematic use of volatile plant oils known as essential oils for the treatment or prevention of disease. It is a form of complementary therapy designed to treat the whole person and not just the symptom or disease by assisting the body's natural ability to balance, regulate, heal and maintain itself. Essential oils consist of tiny aromatic molecules that are readily absorbed via the skin, and whilst breathing they enter the lungs. These therapeutic constituents next enter the bloodstream and are carried around the body where they can deliver their beneficial healing powers. Because they are highly concentrated, only a small quantity of essential oil is required to bring about results. When using good quality essential oils correctly, the soothing combination of beautiful aromas, massage, aromatic baths and other treatments all work to regulate, balance, heal and maintain your entire being by working with nature, and not against it. A far cry from allopathic medicine, which tends to take a 'sledgehammer to crack a nut' approach.

A holistic approach
Today, aromatherapy is one of the most popular of all complementary therapies, offering a wide range of highly effective treatments to both the acute and chronic stages of illness and disease. At the same time, regular use of aromatherapy treatments and home-use products can help to strengthen the immune system, thereby establishing a preventative approach to overall health.
One of the reasons that aromatherapy has been so hugely successful is because it uses a holistic approach, whereby the aromatherapist takes into account a persons medical history, emotional condition, general health and lifestyle before planning a course of treatment. The whole person is treated - not just the symptoms of an illness - and this is in direct opposition to the modern trend of just treating the presented condition.

Backaches, or headaches, for example, are often the result of stress and not actually a physical problem. Therefore no amount of pill-popping is really going to provide a long term solution since it only masks the symptoms without addressing the problems. By looking at the causes of the stress and providing treatments to ease and manage it, the aromatherapist will alleviate the condition in a much more efficient manner.

Stress Creates Dis-ease
It has long been known that stress accounts for a staggering amount of illness in modern society, and aromatherapy offers one of the finest ways of combating the ravages of stress without having to resort to drugs which can be habit forming and damaging to your health. This is yet another reason that aromatherapists believe taking an holistic approach with aromatherapy promotes positive physical and mental balance. Scientists and doctors have known for a long time that negative and positive emotions really can change the complex chemistry of our bodies, and these changes can have a negative or positive effect on the immune system. For example, research has shown how prolonged stress can cause the body to over-produce cortisol and adrenalin which are hormones produced by the adrenal glands. These two hormones are normally secreted to produce a burst of energy as part of the 'fight or flight' response, and of course this response is an essential tool for survival. Prolonged periods of emotional and psychological pressures however, means that the over-production of these hormones can begin to weaken the integrity of the immune system because they reduce the level of T-helper cells, and inhibit the production of natural killer cells.

The Bowen Technique
The Bowen Technique is a holistic therapy that resets the body to heal itself. It differs from other kinds of therapy in that it does not attempt to inflict the will of the therapist or a specific outcome on to the body. Instead, it allows the body an opportunity to restore structural integrity. The technique consists of very gentle, precise rolling type movements over specific soft tissues, with space left between sets of moves to allow the work to take effect. These moves create a chain reaction in the body, re-establishing communication between the body and the brain, promoting a deep sense of relaxation and nurturing, balancing the sympathetic nervous system and stimulating lymphatic flow.

Bowen is such a gentle therapy that it can be used on anyone. A holistic therapy in the truest sense of the word, it treats the whole person rather than specific conditions. This notwithstanding, marked success has been observed with the use of Bowen therapy for back pain, neck pain, migraines, asthma, hayfever, frozen shoulders, pelvic problems, jaw problems etc. It is also very effective for general stress relief.

Massage
Massage is the treatment and practice of manipulation of the soft body tissues with physical, functional, i.e. mechanical, medical/therapeutic, and in some cases psychological purposes and goals.
The massage practiced by Jake uses a combination of Western and Asian techniques which include Sports injury, Deep Tissue, Acupressure and Tuina (very effective deep-tissue form which comes from China). Resulting in both a very effective and relaxing treatment. Massage can also be combined with acupuncture, Moxa or cupping for issues, which are particularly stubborn.

Facial Massage
Facial Massage Rejuvenation is a natural facelift through massage. It is designed to be a gentle non-invasive approach to looking younger. It works primarily by freeing constrictions both within the facial muscles and in the connective tissue. Tension can build up within our facial muscles from the pressures of everyday life without us realising it. It can be easy for certain thoughts and emotions to become habitual, locking themselves into expressions on our faces - sometimes over a period of time. Under such conditions muscles can actually "dry up" and contract, inhibiting freedom of expression. This can encourage ageing and the formation of wrinkles as the face loses its muscle tone and elasticity and begins to sag.

Indian Head Massage
Indian Head Massage is a relaxing treatment which, as the name suggests, concentrates on massaging the head. Head and scalp massage can be used alongside simple meditative techniques to provide a simple and effective way to relax.

The Hindi word for head massage is "Champi" and aspects of the treatment have a long tradition in Indian families. Mothers would stroke their daughter's hair to promote its growth and health. Narendra Mehta - blind from the age of one - grew up in India and head massage was an integral part of his life. He came to England in the 1970s to train as a physical therapist and in 1978 returned to India to study the benefits and practice of champissage, extending it to include neck, shoulders and face. On his return to England, he developed a sequence of movements. There is no right or wrong way and sequence of movements vary from one therapist to another. The treatment involves massage, shiatsu and acupressure techniques on upper back, shoulders, arms/hands, neck, scalp and face. This relaxes tense areas but, at the same time, helps to rebalance the energy, clearing any areas of stagnant energy.

Pregnancy Massage
Being pregnant is an exciting and normal part of life. Aromatherapy can be a useful treatment for many of the minor ailments that come with pregnancy. However, please note that essential oils consist of many powerful constituents that can exert a strong influence on the body. Therefore, we never use any oil that is not absolutely safe. If there is any risk with the viability of the pregnancy we will not use any essential oils at all. There are many factors that have an important role to play in the successful outcome pregnancy, factors that cause hindrances to a normal pregnancy are stress, poor nutrition, use of medication, alcohol, cigarette smoking, hormonal imbalances and exposure to toxins and chemicals. It is much better having no doubt in one's mind about one's actions during pregnancy, so we recommend that we have permission from your medical practitioner before any treatment begins. The commencements of treatments will be after the first trimester.

Sports Massage
Sports massage is a powerful and robust physical remedial therapy. Sessions involve the taking of a case history alongside postural assessment to ascertain which of the various structures and muscle groups in the body require treatment, followed by targeted deep tissue massage combined with bodywork, passive stretching and muscle energy techniques for the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic soft tissue injuries as well as maintenance of optimum health through improved circulation and lymphatic flow.

Sports massage has numerous beneficial physical, physiological and psychological effects. The stroking movements of massage assist in the flow of fluid in the lymphatic and venous vessels, making room for new fluids from deeper tissues. Where muscles are tense, circulation is inhibited, thus massage enables blood with oxygen and nutrients essential fro repair and growth to reach the tissues that need them. Deep massage also opens microcirculation and increases tissue permeability, facilitating the exchange of fluids between tissue membranes, removal metabolic waste products and absorption of nutrients. Scar tissue and other fibbritic, hard tissues present as a result of trauma or injury can be broken down through massage, restoring mobility and tissue elasticity. Massage stretches muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia. It is the only way in which some of these soft tissues can be reached. Stretching improves intramuscular circulation, breaks down sticky adhesions between muscle bodies and releases tension. Massage also causes reduced stress and anxiety, pain reduction and the balancing of the autonomous nervous system.

Swedish & Deep Tissue Massage
Massage is designed to promote relaxation, provide a space to release, unwind and escape the external world. I incorporate a mixture of techniques
to deliver a firm, releasing massage to dissipate tension, aches and to rejuvenate the mind and body. Massage can provide a great antidote to stress and support us in times of unease, it can help the body to prepare or recover for physical challenges/events and benefits include:

v Improved lymphatic drainage and blood circulation
v Relief from muscular tension, stiffness
v Improve mobility and flexibility
v Enhance skin condition and quality
v Increase energy
v Aid concentration, mental clarity
v Boost immunity
v Soothe and nurture

While the benefits of Massage are cumulative and best taken as a course, subtle changes can be experienced after a single treatment, such as improvement in sleep quality, energy levels, mood, relief from muscular stiffness and pain.

Reflexology

What is reflexology?
Reflexology is the manual application of pressure to the feet and hand with specific thumb, finger and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion. It is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands with a premise that such work effects a physical change to the body.

What is the history of reflexology?
Around the world and throughout history reflexology has been rediscovered and reinstated as a health practice time and time again by peoples around the globe seeking to deal with health concerns. Archaeological evidence Egypt (2330 BCE), China (2704 BCE) and Japan (690 CE) points to ancient reflexology medical systems. In the West the concept of reflexology began to emerge in the 19th century, based on research into the nervous system and reflex. While no direct evidence of direct cross-fertilization from ancient times has been discovered, the practice of foot and hand work in a variety of cultures, belief systems and historical periods speaks to reflexology for health as a universal bridging concept.

How does reflexology work?
There are many theories but in our approach we look at the nervous system as the explanation of reflexology's working.
Pressure sensors in the feet and hands are a part of the body's reflexive response that makes possible the "fight or flight" reaction to danger. Feet ready to flee and hands ready to fight communicate with the body's internal organs to make possible wither eventuality. The sudden adrenal surge that enables a person to lift a car is an example of this reaction. Reflexology taps into this reflex network, providing an exercise of pressure sensors and thus the internal organs to which they are inextricably tied.

Where do you apply technique?
We apply techniques to the feet and hands. There is a school of thought that also applies it to the ear arguing it is also reflexology. The techniques, however, are modified from auricular therapy, an acupuncture technique.

It could be argued that all bodywork is reflexive therefore reflexology. We find that the extremities have a powerful influence because of locomotion. While we acknowledge that repeated patterns exist throughout the body we find our most effective focus to be the feet and hands.

How Reflex Area Charts or Maps Organized?
The body is reflected on the feet or hands. Left foot/hand reflects the left side of the body and the right foot/hand the right side. The spine reflex
area runs down the insides of the foot and hand with reflex areas for the arm and shoulder reflected toward the outside of the foot or hand. The toes and fingers reflect head and neck reflex areas as well as those of the internal parts of the body they enclose. The ball of the foot mirrors the chest and upper back in addition the heart and lungs. At the base of the long bones of the feet and hands is represented the waistline of the body. Portions of the body above its waistline are mirrored above this line toward the toes or fingers and those below the waistline toward the heels of the foot or hand. Internal organs lying above the body's waistline are reflected by reflex areas above this line while those below the waistline are mirrored below this line.

Reiki
Reiki is an ancient form of hands on healing that was rediscovered in the 1800s by Dr Mikao Usui. Reiki is a Japanese word meaning Universal Life Force Energy. The Reiki healer acts as a channel for this life energy to the recipient, activating the body's natural ability to heal itself by working on mind, body and spirit to release blocked energy meridians, cleanse the body of toxins and promote a state of balance and well being.

Reiki is a gentle and loving therapy to receive that can have profound effects. Reiki is a spiritual practise as well as a complementary therapy and can be used to maintain clarity and focus and connection, as well as an awareness of the sacred in daily life.