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| 88 Year old Professor Sir’ demonstrating three needle acupuncture in Beijing 2002 |
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Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a scientifically
based treatment that deals with the natural flow of energy,
known as “Qi” within the body.
The benefits of its uses are now widely recognised.
There are channels of energy that run along the surface of
the body. Each channel travels to the interior of the body
connecting with the different organs. Along these channels
or meridians are more potent places of energy that are accessible
to manipulation; these are the acupuncture points. Inserting
and stimulating extremely fine needles into these acupuncture
points on the exterior part of the body can affect the interior.
In order for us to be healthy physically, mentally and spiritually,
the meridians must be able to flow smoothly.
Pain is a sign of stagnation in the body, and acupuncture
removes the stagnation, allowing the Qi and blood to flow
smoothly so it can nourish, moisten and remove any waste products.
Acupuncture treats the energy of the whole body, mind and
spirit and can help with problems on any or all of these levels.
Acupuncturists look at their patients as whole, rather than
a set of symptoms of ill health. On your first treatment you
will be asked comprehensive questions about your lifestyle,
diet and medical history. We will read the tongue and pulse
to give the client an insight into the workings of their organs.
All these signs and symptoms will be organized to find out
the cause of the disharmony – rather than just masking
the problem with pain relief.
Amma
Therapy
Amma
Therapy is an integrative form of massage therapy which combines
Oriental Medical principles, based on the balance and flow
of energy, with a Western approach for assessing organ dysfunction
such as blood tests, X-ray, MRI, EKG, etc.
Amma Therapy, like Acupuncture, focuses on the balance and
movement of energy within the body. Whereas the Acupuncturist
inserts needles into the energy pathways to stimulate and
move the energy, the Amma Therapist relies primarily on the
sensitivity and strength of the hands to manipulate the life
energy.
Amma Therapy techniques include both deep tissue massage used
in other forms of therapeutic massage, and the stimulation
of energy movement which is the basis of Chinese Medicine.
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| Thailand
Master Mantak demonstrating Chi Nei T'sang |
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Chi
Nei T'sang
In the Chi Nei T’sang practice,
we are able to increase energy flow to specific organs through
massaging a series of points in the navel area.
In Taoist practice, it is believed that all the Qi energy
of the organs, glands, brain, and nervous system are joined
in the navel; therefore, energy blockages in the navel area
often manifest as symptoms in other parts of the body. The
abdominal cavity contains the large intestine, small intestine,
liver, gall bladder, stomach, spleen, pancreas, bladder,
and sex organs, as well as many lymph nodes. The aorta and
vena cava divide into two branches at the navel area, descending
into the legs. Chi Nei Tsang works on the energy blockages
in the navel and then follows the energy into the other
parts of the body
Chi Nei T’sang promotes good digestion
helping clear toxins from the digestive tract by improving
the digestive systems overall health.
At the Plumb Blossom Clinic we have found that Chi Nei T’sang
helps conditions such as constipation, diarrhea, IBS, back
problems, skin conditions, bloating and many more. We are
gaining more and more experience using the techniques of
CNT in resolving issues arising from many abdominal traumas
caused by accident or surgery; including Caesarean Section,
hernia, gallbladder, spleen, kidney, large and small intestine
and other organ removal procedures.
Chinese Patented
Herbs
Chinese Patented Herbs are prescribed and used for different aliments on an individual basis.
Each client can display a combination of different symptoms, and will experience a series of rudimentary checks; the tongue and pulse will be checked and symptoms will be questioned, as there may be various characteristics displayed yet only one specific condition may be causing the problem. We will prescribe herbs once we have consulted with and diagnosed the client. It is a flexible treatment that can be changed as the client improves, and the herbs have been tried and tested over 3000 years, so have minimal side effects.
Patented herbs are convenient and easy to take as they only require swallowing with warm water, so are ideal even for our busiest of clients.
In the West people tend to look for a cure once they are already in ill health, and they expect the results to be instant. Chinese Medicine values a more long-term approach, and here at The Plumb Blossom Clinic we take into account lifestyle, diet and medical history. The difference between Chinese and Western medicine is that in Traditional Chinese Medicine we look at treatment of the whole person rather than just the particular symptom our client presents. Ideally the two should compliment each other, rather than be used in isolation
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Rob Williamson with Founder
of CranioSacral Therapy
Dr John Upledger |
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CranioSacral Therapy
CranioSacral Therapy is the detection and readjustment of the rhythmic flow of the fluid which bathes our central nervous system from the head (cranium) to the base of our spine (sacrum), through extremely gentle manipulation of the joints in the skull.
CranioSacral Therapy uses light touch and intention to help your body release the memory of physical, surgical, mental or emotional trauma trapped within that connective tissue. We tend to store memory of trauma both within the cranial vault and spinal cord and its sheath like covering (dura or meninges) and the fascia lining of our body. This localised tissue memory of trauma can tighten surrounding fascia creating pain, muscle tightness, joint misalignment and energy blocks.
CranioSacral Therapy helps release this tissue memory, allowing the fascia to relax and lengthen, restoring movement, balance and energy flow.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is distinctive in that it attempts to address both directly and indirectly our client’s subconscious mind.
The first priority in a session is to ensure that our client is relaxed. The Client’s vast imagination is employed to great effect by story telling, metaphor and symbolism which makes changes more meaningful and individual.
Analytical techniques can also be used in an attempt to uncover past issues to give our clients a deeper understanding of their previous, present and future decisions and behaviours.
Unlike many other psychological therapies, Hypnotherapy is generally considered to be a fairly short-term approach in which beneficial change, if it is to occur, should become apparent within a relatively few sessions.
We combine hypnotic procedures with other appropriate counselling and therapeutic techniques. Should there be any doubt about the combination of skills utilised in individual cases, we can give further explanation of our methodology.
Kinesiology
Testing muscle tension and strength
of muscles.
Diagnosis is based on the observed pattern of muscle weaknesses,
and corrective treatment prescribed which might involve
a range of complementary therapies.
A kinesiologist evaluates overall health through a series
of muscle tests to identify
hyper-tonic or weak muscles, and thereafter what nutrition;
meridian balancing; spinal manipulations; reflex points
etc. help correct the muscle imbalance and restore well-being.
Kinesiology is used in general health screening to pick
up early signs of hormonal, nutritional, meridian imbalance
and digestion and detoxification problems.
It also helps pinpoint food sensitivities, toxins, allergies
and fungal and bacterial overgrowth, and can help identify
the cause(s) of a person's symptoms whether nutritional,
hormonal, toxic, structural, mental or energetic.
Neuro
Linguistic Programming
Developed
by Bandler and Grinder in the 70’s, NLP has taken both
the Life Coaching and business world by storm. Here
in its purest form, NLP provides clients the access to the
resources they need to make meaningful changes in their behavior,
beliefs and lifestyles in a true therapeutic sense.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) studies the structure of
how people think and experience the world around them. From
this idea, techniques for quickly and effectively changing
thoughts, behaviors and beliefs that limit a client have been
developed.
NLP is based on many useful presuppositions that support the
attitude that change is imminent. One of the most important
is about what works for a client, not what should work. In
other words, if what you're doing isn't working, try something
else.
At the Plumb Blossom clinic, we have helped clients who have
needed to change the way they manage pain; resolved the effects
of traumatic experience – such as physical attacks and
mental abuse; helped with insomnia due to nightmares or stress; helped with conception;
worked with obsessive compulsive disorders; and also stopped
unproductive patterns of behavior that can lead to depression,
smoking, drinking, poor diet and lack of exercise, and combated
both stress at home and stress in the workplace.
Pediatric CranioSacral Therapy
Pediatric CranioSacral therapy is
a very gentle form of hands on treatment, which is extremely
safe and effective in the treatment of babies and children.
Specific gentle pressure is applied where necessary to enable
the inherent healing ability of the body to affect the release
of birth trauma. Many of our clients are pleasantly surprised
when they visit The Plumb Blossom Clinic and find out that
there is often a physical cause for their baby’s symptoms
and that it can be easily treatable. On average 2-6 treatments
are sufficient, but this varies from child to child. It
is never too early to start treatment, our youngest client
is, or should we say was, 3 days old. Birth can be a traumatic experience for both
mother and baby. During delivery the baby’s head is
compressed and molded to travel through the birth canal.
The bones of the head are designed to flex and overlap during
delivery process. After delivery the head gradually un-moulds
over the next few days. However, this un-molding process
may be left incomplete, especially if the birth has been
difficult. Cesarean deliveries are not without some subsequent
issues with the rapid change from amniotic fluid pressure
to atmospheric pressure denying the baby its first spinal
manipulation as it travels down the birth canal. In cases
such as these Pediatric CranioSacral therapy can be particularly
effective.
Pediatric CranioSacral therapy can be used
effectively to treat conditions such as colic and other
digestive problems, sleeplessness, breathing difficulties,
restlessness and irritability, and ear, nose and throat
problems including glue ear, asthma, behavioral problems
and learning difficulties as the child develops.
Pregnancy Yoga
Pregnancy yoga is entirely different to yoga that is practiced at any other time. The emphasis is on nurturing and supporting the mother, and helping her to physically, mentally and spiritually prepare to birth her baby.
Ideally, classes can be taken from 14 – 42 weeks, with postures specified for different stages of pregnancy.
Classes cover the physical benefits of: whole body alignment; strength through flexibility; opening of the hips and pelvis; yogic breathing; pelvic floor awareness; optimal fetal positioning and preventing pregnancy related niggles turning into chronic conditions.
Pregnancy yoga also gives the emotional benefits of: deep relaxation; bonding with the baby; exploring the link between fear tension and pain; reconnecting with the intuitive nature of pregnancy and labour; preparing emotionally, physically and spiritually for birth and aiding the smooth transition from pregnancy to motherhood.
Because of her in-depth knowledge of the physiology of pregnancy, Alison specializes in pregnancy related conditions, and uses her combined knowledge of therapy and pregnancy yoga to aid women through the many challenges of pregnancy.
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| Rob
Williamson with Chas Perry on Somato Emotional
Release Advanced Course |
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Somato
Emotional Release
SER is an advanced form of Upledger’s cranial work, working with muscle memory, tissue trauma and dialoguing techniques.
The techniques, although very subtle, prove very powerful.
SER uses the building blocks of Upledger’s CranioSacral Therapy system and incorporates the techniques from psychology systems such as Jungian archetypes, Psycho-synthesis and the very powerful Gestalt therapy. Using these techniques the client is swiftly and respectfully taken through a process of release, which for one reason or another was unable to be completed after the original trauma.
No form of self-analysis is needed for this process and the actual release can last as little as 20-30 minutes and be free from emotional content depending on the clients condition.
Sometimes the body will return to the same perceived position that it was in at the time of the original trauma giving the client and practitioner an insight into the fascial restrictions and blockages in the cranial rhythm. At this time it is very often that both client and practitioner can feel the musculature and fascia release, allowing the body and mind to return to an optimum state.
Tui
Na
Tui
Na is an Oriental Bodywork Therapy that has been used in
China for the last 2,000 years.
Tui Na uses the traditional Chinese medical theory of the
flow of Qi through the meridians. Through the application
of massage and manipulation techniques, Tui Na seeks to
establish a more harmonious flow of Qi, allowing the body
to heal itself naturally.
Tui Na methods include the use of hand techniques to massage
the soft tissue (muscles and tendons) of the body, acupressure
techniques to directly affect the flow of Qi, and manipulation
techniques to realign the Musculo-Skelatal and ligamentous
relationships (bone-setting)
Yoga
Yoga has been used for health and relaxation
for thousands of years. Developed by Monks to counteract
their sedentary lifestyle; Yoga’s main goals are to
improve posture and flexibility, create a space where a
student/ client can take responsibility for their own wellbeing
and allow the body and mind to unwind to a peaceful place
after the stresses and strains of modern day life.
Yoga postures or Asanas are only one aspect of the yoga
discipline. At The Plumb Blossom Clinic we run one to one
and group classes in both classical Yoga Asana’s as
well as specific rehabilitation programs. With our skill
as oriental medicine practitioners and therapeutic facilitators
we have a unique insight into the mechanics of yoga and
how it can help our clients gain an understanding about
their posture and lifestyle.
We have helped innumerable clients with back, neck and
shoulder problems, and have had a great deal of success
neuromuscular problems.
All the images on this website are either taken by
or for The Plumb Blossom Clinic.
Images on this site feature us in our day to day work
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