Glossary
- Acupressure
- Bach flower remedy
- Beauty Therapy
- Behavioural Psychology
- Bio energetics
- Bowen Technique
- Chiropody
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognitive therapy
- Cognitive Psychotherapy
- Counselling
- Colon hydrotherapy
- Colonic irrigation
- Colour therapy
- Chinese Herbal Medicine
- Chiropractic
- Cranial Osteopathy
- Cranial sacral massage
- Crystal healing
- Dance therapy
- Diet therapy
- Drama therapy
- Dream analysis
Acupressure
Acupressure is the application of pressure to the body to affect the flow of energy (Ki) in the 12 meridians according to the principles of Oriental medicine. It is widely practised in China where more emphasis is given to a person’s responsibility for their own health than it is in the West, and is often used as a self-help treatment.
Acupressure is believed to be the ‘mother of Acupuncture’ in that it predates the use of needles to stimulate the body’s energy flow. It has the same principles as Acupuncture, but the pressure is applied directly to the Acupoints of the body mainly by using the hands, fingers, thumb or knuckles and sometimes by using a smooth, blunt object. Stimulation of the body’s meridian system by touch is perhaps one of the oldest healing systems, and many other therapies use Acupressure techniques including Shen Tao, Jin Shen, Do Jin Shen, Qigong, Shiatsu and Tuina.
Find out more:
We recommend Deep Tissue Massage or see Acupuncture, Acupuncture-auricular, Auricular Therapy, British Acupuncture Council and the British Medical Acupuncture Society.
Bach flower remedy
Developed from the work of Dr. Edward Bach. Dr. Bach recognized through his work with his patients, that to bring about real and lasting healing it was necessary to treat the cause of illness rather than just the symptoms. With a vision way-ahead of most of his contemporaries, he understood that the true cause of illness and disease in human beings lies in the personality – in the mental and emotional patterns through which we view ourselves and the world around us.
A very good introduction to the general principles of Vibrational Medicine and the use of flower remedies in particular can be gained from studying the work & spiritual insights of Dr. Edward Bach.
To treat these personality patterns he discovered and developed 38 different flower remedies which have today become known as the Bach Flower Remedies and which are widely known and used by many people around the world. Each remedy is a correcting vibration for a state of mind or emotion that needs to be gently rebalanced. Since the body is a direct reflection of the mind, transforming negative vibrations into positive good vibrations allows the body to respond naturally with better health.
Find out more:
See Flower Remedies, Aroma Therapy, Homoepathy, Naturopathy, Herbal Medicine or contact a practitioner.
Beauty Therapy
Beauty therapy in all its forms from manicures to facials all contribute to these positive feelings. Feeling good about yourself whoever and how ever you are is a healthy state of mind. For many people beauty therapy gives them a boost in confidence and self esteem which comes from feeling special, looking their best and feeling and good.
Find out more:
See Holistic Massage, Indian Head Massage, Facial Massage, Manicure/Pedicure/Facial Massage, Stress Management, Relaxation.
Behavioural Psychology
Behavioral psychology, also known as behaviorism, is a perspective that became dominant during the early half of the 20th century thanks to prominent thinkers such as B.F. Skinner and John B. Watson. The basis of behavioral psychology suggests that all behaviors are learned.
The relationship between feelings and behaviour effect us all in different ways. The behaviour psychologist will explore this relationship and design programmes of therapy which aim to modify unhealthy or dysfunctional behaviours to given stimuli.
Find out more:
See CBT and REBT or contact a practitioner.
Bio-energetics (therapy)
Bioenergetics is a way of understanding personality in terms of the body and its energetic processes. Bioenergetic Analysis is a form of therapy that combines work with the body and the mind to help people resolve their emotional problems and realize more of their potential for pleasure and joy in living.
Bioenergetics was developed in the USA by Alexander Lowen. He believed that many of the human stress conditions come from blockages in the human energy systems and the basis of Bioenergetics is to allow our natural human energy to flow. This is achieved by unblocking and releasing energy flow in a way that balances our natural energy fields. Bioenergetics has been described as a western form of Yoga. It involves forms of ‘postural integration’ using a number of breathing exercises, body movements and affirming commentary. Bioenergetics aims to address the problems of life in general, stress, anxiety, depression, low self esteem and confidence.
Find out more:
See Stress Management, Relaxation, Yoga or contact a practitioner.
Body Psychotherapy
Body Psychotherapy has a tradition reaching back to the 1920’s when Wilhelm Reich, a student and colleague of Sigmund Freud, expanded psychoanalysis by noticing how the repression of feelings corresponded to inhibition of the body. He developed the concept of ‘character armour’ to describe how human beings develop fixed and rigid postures and patterns of relating in order to protect themselves against emotional pain. Both psychological and psychosomatic symptoms, he proposed, need to be approached in the context of the underlying character pattern. These patterns, he understood, pervade the whole body/mind, reaching all the way down into biological mechanisms (e.g. our metabolism, our autonomic nervous system, our breathing etc.).
Wilhelm Reich originated a whole range of approaches, with his pupils and followers developing particular aspects of his work further and diversifying into a variety of modern schools of Body Psychotherapy, such as bioenergetics (Alexander Lowen), Radix (Charles Kelly), Core Energetics (John Pierrakos), Integrative Body Psychotherapy (Jack Rosenberg), Emotional Anatomy (Stanley Keleman), Biodynamic Psychology (Gerda Boyesen), Hakomi (Ron Kurtz), Biosynthesis (David Boadella).
Find out more:
See Psychotherapy, Dance therapy, Movement therapy, Feldenkrais Method or contact a practitioner.
Bowen Technique
The Bowen Technique is a gentle, deeply relaxing, non-invasive physical therapy that frees the body to attain its natural balance and healing. Effective as a structural treatment for specific pain, Bowen therapy addresses the body as a whole. Its embrace often extends beyond the presenting symptom to the healing of underlying physical, chemical, emotional and mental causes of chronic illnesses. The gentle movements and manipulations help stimulate energy flow and bring the body into balance. Bowtech can be used for back problems, sports injuries and other related conditions.
Find out more:
Contact a practitioner. Bowen Therapists European Register
Chakra balancing
Chakra’s are centres of energy that run along our spines just outside our physical bodies. The seven major Chakras have their own area of responsibility and each is linked with a different part of the endocrine system. They are part and parcel of each and every sensation, feeling and emotional experience that we have.Charkas work in harmony with our auras to maintain us in good health. Each chakra has its own corresponding colour, sound and function. When energy becomes blocked it can effect our emotional, physical, mental and spiritual well being. Chakra balancing is a way of bringing the energies back into balance. The therapist may suggest courses of treatment that aims to dissolve blockages and bring the body back into dynamic balance. Most therapies with Eastern origin will involve some relationship, application and understanding of chakras.
Find out more:
See Crystal therapy, Sound Therapy, Colour therapy, Reiki, Seichem, Hopi Ear Candles, Light Therapy, Aromatherapy, Magnetic Therapy or contact a practitioner.
Chiropody
The Chiropodist is a person who specialises in the clinical care of the feet and associated structures in treatments to the feet. As well as treatments the Chiropodist will give advice on footwear, hygiene and other preventative health measures. Conditions relating, pain and discomfort of the feet, infections, calluses, problems related to nails, athletes foot, aging etc. can all be referred to a chiropodist.
Find out more:
Contact a practitioner via the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists.
Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology aims to reduce psychological distress and to enhance and promote psychological well-being. A wide range of psychological difficulties may be dealt with, including anxiety, depression, relationship problems, learning disabilities, child and family problems and serious mental illness.
To assess a client, a clinical psychologist may undertake a clinical assessment using a variety of methods including psychometric tests, interviews and direct observation of behaviour. Assessment may lead to therapy, counseling or advice.
Find out more:
See Education Psychology, Psychology or contact a practitioner.
Cognitive therapy
Our ‘cognitive processes’ are our thoughts which include our ideas, mental images, beliefs and attitudes. Cognitive therapy is based on the principle that certain ways of thinking can trigger, or ‘fuel’, certain health problems. For example, anxiety, depression, phobias, etc, but there are others including physical problems. The therapist helps you to understand your current thought patterns. In particular, to identify any harmful, unhelpful, and ‘false’ ideas or thoughts which you have that can trigger your health problem, or make it worse. The aim is then to change your ways of thinking to avoid these ideas. Also, to help your thought patterns to be more realistic and helpful.
Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy
This is a mixture of cognitive and behavioral therapies. They are often combined because how we behave often reflects how we think about certain things or situations. The emphasis on cognitive or behavioural aspects of therapy can vary, depending on the condition being treated. For example, there is often more emphasis on behavioural therapy when treating obsessive compulsive disorder (where repetitive compulsive actions are a main problem). On the other hand, the emphasis may be more on cognitive therapy when treating depression.
Find out more:
See Psychotherapy, Cognitive Psychotherapy, Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy, NLP, Behavioural Psychology or contact a practitioner.
Cognitive Psychotherapy
Cognitive therapy seeks to help the client overcome difficulties by identifying and changing dysfunctional thinking, behavior, and emotional responses. This involves helping clients develop skills for modifying beliefs, identifying distorted thinking, relating to others in different ways, and changing behaviors[1]. Treatment is based on collaboration between client and therapist and on testing beliefs. Through changing the way we think about a problem we can change our experience of that problem and thus find solutions or resolution.
Find out more:
See Psychotherapy, REBT, CBT, NLP or contact a practitioner.
Counselling
Counselling takes place when a counsellor sees a client in a private and confidential setting to explore a difficulty the client is having, distress they may be experiencing or perhaps their dissatisfaction with life, or loss of a sense of direction and purpose. It is always at the request of the client as no one can properly be ‘sent’ for counselling.
By listening attentively and patiently the counsellor can begin to perceive the difficulties from the client’s point of view and can help them to see things more clearly, possibly from a different perspective. Counselling is a way of enabling choice or change or of reducing confusion. It does not involve giving advice or directing a client to take a particular course of action. Counsellors do not judge or exploit their clients in any way.
Find out more:
See Psychotherapy, REBT, CBT, EFT, Behaviour therapy, Life coaching, NLP, Family Therapy, Addiction Counselling, Anger Management, Stress Management, Contact a local support group or contact a practitioner via the Foundation for Psychotherapy and Counselling, the National Council of Psychotherapy, the UK Council for Psychotherapy, and the UK Register of Counsellors.
Colonic irrigation
Colonic irrigation, also sometimes known as colonic hydrotherapy, is a procedure for removing waste and toxins from the bowel.
Often used as part of a detoxification programme. Practitioners believe that toxins build up in the large intestine can cause health problems. The procedure involves warm water being passed into the rectum through a tube and flushing out the residue.
Find out more:
Contact a practitioner.
Colon hydrotherapy
Colour therapy
Chromotherapy, sometimes called color therapy, colorology or cromatherapy, is an alternative medicine method. It is claimed that a therapist trained in chromotherapy can use color and light to balance energy wherever a person’s body be lacking, be it physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental
The colour spectrum and its relationship to health and healing have been acknowledged for thousands of years. Our energy centres (chakra points) all have corresponding colours and functions. As with many therapies colour therapy is about finding balance. A colour therapist will diagnose using dowsing methods or by reading your auric field. Either way they will aim to set up a programme of rebalancing your energies. Colour therapy can be used in complimentary medicine to treat spiritual, mental, emotional and physical ailments and it works well in conjunction with other therapies such as visualization, acupuncture and hypnotherapy. Colour breathing is a simple self healing technique that can be learned and practiced easily to gain balance and healing to your system.
Find out more:
See Chakra Balancing, Visualisation, Crystal healing, Light Therapy or contact a practitioner.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) is an ancient system of health care that has undergone continual development over the centuries as the causes of illness that afflict mankind have evolved.
One of the principles of Chinese medicine relates to balance of yin and yang. The two are opposites of each other but also cannot exist without each other; balance is essential to good health. The five elements also represent different influences on the body’s health system and these too need to be kept in balance. The elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Water, Metal. One element out of balance will adversely affect the others. Qi or the universal energy also flows through the body as well as every other part of the universe and Qi manifests differently according to its environment. Herbal interventions often aim to feed the Qi energy. The Chinese herbalist will ask many questions some of which may not seem relevant. This however is part of the diagnostic process which involves Looking (at external signs, skin, expressions etc), Hearing (what you are saying, sound of breathing, digestion etc), Asking (Gaining information and insight) and Feeling (Hot and cold, moisture, pulse etc).
Find out more:
Contact a practitioner.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic was invented in 1895 by Canadian-born Daniel David Palmer. Palmer called his vital energy: “Innate Intelligence”. His belief was that this Innate Intelligence flowed through the body from the brain, through the spine, the nerves and on to the various organs of the body.
The theory of chiropractic which Palmer developed states that all disease is caused by the misalignment of vertebrae. A vertebra that is out of alignment, known as a “subluxation”, blocks the natural flow of the vital “Innate Intelligence” through the body; thus leading to disease.
As well as advice about self-help, exercise, diet and lifestyle, chiropractors often provide support for pain management, sports injuries and active rehabilitation
Find out more:
Contact a practitioner via the British Chiropractic Association.
Cranial Osteopathy
Cranial osteopathy was developed by an American osteopath, Dr William G Sutherland. A form of osteopathy where little or no physical manipulation takes place. The practitioner focuses their work on the skull and spinal cord. A series of movements and manipulations of the scalp stimulates the release and free flow of cerebo-spinal fluid. This allows the body’s natural energies to balance out and reduce the patient’s symptoms.
Find out more:
See Cranial Sacral Massage, Osteopathy or contact a practitioner via the General Osteopathic Council and the British Osteopathic Association.
Cranial sacral massage
Cranio-Sacral Therapy, or CST, is a gentle, hands-on manipulation of a physiological body system called the cranio-sacral system. This system is comprised of the soft tissue and bones of the cranium (or head), the spine and the pelvis. Massage therapists that perform cranio-sacral therapy also target the membranes and cerebrospinal fluids that surround and cushion the brain and spinal cord from injury during a therapy session.
Find out more:
See Cranial Osteopathy, Massage or contact a practitioner.
Crystal healing
Crystal Therapy is the belief that certain crystals and other charmstones have healing, mystical and/or paranormal powers.
Crystal healers claim that every living organism has a “vibrational energy system,” which includes chakras, electromagnetic fields around your body known as an aura, subtle bodies and meridians. By using the appropriate crystals one can allegedly “tune” an energy system or rebalance energies, thus improving well-being due to the vibrations produced by the crystals, according to color, chemical composition, atomic structure and overall physical form. Using the vibrations of the crystals a trained practitioner can allegedly move, absorb, focus, direct and diffuse energy within the body, using the perfect structure of the crystal for the body to emulate. Crystal healing also allegedly gives the body a chance to relax, which may aid in the body’s natural abilities of the immune system.
Find out more:
See Cranial Osteopathy, Massage or contact a practitioner. See Light Therapy, Magnetic Therapy, Colour Therapy, Chakra balancing or contact a practitioner.
Dance therapy
The theory underlying dance therapy is that body movement reflects the inner state of the human, and that by moving the body within a guided therapeutic setting, a healing process begins. Emerging inner conflicts and issues from the unconscious to the consciousness of the person are addressed on all levels – physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Seeking the full integration of mind and body, and bringing harmony between all the aforementioned levels of the human being.
Find out more:
See Music Therapy, Movement Therapy, Drama Therapy or contact a practitioner.
Diet therapy
Diet therapy is a broad term for the practical application of nutrition as a preventative or corrective treatment of disease. This usually involves the modification of an existing dietary lifestyle to promote optimum health. As such diet and nutrition are a corner stone for every ones health and well being. Many therapies offer diet and nutritional advice as part of their methodology and good advice is also abundant through your local health service.
Find out more:
See Nutritional Therapies, Kinesiology, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Ayruveda, Kinesiology, or contact a practitioner.
Drama therapy
Drama therapy is what it suggests: a combination of theatre techniques and therapy.
If theatre is working well it can allow you to see yourself at a distance. Therapy is working well if there is a process of change in how you feel – and how you feel about yourself. Drama is an excellent medium for releasing unexpressed emotion and to work through suppressed and/or repressed material. As a creative therapy it can be directed or non directive allowing freedom to express in whatever way the client needs. Drama can work powerfully as a metaphor for unresolved conflict allowing the client to move on and find resolution without the formality of some talking therapies. Drama can be a medium for a client to disclose or act out traumatic events and as such work through to a resolution. In group work and education forums drama can be an excellent medium for developing social skills and strategies for dealing with difficult situations. Drama can also help rehearse coming events that are causing anxiety and explore safely various options. Experimentation and confidence building are also some of the obvious benefits of drama therapy.
Find out more:
See Music Therapy, Movement Therapy, Art Therapy, Play Therapy, Psychodrama, Gestalt or contact a practitioner.
Dream analysis
The analysis of dreams in an effort to discover unconscious meanings or symbolic associations. A form of psychoanalysis, Freud and Jung believed that the dream was the road to the unconscious. Dream analysts will listen to a description of a dream and recognise that the dream is a metaphor for unconscious processing that happens during sleep. Dreaming has long been a fascination for human kind and dream analysis aims to make sense out of the incomprehensible. Modern thinking tends toward believing that dreaming is the minds way of assimilating and processing information left from the day and a reflection of unresolved or traumatic material from the past still being processed. It is suggested that because the mind works in metaphor this material comes to mind in the form of sounds, feelings and pictures, smells and taste during sleep which when remembered sometimes makes no sense in waking form.
Find out more:
See Psychotherapy or contact a practitioner.