Life & Medicine

2011-09-07T08:25:00.003-07:00

Welcome to life-medicine

Life Medicine is an easy to use directory of complementary therapies and practitioners in and around Glasgow. The directory offers information about therapies and practitioners in the Glasgow area, so it’s easy to locate a practitioner near to you.

Our magazine will have regular articles relating to health and therapy issues written by therapists in the Life Medicine directory. There is a diary of upcoming courses and events all run by practitioners involved in Life Medicine.

At Life Medicine we are all passionate and committed therapists. To ensure a high standard we always verify that the practitioners included within the directory have appropriate qualifications and training.

We feel that Life Medicine has a unique approach to creating a directory and network of complementary health practitioners.

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Shiatsu

Shiatsu, translating as "finger pressure" is a holistic acupressure massage from Japan.

In its most basic form, Shiatsu is simply the application of pressure to the body via thumb, finger and palm. Pressure is applied to tsubo (acupuncture points) and along meridians to help harmonise the flow of Ki (energy) through the body.

Occasionally, elbows, knees and feet are used to deepen the pressure. Other Shiatsu techniques include stretching and light manipulation. Some practitioners may also heat tsubo using moxa (a smouldering herb which is used to warm tsubo) or apply magnets. Advice on diet, exercise and life style may be given. You can expect to feel relaxed or invigorated depending on what your body's needs.

Traditionally Shiatsu takes place on a cotton futon mattress on the floor. This allows the practitioner to effectively engage their hara (core/centre) when applying pressure. Clients remain fully clothed. No oils are used.

Wear light flexible clothing that will keep you warm such as leisure wear. Avoid heavy clothing, like denim, as it restricts movement and resists pressure affecting the quality of your session. It is best not to eat anything too heavy before a treatment though make sure you are not hungry either.

Seated Shiatsu

Seated Shiatsu treatments ease stress and tension and balance your whole body... they are a convenient way to receive Shiatsu as you are treated on a specially designed portable chair and can be treated practically anywhere.

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Reiki

Reiki is a Japanese word meaning “Universal Life Energy”, the energy within and around us all. Reiki is transmitted through the hands of a person who has been more directly linked to the universal life force through an initiation or attunement. The person giving the energy is simply a vessel allowing the energy to pass through them to the client. The energy enters, the person giving, at the crown chakra and passes through their arms and hands to the client. Reiki helps to bring the body into balance so it can heal itself.

During a Reiki session, the practitioner directs energy by placing their hands on or above areas of the client’s body. The client is fully clothed and can be either lying down or seated. A Reiki treatment is a relaxing and often profound experience and the effects can be both subtle and powerful. Reiki is a non-invasive therapy that can be used without fear of any side-effects or overdose.

Reiki can be used to great effect in many ways. Whether suffering from stress or tension, and the associated symptoms, or wishing to improve the quality of relationships at home or work, the beneficial effects of Reiki occur on many levels. Reiki is thought to accelerate the healing of physical problems, balance the emotions, and free us from restrictive mental attitudes.

Reiki can be administered to animals as well as people. Reiki can be used for many things including house blessing and clearings.

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Integrated Massage

Integrated massage is a unique form of massage that combines techniques, strokes and moves from many different massage styles or modalities.

Integrated massage may include techniques taken from Swedish, deep tissue, therapeutic, remedial, sports and hot/cold stones massage with elements and inspiration from Chi Nei Tsang (Internal Organ Massage), traditional Chinese massage (Tui Na), myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and Thai massage amongst others

Usually, all these massage styles or modalities would be performed on there own as a singular treatment and many of them such as Swedish, hot stones and Thai massage have a set sequence making each treatment virtually identical. With integrated massage all the best bits and the most effective techniques are combined to create a totally unique and effective massage treatment. Each treatment is different as the massage techniques and the areas worked are chosen to meet the needs of your body that day.

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Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy As Treatment

Hypnotherapy is the therapeutic use of clinical hypnosis to suggest ideas, concepts and lifestyle adaptations to the unconscious mind. The patient works with the therapist to enter an altered state of consciousness or 'trance' state. Selected beneficial suggestions may then be made to the unconscious mind. The therapist uses this state of heightened concentration to help the individual maximise their potential, change limiting beliefs and behaviours, and gain new insights.

The Trance State

The trance is a pleasant state of relaxation, highly focused concentration and heightened awareness. A natural phenomenon, you unknowingly experience the trance state every day. Perhaps when daydreaming, absorbed in a film or hobby, or when driving - tuning out distracting thoughts to fully focus your attention. Use of the trance in Clinical Hypnosis, practised by a professionally qualified therapist, is completely safe.

How Hypnotherapy Works

Hypnosis is a natural and effective technique for accessing the subconscious mind. Beliefs, habits and behaviours are stored in the subconscious, which can be the source of many problems and self-images. It can also be a tremendous reservoir of unrecognised strengths and knowledge.

Used therapeutically hypnosis can access the subconscious - the key to unleashing potential, changing unwanted habits and behaviours, and finding solutions to problems and concerns.

Once an individual has achieved a trance state the Hypnotherapist uses a variety of therapeutic methods ranging from simple suggestion to psychoanalysis. For example, the therapist may ask about past, present or future concerns to establish underlying reasons for the problem being explored. Alternatively the therapist may give suggestions to the subconscious mind aimed at overcoming specific problems, such as lack of self-confidence. The patient will remain in complete control at all times. Then the patient is gently brought back out of the trance state and the session is finished with a discussion of the treatment.

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Hopi Ear Candling

Ear Candling is a gentle and safe therapy using specially designed auricular candles (having the appearance of a hollow tube) to help address issues relating to the ears, nose and throat. It has been noted as beneficial for sinus problems, blocked Eustachian tubes, irritation of the ear, headaches, migraine, rhinitis and hay fever. It can be helpful in alleviating stress associated to hearing and many people observe that the therapy has the additional benefit of producing a calm clear and peaceful state of mind.

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Do-In

A simple exercise regime, often describe as "self shiatsu", that will help you maintain health and improve your general wellbeing. Shizuto Masunaga, author of Meridian Exercises, explains “Do of Do-In means to open up channels and facilitate the movement of energy along specific routes. In of Do-In means to move and stretch one’s limbs to achieve this purpose.”

The basis of the exercises are to encourage mind and body integration. This allows Ki to flow freely through the body and in particular along the meridians. The exercises are performed with an emphasis on imagery, breathing and relaxation.

Do-In exercises are taught to Shiatsu practitioners during their training, including basic Do-In, Makko-Ho (meridian exercises)and complementary meridian exercises. The three minute exercise and wrist exercises along with other Ki development exercises are included from Ki-Aikido.

Acupuncture

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Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Acupuncture is 4000 years old and has become a recognised and much used way of treating ill health and maintaining good health both physically and emotionally. It is a safe and hygienic treatment involving the insertion of hair fine needles into carefully chosen acupuncture points along the meridians or channels that run all over the body and house the flow of 'Qi' or energy which the Chinese believed our health depended on. Qi was thought to be 'matter' or energy and the basis of all things. If our Qi flows freely then we are well and symptom free but if it becomes restricted or excessive or deficient in some area then we may experience ill health ranging from physical to emotional symptoms.

Chinese Acupuncture treats each person individually and an acupuncturist will make a diagnosis based on your individual symptoms, history and signs such as pulse and tongue diagnosis. 4 - 6 treatments are usually considered an appropriate amount of sessions to address most issues, with lots of clients choosing to return for additional or maintenance treatments. An acupuncturist is trained to look at all aspects of your health and lifestyle and will offer advice and support in these areas.

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Zoe

Zoe is a Reiki Master practising in Cumbernauld, Scotland. She has studied Reiki since 2003 and attained Master/Teacher level in 2008.

As well as Reiki treatments Zoe also provides courses/attunements upon request, prefering to teach Reiki in small groups or on a one to one basis.

Pete Taylor

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Pete Taylor

Pete qualified as a clinical hypnotherapist 5 years ago with the London College of Clinical Hypnosis. He works with clients from 3 Glasgow clinics, Balance and Grassroots in the West end and also Southside Acupuncture in the South side. He has since specialised in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy also with the London College.

His approach is an eclectic mix of classical hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioural approaches to deal with a wide range of issues such as anxiety, blushing, confidence building, exam nerves, insomnia, nail biting, pain control, panic attacks, phobias, smoking cessation, stress and weight loss.

As well as his one to one work Pete has also started running stress management workshops in Glasgow and is soon to run them in Leeds and London.

Paula Wilson

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Paula Wilson

Paula is in the very lucky position to have found what she considers to be her vocation; she loves that she gets to work with people to help them restore balance in their life and as such improve their health. Paula has degree training in both Traditional Acupuncture and in Psychology and has previous work experience in education, counselling and general office work. This combined with living and working in Asia all helps to provide her with a wide spectrum of knowledge and experience and as such provides a wide scope of reference from which she can draw, which helps to give her the best possible grounding from which to provide the therapies she loves and respects to those who are in need.

Acupuncture

Can be used to help regain a balance in your system ad as such help to reduce symptoms that can effect your quality of life.

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Paul Marsh

Paul discovered the Alexander Technique in 2002 when suffering from back pain and other musculoskeletal problems.

He gained a great deal of relief from pain. And he realised that not only were his postural habits tending to give him a sore back, they were also making it difficult for him to do skilful things like playing the guitar properly or doing martial arts with any level of agility. So he set out to learn as much as he could about this curious "technique".

His enthusiasm for the approach has deepened over the years, along with his levels of engagement with pastimes that were previously a struggle, including music, martial arts and running. And in that time he has also gained a teaching qualification accredited by The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT).

Paul is delighted to be able to help other people along a similar path, and to see them change and recover more mobility and ease in everyday life. And to realise more of their potential, especially in pastimes that require skilful coordination.

His clients tend to be people suffering from musculoskeletal or neurological ailments, but he also taught the approach to actors and musicians, and those who simply want to feel a bit better.

Breathing is something which he feels many people find unnecessarily difficult, and he enjoys showing people the possibilities that exist for effortless and efficient breathing, something which is very interlinked with posture and the way people use the muscles of the trunk.