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 Robin Botes  Alan Knott |
The Primary role of the healer is to enable the patient to realise and to learn the body's own capacity to repair and build itself. During healing recovery is helped by the body's own rejection of that disease. No one person heals another, the healer only helps the patient to heal him/herself by giving him/her a charge of energy in order to increase the vibrations needed to accelerate the healing process. The healer understands the quality and the control of those vibrations and works accordingly. We often need the support of orthodox medicine, but in the end it is nature that heals. Also, most importantly, the will of the patient to survive, together with a positive state of mind, are the crucial helpful factors of recovery, and this is what we strive to teach our patients. |
 Julie Gaywood |
Julie Gaywood  Ann Bucklow |
Reflexology is a natural and drugless way of stimulating the internal organs. It is an ancient art, used by the Chinese for five thousand years. In the feet all the body's organs are mirrored. A gentle massage of these zones stimulates the organs. One of the benefits that comes with reflexology is relaxation and our own natural healing properties are helped to improve. | Alan Knott  Sue Hamnett |
 Frances Hirst |
Like relaxation, meditation is a way of settling the mind, but it takes a further step by enhancing the capacity for awareness. It can be either closed down or widened, so that the mind is free from conscious control. It is a way of quietening, a switching off from disturbing thoughts and worries that can be a source of stress. Meditation can be a new experience to help your spirit grow, blossom and receive new strength. It allows alignment with subtle wave lengths of spiritual values, and whatever beliefs are held can, through meditation be a resource to help still and calm the mind and body. |
Relaxation loosens, calms and gives peace, so that the body's vital energy can flow freely. It means the letting go of effort and stilling the mind and body as a form of release. There is no correct response to a relaxation session; the mind and body will react in an individual way, but patience and persistence are needed to let the senses and the body experience the relaxation. It must be a passive, gentle exercise, not forced. It is not a test to be passed or failed. Gradually, the interruptions will get fewer, and relaxation will deepen as the chosen exercises and techniques become part of the daily routine, so that in stressful situations relaxation not tension will occur. |
Frances Hirst |
 Dee Disley |
Counselling has a variety of meanings. It is used to describe a therapeutic inter-action between two people, the counsellor who listens and seeks to offer help to another, and the client who seeks help over a difficulty or problem where a solution is not immediately apparent. It is a process which enables the client to talk freely, to express feelings and to clarify his/her own ideas. It can thus help a client. 1. to recognise and clarify the problem. This may result in learning to live with its continued existence. 2. to gain, or regain, self-independence and perhaps explore new avenues. 3. to make a decision which is right for him/her as an individual - NOT a decision made by the counsellor as the 'right solution' for the client. We are all unique and, whilst there are many therapies which patients can share, each patient is working on his/her own self-healing programme. Counselling is an opportunity to talk about what self-healing involves, and to discuss any aspect of it in relation to individual needs. |
 Jack Hirst |
Perhaps a mis-named therapy, as it is nothing to do with a person's ability to draw and paint. We call it 'letting'; letting what comes into the mind down in paint on paper. Its value is in revealing hidden problems to yourself, the kind that would be impossible to put into words; particularly useful when a person has difficulty in verbal communication. It also gives the opportunity for self analysis, and perhaps a better understanding of one's inner self. The role of the therapist is to encourage people to paint out their problems. |
We create our own reality. Our point of power is in the present. These two tenets are the basis for the most effective self-therapy of all; visualisation. We all possess an image making faculty, which we use to make things, and to take us on to the next stage in our lives, whether we use it consciously or not. We can use visualisations to assist our immune system's fight against disease and to aid the healing process. Visualisations can also relax tense areas of our body and direct energy to areas that are low. It is a skill, like any other, that can be learned, and is not much different from that used by say a world champion golfer. The process starts with an intention. Usually in this context it is 'I am sick of being sick!' and then 'I am going to get well and make the most of life'. |
Frances Hirst |
Hypnosis is a state of altered consciousness usually considered as somewhere between being awake and sleep. In this state the mind appears to be very open to suggestion and in consequence hypnosis is a very powerful tool for developing positive thinking, confidence and relieving stress. With cancer sufferers the main aim is to develop positive thinking and establish a state of calm, relaxed confidence. It can also be used, in conjunction with counselling to assist other changes which the client may require like giving up smoking or learning to cope with specific stress situations. |
These remedies consist of just pure spring water containing the energy from the flowers that have been soaked in this water. These remedies are therefore completely safe. Dr. Bach was a Harley Street physician in the 1930s. He believed that health came from the harmony of mind, body and spirit but that negative things happen to us in life which upset the balance, such as shock, anxiety, illness, exhaustion, heartbreak, grief, fear and hopelessness. We all have a positive and negative side to our personalities, and in illness, shock and other distresses, the negative side can take over. The purpose of the Bach remedies is to wash away the overriding negatives and restore the balance. An example is Rescue Remedy which is invaluable in accidents, shock, nervous upsets, examination nerves, headaches, and also in easing the side effects of inoculations. There is also a mixture of remedies for helping to prevent the side effects of radiation when undergoing radio therapy. |
Julie Gaywood |
The aim is to create the best possible conditions within the body, to encourage its own self-healing abilities, especially anti-cancer mechanisms, primarily by boosting the immune system which could stimulate direct action against a tumour or malignant cells. Nutritional therapy aims to provide five more benefits. 1. Reduce the drain on enzymes and energy resources, thereby creating more energy and vitality. 2. Combat pollution by avoiding toxic carcinogenic substances, promoting rapid excretion of toxic residues and reducing the side effects of chemotherapy. 3. Reduce the harmful effects of some electro-magnetic frequences and radiation by the use of anti-oxidant nutrients. 4. Strengthen individual cells to help prevent further DNA changes with foods high in Vitamin A. 5. Provide greater resistance to stress by nourishing the adrenal glands and the central nervous system. This is achieved by careful food choices such as fresh fruits and vegetables, and supplementing extra micro-nutrients which may have become depleted in our soil. There are now many anti-cancer diets, the most successful being those based on original concept of Hippocrates over 2000 years ago that food can be used as a medicine. Why take vitamin supplements? The white blood cells of our immune system have the ability to destroy cancer cells. They rely on nutrients from our food. Research studies show that vitamins can strengthen the body's immune defence system, reduce the level of cancer causing substances and protect vital organs against harmful chemicals. They can also block the action of cancer causing substances and supress the growth of some kinds of cancers. It is difficult to obtain the amounts we need from food alone. Over the past twenty to thirty years artificial fertilisers and 'acid rain' have depleted the nutrients in our soils. This, coupled with pollutants in the air and water, can lead to a compromised immune system. Double blind trials have shown that vitamins A, C and E and the minerals selenium and zinc would be needed in doses exceeding the amount present in today's diet to give the body the best chance of self-healing. |
Ann Bucklow Julie Gaywood |
Massage is one of the earliest forms of therapeutic treatment. There is nothing more powerful than a therapy which is'hands on'. Touch can help the body physically relax, and thereby allow the immune system to be activated. The skin is our the largest of the bodily organs, and plays a large part in waste disposal. Massage stimulates the skin to function in a positive way. The benefits of massage for poor circulation, tissue swelling, joint and muscular pain has become obvious. Massage just feels good. Aromatherapy is the controlled use of natural aromatic oils obtained from plants to achieve balance and harmony of the human body and spirit. Aromatherapy works most obviously by smell. Smell is out most evocative sense, and there is an immediate effect on our being, allowing emotions to be released and a general feeling of well being to prevail. Oils can be absorbed into the skin by massage or topical application. The oils, which take about 20 minutes to absorb and pass into the blood stream, can have a profound effect on body systems. A deep feeling of relaxation may be experienced. WARNING There are some oils that should be avoided so do ask a professional if you have had chemotherapy, radiotherapy, high blood pressure, heart conditions or recent operations. |
Each of our cells needs to breathe, feed, excrete waste products and, with exceptions, reproduce. Oxygen is needed for our cells to function correctly. This oxygen, inhaled into our lungs, needs to reach the 'outposts' of the lung tissue, taken into the blood to be carried to all the organs, muscles and tissues in the body. At the same time carbon dioxide is released from the blood into the lungs to be exhaled. Shallow breathing with little lung expansion does not allow this vital exchange to take place properly. Deep, complete, well controlled breaths can allow the air to enter the inmost recesses of the lungs and are more effective. Breathing is an automatic function of our bodies, but one over which we can acquire some control through breathing exercises. This awareness and control can be used to aid relaxation and meditation, and help to release stress and tension. It can make one calm and gentle in one's own approach, and able to meet frustrations and stress in a controlled and dignified way. |
 Val Hammond |
We may not have the latest Harry Potter but we do have many other books to lend which may interest you. In addition we have a large number of health related articles. Our food and nutrition section includes recipe books and leaflets and we also have leaflets covering most therapies. The audio tape section covers therapies and relaxation music. There is a section on the Bristol Cancer Help Centre for anyone who might be interested in visiting them. There are also juicers available to borrow for a month to try out juicing fruit and vegetables. We also sell Bach Flower Remedies and cream at cost price. |
Ann Bucklow |
This is a very gentle relaxing treatment where the recipient is clothed and covered with a towel or blanket. The therapist can work over the whole body using the usual techniques. The sensation varies according to the covering needed and has the advantage that the recipient does not need to undress. |
Julie Gaywood  Irene Southworth  Joan Carlson |
Reiki is a laying-on of hands energy healing technique which was originally developed in Japan in the 17th and 18th centuries. As in spiritual healing the Reiki practitioner is acting to channel energy to the patient accelerating the ability of the body to heal itself. The healer understands the quality and the control of those vibrations and works accordingly |
Alan Knott  Janet Corin  Christine Hawkes |
Julie Gaywood Ann Bucklow |
Indian Head Massage dates back about 4000 years. It is a practise originally used by women who massaged their hair with natural oils to keep their hair healthy and strong. Today it incorporates "the Chakras" or Energy Centres to lift you out of the stresses of modern day life and provide you with a real cure for those tired, aching, tense neck and shoulder muscles. How does it work? Head, neck and shoulders are important energy centres within our bodies. Stress leads to tension, i.e. eye strain, stiff neck and sometimes hair loss. Indian Head Massage works with firm and gentle rhythm to help unknot blockages and relieve tension. Indian Head Massage works to promote physical and psychological well-being. |
Sue Hamnett Joan Carlson |
This is a series of stroking movements performed in a set sequence, at a set pressure and pace. It is different from conventional massage and may be suitable when massage is inappropriate. Each movement is repreated three time. The technique was created by Dr. Jane Buckle. It is profoundly relaxing for both giver and receiver. |
Julie Gaywood |
Homeopathy is an exceptionally safe form of medicine that treats the whole individual. It is both concerned with maintaining good health and supporting recovery from ill health. Homeopathy has been in use for almost 200 years. The name comes from the Greek words 'homios' meaning 'like' and 'pathos' meaning suffering and is based on the principle of 'like cures like'. This means that a substance that is capable of causing symptoms can be used in minute doses to cure those same symptoms in a person who is sick. A homeopathic remedy correctly prescribed to closely match the patient's symptom picture appears to strengthen and stimulate the body's own healing mechanisms. There are over 3000 remedies used presently in homeopathy and each has it's own 'symptom picture'. Many are prepared from substances traditionally used in both herbal and conventional medicine. Remedies are given on the principle of the minimum dose - that is the minimum amount of medicine needed to bring about a healing response. What can Homeopathy do for you? Homeopathy can be used in many ways to treat illnesses and support good health: For the treatment of acute illness, such as fever, and to support first aid situations, such as bruising or shock. For the treatment of chronic conditions or recurring complaints such as hay-fever, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches or menstrual problems. To support the body to recover from surgery, or aggressive treatments such as Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy. To strengthen the immune system and treat the underlying individual susceptibility which makes us prone to certain conditions. In this way Homeopathy can raise the overall level of health. |