Aromatherapy
The use of essential oils in massage, sprays, compresses, bathing or just burning in a room to have a restoring and calming effect on both mind and body.
Modalities
Amabelle Naturopathy proudly practices the following modalities:
Bach and Bush Flower Remedies
Bach Flower remedies are named after their founder Dr Edward Bach who was an English physicist in the 1930's. Taking the essence of flowers, Dr Bach noted that different flowers were able to either create or dispel emotional states that he believed were intrinsic to disease. For example the flowering essence of Mimulus is used to dispel feelings of fear, especially of the unknown.
Bush Flower remedies are Australia's answer to the Bach Flower remedies. Based on native Australian Bush flowers, they are also used for dealing with emotionally based reactions
Herbalism
This is one of the most common forms of alternative medicine. A trained herbalist will seek to balance states of disease by using herbs in teas, tinctures, extracts, powders or pills.
Naturopathy
Naturopathy deals with both a wide range of imbalances and disorders. Depending on the practitioner, they may employ other therapies during assessment or treatment. This can include Iridology, Herbal Medicine, Nutrition or Aromatherapy.
Nutrition
A nutritionist is primarily trained to study the chemicals within food and the process of digestion. By combining this knowledge with the patient's history, symptoms and personal habits they may make recommendations concerning diet and food groups that are suitable. This is important for people with diabetes, or for those who are at an increased risk of obesity or stroke.
Acupressure and Acupuncture
Both Acupressure and Acupuncture arise from Traditional Chinese Medicine. They work by stimulating specific points along the body's energy lines (meridians). Diseases are believed to be the result of imbalances or blockages of these meridians.
Acupressure works by gently kneading or manipulating these points whilst Acupuncture works by the insertion of special fine needles.
Alexander Technique
A process of neuro re-education, this is designed to improve well being and relieve pain associated with poor posture, injury and chronic illness.
Ayurveda
Another ancient system of healing, Ayurveda comes from India. Ayurveda believes that the five elements of the universe are present in the body resulting in one of three personality types known as "doshas". Similar to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda views good health as the result of the mind, body and soul working in harmony together. Imbalances are dealt with through traditional herbs and exercises (yoga).
Bowen Technique
A form of bodywork designed by Australian Tom Bowen in the mid 1900's. Bowen technique relies on gentle, accurate, short sequences that target stress buildup in the muscles. Interestingly, there are short "breaks" of rest during the session which are designed to allow the body to absorb the treatment.
Chinese Medicine
Already well known, Traditional Chinese Medicine is centered around the belief that disease arises as a result of imbalance of one of the 5 elements. Diagnosis is done through inspecting the tongue and measuring the pulses of the meridians. Treatment is then given by altering diet and lifestyle with the addition of herbs and acupressure / acupuncture.
Chiropractor
A relatively strong kind of bodywork technique that relies on the manipulation of the spine to bring about stress relief, good posture and ultimately good health.
Colour Therapy
Colour therapy works by stimulating the optic nerve to correct energy and emotional imbalances. This can be used alone or with other therapies.
Counselling
A verbal form of therapy, counselling explores personal beliefs and values to address stress management or emotional traumas such as conflict or grief.
Craniosacral Therapy
A form of body work that relies predominantly on extremely light touches focused on the tissues of head going down to the tailbone. This is based on the concept that spinal fluid and the bones in the head and spine are constantly in movement.
Crystal and Gem Therapy
Crystals have long been associated with wealth, power and healing. Crystal and Gem Therapy work by channeling or focusing energy to areas where a condition lies. For example amethyst is thought to bring a clear and open mind whilst smoky quartz is thought to be more grounding.
Energy Healing
Most CAM practitioners are aware of and utilise the body's own energy for the purposes of healing. Whether on a magnetic level or an electrical level, there are unseen energies at work within the body. Energy healers such as those who work in Reiki are trained to be more sensitive to areas of the body that have less energy as a result of disease or pain.
They will usually work with channels, meridians or fields.
Guided Imagery
A process which sees the practitioner tap into the subconscious mind via special audio equipment to bring clarity and health. Similar to biofeedback in which the patient is taught how to lower their own blood pressure through a range of specialised techniques.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is based on the principal that "likes cures like". It seeks to identify a remedy which will produce a similar state of symptoms if the person was healthy. This may be used for acute and chronic disease states.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is the use of water in any of its forms (hot, cold, steam or pressure) to bring pain relief and healing. Non toxic, non habit forming and readily available this form of therapy is ideal for acute and chronic injuries.
Be aware that varying temperatures may affect blood pressure so always be mindful of how long a session is and inform your practitioner if you feel dizzy.
Hypnotherapy
Unlike the attention grabbing antics of popular showmen, hypnotherapy can also be a useful tool to reprocess and understand mind sets and values. It can also be used for addictions and stress management.
Integration Therapy
This form of advanced body work combines deep tissue therapy with breathing control and counselling to affect the person on more than just the physical level.
Iridology
Iridology is a diagnostic tool used by many practitioners to gain an understanding of inherent body weaknesses. This then allows the practitioner to focus on individual nutritional and herbal requirements.
Ka – Tone
Ka-Tone is a form of body work that focuses on deep tissue re-alignment to bring emotional and intellectual well being by correcting muscular and skeletal ailments.
Kinesiology
A very gentle form of therapy which utilises the body's muscular system as a means of assessment and treatment. It is a combination of both Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine that believes that the body will innately become weaker when presented with a particular "challenge" such as diary which may be the root cause of disease.
Light Therapy
Light therapists will use various colours and frequencies of lights to address disorders such as Seasonal Affective Disorder or other illnesses where melatonin production (which normally occurs upon exposure to sunlight) is inhibited.
Magnet Therapy
Most people are aware of the healing powers of magnets. Available as jewelry they are designed to relieve muscular aches and pains by increasing blood flow to the affected area (blood contains high amounts of iron, which is attracted to the magnet). It is believed that the magnetic fields produced by magnets are also able to penetrate body cells to affect them in a positive manner. In this way, it can be compared to Crystal or Gem therapy.
Massage Therapy
There are many various modalities that fall under this umbrella term. To create two broad categories, these will usually fall into Eastern Massage Techniques that rely on physical manipulation to stimulate Qi (energy) flow or Western Massage Techniques that are designed to relieve muscular tension and stress through a series of gliding and compression movements.
Myofascial Release Therapy
Another form of body work, this involves gentle massage and stretching to release pain in the fibrous connective tissue bands that surround the muscles. It is believed that injury or disease will cause damage to these fibrous bands that contributes to pain. By releasing this tension, blood flow is increased allowing healing to begin.
Myotherapy
A specific form of muscle therapy that targets specific "trigger" points to release tension build up. This form of therapy is actually an off shoot of Myofascial Release Therapy.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy works by restoring muscular strength and re-engaging the mind. It teaches co-ordination of work and self care allowing confidence and life skills to be gained.
Osteopathy
Osteopathy works through the manipulation of deep and soft tissue. It also requires the gentle manipulation of the joints and spine to treat symptoms of stress, incorrect weight bearing and posture.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is exactly that. It is a physical form of therapy involving massage and exercise to strengthen weak muscles. Therapists may also use forms of hydrotherapy to relieve pain and enable muscular use without bearing weight. Attaining full range of motion is an important goal in physical therapy.
Pilates
Pilates is a form of exercise that trains the body to be more flexible whilst strengthening core muscles and enhancing breath control. Unlike many other forms of exercise, pilates encourages muscles to become leaner and not "bulk up".
Prayer
Health is not necessarily purely physical. With many people suffering from mental illness, prayer (of any religious / spiritual background) can be a useful tool for releasing mental stress.
Qi Gong
This is a physical practice associated with Traditional Chinese Medicine that is believed to increase energy (Qi) flow and strengthen the body. Interestingly, both Kung Fu and Tai Chi are believed to have both arisen from Qi Qong. Whilst movements may be similar to those used in self defense the gentle flowing nature of Qi Qong is designed to keep the body in harmony, preventing disease.
Reflexognosy
Reflexognosy is the application of pressure to feet and legs to stimulate energy flow, correcting imbalances via reflex action. Related very closely to Reflexology which is yet another form of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Reflexology
This form of healing from TCM is based on the principal that all the body organs have corresponding points on the soles of the feet. Thus the practitioner does not have to manipulate the whole body to achieve a desired effect, rather they are able to stimulate or sedate necessary points by reflex action.
Reiki
Originally a form of Japanese healing energy work, Reiki transmits healing energy from the practitioner's hands to the patient allowing energy channels to be unblocked. A gentle treatment, this is supposed to be healing and beneficial for both patient and practitioner.
Remedial Massage
A form of bodywork, remedial massage is based on the premise of promoting the health and efficiency of individual body systems which then lead to the overall optimal functioning of the whole person.
Remedial Therapy
An extended form of remedial massage, this usually involves training in another modalities or other advanced body works to enhance the treatment.
Rolfing
A physical manipulation technique that is used to free short or misaligned soft tissue. This then allows tension to be released. This was created by Dr Rolf who originally called it Structural Integration as she believed that an impairment in structure would therefore impair function. To free the body of disease it must first be realigned into its proper structure.
Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a traditional Japanese form of healing similar to TCM. Pressure is used by the thumbs and palms to release energy at particular points which may be blocked. Similar to Reiki, the process of a Shiatsu treatment is supposed to be beneficial for both patient and practitioner.
Sports Massage and Therapies
Sports massage and therapies are based on traditional forms of bodywork massage, however their intense focus on anatomy and physiology see them deal with sports injury prevention and rehabilitation. Often they will work with athletes to offer pre and post event advice.
Tai Chi
A component of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tai Chi actually originated from the practice of Qi Gong. A flowing form martial arts, it combines gentle movement with breath control and flexibility to maintain joint mobility and well being. Able to be done by all age groups, it also clears the mind and increases concentration.
Thai Massage
Thai Massage relies on the use of hands, elbows, knees and feet in combination with physically stretching muscles to relieve stress and enhance circulation. Unlike its other Eastern counterparts it can be quite deep and for the unprepared, sometimes painful. The use of specially prepared herbal oils and compresses may also be employed throughout the massage.
Touch for Health
Touch for health is another modality of acupressure massage that uses a gentle pressure to improve posture and reduce stress, pain and inflammation.
Yoga
An ancient Indian practice and philosophy of life, yoga is based on a series of postures done with the flow of the breath to reduce stress, bring clarity of mind and promote fitness. While there are a number of varying types of yoga practices, the most basic form enjoyed by many is Hatha yoga. Done regularly it can increase breath control and core muscle strength.