Ashdown Natural Health Clinic

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Our Therapies

Osteopathy Homeopathy Acupuncture Bowen Technique Counselling Nutritional Therapy Pilates Massage Therapies Podiatry Reflexology Ki Massage Hopi Ear Candling Yoga Lessons Beauty Treatments

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Osteopathy

We have five osteopaths working at the clinic offering a range of approaches to treatment including both cranial and structural osteopathy. Areas of special interest among our practitioners include the treatment of pregnant women, babies and children, although all regularly treat every type of patient. Osteopathy is an effective treatment for back and neck pain, headache, arthritis, sciatica, soft tissue strains, sports injuries, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome and postural problems arising from repetitive work.

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Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a complete system of medicine which can help people with a wide range of ailments including skin conditions, recurrent infections and hormonal problems. A homeopath chooses treatment for you as an individual rather than for a specific problem or disease. It is a good approach for individuals suffering from stress, depression and anxiety and is also widely used to help maintain good physical and mental health. Babies and children often respond very well to homeopathy and we run a low cost children's clinic two afternoons a week.

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Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years. It is a system of healing that considers the overall well-being of the patient whilst also treating the root of the problem and not just the symptoms. It seeks to balance and return an individual to their natural state of equilibrium on all levels - physical, emotional and spiritual. Acupuncture is beneficial for a wide range of conditions and can be used alongside conventional medicine in the treatment of acute and chronic disease. The World Health Organisation recognises the importance of acupuncture and the role it can play in health. This is detailed in its paper Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials.

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Bowen Technique and Physiotherapy

Anneke Loode originally trained and practised as a physiotherapist, developing her expertise in the treatment of back and neck pain, joint problems and sports injuries. In 2001, she qualified as a Bowen Practitioner, and the Bowen Technique now forms the most important element of her therapeutic approach. The Bowen Technique is a gentle, effective hands-on treatment method. The technique is based on two principles: that the human body is capable of healing itself and that you treat the whole body, not just the injured part. The Bowen Technique stimulates the body to rebalance itself and promotes healing, pain relief and recovery of energy. Bowen is about creating balance on musculo-skeletal, organic and mental/emotional levels. It can be performed through light clothing. There is no hard tissue manipulation involved, no massage, no oils, no deep or prolonged pressure and no equipment is needed.

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Counselling and Psychotherapy

Sarah Bashford is a Member of the Foundation for Psychotherapy and Counselling and the UK Council for Psychotherapy. She is trained to listen and help people to explore their feelings, thoughts and behaviours in a non-judgemental and confidential environment. Counselling and psychotherapy can help with work issues, relationship difficulties, bereavement and loss, sudden crisis and trauma. They can also help with troubling feelings or symptoms such as depression, stress, anxiety, panic attacks, eating problems and phobias. Sarah normally proposes a commitment to work together over a series of meetings following an initial discussion.

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Nutritional Therapy

The food that we eat contains nutrients that allow our body to function, repair and survive. Nutrient deficiencies initially result in minor ailments such as low energy, depression, headaches, increased stress and poor digestion but if left unchecked may develop into more chronic disorders such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic fatigue and cancer. Medication tends to block or suppress a symptom which may then lead to dependency. Nutritional therapy aims to replenish the body with the nutrients it needs so it can heal, repair and get back into optimum health, fitness and emotional balance. This is done through both diet and the use of supplements. Our nutritional therapist also offers diagnostic tests including hair mineral analysis, stool analysis, allergy testing, hormone and metabolic profile testing. Nutritional Therapy may help you with allergy, asthma, skin problems, hormonal imbalances, infertility, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue, depression, auto immune problems, arthritis, cholesterol and high blood pressure.

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Pilates

Pilates is a holistic exercise method, designed to elongate, strengthen and condition the body. It targets the deep postural muscles of the abdomen and spine to improve overall central core stability. Pilates focuses on improving postural awareness, flexibility, endurance and breathing control using gentle exercises and stretches. It can assist recovery from injury and muscular pain and prevent reoccurrence. Pilates suits all ages and fitness levels. It is particularly beneficial for back and neck pain, sports injuries, arthritis, poor posture, neurological conditions, ME and chronic fatigue, stress-related illness, pre and post pregnancy, muscle imbalance and pelvic instability. Our Pilates therapist offers individual consultations at Ashdown Natural Health Clinic.

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Massage Therapies

We have four massage therapists working at Ashdown Natural Health Clinic, offering between them Swedish Massage, Sports Massage, Aromatherapy Massage, Indian Head Massage and Thai Yoga Massage. Swedish Massage is the basis of most modern massage techniques and a treatment can promote relaxation and a sense of well-being. It may help ease aches and pains, improve circulation and stimulate the lymphatic system to help eliminate waste material. Sports Massage is particularly effective for alleviating muscular tension, whether it arises from physical activity or everyday life. Indian Head Massage is a treatment of the head, neck and shoulders which, as well as being extremely relaxing, can assist with headaches, sinus congestion and insomnia. Aromatherapy Massage is a slow, gentle massage using essential oils to relieve muscular tension, stimulate circulation and boost the immune system. Thai Yoga Massage is a unique therapy combining acupressure, gentle stretching and applied yoga.

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Podiatry

Podiatry is just another word for chiropody. Podiatrists treat a wide range of foot problems, ranging from corns and hard skin to more specialised areas. Our podiatrist is especially interested in biomechanics - looking at how poor foot function can impact on the rest of the body, causing knee, hip and back problems.

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Reflexology

Reflexology is offered at the clinic by Lindsey Juniper and Jackie Curran. It is a holistic discipline which works to stimulate the self-healing mechanisms of the body, thus achieving balance and harmony. It is a particularly useful treatment for stress, anxiety and depression, circulatory problems, digestive problems, headaches and migraines, sinus problems and PMT and menopausal symptoms.

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Ki Massage

As well as practising as an osteopath, Jo Braham also offers Ki Massage treatments. Based on ancient Japanese Ki circulation beliefs, Ki massage works to free the physical body of aches and pains whilst bringing about a gentle balancing of the emotional system. Ki massage works from the premise that there are five bodies, one physical and four energetic. Work on the physical body allows access to the subtler energy bodies. This can assist the client in clearing blocked energy from their system. By deep structural and energetic realignment the client moves towards holistic well being. Ki massage is suitable for all ages and problems as it works within the individual's own abilities to bring about wellbeing.

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Hopi Ear Candling

Hopi Ear Candling is a centuries-old, natural, non-invasive therapy. It can treat many conditions including excessive ear wax, glue ear, deafness, headaches and migraines, snoring, sinusitis and frequent colds and flu. The treatment can also help with vertigo, tinnitus and rhinitis. Lindsey Juniper offers this therapy at the clinic.

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Yoga Lessons

In addition to her Thai Yoga Massage therapy, our yoga specialist Samantha Preston offers individual (one-to-one) yoga lessons at the clinic. Samantha has been practising yoga for ten years and teaching for the last two years.

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Beauty Treatments

Norma Wheate qualified as a Beauty Therapist over fifteen years ago. 10 years ago, she took her Advanced Electrolysis Certificate, qualifying to treat thread veins and skin tags. Norma offers a wide range of beauty treatments at the clinic including permanent hair reduction, hair removal, red vein and skin tag removal, eye treatments, skin rejuvenation, facial treatments and non-surgical face-lifts. She is particularly experienced in hair removal and reduction. For permanent hair reduction, she uses the most recent LHE (light, heat and energy) technology.