Acupuncture was introduced to the Western World in the early seventies and since then has gained popular recognition in the treatment of disorders and disease. By stimulating specific points of the body lying just below the surface of the skin, energy flow is regulated and good health restored. Today it is widely used with great success to treat conditions as diverse as musculoskeletal pain, anxiety, gynaecological problems and skin complaints.

Alexander Technique is about re-education and self-help. It teaches you how to prevent harmful habits in the way you react in daily situations and activities. It is a way of becoming more aware of muscle tension, balance, posture, and movement in everyday activities. Learning and applying the Technique can help alleviate back and neck pain, shoulder problems, stress-related symptoms, some breathing and digestive problems and any condition where excessive muscular effort or tension is a factor. It is also a valuable tool in improving performance for singers, dancers, musicians and horse riders.

Aromatherapy is a natural treatment combining therapeutic massage with essential plant oils to improve health and prevent disease. It is a powerful anti-stress treatment and deeply relaxing. Many conditions, including muscular pains, rheumatism, sinusitis, depression, anxiety, blood pressure and skin complaints will benefit from this revitalising therapy.

This gentle, non-invasive treatment was developed in Australia, between 1960 to 1986 by natural therapist and chemist, Tom Bowen. It came to the UK in 1993 and is now practised all over the world.

Using the fingers and thumbs, the practitioner makes a series of “rolling” moves on specific points all over the body. These points are on muscles, ligaments and tendons. The Bowen move deeply relaxes and detoxifies the whole body. It can help to reduce pain and tension allowing the body to recharge and rebalance itself. Bowen therapy is beneficial for back, neck & shoulder problems, for pregnant women with back pain, for stress, sports injuries, digestive problems, ME and asthma among others. It is suitable for all ages and children respond particularly well to the treatment.

Bowen is not intended as a substitute for conventional medicine, and if you are concerned by symptoms always consult your GP.

Chinese Herbal Medicine has been practised in the East for over 2000 years. Traditionally, prescriptions contain between 3 and 16 herbs which are boiled for about 40 minutes and then drunk. Nowadays, they are often taken as powders or pills. Chinese Herbs are a safe, holistic way of restoring health, being especially effective in the treatment of skin conditions, gynaecological problems, gastrointestinal complaints and fatigue.

A system of gentle manipulation to treat disorders of the joints and muscles using only the practitioner's hands. At each treatment, the skeletal system of the body is assessed and pelvic bones are realigned before the spine is adjusted on each vertebrae. Pain, discomfort and stiffness relating to the joints and bones; muscular aches and pains; sports injuries; migraine; whiplash and trapped nerves can all be treated with this gentle form of Chiropractic treatment.

Counselling offers a confidential and private space where personal difficulties can be explored and resolved. Psychotherapy focuses on psychological methods for treating mental and emotional problems with an ultimate goal of personal development and self-understanding. An appropriate therapy for relationship problems, bereavement, addiction, life crises, eating disorders or any other unresolved personal problems.

A development from osteopathy, CST is an extremely gentle and is suitable for all ages and conditions. Using no manipulation the practitioner focuses on the palpable motion of the fluids of the spine and head. The patient experiences a sense of deep relaxation. Physical restrictions and emotional tensions in the body are gently eased. The treatment is individual to each person and aims to get to the underlying causes of symptoms.

CST has a calming effect on the nervous system and can prove helpful in cases of anxiety, shock, trauma and post operative conditions. Other conditions often seen include, TMJ dysfunction, headaches & migraines, ME, and pain.

CST is also effective in helping pregnant women to relax and ease back pain & nausea. It is especially effective in supporting babies recovering from birth, with symptoms such as colic, sleep problems and excessive crying. Please talk to the Pat Hughes for more information.

CST can be used safely with other complementary therapies and with conventional medicines.

One of the oldest forms of healing, with references dating back thousands of years. Following an in depth consultation, remedies are individually mixed from plant tinctures according to the needs of the patient and may also be supplemented by creams and tablets. By addressing the causes of an illness and not the symptoms, the results are ultimately more beneficial and the low incidence of side effects makes herbal medicine a very safe choice. Herbal Medicine can treat almost any condition that you might see your doctor for, including skin complaints, digestive disorders, heart and circulation problems, gynaecological disorders and stress related conditions.

Homeopathy has been established for more than 200 years as an effective system of healing, stimulating the natural ability of the body to heal itself. Homeopathy recognises that all symptoms of ill-health are expressions of disharmony within the whole person and that it is the patient who needs treatment, not the disease. The remedies given come from vegetable, mineral and animal sources, usually in the form of a tablet, occasionally as a powder or liquid. It is a complete system of medicine used to treat all kinds of illness, from depression to arthritis, migraine to ulcers, gynaecological complaints to ME.

The healing properties of the candle have been known for hundreds of years to the Hopi tribe. The treatment is gentle and relaxing and is great for relieving compacted ear wax, stress and helps with eliminating snoring and clearing the sinuses. The candle is placed over the ear orifice and ignited. It is only allowed to burn to within 4 inches of the end of the candle. As it burns it produces a gentle local heat. The warm air combined with the oil and herbs soften the wax and draw it into the base of the candle. The candle is then removed and the ear and surrounding area is then massaged. The treatment is repeated on the other ear and then a complete facial massage is carried out, paying particular attention to the sinus areas.

This innovative technique goes beyond the experience of a typical massage therapy and enters deeper dimensions of relaxation.  Using special iron-rich basalt volcanic stones the client is engulfed in warmth and the therapist can massage more deeply.  The heat from the stones has the ability to loosen tight muscles and to enhance flexibility.  The pressure and placement of the stones makes the person feel grounded and secure. The radiating heat, into even the deepest of muscles, promotes a feeling of well being and relaxation of the mind.  The heat from the stones helps to regulate blood flow. It also helps to rid the muscles of toxic waste products, which build up from stress and bad lifestyle habits. Stiff joints benefit from the penetrating heat, making this an excellent choice after exercise or any physical work. Hot stone therapy is also used to help relieve stress, depression, PMT and is also effective for some skin disorders.

Somewhere between wakefulness and sleep is the state of consciousness that hypnotherapists tap into, forming a bridge between the mind and body in order to help you achieve desired changes of behaviour. It is helpful for those with stress and anxiety problems, unwanted habits, lack of confidence, relationship difficulties, neurotic behaviour, sex problems, phobias, migraine, etc.

A massage which unlocks daily tension and brings about an enjoyable sense of well-being. A range of techniques are used which cover the upper back, shoulders, neck, scalp, face, arms and hands. This massage can help to relieve many ailments including tension headaches, eyestrain, stress, anxiety, insomnia and neck and shoulder aches and pains.

A system of diagnosis and treatment that discovers what the body needs by means of muscle testing. It can also be used with animals and babies. Many illnesses such as Psoriasis, ME, Candida, PMS, Frozen Shoulder and Bronchitis have been known to respond to Kinesiology.

This is a gentle touch applied to the spinal reflexes in the feet, hands and head; releasing energy blockages and helping to bring about healing, both in a physical and psychological way. It is about transformation, from who you are now to who you can be. Metamorphic sessions are suitable for anyone, including those with cancer, pregnant women those with a disability, children and the elderly.

Nutritional Therapy examines the ways in which the food we eat affects our health. After taking a detailed health history, the therapist plans an individual programme that may include dietary changes, nutritional supplements and identifying food intolerances. Since “we are what we eat”, Nutritional Therapy can help most health problems, including IBS and other digestive disorders, many skin conditions, migraine, catarrh, asthma, MS, fatigue, candida, heart and circulation complaints, PMS and menopausal symptoms, and arthritis. It can support cancer patients by strengthening the immune system. It helps to prevent degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis and is an excellent preparation for pregnancy.

Treatment for M.E. Chronic Fatigue & Fibromyalgia

The Perrin Technique has been developed by an osteopath, Dr. Raymond Perrin, since 1989. It is a manual system of diagnosis and treatment that has proved effective in helping people with ME/CFS.

It has been tested in two separate clinical trials. The first examined the change in symptoms following a year of treatment. The second repeated the first study and used MRI scanning in order to examine further the possible mechanisms of improvement.

Perrin’s research has provided strong evidence that CFS/ME involves a disturbance of the drainage of toxins from the brain and muscles. These poisons often enter the body as viruses, bacteria, parasites etc, or as environmental toxins. Also some toxins are a product of an over stressed immune system, caused by constant physical and emotional stress.

In CFS/ME the drainage system for the toxins is compromised, leading to an excess of toxins in the brain and spinal cord – the central nervous system. With the central nervous system congested many of the different symptoms complained of by CFS/ME patients can readily occur.

The treatment aims to manually stimulate the drainage of the offending toxins from the central nervous system. This is achieved by gentle stroking movements at specific areas of the upper body, combined with gentle manual treatment to the cranium and spine. Together with relaxation of the surrounding muscles, the Perinn Technique eventually improves the health and function of the body as a whole.

A personal programme is tailored to suit you. An information pack, taking a detailed medical history, and a diagnosis are given to you at the consultation. This includes an examination of the spine, abdomen, head and the lymphatics of the thorax, which includes breast tissue. (A chaperone should attend the initial consultation. The first treatment includes teaching self massage excercises for use at home.

Pat Hughes has been personally trained by Dr. Perrin and is the only licensed practitioner offering The Perrin Technique in Leicester. Please contact Eastgate Centre for more information and look at The Perrin Clinic website: www.theperrinclinic.com

Podiatry involves the treatment of foot pain and other conditions. The conservative treatment may be the removal of pain-producing skin as a result of pressure. Podiatry also encompasses biomechanical assessment for the treatment of posture and gait changes and this often involves the manufacture of moulded supports to redistribute pressure and correct any movement of the feet, whether in-rolling or out-rolling.

Reflexology works on the principle that reflex points in the feet (and hands) correspond to every part of the body. By working on these points, blockages in the energy pathways are released, thereby promoting healing. The relaxation and release which accompany this treatment is beneficial to those with (and without) health problems in all age groups. Reflexology helps improve blood supply, clear toxins and revive energy allowing the body to restore itself to health and function correctly.

A system of healing of Japanese origin consisting of attuning to the Life Energy and the laying on of hands, enabling the body to regain it's inner balance whilst giving feelings of harmony and well-being. Reiki is a non-invasive, spiritual healing method which can benefit most conditions including depression, stress, ME, cuts and sores, asthma, aches and pains and arthritis.

Remedial Massage is a physical therapy and involves manipulation of the soft tissues of the body. It releases physical aches and pains, as well as emotions, which can be locked in the soft tissues. Massage is a deep therapy and works to correct imbalances caused by bad posture, injuries, back pain, lifestyle, stress and many other problematic conditions.

Originating from Japan, Shiatsu is a hands on healing therapy for treating both specific injuries and more general symptoms of poor health. The underlying philosophy is that vital energy flows through the body in channels, called meridians. If energy stops flowing freely it produces a symptom, Shiatsu helps to improve and restore the energy flow. Treatments are given fully clothed and use techniques such as gentle holding, pressing the meridians, joint rotation and stretches.
Shiatsu is both relaxing and energising. The treatment can be used for most health problems including back pain, headaches, joint pains, menstrual problems, sports injuries, depression and stress.

Clinical sports massage is a vigorous, deep form of massage to the soft tissues of the body. It encourages good muscle condition, circulation and flexibility, as well as helping prevent and heal injuries of everyday life. Very useful in treating pulled muscles, backache, joint stiffness, trapped nerves, sporting and non-sporting injuries.

Thai Herbal Compress Massage combines the healing effects of traditional Eastern massage techniques with heated herbal compresses. The compresses contain up to 20 traditional Thai herbs such as kaffir, lime, turmeric, camphor, lemongrass, prai, menthol, tamarind, to name but a few. The herbs are renowned for effects such as invigorating, purifying, relaxing, relief of tension and easing respiration. The deeply relaxing and penetrating heat from the compress soothes aching muscles whilst the essential oils released from the herbs are absorbed by the skin aiding the relaxation of muscles to allow joints to move more freely. They may also help soften, nourish and moisturize the skin, soothe skin irritation as well as brighten and tone the skin.