<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">Have you ever wondered what the difference is between Complementary, Holistic and Alternative Therapies? After all, are they not one and the same?</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To be perfectly honest, I'm not certain that there is a definitive answer, as the lines between all three merge on various levels. I can, however, share my thoughts</span></span>.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Complementary</span></span></strong></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">- <em>Definition</em></span></span>-<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Harmonizing, Balancing.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">As a Complementary Therapist</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">, I see my role as one that tries to work in harmony with more conventional medicine</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span style="font-size: small;">to provide a balanced approach to health and well being.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">I would never advocate</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> that any of my treatments offer a 'Cure' neither would I offer them as an 'Alternative' to conventional medicine. I do, however, believe that they can help to reduce symptoms of stress and stress related diseases. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I use an holistic approach, taking into account the physical, emotional, spiritual and social aspects of my clients day to day lives. In addition to the treatments I also offer advice on diet, exercise and will refer clients back to their General Practitioner or other Health Care Practitioner as necessary</span></span>.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Treatments include:</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Massage (all variations), Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Hot Stone Therapy, Reiki Healing,&nbsp; Chakra Balancing, Meditation and Hopi Ear Candleing (Thermo-Auricular Therapy) plus many more.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Holistic </span></span></strong></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">- <em>Definition-</em> To consider/analyse all&nbsp; physical, mental and social factors when treating illness.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The differences between Holistic and Complementary Therapy are probably the hardest to define as they both consider the person as a whole including their lifestyle. They carry out the same treatments and have a similar ethos. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To my mind, the real difference here is a matter of personal choice by the therapist as to how they see themselves. Treatments that are likely to be offered by both types of therapist include:</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Massage (all variations), Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Hot Stone Therapy, Reiki Healing, Spiritual Healing, Chakra Balancing, Meditation, Yoga and Hopi Ear Candleing (Thermo-Auricular Therapy) to name but a few.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Alternative </strong></span>- <em>Definition- </em></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">something different from, and able to serve as a substitute for, something else.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Possibly the most controvertial of the three titles. It certainly appears to be the the one bannded about by the press and not often in a good light.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's thanks to this sort of negative publicity that, rightly or wrongly, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">therapists who place themselves in this catagory, are often seen by the general public as standing opposed to conventional medicine, offering alternative treatments for a variety of medical conditions.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am sure that on the whole this is not the case, that they also provide an holistic approach to their treatments and would work in conjunction with conventional medicine as necessary.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Treatments that I would associate with this catagory would include:</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Accupuncture, Moxibustion, Hypnotherapy, Herbalism, Chinese Medicine and Osteopathy et al.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The treatments themselves do little to clarify differences, whilst some definately belong to solely to one group or another, many of them will sit quite comfortably within all three therapy roles. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As indicated previously, it would appear to be a matter of personal choice on how we, as therapists, wish to be defined.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://www.laurieclayton.com/index.html" title="Laurie Clayton.com">http://www.laurieclayton.com/index.html</a><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p> <p> <script src="http://ws.amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;MarketPlace=GB&amp;ID=V20070822/GB/httpwwwwritel-21/8001/37abaf93-020c-466d-b51c-622692f7cfca" type="text/javascript"></script> <a href="http://ws.amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;MarketPlace=GB&amp;ID=V20070822%2FGB%2Fhttpwwwwritel-21%2F8001%2F37abaf93-020c-466d-b51c-622692f7cfca&amp;Operation=NoScript">Amazon.co.uk Widgets</a></p>

<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><br /> In the not so distant past,&nbsp; the majority of Complementary Therapies were generally seen either as luxury pamper sessions for the idle rich, or considered to be nothing short of hocus pocus carried out by Charlatans who's only interest was to relieve you of your hard earned money.&nbsp; </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Today, however, they are viewed more favourably as an essential part of everyday living. Accessed by those looking for an aid to induce relaxation and reduce the often self imposed stress created by the increased pace of modern life, without resorting to prescribed medications.<br /></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">The link between stress and stress related diseases, such as Insommnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Headaches and Migraines etc. has been well documented. Some General Practioners will now refer patients for a specific therapy, having recognised the benefits of receiving either a course of treatment or a regular therapy session. A few G.P.Practices even offer Complementary Therapies.<br /></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whilst many stress related diseases have a medical aetiology, any stress caused by external forces, such as work, berevement, deadlines etc. have been shown to exacerbate the diseases symptoms</span></span>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In an age where everything has to be done 'Yesterday', many people fail to find the necessary 'Down time' that our bodies require to heal or relax. Whilst a small amount of stress is considered to be healthy, excessive and prolongued stress becomes harmful. <br /></span></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is where Complementary Therapies come into there own. By facilitating an hour or more of uninterupted relaxation,&nbsp; the client is able to unwind and recharge. When done on a regular basis, most clients feel more relaxed and able to cope with their daily routines and demands, thereby reducing their stress levels.&nbsp;</span></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whilst Complementary Therapies may not be for everyone, for those who choose to follow a more natural method of relaxation, they would appear to work. Whether is is due to the therapy itself, the clients belief that they work or a combination of both, remains open for disscussion. The main point is if it works for you, then it has to be a better option than 'Poppin pills,' surely?<br /></span></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></p> <p> <script src="http://ws.amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;MarketPlace=GB&amp;ID=V20070822/GB/httpwwwwritel-21/8001/6b49777b-5801-4f30-83c9-b82b75669aba" type="text/javascript"></script> <a href="http://ws.amazon.co.uk/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;MarketPlace=GB&amp;ID=V20070822%2FGB%2Fhttpwwwwritel-21%2F8001%2F6b49777b-5801-4f30-83c9-b82b75669aba&amp;Operation=NoScript">Amazon.co.uk Widgets</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.laurieclayton.com/index.html" title="Laurie Clayton.com">http://www.laurieclayton.com/index.html</a></p>