The Therapy Book

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(1)The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. 0.

(2) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. Copyright © 2009 by John Board. All rights reserved. No portion of this e-book, except for brief review, may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise — without written permission of the author, John Board.. Published by Gill Harley Ltd March 2010. . 1.

(3) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. Contents Contents Preface Introduction The therapeutic effect Important information. A-Z of therapies How to find your way around this book. 9 12 . 13 13 . 14 . A Actinotherapy Acupressure Acupuncture Acutonics Adventure Therapy Alexander Technique Amatsu Therapy Animal Assisted Therapy Antiretroviral Therapy Apitherapy / Bee Venom Therapy Aromatherapy Art Therapy Attachment Therapy Aura Therapy Aura-Soma Auriculotherapy Australian Flower Essences Therapy Authentic Movement Therapy Autogenics Aversion Therapy Ayurvedic Medicine. 14 15 16 18 20 22 23 25 26 27 29 30 32 34 35 36 37 39 40 41 43 . 45 . B Bach Flower Remedies and Flower Essence Therapy Bates Method Behaviour Therapy Biofeedback Therapy Biorhythms Therapy Bowen Technique Brachytherapy Breathwork and Holotropic Breathwork Therapy. 45 46 48 49 50 52 53 55 . 57 . C Chakra Balancing Chelation Therapy 2. 2 8 9 . 57 58 .

(4) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy Chemotherapy Chinese Herbal Medicine Chiropractic Therapy Cognitive Analytic Therapy Cognitive Therapy Coherence Therapy Colloidal Silver Therapy Colon Hydrotherapy or Colonic Irrigation Colour Therapy Conversion Therapy Counselling Therapy Cranio-Sacral Therapy Crystal Therapy Cupping Therapy. 81 . D Dance Therapy Deep Tissue Bodywork Therapy Destruction Therapy Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Diathermy Therapy Distance Healing Therapy Diversional Therapy Dream Therapy Drug Therapy Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. 81 82 83 85 86 87 88 90 91 93 . 95 . E Ear Candling (Hopi) Therapy Electroconvulsive Therapy Electrotherapy EMDR Therapy Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Energy Medicine Enzyme Therapy Equine Assisted Therapy Existential Therapy Expressive Therapy. 95 96 98 100 101 102 104 105 106 108 . 109 . F Family Therapy The Feldenkrais Method. 109 110 . 112 . G Gerson Therapy Gestalt Therapy Grief Therapy Group Therapy Gua Sha Therapy Guided Imagery Therapy Gyrotonic Therapy 3. 59 61 63 64 66 67 68 70 71 73 74 76 77 79 . 112 113 115 116 117 118 120 .

(5) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. 122 . H Hair Analysis Therapy Hakomi Therapy Hawaiian or Lomi Lomi Massage Therapy Heliotherapy Helminthic Therapy Herbal Medicine Hippotherapy Holistic Medicine Homeopathy Hormone Replacement Therapy Humour Therapy Hydrotherapy Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy HypnoBirthing Hypnotherapy. 146 . I Immunosuppressive Therapy Immunotherapy Indian Head Massage Information Therapy Infra-red Therapy Interpersonal Psychotherapy Iridology Isopathy IV Therapy. 146 147 149 150 151 153 154 156 157 . 159 . J Jin Shin Do Jin Shin Jyutsu Journaling Therapy Juice Therapy. 159 160 161 163 . 165 . K Kinesiology Kirlian Photography Korean Hand Acupuncture. 165 166 168 . 170 . L Laser Therapy Life Coaching Light Therapy Light Touch Therapy Live Blood Microscopy Logotherapy Lymphatic Massage. 170 171 173 175 176 177 179 . 181 . M Magnet Therapy Manual Therapy Marma Therapy 4. 122 123 125 126 127 129 131 133 134 135 138 139 140 142 143 . 181 182 183 .

(6) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy Martial Arts Therapy Massage Therapy Matrix Energetics Medical Herbalism Meditation Therapy Mega-Vitamin Therapy Meridian Therapy Mesotherapy Meta-Aromatherapy Metamorphic Technique Microwave Resonance Therapy Molecular Reform Therapy Morita Therapy Moxibustion Therapy Multimodal Therapy Music Therapy Myofascial Release. 208 . N Narrative Therapy Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy Naturopathy Neuro Cranial Reconstruction Therapy Neuro Emotional Technique Neuro Linguistic Programming Neurofeedback Therapy Neuromodulation Technique Nutritional Therapy. 208 209 211 212 214 215 216 218 219 . 221 . O Occupational Therapy Ortho-Bionomy Therapy Osteopathy Oxygen Therapy. 221 222 224 225 . 227 . P Panchakarma Therapy Past Life Regression Therapy Phage Therapy Photo Therapy Photodynamic Therapy Physical Manipulation Therapy Physical Medicine Physiotherapy Phytotherapy Pilates PIP Scans Play Therapy Polarity Therapy Pranic Healing Therapy Primal Therapy 5. 185 186 188 189 190 191 193 194 195 197 198 199 201 202 204 205 206 . 227 228 230 232 233 235 236 237 239 240 241 243 244 246 247 .

(7) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy Prolotherapy Provocative Therapy Psychic Therapy Psychosocial Interventions Therapy Psychotherapy Pulmonary Therapy. 257 . Q Qigong Quantum Touch Therapy. 257 258 . 260 . R Radiation Therapy or Radiotherapy Radionic Diagnosis Rapid Eye Therapy Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy Reality Therapy Rebirthing Therapy Reconnective Healing Therapy Recreational Therapy Reflexology Reiki Reparative Therapy Respiratory Therapy Retail Therapy Reverse Therapy Rolfing Therapy. 260 262 263 264 266 267 269 270 272 273 275 276 277 278 279 . 281 . S Sandplay and Sand Tray Therapy Seitai Sex Therapy Shamanic Healing Shen Therapy Shiatsu Shock Therapy Sociotherapy Sonopuncture Sound Therapy Speech Therapy Stress Management Therapy Structural Energetic Therapy Swimming Therapy Systemic Therapy. 281 282 283 285 287 288 290 291 292 293 295 296 298 299 301 . 302 . T Tantric Massage Therapy TENS Therapy Therapeutic Touch Therapy Thermotherapy Theta Healing Thought Field Therapy (TFT) 6. 249 250 251 253 254 255 . 302 303 305 306 308 309 .

(8) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy Thrombolytic Therapy Time Line Therapy Tongue and Pulse Diagnosis Traditional Chinese Medicine Trager Approach Transcendental Meditation Transpersonal Therapy Trigger Point Therapy Tui Na. 325 . U Unconditional Positive Regard. 325 . 327 . V Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy Vibrational Healing Therapy Visceral Manipulation Therapy Visualisation Therapy. 327 328 329 331 . 333 . W Watsu. 333 . 335 336 . X Y Yoga Yuen Method. 336 338 . 340 . Z Zero Balancing. Glossary. 7. 311 312 313 315 316 318 320 321 323 . 340 . 342 .

(9) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. Preface Why I wrote this book As a practising hypnotherapist, I always have the client’s welfare at the forefront of my mind. And if I feel that the type of therapy that I’m offering may not be the best one for them or their condition, then I always let them know. But it’s not always easy to tell this to a client … especially if I don’t know what to recommend instead. So rather than just saying ‘sorry’ and showing them the door — leaving them frustrated and wondering in which direction to turn — I felt that I needed to have a complete “toolkit” of other possible therapies. That way, I could recommend a more suitable therapy for them. How I wrote this book That’s when I started to search for comprehensive and unbiased information on other therapies. But, at first, my search was quite futile. All I could find was a handful of the well known therapies, but not much else was easily available. So my mission began, starting alphabetically from A to Z. Hours of research turned into weeks and weeks, and the more I searched, the more diverse were the therapies I found. Then, as I gathered information about each therapy, I began to format it under these different headings, to help me find what I was looking for more easily and quickly: • • • • • •. what the therapy is how the therapy works what the therapy can be used for whether it is an effective form of therapy whether there are any known side effects to the therapy where I could seek further information regarding the therapy. Thus I now had a stockpile of some fascinating information which not only proved to be educational, but also extremely enlightening. In fact, it gradually dawned on me, what I had unwittingly written was a book. It’s a therapy handbook for the therapist, yes. But this is also a book for the layman who needs to find out about which possible therapies are available, and how effective they are deemed to be. Important information So if you do find a therapy in this book that you think may be the solution to a health problem you’ve been experiencing, I’m pleased to have been of service. But it is important that you discuss it with your doctor first, before undertaking any course of treatment. John Board, DipCAH PNLP C.HT. TheTherapy Book 8.

(10) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. Introduction The therapeutic effect ‘Therapy’ — this one word means so many different things to different people around the world. For some it may refer to ancient practises that have been used for thousands of years, while for others it refers to the newest procedures with a strong founding in modern scientific and medical knowledge. Whatever it conjures in your mind, the intention of therapy is to provide treatment, remedy or cure for a health problem. This could be a disease, a skeletal problem, a muscular problem, a mental problem or indeed anything else that affects the human body. There are literally hundreds of different therapies being practiced around the world and new forms of therapy are being discovered or developed on a frequent basis. Within the Western world, these therapies usually fit into one or two categories: conventional, alternative and/or complementary. What is conventional therapy? Conventional, or medical, therapies are just that – conventional. They are the norm and have been tried and tested through rigorous research and study, and improved with time as technology has progressed. Conventional therapies are those that would usually be recommended by your doctor and generally speaking, they would be covered by the NHS or private medical insurance as a recognised form of treatment. Examples of therapies that are considered to be conventional include chemotherapy, psychotherapy, radiation therapy and speech therapy, to name just a few. Even with some of these, though, there are grey areas. Psychotherapy in general is considered to be an important and effective form of therapy. Yet there are some branches of psychotherapy that are actually considered to be unconventional and alternative. However, it should be pointed out that just because a therapy is considered to be unconventional and alternative does not necessarily mean that it is ineffective, doesn’t work and should be avoided at all costs. What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine? ‘Complementary and Alternative Therapy or Medicine’ (also commonly known as CAM) can include hundreds of therapies which are a little less mainstream than those above. Often, though not always, these therapies are debunked by conventional Western medical practitioners, due to lack of reliable research as to their efficacy. However, CAM can include therapies which have been used for thousands of years by other nations and cultures and are still used in everyday life today – Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medicine are excellent examples of this. 9.

(11) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. Ayurveda (or ayurvedic medicine) is a complete medical system that is still used today on the Indian subcontinent, though not just as an alternative or complementary medicine; this is used in modern hospitals often as the primary health care system. Although some elements of ayurvedic medicine are becoming more commonplace in the Western world, it has not as yet benefited from the research necessary to make this a fully-fledged and recognised form of therapy here. The same can be said for Traditional Chinese Medicine (or TCM). Having been used for thousands of years in China, many of these therapies are now finding their way into the Western world. And although they are, on the whole, considered to be alternative, it is surprising just how many TCM therapies are now quite commonplace and are becoming considered to be more complementary. Acupuncture is a very good example of this. So the examples above highlight the fact that just because a therapy is considered to be alternative or complementary in the Western world, it does not necessarily mean it doesn’t work. It may just be a little different from the norm, or it may be considered alternative simply because it is a new form of therapy and substantial independent testing has not yet taken place. This should not mean that everything labelled as ‘alternative’ or ‘complementary’ should be ignored. On the contrary, sometimes alternative therapies have cured or relieved conditions where other, more conventional methods have failed. In these cases, the ‘therapeutic effect’ has been very good. What is ‘the therapeutic effect’? A therapeutic effect is a positive consequence produced as a result of any kind of medical treatment. So for example, it could be the lessening of pain and other symptoms or, in the best-case scenario, a complete cure. This is in contrast to a side effect (and hence negative consequence), which may often be experienced in addition to relief, causing undesirable results. With conventional therapies, both the therapeutic effect and the side effect will be well documented and hence the consequences of the therapy will be expected and explained to the patient before therapy commences. However, because many ‘alternative’ and complementary therapies have not been thoroughly tested within the Western world, often the therapeutic effects and the side effects are not well documented. This means there is reluctance to try some alternative therapies and because the therapy may not be very popular, the time and expense required to thoroughly test them will not be given, resulting in a vicious circle. Alternative therapies will always remain ‘alternative’ if there is no effort to prove whether or not they work. Frequently, therapeutic effects resulting from alternative therapies are simply declared by conventional medical practitioners to be a result of the placebo effect. This suggests that the therapy itself is useless and ineffective for what it is intended, but that because the patient believes they are receiving effective treatment they actually benefit from it anyway, in a sort of psychosomatic response. 10.

(12) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. Having said this, it should also be appreciated that some alternative therapies may not work and patients do not feel any positive outcomes from them at all. But, for those patients who do experience positive outcomes it could be argued that whether the therapeutic effect experienced is real, or whether it has occurred as a result of the placebo effect, the patient has still benefited from it and hence the therapy should not be discounted. The main point is that any positive outcome from therapy, whether it is conventional or alternative therapy, should be considered to be advantageous, provided it is not at the cost of serious side effects or additional problems. Are these therapies safe? Many conventional and alternative therapies are perfectly safe and may produce only minor and short-lasting side effects. Because conventional therapies are well documented, these side effects should be expected and should not be dangerous. But this is not always as easy to judge with alternative therapies. For this reason, all patients seeking a practitioner for any type of therapy, whether it is conventional or alternative, should always first check that the therapy is safe, that any current health conditions they have will not be affected as a result of the therapy, and that the practitioner has the proper credentials in order to be administering the therapy. If all of these guidelines are followed, then both alternative and conventional therapies should be safe. In conclusion, although it should be appreciated that not all types of alternative therapy will be effective, there is no reason to suggest that all therapies grouped under the ‘alternative’ banner should not be considered. It is important to remember that all new types of therapy, whether they are developed in a medical setting or not, should be considered alternative until they have been thoroughly tested and until they have been accepted and are used frequently. Only then can a therapy be considered to be conventional, and hence all therapies will start life as ‘alternative’. Provided that a therapy is safe and that the side effects produced are minor, any therapy that results in therapeutic effect should be considered as a form of treatment and should be given credit as such. After all, only with new therapeutic developments will cures and treatments be found.. 11.

(13) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. Important information Please read this before continuing Many of the therapies in this book are what are known as complementary or alternative therapies, and often there is little or no scientific research to prove whether or not they are effective. In cases like these, the term often used is “no scientific evidence had been found” to determine their efficacy. However, the reader should know that, in many cases, the term “no scientific evidence has been found” also means “no scientific evidence has been looked for”. This is because it is a very expensive and time consuming process for a therapy or treatment to be put through and pass the battery of tests required by the various medical authorities before they will endorse it, which is why funding for these tests is usually derived from the pharmaceutical industry. But there is no vested interest for the pharmaceutical industry to fund an array of tests into complementary and alternative therapies when they are unlikely to profit from the results. In other words, the research and testing into most alternative or complementary therapies will probably not lead to the development of a new and profitable drug. And in fact, if the therapy is found to be effective, it may even lead people away from taking prescribed medicines. If people have been using a therapy for thousands of years, there’s a good chance that it has something to recommend it. Many such therapies are derived from the East and thus built on a completely different system of science which is not recognised by modern Western science. So please bear all of the above in mind when reading the term “no evidence has been found” throughout this book, and use your common sense. And the same goes for the term ‘pseudoscience’, which is often said of something that has not been proven by modern Western science. It does not necessarily mean that its proponents have tried to find scientific evidence for its efficacy and failed. Disclaimer However, nothing in this book is in any way prescriptive, and so you are advised before undertaking any course of treatment or therapy, of any kind, to always discuss it first with your doctor.. 12.

(14) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. A-Z of therapies Here you will find a comprehensive A-Z list of health therapies with explanations about what they are, how they work and how to get more information on them. Just click on the initial letter for the therapy you’re looking for.. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ How to find your way around this book It’s easy to navigate your way around The Therapy Book. You can either. To A-Z . Use the Blue button on the page to go back to the A-Z index of therapy articles.. Use the Back arrow button in your toolbar to go back to your previous view. If the Back button is not displayed, go to View>Toolbars>More Tools> and then check the box called Previous View in the Page Navigation Toolbar section.. Go back . 13. Or you can use the Green button on the page to go back to your previous view..

(15) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. A Actinotherapy What is actinotherapy? Actinotherapy is a type of medical therapy, and it is a general term that may be used to describe, or in place of, other terms that include radiation therapy and photodynamic therapy. The exact definition of actinotherapy can be as simple as the therapeutic use of ultraviolet light. Or it can mean the treatment of disease (especially cancer) by exposure to radiation from a radioactive substance. How does actinotherapy work? How actinotherapy works depends upon exactly which form of the therapy is being used. Please see the individual entries for radiation therapy and photodynamic therapy for further information. What can actinotherapy be used for? As stated above, in general terms, actinotherapy is used for the treatment of disease and most commonly for the treatment of cancer. Is actinotherapy an effective form of therapy? Please see the individual entries for information on the effectiveness of actinotherapy. Are there any known side effects with actinotherapy? As above, please see the individual entries for information on the side effects of actinotherapy. Where can you find further information on actinotherapy? As above, please see the individual entries for further information on actinotherapy.. To A-Z . 14.

(16) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. Acupressure What is acupressure? Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that uses the same principles as acupuncture. But instead of inserting needles at points around the body, pressure is applied by hand or via a variety of different devices. Acupressure has been commonly used in Asia for several thousand years, and like acupuncture, is only recently becoming accepted as a therapeutic treatment in the West. How does acupressure work? According to traditional Chinese medicine, we all have an energy flowing through our bodies and this is referred to as our Qi or Chi. When we become injured or suffer an emotional event, this energy flow can be interrupted, in turn leading to long-term health issues. By using pressure on the designated acupoints of the body, this energy can again flow freely, resulting in aided blood flow and therefore assisting the body’s natural healing processes. This also results in encouraging a general wellbeing. The body’s energy circulates via a series of channels, called meridians, which connect the various acupoints. There are known to be 20 meridians and about 400 acupoints and often, the point at which the acupressure is applied may be nowhere near the point of the injury. What can acupressure be used for? Acupressure can be used as an aid, or to stop, literally hundreds of different conditions. In addition to promoting a general wellbeing, acupressure can be used for physical conditions such as a massage therapy: to relieve muscular tension, to stop headaches, stiff necks and backaches. It can be used to counteract the effects of hay fever, for example, and to stop feelings of vertigo or to reduce insomnia. Acupressure also aids with numerous emotional conditions, such as resolving anger, dispelling fear, healing the body of the effects of grief, improving concentration and making you less sensitive to what others think of you. Is acupressure an effective form of therapy? At present, there have not been enough clinical evaluations to determine whether or not acupressure is an effective form of therapy. Beyond the assumption that acupressure therapy acts as a placebo (i.e. that a change in symptoms which occur as a result of acupressure therapy are based on the power of suggestion alone), there is no scientific proof that this therapy works. However, when you consider for how many thousands of years acupressure has been used in Asia, you would assume that there must be some benefits to this therapy.. 15.

(17) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy Are there any known side effects with acupressure? There are no recorded side effects as such, just recommendations as to who and who should not use acupressure. This includes pregnant women and people with a heart condition, and therapy should not take place just before or within 20 minutes of completing heavy exercise, bathing or consuming a large meal. It should also not be relied upon as the sole form of treatment if you are ill and should not be used at an acupoint where you have a mole, bruise, cut, varicose vein or any break in the skin. One advantage with acupressure is that you can fairly easily apply the therapy to yourself as you don’t need any special tools or training to do so. However, this should be done with caution and any warnings described along with the various acupoint treatments should be heeded. Where can you find further information on acupressure? Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation. To A-Z Go back . Acupuncture What is acupuncture? Acupuncture is a Western term which means “puncturing with needles”. It involves inserting needles into the patient and manipulating them, at any of the 360 or so points around the body. The needles are far smaller than those used for giving injections, as they do not need to be hollow and the lengths vary with the type of treatment. The origins of acupuncture can be traced back as far as 4,000 years, and it is thought to have begun in China where the ancient practice of this therapy is known as classical Chinese acupuncture. Medical doctors in China have been commonly using acupuncture in hospitals for about the last 50 years, and although this form of the therapy is referred to as a traditional Chinese medicine, it is actually a modernised form of the ancient therapy. Over the last few decades in particular, there has been much interest in acupuncture in the Western world. So much so that a Western form, called medical acupuncture, 16.

(18) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy has been developed and introduced. This form practiced by Western doctors is more simplified and it’s not necessary for them to first study the traditional theories and techniques as is based on scientific method. How does acupuncture work? The traditional Chinese medicine and classical Chinese acupuncture methods are based on the principle that a person’s health is a balance of yin and yang – two opposing but complementary forces: Yin represents the blood and yang represents a person’s vital energy, known as Qi or Chi. In order for these two to function in harmony, acupuncture serves to encourage the free-flow, or regulate the flow, of both where required. In Chinese treatments, the needles — which are called filiform needles — are inserted at points of the body that follow the fourteen channels, or meridians, using the traditionally identified acupuncture points. In Western medical acupuncture, treatments are based on the scientific method, using medical knowledge of the body and how our physiology and biochemistry are affected by the needles. Medical acupuncture therefore has no reference at all to either the acupuncture points or meridians used in the Chinese therapies. What can acupuncture be used for? In China, the most common use of acupuncture today is as an alternative to anaesthetics during surgery. When inserted at certain points around the body, the needle serves to block out the pain that would otherwise be felt at the point of surgery. This is of course very beneficial to patients who might otherwise be at risk under anaesthetic. Chinese doctors also find acupuncture useful for the treatment of some types of heart disease, and for treating high blood pressure, as well as appendicitis and asthma. In the Western world, acupuncture is recognised as a complementary therapy to various conditions, such as acute and chronic pain, anorexia, constipation and diarrhoea, headache and muscle spasms to name a few. The World Health Organisation has actually listed around 40 conditions that can be successfully treated with acupuncture. Is acupuncture an effective form of therapy? Opinion is divided as to the effectiveness of acupuncture, be it the traditional Chinese medicine form or medical acupuncture form, and there are criticisms of both. When you consider the fact that this has been a therapy used in China for thousands of years, you would assume that it must be an effective form of treatment. And whilst there have been preliminary trials to find out the overall effectiveness of acupuncture, Western understanding of the Chinese-used acupuncture points is still very inadequate.. 17.

(19) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy Trials have shown that acupuncture might be an effective therapy for preventing nausea and possibly neck pain and headache. But there is far too little evidence to support claims that it can help stop people smoking. Are there any known side effects with acupuncture? Small effects such as minor bleeding and dizziness are the most common side effects, though if you have acupuncture therapy with a reputable practitioner who follows the usual safety guidelines you would expect to find in the Western world you should not be at risk. However, you should be aware of the injuries that could occur from improper insertion of the needles, which include: • • • • • •. brain damage kidney damage nerve injury piercing the lung or heart and pregnancy termination stroke. But if you have a qualified practitioner, these would be extremely unlikely to happen. Where can you find further information on acupuncture? The British Acupuncture Council The British Medical Acupuncture Society American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. To A-Z Go back . Acutonics What is Acutonics? Acutonics is a form of alternative therapy that was developed by Donna Carey and Marjorie de Muynck who have been working together on this since 1995. When compared to many of the ancient traditional Chinese medicine therapies, on which this is partly based, this is a very new form of alternative therapy.. 18.

(20) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy Acutonics is non-invasive and is said to be a powerful form of re-harmonising the body’s energy field via the application of sound and vibration. This sound and vibration is applied by using specially designed tuning forks that are then custommade using space grade aluminium. Acutonics is the trademarked name of a form of therapy more generally known as sonopuncture therapy. How does Acutonics work? Acutonics uses the energy points identified by Oriental medicine, much like acupuncture does. But instead of inserting needles, this form of therapy is noninvasive and uses sound and vibration only. The founders of Acutonics linked the power of music and sound to the healing and general well-being of the body — a premise that goes back thousands of years. The special tuning forks are struck on an ‘activator’ and then placed on the relevant part of the body or may be held near the ears. Because of the ability for sound waves and vibration to penetrate deep into the body, it is said that Acutonics can be more effective than traditional medicine at reaching difficult to get to places inside the body. This in itself would suggest that this form of therapy is far safer than any type of invasive treatment. The sound waves then result in stimulating the body’s energy field and hence promoting both healing and inner well-being, which is said to be vital to a person’s overall well-being. What can Acutonics be used for? Comparable to many other similar therapies, Acutonics can be used as a general tool to aid the body’s spirit. It has also been used to treat a number of other ailments, very differing in type, such as: respiratory, gynaecological, musculo-skeletal, urogenital, gastrointestinal, emotional and psychological, in addition to many other chronic and debilitating conditions. Is Acutonics an effective form of therapy? From a scientific and wholly conventional medical viewpoint, there is nothing to suggest that Acutonics would be an effective form of therapy. As a relatively new form of therapy, little or no proper scientific testing has taken place to prove or disprove whether this works and the medical world remains sceptical. However, there are known to be hundreds of case studies made available to the general public by the Kairos Institute of Sound Healing. These describe actual cases where Acutonics has been effectively used as a form of therapy to treat various ailments. So this in itself suggests that there must be some positive effects from an Acutonics treatment. Are there any known side effects with Acutonics? Acutonics is a painless process as there is very little contact and nothing invasive about it, so it can therefore be useful at points around the body where acupuncture for example might be risky. 19.

(21) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. There is no evidence to suggest that there are any side effects with Acutonics therapy. Where can you find further information on Acutonics? Wikipedia entry on sonopuncture Kairos Institute of Sound Therapy. To A-Z Go back . Adventure Therapy What is adventure therapy? Basically speaking, adventure therapy is a form of therapy that puts both adults and/or children into situations where there is a certain element of perceived risk, though within a safe environment. The intention of adventure therapy is to build the participants self-esteem, to encourage cooperative games, problem-solving, trust building and team building, by introducing them to particular environments that should elicit a certain type of reaction and behaviour. Adventure therapy can take the form of wilderness expeditions, adventure-based outings and long term residential camping. How does adventure therapy work? Since the 1930s, there have been camping programmes aimed at ‘troubled’ youths, as organisers have realised the potential of presenting the individual to an environment very different to what they are used to. By giving the individual the perception that there is a risk of danger if they do not work together, the individual will come to trust and rely on the other people around them. When the danger is passed and the task is complete, self-esteem and team building results from it. The idea behind this form of therapy provided to troubled adolescents of today works in the same way. It has the benefit of the individual being relatively confined (in that they are in the middle of nowhere and hence have nowhere to escape to) and therefore can be easily observed.. 20.

(22) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy What can adventure therapy be used for? One of the most prevalent uses for adventure therapy is for adolescent behavioural issues, for the reasons mentioned above. In addition, adventure therapy can be very useful for aiding adolescents who have either a drug or drink addiction, again because they can be closely observed and would have no way or sourcing either drink or drugs where they are. Various types of adventure therapy are also very useful for children who are generally disadvantaged, whether this is for financial reasons or because they have a disability. Adventure therapy can work particularly well for these groups because of the increase in self-esteem they usually experience. Finally, to a certain extent, adventure therapy can be used by companies for their employees, particularly for team building, though this is not as common. Is adventure therapy an effective form of therapy? There have been some studies into the effectiveness of adventure therapy, though these were not really taken far enough to reach a definitive conclusion. There is a certain amount of ‘theory’ behind adventure therapy, but this in itself has been questioned. However, the many positive outcomes that have occurred following individuals participating in adventure therapy would tend to suggest that it is effective. The problem is that its critics want proof as to ‘how’ it is effective i.e. how it actually works. Are there any known side effects with adventure therapy? As with most outdoor activities, there is always a certain amount of risk involved, and risk is inherent with this kind of therapy in that the whole point is that you’re put in a situation of perceived danger. However, danger should only be perceived and not actually likely to result in any harm, because there are very strict parameters put in place and everything is done in a ‘safe’ environment. Having said that, accidents can happen, though the number of incidents reported as a result of adventure therapy is very low indeed. Before considering sending a child on an adventure therapy course, you should carefully investigate the company and make sure that they are reputable and have all the correct safety guidelines in place. Where can you find further information on adventure therapy? Wikipedia entry on adventure therapy Power to Be Adventure Therapy Society (Canadian based). To A-Z . 21.

(23) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. Alexander Technique What is the Alexander Technique? The Alexander Technique was developed by F. Matthias Alexander between 1890 and 1900. Alexander was experiencing vocal problems which doctors had told him were not the effect of any medical condition, so he set about trying to find the cause himself. When studying himself in the mirror prior to talking, he noticed that his body would tense up, and hence have an effect on his vocal chords. By realising that this was the problem, he then spent the next eight years training his body to react differently, and thereby breaking the habit that he had grown into, and eventually restoring his voice to what it used to be. How does the Alexander Technique work? The Alexander Technique works by re-educating us both physically and mentally to do common every day things differently and therefore reducing the amount of unnecessary tension experienced by our bodies. By breaking particular habits that we’re not even aware that we have got into, such as bad posture, i.e. the way we sit or stand, we can alleviate strains that we are putting on our bodies. By receiving instruction from a teacher who is trained to know what to look for, you can begin to enhance your personal performance in many ways. The idea is that once you have received the instruction and are aware of your problems, you can continue to help yourself in every day life. What can the Alexander Technique be used for? The Alexander Technique is stated to be useful for a large variety of people whether they have known problems or not. One of the most common uses is for posture-related pain, such as back and neck pain caused by bad posture. In addition, it is used by athletes to improve both breathing and for getting maximum results for minimum effort. Performers use it to improve poise and voice and people also use it for help with breathing difficulties; for improved self-reliance and wellbeing; during pregnancies to cope with the change in body shape and preparing for a stress-free birth; and in the workplace for understanding effective workplace set-up. Is the Alexander Technique an effective form of therapy? Many subjects of the Alexander Technique will testify as to the effectiveness of the therapy, though in the medical world it is regarded as merely an optional extra to standard medical treatment and that it should not be used in place of medical treatment. However, the NHS (National Health Service – UK) do regard the Alexander Technique as a complementary treatment to such things as repetitive strain injury, 22.

(24) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy back problems, stuttering and posture and balance problems, to name a few. But its effectiveness has not been thoroughly researched. And the limited research that has been conducted has generally shown that whilst there has been some improvement with the patient, this was not totally conclusive. Are there are known side effects with the Alexander Technique? The first drawback with the Alexander Technique is the length of time it can take to ‘learn’. Commonly between 20 and 40 lessons may be required to reach a desired effect, which is obviously time-consuming and those learning may become bored or demoralised with this. The therapy cannot be used to change structural deformities, but only help the patient in the way in which they compensate for these and hence aid movement. Generally there are no side effects, bar one, which is very rare – occasionally the subject or patient may find that by undoing one habit they are opening old emotional wounds that they came to terms with by developing the habit in the first place. This could then potentially lead to the requirement for further treatment, sometimes medical. Where can you find further information on the Alexander Technique? The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (UK). To A-Z . Amatsu Therapy What is amatsu therapy? Amatsu has developed from an ancient Japanese therapy and is used to correct many musculo-skeletal problems, for pain management and for rehabilitation after injury. In addition it works to restore general health by addressing physical, emotional and nutritional stresses on the body. Its origins go back at least 3000 years, and the present form of amatsu practised today has only been adapted from the original form following advancements in knowledge of the human anatomy. Only since 1995 though, has the art of amatsu been shared with the Western world when Japanese tradition was broken, and there are now a growing number of trained practitioners here.. 23.

(25) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy How does amatsu therapy work? In a hands-on way, amatsu is a form of push, pull massage, working to realign joints. But practitioners also work with clients by giving nutritional guidance, stress management and postural management, in order to address the body as a whole. This is because amatsu is based on the five factors for health and harmony, called the Godai. These five factors are: physical (musculo-skeletal), emotional (mind), nutritional (food), energy (life force) and interaction within our environment. If the five factors of the Godai are balanced, the person will be well balanced, physically and mentally. What can amatsu therapy be used for? There are many problems which can be treated with amatsu, the most common of which are: back problems, headaches and migraines, sports injuries, sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome, sprains and strains and knee problems, to name a few. When used in conjunction with nutritional consultations, stress management and postural guidance, amatsu is capable of providing an all-encompassing therapy for the body, mind and soul. Is amatsu therapy an effective form of therapy? You would expect that a form of therapy that has been used for thousands of years must be effective. Added to this, the fact that amatsu has been adapted along with medical advancements would suggest that this is an effective form of therapy. Are there any known side effects with amatsu therapy? There are no known side effects with amatsu therapy, and it is in fact safe for people of all ages, from newborn babies to the elderly. Practitioners in the UK are specially trained over the course of two years and are members of the Amatsu Therapy Association (ATA). The ATA is regulated by the Institute for Complementary Medicine. Where can you find further information on amatsu therapy? Amatsu Therapy Association British School of Traditional Japanese Medicine – for amatsu courses. To A-Z . 24.

(26) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. Animal Assisted Therapy What is animal assisted therapy? Animal assisted therapy is a type of therapy that involves the use of animals as an essential part of the person’s treatment. Usually the animal in question will have been chosen because of their own characteristics, and matched to the person’s problem. Animals typically used are: dogs, cats, rabbits, lizards, elephants, birds, dolphins and other small animals. Horses are very commonly used for animal assisted therapy, though this has its own classification, under equine assisted therapy. How does animal assisted therapy work? As many pet owners will appreciate, owning a pet can be a very rewarding experience as well as providing companionship, physical comfort, the increased opportunity to meet others and instilling responsibility. Animal assisted therapy works by adopting these same principles. What can animal assisted therapy be used for? Animal assisted therapy is thought to be a useful tool for people with mental difficulties, including autism spectrum syndromes, people with behavioural problems or medical difficulties and to help promote a general emotional well-being. For people with physical issues, it can aid fine motor skills and balance, and is also a useful aid for both educational and motivational purposes by encouraging long or short-term memory, increasing vocabulary and improving a person’s interaction and involvements with others. Is animal assisted therapy an effective form of therapy? There seems to be no doubt as to the advantages of owning and looking after a pet or pets. Animal assisted therapy is a commonly used form of complementary therapy to treat a variety of emotional, physical and psychological problems, therefore there must be substantial advantages to this therapy. Some analysis has taken place, which has shown moderate improvement in subjects using animal assisted therapy, though more analysis is needed overall. Are there any known side effects with animal assisted therapy? There are no known detrimental side effects to animal assisted therapy, though there is the possibility of risk being involved, depending on the animal in question. Dolphin therapy for example, has been highly criticised, both for the possible dangers to the patient and to the dolphins themselves.. 25.

(27) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy Where can you find further information on animal assisted therapy? Wikipedia entry on animal assisted therapy A resource page from Psych-Net-UK. To A-Z . Antiretroviral Therapy What is antiretroviral therapy? Antiretroviral therapy is a form of treatment of infection by retroviruses, though it is most commonly associated with the treatment of HIV/AIDS. This therapy is also known as ‘Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy’, or HAART, when several (usually three or four) different antiretroviral drugs are taken in combination. Antiretroviral therapy is still a relatively new form of therapy for the treatment of HIV and AIDS and although it is somewhat readily available in developed countries, people in developing countries, where the number of those infected is highest, as yet do not have the access they should to this therapy. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is aiming to provide global access to antiretroviral therapy in order that all sufferers of HIV/AIDS are able to prolong their lives. How does antiretroviral therapy work? HIV/AIDS is a virus that attacks the host by replicating itself and by making the host’s immune system open to further attack by other viruses. What antiretroviral therapy does is to inhibit the replication of the HIV virus. Thus, when drugs are administered in combination (as with HAART), both the replication of the HIV virus and the destruction of the immune system can be slowed. There are different kinds and different combinations of antiretroviral drugs used in combination antiretroviral therapy, depending on what phase of the virus’s lifecycle the host is in. What can antiretroviral therapy be used for? Antiretroviral therapy can be used for the treatment of all retroviruses, though it is primarily used for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. Is antiretroviral therapy an effective form of therapy? First it should be noted that although antiretroviral therapy is a treatment for the HIV/AIDS virus it is not a cure and no cure currently exists for this virus. However, it 26.

(28) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy is recognised by health organisations around the world, including the WHO, that antiretroviral therapy is extremely important in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and that this therapy should be made available to all. As mentioned, it is not a cure for the disease, but it can help to slow the reproduction of the virus. By slowing the reproduction this in turn also limits the damage to the immune system and means that the host is less likely to become infected with other diseases. The result is a longer and better quality of life. Are there any known side effects with antiretroviral therapy? It is a very common problem for patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy to suffer from side effects, some of which can be serious, though these side effects do vary with the particular drugs and between patients. There is a long list of reported side effects with some of the common drugs, just a few of these include: abdominal pain, headache, hepatitis, liver failure, myopathy, nausea, pancreatitis, vomiting and xeroderma (dry skin). Where can you find further information on antiretroviral therapy? Avert – Introduction to HIV and AIDS treatment BBC News article “Many still denied HIV drug access”. WHO – Antiretroviral Therapy. To A-Z . Apitherapy / Bee Venom Therapy What is apitherapy and bee venom therapy? Apitherapy is the use of honeybee products for medicinal reasons, to heal or recover from a variety of illnesses. The products used can include honey, pollen, propolis (a resin-like substance used to seal small holes in the hive), royal jelly and bee venom. Apitherapy refers to the general use of bee products, whereas bee venom therapy includes only the use of bee venom. Apitherapy has been used for thousands of years, as it’s known that ancient civilisations appreciated the healing and health properties of honey in particular. Bee venom therapy is a far newer form of healing, its properties having been discovered in the late 1800s.. 27.

(29) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. How does apitherapy and bee venom therapy work? As mentioned above, the qualities of apitherapy in general have been appreciated for many thousands of years. But today, when the term apitherapy is used, it more commonly refers solely to bee venom therapy. Bee venom therapy works through the active components found within it. The most pungent of these is melittin, which is a very powerful anti-inflammatory substance. However, the venom as a whole contains many different proteins and peptides that would all work together to have a desired effect. Some effects may be neurotoxic or immunogenic – see ‘side effects’ below. What can apitherapy and bee venom therapy be used for? There are over 500 diseases and/or conditions that can be treated or prevented using apitherapy, according to apitherapy.com. These include allergies, cardiovascular diseases, blood diseases, neurology, dermatology and cancers. Bee venom therapy in particular is popularly linked with treatment for autoimmune diseases and multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as arthritis and tendonitis. Is apitherapy and bee venom therapy an effective form of therapy? There is little medical evidence on the effectiveness of apitherapy and bee venom therapy, although there have been a number of extensive studies performed over the years. One such study determined to show whether bee venom therapy does in fact have any positive effect on MS. But rather than prove the positive, many of the mice subjects actually experienced worsened conditions. Are there any known side effects with apitherapy and bee venom therapy? The most important side effect that you must be aware of is the potential for anaphylactic shock when using bee venom therapy. Anaphylactic shock is the body’s reaction to an allergen and can be fatal if not treated within minutes as the airways can be constricted. The problem with this is that you may be allergic to bee stings but not know. So any bee venom therapy should be taken with the utmost caution. Where can you find further information on apitherapy and bee venom therapy? Apitherapy.com Bees Online. To A-Z . 28.

(30) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. Aromatherapy What is aromatherapy? Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses essential oils and other aromatic compounds from a large variety of plants. Aromatherapy is a generally used term that covers a number of different traditions, including its use as a complementary medicine, and is widely recognised in the Western world. But despite origins that go back thousands of years, today’s interpretation of aromatherapy is very much a modernised version with the use of distilled plant volatiles, and is most popularly used for massage. How does aromatherapy work? Aromatherapy is commonly delivered in one of four different ways • • • •. aerial diffusion, for example burning oils to help fragrance a room direct inhalation to aid decongestion and respiration in vitro, via oral application, the rectum or the vagina topical application, as used in massages, therapeutic skin care, compresses or in baths. Aromatherapy can work in one of two ways. The first is the actual effect that the aroma has on the brain, especially the limbic system. The limbic system includes the functions of our emotions, behaviours and long-term memories. The second is the direct pharmacological effect, in other words, how the oils actually chemically affect the physical body. Different essential oils would affect different areas. What can aromatherapy be used for? As mentioned, probably the most common use for aromatherapy today is as an aid to massage. The use of different essential oils will stimulate or sensitise the skin, thereby increasing the muscular benefits which massage promotes. Aromatherapy oils are now commonly used for burning in homes, to serve as both a fragrance and for their benefits through inhalation. Users can choose which oils to burn depending on their current mood and emotions as many of the oils are relaxing. In France in particular, aromatherapy is regularly used alongside mainstream medicine for the assisting properties the essential oils provide with, for example, antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial treatments. Is aromatherapy an effective form of therapy? There has so far been insufficient scientific research to suggest that aromatherapy in general is an effective form of therapy. However, it is widely accepted that the. 29.

(31) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy scents, whether released directly as a part of aromatherapy or not, can have a direct effect on our brains and therefore help with relaxation and mood. There have been a limited number of studies as to the effectiveness of aromatherapy when administered in vitro, giving antibacterial and antiviral effects. As with many alternative therapies, aromatherapy is considered useful by the medical and scientific world only as a complementary therapy, as there is no proof that aromatherapy can actually cure any diseases. Are there any known side effects with aromatherapy? The key issues with aromatherapy usually occur when the essential oils come into direct contact with the skin and body. In their undiluted form, essential oils are very strong and can easily irritate the skin. Generally, oils should always be diluted when being applied topically, such as for massage. However, even in their diluted form you may be allergic to it and therefore the person applying the oil must always check first with a small amount of their diluted oil to see whether your skin is going to have an adverse reaction before starting the massage, so that they can choose a different oil if necessary. It is not recommended that you ingest essential oils because, again, these can have very adverse effects as some oils are highly toxic to your internal organs. For this reason, aromatherapy oils should always be kept out of the reach of children. Where can you find further information on aromatherapy? The Aromatherapy Council Website. To A-Z Go back . Art Therapy What is art therapy? Art therapy is a type of psychotherapy which is used so that the individual client or group can express themselves and their emotions through the use of various art materials. The expression of their art is the primary form of communication between the individual concerned and the art therapist and is hence very useful for people who have difficulty expressing themselves for whatever reasons. 30.

(32) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. The individuals, or clients, themselves are not expected to have had any previous artistic experience and are not expected to produce masterpieces. But the art therapist should be highly trained in this field and will usually have a degree in Art and have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Art Therapy. Art therapy has its roots in the early 1900s, when the first drawing assessment for psychological purposes was introduced. Further testing came into effect in the 1920s and again in the 1940s. How does art therapy work? Art therapy works in two ways: Firstly, it is used as a direct form of ‘therapy’ for the person involved — in that being creative and artistic can be both relaxing and satisfying, thereby promoting emotional well-being and mental health. Secondly, it is used as a form of communication. Art therapists are trained to recognise the messages being depicted, so that they can determine the clients underlying thoughts and feelings and help the client to have a better understanding of themselves. What can art therapy be used for? Art therapy is useful in a number of situations where the client would usually find it difficult to express themselves verbally, either because they do not have the mental capability, or because they have an emotional issue which makes it too painful to talk about, or they simply are not very good at expressing themselves. However, this is not always the case, because, as mentioned above, art can be useful as a form of therapy in its own right. Commonly, art therapists will work with clients who have learning difficulties, whether they are adults or children, for adult mental health reasons, within child and family centres, within the prison service and for palliative care. Is art therapy an effective form of therapy? Art therapy is effective in so far as it is recognised that by participating in a creative experience, clients will benefit from the positive effects of this. Unlike therapies which come under the ‘alternative therapies’ banner, it should be remembered that art therapy is a psychotherapy, which deals with emotions rather than trying to heal physical wounds. As such, art therapists are highly trained and have gained a recognised qualification and hence this in itself should be proof that this is an effective form of therapy. Are there any known side effects with art therapy? There are no side effects with art therapy.. 31.

(33) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy Where can you find further information on art therapy? The British Association of Art Therapies. To A-Z Go back . Attachment Therapy What is attachment therapy? Attachment therapy can refer to two quite different forms of therapy, both aimed primarily at children. One is complementary and controversial, whilst the other is far more mainstream and accepted within psychotherapy circles. It can be difficult to distinguish between the two, because there is some overlap in the names, which have been used to describe the therapies. The mainstream form of therapy has attempted to shy away from the ‘attachment therapy’ label because of the controversy surrounding this term, and because this term is not related to attachment theory in any way. Hence attachment therapy would usually refer to the following: Classed as a complementary and alternative medicine and used primarily with children who are suffering mental health issues, particularly relating to attachment. For the most part, this refers to children who have suffered the loss of a parent or primary caregiver and is commonly seen in those who have been fostered and/or adopted. However, this is a controversial form of therapy and is not practised in mainstream therapeutic settings. An alternative name for attachment therapy is ‘rebirthing therapy’. Please read the rebirthing therapy entry for further information on this and attachment therapy in general. The second type of attachment therapy is based on actual scientific study and attachment theory, and is hence a recognised and accepted form of psychotherapy. For the purpose of distinguishing between the two, we will call this ‘attachment based interventions therapy’, and this will be covered in more detail below.. 32.

(34) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy How does attachment based interventions therapy work? There are a number of different approaches to attachment based interventions therapy: The ‘Circle of Security’ is an educational programme aimed at parents and caregivers to educate them on psychotherapy interventions that can be used with children who are considered to be at risk of developing normal patterns of attachment. By educating the caregiver, the child is at a lesser risk of developing these problems. Along a similar line is ‘Attachment and Behavioural Catch-Up’ (or ABC). This is a training programme aimed chiefly at surrogate caregivers (i.e. foster parents) of infants and it educates the caregiver on providing nurturance. The New Orleans Intervention focuses on children under five who have been maltreated and subsequently placed in foster care and is practiced in the US state of Louisiana. What can attachment based interventions therapy be used for? Attachment based interventions therapy, as previously stated, is a type of therapy designed for children who have been placed into foster care and/or adopted. This may be following a separation from their birth parents, for whatever reason, and for treating the mental health issues (particularly related to attachment) which have arisen as a result. Is attachment based interventions therapy an effective form of therapy? There has been a great deal of study into the psychology behind attachment theory, and though there have been some setbacks caused by the bad name of attachment therapy, it is recognised that this is an effective and important form of therapy. Are there any known side effects with attachment based interventions therapy? There are no known side effects with attachment based interventions therapy. Where can you find further information on attachment based interventions therapy? Wikipedia entry on child psychotherapy Wikipedia entry on attachment theory About.com – an overview of attachment theory. To A-Z Go back . 33.

(35) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. Aura Therapy What is aura therapy? Aura therapy is a non-invasive healing technique, based on the belief that all humans have an aura or vital energy field. The colours that are identified in a person’s aura reveal what, if any, diseases are present. Although the origins of aura therapy are not know, there are references to it as long ago as 5,000 years, as ancient texts have made reference to auras as energy fields. How does aura therapy work? There are two major different types of aura therapy: aura colour therapy and Therapeutic Touch. Aura colour therapy involves directly trying to re-balance a person’s aura, so that the colours they radiate are those of a healthy person. A healthy person would have a very clear and distinct aura that should have all the seven colours of the rainbow. Once it is identified which colours are missing, these colours are introduced either by irradiating the person’s body with coloured lights or by placing coloured gemstones on the person’s body. Clients may also be advised to wear clothing of particular colours. Therapeutic Touch (TT) works on the principle that when a person is not healthy, their aura will have blockages that can be healed through the transfer of energy via the practitioner’s hands. The practitioner will identify, using his or her hands, where the blockages are. Although it is called therapeutic touch, there is no physical touching involved and the client would be fully clothed. (There is a separate entry on Therapeutic Touch that has further information on how this therapy works.) What can aura therapy be used for? Aura therapy, although described as being a ‘healing technique’, does not physically heal a person’s body. Instead, it aims to heal the damage or imbalances being caused to the person’s aura to bring the aura back into physical, emotional, mental and spiritual balance. Therefore, aura therapy is used more for the purpose of helping the client to feel well-being and peace, which can include feelings of ecstasy or spiritual transformation. Is aura therapy an effective form of therapy? As mentioned above, aura therapy is not a form of medical treatment and is not recognised as a valid form of therapy by the medical world. There have been no real scientific studies into the validity or efficacy of aura therapy or into the existence of a human energy field. It is considered a New Age treatment, and is fairly widely accepted in New Age circles. Are there any known side effects with aura therapy? There are no known side effects or precautions of aura therapy. 34.

(36) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy. Where can you find further information on aura therapy? Information specifically related to aura therapy in general is difficult to come by. You can find more information on Therapeutic Touch under its own entry.. To A-Z . Aura-Soma What is aura-soma? Aura-soma is categorised as an energy therapy that is chiefly based on colour and divination and the idea that colour itself is a universally understood language. Vicky Wall, a British pharmacist and chiropodist who claimed that she could see auras around people as well as around animals and plants, developed aura-soma. When she became blind, she retained this ability and started developing ‘equilibrium bottles’ which would become the centre of the aura-soma therapy. How does aura-soma work? Equilibrium bottles are small bottles that are filled with equal amounts of two different coloured liquids. The bottom half is a mixture of water and herbs, whilst the top half is essential oils, which by nature floats on top of the water. At present, there are 107 different equilibrium bottles available, of which four bottles are chosen by the client. Each bottle is symbolic of emotional, mental and spiritual attributes that will reveal their ‘gifts, challenges and opportunities’. One of these four is then chosen by the client and used as an ointment on the parts of the body where the chakras correspond to the colours of the bottle. What can aura-soma be used for? Rather than being a physical cure to illness, aura-soma is more a therapy for the soul. The practitioner, by understanding the equilibrium bottles chosen, can assess and help the client assess their unconscious mind and essentially ‘counsel’ the client with the aim of helping them have a better understanding of themselves. Is aura-soma an effective form of therapy? In so far as a client receiving counselling to help them have a better understanding of themselves, then it could be argued that aura soma is an effective form of therapy. What is questioned about the effectiveness is the theory behind the equilibrium bottles and the client’s choices.. 35.

(37) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy Are there any known side effects with aura-soma? There are no known side effects with auro-soma therapy. Where can you find further information on aura-soma? Aura-Soma website. To A-Z Go back . Auriculotherapy What is auriculotherapy? Auriculotherapy is also known as auricular therapy or sometimes ear acupuncture. However, ear acupuncture is actually quite a different type of therapy. It is based on the idea that the ear is a micro system and that the whole body can be represented within the ear, and hence manipulating the ear in some way can treat ailments across the whole body. A French doctor, Dr. Paul Nogier, developed auriculotherapy in the 1950s after noticing a local healer treating sciatica by cauterising the ear. Fascinated by the correlation, he began to investigate this relationship between the ear and the rest of the body. Dr. Nogier created a ‘map’ to indicate which parts of the ear related to which parts of the body, which was essentially an inverted foetus. Auriculotherapy is performed using a number of different implements to stimulate the different parts of the ear, including needles, electrical stimulation, massage or laser. How does auriculotherapy work? By using the determined points in or on the ear that relate to the part of the body which is diseased, the idea is that this is a form of treatment to alleviate or cure a problem. What can auriculotherapy be used for? According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), auriculotherapy is an effective form of treatment for about 300 different conditions, particularly good for treating addictions and compulsive disorders – including eating disorders, OCD (ObsessiveCompulsive Disorder) and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), amongst others — as 36.

(38) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy well as for the treatment of pain. It is said to have a 95 per cent success rate at stopping people smoking. Is auriculotherapy an effective form of therapy? A number of studies have been carried out as to the effectiveness of auriculotherapy, with varying results. One study in 1984 concluded that it was not an effective procedure for curing chronic pain. Yet another study in 2006 concluded that auriculotherapy was effective at significantly reducing the pain suffered and hence the analgesic consumption required “during oocyte aspiration in IVF”. So these two studies do contradict each other somewhat in their findings. The fact that the WHO has recognised auriculotherapy as an effective form of treatment and diagnosis would suggest that there must be a certain amount of credence to its efficacy. Are there any known side effects with auriculotherapy? There are no obvious side effects to auriculotherapy. But there will always be a certain number of risks where the ear is involved. By visiting a practitioner who has specific experience with auriculotherapy, you should limit the risks involved. Where can you find further information on auriculotherapy? Holistic Web Directory of Practices offering Auriculotherapy in the UK. To A-Z . Australian Flower Essences Therapy What is Australian flower essences therapy? Australian flower essences therapy is a flower essences therapy that uses just plants and flowers native to Australia, and may also be referred to as Australian bush flower essences. The idea is that the essences of the flower contain healing properties; healing in the sense of the word to include mind, soul and spirit, rather than physical therapeutic healing. Use of flower essences therapy as a whole has been around since Egyptian times, and Australian flower essences therapy has been used for generations by Australian aboriginals. The use of flower essences came more to the forefront in the 1930s when English physician, Edward Bach, developed remedies which came to be. 37.

(39) The Therapy Book – The Essential Guide To Every Therapy known as Bach flower remedies (Bach flower remedies and flower essence therapies in general are given in more detail in their own entry.) Australian flower essences therapy is recognised as being an independent form of the therapy because of the many diverse plant species found in Australia, where there is the highest number of flowering plants and also some of the oldest in the world. How does Australian flower essences therapy work? Australian flower essences therapy works by encouraging treatment of a problem in a person’s mind, which is where it is thought the root of many physical problems lies. By creating an infusion from the flower essences that are immersed in water and then diluted with brandy, flower essences can be taken orally, usually by having a few drops placed onto or under the tongue. The process of infusion in water is said to release the healing properties and spiritual elements of the flower which can nourish and heal the physical body, in turn encouraging the natural healing abilities of the mind, or vice versa. What can Australian flower essences therapy be used for? As mentioned, Australian flower essences therapy works on the basis of the mind’s control of the body. This implies that if you are emotionally imbalanced then your body becomes physically imbalanced too. From this, we can conclude that flower essences therapy can be used for all sorts of emotional and physical issues. It can also be used to treat allergies, asthma, arthritis, anxiety, headaches, vomiting and snoring, amongst others. Is Australian flower essences therapy an effective form of therapy? No studies have concluded the efficacy of Australian flower essences therapy, and it is believed by sceptics that this works only as the result of a placebo effect and nothing else. Hence if you believe in the possible positive effects from Australian flower essences therapy, it is worth trying it. Are there any known side effects with Australian flower essences therapy? No, Australian flower essences therapy is stated to be perfectly safe and free from any side effects and is suitable for both adults and children. It is not possible to overdose, and if the wrong remedy is chosen it simply will not work rather than have any negative effects on the body. Where can you find further information on Australian flower essences therapy? Internet Health Library entry on Australian flower essences therapy Infoholix.net list of practitioners. To A-Z . 38.

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