Lifestyle Choices

A number of different terms are commonly used to describe the various types of nerve pain encountered. The main terms used are neuralgia (meaning pain resulting from injury to a nerve, particularly in the face), sciatica (pain mediated by the sciatic nerve, running from the lower part of the spine down each leg), and neuritis (inflammation in any nerve).

Nerve pain—aching, tingling, pins and needles, and a stabbing or burning sensation are the most common—can be caused by a number of factors, both physical and psychological, but the main ones are circulatory insufficiency, poor posture, wrong diet, stress, and over-exertion. Natural therapies can ease discomfort and accelerate the recovery process. (more…)

Psychological approaches work best for persons who are able and willing to describe their thoughts and feelings. In other words, they must be reasonably verbal about their problems. Many patients are so preoccupied with physical symptoms that they are unwilling to discuss their thoughts and emotions. Some are obviously anxious and or sad but deny experiencing these emotions. They will be less likely to benefit from psychological therapies. (more…)

Choosing a psychotherapist is not an easy task. Some of thefollowing questions and answers may help you clarify what you are looking for. The quality and integrity of your therapist is far more important than the technique used. Nevertheless, what you hope to gain from therapy is to some extent related to the technique and form that are mostappropriate for your needs.

• If you have the blues temporarily, consider supportive psychotherapy.
• If you want to go slowly and with caution, use a more analytical approach.
• If you want to go fast, find someone who is familiar with some of the alternative approaches.
• If you tend to be over-analytical, consider a technique which stresses feeling and vitality.
• If you are prone to depression (down to grey) and wish to learn how to mobilize your own body energy, consider bodywork.
• If you have long-term loss of sparkle or grey depression caused by an inhibited reaction to a life event, consider short-term explorative therapy.
• If you have loss of sparkle or grey depression caused by family problems, consider individual short-term explorativepsychotherapy, or else therapy for couples or for families.
• If you have long-term loss of sparkle or grey depression caused by a long-term attitude, perhaps relating to childhood, or personality traits predisposing towards depression, consider long-term explorative therapy.

(more…)

Alternative Approaches and L.T.E.P.

All the alternative approaches can be used for long-term psychotherapy. The form the therapy takes is very variable. A fairly average example would be one session a week for three years, possibly combined with attending a group for group psychotherapy for one evening,every two weeks.

Advantages

A therapist who uses some of the alternative techniques may provide the following:

• A far faster process costing less time and money.
• A more effective route to self-expression.
• The possibility of exploring body, feeling and spirit as well as the intellect.
• An emphasis on being more vital rather than understanding why you are not.

(more…)

You can try short-term explorative psychotherapy (S.T.E.P.) for any depressed state down to grey. Those in black depression could try to deal with their depression in this way but are advised to see a psychiatrist, perhaps in conjunction with their psychotherapy. Any of the techniques described in Psychotherapeutic approaches can be used for S.T.E.P, but in general the alternative approaches tend to work faster. In particular, S.T.E.P. can be useful for:

• Reactions to life events
• Breaking through grey energy
• Dealing with couples problems
• Dealing with family problems.

(more…)

I do encourage you to use complementary techniques to optimise your condition and augment your healing. But always consult your doctor first, and even if he or she does not believe in the therapy, just make sure that no harm can be done. These therapies may give you support, comfort or may aid your healing. You may choose to learn meditation, practise guided imagery, relaxation techniques, acupuncture, reflexology Ayurvedic or Chinese medicine or follow a sound nutritional plan. Steer clear of any practitioner who tells you there is only one way to heal from cancer and that is with his/her therapy, or anyone who advises you to forego the treatment advised by your doctor. This is extremely dangerous. (more…)

Osteopathy is the gentle manipulation of joints and the spinal vertebrae, which uses massage and stretching. The basic principle is that the correct functioning of muscles and bones will have a profound effect on the function of internal organs and general health. Illness may arise when part of the body’s structure is out of alignment, as chronic stress, bad posture or an acute injury that has not been treated will have an effect on circulation, digestive function and breathing.

Osteopaths may also recommend exercises and do postural assessments. Cranial and crania- sacral osteopathy are forms of osteopathy that focus on the gentle manipulation of the head, spine and sacrum to allow free-flowing cranial fluid. Osteopathy can be useful for back, neck and shoulder pain. It can be helpful for sports injuries, joint and muscular pain, migraines, PMT, asthma, hyperactivity, digestive complaints and headaches. There are cautions for cancer sufferers and acute fractures.

Cranio-sacral therapy is a gentle hands-on therapy focusing on the flow of cerebro-spinal fluid throughout the body and in particular from the brain to the base of the spine. It was created from cranial osteopathy and is based on the assumption that the bones in the skull are not fixed: they can move slightly. Therapists say that very gentle manipulation of the bones enables the flow of the cerebro-spinal fluid to be adjusted. The purpose of this is to promote healing and re-balancing of the body’s systems.

Cranio-sacral therapy is a complementary therapy: it is not intended as an alternative to

(Osteopathy is considered to be more gentle than chiropractic treatments and is accepted as a legitimate medical modality by a substantial number of conventional doctors.)

If you are unsure about trying chiropractic work for adjustments, try osteopathy first medical advice. Conditions most likely to benefit from this form of treatment are back, neck and shoulder problems, headaches, ear infections, sinusitis, glue ear, jaw problems, joint problems, arthritis and sciatica. It is beneficial for all ages, including young children and babies. It is considered helpful for treating conditions such as hyperactivity, dyslexia and learning difficulties in children.

Be prepared to fall asleep during this gentle hands-on treatment! The subtle movements and light touch are very relaxing.

Reiki is a Japanese word from rei (universal) and ki (life energy). It is pronounced ray-kee and is a very gentle hands-on therapy, which focuses on promoting positive-energy flow throughout the body. Practitioners believe that by using a specific series of movements and positions the client will be able to draw energy to where it is needed in their body.

Reiki is very beneficial in helping people relax and de-stress. Inflamed skin is not touched but conditions like arthritis, back and neck pain, insomnia, anxiety, muscle cramps, spasms and other stress-related problems have all been known to find relief from reiki.

Reiki is a very relaxing and subtle therapy. As the practitioner places their hands over and on your body you will notice a deep heat radiating from them. This heat helps you relax and unwind: it can even feel like you are going into a deep trance. It is a great therapy if you struggle to meditate, relax or perform hypnosis, as it is very quietening and centering.