Holistic Therapies
Aromatherapy
Today, aromatherapy is one of the most popular of all complementary therapies, offering a wide range of highly effective treatments to both the acute and chronic stages of illness and disease. At the same time, regular use of aromatherapy treatments and home-use products can help to strengthen the immune system, thereby establishing a preventative approach to overall health.
One of the reasons that aromatherapy has been so hugely successful is because it uses a holistic approach, whereby the Aromatherapist takes into account a person’s medical history, emotional condition, general health and lifestyle before planning a course of treatment. Aromatherapy is designed to treat the whole person and not just the symptom or disease. This is done by assisting the body’s natural ability to balance, regulate, heal and maintain itself.
Essential oils consist of tiny aromatic molecules that are readily absorbed via the skin, and whilst breathing they enter the lungs. These therapeutic components then enter the bloodstream and are carried around the body where they can deliver their beneficial healing powers. Because they are highly concentrated, only a small quantity of essential oil is required to bring about results.
When using good quality essential oils correctly, the soothing combination of beautiful aromas, massage, aromatic baths and other treatments all work to regulate, balance, heal and maintain your entire being by working with nature, and not against it.
Problems such as backache, irritable bowel syndrome or headaches, for example, are often the result of stress and not actually a physical problem. Therefore no amount of pill-popping is really going to provide a long term solution since it only masks the symptoms without addressing the problems. By looking at the causes of the stress and providing treatments to ease and manage it, I as an Aromatherapist will help to alleviate the condition in a much more efficient manner.
Benefits of aromatherapy can help with:
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Feeling deeply relaxed
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Stimulating the immune system
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Improving the circulation of blood and lymph
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Increasing energy levels
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Improving stress levels and tension
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Giving you a sense of well-being
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Balancing hormone levels
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Improving digestion
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Improving sleep pattern
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Relieving pressure to the sinuses
Remember, if in doubt, always contact your GP.
Hopi Ear Candling
What is Hopi Ear Candling?
Thermal Auricular Therapy (also known as Hopi Ear Candles) is a pleasant and non-invasive treatment of the ears, used to treat a variety of conditions. The ear candles induce a revitalising heat upon the head and ears, which soothes, relieves and relaxes.
Hopi Ear Candles can help with:
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Tinnitus
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Compacted ear wax and glue ear
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Sore throats and hay fever
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Headache and migraine
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Rhinitis and sinusitis
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Catarrh and asthma
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Stimulation of blood and energy flow
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Regulation of pressure in ears and head
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Relaxation in conditions of anxiety and stress
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Stimulation of lymphatic system and metabolism
Before a treatment starts, an initial consultation is given to ensure the treatment is right for the client. The treatment starts with a relaxing facial massage. My client is then asked to lay their head onto one side where I will then gently insert the first candle to the ear then followed by with the second candle to the other ear.
The candles are made from the natural ingredients of beeswax, honey extracts, sage, St Johns Wort, chamomile, beta-carotene and organically grown flax. A constant high quality is ensured. The candles work on a chimney principle, drawing any impurities to the surface where they can be gently removed. They equalise the pressure in the head and ears, making them suitable for most conditions. Secretion flow is gently stimulated and the vapour collects and removes impurities or deposits. Most of these are carried away through the candle “chimney”, although some of them can be found in the condensed candle wax residue after removal from the ear, or could even work their way up to the surface 24-48 hours after.
The number of treatments depends on how long the candle takes to burn down. Each treatment takes approximately 45 – 60 minutes and is very relaxing. It is advisable to put a few drops of warm olive oil in each ear for three days before treatment as this will help to soften the wax which will make it easier to remove. On the day of the treatment, you will be advised to remove all makeup and earrings.
Remember, if in doubt, always contact your GP.
Holistic Facial
Having a Holistica facial is a luxurious way to treat your skin to a work-out whilst relaxing your mind and body. The Holistica facial is a very relaxing treatment plus can soothe away those tension headaches and neck stresses along with leaving you in a state of complete relaxation.
Holistica facial is a massage using 100% organic essential oils, which has the same principles as aromatherapy by massaging essential oils into the skin to stimulate the blood supply which in turn helps to delay fine lines plus tones up the facial muscles.
The Holistica facial starts with a consultation, where details about your skin type, skin routine and general lifestyle are taken.
Before your treatment begins all eye make-up will be removed in preparation to cleanse the skin and upper chest area, followed by a close examination of the skin to determine your skin type.
This is then followed by a second gentle cleanse, the massage starts with a delicate facial wash followed by a deep cleanse then moving onto an exfoliation, once all dead skin cells have been removed in a gentle and relaxing way be ready for warm oil facial massage working the face down to the neck, upper chest and shoulders. Once all the excess oil has been removed an antioxidant-rich face mask is applied, whilst this is doing its amazing job which can be from five to thirty minutes you can indulge yourself completely with a thirty minute Reiki treatment or a massage to the hand and arms or feet and legs, or a scalp neck and back massage it is your choice entirely.
Then it is time to re-awaken your skin with a warm face wash then a gentle tone or spritz to close those eager pores and finally a rejuvenating and hydrating moisturiser to seal all that wonderful work-out in.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
The lymphatic massage is a delicate, light form favoring the lymph flow. It is based on light, rhythmic and constant movements, only touching the skin with an almost non-perceptible pressure. Being so fine, it may perceived as not being beneficial, but after two-three sessions, its benefits can be seen. A lymph massage session lasts at least for one hour.
Unlike the blood, the lymph is not pumped by the heart, moving slowly due to stimulation from the muscles' contractions. The lymph is a whitish liquid flowing throughout our body inside lymph vessels, collecting wastes and toxins that cannot be absorbed through the blood capillary vessels. In certain points, called nodes, lymph is cleaned. Nodes are found in the groin, underarm and neck, in the vein angle formed by the jugular and sub-clavicular veins, the main point of draining for our body toxins and liquids.
The massage starts from the neck, from this terminus point towards the ears, following from the center of the face towards the lateral areas, always finishing with a light pressure on the ears and temples. The finish in this area is from the forehead to the neck. In hands and arms, intermittent pressure must be made to the underarm, always ascending towards the heart. In feet, light and intermittent movements must be made on the groin area and from the knee towards the thighs; also from the ankles ascending through the whole foot, making with the index finger and thumb rotation movements. The massage is finished in the inguinal area.
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Health Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage
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1. Cellulite.
Lymphatic drainage for cellulite works best in early stages of cellulite. The ideal case is to be started during the teenage years. Cellulite appears when the fat deposits in our feet compress the lymph vessels, making the lymph flow difficult. If the intervention is not rapid, the tissue fills with liquids and toxins and the fat deposits tend to turn harder, producing the "orange skin". When the cellulite is on its incipient stages, it is easy to activate the flow of the accumulated wastes and solve definitively the issue. Normally, just three months is enough to get satisfactory results.
2. Swollen, heavy and edematous feet.
Lymph flows from the periphery of the limbs to their center. When this path is interrupted, the lymph falls back due to the action of gravity flooding the feet tissues and causing swelling. The lymph drainage helps the lymph to complete its route. In 3-4 weeks, clients usually find that their condition has improved. For more chronic cases, a longer treatment plan will be advised.
3. Liquid Retention in Pregnancy and PMS syndrome.
The drainage is very effective in both cases as a preventive method. The hormonal changes during pregnancy determine liquid retention and a decrease in the tonus of the vein and lymph vessels. The drainage can be started in the third month of pregnancy and continued until delivery. It is also effective against the swelling experienced by many women a few days before the menstruation. In this case, the massage is made immediately after the end of the cycle for a week.
4. Scars
If during the scarring process of a wound interstitial liquid accumulates forming an edema, a hypertrophic (cheloid, swollen) scar forms. The lymph draining has a "planning" effect on the scar, even in older ones, because it activates the lymphocytes, involved in reconstructing the tissue. This treatment works extremely well with our LED light therapy treatment for face and body to aid the body's recovery time and damage management of the skin.
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5. Acne and couperisis.
In acne, the skin is inflamed, this is accompanied by liquid that is retained among the skin cells. The depurative and draining effect of lymphatic drainage gradually decreases the inflammation and the edemas, favouring a more rapid cure. Again this treatment works extremely well in conjunction with our LED light therapy, IPL laser treatment and our range of skin peels and microdermabrasion.
Couperosis is due to an alteration of the peripheral circulation of the face, especially on cheeks, nose, and chin. In time, the reddening turns permanent, accompanied by the inesthetic "veinlets". If the condition is in the initial phase, the lymph drainage can fix it, but if it's at an advanced stage, it will improves the look attenuating the skin symptoms. The treatment works well in conjunction with IPL laser treatments and our range of Cosmedix skin peels.
6. Surgery
Lymph drainage is effective for getting rid of edemas and hematomas and boosting tissue regeneration following surgery. The treatment it is not only effective after the operation, if treatment is completed a month before the operation, it favors the elimination of the liquids and toxins from the body, spurring cells' ability to regenerate and repair tissues. Our LED light therapy treatment is also proven extremely effective in speeding up the skins regeneration post-operation.
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Lymphatic drainage is very helpful after the cryolipolis or ‘fat freezing’ treatment here at Bodhi Zen Clinic as it speeds up the process of eliminating the dead fat cells from the body, hence quicker visual results as opposed to the usual 8-12 weeks.
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