March 16th, 2021

A Conversation About Complementary Therapies

Hi, hi, hi!

How are you feeling this week?

What have been your biggest wins? 

What hasn't gone so well? What lessons have you taken away from these experiences? Are you ready to let them go now?

If you can, spend some time journalling your answers to the questions above. 

Have you ever tried a Complementary Therapy?
 
Since it’s National Complementary Therapy Week, I thought I'd share some of my top recommended alternative therapies...
 
First up, what is a Complementary or Alternative Therapy?
​
According to BUPA, Complementary Therapies offer a different approach to conventional or mainstream medicine. They include therapies that aren't usually part of conventional medical care, such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture and homeopathy. They are usually used alongside, or as well as, Conventional Therapies.

Ok, so, which therapies do I recommend? I've picked 2 for this week, and may share more in future...

The first I'd like to share is... Pilates. 

According to our friends at Oxford Dictionary, Pilates is a system of exercises using special apparatus, designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, and posture, and enhance mental awareness.
 
NHS England shares that Pilates aims to strengthen the body in an even way, with particular emphasis on core strength to improve general fitness and wellbeing.

Pilates was developed by German-born Joseph Pilates, who believed mental and physical health were closely connected. His method was influenced by western forms of exercise, including gymnastics, boxing and Greco-Roman wrestling. 

The second therapy I wanted to share with you today is Reiki.

So, what is it?
 
According to the Reiki Association, “Reiki” (ray-key) is Japanese for ‘universal life energy, and is also a word used to describe a system of natural healing.
 
Reiki can be used alongside other conventional or complementary treatment and often helps to provide emotional support during recovery.
 
The method of receiving Reiki is simple. The recipient remains clothed and lies on a couch or sits on a chair and relaxes. The practitioner gently places their hands in a series of non-intrusive positions on or near the body. There is no massage or manipulation. The whole person is treated rather than specific areas. Sessions can take 45 minutes to an hour-and-a-half, depending on the client’s needs.
 
If you’re interested in either of these Complimentary Therapies, feel free to get in touch. We can recommend tried, tested and reputable practitioners who are currently working remotely.

Lastly, I felt it important to offer advice on how to ensure you are using reputable therapists, given that some of the therapies within the CAM sector don't require supervision. Here are some useful tips:

• Do Your Homework – If you’re looking to for an EFT practitioner, for example, research the training requirements, certification content, accreditations to look out for and supervisory organisations that they may be a part of to ensure they are reputable. You can also look at online testimonials and reviews for specific practitioners.
• Ask Questions – If you want to know whether they are insured, qualified or accredited by a specific organisation – ask them. You can also ask to see proof too. At HappiMe, our team carry a portfolio wherever they work, which includes relevant checks, certificates, qualifications and proof of insurance. We even share information on all accreditations to help make this minefield of information more digestible for clients. Not all therapists do this, but they should be able to answer these questions.
• Check the Important Stuff – Although we have mentioned some of these already, please check that they are DBS checked, insured, qualified/certified, where they trained/who by, and whether they have any up-to-date testimonials from clients… Finding out more about their experience is useful too – to ensure you’re happy with their expertise. All of this information will help ensure you make an informed decision.

 
If you give something new a try, please do let me know!

If you're struggling at all, please remember you aren't alone. You are welcome to contact me and the HappiMe team, or check out some of the amazing organisations that are also there to help you. They can be found here. 

If you’d like some useful tips for building confidence, self-esteem and self-worth in your children, please feel free to contact me here.

​I hope this blog helped you in some way.

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Take care,

Abby and the HappiMe Team x