Physical and complementary treatments and therapies

A large number of medical, non medical, physical, psychological and stress related issues can be addressed using different therapies and treatments.

These therapies vary dramatically from physical manipulation and massage, to relaxation techniques and learning how to take control of situations and challenging circumstances. To find out more about the different therapies that are available use the list below or the menu to the left.

1. Treatments and therapies intro page (This page)
2. Chiropractic A physical manipulation therapy
3. McTimoney Chiropractic A variation on the above
4. Osteopathy A physical manipulation therapy
5. Physiotherapy A physical therapy
6. Reflexology A treatment primarily applied via the feet
7. Acupuncture The application of needles to correct the body’s energy
8. Hypnosis A therapy that uses the subconscious mind and the power of suggestion
9. NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) A suggestive subconscious therapy
10. Alexander technique Optimising body posture and movement
11. Pilates A collection of exercises
12. Reiki Uses the passing over of hands
13. Bowen technique A form of massage
14. Aromatherapy A therapy that uses essential oils
15. Homeopathy The use of highly diluted substances as medication
16. Indian head massage A massage applied to the head and upper body
17. Shiatsu A massage technique
18. Swedish massage A massage technique
19. Thai massage A massage technique
20. Rolfing A manipulative technique
21. Counselling A "talking about a problem" therapy
22. Finding a therapy and therapist

In the case of the United Kingdom, most of these therapies will not be available through the National Health Service and consequently you will not be able to get a referral from your doctor. This means that, as in the USA and many other territories, you will have to approach a treatment centre or therapist directly.

Seeing a therapist for the first time

After you have made an appointment with a therapist you will have an initial meeting to assess your physical or mental condition. This meeting will normally be longer than a regular treatment session and may or may not include the first treatment.

The purpose of this initial session is to enable the therapist to determine, though questioning and (in the case of a physical therapy) an examination, whether or not they can help to treat the problem. This meeting will probably include a question and answer session, possibly the filling in of a health-history form, and some more specific details about the concern which has brought the patient to the therapist. If the treatment is a physical one, then the therapist will normally examine the affected parts of the body to determine the extent of the problem.

Depending on the nature of the problem and the therapy, this may require the patient to remove some items of their clothing.

Once the therapist is fully apprised of the patient's physical (or mental) health problem he or she will be in a position to determine whether or not that particular therapy is a suitable treatment for the problem.

If it is, then a schedule of treatments will be arranged and the therapist will explain to the patient what the treatment involves and how long it will last.

In some circumstances the therapist may determine that their particular specialism is not appropriate in which case they will normally recommend a different therapy or treatment, or refer the patient to a doctor.

Types of therapy

Although there are no fixed ways of classifying the different therapies listed above, there are two general categories, namely physical therapy and complementary therapy (sometimes referred to as alternative therapy). However, which treatment fits into which category is often open to debate because some of the complementary therapies have a physical therapy element to them.

The therapist

Many different therapists deliver these varying treatments and most will have studied for a number of years to obtain an appropriate qualification.

Most therapists will be a member of an appropriate organisation, institute or association etc that is connected and validated with their specialism. It is therefore important to make sure that any therapist that you decide to see has either, the appropriate qualification, or a membership of an appropriate therapy related body (or both).

Seeing a therapist who is employed by a clinic or treatment centre normally (but not always) means that their credentials will have been checked and approved. However, all therapists should be able to provide a patient with proof of their qualifications (or licensing if this is required) to practice in their specialism.