Welcome to life-medicine

Life Medicine is an easy to use directory of complementary therapies and practitioners in and around Glasgow. The directory offers information about therapies and practitioners in the Glasgow area, so it’s easy to locate a practitioner near to you.

Our magazine will have regular articles relating to health and therapy issues written by therapists in the Life Medicine directory. There is a diary of upcoming courses and events all run by practitioners involved in Life Medicine.

At Life Medicine we are all passionate and committed therapists. To ensure a high standard we always verify that the practitioners included within the directory have appropriate qualifications and training.

We feel that Life Medicine has a unique approach to creating a directory and network of complementary health practitioners.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu, translating as "finger pressure" is a holistic acupressure massage from Japan.

In its most basic form, Shiatsu is simply the application of pressure to the body via thumb, finger and palm. Pressure is applied to tsubo (acupuncture points) and along meridians to help harmonise the flow of Ki (energy) through the body.

Occasionally, elbows, knees and feet are used to deepen the pressure. Other Shiatsu techniques include stretching and light manipulation. Some practitioners may also heat tsubo using moxa (a smouldering herb which is used to warm tsubo) or apply magnets. Advice on diet, exercise and life style may be given. You can expect to feel relaxed or invigorated depending on what your body's needs.

Traditionally Shiatsu takes place on a cotton futon mattress on the floor. This allows the practitioner to effectively engage their hara (core/centre) when applying pressure. Clients remain fully clothed. No oils are used.

Wear light flexible clothing that will keep you warm such as leisure wear. Avoid heavy clothing, like denim, as it restricts movement and resists pressure affecting the quality of your session. It is best not to eat anything too heavy before a treatment though make sure you are not hungry either.

Seated Shiatsu

Seated Shiatsu treatments ease stress and tension and balance your whole body... they are a convenient way to receive Shiatsu as you are treated on a specially designed portable chair and can be treated practically anywhere.

Reiki

Reiki is a Japanese word meaning “Universal Life Energy”, the energy within and around us all. Reiki is transmitted through the hands of a person who has been more directly linked to the universal life force through an initiation or attunement. The person giving the energy is simply a vessel allowing the energy to pass through them to the client. The energy enters, the person giving, at the crown chakra and passes through their arms and hands to the client. Reiki helps to bring the body into balance so it can heal itself.

During a Reiki session, the practitioner directs energy by placing their hands on or above areas of the client’s body. The client is fully clothed and can be either lying down or seated. A Reiki treatment is a relaxing and often profound experience and the effects can be both subtle and powerful. Reiki is a non-invasive therapy that can be used without fear of any side-effects or overdose.

Reiki can be used to great effect in many ways. Whether suffering from stress or tension, and the associated symptoms, or wishing to improve the quality of relationships at home or work, the beneficial effects of Reiki occur on many levels. Reiki is thought to accelerate the healing of physical problems, balance the emotions, and free us from restrictive mental attitudes.

Reiki can be administered to animals as well as people. Reiki can be used for many things including house blessing and clearings.

Integrated Massage

Integrated massage is a unique form of massage that combines techniques, strokes and moves from many different massage styles or modalities.

Integrated massage may include techniques taken from Swedish, deep tissue, therapeutic, remedial, sports and hot/cold stones massage with elements and inspiration from Chi Nei Tsang (Internal Organ Massage), traditional Chinese massage (Tui Na), myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and Thai massage amongst others

Usually, all these massage styles or modalities would be performed on there own as a singular treatment and many of them such as Swedish, hot stones and Thai massage have a set sequence making each treatment virtually identical. With integrated massage all the best bits and the most effective techniques are combined to create a totally unique and effective massage treatment. Each treatment is different as the massage techniques and the areas worked are chosen to meet the needs of your body that day.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy As Treatment

Hypnotherapy is the therapeutic use of clinical hypnosis to suggest ideas, concepts and lifestyle adaptations to the unconscious mind. The patient works with the therapist to enter an altered state of consciousness or 'trance' state. Selected beneficial suggestions may then be made to the unconscious mind. The therapist uses this state of heightened concentration to help the individual maximise their potential, change limiting beliefs and behaviours, and gain new insights.

The Trance State

The trance is a pleasant state of relaxation, highly focused concentration and heightened awareness. A natural phenomenon, you unknowingly experience the trance state every day. Perhaps when daydreaming, absorbed in a film or hobby, or when driving - tuning out distracting thoughts to fully focus your attention. Use of the trance in Clinical Hypnosis, practised by a professionally qualified therapist, is completely safe.

How Hypnotherapy Works

Hypnosis is a natural and effective technique for accessing the subconscious mind. Beliefs, habits and behaviours are stored in the subconscious, which can be the source of many problems and self-images. It can also be a tremendous reservoir of unrecognised strengths and knowledge.

Used therapeutically hypnosis can access the subconscious - the key to unleashing potential, changing unwanted habits and behaviours, and finding solutions to problems and concerns.

Once an individual has achieved a trance state the Hypnotherapist uses a variety of therapeutic methods ranging from simple suggestion to psychoanalysis. For example, the therapist may ask about past, present or future concerns to establish underlying reasons for the problem being explored. Alternatively the therapist may give suggestions to the subconscious mind aimed at overcoming specific problems, such as lack of self-confidence. The patient will remain in complete control at all times. Then the patient is gently brought back out of the trance state and the session is finished with a discussion of the treatment.

Hopi Ear Candling

Ear Candling is a gentle and safe therapy using specially designed auricular candles (having the appearance of a hollow tube) to help address issues relating to the ears, nose and throat. It has been noted as beneficial for sinus problems, blocked Eustachian tubes, irritation of the ear, headaches, migraine, rhinitis and hay fever. It can be helpful in alleviating stress associated to hearing and many people observe that the therapy has the additional benefit of producing a calm clear and peaceful state of mind.

Do-In

A simple exercise regime, often describe as "self shiatsu", that will help you maintain health and improve your general wellbeing. Shizuto Masunaga, author of Meridian Exercises, explains “Do of Do-In means to open up channels and facilitate the movement of energy along specific routes. In of Do-In means to move and stretch one’s limbs to achieve this purpose.”

The basis of the exercises are to encourage mind and body integration. This allows Ki to flow freely through the body and in particular along the meridians. The exercises are performed with an emphasis on imagery, breathing and relaxation.

Do-In exercises are taught to Shiatsu practitioners during their training, including basic Do-In, Makko-Ho (meridian exercises)and complementary meridian exercises. The three minute exercise and wrist exercises along with other Ki development exercises are included from Ki-Aikido.