Acupuncture and Reflexology
Andrea has worked as a Complementary Therapist in West London for 20 years. Initially as a Reflexologist and Massage Therapist in a busy Chiswick clinic she observed the powerful ability of alternative therapies to heal and improve overall well being. A desire to increase knowledge and deepen understanding of the mechanism behind disease and how to treat it led her to studying Traditional Chinese Medicine at Westminster University where she gained a first-class Bachelor of Science degree in TCM: Acupuncture in 2005. She has developed a highly dynamic system for treating conditions using a combination of her skills particularly Acupuncture, Reflexology and Vertical Reflex Therapy. Pain conditions respond particularly well when administered whilst the patient is standing and moving or massaging the painful area.
Over the course of treating a diverse range of conditions over 20 years I have found that by using a combination of therapies, tailored to individual needs and conditions, I achieve quicker and more effective results.
Andrea Allardyce
What to expect
- It is necessary to assess and understand the whole person along with the signs and symptoms of the specific problem itself.
- At the initial consultation a full case-history will be taken using the traditional diagnostic skills; questioning, looking, listening, palpation, observing the tongue and feeling the pulse.
- There will be a thorough exploration of the presenting condition and accompanying symptoms, as well as, discussing other signs of functional problems in all the body systems.
Working within an ancient and well-tested theoretical framework, this information is used to identify the root cause of the imbalance or ‘pattern of disharmony’ causing the symptoms and accurately forms a Chinese Medicine Diagnosis from which an Acupuncture Points Prescription and Treatment Plan can be derived.
Treatment Plan
An acupuncture points prescription will be amplified with a combination of Moxibustion, Cupping, Gua Sha, Electro-Acupuncture, Auricular Acupuncture, Reflexology, Vertical Reflex Therapy and Massage tailored to the individual and their symptoms over a 6-8-week course of treatment. Depending on the severity of the condition further courses my be requires. The treatments aims to correct the root cause of the problem, as well as relieve any symptoms.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can provide insight into the cause and nature of most conditions. Rather than focus purely on the site of the symptoms, the problem is considered holistically in the context of the whole body, in order to identify weakness and imbalances that may have contributed to the disorder.
TREATMENTS
Acupuncture
Once the nature of the imbalance and a TCM diagnosis is derived a points prescription is established. Very fine needles are inserted superficially into these points along energy Meridians. These are the main channels of communication and energy distribution in the body; they link interior organs with superficial areas of the body. This meridian system allows an acupuncturist to influence the function of a particular area through the selection of points both local and distant from it. The aim is to correct imbalance or disruption to the flow of qi around the body, in order to encouraging the body’s ability to correct itself and heal.
It is relatively pain free although mild discomfort may be momentarily felt when the needle finds the ‘deqi’ often described as bruise like, heavy, strange, radiating or electrical.
Reflexology
Reflexology works indirectly on the problem area via reflexes on the feet, hands and ears which uncannily correspond to all parts of the body and can be tender when problems arise. Pressure is applied to the areas of the feet which correspond to the bodily system being treated. These tender reflexes can help to identify where the root of the problem resides and combined with Acupuncture dramatically speeds up recovery and easing of symptoms. It is also deeply calming and relaxing.
Verticle Reflex Therapy VRT
The principles of Reflexology are even more powerful when using an advanced technique called Vertical Reflex Therapy (VRT). Foot and hand reflexes are worked synergistically while the patient is standing up for quick and dramatic result. It is affective for instantly freeing restricted movement and the pain of musculo-skeletal conditions particularly when combined with an appropriately placed needle.
During a session the patient is asked to gently move, massage or tap the problem area as the therapist applies pressure to the corresponding reflexes on the feet and hands whilst synergistically working on the appropriately placed acupuncture needles.
Frozen shoulders, locked necks, stiff hips and knees and aching backs can be immediately released and instant pain relief can often be gained in the first treatment. For more complex conditions a few treatments are necessary with relief gained each time.
MOXIBUSTION
Some conditions require warm needling to tonify and nourish. Moxa (compact mugwort) cones are burned on top of the needles and a warm, calm, nourishing sensation is felt throughout the body.
CUPPING
Vacuum cups are placed on areas of pain or stagnation to bring blood and qi to the area and relieve tension and discomfort.
Gua Sha
A ceramic spoon is scrapped on the muscle along the affected channel to dramatically move qi in pain and stagnation conditions; particularly muscular tension.
Auricuar Acupuncture
Small needles inserted in areas of the ear that correspond to the affected area or a small seed is stuck over the area to be pressed by the patient to relieve symptoms in between treatments. Very effective for stress, headaches, musculo-skeletal problems and pain.
Electro acupuncture
Low frequency pulse current is sent through a pair of needles to relieve pain and speed recovery form injury and surgery.
Massage
For particularly stubborn muscular tension some deep tissue massage will be used to speed recovery, as well as, head and abdominal massage for conditions in those areas, as well as, general stress.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can provide insight into the cause and nature of most conditions. Rather than focus purely on the site of the symptoms, the problem is considered holistically in the context of the whole body, in order to identify weakness and imbalances that may have contributed to the disorder.
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