Complementary Therapies
The Smart Clinics offers a broad range of health care treatments that are not currently considered to be part of “conventional” medicine, but which our GPs and Medical Specialists believe can offer substantial health benefits when undertaken as part of an integrated approach to your personal health and treatment plan.
The term complementary medicine is used by conventional medical practitioners to refer to non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical techniques which are used in conjunction with allopathic medical treatments such as drugs and surgery.
Many Complementary Therapists offer expertise in more than one therapy area: these might include homeopathy, chiropractic, herbal medicine, reflexology, osteopathy and acupuncture.
Complementary Therapy
Treatments
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has existed as part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for thousands of years but it’s only in the past 30 years that it has become integrated into general medicine. It’s used mostly as a complementary treatment (one given alongside conventional treatments).
Practitioners of TCM believe that energy called Qi flows around your body in channels (meridians). Equal and opposite properties called yin and yang are thought to become unbalanced, causing illness. The needles used in acupuncture aim to restore this balance.
The way acupuncture works is being increasingly understood in general medicine. In this setting, it’s based on the idea that acupuncture needles stimulate nerve endings and alter the way your brain functions, particularly in relation to how your body responds to pain. Acupuncture is used to treat a range of conditions. There is good scientific evidence for its effectiveness.
Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicine includes all oriental traditions emerging from South East Asia that have their origins in China. Practitioners may work within a tradition that comes from Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan or Korea.
It is a complete medical system that is capable of treating a very wide range of conditions. It includes herbal therapy, acupuncture, dietary therapy, and exercises in breathing and movement (tai chi and qi gong). Some or several of these may be employed in the course of treatment.
Chinese herbal medicine, along with the other components of Chinese medicine, is based on the concepts of Yin and Yang. It aims to understand and treat the many ways in which the fundamental balance and harmony between the two may be undermined and the ways in which a person’s Qi or vitality may be depleted or blocked.
Clinical strategies are based upon diagnosis of patterns of signs and symptoms that reflect an imbalance.
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy is a subtle and profound healing form. In a typical craniosacral session, you will usually lie (or sometimes sit) fully-clothed on a treatment couch. The therapist will make contact by placing their hands lightly on your body and tuning in.
The first thing you will probably notice is a sense of deep relaxation, which will generally last throughout the session. This release of tension often extends into everyday life.
Sometimes the benefits are not immediately noticeable but become obvious on returning to a familiar environment. The work is often deeply moving and exhilarating.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a system of medicine which is based on treating the individual with highly diluted substances given in mainly tablet form, which triggers the body’s natural system of healing.
Homeopaths will match the most appropriate medicine to the patient based on their experience of the patient’ssymptoms.
Homeopathy has been widely used throughout the world for more than 200 years and can be safely used alongside conventional medicines and will not interfere with the action of medicines prescribed by your doctor. Because homeopathic medicines are non-toxic, there are no side effects and they are safe even for pregnant women and babies.
Osteopathy
Commonly treated conditions include back and neck pain, postural problems, sporting injuries, muscle and joint deterioration, restricted mobility and occupational ill-health. More about osteopathy.
Our expert team of osteopaths also includes those Cranial Osteopathy practitioners.
Podiatry
Podiatry is the treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle. Podiatrists diagnose and manage a wide range of lower limb disorders from bunions and ingrowing toenails to ankle, knee or hip pain caused by poor alignment and muscle imbalances.
Treatments range from non-invasive shoe inserts and orthotics and preventative diabetic foot care to surgical procedures. Our podiatrists are also skilled and experienced in treating children’s feet.