Alternative Health Services in East London

Alternative health therapies and holistic health services are growing in popularity. Perhaps someone has a long standing health condition which doctors can’t diagnose, or they are simply fed up of the negative side effects of medication. There are many reasons why people choose to explore alternative health remedies, and in some cases they are successful in reducing chronic pain or improving overall health and wellbeing.

Complementary health treatments vary from physical techniques such as cupping or traditional massage, to complementary natural medicines which are shunned by the health profession. People looking for a cure for their chronic illness have a range of options in East London.

Alternative Health in London

Acupuncture

Deriving from ancient Chinese medicine, acupuncture is recognised as a complementary alternative medicine (CAM). It is usually performed to treat pain related illnesses, including migraine and chronic neck pain. Acupuncture in East London is performed by physiotherapists, chiropractors and some doctors and is sometimes available on the NHS. The traditional form of acupuncture is based on the belief of energy (qi) running through the body. Acupuncture is thought to reinstate the flow of qi through the body and therefore restore health.

Cupping therapy

While slightly controversial, many athletes and celebrities have popularised cupping therapy. This type of physical medicine also has its roots in China, and dates back 5,000 years. Many doctors are sceptical of the treatment, which can be used for a wide range of ailments and also to improve fertility and reduce cellulite. However, fans of the alternative treatment include tennis star Andy Murray, Olympian Michael Phelps, and A-listers Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston.

Kinesio Taping

Seen on many athletes, Kinesio tape was developed to help people with sports injuries but also regular patients with back pain and other complaints. The adhesive tape supports joints and muscles without restricting the range of movement, which is why it is so popular with professional sports players. It provides comfort and support to areas of concern, yet apparently there is still not enough science to back it up – so it remains a complementary manual treatment.

Reiki

A reiki healer channels universal energy through their hands and passes it onto the client with a gentle touch. Reiki is said to accelerate natural physical and mental healing, and is therefore used to treat a wide variety of illnesses including arthritis, back pain, migraine and anxiety.

This is just a short selection of the alternative health therapies available in East London. Search for your nearest holistic health centre or chiropractic surgery for more information.