Therapies

The list featured here is our current directory of information. Click on any therapy that interests you to read about how and why it has developed, together with information on what to expect during a treatment; and suitable conditions each therapy can help with.

This list is not exhaustive and we welcome any recommendations, as well information of other therapies to be considered for inclusion within Central Plexus.
So, what is meant by Complementary and Alternative Therapy?... This very label implies there is a greater system in place that other methods must either ‘complement’ or ‘contradict’; and that system is conventional Western medicine. Clearly, we are very lucky to have such a well developed health care system which offers massive advantages, such as its ability to handle acute problems, particularly within the A&E Departments of modern day hospitals. There have also been huge victories for improving quality of life and increasing longevity with advancements in prosthetics, the advent of key hole and laser surgery; and the ability to perform organ transplants. Most importantly, please note that this is not a disrespectful or ungrateful attack of Western medicine. However, humans are appearing to become less healthy. Western medicine revolves around pharmacology, predominantly using drugs to combat the symptoms of disease once it has occurred. The ideology stems from Ancient Greek when priests in the temples of Aesculapius (son of Apollo) mixed medicines to correct human ailments by treating identifiable symptoms with specific treatments. As a simple modern day illustration of this principle, painkillers do not ‘heal’ the cause of the pain; they merely mask its existence. It is also worth mentioning that taking pharmaceuticals puts additional, unnatural stress on the body. The liver and kidneys work overtime, not only fighting the root problem; but also the introduction of the powerful chemicals. Antibiotics, although one of Western medicines amazing discoveries, kills off the stomach’s gut flora and if not taken properly can lead to more resistant strains of the infection it is trying to kill. We are now facing so called ‘super bugs’ that have seen and survived everything we currently have to offer.

Interestingly, even in the face of scientific research which highlights different problematic lifestyles, many of us still continue to risk poor health by ignoring prevention and instead choosing to wait until something happens and to then try and fix it. When we look at what is involved with Complementary and Alternative Therapy, it becomes apparent that the common goal is to live positive, natural, wholesome lives in keeping with the teachings of the Greek Goddess Hygieia; where disease as the condition is considered an imbalance from within. The physical symptoms are the secondary manifestations of this disease and the treatment is a return to harmony through wisdom. As this way of thinking has evolved, examination of our lifestyles as well as considering the body holistically has developed; this incorporates keeping the whole person, both physical and emotional, in harmony with each other and preventing the development of disease.

With the modern world creating a polluted, over crowded environment with processed ‘convenience’ foods for fuel as we go about our high pressure jobs in an economy based on consumerism; should we really be risking our health through neglect? Would it not be better to snack on an Orange rather than a chocolate bar and a vitamin supplement? We seem to be coming round to this way of thinking. Even the Government is now putting larger health warnings on cigarettes, as well as advising on salt intake and the fruit and vegetable content of our diet.

Central Plexus believes that there is nothing out of the ordinary with Complementary and Alternative Therapy that could not be incorporated into an everyday way of living. Instead of labelling these therapies as either complementary or alternative, perhaps a more fitting title should simply be ‘Practical Health Therapy’. We can all actively try to protect our health; the ‘Therapy’, rather than referring to a specific treatment, could relate to a therapy for the modern world.

The list opposite has many of the major recognised therapies used today; some are for looking after the whole body (acupuncture), others for a specific body part (chiropody); while some are used as a diagnostic tool to find the root cause of a condition (iridology). All of them share a common goal of keeping a healthy body. We hope you find the information interesting and useful.