Complementary Therapies

Complementary Therapies is the term used to describe any treatments or practices which specifically create a feeling of well-being through rebalancing the body, alleviating the effects of stress, increasing energy levels and reducing aches and pains.

The therapies provided for people seeking support for their drug and alcohol use have been shown to:

Help with relaxation
Decrease cravings and withdrawal symptoms
Reduce feelings of anxiety and stress
Improve sleep and mood
Create a sense of calm and wellbeing
Emotional balance
Achieve a calm state of mind

Therapies offered include:

Auricular Acupuncture - Is a specialised complementary therapy where acupuncture points on the outer ear are treated. It was developed as part of ancient Chinese medicine and involves using needles along meridian points within the ear to promote a balance of energy (Qi) within the body. The Nada protocol involves administrating treatments using 5 designated ear points in each ear. During an auricular acupuncture session fine gauge needles are inserted on each point where they can remain for up to 40 minutes while the client relaxes and feels the benefit of the healing process. Ear seeds can be put in place between sessions to promote healing in the interim.

Herbal Detox Tea’s – Herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years and can be used alongside other complementary treatments. Herbs encourage the natural healing process and support the body while it rebalances itself. They are gentle in action but used regularly can be very helpful. Certain herbal tea’s are free during ear acupuncture sessions and you are encouraged to try them. We encourage this for the following reasons:

This is a simple method to reduce cravings, withdrawals, stress and anxiety.
It will help you cut down on normal tea and coffee both containing caffeine, a strong stimulant drug.
The fluid content will help your body to flush out toxins.

Reiki – Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese word meaning ‘universal life energy’. Reiki is a healing system that is safe, natural and holistic way of treating many acute and chronic conditions and bringing about spiritual, mental and emotional wellbeing.

The treatment is done in a quiet room either lying down on the treatment bed or sat in a chair. It is a non-evasive treatment. It can involve using hands on and off the body. i.e placing hands on the head or working in the person’s aura off the body. It is important to relax and work with what is comfortable for you.

The practitioner’s touch should be gentle, light and comfortable, although sometimes people experience intense heat from the practitioner’s hands. There is no massage or manipulation. You may feel sensations under the practitioner’s hands or in other parts of your body. You may feel heat, tingling, coolness, throbbing or other sensations. You may feel very little, although many people experience a sense of well being and relaxation – some even fall asleep! Sometimes a treatment can be energising, there is no right or wrong way to experience Reiki.

Electro Stimulation Therapy (Black Box) – Electro stimulation therapy (EST) is a safe and simple treatment. Small, painless electrical pulses are passed through acupuncture points on the body. Stimulating the production of chemicals which form part of the body’s natural mechanism for dealing with stress. Stimulant use and opiate withdrawal stop the body’s production of some of these chemicals.

Although EST has principles common to acupuncture, the skin is not pierced and needles are not used. Treatment enables the body to regain the functioning of its natural stress - coping mechanisms which may have been suppressed during substance use.