Complementary Therapies

Reflexology

Reflexologists consider that all parts of the body are connected by subtle energy which flows down the body from the head to the feet through ten zones, or channels.  When there is illness the channels become blocked and the flow of energy is disturbed.  Working on the hands and/or feet unblocks these channels allowing energy to flow and restore the balance.  All of which relaxes the body, enhances the circulation and relieves the uncomfortable symptoms.  The effect can be almost immediate, but long-standing conditions may take some time to heal, since the healing begins on a deep level.  Reflexologists believe the body heals itself from the inside to the outside.

My initiation into reflexology was given to me by a wizened looking chinese lady in Dubai several years ago.  We were taken upstairs at the clinic where there were two long rows of cubicles with cotton screens around them behind which was the treatment bed.  A bit like you see on 'Casualty' but much narrower.  Not knowing what to expect, but thinking it would be nice and relaxing I got myself comfortable and closed my eyes.  I had heard that 'stagnant' areas feel like tiny gravelly pebbles and that these are massaged and then magically disperse which would in turn make me feel much better.  What I didn't know was how hard she would press to find and disperse the offending pebbly bits. I remember quite distinctly her spending an inordinately long time on one particular area, ooh how I wished I hadn't drunk that bottle of wine the night before!  She never spoke to me once during the whole of the treatment.  I have been back to Dubai several times since, even bravely venturing back to the same clinic, but have never come across her again.  I should add that this clinic now has plush dimly lit treatment rooms with candles and soothing music and is nothing like it was in those earlier days. 

My Ref (she may not want me to call her by her real name, and reflexologist is too long to keep typing, so hope I am not giving offence by calling her "My Ref") is nothing like the wizened old chinese lady thank goodness.  This time I get to lay back in a comfortable chair and listen to soothing music while she works her magic on my feet.  And it works.  My puffy, water-retention-swollen legs, knees and ankles return to my own recognizable limbs, my red, irritated rash fades away, the stress diminishes and I feel calm, relaxed and peaceful. 

I have had twelve sessions, one a week, to date and at some point during this time the rheumaticy aches in my shoulders, hips and knees have vanished and my digestion has improved no end.  My Ref says that my liver has also improved since session one.   

I'm not sure how many more sessions I will have, or need, it will depend on how the tx affects me but it is lovely and should be available on the NHS. 

Reiki

Reiki is a method of natural healing based on the Universal Life Force and is channelled through the practitioner's hands.  It is the vital life energy force which flows through all living things and which can be activated for the purpose of healing.  The Reiki therapist channels the Ki (life energy) through their hands to the recipient, activating the body's natural ability to heal itself. 

Well, its a lot more complicated than that but that is how it basically works.  This time I get to lie down on a comfortable bed with a pillow for my head and covered over with a sheet or blanket, listening to tranquil music in a darkened room. I am asked to concentrate briefly on where I want the healing to happen and that's my sole contribution.  Bliss! 

I had my first session the evening before my first shot in the hope that it would put me in a calm frame of mind and make me feel less stressed about it. I am lucky that My Ref also does Reiki!

As the treatment started my heart was pounding and so was my head, I could feel my pulse throbbing in my temples.  I put it all down to the slight uphill walk getting to the clinic and vowed to chat a while longer the next time before starting the treatment so I could get my breath back!  As the therapy is non-invasive and I had my eyes shut I couldn't always tell where My Ref was working.  I could feel some heat in my left hip joint at some point.  Towards the end of the treatment My Ref held my feet gently and I thought I could feel a tingling sensation and then a 'rolling wave' feeling going over my body.  Also, my heart started pounding away again half way through, so couldn't blame the walk for that surely! 

Afterwards I felt very peaceful and, well the word serene comes to mind.  The next day I still felt the same and the feeling has stayed with me since.  It's kind of changed how I think and feel.  I have more confidence.  The thumping heart was a release of emotions apparently and I have certainly been more emotional in the following days. Tears fall at the drop of a hat!  I'm struggling to find the right words that does the treatment justice.  In the hell that is hep c I've found an oasis, how's that? 

Third Reiki Session.  After seeming to work my way through a myriad of emotions in the second session this third session was a lot more relaxing.  I came away feeling stronger, more focused and more able to deal with my disease.

The Nutri-Energetics System

The science of biophysics is the basis for the scanning and infoceuticals technology of Nutri-Energetics Systems (NES).  Biophysics incorporates the latest research into information transfer within living organisms and is related to a branch of physics - Quantum Electro Dynamics field theory - that involves the study of communication between atoms.  Biophysics shows that the human biological processes are entirely dependent on integrated and unobstructed communication among the chemical, physical, mental, emotional, memory and energetic aspects.  This information transfer goes way beyond what can be explained by biochemistry alone.  If the body's internal information transfer system is compromised then cellular, physiological, mental and energetic processes will cease to function in an optimum way.  The NES analysis's information transfer in the body, identifies issues and recommends the required corrective Infoceuticals.

I first went along for an analysis in January this year hoping for some help with my ongoing digestive problems. Whilst the background to NES is very technical the actual test is very simple - it is done by a computer!  I was asked to take a deep steadying breath and then place my hand on an oversized computer mouse.  It very quickly took a reading of my whole body.  The Practitioner then goes over the readings with you.  Everything is assessed on a scale of '0' through to '4', zero being the best reading.  At the end of the session you are prescribed anything up to four infoceuticals and may take anywhere between 6 and 28 drops of each, once a day.  (At 28 drops a day one bottle would last a month)  Each bottle contains: Micro-organic Trace Minerals, Purified Water, Magnetic Vector Information and 5% Ethanol or Potassium Sorbate. 

It is a very complex sounding treatment and anyone requiring further information should look at the website www.nutrienergetics.com which will tell you better than I can, what it is all about.  All I know is that it works!  My digestion has improved and my mood swings have all but vanished.  One of my biggest problems was getting a decent nights sleep but this treatment has made a huge difference to that.  Prior to starting tx I could sleep for up to 10 hours, wonderful! 

I have had seven sessions now which I am sure has put me in good stead for starting my hep c tx.  Next time I go will be my first on tx so am sure that will make for a very lively session! 

First session after starting tx.  Some readings were surprisingly good.  My muscleo-skeletal reading showed only the merest hint of a problem with my feet.  My emotions were very good, particularly cheerfulness, which now showed a zero but had previously been stuck on a 2 for a long time.  My body always seems to struggle with heavy metals.  It might be something in the meds, we're not sure.  And also, pesticides, etc. that kind of thing.  I use all organic, natural products for house cleaning, bathing, hair washing, etc.  but it is amazing where these toxins get to and what they are in.  It is too in depth to go through it all here, but there was progress and I shall continue with the treatment for the time being. 

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient system of healing that has been practiced in the East for thousands of years.  It's focus is on improving the overall well being of the patient by treating the cause of the illness rather than the isolated treatment of specific symptoms.  There are approximately 500 acupuncture points on the body.  By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy, the acupuncturist can stimulate the body's own healing response and restore its natural balance.

I first tried Acupuncture when I wanted to stop smoking, almost two years ago now,, which is why I felt it deserved a mention here. You lie comfortably on a bed and the Acupuncturist feels your pulse, of which there are ten.  Needles are then put in on certain points of your body and left there for, perhaps, 20 minutes.  I had three sessions and I have not wanted to smoke since. 

I'm not sure I would consider this option for helping with hep c though. It can be a very relaxing and de-stressing treatment, but it doesn't seem to work as deeply as the reflex and reiki and I prefer those at the moment.