Introduction to complementary therapies used at STEPS Rehabilitation
Complementary therapies are a group of therapeutic practices and techniques that are used alongside conventional medical treatments to improve health and well-being. These therapies are often referred to as "complementary" because they are intended to complement traditional medical care.
Complementary therapies include practices such as acupuncture, massage therapy, meditation, yoga, and many others. Complementary therapies may be used to relieve symptoms, manage pain, reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, enhance immune function, and promote overall health and wellness.
This year, Complementary Therapies Week runs from 20th – 26th March and celebrates the work of complementary therapists and promotes all forms of natural health.
Complementary therapies at STEPS Rehabilitation
As part of the many services we offer our clients, we provide several complementary therapies which are used alongside conventional therapy.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the oldest established forms of healthcare in the world, originating in China thousands of years ago. It involves inserting fine needles through your skin at strategic points on your body. At STEPS, we are fortunate to have physiotherapists who have trained in acupuncture and a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner. We use acupuncture within physiotherapy sessions as an integrated approach to managing pain and inflammation. Most of our clients experience pain due to their injuries, and acupuncture can encourage the body to release endorphins, our natural painkillers, and increase the blood flow to the area, promoting the healing process. It’s also a method of stimulating the body’s own healing chemicals to aid recovery and enhance the rehabilitation process. (All STEPS therapists practising acupuncture are members of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP), and STEPS is registered with Sheffield City Council as an acupuncture provider.)
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is a form of manual therapy that involves the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia, with the aim of promoting relaxation, pain relief, and overall well-being. The practice of massage therapy involves the use of different massage techniques, such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, and others, to achieve the desired results.
Massage therapists use their hands, fingers, elbows, and forearms to apply pressure to specific areas of the body and can also use other tools such as hot stones or cups to aid in the therapy. Massage therapy may involve the use of oils, lotions, or other products to enhance the massage experience.
Massage therapy has been used for centuries to promote healing and relaxation and has been found to be effective in reducing stress, relieving pain and muscle tension, improving circulation, and enhancing overall well-being.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a recognised and useful tool in neurological rehabilitation for clients recovering from conditions such as a stroke or traumatic brain injury. It involves a collaborative approach that combines psychotherapy and hypnosis.
The therapy is short-term and goal-focused, incorporating positive psychology principles and practices to help clients instigate change by constructing solutions rather than focusing on problems. During a session, clients are guided into a state of trance, where they are more receptive to suggestions and can make changes at a subconscious level and adopt new positive solutions. By equipping individuals with resources and tools, they can feel more in control during what is usually a difficult time in their life.
The benefits of hypnotherapy are vast and include:
- Reduced pain intensity and improved pain coping skills.
- Improved motor function performance and reduced spasticity.
- Improved cognitive function, including attention, memory, and executive function.
- Reduced anxiety and depression.
- Improved sleep quality.
Sound Bath Therapy
The most recent complementary therapy to be introduced at STEPS is Sound Bath Therapy.
This therapy uses sound, music, and specialist instruments played in therapeutic ways, combined with deep self-reflection techniques, to improve health and well-being. One of the most obvious effects of Sound Therapy is the deep, restorative relaxation state. Music can help us to feel our emotions in a safe and natural way. Changes in pitch, tonality, and rhythm can create states where we process our emotions without the need for vocalising.
Sound Therapy stimulates specific regions of the brain and promotes neuroplasticity. Some studies have shown that it can speed up recovery of coordination, motor control, communication, and memory and be an important tool in retraining our brain.
Sources
Possible Mechanisms for the Effects of Sound Vibration on Human Health - PMC
Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Wellbeing: An Observational Study - PMC
The transformative power of music: Insights into neuroplasticity, health, and disease - ScienceDirect
The human health effects of singing bowls: A systematic review - ScienceDirect