This section covers blog posts about complementary therapies. You may find you have questions about complementary therapies, and here I’ve written about the most common ones I’ve been asked over the years. When looking through my blog posts, you may also find it beneficial to look at ones I’ve written about the specific therapies
Can I mix my therapies?
As an holistic therapist I have a toolkit of therapies I offer, as I'm aware not everyone likes the same thing. Regardless of your therapy, I'll have a little chat with you before the session, and it's then you can tell me what you think you may want. If you're having...
How to choose your therapy
Chances are, if you've made it to a complementary therapy website you have an idea about what you're looking for. Someone may have told you they've found something that was fantastic for sorting out their ache, someone else may have found a particular therapy really...
Losing my love for aromatherapy?
Anyone who knows me knows I love my essential oils. I think they're fantastic and I've spent over ten years exploring them, but I'm aware my love for them is waning. This may sound curious from an aromatherapist, but I've been thinking about it for a while. If I'm...
An Holistic Aromatherapy Approach for Chronic Illness
This blog post is a guest post for Honeysuckle Healing. The content arose after twitter feedback asking for information about how to use essential oils most effectively, how they can help with spasms, clear thinking, insomnia and other symptoms people living with...
My extreme self care
Every year, about this time, I begin to feel exhausted and that I need a break, but I'm aware I have too much to do. With my workload, my family and the increase of pressures such as organising Christmas for home and a business, it can begin to feel a little...
What is a Hot Stone Massage?
If you think of a hot stone massage you may think of a massage with stones laid on your back. While stones may be put on your back while it's not being massaged, it's not actually the main part of a hot stone massage session. A hot stone massage actually involves...
Aromatherapy without a massage
When you think of aromatherapy, do you think of aromatherapy with a massage? If so, you're not alone. Many people think that when you book with a therapist for an aromatherapy session, you will be getting a massage, however it is possible to book an aromatherapy...
Why do I need a consultation?
When you book your first appointment for an holistic therapy, you'll be advised we need to allow time for a consultation. It may seem a little excessive if you're booking for a bit of relaxation, but it's actually really important. A consultation allows you time to...
What is phototoxicity?
If you use certain oils on your skin or if you see an aromatherapist for a massage, you may be warned about going into direct sunlight after your session. Sometimes it will be because it's summer and the carrier oil means you are more likely to burn,...
From Hating Massage to Loving It
This is a repost of a blog I posted in 2016 on my other website OK, I have a confession to make. I hated the first massage I ever had. I couldn't work out why people paid for these things and did it regularly. I led there wondering how long it would be, thoughts...
How often should I have a therapy?
Some people who visit me are worried about the level of commitment needed with therapies. They think they're going to be visiting weekly, it will cost a fortune and they don't know if it's going to help. It's important to remember your therapist is a facilitator and...
How ‘Complementary’ Works
This is a reprint of an original blog I posted in May 2016 on a different website Sometimes I refer to myself as an holistic therapist, sometimes complementary. I've lately taken to calling myself an holistic therapist because I'm looking at someone as a person and...
I’ve seen something on the internet, is it safe?
As a member of a few facebook aromatherapy sites, I keep seeing posts by exasperated American aromatherapists. This advice is being given by marketing companies about ingestion of oils and the neat application of many essential oils. What's the Problem? While I'm an...
How to get your first therapy session ‘right’
If you've never been for a therapy session you may be wondering what on earth you do. You're going to go and spend some time with a person you've never met before, tell them your health history and then get the therapy you fancied when you had a look at what was on...
Therapists Advertising Health Conditions
In the UK, therapists are regulated by the Advertising Standards Agency. So, what does this mean? When I first qualified and we were producing leaflets we were told the usual benefits of our therapies, and we all happily produced leaflets and websites saying we could...
Why doesn’t your centre look open?
I often get comments that my clinic never looks open, and it's true, I don't run a clinic where you can drop in. When I first took the centre I knew I wouldn't be able to have it open all the time, and it's why I chose the location it's in. I also knew I wouldn't have...
Aromatherapy isn’t just about essential oil
If you think of aromatherapy, you'll automatically think of essential oils - and you won't be wrong. What you may not know is there is also another aspect to aromatherapy, which is used by clinical aromatherapists. There is a by-product which is created during the...
Men Need Therapies Too
As a massage therapist I've heard of many therapists who won't treat men, or who have decided to give up the profession completely because of the lewd texts and calls that can be received. I do treat men. I work with the men who have back problems, I see men who want...
Beginning to Learn about Essential Oils
I remember having a reading list of aromatherapy books for my course, and being so excited when the first one arrived. My attitude soon changed when I looked at it and became overwhelmed. There were so many oils with different cautions and Latin words. Honestly, even...