Category: alternative health

I have used Shiatsu a few times over this last couple of weeks. Bringing the kids tantrums down, easing car-sickness and loosening my husband’s stiff neck. On top of it having been the school holidays I have also had to have some, necessary but horrible, dental surgery.

I have spent the last ten days recovering. I have been lucky that my husband could take some time off to have the kids, it has been a joy to hear the adventures they have been up to together. It’s been tough though. I am naturally impatient so having to give in to rest has been difficult. I have been aware that the treatment and antibiotics have had a physical, mental and emotional impact on me. I have used various natural remedies to support myself and this, I believe, has helped with a relatively speedy recovery.

Like most people I’m not keen on the dentist at the best of times, but having to have excessive work is no joke. This was the second stage of the work and so I had some idea of what was going to happen. I used homeopathy to support me before and after the treatment, I used natural remedies to help alongside the antibiotics but of course I also used plenty of Shiatsu.

I used Shiatsu to settle my mind and anxiety before the dental work. There are some great Tsubos, energy points on the body, that you can hold to ease various symptoms. I used some on my wrist and hands to ease the building stress as I waited, for ages, in the waiting room. I then held points on my hands as the treatment happened to distract and calm my mind.

When I left the dental practice I knew I would be cold, I had been the first time. I had blankets to keep me warm. I rubbed the area of my lower back where the Kidneys are, I could feel the heat radiating to warm my whole body. The Kidneys are the body’s burners, if they are warm everything is. I wrapped the blankets well around this area and warmed quickly.

Further to the treatment I did suffer with headaches, which I relieved by using relevant Tsubos but also by massaging my hands and feet. This is so simple if you treat a headache as a build up of energy in the head. Working other areas of the body brings the energy away from the head and relieves the pain. It worked for me.

I have listened to my body as much as my impatience allows, which is something that can be hard to do in our busy lives. I have rested and slept. I have eaten food to support my immune system and help my kidneys.

It’s not all been straight forward. At one point my husband called me an ‘Antibiotic Zombie!’ and he was right. But in general the Shiatsu has helped my feel as balanced as possible.

Now I am fully recovered I am looking forward to getting back to giving lots of Shiatsu. To support others to find and feel balance in themselves and their lives.

xx

I have treated a number of clients who are suffering with chronic pain.

Chronic pain is such a difficult thing to live with, affecting every area of life. Often clients have lived with pain for years or even decades.

Shiatsu is a very supportive and nurtuting form of therapy. In my experience it can ease the mental tension and strain that living with pain creates.

My treatments are a safe space to talk about and feel the effects the chronic pain is having on the client. Often clients have felt unable to discuss their pain levels with their families. They feel it is too much for others to bear, too boring as it is every day, too upsetting. Shiatsu sessions are the place to discuss, and feel, and maybe let go of some of the holding on.

My clients have experienced a drop in pain levels, they have been able to drop pain relief tablets. They have also experienced more mobility and flexibility.

Often clients have tried a number of different therapies before they get to Shiatsu. Shiatsu is unique, a hands-on therapy that can help support physical, mental and emotional concerns.

I love giving Shiatsu and working with people to strengthen and move forward their health. It is such a joy to hear people talking about changes and positive developments to their health.

Xx

It may be a few weeks until the Easter weekend but in our house we are on count-down to the school holidays. I am taking some time off to hang-out with the family, let’s hope for good weather and not trying to come up with indoor options for energetic children.

My last day of work is Monday 8th April. I am already full next week and only have a couple of spaces left on Monday 8th. If you feel in need of a relaxing and invigorating Shiatsu treatment before the Easter busyness then get in touch.

This time of year is really interesting in terms of Shiatsu and energy. Everything is coming to life, plants are pushing up and out and there is birth everywhere in nature.

Life feels easier when the temperatures warm but also there is an energy in the air to get things done, to clear out, to start planting and planning. Along with the positives of this Spring energy can come more headaches or sinus issues for those prone to them. There can be too much heat in the body, causing neck and shoulder pain, digestive difficulties and slow circulation. Also it can feel overwhelming at this time of year, so many choices to be made and no clear idea of how to make them, or even where to start.

A session of Shiatsu can help ease symptoms but also help you feel like you should feel! So everything feels a little more in place, both physically but also mentally and emotionally. When we are feeling ourselves again things can seem to work more smoothly and with ease.

So if you are feeling out of sorts, have aches and pains that you would like to loosen and you would like to feel yourself again then give me a call and book a Shiatsu – either before I go on holiday or when I return on April 23rd. Contact details are on the ‘Contact Me’ page.

xx

I would love some time-out, some nurture and some relaxation as a Mother’s Day present. (She says clicking her neck from side to side as she types!) Life seems to be so busy and stopping seems a privilege not a certainty.

What a special gift to give a satisfying and tension-releasing Shiatsu as a present. A thank you for all the support and love. An hour where there are no expectations or demands, where someone is actually looking after you!

I offer gift vouchers, which I can post out, post through letter boxes or send electronically.

Shiatsu is suitable for all. It is always given through clothes which can allow more of a sense of ease than a traditional massage. It is given on the futon mat on the floor but can be given on a couch or chair if needs be.

Shiatsu promotes relaxation and can ease stress, it can help with sleep issues. As it is tailored for each individual it can be a super satisfying treatment, finding just the place that needs to be found.

I work in Exwick, close to the town and train station in Exeter. I have a warm and cosy wooden cabin that I practice in. Easy parking outside allows for even more relaxation.

I work Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday and Fridays and have evening appointments available as well as the day time appointments.

Do get in touch to arrange a gift voucher. Either call on 07791 070837 or otherwise email me amyhinkswright@yahoo.co.uk

I have been working with a couple of mothers and their babies recently. It is a joy to support and nurture tired mums and a great pleasure to treat their babies too.

Children and babies are very responsive to treatment, they haven’t had years to build up chronic tension like the rest of us. They do, however, have stresses and strains that Shiatsu can help ease.

There is so much development that happens in childhood, particularly babyhood. Generally this development happens with ease but sometimes the baby, or child, needs a little help. Maybe teething is difficult or digestion isn’t happening as easily as it could.

Shiatsu is a gentle treatment and can be quite productive in a short period of time. The babies I have treated have responded really positively. They are more settled, calmer and have better digestion and less signs of distress.

I have also found that Shiatsu has helped in many ways with my boys. I have used it to promote relaxation and calmness but also for stomach ache, constipation, growing pains, earaches, dizziness, travel sickness and many other things.

If you are interested in having Shiatsu for yourself and your children, or you feel your child or children would benefit from a session then do get in touch. A session doesn’t need to be a full hour and pricing is relative to the time required.

xx

• 

• 

• 

• 

Recently I have had a number of clients with serious back issues and I’ve also had some difficulty with my own back.

There is nothing like being in pain, it is physically and mentally draining and can leave people feeling very isolated. I love that Shiatsu has the ability to ease pain levels and also offer emotional support to those in pain.

Often when the issue at it’s most acute there are small things that a client can do to support their own healing.

Keeping the back warm is essential. Particularly keeping the areas where the Kidneys are well protected. A hot water bottle in the evening. on the kidney area of the back, at the bottom of the ribs on each side, is ideal.

Resting when possible is also essential. The two main Meridians (lines of energy) that run through the back relate to tiredness and rest. Too much exercise is not going to help.

Breathing deep into the area of pain, through it an to the base of the spine. Using Meditations that visualise healing in the spine and areas of pain can also help.

Once the condition has began to strengthen – this may take just a few Shiatsu treatments or may take more, considering the extent of the issue – then other exercises can begin to be used.

Back issues are generated by all number of issues, injury, accident, work, stress, emotional issues. My personal issue is pushing too much, to get too much done, on top of a busy Shiatsu practice. I have decided it is time to get more into shape, on top of a busy family and work life. Funnily enough my back as said ‘slow up!’

I am resting when possible, I am using visual meditation, I am using gentle stretches and exercises and I am listening to my body. The major change is an acceptance of how my body is, where it’s limitations are and letting go of negative self-beliefs that I believe are at the core of the issue.

I am also getting treatments, as it’s not possible, always, to heal ourselves just on our own. It’s important to know when to ask for help. These treatments are providing me with the moral and emotional support I need to continue to ease my discomfort.

Look my back isn’t that bad at all really – just the result of a few busy weeks – but it has helped me to begin to understand how difficult it is to live with chronic pain -and how great it is to find a place of healing and support.

I really enjoy providing a held therapeutic space, where healing and change can take place. If you are reading this and thinking ‘yes it’s time for some change’ then maybe come and try a Shiatsu with me.

Off to fill up the hot water bottle now – here’s to a deeply restful night to you all. xx

I have a lot of conversations about posture, a lot of people feel that their issue or concern stems from having bad posture.

Well this can be true. Standing in an unbalanced way or leaning over for long periods can leave our bodies ouy of shape.

However I’m always more interested in the reason why a body is out of balance. Bad posture is often a symptom rather than the cause.

It isn’t generally something that has just happened. It may be traced back to the job a person has done, very physical or bent over a computer. It may be they are very tall so have become used to bending. It could be there was an injury or accident in their history.

The reason for poor posture could be emotional, our bodies take on our mental strains as well as our physical. Sometimes the poor posture can be traced back to a stressful or sad time for the person.

The bad posture can then exacerbate an underlying issue. It can cause further issues across the body.

When considering bad posture, from a Shiatsu point of view, it can be looked at simply as an energetic imbalance. What Meridians, lines of energy, run through the areas of the body that are out of line? Are those Meridians too full of energy; tight, tense, rigid, bent? Are the Meridians low of energy; weak, loose, crumpled?

Shiatsu looks to balance the energy in the body. It can strengthen the weak areas and loosen the tight areas. When the body is in balance symptoms can ease.

Often clients want to understand what has effected their body. They may only look at this in an anatomical or physiological way. Sometimes it needs to be looked at on an emotional and energetic way.

This is one of the things that makes Shiatsu such an unique form of therapy.

If you are concerned about your posture you may want to try Shiatsu. Within a few sessions you should start to see some changes. I can often give exercise and lifestyle advice to help you continue the healing process yourself at home.

If you are interested in discussing or booking do give me a call on 07791 070837. My email address is amyhinkswright@yahoo.co.uk.

Xx

A very interesting video abouy Shiatsu – take a look

I found the way that Shiatsu is being used alongsise conventional medicine inspiring.

I also loved the way Shiatsu, and the Shiatsu connection, os described.

The best bit was the benefits that the patients found aftet having Shiatsu. I struggled to clearly describe this form of hands-on therapy and love to hear people took from their own experience.

So take a look yourself for an idea of what it’s all about.

Xx

Sitting in the sun looking for inspiration for today’s blog I realised a couple of things.

The energy at the moment, be it bright and light, has a strong connection to the earth, a sense of grounding, a sense of feeling supported.

I am really enjoying this natural grounded feeling. I generally need to work hard to feel at this so this is a pleasant change for me. How about you?

I have found it the perfect energy for quiet meditation and reflection, for connecting to nature and for leaving my head and thoughts behind and listening to my intuition. Also hard foe ne normally! I have found it easier to sit in the present and be grateful for what I have.

To me this is an extra special present from nature, who knows what the next couple of months or the rest of the year will be like. What a pleasure to have such light and warmth, even for a short while.

I have also enjoyed stretching, which is a serious Spring energy form of exercise. There is some movement and motivation generated by this energy that is really easy to harness.

Look I saw people in shorts and t-shirts at the supermarket and a friend was talking about planting out her seedlings. Let’s not get carried away. It feels like there is still the quiet, inward energy of Winter around – but pleasantly balanced with the upward, outward Spring energy.

As far as I understand the ‘fake Spring’ disappears tomorrow but I’m hoping my practice stays. I am so enjoying feeling comfortable in my own quiet, whilst waking my body slowly from its Winter slumber with a good amont of yoga and stretching.

I am enjoying my Shiatsu practice too. There is more energy to play with. Everyone retreats and retracts in the Winter, they need boosting up. The Spring brings more movement and flow of energy. The work seems to still be pretty transformational, following from big shifts that started last year. Clients are leaving behind old habits and actions and are steping forward. They are really feeling their hurt and pain but are happy to do so, understanding they have to to move on.

I say make hay whilst the sun shines, make the most of these special few days. But get ready to hanker down again as that Winter energy is still around and hasn’t funished with us yet!

Xx

Having had a great family time over the last week, what great weather for half term, I am back offering Shiatsu.

Boy has Spring started springing. The Spring energy is upwars and out, like the bulbs pushing up and through the earth.

When in balance this energy allows us to use our creativity, to conjure up plans and ideas. It allows us to be adaptable and flexible, physically and mentally.

When out of balance the Spring energy can make us feel like we are stuck in a rut, like we’ve got no options. We can feel tight and inflexible, quick to anger or frustration.

Spring loves a good stretch, like waking from sleep, after the cold Winter warming the body. So gentle does it but some yoga or simple stretches can help the body get in tune with the season.

Spring is the time for ideas and planning, fruition and flowering comes later. So it’s not time to do too much, more time to plan what you’d like to acheive.

I offer Shiatsu on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with some evening appointments available.

I work in Exwick, Exeter

Xx