A GUIDE TO COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY IN GENEVA
by Sarah Scaddan – reflexologist
Do you know your reiki from your raki ? Or your shiatsu from your shih tzu ?
You may have heard your friend? colleague/relative rave about the ‘ology’ they are receiving and how it has vastly changed their lives. Inevitably they will thrust a business card at you, saying: “You MUST go, it will totally cure your … (fill in ailment of choice here).”
I have had heated (drunken) discussions with many skeptics who:
a) think only pharmaceutical drugs or surgery has a place in healing,
b) believe complementary therapy to be tantamount to witchcraft or is Satan’s hobby, or
c) have no real understanding of what it is, how therapists believe it works and the variety available. Category A and B are lost causes, but we can enlighten category C with this succinct guide to complementary therapy in Geneva.
WHAT IS COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY?
Complementary therapies are generally holistic so treat the whole body rather than just the ailment. When you think that stress accounts for over 60% of physician visits and is a factor in five out of six main causes of death (Work to Live, 2015), it would be foolish to only treat the headache for example, rather than the stress that is causing the headache.
I must raise my hand here and admit I am a reflexologist working in Geneva and therefore hugely biased. I have (generously) compiled a list of the many other complementary therapies available in Geneva and will not use this forum to promote the wonderful healing power of reflexology. Much.
The A-Z GUIDE to complementary therapies in Geneva
ACUPPRESSURE
What does it involve?
Physical pressure is applied to points all over the body, using the therapist’s hand, elbow or an instrument.
How is it thought to work?
When yin and yang is in harmony in the body, energy (or chi) flows freely through 14 meridians. When a person is unwell, there is an obstruction in the flow which acupressure and acupuncture addresses.
What is it especially good for?
Motion sickness, nausea, tension headache.
Our opinion
Thumbs up. Feels great, relaxing, instant relief from nausea.
WHERE
ACUPUNCTURE
What does it involve?
Inserting needles at particular parts on the body.
How is it thought to work?
As above.
What is it especially good for?
Migraines, chronic pain, inducing labor.
Our opinion
Undecided. Whilst I believe in principle, there is something freaky about having needles stuck into you, and a friend told me recently about a therapist who needled her, then forgot about her and went out for lunch. What? Personally, I prefer acupressure but loads of people swear by acupuncture. Plus, it is ancient. That must count for something.
WHERE
AROMATHERAPY
What does it involve?
Blending essential oils that are used topically, inhaled or massaged into skin.
How is it thought to work?
Their smell stimulates the limbic system, the part of the brain concerned with instinct and mood.
What is it especially good for?
Anxiety, insomnia, allergies, addictions.
Our opinion:
Whilst I certainly believe that smells can influence your mood, I would only use this technique to deal with minor health or mood issues.
WHERE
AURICULOTHERAPY
What does it involve?
A technique using points on the skin of the auricle (external ear) to diagnose and treat medical conditions of the body. The points are treated with one of several possible treatment methods, including electrical or laser stimulation, pressure, taping of a track or seed to the skin, or insertion of vary small acupuncture needles.
How is it thought to work?
The specific points on the ear have been mapped for the treatment of specific problems. These points, when stimulated, often have positive effects on the target area of the body.
What is it especially good for?
Pain control, addictions and cravings, weight loss, and help with mental or emotional problems.
Our opinion:
Absolutely.
WHERE
CHIROPRACTIC
What does it involve?
Hands-on spinal manipulation and readjustment, through the application of pressure.
How is it thought to work?
Proper alignment of the body’s musculoskeletal structure, particularly the spine, will enable the body to heal itself without surgery or medication
What is it especially good for?
Back and neck pain, headaches.
Our opinion:
Having a back problem is the worst. Don’t just moan about it, investigate all therapies available and if your structure is put back place by a chiropractor, let us know and we’ll celebrate with you.
WHERE
CRANIAL SACRAL THERAPY
What does it involve?
Gentle touch of the practitioner’s hands on the head and other parts of the body. The patient is fully clothed and lying down.
How is it thought to work?
The therapist, through gentle contact, can listen to the rhythm of the body, release tensions and calm chaos.
What is it especially good for?
Treating babies, mothers post childbirth, back pain and stress.
Our opinion:
I’m a believer. I took my babies, I went after childbirth and I go regularly with my back. I send friends with migraines, pain and injuries. I can’t really comprehend how it works, but I have felt its magic.
WHERE
CUPPING
What does it involve?
Therapists attached vacuum cups to your skin for a few minutes. Rather than applying pressure to muscles, it uses gentle pressure to pull them upward. It isn’t painful at all, it’s a pleasant sensation.
How is it thought to work?
The suction and negative pressure provided by cupping can loosen muscles, encourage blood flow, and sedate the nervous system.
What is it especially good for?
Back and neck pain, rheumatism, high blood pressure.
Our opinion:
Feels great. Don’t wear a backless dress afterwards.
WHERE
FASCIAL (MYOFASCIAL OR MYOFASCIAL RELEASE) THERAPY
What does it involve?
Soft tissue massage that incorporates the stretching and massage of the connective tissues.
How is it thought to work?
Fascia is the connective tissue beneath the skin that surrounds muscles and other structures. Fascia therapy changes the consistency of the tissue to reduce restriction on movement.
What is it especially good for?
Scar tissue, muscle strain, bad posture, fibromyalgia.
Our opinion:
I have never been for fascial therapy, but guess it is incorporated many other treatments and it makes total sense to me. I keep reading articles about how the fascia is ‘neglected’ and ‘the missing link in modern medicine’. I think we’re all going to be discussing our fascia in times to come.
WHERE
FLOWER REMEDIES
What does it involve?
Liquid homeopathic treatment created by using non-toxic flowers, taken internally and dropped on to the tongue or mixed with water.
How is it thought to work?
The soul of the plant and its healing vibrations are imparted into the essence. They gently restore the balance between mind and body
What is it especially good for?
Negative emotions.
Our opinion:
Rescue remedy (aka liquid valium) is an essential blend of flower remedies. We use it in our house to help insomnia, before a presentation or exam, on flights and to generally stop teenagers self imploding. Other flower remedies I have tried without any great revelations.
WHERE
HOMEOPATHY
What does it involve?
Homeopathy is usually taken in tablet or pillule but is also available in liquid and powder form or homeopathic gel or cream for topical use as well.
How is it thought to work?
The concept is that ‘let like cure like’. Homeopathic remedies are created by taking a “toxic” substance and diluting it down significantly until only the most minuscule trace of the original substance remains.
What is it especially good for?
Skin problems and allergies.
Our opinion:
Arnica is homeopathic. In the UK people used to eye roll at me applying it to my children’s bruises, but here in Switzerland, the school nurse wears a tool belt full of it. I’ve tried a few others with good results, I’d like to know more.
WHERE
HYPNOTHERAPY
What does it involve?
The client is guided into a trance-like state of focus and concentration, similar to being completely absorbed in a book or movie, or daydreaming.
How is it thought to work?
In this state, clients can turn their attention completely inward to find and utilise the natural resources deep within themselves that can help them make changes or regain control in certain areas of their life.
What is it especially good for?
Addictions including smoking, phobias and fears.
Our opinion:
My husband has had hypnotherapy to give up smoking three times. He still smokes 30 a day. However, I have taken two of my children who responded really well to it.
WHERE
KINESIOLOGY
What does it involve?
A kinesiologist will place limbs in different positions whilst applying a light manual pressure to test the muscle response. Corrections are made using gentle techniques such as touching reflex points, and lifestyle advice may be given.
How is it thought to work?
Muscle testing techniques monitor the flow of energy throughout the body on a very fine level so that the kinesiologist can identify the factors which may be disrupting the natural flow of energy which are essential for good health.
What is it especially good for?
Increased vitality, recovery from illness, stress.
Our opinion:
As with all therapies, I know people for whom kinesiology has changed their life. It didn’t change mine. I couldn’t get past how much money I was paying for someone to lift and then drop my arm on to a bed.
WHERE
OSTEOPATHY
What does it involve?
Physical manipulation of muscle tissue and bones using stretching, gentle pressure and resistance.
How is it thought to work?
Similar techniques to chiropractic treatment except a chiropractor concentrates on problems of the spine and muscles, whereas the osteopath treats the whole body with the aim of balancing all the body systems.
What is it especially good for?
Arthritis, joint and muscle pain, headaches, digestive issues, postural problems.
Our opinion:
Definitely try this. I works wonders on my irksome back, and I walk out feeling taller and straighter than ever. Being manipulated whilst wearing your underwear is distressing though, at any age.
WHERE
REFLEXOLOGY
What does it involve?
Massage and pressure applied to the feet and sometimes hands.
How is it thought to work?
The foot is a map of your body. Through working the reflex points in your feet, you can work the corresponding part in the body, and restore the body back to its harmonic state.
What is it especially good for?
Stress, muscle pain, digestive issues, insomnia, fertility, menopause, sinus pain and congestion.
Our opinion:
Love love love love love. Of course, I do. I have seen such great results and felt them too.
WHERE
REIKI
What does it involve?
The client lies fully clothed and the therapist uses a light, non-invasive touch, placing and holding their hands-on series of locations on the head and body.
How is it thought to work?
The therapist channels energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the natural healing processes of the patient’s body and restore physical and emotional well-being.
What is it especially good for?
Stress, insomnia, hormone imbalance and pain.
Our opinion:
I had to stifle my giggles when I tried reiki. There is something about someone waving their hands all over you that is just plain comical.
WHERE
SOPHROLOGY
What does it involve?
Learning a series of easy-to-do physical and mental exercises called dynamic relaxation.
How is it thought to work?
Focuses on the inner resources a person has and trains the person to use them to move forward with confidence.
What is it especially good for?
Insomnia, stress, concentration, confidence.
Our opinion:
I haven’t tried sophrology, but it makes sense to me Your body does need a little guidance to find its inner strength sometimes.
WHERE
Be aware that many health insurance policies pay for complementary therapies. Therapists must be registered with ASCA (Fondation Suisse pour les medécines complémentaires) so check your policy and peruse the many therapists on the ASCA site http://www.asca.ch/Partners.aspx. English speakers are listed.
If there are other forms of complementary you have tried and tested, or you have favourite therapists in Geneva, do let us know at info@thingstodoingeneva.ch. Happy healing.
References
Work to Live, 2015, Stop the Stress Epidemic, available at https://www.worktolive.info/stress-campaign (accessed 30 January 2019).
