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Acorn Health Blog

What we love is great health...

...and we like to write about how we can all achieve better health, naturally. Sometimes tips on how you can DIY to better health and sometimes on the therapies that can make a difference to you, your health and wellbeing.
Thank you for reading, We hope you enjoy :)

How Hypnotherapy Can Help Reduce or Eliminate Anxiety

General Health & Wellbeing, Therapies Posted by JadwigaPosted on Thu, September 28, 2023 10:48AM

Anxiety is a common and sometimes overwhelming feeling that many of us face in our daily lives. Whether it’s the stress of work, personal relationships, or life’s uncertainties, anxiety can creep in and disrupt our peace of mind. Fortunately, there’s a powerful tool called hypnotherapy that can help you take control of your anxiety and lead a more balanced life.

Understanding Anxiety:

Before diving into how hypnotherapy can assist with anxiety, let’s grasp what anxiety really is. Anxiety is essentially your body’s natural response to stress, a fight-or-flight mechanism that can help you in dangerous situations. However, when this response becomes chronic, it can lead to a range of physical and mental health issues.

How Does Hypnotherapy Work?

Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique that uses guided relaxation and focused attention to access your subconscious mind. Contrary to what you might have seen in movies, hypnotherapy is not about mind control; it’s about helping you gain more control over your own thoughts and behaviours.

Here’s how it can assist in reducing or eliminating anxiety:

1. Identifying Root Causes:

Hypnotherapy helps you delve into your subconscious to identify the root causes of your anxiety. Often, anxiety is linked to past traumas or unresolved issues that you may not even be consciously aware of. By addressing these underlying factors, you can start to heal and reduce anxiety’s grip on you.

2. Rewiring Negative Thought Patterns:

Anxiety often arises from negative thought patterns and beliefs. Hypnotherapy can help reprogram your subconscious mind, replacing those negative thoughts with positive ones. This process is known as cognitive restructuring and can be a powerful tool for combating anxiety.

3. Stress Reduction:

Through deep relaxation and visualization techniques, hypnotherapy can lower your overall stress levels. This reduction in stress is crucial for managing and ultimately reducing anxiety. When your body is in a relaxed state, it’s harder for anxiety to take hold.

4. Building Confidence and Self-Esteem:

Many people with anxiety struggle with self-doubt and low self-esteem. Hypnotherapy can boost your confidence and self-worth by implanting positive affirmations and self-assured beliefs in your subconscious mind.

5. Developing Coping Strategies:

Hypnotherapy equips you with effective coping strategies for managing anxiety. These strategies can include breathing exercises, self-hypnosis techniques, and mental imagery that can be employed in everyday situations when anxiety strikes.

6. Enhanced Mindfulness:

Hypnotherapy encourages mindfulness, which is the practice of staying present in the moment. This can help you detach from anxious thoughts about the future and ruminations about the past. By staying in the now, you can reduce anxiety’s grip on your mind.

7. Progressive Relaxation:

One of the most immediate benefits of hypnotherapy is the deep relaxation it induces. This state of relaxation can serve as a powerful antidote to the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as racing heart and shallow breathing.

In Conclusion:

Hypnotherapy is a versatile and effective tool for reducing or even eliminating anxiety. By accessing your subconscious mind and rewiring negative thought patterns, it can help you regain control over your mental and emotional state. It’s essential to work with a qualified and experienced hypnotherapist who can tailor the sessions to your specific needs.

If you’re tired of letting anxiety rule your life, consider giving hypnotherapy a try. It’s a safe and empowering way to take charge of your mental well-being and embark on a journey towards a more relaxed and anxiety-free existence. Remember, you have the power to transform your mind and overcome anxiety with the right guidance and techniques.

Would you like to find out if hypnotherapy could help you?

Book your FREE consultation


Acorn’s Therapist of the Month – Eileen Strong

Personal stories, Therapies Posted by JadwigaPosted on Thu, September 28, 2023 10:00AM

Hi all,

Eileen here.  I’ve been working at Acorn for quite a few years, offering a range of different therapies  including massages, facials, mind-body and meridian-energy healing (Emotional Freedom Technique)  and Meditation. 

I am based in the therapy room directly next to Acorn Reception, which overlooks the Market Place, and am available for appointments and consultations on Fridays from mid-morning to late evening.  On-line therapies via Zoom are also available on Mondays.  You can find all my offerings and availability for either of these via the Acorn website and booking system.  

George, our Sports Massage Specialist, also works from the same room that I use but on different days (obviously!) .. and here we are together, having a chat about therapist stuff in our Acorn setting.

Eileen and George in our shared therapy room at Acorn.

However,  many therapists work outside of a fixed therapy room.  Many therapists are mobile and will visit you at home; I know quite a few hairdressers, chiropodists and reflexologists who only ever work mobile. 

I also have friends who are “full time festival therapists” who only ever work the festival circuit and earn most of their annual income that way.. they might be doing massages from dawn till dusk at places like Glastonbury Festival, very lucratively,  but the downside being it’s very seasonal income; they usually have a home base of sorts for the winter months, or have other jobs to supplement their income.  Some therapists enjoy working the big cruise ships (lots of tips!) too.

Having a therapist skill-set can present opportunities all over the world! And for me, at least, definitely creating opportunities to jump in the campervan and take off on a road trip.  Let me share a few recent examples with you, if that’s ok!

Last month (August 23 as I write this!)  I was invited to teach a 2-day “Learn Quantum-Touch” workshop in Scotland, so I treated it as a bit of a road trip adventure and went up to Falkirk in a campervan, tagging on a day or so either side of the workshop to explore some of the local visitor hotspots. I had a great time up there, and was able to re-connect with some previous Scotland workshop students who have since become great friends.  I’m planning on getting back up there to teach another workshop early next year.   

In September this year I had a more local road trip adventure with my Festival Therapist hat on.  Here’s a short video showing the highlights from that:

I don’t take my full therapist offerings to the festivals as it’s more of a mobile-therapy set up .. otherwise, there is just simply too much equipment for me to lug about! 

My most popular treatment at festivals is a good old “neck back shoulder” massage and “Indian Head Massage”. Also Quantum Touch energy-healing;  these are fantastic for helping people recover quickly from the aches and pains (and stress!) of a night in a tent on a sleepmat .. and to help them relax more quickly into the chill-out vibes. 

I also met 1 lady who was in the middle of scheduled chemotherapy treatments and was feeling pretty grim and tired;  she just wanted a relaxational/massage based therapy so she could “feel a bit more human” again so I was able to offer her a Cancer-Touch Therapy therapy (also called Comfort Touch) which she really appreciated.

I have noticed that  there seems to be a lot more interest in the energy-based therapies at the moment (Quantum-Touch / spiritual healing / Reiki etc).  Perhaps it’s a reflection on how many more people seem to be wanting to take more responsibility for their own health, and take a more “preventative medicine” type of approach (which is how the East have done it for years) rather than waiting until something is “broken” then trying to get it fixed.  

And welcome to the Festival Therapy Room

Next month, I am off up to Buxton for the Health and Healing Festival (aka Mind Body Spirit show on 28 & 29 Oct 2023) where I’m doing a Quantum-Touch talk and live audience demo, and also offering mini treatments all weekend and promoting my next upcoming Quantum-Touch trainings.

So as you can see, as a therapist, we get lots of opportunities to get out there in the big wide world, walk our talk and strut our stuff. And that’s in addition to us having a job that we already love doing, that’s rewarding, fulfilling .. and  really helps other people feel better fast!

Eileen Strong

Holistic Therapies

www.eileenstrongcoaching.com



Quantum Touch: Tapping into the Healing Power of Energy and Intention

Therapies Posted by JadwigaPosted on Sun, August 27, 2023 01:59PM

In the realm of holistic healing and energy medicine, Quantum Touch has emerged as a transformative practice that harnesses the innate energy within us to facilitate physical and emotional healing. Rooted in the principles of quantum physics and the understanding that all matter is energy, Quantum Touch offers a unique approach to promoting well-being. In this blog, we will delve into the fascinating world of Quantum Touch, exploring its origins, techniques, and the profound impact it can have on the body’s natural healing processes.

The Foundation of Quantum Touch

Quantum Touch was developed by Richard Gordon in the late 20th century, drawing inspiration from various energy healing modalities and his personal exploration of consciousness. At its core, Quantum Touch is based on the belief that the body has an inherent capacity to heal itself and that the application of specific techniques can amplify this healing potential.

The practice is built upon two fundamental principles:

  1. Life Force Energy: Quantum Touch acknowledges the existence of life force energy, also known as “chi” or “prana,” which flows through all living beings. This vital energy is not bound by time or space and can be harnessed to facilitate healing.
  2. Resonance and Entrainment: The practitioner of Quantum Touch uses their own elevated energy frequency to entrain the energy of the recipient, encouraging the body to match the higher frequency. This resonance can result in shifts in the body’s energetic and physical state, promoting healing.

Techniques of Quantum Touch

Quantum Touch involves a series of techniques that focus on breathing, intention, and light touch to amplify and direct life force energy. The practitioner’s role is to create a high-vibration energy field, often using their hands, which assists the recipient’s body in rebalancing and healing itself. Some key techniques include:

  1. Breathing and Centering: Practitioners engage in specific breathwork to raise their own energy levels, entering a coherent and high-vibration state conducive to healing.
  2. Intention Setting: Intention plays a crucial role in Quantum Touch. By directing focused intention, practitioners guide the energy to specific areas requiring healing and restoration.
  3. Sweeping and Circular Motions: The practitioner uses sweeping and circular hand motions over the recipient’s body, stimulating energy flow and aiding in relaxation.
  4. Body Awareness: Recipients are often encouraged to become more aware of their body’s sensations and energy flow during the session, fostering a deeper connection to the healing process.

Benefits and Applications

Quantum Touch has been employed to address a wide range of physical, emotional, and energetic imbalances. Some potential benefits and applications include:

  1. Pain Relief: Quantum Touch has shown promising results in alleviating pain, whether caused by injuries, chronic conditions, or emotional distress.
  2. Stress Reduction: The practice promotes deep relaxation and stress reduction, which can have a positive impact on mental and emotional well-being.
  3. Accelerated Healing: Quantum Touch is believed to accelerate the body’s natural healing processes by optimizing energy flow and promoting cellular regeneration.
  4. Emotional Balance: Many practitioners report a sense of emotional balance and increased vitality after Quantum Touch sessions.
  5. Enhanced Vitality: Quantum Touch is thought to enhance overall vitality and promote a sense of interconnectedness with the universe.

Quantum Touch offers a doorway into the realm of energy healing, inviting individuals to explore the profound connection between their intention, breath, and life force energy. With its focus on harnessing the body’s natural healing abilities, Quantum Touch has the potential to create transformative shifts on physical, emotional, and energetic levels. Whether you’re seeking relief from pain, stress reduction, or a deeper understanding of your body’s innate wisdom, Quantum Touch provides a gateway to a world where energy and intention converge to support healing and well-being.

If you’re curious about Quantum Touch, consider experiencing a session with Eileen Strong, our trained practitioner and teacher, and embark on a journey of discovery within the realm of energy medicine:

Book now


Stepping Back in Time: The Ancient Art and Modern Benefits of Reflexology

Therapies Posted by JadwigaPosted on Thu, August 17, 2023 01:59PM

Reflexology, a therapeutic practice rooted in ancient civilizations, has stood the test of time as a powerful method of healing and relaxation. Often referred to as a “foot massage with a purpose,” reflexology involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears, which correspond to various organs and systems in the body. In this blog, we’ll delve into the rich history of reflexology and explore its numerous benefits in promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

The Historical Footprints of Reflexology

The origins of reflexology can be traced back thousands of years to ancient civilizations around the world. Evidence of foot and hand therapy practices has been found in cultures such as ancient Egypt, China, India, and Native American tribes. Hieroglyphics on the tomb of an Egyptian physician depict scenes of foot massage, highlighting its importance in ancient healing rituals. Similarly, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda have long recognized the connection between specific points on the feet and the body’s internal organs.

In the early 20th century, Dr. William H. Fitzgerald, an American ear, nose, and throat specialist, introduced the concept of “zone therapy.” His work laid the foundation for modern reflexology by mapping the body into ten vertical zones, each with corresponding reflex points on the feet and hands. Eunice Ingham, a nurse and physiotherapist, further developed the practice, creating the reflexology maps and techniques used today.

The Healing Touch: Benefits of Reflexology

  1. Stress Relief and Relaxation: Reflexology promotes deep relaxation by stimulating the nervous system and encouraging the release of tension. The gentle pressure applied to reflex points induces a state of calm, reduces anxiety, and improves sleep quality.
  2. Pain Management: Reflexology is often sought for its pain-relieving effects. By targeting specific reflex points, practitioners can help alleviate discomfort associated with headaches, migraines, back pain, and menstrual cramps.
  3. Enhanced Circulation: The application of pressure to reflex points increases blood flow and encourages the removal of waste products from the body. Improved circulation contributes to better oxygenation of tissues and the efficient distribution of nutrients.
  4. Balancing Body Systems: Reflexology aims to restore balance and harmony within the body by addressing energy blockages and promoting the smooth flow of Qi or life force. This holistic approach is believed to support the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
  5. Detoxification: Reflexology encourages the body’s detoxification processes by stimulating the lymphatic system and promoting the elimination of toxins. This can lead to improved immune function and overall well-being.
  6. Digestive Health: Reflexology can have a positive impact on digestion by targeting reflex points associated with the digestive organs. It may help alleviate symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and constipation.
  7. Stress Management: Reflexology’s ability to help reduce stress and promote relaxation contributes to improved mental well-being. It can help individuals cope with the demands of modern life and reduce the negative effects of chronic stress.

Reflexology, an ancient practice with a rich history, continues to offer a holistic approach to healing and relaxation in the modern world. By stimulating specific reflex points on the feet, hands, or ears, reflexology practitioners aim to enhance circulation, reduce pain, balance body systems, and promote overall well-being. Whether you’re seeking stress relief, pain management, or simply a moment of relaxation, reflexology invites you to step into a world of ancient wisdom and modern benefits.

Book in with Anne-Marie, our trained reflexologist, to experience the healing touch of this time-honoured practice and embark on a journey toward better health and vitality:

Book here


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