Five (More) Weird and Wacky Therapies - Will They Kill Or Cure You?
This is the second in my series of Weird and Wacky Therapies.
There are literally hundreds of therapies out there, ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous. I have gathered together some of the more unusual one’s for you. I can’t guarantee that any of them will work for you or that they are 100% safe; some of them are plain bonkers but if you want to give them a try there’s nothing stopping you. Do be careful though.
Colour Therapy (Chromatherapy)
What is Colour Therapy?
Chromatherapy or Colour Therapy is related to the Chakras of the body. There are 7 Chakras or energy centres, starting at the pubic region and working all the way up to the top of the head. Each has a corresponding colour and, as you might suspect with there being seven of them – they are the full spectrum colours of the rainbow. If the therapist detects that one or more of your Chakras is out of balance they will use the corresponding colours to fix the problem.
What does a CT session consist of?
First of all the therapist will take some notes to determine your medical condition and emotional state. There are various ways the therapist might administer the colours. It could be that you will be draped in coloured silks or small bottles of coloured liquids could be used. Some therapists use coloured lights to shine at the chakra points.
What conditions is Colour Therapy good for?
Includes:
- Back and neck pain
- Anxiety
- Throat problems including Thyroid
- Hypertension
- Stress and Depression
- Sleep problems
- Stomach and digestive disorders
Where can I find out more?
http://www.colourtherapyhealing.com/ runs workshops in the UK to tell you more about CT and the website has quite a bit of information too.
Cryotherapy
What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy originated in Japan and is the lowering of body temperature in sub zero temperatures to boost immunity and alleviate many health conditions. You stay in a chamber for up to 3 minutes with the temperature set at approximately -110c.
What is a Cryotherapy Session like?
The session normally begins with entering a chamber chilled to around -10c. You will have taken off any jewellery and put on special non-slip footwear because the temperature is so low in the final chamber that you would become welded to the floor if you should fall over. You will also be given a ski mask and gloves to wear to guard against frostbite. After being in the -10c chamber you will move onto the -60c one, then into the final -110c chamber. The reason the session is only 3 minutes long is because at temperatures of minus a hundred and ten degrees centigrade you would die after only 8 minutes. Participants report feelings of euphoria and increased energy as the low temperature gives the release of endorphins and adrenalin a major boost.
What conditions is it good for?
- Arthritis
- Chronic Pain
- Depression
- Insomnia
- MS
- Psoriasis
- Rheumatism
- Sports Injuries
In the UK only one venue has the Cryotherapy chambers and that is Champneys at Tring in Hertfordshire. It is described as Kriotherapy and costs £50 a session currently.
Cupping - Massage & Static
What is Cupping?
Cupping is based on the Arabic practice of Hijama. Hijama is also known as wet cupping; the wet part is because it draws blood. Small glass, bamboo or earthenware cups are heated and put on the skin after small cuts have been made and left on for a few minutes. Cupping Massage is different from static cupping in that the cups once applied are moved along the skin to different meridians as part of a massage session. No blood is drawn. There is a famous picture of Gwyneth Paltrow showing circular bruises on her exposed back after a static cupping session.
What does cupping feel like?
Cupping gives a feeling of heat and a tugging sensation on the back. Some people report a pulsating sensation where the cups have been and a burning, tingling feeling.
What is it good for?
- Asthma
- Back Pain
- Bronchitis
- Neck Pain
- Acne
- Sprains
- Water Retention
Fish Therapy
What is Fish Therapy?
Most people will have heard of Fish pedicure treatments where tiny Doctor Fish (Garra Rufa) munch away at your dead foot skin. Fish therapy is the same principle but if you are brave enough you can have your whole body exfoliated by the little blighters!
What does it feel like?
People have reported it feeling like having a tiny but very firm kisses planted repeatedly all over their body. Also they say it tickles but is not painful at all although it can cause minor bleeding.
What is it good for?
- Dermatitis
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
Not recommended for people with Diabetes
Personally I’m not sure I’d want to be immersed up to my neck in a tank full of mini piranha’s that have been gorging on other peoples skin and blood. Eew!
Ho’oponopono
What is Ho’oponopono?
Ho’oponopono means to make right. It is a remarkably simple ancient Hawaiian ritual, based on forgiveness and reconciliation. The most complicated part of it is its name! In Polynesian culture the tradition is that sins and errors from the past are responsible in some way for illness and discord between friends and members of the family in the present.
How is Ho’oponopono carried out?
In a traditional Hawaiian religious service, a Kahuna (Community Priest) will guide you and possibly your family or friends through the prayer and resolution process. This brings about a mental cleansing and restoration of harmony between you. A lot of people use a shortened form called the Ho’oponopono Pule – pule is a prayer. The very simplest form of the ritual is to focus on the problem then repeat these 4 statements:
- I am sorry
- Please forgive me
- I love you
- Thank you
Keep repeating the statements to yourself until the problem feels better. You can say the statements like a mantra day in day out in any order. Example: If your problem is having no motivation to get a job, then start out with something like “I accept that there is a reason I do not have a job and I believe the reason is something in me” Then go on to say the 4 statements.
There are much longer versions of this pule and they can be found in books on the subject and internet articles. Try the learnhooponopono.org website
The next hubs in this series
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Have you been hurt at some time by someone close? These callous words or actions can cause real pain; physical in some cases. Find out here how you can overcome the resulting bitterness and resentment
