therapies

Evidence about which therapies are proving to be effective is growing all the time.  Get Well UK  is concentrating on delivering therapies that are known to be effective, are well regulated, and are already widely used in the NHS.

A Key Note Report “Alternative Healthcare, 2003” states that the most frequently used complementary therapies practised in primary care in 2000 were acupuncture (73%), osteopathy (43%), homeopathy (38%), chiropractic (23%) and aromatherapy (18%).

We have focused on most of these therapies, as well as massage therapy because of its growing evidence base and its wide acceptance and recognition by people from all countries. Acceptance and recognition is important as we are targeting communities of people who have previously not had access to complementary therapies, and may be unaware of what certain therapies are.

Acupuncture is the treatment of ill health by inserting needles into the skin at particular points. This stimulates the body's ability to heal. Acupuncture is part of a system of traditional Chinese medicine that developed in China around 4,000 years ago, which also includes herbal medicine.

Aromatherapy uses the natural healing properties of oils, which are extracted from plants, to improve health and prevent illness.

Massage therapy is a system of treatment of the soft tissue of the body. It involves rubbing, kneading or applying pressure to various parts of the body, with the aim of alleviating aches, pains and musculoskeletal problems, which are problems relating to the bone and muscle structure of the body, such as headaches and back pain.

Osteopathy is a healthcare practice that works with the body’s musculo-skeletal system, which is comprised of the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and connective tissue. Osteopaths diagnose and treat abnormalities in the way the body is working, as well as damage caused by illness.

Chiropractic involves manipulation and mobilisation of the joints and surrounding soft tissue such as the muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue. The aim is to help the spine and joints to move more easily, to reduce stiffness and tension in the muscles, and to relieve pain. Chiropractors tend to focus on the joints of the spine and the nervous system.

Homeopathy. The basic principle of homeopathy is ‘like cures like’. This means that a substance that would produce certain symptoms in a healthy person can be used to treat a sick person with those same symptoms. For example, raw onion makes peoples eyes water. It can also cause a stingy or runny nose. A homeopathic remedy made from onion,allium cepa, can be used to treat patients who have a complaint like a cold or hay fever, with those symptoms.

For more information see our research section in the menu on the left.