Complementary Therapies

 

At Relatives for Justice Paula Torney manages a team of highly qualified complementary health therapists who work in the clinics we operate throughout the North of Ireland.

A professional best practice approach underpins and guides our Complementary Therapy programme and we have specifically designed our Complementary Therapy support services to meet and be responsive to the needs of people who have been bereaved or injured as a result of the conflict.

At RFJ we feel it is important that all the different aspects of trauma are considered when delivering complementary therapies and through continued practice development, regular team meetings and external clinical supervision, RFJ have created a unique complementary therapy model of support.

To ensure that our members are receiving a recognized high standard of therapeutic complementary therapies in the context of trauma our complementary therapists have all been:

  • Trained to a high professional standard;
  • Fully accredited
  • Members of required professional and regulatory groups.
  • As part of a mandatory self-care programme, the team are guided by the Complementary Therapy Coordinator and receive external clinical supervision to support their therapeutic practice
  • The team are supported through the process of monitoring and evaluation to ensure the effectiveness of our model of delivering Complementary Therapies to Victims and Survivors of trauma.
  • RFJ Complementary Therapists are qualified to use adaptive techniques required in delivering therapies to Victims and Survivors of trauma with complex medical conditions.

All the different aspects of trauma are well considered when delivering complementary therapies at RFJ and careful consideration given to each complementary therapy and how it can be used in its full capacity to treat the symptoms of trauma on both the physical and emotional level.

We understand that everyone has unique needs and it is a crucial aspect of RFJ complementary therapy programme, to help victims and survivors to develop their own inner strengths and build resources for managing emotions and symptoms of trauma, which includes setting treatment goals that help to regulate emotions and impulses related to trauma.

All our therapists are aware of the symptoms of PTSD and use the complementary therapies to support and improve the individual’s ability to achieve containment of these symptoms and enable the survivor to experience a feeling of safety- an important facet of support when dealing with trauma.

Appointments and what to expect when you come for a treatment

In a confidential setting a typical treatment begins with a consultation about your health and lifestyle which enables the therapist to decide a treatment plan to suit your individual needs and health conditions.  Once you and the therapist have discussed the treatment best suited and you are ready for your treatment the therapist will leave the room allowing you to get ready.

For warmth and modesty, you will be covered in towels and a blanket.  Each appointment is around 50 minutes long and will continue for 6 weeks at the designated time in our clinics throughout the North of Ireland.

Complementary therapies delivered at Relatives for Justice

  • Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a massage therapy using essences extracted from plants, fruits and flowers.  Each oil has its own unique aroma and healing properties and because of their interaction with the emotional brain (the limbic system) they help to calm and soothe the mind and uplift the spirits, therefore bettering various physical and emotional conditions related to trauma.

  • Indian Head Massage

Numerous benefits are associated with Indian Head Massage, both physical and psychological.  Indian Head Massage improves the flow of circulation to the brain, helping to promote clearer thinking and better concentration, which in turn helps to reduce mental tension and anxiety.

Indian Head Massage can be useful in supporting the cognitive symptoms of trauma.

  • Reiki

The Usui system of Reiki is a gentle, safe and simple method that promotes healing and harmony on all levels.  It boosts the life force energy and helps when you are feeling vulnerable to stress and anxiety. Reiki is a non-touch therapy which aids the physical and emotional bodies to achieve a sense of calm, peace and security.

  • Reflexology

Reflexology is a hands-on treatment that works on foot maps of the feet.  These are a mirror image of the body and all its organs.  Working on the central nervous system and the endocrine system with foot or hand reflexology helps to balance hormones like cortisol that are known to be released in large amounts after a traumatic event.

  • Bach Flower Remedies

Bach Flower Remedies were discovered and made by Dr Bach formerly house surgeon at London University Hospital, before he practiced privately in Harley Street, London.  They are a set of 38 flower remedies that work on various emotions.  They are particularly helpful with emotions experienced after a traumatic event such as shock, feeling overwhelmed, lack of trust in one’s own decisions in life and feeling discouraged after a setback.

Although the Bach Flower Remedies do not treat physical health issues they are believed to restore peace, harmony and balance to the mind.

  • Auricular Acupuncture (Ear Acupuncture)

This 5-point auricular acupuncture treatment benefits people presenting with generalized stress.  It helps to restore balance to the physical body, reducing stress and anxiety.  Although everyone’s experiences may differ auricular acupuncture has been reported to have a positive impact on symptoms of trauma for example:

  • Sleeplessness
  • PTSD symptoms
  • And severe ongoing stress

The treatment involves 5 tiny needles being placed in the ear for 45 minutes and regular treatments can help clear the mind, build energy and give you a sense of wellbeing and clarity, calming the chaos often experienced by victims and survivors after a traumatic event.

  • Massage Therapy

All the techniques that are used in massage therapy have a positive and beneficial outcome when treating symptoms of trauma.  The delivery of various massage movements stimulates tired muscles and loosens ligaments and is valuable in assisting pain management, muscle and joint pain and trauma and injury related issues.

  • Bowen Technique

The Bowen Technique is a hands-on therapy that is applied using very gentle pressure.  The practitioner uses thumbs and fingers on precise points of the body to perform Bowens unique set of rolling type moves which stimulates the muscles and soft tissue of the body.  This light touch therapy is suitable for everyone and can help with a variety of conditions related to trauma.

  • Homeopathy

Homeopathy treats each person as a unique individual with the aim of stimulating the body’s own natural healing ability.  A trained homeopath carries out a detailed consultation and selects the most appropriate remedy based on the individual’s specific symptoms and personal level of wellbeing and is a both a gentle and noninvasive approach to supporting a numbers physical and emotional health matters.

Relatives for Justice Complementary Therapy team are also proud to have therapists who have received training in Enhanced Complementary Therapy Skills for treating people affected by cancer.  This specific training was developed by the Cancer Centre, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and funded by Friends of the Cancer Centre and we are grateful that this has enabled us to offer this much needed therapeutic skill to the Complementary Therapy programme.

Please note:  COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES IN NO WAY SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL CARE

Relatives for Justice Complementary Therapy clinics; 

BELFAST

  • Relatives for Justice Complementary Therapy Clinics, 39 Glen Road, Belfast.
  • Relatives for Justice Complementary Therapy Clinic,42 Irish Street, Dungannon

OUTREACH

CURRENT COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY CLINICS

  • Shortstrand Community Centre, 26A Beechfield Street
  • South Derry Heritage and Cultural Centre, Gulladuff
  • Loughinisland GAC, 7 Teconnaught Road, Loughinisland
  • Lurgan outreach centre.

If you would like to find out more about the complementary therapies and courses at RFJ please contact me by email or phone (028) 90627171

Paula Torney
Complementary Therapy Co-ordinator
paula.torney@relativesforjustice.com