Oxford has long been one of the UK's major centres for all things alternative, with many established health food shops, groovy bookshops and alternative health centres. Complementary Medicine is basically that which is used in addition to conventional medicine and therapies - i.e., it complements standard treatments. It is also referred to as Alternative Medicine, usually when used alone. Some of these practices are supported by evidence, legislated and may even be prescribed or recommended by GPs in the UK; others are considered more controversial, or lack peer-reviewed scientific backing. While some of the therapies listed below have their own systems of regulation, such as those for chiropractors, osteopaths, chiropodists/podiatrists and physiotherapists, many are not officially regulated, or are covered by voluntary registers (for instance, the National Institute of Medicinal Herbalists).

For further Oxford medical advice, see our links here.

Insomnia can be treated with traditional medicine, but sometimes a more holistic approach is required. For background info on a vast range of problems which might be affecting sleep, including apnoiea, snoring, bedwetting and narcolepsy, see The Sleep Council's website.

Derek Elliot, a senior yoga teacher, offers six week one to one courses to help set people on the road to better sleep. These incorporate identifying lifestyle areas which may be blocking sleep, and developing strategies to overcome them, combined with yoga or meditative practices to help relax. Treatments are available in Oxford in Summertown at the Practice Rooms or on Osney Island. Contact 07771 707178 or [email protected] or see www.sleepbliss.net.

Massage stimulates circulation of the blood and lymph fluids, fuels the muscles with fresh oxygen and nutrients while flushing away metabolic waste products, releases physical tension and soothes the nerves by lowering the stress hormones cortisol and norepinephrine and by releasing endorphins in the brain.

Cristina Tanasescu is a Professional Holistic and Therapeutic Massage Therapist with more than 12 years experience, ITEC and Oxford School of Massage Diploma 2016, and is fully insured. She runs the Oxford Massage Centre, located at 293 London Road, Oxford, OX3 9EH.

Sue Evans has been trained in lymphatic drainage, trigger therapy, Indian head massage, pregnancy massage, reflexology, acupressure, shiatsu and hot stones. Receive 15% off in the shop if you have a treatment with Sue Evans at Neal's Yard Remedies, 56 High St, Oxford OX1 4AS. Visit her website Or to book call 07799 411994.

Janet Phillips is a qualified holistic massage therapist offering treatment of full body or just back, neck and shoulders, as well as reflexology, in Jericho. 07787 563721 or 01865 512281.

Also available at the WellBeing Clinic.

Paola Bisicchia is a certified Indian Head Massage practitioner, who offers Indian Head Massage as well as other alternative therapies. For more information visit her website.

Sophia Argyris and Macarena Ortuzar trained at the Mudita School of Thai Yoga Massage and practise at Bonn Square Therapy Room, New Road Baptist Church, Bonn Square, OX1 1LQ. Thai Yoga Massage is practised fully clothed on a firm mat or futon and involves gentle rocking and twisting, joint and spine mobilisations and assisted yoga stretches. You can read a review of the experience here.

Ruth Emsley, a healer trained in a variety of different practices, provides services including massage. She also provides services in shamanic healing and in Focusing. Shamanic healing uses techniques from a variety of different cultural traditions and focuses on many different spiritual areas, from energy patterns to soul or ancestral healing. Focusing, in the alternative medicine sense, differs from the term used for everyday concentration. According to the website of the British Focusing Association, it is 'based on your natural ability to sense your body from the inside and your ability to create metaphors...Positive change occurs spontaneously as you symbolise the essence of your experience'. Ruth Emsley is based at Florence Park, and can be contacted through her website.

Naturopathy uses various pseudoscientific practices including homeopathy, herbalism, and acupuncture, as well as lifestyle counseling. Local practitioners include Sarah Couchman at The Wellbeing Clinic, 1 Windmill Road, Headington, Oxford, Ox37BL. To contact the clinic, call 01865 751111, and Sarah can be contacted on 07810 354407.

Emma Moorby is a Naturopath , EFT and NLP practitioner based in Oxford. Visit her website to arrange a free initial consultation

NLP is an alternative therapy that works by analysing and managing your stream of semi-conscious thoughts and attitudes. It has elements in common with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, but uses a more holistic approach - working with visualisation as well as mental patterns caused by your personal history. It has been reported to provide effective help with a range of problems, and people have used it to manage anxiety, stress, weight loss, phobias etc, as well as to improve performance in music, sport or other activities.

Chris Grimshaw of Turning Point uses NLP, hypnosis and related disciplines to help rewrite your mental programming in productive ways. 01865 251116 or 07765 633798.

Nutritional Therapy aims to tackle the underlying cause of any health concern whilst alleviating any symptoms through dietary and lifestyle adjustments. By supporting the bodyÆs natural healing mechanisms it helps prevent disease and illness, and achieve long-term sustained health.

Local practitioner: Emma Maitland-Carew dip.ION, mBANT, NTC and NHS registered practitioner, 28 Beaumont Street, Oxford Tel: 07850 117802

Local practitioner: Isabelle Drayton dip. CNM, mBANT at Oxford Natural Health Centre, 3 Church Cowley Road, Iffley, Oxford, OX4 3JR Tel: 07775 425326

Osteopathy is a way of detecting and treating damaged parts of the body such as muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints. Osteopaths treat a variety of common conditions, including changes to posture in pregnancy; repetitive strain injury; postural problems caused by driving or work strain; the pain of arthritis and sports injuries.

The Statutory Register of the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) opened on 9 May 1998. The title "osteopath" became protected by law from 9 May 2000 when the transitional registration period ended. As a result it is a criminal offence, liable to prosecution, to describe oneself as an osteopath in the UK unless registered with the GOsC. The above summary, and much more information, is from www.osteopathy.org.uk

For an index of Oxford Osteopaths, click here.

Registered Osteopath, Kuno van der Post, BSc(Hons), BOst, can help many different health problems including digestive and muscular pain and sporting injuries. Student rates available. Horspath, Oxford, OX33 1RG; tel 07970 657696.

Anita Watson is a registered Osteopath and Iyengar Yoga teacher. She can treat pain in joints and nerves all over the body, including sports injuries, and stress, anxiety and fatigue; and can suggest personalised exercise programmes to help specific musculo-skeletal and postural issues. Private yoga sessions also available. Based in Yarnton, Oxford, OX5 1LR. Tel: 07970 527733.

Angela Power at Bonn Square Therapy Room (New Road Baptist Church, Bonn Square, OX1 1LQ) is a registered osteopath whose training includes visceral and cranial work. Her skill is in blending different techniques to develop individual treatment plans. This is especially effective for complex cases which have been hard to resolve for some time.

Daily Info also recommends The Summertown Clinic, on the Banbury Road. They offer Osteopathy (and many other therapies). In particular, Osteopath Clare Cullen was particularly quick and effective at diagnosing and treating mysterious back pain. The clinic don't seem interested in keeping you on as a patient longer than necessary, nor upselling you other therapies while you're there. They have a video to show you what to expect on a first visit.

Physiotherapists use current evidence-based techniques such as manual therapy, massage, postural correction and exercise therapy to help fix common complaints such as neck / back pain, soft tissue injuries, joint / arthritic pain and work-related injuries such as RSI and carpal tunnel syndrome.

OxPhysio - Advanced Physiotherapy Service comprises six experienced physiotherapists whose areas of special interest include: back and neck, orthopaedics, sports injuries, foot and ankle, tendonopathies, rheumatology and osteoporosis, arthritis, hip, knee, ante and post natal conditions, pilates.
They have clinics in Summertown (within Ferry Leisure Centre, Diamond Place, Summertown, OX2 7DP) and Botley (Raleigh Park Clinic, 45 Raleigh Park Road, Oxford. OX2 9AR) and they also do home visits. Tel: 01865 764613. The team also run Pilates classes in Headington and Risinghurst Community Centres.

The Physio Practice is based at Westminster Sports Centre, Botley (part of Oxford Brookes University) and OXSRAD Sport Centre, Marston. They concentrate on musculoskeletal and sports injuries. Contact David on 07765 245505.

The Oxford Physiotherapy Service in Summertown aims to provide an initial appointment within 3 working days of initial contact. They also offer a termtime clinic at Wadham College for Oxford University students. They are Chartered Physiotherapists & Members of the Health Professions Council. Find them at Unit 1, Florence House, 29 Grove Street, Oxford OX2 7JT. Tel: 01865 311686, fax: 01865 558686.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy provide information about physiotherapy generally; you can also use their website to check that your physiotherapist is registered.

Reflexology is described as a treatment for all health issues that balances your mind and body. It is based on the idea that your feet mirror the rest of your body; treatment occurs through specialist massage that works major organs, glands and chakras. Find out more on the Association of Reflexologists website. Local practitioners include Sue Evans at Neal's Yard Remedies, 56 High St, Oxford. Also available at the WellBeing Clinic.

Japanese for 'Universal Life Energy', 'reiki' aims to strengthen the body's internal energy flow ('ki', 'ch'i' or 'qi' - pronounced 'chee') in order to promote self-healing. Reiki practitioners gently lay hands on a (clothed) patient in a series of strategic locations. Find out more on the UK Reiki Association website. So far no scientific trials have found evidence to support the use of reiki in healing. On the other hand the potential dangers of using it are considered very low, unless reiki were to replace conventional medicine in the treatment of serious medical conditions.

Local practitioners include Doctor Paola Bisicchia at www.lotusenergyhealing.com, Silvie Hylton-Potts at The Wellbeing Clinic (Headington), Helix House (off Iffley Road, east Oxford), Sue Evans at Neal's Yard Remedies, Ruth Emsley (Florence Park), and Airmid Reiki, a practice run by Asia Bochenek, based in Botley.

Named after Ida Rolf, an American biochemist in the 1950s, Rolfing is a deep tissue technique which aims to help body alignment through manipulation of the fascia (a layer of connective tissue). Standard treatment is a course of 10 sessions each with a specific focus. Find out more via the Rolfing UK website, who list certified practitioners. Local practitioners include Florian Thomas's Align In Time practice. Florian's background is in music and the stage, and he offers combined Rolfing sessions and singing lessons as well as Rolfing by itself, and he has particular experience useful to treating musicians and perrformers.

Shamanism involves a practitioner contacting the spirit world while in an altered state of consciousness. As a religious practice it has been part of ancient cultures all over the world, in different forms. There is no recognised regulatory body for modern forms of shamanism, though it is seeing a resurgence particularly as a practice for healing. A treatment might involve talking, drumming, singing, rattling, prayer, the use of incense and energy work on the body.

Local practitioners include Ruth Emsley www.ankitahealing.com or email [email protected]; and Sue Pennington suepennington.com/shamanism.

Japanese for 'finger pressure', shiatsu uses (clothed) massage to relax the patient and relieve many different symptoms. Find out more via the UK Shiatsu Society website. Local practitioners (as under Reiki) include Silvie Hylton-Potts.

www.alternativevet.org is a good source of information on alternative medicine for animals. Its centre is based at Stanford-in-the-Vale, Oxon.