Oakwell Health 3.51

Oakwell Health was created to offer Cheltenham and the Cotswolds a dedicated group of professionally qualified therapists in alternative and complementary therapy and holistic health care. Our commitment is to help our patients naturally achieve optimum health and well-being. We deliver a unique experience that guarantees a personable, confidential treatment plan, that puts your needs first.

Being a group enables us to offer a wide range of therapies from around-the-world, like acupuncture, osteopathy, cranial osteopathy, reflexology and massage. Please look at our therapies page

Our knowledge and experience means our treatments not only deal with the root cause of an existing problem, but also improve your general health which has a preventative benefit for the future.

Our treatments can help recovery from injuries, sport injuries, illness and general aches and pains. Please look at our what we treat page.

We see people of all ages, from new born babies to the elderly. We also have male and female practitioners.

For more information on treatments or to find out which will best suit your needs, please call on 01242 221456 or 07584 492466 or contact us online.

To Your Good Health!

OUR THERAPISTS:

As a group we can offer Cheltenham and the Cotswolds a wide range of complementary therapies and holistic health care.


Karl J Turner BSc (HONS) Ost Med

Osteopathy
Osteopathy During Pregnancy

Karl J Turner BSc (HONS) Ost Med Qualified in 1997 as an Osteopath/Cranial osteopath, prior to which he worked as an auxillary nurse. He studied osteopathic medicine, which means he is trained to use osteopathy to treat chest, ear and throat infections and difficulties with breathing and digestion as well as aches, pains and injuries.
Karl has an interest in helping relieve the strains of pregnancy and labour, as well as complications of delivery using a mix of both cranial and structural osteopathy.
All treatments £45


Joanna Turner

Osteopathy
Osteopathy During Pregnancy

Jo is a structural Osteopath graduating from BSO in 2006. Prior to that she qualified in sports therapy and rehabilitation, specialising in sports injuries. She also has qualifications in Ergonomics and Sports Massage, working with the International Rugby teams and the London Marathon runners, allowing her to create tailor made treatments for each individual.
She also has qualifications in nutrition and sports massage, working with International Rugby teams and the London Marathon Runners.


John Leah B Ost

John graduated from The British College of Naturopathy in 1987 (now the British College of Osteopathic Medicine). Since graduating in Osteopathy, John has complemented his osteopathic education with an MSc in Exercise and Health Sciences at Bristol University and an MA in Environment, Society and Culture at Lancaster University (where he is currently studying for a PhD).
His approach is holistic and broad ranging, drawing from the varied background and experience gained over 20 years of Osteopathic practice and related health promotion work. Both cranial and structural approaches may be incorporated into treatment with the aim of not just resolving presenting symptoms but promoting improved physical function and good health.
John can help people of all ages from newborn babies and children to the elderly, sports injuries, and work related symptoms and symptoms from illness and conditions.
New Patients – (1hr) – £60
Returning patients – £45


David Wells

David Wells is a fully qualified Chiropractor, registered with the General Chiropractic council and a member of the British Chiropractic Association.
Dave has lived in Cheltenham his whole life and has a lifelong interest in the human body and in particular biomechanics.
I was inspired by Chiropractic first in my teenage years following suffering with headaches following playing rugby. After my treatment I was astonished at the remission of my headaches, but also about how my body had improved in mobility.
Chiropractic is a great natural way to facilitate your body in healing and recovery and maintain good health.

Chris Stevens B Ost

Chris is a Structural and Cranial Osteopath who graduated from the BSO in 2005 with an award from HRH Princess Anne for highest performing student. Chris has 13 years experience in Osteopathy, Sports Therapy and Personal Training making him an excellent choice for sports injuries and rehabilitation for both professional and everyday sport.

Jayne Timmins

Colonic Hydrotherapy

Jayne is an experienced fully accredited Colon Hydrotherapist and a member of the International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy. Since 2006 Jayne has aided 100’s of clients achieve positive health benefits through colonic hydrotherapy.


Ineke Harris

Reflexology
Reflexology for Pregnancy

Ineke has been involved with complementary therapy since 1998, training at the Cotswold Academy of Health. She has qualifications in Body Massage, Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition, Indian Head Massage and Reflexology and later went on to study Manual Lymphatic Drainage through the Dr Vodder School.


Jennie Sheringham

Reflexology
Acupuncture
Reflexology for Pregnancy
Jennie Sheringham BAc MBAcC, RGN, MAR, DM

Jennie is an experienced nurse and former midwife.
She is also a therapist in acupuncture, reflexology, nutrition, cosmetic facial acupuncture and skincare.
Holistic care for all conditions including:- fertility issues and assisted fertility support, pre-conception and pregnancy care, women’s health and hormonal balance, weight control, skin and beauty care.


What we treat


Based in Cheltenham, we have specialist therapists who have experience treating the symptoms of the following ailments:

generalised aches and pains,
joint pains including hip and knee pain from osteoarthritis
arthritic pain,
general, acute & chronic backache, back pain
uncomplicated mechanical neck pain
headache arising from the neck
frozen shoulder/ shoulder and elbow pain/ tennis elbow
circulatory problems
cramp
digestion problems
joint pains, lumbago
sciatica
muscle spasms
neuralgia
fibromyalgia
minor sports injuries and tension
inability to relax
rheumatic pain
Both pregnant women and babies can benefit from our therapies.

Reflexology for Pregnancy

When used to support the care provided by the midwife or health visitor, reflexology can be a wonderful treatment for pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal care. Increasingly, midwives are recommending that women have reflexology to alleviate symptoms during pregnancy and many are training in the techniques themselves. Focused treatments may bring relief to a wide range of symptoms including:
Back pain
Sciatica
Morning sickness problems
Heartburn
Constipation
Fluid retention
Tired painful feet
High Blood pressure

Regular treatment throughout pregnancy or weekly sessions for the last 4-6 weeks of the pregnancy help to ease anxiety, fear and tension; normalise function of the body’s systems; relax the diaphragm and calm the nervous system; reduce levels of stress hormones in the body. Treatment may also help the outcome of labour.
If appropriate and advised by the midwife or obstetrician, treatment can be given to help with the labour induction process, preventing the use of more invasive induction techniques. Post-natal sessions may help to stimulate lactation, rebalance hormones and can help in the treatment of post-natal depression.
Reflexology can also be a beneficial treatment for those trying to conceive.
For further information on any of the above please contact us.

Acupuncture

What can it help......

The range of conditions treated by acupuncture is vast. Whether it be a physical musculo-skeletal problem such as back pain, neck and shoulder tension; or an emotional state such as anxiety or a broken-heart. Acupuncture treatment helps people with hay-fever, menstrual problems, headaches, sciatica, sleeplessness, depression, the list goes on. It can also be used as a general tonic to keep the body and mind well tuned for optimal use. Some respond miraculously to acupuncture, for others changes are gradual, as is the case with any therapy. What is certain is that it is safe treatment for all. If you’re unsure if you’re symptoms can be effectively helped with acupuncture you just have to ask.
A different way of thinking
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) comprises of Acupuncture, Tui Na and Herbal medicine. All three are based on classical Chinese medical theory. This views the human organism as an integrated whole, in which disease arises out of underlying imbalances within he body. Therefore Chinese medicine treats the cause of the problem by addressing the overall physical and mental health of the patient. This holistic approach strengthens the body’s defences, enabling it to fight disease naturally.
According to the Chinese, the body contains a system of energy channels, commonly known as meridians, which contain and control the movement of the vital life energy known as Qi (pronounced chee). Qi is the life promoting force that permeates the universe, the energy in our bodies that gives us life and vitality. It is the acupuncturists job to determine which ‘acupuncture points’ along these meridians in the body will best restore health and well-being, i.e. treat pain and disease.

Acupuncture is essentially the insertion of fine needles into the body to move blockages and stimulate flow of Qi. During a session the needles can remain inserted for up to 40 minutes. For those who have never tried acupuncture there is often a sense of apprehension about the use of needles. A good acupuncturist will help you relax. Unlike needles for injections, acupuncture needles are solid and very fine. Sensations felt are usually described as a tingling or a dull ache.

Sports & Remedial Massage

Sports Massage is the efficient and controlled manipulation of the body’s muscles and connective tissues. It is one of the oldest forms of therapy that is highly effective in treating both acute and chronic conditions of the body’s soft tissues. Differing from Swedish massage, Sports massage movements are applied at a deeper and firmer level inducing greater stimulation of the body’s major systems. It can be used as a tool to help relax tired and sore muscles, or can be used to break down scar tissue, muscle adhesions and knots, to re-educate posture or promote recovery from injury. The treatment also provides a thorough assessment of joint and muscle movements and a comprehensive range of stretching and strength exercises. This can aid in the rehabilitation of affected problem areas between treatments and for your long-term health and well-being.
Despite its name, Sports Massage can benefit everyone. It doesn’t matter whether you sit at a desk all day, play with the children at home, work in the garden or at the building site; or whether you play sport competitively or at any level , Sports Massage is for you. We’ve all suffered at some point from headaches, stress, sore muscles, sports and general injuries (old and new). All of these can be attributed to the condition and state of our muscles and Sports Massage can help.
So what can sports massage do for you? The many benefits can include; improved circulation and a more relaxed general well-being, which in turn can help to reduce your heart rate and blood pressure. These combined can promote a better mental state, reducing stress and anxiety.
Skin can benefit from an increase in its elasticity and improved general condition, along with improved muscle tone. Sports Massage promotes the removal of waste products (including swelling) from the body and provides the skin and muscles with increased levels of oxygen and nutrients to promote a healthy condition.
Massage also helps to relieve the effects of muscle spasms and tension. It aids in breaking down scar tissue and adhesions, relieving pain. Reduced muscle tension promotes an increase in the range of movement of the body’s joints, improving posture and flexibility and therefore reducing the risk of further injury
Sports specific treatments and benefits include; all of the above, but you can benefit further from the timing of a treatment. This includes:
Pre-competition Massages which aid in warming and mobilising the muscles to enhance your performance.
Post-competition/training Massages will help to minimise the after-effects of a hard session/competition. Toxins can be removed, reducing the effects of stiffness and fatigue, maintaining muscle mobilisation and speeding-up your recovery period.
Maintenance Massages throughout the training season help to maintain or enhance performance and reduces the risk of injury, or re-injury.
Rehabilitation Massages promote recovery during and after an injury. A treatment will also include stretching and strengthening exercises specific to your sport.
Some reasons to have a Sports Massage:
If you suffer from back pain
If you are suffering joint discomfort, lack of or painful movements
If you have neck and shoulder or other muscle tension
If you have a muscle strain or ligament sprain
If you suffer from headaches, including migraines
If you are suffering from stress
If you are suffering from a repetitive strain injury (RSI)
If you are recovering from an injury (sports or general)
If you have postural problems resulting from a previous injury
If you are suffering from general aches, pains and stiffness that just won’t go away
If you want to relax and pamper yourself, or your partner
In conjunction with another therapy to aid in speeding-up your treatment

MLD Face Therapy

Face therapy is generally seen as something reserved for the female who wants a treat, quite often accompanied by the use of a cosmetic skincare range, where the face is scrubbed, stroked, squeezed, and pummeled to varying degrees. On occasion painful, not relaxing, leaving the skin red, sensitive and may even break out a day or so after.
The face could be called the mirror of our health. It not only reflects our feelings of wellbeing and sorrow or our character, but it also reveals our state of health, the balance of mind and body.
The face is also more exposed than our bodies to the weather, wind, rain, temperature change, and a bombardment of chemicals from numerous products we apply.
We all want to maintain our youthfulness and we spend small fortunes on the latest beauty products trying to achieve this. Cosmetic products may have a short term effect but will not get to the root of the problem and with a plethora of chemical ingredients may have more of a detrimental effect.
Quality natural and organic products can help but alone will not achieve the effects we all strive for and that are possible.
MLD (Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage)
Manual Lymphatic drainage was first developed by Dr. Emil and Estrid Vodder in France in the 1920’s and 30’s. MLD is an advanced massage technique which
moves the skin over the underlying tissues using very specific, gentle, rhythmical movements. Lymph drainage is a healthy, natural, painless and absolutely effective method which gives a new basis to life, health and beauty Manual lymphatic drainage is a method of therapy which is designed to promote the free flow of lymph.
Lymph drainage is preformed softly, harmoniously and rhythmically, not only making the treatment highly effective on a physical level but incredible relaxing inducing an almost trance like relaxation.
What is the Lymphatic system?
The Lymphatic system is also known as the secondary circulatory system, the part that is dealing with the elimination of toxins, removing wast material from connective tissue, carrying this to the lymph nodeswhere it can be processed. The lymph nodes such as the spleen and tonsils continually produce white blood cells which defend the body against infection, bacteria and poisons. When we are fighting off an infection or virus our lymph nodes become enlarged. Poor functioning lymph lowers our ability to fight off
infections causing the lymph flow to slow and stagnate which has a detrimental effect on our appearance, which is why when we are ill it shows in our face.
Lymph is a whitish fluid which contains white blood cells known as lymphocytes which circulates round the body similar to plasma, the fluid part of blood. it starts out life as plasma, flowing through your arteries laden with oxygenated blood cells and nutrients to supply all your body’s cells. Plasma leaks out of the tiny blood vessels called capillaries and into spaces between the cells in the tissues to become tissue fluid. This bathes the cells, providing oxygen and nutrients essential for energy, growth, and renewal.
Lymph vessels are as thin as silk threads and lymph capillaries are even finer, conventional massage techniques have no drainage effect, they are too firm to affect the lymph flow.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) enables effective renewal of the lymph activating the circulation, stimulating cell activity and regenerating the facial tissues and was described by Jane Alexander of the Daily Mail as “One of the best kept secrets on the health and beauty scene”
Manual Lymphatic drainage now sits comfortably in both the medical and Holistic world, it’s an accepted part of rehabilitation units, physiotherapy departments and massage centres.
MLD’s intensely relaxing effect masks the strength of the treatment itself. As the stimulated lymph vessels work to clear the loose debris, the skin is not only looks clearer but is cleaner and clearer, right down to the sub-cutaneous levels.
For the best effects a course of treatments is recommended, once a week for a minimum of over 5 weeks, in some cases this can be more than 10.
What can MLD help?
Dispersal of fluid and puffiness, this may be after surgery or cosmetic treatments
Redness, inflammation, swelling, puffiness
Sinusitis
Scar tissue and keloids may become softer and less visible
Acne and Rosacea can be treated with excellent results, achieved through quite an intense course of treatments, 30 minute sessions at least twice a week over a 4 – 6 week period. The condition may worsen slightly initially but with a course of treatments improvements will be seen, and in some cases almost free from symptoms.

Colonic Hydrotherapy

Colonic Hydrotherapy by The Hydrocleanse Clinic

At Hydrocleanse we use a ‘Fresh and Modern’ approach to Colon Cleansing utilizing a state-of-the-art FDA & EU approved “open system”, which is considered by many as the “Rolls Royce” of colon hydrotherapy treatment device’s around today.

Colonic hydrotherapy also known as (colonic irrigation) helps cleanse the colon of toxins, gas, accumulated matter and mucous deposits. Warm purified water is gently introduced into the rectum, which softens and expels faecal matter and compacted toxic deposits. Such techniques were first recorded back in 1500BC and have been used in traditional and naturopathic medicine since. Colonic hydrotherapy, unlike laxatives, is not habit forming and improves the general muscle tone of the colon.
Colonic Hydrotherapy can benefit most people. It may bring relief to a wide variety of acute and chronic conditions.
Conditions that Colonic hydrotherapy may be helped by include:
IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome)
Headaches
Skin Conditions
Sleep disorders
Digestive disorders
Constipation / Bloating
Weight Loss
Candida
Revitalize Energy Levels
Body Detox
What is involved?
Using sterile disposable equipment, warm filtered water is introduced at a natural and gentle flow via a small (pencil size) speculum into the colon. The water begins to cleanse the colon of faecal matter, parasites and old deposits, which are washed away with the waste water. Working progressively around the structure of the colon the therapist allows water to flow in thus in turn allows your body to naturally release the water at your own pace as and when you need to. It is an excellent workout for the colon muscles. Your dignity and upmost privacy is withheld at all times during the whole treatment.

Beneficial Probiotic (friendly gut bacteria) infusions can be added into the colon at the end of a treatment. The process takes up to one hour and in general people feel instantly better, clear, refreshed and revitalized.
Why have a Colonic?
Waste material that is stuck in the colon can cause many problems. Toxins can enter the blood stream making us feel ill and experience many other unwanted associated symptoms. These can be from feeling tired, bad skin, bad breath, body odour, bloating, constipation, wind, headaches and a general feeling of being un-well. Impacted materials also impair the colon’s ability to absorb minerals and nutrients so it is important we look after our insides.

You can book a one hour session for Colonic Hydrotherapy available 7 days a week at a cost of £72 per first initial session and £65 for Follow-up sessions.
Open 7 Days a Week. Tel: 01242 420 130 Mobile: 07813 919077
Visit: www.thehydrocleanseclinic.co.uk