Dec 07, 2001 (Business Day/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- Diverse range of treatment available to help you cope in the fast lane

HANDS-on treatments offered by alternative health practitioners are effective ways of reducing stress and increasing your ability to relax. It is a question of trying out those that appeal and fit in with your lifestyle.

Ayurveda

THIS ancient system of herbal medicine from India, which plays an integral role in the health care of the Far East, is fast gaining recognition in the West.

With it, good health is attributed to three forces being in harmony: vata (air), pitta (fire) and kapha (water). Various factors, including stress, can influence the onset of disease.

Treatment may include fasting, bathing, diets and enemas to clean the body prior to more specific treatment. There is a large herbal pharmocopeia used to balance body systems, and massage, prayer, and yogic breathing may be used.

*In Johannesburg: Arjay Ayurverdic Centre (011) 958-1515; Skin Sense Day Spa.

Aromatherapy

ONE of the most popular alternative therapies around, aromatherapy uses highly concentrated essential oils extracted from plants with different healing properties.

Therapists use various systems to establish a diagnosis and select appropriate essential oils. Oils are applied by massage or inhaled using a vaporiser.

*Association of Aromatherapists of SA: (021) 531-7314.

Aura soma (colour therapy)

THE next time you see red, think blue just the thought is said to have a calming effect.

The psychological and physical effects of colour have been well researched. For example, red light has been shown consistently to raise blood pressure, while blue has the opposite effect.

Therapists use colour through aroma oils, visualisation, clothing and diet, to help patients.

*In Johannesburg: Nicky Benson (011) 648-2491;

*In Cape Town: Mel Miller (021) 797-8347; Sunshine Health Academy (021) 418-7727; Dalene Raubenheimer (021) 439-5152.

Body stress release

THIS massage technique is concerned with locating the precise sites of stored stress, which may cause pain, stiffness or numbness, and releasing it through the application of light but firm pressure in specific directions.

*Body Stress Release Association (021) 61-6542.

Drum therapy

HANDS-ON therapy takes on a whole new meaning with drumming. While studies regarding the benefits are still in the early stages, it is said that the repetitive beat of a drum is like a mantra which brings about an alpha wave pattern in the brain, resulting in a feeling of relaxation.

*In Johannesburg: The Drum Cafe (011) 646-2055;

*In Cape Town: Spiralus Accoustics (021) 447-3982.

Flotation

THIS unusual form of getting away from it all was devised by an American psychoanalyst and neuro-physiologist who believed the brain could focus better on its own internal mental processes if not distracted by external stimuli.

Distractions can be minimised by floating in a closed tank of warm water to which a high concentration of Epsom salts has been added to increase buoyancy. The water is usually about 34 degrees, and the tank in total or semi-darkness in a light and soundproofed room.

The buoyancy gives a weightless feeling, and the aim of the treatment is total relaxation of mind and body.

*In Northern Province: Rustenburg Health Spa (0142) 922 08;

*In Cape Town: The Still Point Relaxation Centre (021) 448-3353;

*In Eastern Cape: St Francis Health Centre (0466) 250 927.

Geopathology

THIS health philosophy claims to relieve stress caused by geographic radiation and magnetic structures, by identifying magnetic fields and radiation which can affect physical and mental health.

Once these fields have been identified, life can be arranged better around these structures.

*Institute for Geopathology (012) 5656177.

Hydrotherapy

THIS age-old body treatment is ever-popular in health spas and hydros (See Spas and Getaways).

Water can be taken for medicinal purposes by mouth or by other routes, including colonic irrigation.

External application may be by bathing, pressure hosing, the use of hot and cold towels, or underwater massage in which the body is submerged in a bath and massaged by strong jets of water.

A hot bath can be used to produce an artificial fever as a way of removing toxins through the skin surface.

*In Johannesburg: Skin Sense Day Spa (011) 807 6281/2;

*In Warmbaths: Avontura Warmbaths Hydro Spa (014) 736-2200;

*In Stellenbosch: High Rustenburg Hydro (021) 883-8600;

*In Cape Town: Table Bay Spa (021) 406 5904;

*In George: Health and Beauty Pavilion, Fancourt (044) 870 8282 ext 21403.

Meditation

A VARIETY of meditative techniques, like yoga, tai chi and reiki, attempt to control thought processes and calm the body by using the powers of concentration.

Factors common to all techniques involve deep relaxation of all muscle groups, awareness of breathing and a passive attitude associated with reduced activity in the nervous system and a tranquil state of mind and body.

Some techniques use the repetition of selected sounds (a mantra) synchronised with breathing.

Polarity therapy

THIS has nothing to do with the North or South Pole. It is a holistic system of treatment which uses exercise, massage and manipulation to stimulate, release and balance the "life energy" in the body.

*Polarity Therapy Association of SA: (021) 794-7838/ 797-8347.

Tai chi

THIS ancient system of martial arts, meditation and health exercises comprises 109 movements practised in a slow, flowing sequence which allows participants to harmonise mind, body and soul.

Tai Chi is said to balance the energy flow through the body and mind, and assist in the circulation of body fluids.

*In Johannesburg: The Golden Dragon Martial Arts Academy (011) 672-7250;

*In Cape Town: International Tai Chi Society (021) 58-8632; Kushido School of Martial Arts (021) 23-7965.

Reflexology

THE feet are the root of all health problems, claim adherents of this Chinese and Indian system of diagnosis and treatment.

Based on the belief that the whole body is represented on the feet (mostly the soles), and that the internal organs can be stimulated by pressing particular areas of the feet (or hands). Treatment is by pressure and deep massage.

*In Johannesburg: SA Institute of Reflexology (011) 640-1504.

Reiki

THIS Japanese therapy claims that healing energy is channelled into the patient by the laying on of hands to activate the body's natural healing processes and restore harmony. No real pressure is applied; patients respond to touch.

*In Johannesburg: Vision Lodge (011) 786-8814;

*In Stellenbosch: High Rustenburg Hydro (021) 883-8600;

*In Eastern Cape: St Francis Health Centre (0466) 25-0927.

Shiatsu

THIS form of massage uses pressure from fingers, thumbs, and sometimes elbows, knees, hands and feet applied to acupuncture points and meridians either as firm massage to stimulate the flow of energy, or to specific points to release and balance the flow of energy.

Practitioners may suggest dietary improvements and modifications in lifestyle.

*In Johannesburg: Kanebo counter, John Orr's, Sandton City (011) 8835688;

*In Bloemfontein: Kanebo counter, John Orr's (051) 447-0581;

*In Cape Town: Ineke van der Wal (021) 685-1320;

*In George: Health and Beauty Pavilion, Fancourt (044) 870-8282 ext 21403.

Yoga

THERE are various schools and styles of practice with a variety of physical and contemplative techniques.

*In Johannesburg: BKS Iyengar Yoga Institute of Southern Africa (011) 6162525;

*In Stellenbosch: High Rustenburg Health Spa (0142) 92208.

*In Stellenbosch: High Rustenburg Health Spa (0142) 92208.

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