Centre for Holistic Health

Amanda Burnham   BSc.(Hons) Osteopathy In Edinburgh

I qualified as an Osteopath in 2009 from the London School of Osteopathy following a five year degree course prior to which I worked in the music industry.  The catalyst for my rather drastic career change was a demanding first pregnancy. Having been successfully treated before by osteopaths for a neck injury as a result of a road traffic accident, I contacted them again whilst on crutches after delivering my first child to see if they could do anything about pelvises!  My subsequent therapy and recovery were so fantastic that I determined a career as an osteopath was definitely for me.  A decision that I can honestly say I have been thankful I took.  Since qualifying, I have been working in London establishing my own practice in the hustle and bustle of the ‘Square Mile’ whilst also working as an Associate at a very busy and well respected North London clinic.

Osteopathic treatment does not simply treat the ‘sore bit’ but looks at how and why those symptoms have arisen.  Osteopaths have a holistic approach and believe that your whole body will work well if your body is in good structural balance.  To take an example from the British Osteopathic Association’s website (www.osteopathy.org); imagine a car that has one of its front wheels not quite aligned. It may run well for a while, but after a few thousand miles, the tyre will wear out. You can apply this example to the human body, which is why it is so important to keep the body in good health. I employ a wide range of techniques, including  joint mobilization, cranial techniques (sometimes referred to as ‘cranial osteopathy’), muscle energy techniques, soft tissue massage, exercise prescription and lifestyle advice.  It is this breadth of approach that enable me to focus on every patient’s precise needs.

I practice structural, cranial and visceral osteopathy and I also use Western Medical Acupuncture as an adjunct where appropriate.  In light of my personal experience, I am particularly successful at, and very much enjoy treating pregnancy related issues (both ante and post natal).  An additional area of special interest for me is in combating postural and/or occupational associated aches and pains.  Osteopathy can assess and treat people of any age from the elderly to the newborn and from pregnant women to sports people. Conditions that osteopathy can be useful in treating include:

Neck & back pain
Frozen shoulder
Hip, knee, foot and ankle injuries
Muscle strains
Headaches
Sports injuries

Conditions that osteopathy can assist in the resultant biomechanical or musculoskeletal symptoms include:

Osteoarthritis
Repetitive strain injury
Strains caused by poor posture
Post-operative rehabilitation
Asthma
Sinusitis
Pregnancy related pain such as Sacroiliac pain, low back pain or Symphysis Pubis pain
For babies: colic, glue ear, constipation

As a practicing Osteopath I am registered with the General Osteopathic Council, thus ensuring patient safety, practitioner competence and fulfilling statutory requirements.

I have always been a good listener and have a talent for problem solving. I then discovered EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and realized that by using this technique, I could help people on a much deeper emotional level. I soon started using it to help my friends & family cope with their day-to-day problems. The joy I gained from doing this was immeasurable. Eventually, I decided to specialize in Counselling and become an Emotional Freedom Technique Practitioner, specializing in helping people overcome the effects of stress and depression. My own experience of winning the battle against depression (many years ago) very soon made me realize that I have a special talent for tuning into people who are depressed and being able to truly empathize with them. Having such a deep and personal understanding of depression puts me in the unique position of often being able to intuitively and accurately “intuit” or guess their feelings. I’ve found that clients appreciate this as they have reported that it has made me very approachable, and their sessions much easier and more comfortable. Over the past 3 years as a counsellor, I have helped numerous people achieve emotional freedom from depression and other emotional problems and regain happiness in their lives.

Diploma in Counselling – Open College accredited by S.F.T.R. (The Sherwood Foundation of Therapists Register) Advanced Practitioner Certificate in Emotional Freedom Techniques – AAMET (Association for the Advancement of Energy Techniques) Registered Bach Flower Practitioner Diploma in Psychotherapy – Stonebridge College – accredited by SFTR Registered Counsellor – CCC Counselling Associate Member of the Society for Holistic Therapists and Coaches Diploma in Professional Therapeutic Counselling – Stonebridge College – accredited by SFTR Certified EFT Practitioner (EFTCert-I)

Jenny Livingstone M.A.  R.S.Hom. Registered Homeopath

I have been a homeopath for 10 years now and have found great joy in helping people on their health journey.  Patients have reported to me that they feel comfortable with my gentle approach and that I am a very good listener.

I was classically trained at the Edinburgh College of Homeopathy and after I qualified in 2002 I became fully registered with the Society of Homeopaths. I also spent a year training in contemporary homeopathy in the Lake District and a further two years with a specialist Homeopath in York. This extra training enabled me to  develop a unique skill and I enjoy taking a creative approach using the best of old and new homeopathic methods.

Before becoming a Homeopath I was a specialist teacher for children and adults with multiple disabilities. Latterly I taught children with autism. Soon after qualifying as a Homeopath I was given the opportunity to work for a charity in Kirkcaldy for children with ADHD . This project ran successfully for nearly 8 years and gave me valuable experience in giving homeopathy to children.

I am also a tutor for the Lakeland College of Homeopathy and New College of Homeopathy in Scotland and supervise student clinics, as well as running post graduate training courses. Recently I was privileged to spend nearly four years as a Homeopath on the Jan De Vries team in Edinburgh.

I have a special interest in women’s issues, men’s health, babies and children as well as stress relief, breathing and relaxation.

As well as practising homeopathy, I am also a qualified Iyengar yoga teacher with 30 years experience.  I like to offer one to one sessions which can combine homeopathy and/or yoga.

Sue Matthews, B.Sc. hons Therapeutic Bodywork, N.dip, MICHT, FHT

s a child, I was often inspired by the grace I observed in body movement and dance. It was clear to me then that the body could be used effectively to express both emotions and experiences. Training in Massage (Cert. Body Massage – Cornwall) became a natural choice and was quickly followed with a course in Reflexology (ITEC Diploma – Cornwall).

As a practicing therapist, I began to see the potential of how I might be able to work with the body, using communication and touch as tools to support people back to health. With this as my motivation, I undertook 3 years of intensive training to become a Bodywork Practitioner (BSc hons in Health Sciences: Therapeutic Bodywork – University of Westminster, London). The course placed a strong emphasis on patient-centered care. This approach still underlines my practice today; placing the patient and their experiences at the heart of every treatment.

In 2008, with my passion for helping people find health through relaxation, I instigated and managed a Government funded project with a local charity. The aim was to offer Complementary Therapies to a group of under-privileged young women to support their health awareness and well-being. The project was a great success and was subsequently commended by the Federation of Holistic Therapists as part of their Awards for Excellence in Practice.

Learning to move, breathe and live with more ease and vitality is what inspires me. When people come for Bodywork, they have often lost that sense of ease and connection in their body due to pain, discomfort or disease. Movement with increased ease leads to mental clarity and a state of calm, which in turn improves physical health. I believe my role as a therapist is to nurture and support this cycle towards health and well-being.

Dr. Gregorio Torchia Ph.D. is proud to introduce his expertise in Bio-Nutritional Therapy, Phytotherapy,  Alternative  and Complementary Medicine.                                                                                                       

Junior researcher at “La Sapienza” University of Rome, Italy, and “UCLA” University of California Los Angeles, USA, Gregorio’s background is in Neurophysiopathology with a focus in epilepsy and brain tumors. Gregorio directed his own centers of Alternative and Complementary therapies in Rome and in San Francisco.                

Why choosing BioNutritional Therapy instead of other “conventional” therapies

Thanks to the recent scientist studies, finally people realized how it’s very important to take care of their personal well-being by following a natural healing pathway, such as using the pharmacological power of the food for recovering from unbalance healthy status. Furthermore the food is always present in our daily life so why not to improve health while reducing the risks by providing the right nutritional support.