HK treatment centres look to the ancient and modern

June 06, 2012

The Sanctuary, Hong Kong ... more and more Hongkongers are turning to alternative therapies to fight the stresses of modern life. – Photo courtesy of The SanctuaryHONG KONG, June 6 – In order to combat the stresses of modern life, treatment centres in Hong Kong – and all over the world – are increasingly offering programmes that tap into healing methods used for centuries and some that are relatively new.

“It is really an individual thing,” explains Vivienne Tang, founder of Hong Kong’s The Sanctuary. “Some people react better to some treatments and not others.”

“For example, if they have a physical or emotional issue, perhaps Vibrational Attunement or Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) – a modality that works with the meridians – can do wonders for them.”

Here’s a selection of the treatments Hongkongers are turning to:

Vibrational Attunement: A “non-intrusive, non-obtrusive, energy therapy that facilitates change” by focusing on the body’s 23 energy centres (or chakra centres). Practitioners claim they can refocus your energy by using different tones of vibration.

Visual Coding Displacement: A programme that uses eyes’ reactions “to locate a specific ‘programme’ in the brain, associated with particular emotions, memories, issues and thoughts.” It has been designed to help people with the like of phobias, fears, addictions including food addictions, OCD, anxiety, panic attacks and depression.

Sound Healing: An ancient method that uses vibrational sounds (such as the Tibetan bowl) to calm the body and create a deep sense of peace. The idea is that everything is in a constant state of vibration and so we can “tune” ourselves into the world around us.

Flower Remedies: Developed by Englishman Edward Bach in the 1930s, the concept is that the dew found on flowers draws out healing properties from the plant which can be then used to alleviate such problems as stress, anxiety and insomnia.

Tai Chi and Qigong: Perhaps the two most popular stress-fighters you’ll find in Asia, these ancient Chinese exercises strengthen the body – and calm the mind. The exercises are designed to allow energy to flow freely through your body. – AFP