RJ Health & Wellbeing
Health Coaching, Medical Acupuncture and Reflexology in Chester

How can Complementary / Lifestyle Medicine help me?

Today’s highly driven and fast-changing climate leaves many of us subject to the physiological effects of stress and poor lifestyle habits. We have more choice than ever before, yet do not always make the right choices when it comes to maintenance of our own health and wellbeing. We lead busy lives that leave little time for the recognition of slowly developing illness, be it physical or psychological.

Conditions such as stress, anxiety, chronic fatigue, insomnia, nonspecific musculoskeletal pain, and nonspecific digestive problems, are likely to have multiple root causes, which conventional medicine alone may not always fully address.

The risks of developing chronic conditions such as Cardiovascular disease and Type 2 Diabetes have been shown to be increased by numerous modifiable factors, all of which can be greatly improved through lifestyle medicine approaches.


The use of complementary alongside conventional healthcare allows you the time and attention necessary to fully understand and address the root cause of your problems.

Lifestyle approaches to medicine aim to empower you with the knowledge and confidence you need to optimise the management of any ongoing conditions, to prevent future problems, to nurture yourself physically and psychologically, and to maintain your long term health and wellbeing.

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How can a Health Coach help me?

Health Coaches blend health education with health promotion, using a diverse range of interventions, all with the common aim of helping people to improve their own health and wellbeing. They use a combination of motivational interviewing, education, ongoing patient assessment and support, in order to assist patients/ clients in developing and reaching their own personalised health and wellness goals. Key roles include:

• Undertaking health & wellbeing assessments
  
• Providing education about nutrition, exercise, and stress management
  
• Helping patients navigate the healthcare system
  
• Offering ongoing emotional & practical support
  
• Providing continuity of care

Health Coaching, alongside usual Medical treatment, may help in the management of numerous chronic conditions. It may also help with stress management, and has been associated with the following:
[1] [2]

• Improved physical and mental health status
  
• Increased physical activity
  
• Better weight management
  
• Reduced tobacco use
  
• Reduced alcohol intake
  
• Increased fruit and vegetable intake
  
• Increased exercise levels
  
• Increased self confidence in managing health
  
• Increased motivation

How can Medical Acupuncture help me?

Acupuncture is a form of complementary medicine that involves the stimulation of nerves and muscle in specific anatomical locations, usually via insertion of fine needles through the skin, at specific points on the body. It is derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), itself thought to date back at least 2000 years.

Western Medical Acupuncture adapts traditional acupuncture to incorporate the principles of evidence-based medicine and current understanding of anatomy, physiology and pathology. It is used by conventional healthcare practitioners, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors.

Medical Acupuncture is most widely used in the treatment of pain. The National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE) currently recommends consideration of acupuncture in the treatment of:

• Chronic tension type headache
  
• Migraine

Medical acupuncture is also frequently used in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain, including:

• Myofascial pain: Pain in muscles and their surrounding tissue
  
• Knee osteoarthritis
  
• Neck pain
  
• Lower back pain

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How can Reflexology help me?

Reflexology is a non-invasive complementary therapy involving gentle pressure to predefined points on the feet or hands. It has been defined by the Cochrane Collaboration as 'gentle manipulation or pressing on certain parts of the foot to produce an effect elsewhere in the body'. The overall aim of Reflexology is to promote relaxation and improved wellbeing.

The benefits of Reflexology stem from its ability to initiate a deep sense of relaxation, thereby promoting the body’s innate counteraction to the stress response, known as the parasympathetic nervous system, with numerous consequential effects on body and mind.


Reflexology is frequently used alongside medical treatment, particularly in the management of stress related conditions. The most common feedback reported is an improvement in levels of relaxation, enhanced general wellbeing, and reduced perception of stress.

Reduction in stress, along with its associated physiological, emotional and behavioural implications, holds long term health benefits for both body and mind. This leads many to seek Reflexology solely for relaxation and maintenance of long term wellbeing, amidst the stresses and strains of modern day life.

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Recently added

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• The Personal Narrative Trap
  
• How Vitamin D may protect against heart failure following a heart attack
  
• Acupuncture in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee
  
• Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine
  
• Lifestyle interventions in primary care

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Locations

I am primarily based in Chester, situated within easy reach of Wirral, North Wales, Northwich and surrounding areas.

For those for whom travel is difficult but still wish to see a Reflexologist, I offer occasional Reflexology home visits to Wirral, Northwich, North Wales and surrounding areas. I also offer Skype / Telephone Health Coaching to those living further afield.

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*Complementary medicine can be used alongside conventional medicine in disease management or prevention, but does not seek to diagnose or cure. Always seek Medical advice first for any newly presenting health problems.