08/04/2026
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves painless insertion of fine needles into trigger points in the skin, which stimulate the physis to focus on selected organs. Amongst other things it releases endorphins which are the body's own form of morphine and are excellent painkillers.
It is used in hospitals to treat severe pain as in terminal cancer patients, and i use it for back pain, arthritic pains and migraine. Apart from its pain-killing properties it is used for stimulating energy, can help regulate the systems of the body (particularly the involuntary nervous system), and reduce inflammation. mild hypertension. panic attacks. insomnia, anxiety, itchiness, tinnitus, deafness, loss of smell, tingling and numbness in the fingers due to some neurological problem and loss of sensation. It can also be used to treat chronic fatigue as well as nerve-related conditions such as Bell's palsy, paralysis, stroke stomach ulcers and double vision, to mention iust a few examples.
Conventional medicine
At the Integrated Medical Centre we use conventional medicine as and when required. I would estimate that 30-35 per cent of our therapy is conventional: antibiotics, diuretics, painkillers, anti-histamine, occasionally tranquillisers, vitamins and minerals in infusions. We use the latter particularly for cancer therapies (because of poor appetite and the need to nourish the body with essentials), chronic fatigue syndrome (because of poor absorption) and during convalescence. In psychiatry we use psychological medicine, neurolinguistic programming (NLP), hypnosis, different types of psychological treatment and conventional medicines, depending on the acuteness of the disease.
Healing
Healing is a form of treatment that all doctors who touch their patients practise to some degree. There is a significant link between the physician and the physis of the patient when contact is made. When I have completed a period of, say, neck massage I feel strangely drained of energy. Though I recover quite quickly it is a very noticeable effect.
There is no question in my experience that healing through the hands aids the physis. At the Integrated Medical Centre we use it very often in relief of chronic or unexplained panic attacks, pains, stress, chronic fatigue, multiple sclerosis (to some degree) and also for stroke. I would say that it brings about necessary change in the tissues to kick-start the healing process. The battery is flat, you give the car a push, jump-start it and off you go, charging up the battery.
Herbal remedies
Herbal remedies, (Ayurvedic, Chinese and Unani), are outstanding in the treatment of liver disorders, including hepatitis and particularly hepatitis C, for which conventional medicine is sadly weak. They can be used for chronic sinus problems, eczema (again, there is no conventional equivalent) and irritable bowel syndrome. The only remedy available for constipation, which is actually used by conventional medicine in its herbal form, is psyllium husk, or senna. We also use herbs for impotence, infertility, hypertension, toning up the heart and circulatory system, and tonics. There is not much money in herbal tonics so nowadays conventional medicine has turned to vitamin B complexes, which bring a much better return to the drug companies, but the herbal tonics are just as effective. Herbal remedies also work well for urinary infections and kidney stones, though not gall stones. Ayurvedic oils with anti-inflammatory properties are used for oil baths to help arthritis, chronic sciatica and chronic backache. Oil massage of the head has a soothing effect on the brain, a powerful psychotherapeutic effect and induces sleep.
Firdous Ali
London