RONALD THOMAS

I’m an experienced massage practitioner and reflexologist with a passion for all aspects of health and healing of the mind, body, and spirit.

My personal journey into healthcare began while dealing with intolerance to dairy and wheat products. Visits to doctors and specialists led only to temporary fixes, with no firm strategies for treatment. I decided to embark on my own research which led me to discover and use other forms of treatment, including:

  • reflexology

  • homeopathy

  • nutritional science

  • herb treatment - African, Chinese, Western

  • acupuncture therapy

  • tuina Chinese massage

I’ve completed a course of clinical study at the Zhe Jiang Provincial Hospital in Hang Zhou, China.

The majority of my tuina studies were completed alongside Errol Lynch of Touch Tuina UK, a relationship we maintain to this day.

I’ve also studied:

  • reflexology

  • auricular acupuncture - acupuncture relating to the ear or hearing

  • herbal balm making and

  • traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostics - eye, face, tongue, and pulse (completed at Paul Robin’s College of Chinese Medicine in London)

I’m extremely aware that the whole being has to be treated in order to obtain desirable results. This means I emphasise on building a relationship with all my clients, one rooted in care and trust to help improve their responsiveness to treatment. My ultimate personal goal is to deliver the best care possible.

 

TUI NA

Tuina or Tui Na (pronounced twee-nah) is a deep-tissue medical massage treatment method performed with the client clothed and covered with a cotton sheet. It’s been practiced in China for more than 2,000 years and is a well-established part of traditional Chinese medicine.

Tuina uses specially created hand techniques to move blood and chi (energy) through the body. It focuses on removing blockages that can cause pain, stiffness, and immobility in muscles and joints by preventing the smooth flow of blood and energy in the body.

Treating the muscles, nerves and joints encourages tissue growth, repair, and the return of smooth-flowing chi and blood. Like acupuncture, tuina stimulates energy meridians (channels) and energy points (acupuncture points) to further enhance the therapeutic effects of the treatment method.

It can treat many chronic illnesses through the use of diagnostic tools that carefully observe the individual, enabling treatment to be tailored to their needs. No two people arrive at the same disease in the same way - they will exhibit similar but not identical symptoms.

Tuina can be used to:

  • promote healing and speed of recovery from injuries

  • improve posture and gait

  • relieve headaches and migraine

  • breakdown internal scar tissue

  • relieve joint, nerve, and muscular pain

  • release trapped nerves, and much more

 

CHINESE REFLEXOLOGY

Chinese reflexology is a type of foot massage that has been practiced for over 2,000 years. It works by using tuina massage techniques on the feet which correspond to all the major organs and systems of the body. It can improve circulation and ease congested areas of the body to enable the vital energy force (chi) to flow.

Reflexology helps the body to eliminate toxins and promotes the body’s healing process. Tuina reflexology is also used to treat plantar fasciitis, ankle and achilles tendon sprains and strains.

Chinese reflexology treatment can:

  • relieve from digestive disorders, such as constipation and irritable bowel syndrome

  • improve poor circulation, swollen feet, and diabetes

  • relieve insomnia

  • assist with lowering blood pressure

  • stimulate thyroid function

  • balance hormone production in the body

 

AURICULAR (ear or hearing) ACUPUNCTURE

In China they discovered that, in some cases, pain anywhere in the body could be treated quickly and effectively by stimulating points on the outer surface of the ear. This method of treatment is guided by traditional Chinese medicine theory and modern knowledge of disease in Western medicine.

The ear itself contains a map of the body in form of an inverted fetus, where all the details of the anatomical, physiological, and emotional body are represented. It’s a microsystem of the body. There are over 100 acupuncture points on the outer ear. This makes it a very useful diagnostic tool, diagnosis being of utmost importance to effective treatment.

Treatment is performed using disposable surgical stainless steel needles, inserted just a few millimeters into the skin to stimulate the points. Small beads, metal-plated magnetic or vaccaria seeds, can also be placed with adhesive plaster for a longer-lasting stimulus. This can enhance the therapeutic effects, in between treatments.

Auricular treatment can help a wide range of conditions quickly and effectively. One important advantage is that it can be utilised in combination with other forms of treatment, such as:

  • reflexology

  • cupping

  • tuina massage

Auricular acupuncture can be use to:

  • reduce stress and anxiety

  • boost energy

  • reduce headaches and migraine

  • reduce allergy symptoms

  • be used in addiction management

  • reduce the pain and symptoms of many other conditions and disorders

 

CUPPING TREATMENT

Cupping is a method by which impurities are drawn from deep within the tissues, muscles, and organs of the body to the surface of the skin. This stimulates the body’s healing process by breaking down dysfunctional tissues and stagnant blood by the liver and expelled by the kidneys and intestines. This assists in the repair, regeneration, and growth of cells.

The cups are made from glass, bamboo, plastic, or silicone. Air is expelled from the cup by a flame or pump just before its placed on the skin. The resulting suction creates an upward pressure, pulling skin, blood vessels and muscle into the cup and away from the bones.

Cups can be placed in a fixed position or moved across the body in a speedy placement and removal manner. Cupping can be performed dry or wet by piercing the skin to release stagnant blood into the cup. Once placed they can be left for between 5 and 15 minutes. Their effect goes deep under the skin’s surface.

Even though it can be used as a treatment in itself, like hijama (wet cupping), I use it most often to compliment my other treatments.

Cupping can be used to:

  • release toxins and tissue wastes

  • clear blockages

  • irrigate veins and arteries

  • disperse inflammation

  • release muscle spasm and stiffness

  • release trapped nerves

  • reduce back pain

  • mobilise joints

  • reduce abdominal pain

  • reduce symptoms of colds and flu, and much more