Nicky Hardy Holistics
Hi, my name is Nicky and I work from a calm, relaxing treatment room at my home in Bury St Edmunds, I offer Reflexology, Reiki and Indian Head Massage therapies as well as Hopi Ear Candling. Bury St Edmunds is easy to access from the A14 and is not far away from Elmswell, Thurston, Thetford, Newmarket, Stowmarket, etc. I live near the hospital and Hardwick Heath.
I am passionate about each and every holistic/complementary therapy that I offer and it always amazes me how much they can affect our entire body and mood. Having seen what stress can do to the people I love - not only mentally, physically, but also emotionally - I hope to help people feel more relaxed and less stressed.
Having been in a desk job for 31 years, sitting for long periods and having back and neck pain, I have found that complementary therapies have helped me immensely in different ways and this is what inspired me to re-train in a new career 8 years ago.
I look forward to meeting you and finding out how I can help you feel better x
REFLEXOLOGY AND THE 5 PILLARS OF A HEALTHY MENOPAUSE
I recently qualified in Reflexology for Menopause and have learned so much about how stress can exacerbate symptoms. I learned that our adrenals also produce oestrogen which is why stress is so bad for perimenopause. Reflexology is known to be good for stress and anxiety and it was one of the things Sally Earlam suggested to bring down their stress levels. The Five Pillars to a Healthy Menopause is such an interesting way of looking at ways of helping yourself. If you would like a copy of the document from my course, please do let me know. I hope to now use Reflexology to help lovely ladies struggling with menopause symptoms and, even if they are taking HRT, are still suffering. I take HRT as the night sweats were just
too much for me to handle and I didn't sleep for over a week, but I know my symptoms are worse when I'm stressed or anxious.
THE BENEFITS OF REIKI ALONGSIDE OTHER TREATMENTS
The latest industry news from the FHT (Federation of Holistic Therapists) includes an article on how Reiki can be a huge benefit alongside other treatments. They say "Mental health issues and stress-related illnesses result from a wide range of factors; high pressure jobs, working long hours, unemployment, financial problems – and more recently, the coronavirus pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis." "The rebalancing and renewing of the energies can relieve emotional and mental stress, promote calmness, relaxation and peace, release tension and aid concentration. The practice of reiki promotes deep relaxation and sleep, dispels energy blockages, detoxifies, supplies healing energy to support a sense of health and wellbeing, and enhances other complementary therapies and conventional care. Reiki may also help to release suppressed feelings and emotions which may intensify (or rise to the surface), sometimes unexpectedly, during a treatment." My clients get this wonderful additional treatment whatever other one they are having as (fortunately) I cannot turn reiki energy off! What a bonus! And if you worry that you may have an emotional release, please don't as this is a natural effect of energy healing therapy and you are safe to show emotion. Love and light. Nicky x
WHY IS BEING A MEMBER OF THE AoR IMPORTANT?
Why is the fact I am a member of the Association of Reflexologists important? Well.... the AoR is a professional body who are committed to the highest possible standards of professional conduct and as such have adopted a Code of Practice and Ethics that we as members have to follow. You can only become a member if you have the correct qualifications and are then considered an MAR (Member of the Association of Reflexologists). This Code of Practice and Ethics is designed to encourage integrity and responsibility as a complementary therapy practitioner, as well as to uphold and further the reputation of our profession. You can use the AoR website to search for a qualified reflexologist in your area and can be guaranteed that they are a professional.
I, as an MAR, agree to act in my client's best interests and treat them with the utmost respect, e.g. safety, comfort, confidentiality and welfare. I promise I will do my very best to make you feel relaxed, comfortable, safe, and basically looked after.
HOPI EAR CANDLING
I am trained in Hopi Ear Candling (also known as 'Thermal Auricular Therapy') which can improve the health of the ear, nose, throat and sinuses of the body. It is a gentle non-invasive and relaxing experience carried out using hollow tubes known as ear candles. Ear candling loosens ear wax and is being beneficial for the upper respiratory tract as well as the circulatory and lymphatic systems; thus making it a whole body treatment.
The healing properties of ear candles are based on two physical actions of the candle. Firstly the chimney effect inside the ear candle and the vibration of the rising air column serve to gently massage the eardrum and promote secretion in the sinuses. This has an immediate subjective effect of regulating ear pressure. Users often describe it as a soothing, light sensation in the ear/head area. Secondly, the locally applied warmth stimulates blood circulation, invigorates the immune system and reinforces the flow of the lymphatic system.
Benefits can range between improving blood flow to the head and neck to relieving sinus or lymphatic congestion, swollen glands, allergy symptoms, pain or pressure when flying, earache, sore throats and anyone who is having trouble getting rid of cold/flu symptoms. The treatment is also said to create a 'balanced' feeling and help clearer thinking by increasing alertness and concentration. I think this treatment would work really well preceded by an Indian Head Massage! Why not come along to my relaxing treatment room in Bury St Edmunds to give it a try!
STRESS, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
Unfortunately we are hearing more and more about people with stress, anxiety and depression. This isn't just in adults either, as even young children in primary school can suffer. This month, I am travelling to London to train with the fabulous Sally Earlam on Mindful Reflexology which is said to help hugely with stress, anxiety and depression.
Mindfulness can just be something as simple as closing your eyes when you eat to really taste the food or turning the television off so you actually take notice of what you are eating. It can be going for a walk and not looking at your phone, noticing the trees, the sky, the clouds, how your feet feel on the ground. I find just lying in bed and noticing how my body feels against the sheets helps to bring me back to the present. There are some wonderful free mindfulness meditations on YouTube too which I use when I can't switch off the noise in my brain at bedtime.
Reiki is so good for relieving stress as well. My clients who come for this therapy sometimes have trouble getting off the massage bed afterwards as they are so relaxed! They find that, even if they have trouble turning off the busy thoughts initially, they are able to do so not long after I place my hands on their solar plexus or on their belly. Our belly is our second brain, did you know that?! Gut feelings about a horse in the Newmarket races? Butterflies in the stomach when you meet someone or something is about to happen? Knot in our stomach when we're worried? Interesting hey?
Love and light x
