Alison Mather Mar, ITEC, Dip. Nutrition
Alison qualified in massage therapy in 1985. She has a special interest in treating neck and back problems by working with muscle imbalances. Massage can offer pain relief caused by muscle tension, imbalance and injury. Benefits are: increased joint mobility, relief from muscle tightness, increased flexibility, pain relief and relaxation.

Alison qualified in Reflexology in 1993. Since qualifying she regularly attends further training courses that have included treating childhood asthma, pregnancy, stroke, head injuries and helping emotional issues. She is a member of the Association of Reflexologists. These are some of the conditions that Reflexology can be helpful for: migraine, hormonal imbalances, digestive problems, sinusitis, asthma, insomnia, stress, pain relief, muscular and joint pain. Alison qualified in nutrition in 2003 and has a special interest in treating food intolerances. Food intolerances are identified by using the York test. York test has been established since 1982 and is the only test for food intolerances that is endorsed by Allergy UK. Alison has worked at The Ampthill and Flitwick Physiotherapy Clinic for nine years and has treated a wide range of conditions through massage, reflexology or nutrition.

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Treatment are two major parts of Chinese Medicine.

Acupuncture is a unique physical treatment based on ancient Chinese Philosophy: The human body should be seen holistically, connected by many meridians. The energy(Qi) running through the meridians affects our well-being. Acupuncture helps keep the energy in harmony and balance within the body and the natural surrounding. Recent modern science researches have collected rich evidence of the effectiveness of Acupuncture regarding Pain Relief.

Chinese Herbal Treatment is one of the great herbal systems of the world, with an unbroken tradition going back to the 3rd century BC. Because of its systematic approach and clinical effectiveness it has for centuries had a very great influence on the theory and practice of medicine in the East, and more recently has grown rapidly in popularity in the West. It still forms a major part of healthcare provision in China, and is provided in state hospitals alongside western medicine.

The Department of Health announced that from February 2012, Chinese Medicine Herbalists will be regulated by Health Professional Council alongside with Physiotherapy.

Katherine (also known as Zhi-Hua) has studied medicine since she was 16 years old, after leaving school she spent 5 years training in Nan Jing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and gained a Bachelor Degree of Medicine at the age of 21.  She then worked in Nan Jing Red-Cross Hospital in China, during which time she gained intensive clinical experience in both Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine.

She then came to the UK working as a TCM doctor.  Her fluent English helps her to understand the British culture and her patients very well. Katherine has worked in Bedfordshire since 2005 and joined the clinic in Nov 2010.

If you have any chronic or acute conditions which cannot be dealt with by conventional medicine or treatment appointments are available every Thursday from 9:30am-3:30pm.

• Katherine is also a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM)

Mir Abbas Ali (LicAc, MBAcC) studied Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture for 3 years at the London College of Traditional Acupuncture, where he gained his licence to practice and eligibility to join The British Acupuncture Council. After finishing his initial studies in London, Mir travelled to Hangzhou in China, where he was able to observe and treat a variety of illnesses and diseases including; Bell's Palsy, Stroke, Male Sub-Fertility and Painful Musculoskeletal conditions.

On returning to London, Mir practiced at clinics in London for one year before moving to Ampthill in Bedfordshire. Since moving he has been able to treat a large number of conditions. Below is a small sample of the conditions that he has treated using Acupuncture:

• IVF/ICSI support
• Infertility
• Sub fertility
• Painful periods
• Amenorrhoea (the absence of a menstrual cycle)
• PMT
• PCOS
• Endometriosis
• Menopausal symptoms & issues during pregnancy

• Infertility
• Sub fertility & Erectile Dysfunction

• Back pain
• Sciatica
• Frozen Shoulder
• Tennis/Golfer's Elbow
• Knee pain
• Chronic pain management and sports injuries

• Insomnia
• Anxiety/Panic attacks & Depression

• Loss of appetite
• Anxiety
• Sleeping difficulties
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea/Constipation & Low energy

Mir also uses Tui Na/Chinese Massage as a stand alone treatment or in combination with Acupuncture. Tui Na is used throughout the whole of China and in Asia. Hospitals in China which use traditional Chinese Medicine will usually include three departments; Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Tui Na. There are no Physiotherapy units in China, instead there are Tui Na departments, where soft tissue massage, exercise/rehab advice and manipulations/mobilisations are given by the Tui Na Doctors. Mir does not use mobilisations or manipulations . Tui Na is useful for the following: sports Injuries, back pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, old injuries, shoulder and neck tension. Mir also has an interest in Martial arts, which he has been practicing for over 25 years. It was his interest in the martial arts that led him to a career in health and medicine. Mir still practices and teaches martial arts and Qi Gong.

Why Pilates?
Pilates exercises are based on a regime of stretching, strengthening and body awareness. This can help to control posture, improve trunk stability and prevent joint injury. Modified pilates exercises are adapted from the 'traditional' form to retain the benefits but remove potential strain, making them suitable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels.

Is Pilates for me?
Modified pilates has exercises to suit almost everyone, whatever their age, flexibility or previous fitness regime. There are exercises adapted for those with back or neck pain, shoulder problems or hip and knee problems. Some exercises are suitable for ante-natal and post-natal exercising. If you don’t have pain that’s great… pilates can help keep you pain free, improving your strength, aiding relaxation and giving you a gentle full-body workout.

How will I be taught?
Most clients benefit from an individual session to assess posture and stability and discuss any concerns or problems. From this session a tailored home programme can be devised for practice prior to, or instead of, a class. Ideally classes are small to allow practice and modifications at your own pace. They usually include breathing exercises, some relaxation and a range of exercises for stretching and strengthening.

What if I’ve tried Pilates classes before?
If you’ve previously enjoyed classes but are 'out-of-practice', small classes or individual sessions can help ease you back to your previous level. This is especially important if you have sustained an injury and need a graded programme to return to fitness. If you’ve tried a pilates class and didn’t think it suited you, why not try individual approach ­ take advantage of one-to-one tuition and support and learn the exercises at home at your own pace. Many people find a class environment difficult it they haven’t had time to master the basics.

Classes run on:
Wednesday: 6.30 – 7.30
Friday: 2.30 – 3.30
Saturday: 10.00 – 11.00 and 11.15 – 12.15

These are small classes run by a Physiotherapist; we run them with no more than 5 people, for more individual attention.