Billie Shephard, Charlotte Crosby and David Beckham – celebs turning to complementary therapies to improve their health
BILLIE Shephard, Lauren Goodger and David Beckham are among the stars turning to complementary therapies to boost their health.
It follows research suggesting an holistic approach alongside medical treatment could save the NHS £9million a DAY - with a 37 per cent reduction in doctors’ visits.
Complementary therapy includes treatments such as massage, reflexology and reiki.
As it stands, the NHS only offers treatments like acupressure and manual therapy for specific conditions based on guidance from the health service watchdog.
Billie Shepherd - who recently gave birth to her third child - explored reflexology after suffering heel pain during pregnancy.
Meanwhile Lauren Goodger and Charlotte Crosby both opted for pregnancy massages to help with back pain, sleep and bringing on labour.
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King Charles is said to be a fan of acupuncture - a treatment derived from ancient Chinese medicine - as well as his daughter-in-law Meghan Markle, Kate Moss and Lisa Snowdon.
David Beckham is also a firm believer in the benefits of acupunctur, which he says help him to recover from his intense sweat sessions,
The football legend shared a photo of himself covered in acupuncture needles, captioning it: "The one thing that repairs me after a hard week of working out. Acupuncture."
has been at the forefront of promoting the benefits of spa since its inception in 2008 - determined to give those with illness or a disability the opportunity to undergo treatments.
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Some spas refuse to treat cancer patients, leaving many visitors looking forward to "mind, body and soul" care disappointed.
Abi Selby, founder of Spabreaks.com said: “The findings are hugely significant and cannot be ignored.
"With the NHS under severe, escalating pressure it’s critical that the benefits of complementary therapies are taken account of by Government.”
at Leonardo Royal Tower Bridge Hotel offers Touch Therapies, which is available for anyone currently undergoing cancer treatment or in recovery.
The bespoke 50-minute treatment combines the health benefits of Hebridean seaweed skincare with a range of effective facials and massages.
Booking agency Spabreaks.com is joining politicians in raising awareness of complementary therapies in the wellness sector, arguing the NHS has an important part to play in "helping people live better for longer and compresses the period of morbidity and dependency at the end of life".
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Beauty and Wellbeing (the APPG), chaired by Carolyn Harris MP and Judith Cummins MP, recently published recommendations for government following its enquiry into the value of complementary therapies in supporting the nation’s health.
Carolyn told The Sun: “"With the NHS under increasingly intense pressure, it’s vital that the government starts to acknowledge the role complementary therapies can play in our healthcare system.
"The tangible benefits that treatments such as massage and reflexology can have on physical and mental health are clear.
"As a result, the wellbeing sector has untapped potential for supporting the NHS both in terms of patient outcomes and managing budgets.
"The importance of the wellbeing sector, however, has long been undervalued.
"It requires close collaboration between the Government and NHS England to better promote the benefits of social prescribing with GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals, including reviewing how they can refer people to non-clinical complementary therapy services.
"We hope the Government will review our recommendations in order to support the wellbeing sector and improve the nation’s health."
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Complementary therapies should be used alongside, but never replace, treatment offered by doctors.
The NHS warns there are some complementary treatments claiming to offer benefits that are "not recognised by the majority of independent scientists".