Sport & Fitness

Acupuncture
One Space Acupuncture
Maggie Bavington and Margré de Vries, established practitioners and registered members of the British Acupucture Council, set up this low-cost acupuncture clinic three months ago and have been bowled over by the response. To keep their prices down, treatments are given in a communal space, and you don’t have to physically reveal more than you want to as therapy can take place while you are partially clothed. They also run a drop-in auricular (ear) acupuncture clinic on Fridays.
Good for Allergies, skin complaints, polycystic ovaries, insomnia and sinus problems.
Cost One-hour initial consultation £30, 45-min follow-up £15, ear acupuncture £10 with no initial consultation needed.
One Space Acupuncture, Bodywise, 119 Roman Rd, E2 (020 8981 6938) Bethnal Green tube. Fri 10am-3pm.
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Homeopathy
Healthy Living Centre
Homeopathic medicines are designed to help build up the body’s natural defences. The basic principle of homeopathy is that ‘like cures like’ so it is believed that an ailment can be relieved by small quantities of substances which produce the same symptoms. Qualified homeopath Dinah Rogers treats people of all ages suffering from a wide range of complaints and is keen to reach those who may not usually be able to afford homeopathic treatment in this clinic.
Good for Acute fevers, sore throats, toothache, arthritis, eczema, asthma, anxiety, mild depression and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Cost £25 an hour.
Healthy Living Centre, 282 St Paul’s Rd, N1 (020 7704 6900/www.thehealthylivingcentre.co.uk) Highbury & Islington tube/rail. Sat 2-6pm.

Osteopathy
British School of Osteopathy
Osteopathy works mostly on the muscles and joints to ease tension, improve the body’s functioning and the healing process. The BSO’s new premises in Borough has 35 treatment rooms devoted to affordable osteopathy. The majority of patients are seen by supervised third- and fourth-year students on the BSO degree course. At less than £20 for follow-up treatments, this is one of the most reasonably-priced complementary health places in London.
Good for Muscular-skeletal problems, postnatal care, sport injuries, migraines.
Cost General clinic initial consultation £20, follow-up treatment £17. Sports clinic £24. Concs & children’s clinic initial consultation £12, follow-up treatment £10. HIV-positive patients are treated free of charge.
British School of Osteopathy, 98-118 Southwark Bridge Rd, SE1 (020 7407 0222/www.bso.ac.uk) Borough tube. Appointments 8.40am-5pm.

Reflexology
London School of Reflexology
Reflexology works by applying pressure to reflex points in the feet to remedy blockages in energy flow elsewhere in the body. The reflexologist feels for tiny gritty granules under the skin and uses massage to disperse them. The London School of Reflexology can put prospective patients in touch with graduate reflexologists practising in their respective areas.
Good for Pre-conceptual treatment for men and women, women planning natural labour and people suffering from digestive problems.
Cost Between £20 and £30 an hour.
London School of Reflexology, Suite 427, 13 Austin Friars, E2 (020 7670 1632/www.learnreflexology.com).

Sports massage
London School of Sports Massage
LSSM was founded in 1989 and was the first to provide specialist training in sport and remedial massage. Though it doesn’t offer a regular low-cost service, exam days for trainees take place every six to eight weeks. Exam candidates will perform a massage free of charge on either the upper or lower body on volunteers. The next exam takes place on April 19, but places are limited so apply early.
Good for Muscle problems relating to activity including sports, gardening, heavy lifting and carrying babies.
Cost Free on exam days.
London School of Sports Massage, 28 Station Parade, NW2 (020 8452 8855/www.lssm.com) Willesden Green tube.

More ideas…
Learn to meditate in half a day
Heruka Centre, 13 Woodstock Rd, Golders Green, NW11 (020 8455 7563/www.meditateinlondon.org.uk) £20, including lunch.

Cranio-sacral therapy
9 St George’s Mews, Primrose Hill, NW1 (020 7586 0148/www.ccst.co.uk) £25.

Indulge in an aromatherapy body massage
118 Baker St, W1 (020 486 6291/www.raycochrane.co.uk) 30-minute back massage, £15. By appointment.