Complementary therapies in Barcelona are considered to be any type of therapy that complements the use of traditional medicine.

Complementary therapies in Barcelona and Alternative therapies are often used instead of traditional medicine. Complementary and alternative therapies are estimated to be used by two thirds of people in Australian according to https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/ This trend, of using complementary and alternative therapies, has been coming to Europe since the 90´s as more and more people seek less toxic and dependent treatments to their problems.

So, we know what is what in our own countries but as an Expat new to Spain it is often hard to understand the Spanish traditional medical system as well as the complementary and alternative therapies world. Carrie Frais, the founder of Mumabroad.com has been addressing these issues as many of her readers worry about finding the right healthcare professionals. The other day we had a great chat about what we can offer to new and old expats alike. Click here to read the interview. .

A great example of an alternative therapy that has become mainstream is, massage. Therapeutic Massage is widely accepted in Spain as not only a method to improve one’s health, also as a method to maintain one’s wellness and health. Muscle relaxants have a wide range of negative side effects from feeling groggy to having negative effects on the nervous system. Regular massage on the other hand (excuse the pun!) will not affect your nervous system, it will release endorphins and reduce stress as all skin on skin treatments, and relieve tension from stressed and torn muscles. Massage however is not offered on the national heath and not regulated. At Simplybepilates we offer therapeutic massages by highly trained and experienced massage therapists.

Interestingly in Spain the standard private healthcare insurance only offers massages in their health centres. My personal experience was limited to a 10 minutes massage a day for how many massages the doctor has assigned to you. As a massage therapist I can reassure you that 10 minutes is not going to get your muscles sufficiently warm, stretch, kneaded and mobilized to have a positive effect. We recommend either looking into health care cover from your own countries where possible or forking out for the more expensive packages in Spain that let you chose your own therapist. At Simplybepilates we encourage “maintenance massages” don’t wait for an injury.

Up to a few years ago I would get asked if Pilates is a form of Yoga. Spain did not get the memo.  Spanish doctors would recommend seeing a physiotherapist to help recover from an injury or operation and still do but I am always happy to receive a call from a new client saying that their doctor has recommended Pilates.

Pilates as an injury prevention and recovery method.

Now-days Pilates is recognised as one of the more effective rehabilitation methods worldwide and progressive Physiotherapists are signing up to Pilates schools to be able to offer their clients the best and quickest methods to aid recovery. Pilates is educational exercise and the method has been modified depending on new findings related to bio-mechanics to be effective and fast. We expect to see positive results within 6 weeks, less in many cases.

In Spain some progressive doctors will recommend Pilates. Many tend to recommend the Pilates reformer which discourages people to signing up to mat classes. I would like to dispel the myth that the reformer machine is necessary for rehabilitation. Pilates technique is the same on the Mat and therefore Pilates works well on the reformer and the mat. At Simplybepilates we have both reformer and Mat classes and have seen great results over the almost 10 years we have been open.  To book a class please click here or more information.

Osteopathy has been a popular and effective form of alternative therapy for decades. It is recognised in 9 European countries as part of the medical profession due to its proven track record as an effective manual treatment. An Osteopathy session included: testing, massage, mobilisation and if needs be small impulses to re-align the skeleton structure. The treatment is not unpleasant or invasive and most can be done dressed.

In Spain even though Osteopathy is still not recognised by the health service. Complementary therapies in Barcelona are still to come to the for-front of our culture. This means that, an Osteopath cannot accept patients from the CAP Salut (the Spanish NHS) or from private Spanish health care plans. Osteopathy is still a popular alternative therapy in Barcelona. No-wonder the difference in movement from when a client walks into our health centre to when they leave is clearly visible and the most common comment hear is “already I feel much better”

For more information on Complementary therapies in Barcelona or alternative medicine feel free to contact us on whatsapp 644316850 and ask for Devorah