Our holistic model of treatment includes and may employ any and all of the following therapies.
ACUPUNCTURE
(practiced by Cintain)
One of the oldest healing technologies of the World, acupuncture was developed in China over 2000 years ago. It is the basic tool of Chinese Medicine, which is still practised in China, Japan, and many other countries in the World today. Consisting of the insertion of very fine needles under the skin at precise locations, acupuncture balances and harmonises the various circulations of fluids, blood, and energy in the body, effectively treating a host of health conditions and improving symptoms and wellbeing in many others.
“I saw Cintain because of a serious neck problem which greatly impaired my quality of life for more than two years. I had tried many different practitioners but had made little, if any, progress.
Cintain, using ‘Anatomy Trains’ at first, then acupuncture, has restored not just my neck but helped me resolve other problems that I had garnered from years of playing squash, tennis and golf.
I can now enjoy my sports and gardening once more. My wife is delighted because my outlook at 72 is more akin to how I was in my fifties.”
— Tom W.
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY
(practiced by Alex & Cintain)
Life is a dance between motion and stillness. Movement in the body, like in Nature, happens in spirals and waves, and sometimes it is the subtlest of movements (or lack, thereof) that can have the most profound impact on our sense of health and self. Developed from the tradition of osteopathy, craniosacral therapy can be the key to releasing deep-seated discomforts and the somato-emotional effects of trauma. It works through soft contacts with the bones and sutures of the skull, which harmonise the movements and pulsations inherent in each person’s natural metabolism. It may be helpful with:
chronic muscle-skeletal pain i.e. sciatica, back pain, neck pain
TMD (temporo-mandibular disorder)
post-injury i.e. whiplash, concussion
dental and other surgery rehabilitation
birth trauma
post-partum recovery
chronic stress, irritability, burnout
headaches and migraines
insomnia
“My sessions with Alex have been transformational. I cannot recommend working with her enough. Alex is incredibly skilled, knowledgeable, trust worthy, kind and compassionate. I felt completely safe and comfortable throughout my sessions and have benefited immensely from the work we have done together. My body, mind and spirit all say thank-you, thank-you, thank-you.”
— Iona, Medical Anthropologist
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY FOR BABIES
(practiced by Alex)
Craniosacral therapy is an effective and gentle treatment option designed specifically for babies. This therapeutic approach focuses on relieving tension and improving the overall functioning of the craniosacral system, which includes the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. By utilizing light touch and subtle manipulation techniques, practitioners aim to support the baby's natural healing processes, often resulting in improved comfort and well-being. Parents often seek craniosacral therapy for a variety of concerns, such as fussiness, difficulty feeding, or sleep issues.
“I had a craniosacral therapy with Alex for my little son, 19 months at the time. He struggled with nightmares since he was born, waking up every night with terrors. I can’t quite explain what she did but the nightmares are gone ever since.”
— Irena C, Acupuncture Therapist
STRUCTURAL BODYWORK - 3 SERIES
(practiced by Alex & Cintain)
We live under a veritable waterfall of energy called gravity, which each of us must learn to negotiate in order to stand, walk, and move about.
Unfortunately, most of us also carry the effects of events in our life in the form of scars, injuries, and poor postural habits, which make our constant struggle with gravity more difficult, sometimes painful.
By bringing flexibility, suppleness, and a sense of presence and aliveness to the tissues that support us in space, fascial release therapy can transform your experience of life from pain and constraint into freedom and comfort in all of life’s activities.
The connective tissue web we call fascia is one seamless, continuous unit, so everything is connected to everything else. However, it is organised into planes and folds that operate as functional units. An injury, surgery, repetitive stain or sedentary lifestyle can put a strain on your fascial system. Our job is to find a source of the problem (which might in fact be quite far from the source of pain), and encourage your body to return to its optimal function.
The 3 sessions focus on releasing the body in 3 logical steps:
SESSION 1
In the first session we focus on the feet, legs and hips allowing them to find a better relationship with the rest of the body.
Releasing tensions in the lower body gives your structure a solid foundation which will be needed in the subsequent sessions.
SESSION 2
Session two is all about the upper body and its relationship and influence on the lower body.
By assessing your breathing, we identify the structures that need more freedom of movement.
By finding balance in the ribcage, shoulders and the breathing muscles, we ease the relationship between the upper and lower body.
SESSION 3
The focus of the third session is the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine, and the deepest core layer of your body.
We will release the spinal muscles themselves but also go through all the tissues that connect the spine with the rest of the body.
“My body feels so much lighter. My muscles literally feel like oxygen is flowing more efficiently through them, and don’t feel as blocked.”
—Brenda C.
STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION - 12 SERIES
(practiced by Cintain)
Structural Integration offers a comprehensive and detailed approach to bodywork that is conducted over the course of 12 dedicated sessions. This methodical process allows for a thorough exploration and enhancement of the body’s alignment and movement patterns.
You will experience deep and slow fascial and myofascial manipulation, as well as movement re-education.
Thomas Myers’ Anatomy Trains model of Structural Integration was developed based on the pioneering work of Ida Rolf.
“By the age of 50 I have accumulated range of pains in my body due to life stress, old sports injuries and sitting work in the office. Lower back, neck and shoulders, knees pain - many people know the feeling.
Cintain combines very effective method of structural integration, extensive experience and his bespoke holistic approach to deliver this treatment. He helped me where other methods didn’t work.
The effect is gradual, but lasting improvement.“
—Maxim B.
VISCERAL MANIPULATION
(practiced by Alex & Cintain)
Visceral manipulation is a form of gentle, organ-specific fascial mobilization that employs very precise and specific soft tissue manipulations to return the organs to their natural mobility. Developed by the renowned French osteopath and physiotherapist, Jean Pierre-Barral, it may be helpful in the treatment of:
injuries (i.e. whiplash, concussion, seatbelt related);
digestive disorders (i.e. bloating, constipation, acid reflux);
musculoskeletal issues (i.e. neck pain, headaches and migraines, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica);
woman’s health issues.
It may also be useful in releasing scar tissue following surgery, and rebalancing the pelvic organs post-partum.
”Grateful for 6 weeks of bladder pain (non-infective) to be fixed in 1 treatment by Cintian. As a medic I recognise Cintian's professionalism and knowledge.”
RP, Medical Doctor
“Alex helped me with my sciatica pains. Once she found the cause, she worked tirelessly to bring me relief. It worked as sciatica pains never came back.”
Aleks M, Yoga Teacher
SCAR TISSUE WORK
(practiced by Alex & Cintain)
Scar tissue resulting from injury or surgical interventions may adhere to neighbouring tissues and impair movement, creating numerous compensation patterns in the body. By remodelling scar tissue with gentle and precise touch, we create conditions for the body to regain its mobility and flexibility.
We have treated numerous scars in our clinic including those resulting from C-section, abdominal surgeries, hip replacements, knee replacements and open heart surgeries.
“After several gynaecological surgeries I felt disconnected to my abdominal area and that everything was stuck and heavy. Alex helped me with my scar tissue and everything is now moving more as it should. I feel a lightness and relief.”
—Deborah W
Each therapist brings their own expertise and perspective
Alex Quintana
Alex has been a therapist since 2014 and she absolutely loves what she does. She has been heard saying there is no better job out there…
Cintain M. Quintana
A big enthusiast of everything Scottish. Having recently moved to Edinburgh, Cintain is currently the happiest man on earth.