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The best of London's therapists

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ACUPUNCTURE

The ancient chinese art of sticking very fine needles into precise points along the body's meridians, or energy channels, to treat disease and maintain health. Not as painful as it sounds, and good for almost anything chronic, from skin problems, via migraines and digestive problems, to insomnia.

Pierre-Jean Cousin: charming and renowned also as a Chinese herbalist and homeopath. Kensington Therapy Centre, W8 (020 7376 1199), first appointment £45, £35 thereafter.

Dr Gang Zhu: trained in conventional medicine and traditional Chinese medicine and also skilled with Chinese herbs and acupressure. £48 for first appointment (45 mins), £38 thereafter (30 mins). At the Life Centre, Edge Street, W8.

Dr Joshua Li: his ability to boost clients' immune systems, thus warding off colds, is a big draw. Works from home in South Harrow (020 8423 1951) or at the Cassidy Health Centre, SW6 (020 7731 2511), £35.

Huw Griffiths: practises "five-element" acupuncture, and has an unerring knack of finding and releasing blocked energies. Complete Care Centre, EC1 (020 7336 0466), £45 an hour.

Margaret Evans: dedicated, kind and considerate, say fans. £40 for 45 minutes. At the Hale Clinic, W1 (020 7631 0156).

Amadis Cammell: a holistic and oriental medicine expert, practises acupuncture, Chinese herbalism and teaches Qigong, which combines meditation and physical exercise, (020 8671 4224). Consultations from £35.

Oran Kivity: practises Japanese acupuncture, using very fine silver needles and instruments that do not break the skin, so is great for those with a thing about needles. At the Muswell Hill Healing Arts Centre (020 8365 3545), £40 an hour; and the Wren Clinic, EC3 (020 7283 8908), £48 an hour.

AROMATHERAPY

Luxurious and soothing massage using essential oils of plants and flowers. Devotees don't care a jot that recent scientific research showed the effects to be all in the mind.

Micheline Arcier: the grande dame of aromatherapy learned the original technique from Margaret Maury, who brought it to this country, and has been in practice for 40 years. Now she still consults (£70 an hour) but her therapists do the massages. Micheline Arcier Aromatherapy, SW1 (020 7235 3545).

Daphne Barratt: London's most in-demand aromatherapist and reflexologist is based in Wimbledon, has a loyal clientele and is always booked up. Clients rave about her special gift for getting to the root of their troubles - and sorting them out. £55 first consultation (90 minutes), £45 thereafter (020 8947 1940).

Amanda Birch at Michaeljohn, W1, combines deep-tissue massage with aromatherapy for "amazing" results. £60 an hour (020 7629 6969).

AYURVEDA

Ancient Indian system of medicine, now the latest buzz-phrase in fashionable circles. But forget the scented bubblebaths: these are the real experts.

Dr Moorthy Sathiya: the founder of the Ayurvedic Medical Association UK, has recently been appointed to sit on the government panel on "borderline medicine". Based in Tooting, he's particularly good with chronic conditions such as arthritis, eczema and psoriasis. £40 plus cost of remedies (approx £10). (020 8682 3876).

Dr Shantha Godagama:

president of the Ayurvedic Medical Association, works at the Hale Clinic (020 7631 0156). Highly regarded for panchakarma (detox treatments); lots of success with gout. £55 for first consultation, £40 subsequently.

Dr Deepika Gunwant:

chief physician at the Ayurvedic charitable hospital. Specialist in gynaecological ailments, rheumatism and arthritis. No charge, once you're through the waiting list. The Ayurvedic Company of Great Britain (020 7224 6070).

BODYWORK

A catch-all category for treatments that work at a deeper level than massage, realigning and improving posture. Some are very gentle; others, which work directly on overtight muscles or underlying connective tissue, can get a bit uncomfortable.

Bodyshifting: "Strong" bodywork, developed by the delightful Barry Pluke, who cracks dreadful puns to ease clients through moments of discomfort. He's in demand on a global scale (movie sets and all that), so catch him as he passes through Claridge's Olympus suite, £95 for one hour (020 7409 6565), the Lotus Healing Clinic, £70 first session, £50 thereafter (020 7724 4004) or try his mobile (07977 535 377). Rates are flexible, depending on your needs.

Body Stress Release: like chiropractic but gentler, to release squashed nerves, Nick Sowonola (07956 910707) can do home visits or is at Espree, EC4 (020 7867 1222) and Natureworks, W1 (020 7355 4056). From £30.

Hellerwork: Devotees of Roger Golten, London's top Hellerworker, get cross when it's called Scream therapy; it rarely gets that painful, they insist. Unknots people such as Jonathan Aitken, Roger Daltrey and Juliet Stevenson. The Ability Centre, W1. £75 an hour (020 7723 5676).

Rolfing: quite a tough one, in terms of likely degree of discomfort, because the practitioner is manipulating the myofascial system. Matteo Cesari Semprini, £55 (07890 672 135) and Life Centre, Edge Street, W8, and Hale Clinic (020 7631 0156).

Watsu: shiatsu-in-the-water, done in a warm pool, which makes for an other-worldly experience. Hilary Austin, who also teaches Alexander Technique, £50 (020 8892 9154).

Zero Balancing: very gentle, but deeply easing, on a mental as well as physical level. Jeff Lennard at Natureworks, W1 (020 7355 4036, or 020 7272 5830), £40 a session.

CHIROPRACTORS

Correcting joint and muscle disorders by manipulating the supporting bones is one of the more accepted alternative therapies, frequently muddled with osteopathy - both are good for backs and involve manipulation. (Chiropractors work directly on joints, while osteopaths work on the muscles and ligaments surrounding the joints). McTimoney chiropractic is a gentler form of the same technique.

Dr Ida Norgaard at the Deane Medical Centre, SW7, £65 first session, £35 thereafter (020 7591 1929).

Andrew Ferguson at The Notting Hill Osteopathic Practice, £60 (020 7937 2298).

Cameron Potter and Michael Wenban at Putney Chiropractic Clinic, SW15. First consultation £65, thereafter £27 (020 8 877 0377).

Arti Shah, a McTimoney practitioner at the Life Centre, Edge Street, W8. £60 for the first consultation, £40 for follow-ups. Children, £30.

CHINESE MEDICINE

Condemned by last year's House of Lords report as unproven, despite its ancient pedigree, but loved by many because it can work so well with chronic conditions such as eczema, for which allopathic medicine can do little.

Dr Song Kerr: simply brilliant. Practises at 10 Harley Street (020 7467 8300). First appointment £55, £40 thereafter. Also at the Brackenbury Natural Health Clinic, W6 (020 8741 9264), £55, then £35; acupuncture £40.

The Acumedic centre in Camden High Street is a hotbed of experts, including dermatological specialist Professor May, Dr Yinglin Li, chronic pain relief expert and Dr Philip Vernon, a GP specialising in Chinese medicine (020 7388 6704). First visit, £15; £10 thereafter. Acupuncture £30, £25 thereafter, plus the cost of herbs.

Dr Ming Hui Luo: amazing cures for anything to do with the skin, at The Hong Nin Co, WC2 (020 7437 4910). Consultations £10, herbs are extra.

FLOWER REMEDIES

Tinctures of flower essences, described by some as liquid energy, are used to influence and improve the body's energy levels, and work as well on mood and emotions as on a physical level.

Claire Harvey: has an encyclopedic knowledge of the 3,000 different plants she works with. Astonishingly accurate, say clients, in reverential tones. Tuesdays at the Hale Clinic (020 7631 0156). First appointment £55, £45 thereafter.

HERBAL REMEDIES

Using the restorative and curative powers of plants is a skill as old as medicine. Now it's fashionable, too; every It girl knows her kava kava from her echinacea.

Penny Povey: Western medical herbalist, who also does deep-tissue massage. Consultations £35, Farmacia, WC2, (020 7831 0830).

Harold Gaier: primarily a naturopath, but famed for his skill with herbs. First appointment, £100; £55 thereafter. Hale Clinic (020 7631 0156).

HOMEOPATHY

Immensely popular, though no one is sure how using a minute amount of a substance that in large quantities would make you ill can cure the condition it would otherwise create. Homeopathy is now almost mainstream despite its nasty habit of making you feel worse before you feel better.

John Pender: unconventional but gifted homeopath who set up The Natural Health Connection at The London Medical Centre, W1 (020 7935 0023), £75.

Alison Hamilton Bailey at the Barnes Homeopathy Centre (020 8255 6255). First session £55, £40 thereafter.

David Mundi gives all his patients two hours. Very good with children. First appointment £95, £50 thereafter. At the Hale Clinic (020 7631 0156).

Deborah McManners: homeopath, conventional doctor and registered naturopath. Very practical. £115, £75 thereaftear. At the Hale Clinic (020 7631 0156).

HYPNOTHERAPY

Forget any lingering ideas of music-hall stage acts: if you are inviting someone to help you examine your subconscious you want only the best.

Charles Montagu at The Health Partnership in SW7. Not cheap at £100, but you won't need many sessions (020 7589 6414).

David Thomas in Blackheath, £50 (020 8463 9279 from 20 May).

KINESIOLOGY

A muscle-strength testing technique to identify imbalances in the body, which is increasingly used to detect food intolerances and allergies. (A small vial of a substance is placed on the patient; if they're allergic, their muscle strength deteriorates.) Its worth is fiercely debated: the House of Lords committee relegated it to group three (the mad stuff) but Lord Colwyn, who served on the committee and who is also a practising dentist, put the debate neatly: "There is no scientific evidence for it. However, I use it every day of my life in my surgery as a diagnostic tool. It works brilliantly but I have no idea why."

Dr Rodney Adeniyi-Jones: the Regent Clinic, W1, £180 (020 7486 6354).

Maggie La Tourelle works as a holistic health therapist and combines kinesiology, Neuro Linguistic Programming, psychotherapy and healing. Based in Kentish Town, her client list is closed until September. £50 a session.

Juliette Cole (also an osteopath and naturopath). Uncanny knack for identifying food intolerances. At Pilates off the Square, W1, £38 a consultation (020 7935 8505).

MASSAGE

More than just a rub-down, these masseurs are worth splashing out on.

Jodi Waldron: at the Spa at the Mandarin Oriental. Her holistic massage is said to be out of this world (020 7838 9888), £140 for a minimum of two hours.

Nicholas Johnson: ex-principal with the Royal Ballet, now practising Shi'zen "no hands" massage (it's done with the seven surfaces of the forearm, and it's deep). He works in Chiswick (020 8994 2903) and at the Harbour Club, SW6, £45 (020 7371 7700), and will do home visits, £50.

Jill Daamen: the masseur Hollywood's top stars demand between takes. She's worked her particular magic (acupressure, with a bit of Reiki and aromatherapy) on everyone from Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe to Gwyneth Paltrow. She's in New Zealand now but watch this space for her return.

Eva Hess: intuitive, which makes her holistic massage an experience. She's based in NW2 (020 8452 4795), £40.

Nari Sadhuram: if you love deep massage, this is the ultimate, but at up to £300 an evening, you'll need to love it. (020 7328 5452).

David Hopwood: his remedial massage gives muscles a "four-way stretch". At the Natural Health Connection, W1 (020 7935 0023), £55, also at the Fulham Clinic (020 7731 5329), £45.

Emma Field: practises the intense Chavutti Thirumal massage, or Indian foot massage. Using her feet, Emma slides up and down your spine, hanging off a rope. Sounds bizarre, but fans marvel at the sensitivity of her feet and describe the experience as blisslike (077905 62781). At Primrose Hill's Triyoga (020 7483 3344), £65; or at The Life Centre, Edge St, W8, £65.

MAGNET THERAPY

The theory is magnets stimulate blood flow to the areas needed, and aid healing. Bonkers, some may say, but its gaining ground.

Lilias Curtin: London's top magnet specialist. Fulham-based (020 7731 4715), £45.

METAMORPHIC TECHNIQUE

A spin-off from reflexology, which involves light stroking and tapping of the feet, hands and head to trigger the body's healing powers. It sounds mad, but it feel wonderful, and Audrey Pasternak has it down to a fine art. For bookings call Guru Connection on 020 7298 6168.

NATUROPATHY

Best described as "a collage of natural therapies", as Lisha Simester says in her excellent book, The Natural Health Bible (Quadrille, £25). The aim is to use what nature provides - sleep, organic food, pure water, exercise etc to help the body heal itself.

Jan de Vries: World-renowned (he's been practising for nearly 40 years) and is, quite simply, the top man. Appointments at his clinic in Upper Montagu Street, W1, cost £25, and there's a three-month waiting list (020 7224 8071).

Sarah Bowles-Flannery: at Apotheke 20-20, W4 (020 8995 2293). This is a hotbed of excellent naturopaths who can screen you for food intolerances, check your cholesterol level or prescribe herbal remedies, depending on what you need, £80.

NEUROLINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING

A Californian behavioural technique that aims to help you achieve your goals. A bit like psychotherapy -NLP (as it is known) is now used by sportsmen and businessmen to "eliminate the negatives".

Gloria Thomas: A former model, Bond girl and personal trainer (wow!), Gloria uses hypnotherapy and NLP to help people achieve their health goals. She's a Reiki healer, too. Currently at the Craven Clinic, W6 (020 8563 8133), £75. She'll be at the Third Space (Joel Cadbury's new health superclub in Soho) from June. For more details, call 01932 572 452.

Lynne Crawford: A master-practitioner and also a homeopath, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and bio-energetics therapist. Overcoming shyness is a speciality. She works from home in Little Venice, W9 (020 8954 1021), £85.

Suzanne Harper: a master practitioner, acupuncturist, hypnotherapist and does Reiki and osteopathy. One of the best feng shui experts in London. At the Progressive Health Clinic, W1 (020 7224 3387), £100 for NLP.

NUTRITION

We all know now that we are what we eat: to nutritionists, food is a powerful tool for self-healing.

Ian Marber and business partner Vicki Edgson: the self-styled Food Doctors. What they don't know is scarcely worth knowing. Call 020 8673 0183 for Ian, or 020 7938 2205 for Vicki, £125.

Soliman Yeheshuah-Laurence: dispenses invaluable nutritional advice at the Hale Clinic's Nutri-Centre (020 7436 5122, or just walk in and ask; he's usually there). Mel C, Geri and Joan Collins trust him; you can, too.

Alison Loftus: trained at the Institute of Optimum Nutrition, now working at the Hale Clinic (020 7631 0156), specialising in metabolic typing (individual diets for individual metabolisms). Cost £70, £35 thereafter.

Antony Haynes: experienced and respected, he calls himself a "health detective". Excellent with digestive complaints, chronic conditions. At the Nutrition Clinic, W1 (020 7589 4394), £125.

Dr Gillian McKeith: ex-Hollywood, now in north London (020 7794 8580), £75.

OSTEOPATHY

Many also practise cranial osteopathy (very gentle work on the plates of the skull) or cranio-sacral therapy (slightly different, working with the body's "cranio-sacral motion"). Particularly good for children and babies, and stress-related complaints.

Mr Joshi: One of the late Princess of Wales's favourite practitioners, with a soothing manner to compensate for his more painful manoeuvres. At the London Medical Centre, W1 (020 7935 0023), £60.

Simeon Niel-Asher: Highgate-based, and a favourite with rock-star celebs (including Martin Kemp, who credits Simeon for much of his recovery after surgery for his brain tumour), now specialising in sorting out frozen shoulders (020 8347 6160), £55.

David Propert: at Dolphin Square Health Clinic, SW1 (020 7798 8685), £50 for first appointment, then £35.

Valeria Ferreira: osteo and cranio-sacral therapy at the Wren Clinic, EC3 (020 7283 8908) £65, £50 thereafter, and Muswell Hill Healing Arts (020 8365 3545), £50.

Peter Bartlett: also good for cranial osteopathy and he's a naturopath, too. At the Hale Clinic, W1 (020 7631 0156), £70.

Grania Stewart-Smith: based in St John's Wood, she specialises in necks and also biorhythms, using them to diagnose and treat allergies (020 7286 2615), £55.

Piers Spencer: Belgrave Medical Centre, SW1 (020 7824 8234), £35, £25 thereafter, and David Lloyd Centre, Raynes Park, (0208 543 8297), £30.

Stuart Korth: director of the Osteopathic Centre for Children (020 7486 6160), £25. Practises privately near Baker Street on Tuesdays and Thursdays (eight-week waiting list). Children only (020 7935 0844), £70.

Julian Cowan-Hill: cranio-sacral specialist, has had good results with tinnitus. At the London Medical Centre (020 7935 0023), or privately (07890 845 978), £40.

Andrew Ferguson: yesterday we said he was a chiropractor, but he is an osteopath at the Notting Hill Osteopathic Practice, £60 (020 7937 2298).

PILATES

Developed in New York in the 1930s. Like yoga, but without the spiritual element, pilates is a series of controlled exercises that work the abdominal and back muscles. Benefits posture and is particularly good for those with back problems.

Alan Herdman: the man who brought the technique to Britain from New York. Alan still teaches at his Marylebone studio (020 7723 9953), classes arranged by appointment, £23.50 per class, and he is masterminding the new pilates studio within the Harbour Club.

Gordon Thomas: has been teaching pilates for 25 years and runs the Body Control pilates and rehabilitation studios in SW7. Classes and personal training from £10-£50 (020 7581 7041).

Trevor Blount Studio: SW7 (020 7584 0680), £40 per class (there's a two-month waiting list).

Chris Hocking: One of the longest-established teachers with her own mat-based method. Always evolving, say fans. For details of her affordable group classes in central London, fax 020 7240 5922.

Lynne Robinson: has brought Pilates to the masses with her Body Control Pilates method (books and videos too numerous to mention); for your nearest BCP trained teachers, call 0870 169 0000. Group classes cost £6-£9.

RADIONICS

"A paraphysical method of diagnosis and treatment, utilising the faculty of extra-sensory perception." Hmm. So "out there" it's off the scale, but Ren?e Ganger, who does radionics with colour therapy, comes very highly recommended for re-establishing well-being and a positive state of mind. Hale Clinic ( 020 7631 0156), £95, £60 thereafter.

REIKI

Japanese technique for rebalancing the "universal life energy", it can be used to treat anything and everything. It's healing, basically, so you need your healer to have an aptitude for the technique, not just the right number of weekend courses.

Steven Langley: master Reiki healer. He is also a naturopath, herbalist, homeopath, acupuncturist and fabulous at Lomi Lomi (Hawaiian massage). At the Hale Clinic (020 7631 0156), £75 for 90 minutes.

Samantha Beaumont-Collins: Samantha runs courses at Regent's College (£180 a day), for details call 020 8274 2594. She gives one-to-one sessions at the Hale Clinic, £70 (020 7631 0156).

REFLEXOLOGY

Think of the foot as a map of the body - where particular spots correspond to, say, the kidneys, or the brain. Hit the right spot and energy will flow freely, bringing the body's own healing mechanisms into play.

Bernadette Baldwin: Notting Hill-based advanced reflexologist, cranio-sacral therapist and also a rejuvanessence expert (the fingertip face-lift) (020 8969 1695), from £45-£55.

Gillian Hamer: she's also a nutritionist, so can dispense tips on what to eat on the side while working on the feet. Based at the Wren Clinic in the City (020 7283 8908), £50.

Shailu Karia: at Bharti Vyas, W1. Bharti's younger daughter is "awesome", say fans (020 7935 5312), £30.

Dominique Mestre: at K Daniel, Middlesex St, E1 (020 7247 0336), £30.

Diana Heyer: Home visits, west and central London only, £60 (0973 104 039).

SHIATSU

More far-reaching than massage, it aims to balance the whole system.

Max Forsyth: excellent and dedicated, with more than 30 years in practice. Find him at Wardrobe, W1 (020 7287 3976) on Wed and Fri, £60; otherwise in Harrow (020 8909 1544), call for prices.

YOGA

Not so much mere exercise, as a way of life. "I couldn't live without it," says Kathy Phillips, Vogue's health and beauty director, and herself a qualified yoga teacher. Her forthcoming book, The Spirit of Yoga, is dedicated to Mary Stewart, with whom she has been studying for 10 years. "The most interesting thing is to make yoga work for you in Western society. Go to a yoga centre," she advises, "and try more than one teacher to find who suits you."

Amy Ku Redler: trained by Mary Stewart (see also Sophie Alexander), Redlerteaches hatha-based yoga, £75 for private tuition. She also practises and teaches Thai massage, £85 for a two-hour massage at the Kailash Centre, NW8 (020 7722 3939) and teaches yoga classes in central London, £7-10. Details on 020 7267 3382.

Sophie Alexander: teaches from her home in Spitalfields, E1. Classes £10, one to one £40 (020 7377 0804).

Kisen: practises ashtanga vinyasa, a dynamic form of yoga. He has taught Geri, Lulu, Neil Tennant, artist Sam Taylor-Wood, Elisabeth Shue and Patrick Cox. His client list is full, but you can catch him on ClubZebra, on HomeChoice TV (0800 092 3333).

Gingi: has taught Sting and Trudi. His drop-in ashtanga class is at the Sangham studio in Battersea Rise (020 7585 0546), £8.

Liz Lark, also at the above address. Her private clients include Ralph Fiennes. Or practise with Liz's new book Yoga for Life (Carlton Books, £14.99).

Faustomaria: founded the Innergy Yoga Centre in Kensal Road, and still teaches hatha yoga (the ancient, classical form) there. Loyal students include Joseph Fiennes (020 8968 1178), £8-£10 per class.

Simon Low: is director of yoga at Triyoga, which attracts droves of celebrities (Jude Law, Sadie Frost, Geri Halliwell, Mel C); three of his teachers currently teach Madonna. His own classes, as he modestly says, are always full (020 7483 3344), £8-£11.

Leela Miller: (Faustomaria's ex-wife) used to teach Madonna, Sting and Trudy, and Gwyneth Paltrow, and has achieved cult status. She teaches ashtanga privately (prices vary, call 020 8968 1492), and at the Tabernacle Community Centre, Powis Square, W11, Weds 6pm, Fri 8am (£6.50, all levels), and an advanced class at Triyoga, NW3, Saturday 4-6pm, £11 (020 7483 3344).

Andreas: at the Life Centre, Edge Street, W11, the ultra-trendy place for Notting Hillites and celeb magnet (Jemima Khan, Koo Stark, Jerry Hall and Ruby Wax have all been spotted trooping in there over the years).

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