The BEAM Machine
By Linda Buttle
BEAM is a treatment founded by business partners Carol Boisger and Fiona Slatter. It works by assessing a patient's energy levels and working to enhance them for a greater sense of vitality and general good health, as well as being an effective way of dealing with numerous common ailments.
The name BEAM stands for Bosiger Energy Alignment Method and is carried out with the aid of a specialist machine. The BEAM machine uses the simple action of carefully monitored suction to gently increase the body's own natural energy flow, or chi as it is referred to in Chinese medicine, thereby assisting with the body's own healing and detoxifying mechanisms.
This technique is useful for a great range of symptoms from a lack of energy to: depression, arthritis, back and muscular pain, insomnia and fertility problems. In fact just about every ailment can be linked in one way or another to a block in energy, be it a physical, mental or emotional block and BEAM's holistic approach works with all these different forms of energy.
As energy blockages can occur for many varied reasons from serious injuries or bereavement, through to every day stress and poor eating habits, your BEAM therapist will take time to discuss your lifestyle and history to establish how best to make changes to assist your natural energy flow. Sessions start by therapists taking note of your full medical history and discussing any particular illnesses or injuries that have affected you. They will try to gain further insight into your current state of health by reading your feet, as just by looking at the shape and texture of your feet a trained professional can tell a lot about the state of a person's health.
The BEAM machine is then switched on and a series of suction pads are applied to the lower legs and arms in a strict sequence at specific points along your meridian lines. The areas chosen are the same as those used successfully by acupuncturists for centuries. The amount of suction used is regulated by the machine and is set to the individual patient's needs and although a strong degree of suction is used in the treatment it's not at all painful or uncomfortable, in fact it has a strangely relaxing effect. However, you will find some redness on the skin when the pads are removed but these fade within minutes.
During the treatment your therapist will discuss any diet and lifestyle changes that he/she thinks would benefit you. Such advice may include altering what and when you eat, changing your balance of acid and alkaline foods, cutting down on alcohol or caffeine and sharing information on coping with stress.
After a single treatment it is possible to see a difference in energy levels and for even persistent and strong aches and pains to disappear. Many patients though will require a course of treatments before they begin to see such results.
In addition to the BEAM machine treatment, BEAM also run regular one-day 'I Love Energy' workshops for those interested in learning how they can maximise their own energy. For further information on these workshops and BEAM in general call 020 7935 6888, or take a look at their website at www.beamschoolandclinic.com
This treatment was tested out at BEAM's London clinic at: 35 Welbeck Street, London, W1G 8EZ (020 7935 6888).