HEALING HANDS PORT ELIZABETH

CHIROPRACTIC, REFLEXOLOGY, CLINICAL MASSAGE AND COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY

Facilitating your wellness from within

Port Elizabeth, we have a dedicated and dynamic team of healthcare professionals who are committed to providing each patient with a holistic approach to their healthcare needs.

We originally joined forces approximately 2 years ago and realised the benefits of the complementary nature between our professions.

Collectively our team has decades of experience in the healthcare industry, which therefore enables us to provide holistic care, tailor made for the individual.

We pride ourselves in being a practice which is not only ethical and professional but adheres to all requirements of the relevant professional bodies with which we are registered.

 CALL US TODAY ON 041 363 8282      ADMIN@HEALINGHANDSPE.CO.ZA

OPENING HOURS:  MONDAY – FRIDAY  08h00 – 17h00   /   SATURDAY   09h00 – 13h00

CHIROPRACTOR IN PORT ELIZABETH  /  DR KERI PURDON

Port Elizabeth Chiropractor, Dr Keri Purdon was born and raised in the Eastern Cape. She attended U.P.E (NMMU) with both sporting and academic bursaries and graduated with a B.A in languages in 1991. After spending four years working and traveling around the world, Dr Keri found her calling and was extremely excited to be granted a full academic scholarship to study chiropractic at Life University in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and was elected to the Tau Delta International Honour Society for her excellence in the classroom. Dr Keri practiced in the States for about 11 years before moving back to PE where she has now been practicing for almost 7 years. Dr Keri brings with her a wealth of knowledge and is trained in variety of different chiropractic techniques and methods of adjusting.

Message From The Doctor:

“To be back in Port Elizabeth again after almost 20 years abroad, and to be able to serve my community through chiropractic care is absolutely amazing. My practice is incredibly diverse and I see a wide variety of patients. This ranges from  infants with colic and constipation issues, athletes for performance and prevention of injury, women with infertility challenges, to 80 year old individuals with back and neck pain. I also specialise in patients with scoliosis and individuals who have problems post back and neck surgery. It is a privilege to be part of the healing process and providing hope for so many people who didn’t realize that chiropractic care can positively affect their lives in such a wide range of ways.” ~ Dr Keri Purdons

CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES

Spinal Treatment – The Chiropractic Adjustment

At The Wellness Hub, Dr Keri will perform a chiropractic exam and evaluation to determine whether vertebral subluxations exist. She will then utilize a variety of different chiropractic techniques such as Diversified, Biophysics, Gonstead, Thompson and Sacro-Occipital Technique to address those spinal vertebral subluxations.

What is a “Vertebral Subluxation?

In simplest terms, a subluxation (a.k.a. Vertebral Subluxation) is when one or more of the bones of your spine (vertebrae) move out of position and create pressure on, or irritate spinal nerves. Spinal nerves are the nerves that come out from between each of the bones in your spine. This pressure or irritation on the nerves then causes those nerves to malfunction and interfere with the signals traveling over those nerves.

How does this affect you? Your nervous system controls and coordinates all the functions of your body. If you interfere with the signals traveling over nerves, parts of your body will not get the proper nerve messages and will not be able to function at 100% of their innate abilities. In other words, some part of your body will not be working properly. It is the responsibility of the Doctor of Chiropractic to locate subluxations, and reduce or correct them. This is done through a series of chiropractic adjustments specifically designed to correct the vertebral subluxations in your spine. Chiropractors are the only professionals who undergo years of training to be the experts at correcting subluxations. It is important to note that even though there are many amazing benefits to the health of individuals who utilize chiropractic care, as a chiropractor we do not diagnose or treat disease. We simply remove the interference to the nervous system so that the body can function to its utmost capability

About the treatment:

During the treatment the patient lays face down on the chiropractic table. The Chiropractor then applies a quick precisely placed low force thrust by the hand to return the joint to its proper alignment. This action can but not always cause an audible release of gas within the vertebrae, known as cavitation, which is where the “noise” comes from during the treatment. This is NOT painful and if necessary light touch treatment can be utilized. Light touch treatments are also always used when dealing with infants and the elderly patients.

Following a Chiropractic spinal adjustment, effects may vary from patient to patient depending on the method utilized during treatment. The most noticeable effects in the 24-48 hours following treatment are decreased muscle tension, increased range of joint motion, decreased stress levels and pain relief.  Patients also commonly report better function of organs, increased energy levels and much improved sleeping habits. Common non-serious side effects range from discomfort, headache and fatigue, all of which will subside within 24-48 hours. Dr Keri may also recommend complementary treatment following the spinal adjustments, such as ice or heat, massage, stretching or needling. 

CLINICAL MASSAGE & THERAPEUTIC REFLEXOLOGY  /  ANGELA PATTINSON

I was born in Kwazulu Natal and grew up loving sports and the outdoors. I finished my schooling in Johannesburg and went on to study Somatology at the University of Johannesburg (the then Technikon of the Witwatersrand), completing my studies in 1998. I then went on to further my studies in Reflexology through The School of Effective Reflexology Methods for another year and have been updating my knowledge on both Reflexology and Massage Therapy tirelessly eversince. 

I am registered with The Allied Health Professions Council in Therapeutic Reflexology. I have an immense passion for the human body, not only in its design and function, but also with its ability to heal itself. My goal when treating my patients is to get them to a point where their body is able to do that.

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is a science that deals with the principle that there are reflex areas in the feet and hands which correspond to all of the glands, organs and parts of the body. Reflexology is a unique method of using the thumb and fingers on the reflex areas. Foot and hand reflexology helps with:

✔  Relieve stress and tension
✔  Improve blood supply and promote the unblocking of nerve impulses
✔  Help nature achieve homeostasis (normalisation/balance)

CLINICAL MASSAGE THERAPY

I offer most forms of massage therapy, however, my passion lies in doing sports massage, myofascial release (trigger point therapy) and massage in pregnancy. I also do Swedish Massage, Aromatherapy, Hydrotherm and Manual Lymph Drainage (area specific only)

Massage not only stimulates the blood circulation but also has an effect on the muscular system, nervous system and immune system.

People use massage for a variety of health-related purposes, including to relieve pain, rehabilitate sports injuries, reduce stress, increase relaxation, address anxiety and depression, and
aid in general wellness.

PSYCHOLOGIST IN PORT ELIZABETH  /  SHANNON ECKLEY

I am a HPCSA registered Counselling Psychologist in Private Practice, based at Healing Hands, 167 Fordyce Road, Walmer (between 7^th & 8^th Avenues), Port Elizabeth. I commenced Private Practice in April 2013, after completing my Honours Degree at the University of London, UK, and my Masters Degree in Psychology at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in 2012.

Prior to qualifying as a psychologist, I qualified as a Registered Nurse in Cape Town, in 1993, and practiced in both South Africa and the United Kingdom, specialising in General Nursing, Infection Control and HIV/AIDS.

During my Masters Psychology Degree, I was based at the University Psychology Clinic (UCLIN), both at the Summerstrand and Missionvale Campuses in Port Elizabeth, where my role was to conduct assessments (scholastic, emotional, personality, career etc.) for children, adolescents and adults, as well as individual psychotherapy and couples counselling to those who sought help. During my internship year, I was based at the Student Counselling Center of NMMU’s main campus, where my role was to see students who required individual psychotherapy for a range of problems such as personal development, substance abuse, relationship problems, mood disorders, anxiety, grief and trauma. I also conducted workshops for students on issues such as Time Management and Stress Management, was involved with Student Mentor Development and Student Wellness, as well as providing Career Assessments and counseling to Grade 11 and 12 learners.

For the latter part of my internship, I was based at Hunters Craig Hospital in Port Elizabeth, as one of the facilitators of the Substance Abuse Program. Here I provided individual psychotherapy and family support, as well as facilitating group therapy sessions for hospital in-patients who where dealing with issues related to substance abuse.

As a psychologist in Private Practice I work with both adolescents and adults, with my main areas of interest including adjustment disorders, personal development, adolescent and adult individual therapy, couples / marital therapy, substance abuse, anxiety, mood disorders, issues related to self-esteem, bereavement and trauma counselling. With my previous background in nursing, I also have a keen interest in and understanding of issues which may be physical and physiological in nature, so I also see clients with issues related to their own health or those of their loved ones i.e. fertility, diagnosis of and living/adjusting to a chronic illness, cancer etc. 

Alongside running my own practice, I also consult twice weekly to an Non-Profit Organisation here in Port Elizabeth, which aims to assist the young, unemployed youth from disadvantaged communities to find permanent employment. For this reason my practice hours are Monday, Thursday and Friday from 07:30am-17:30pm, and every second Saturday from 08:30am – 12:30pm.

POWER STATEMENT

I am committed to helping people and to the profession of Psychology. After studying for four years to become a Registered Nurse, I then went on to study for a further eight years, both in the United Kingdom and South Africa to become a qualified Psychologist. I believe that a good psychologist needs to uphold the principles of honesty, integrity, trust, patient confidentiality, best practice, being non-judgmental, as well as excellence in ethical practice, which is why these principles make up the cornerstones of my practice as a psychologist. 

This is ensured by the fact that I attend regular peer review supervision sessions and individual supervision with a senior colleague, as well as maintaining my professional development as required by the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

As a psychologist I believe that trusting and listening to your client, and by working in collaboration with your client for their best outcome, achieves success in therapy.

HEALING HANDS PORT ELIZABETH   /   FORMS & DOWNLOADS

HEALING HANDS PORT ELIZABETH   /  PATIENT TESTIMONIALS

“The atmosphere 10/10. The massage was wonderful. Because of the Fybromyalgia I have I’m very sensitive to touch. Angela did a fantastic job. Not applying to much pressure. Also not to little. And what I liked is that she communicated with me and about the pressure. She would say this is going to hurt a little so I knew what to expect. I have been for massages before to get relief and ended up being so sore afterwards. She also told me about things I could do at home to give me relief and told me things about supplements I was not aware of. A real healing experience.” ~ Sharon Osborne-Troskie

“The best massage treatment I have ever had. Angela is extremely talented at clinical massage. Worth every cent!” ~ Chantelle Kendrick

“The full body hydrotherm massage is UNBELIEVABLE! Highly recommend!” ~ Casey Fourie

“Has helped me with back pain and aching muscles. Never been happier. Awesome awesome. Thanks Ang.” ~ Gary Foster

“Personal experience, she’s brilliant and knows her job.” ~ Elston Benjamin