Treatment

Below are some of the services, treatments and approaches employed by Hakeem Abdurrazzaq and sons, alongside further information:

MIGRAINE
  • Persistent headache that can cause further effects
  • Can be genetic or environmentally triggered
  • Unani medication eases pain, and identifies long term solutions to the headaches

A migraine is a kind of persistent, recurring throbbing headache felt on one side of the head. It is often coupled with unclear vision, increased sensitivity to light, and vomiting, and can last from anything between a few hours to multiple days.

Although the precise causes of migraines are unknown, they are thought to consist of a genetic component (those with relatives who experience migraines are more likely to develop them) and also certain short term triggers, such as tiredness, stress and the consumption of particular foods.

Given the diverse causes, we use a wide array of treatments to reduce the symptoms of migraines. Firstly, we use traditional Unani medication formed of natural ingredients such as ginger and peppermint to ease the splitting pain of a migraine. We also advise on diet, to help eliminate the triggers of migraines that lie in food and drink. Finally, we support overall health through massage treatment, and stress relief.

ASTHMA
  • Highly common respiratory condition
  • Mainly causes difficulty breathing
  • Unani medicine has traditional remedies for symptoms
  • Hakeem and sons recommend techniques to reduce irritants

Asthma is a very common long term respiratory condition which results in difficulty breathing for its possessors. The main symptoms of asthma are difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing and a tight chest. These often become worse after exercise, or exposure to certain stimuli such as dust or smoke. These symptoms are caused by sensitive airways which become inflamed and agitated in response to certain stimuli.

The Unani tradition has developed natural remedies to manage the symptoms of asthma. We used traditional medicines comprised of natural substances such as garlic, turmeric, roots and oils for their anti-inflammatory properties, to reduce the irritation of the airways which causes the symptoms of asthma. We also advise on how to manage your home environment to eliminate the irritants which cause these symptoms. We also use specific massage techniques to target pressure points on the body to reduce the symptoms.

DIABETES
  • Body has difficulty managing sugar levels in blood
  • Symptoms influence the body in various ways
  • Unani methods deliver effective results with maintaining stable blood sugar levels
  • Naturally occurring substances are employed
  • Hakeem and sons are also experts in managing diabetic wounds

Diabetes, in the most general sense, is a lifelong condition which makes it difficult for the body to naturally manage the amount of sugar in the blood. The main symptoms of diabetes include: feeling very thirsty, tiredness, urge to use the bathroom frequently (especially during the night), and cuts/wounds that heal very slowly.

Herbal therapies can be used to help contribute to the body’s management of blood glucose levels. Naturally occurring substances such as Aloe Vera, okra, ginger and cinnamon can help the body to maintain stable blood sugar levels. We combine these using traditional Unani methods to deliver the most effective results. We are also experienced in the dressing and management of diabetic wounds (wounds take longer to heal in diabetic patients).

CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS AND NECK STIFFNESS
  • Caused by wear and tear of the vertebrae
  • Feelings of tingling pain
  • Very common result of ageing process
  • Treated using a combination of physical therapy and Tibb medicine.

Cervical Spondylosis is a common age related condition that affects the joints and disk in neck, developing from wear and tear of the cartilage. The Cervical spine refers to seven small vertebrae that form the neck starting at the base of the skull. With aging, the edges of the vertebrae can develop bone spires, the disks become thinner and their ability to absorb shock is lost. Neck joints can also swell and press/pinch nearby nerve roots, causing a tingling or pain.

Medical professionals estimate that as many as 85% percent of those over the age of 60 suffer from it, although not all experience pain. In extreme cases it can cause chronic severe pain and stiffness in which case our therapy becomes necessary

We treat this condition using the following treatments:

  • Massaging; motion pushes blood into the affected areas allowing nutrients and oxygen to speed up the healing process, whilst allowing the lymph to remove metabolic waste
  • Cupping; sucks blood into the affected areas to speed up the healing process
  • Hot and cold treatment; the cold reduces inflammation and slows down nerve impulses thereby reducing pain, whilst the heat speeds up the delivery of nutrients to aid healing.
  • Our experts also prescribe Unani medicines, often using the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger and garlic.
  • As a means of prevention, we recommend certain exercises to manage the condition in the long term.
LEECH THERAPY
  • Painless
  • Releases peptides and proteins that thin blood and prevent clotting
  • Used to treat cardiovascular diseases, alopecia and arthritis
  • Dates back to ancient Egypt

For some people, it’s funny to imagine leeches helping human health – it may even make them feel squeamish.

However, there is increasing scientific evidence justifying the use of leeching therapy. In many parts of the world, it has been an essential part of medical care for centuries.

Medicinal leeches extract a very small quantity of blood from a person (approx. 15mm). Leech Saliva contains hundreds of bioactive beneficial substances known to cure or prevent diseases. Such compounds include hirudin, Calin and hyaluronidase which all enhances the viscosity of the blood and reduce the likelihood of clot formation, in turn the likelihood of heart attack/stroke. This makes them suitable as a treatment for cardiovascular illnesses.

Leeching is also used to treat other illnesses. The increased blood circulation and delivery strengthens hair follicles and assists in the promotion of hair growth and is an effective treatment for alopecia. The therapeutic components in the leech saliva also can reduce the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.

The treatment is painless and takes approximately an hour. Patients feel relaxed during it, and it is common to repeat the procedure every 6-8 months.

FROZEN SHOULDER
  • A thickening of the shoulder capsule which contains the shoulder joint
  • Causes a dull aching and stiffness, which worsens at night
  • Treated using cupping, massaging and Unani herbal medicines

The shoulder is comprised of a ball and socket joint enclosed in a loose capsule. Frozen shoulder occurs when this capsule thickens and becomes tighter than it should be.  The symptoms include a dull aching that worsens with movement, and a mobility-inhibiting stiffness. Suffers also describe a feeling of clumsiness and difficulty gripping and holding.

We treat this condition using the following treatments:

  • Specially designed mobility exercises that aim to increase shoulder movement gradually
  • Massaging; to relax the surrounding muscle groups, and to aid the healing process
  • Cupping; sucks blood which carries vital nutrients and oxygen into the affected areas to speed up the healing process
  • Prescription of traditional Tibb remedies to reduce inflammation and pain.
CARPEL TUNNEL SYNDROME (CTS)
  • Caused by nerve compression
  • Results in grip weakness and tingling in the hand
  • Symptoms are described as being worse at night
  • Treated with cupping, massaging, herbal medicines and mobility exercises.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) occurs when a median nerve is compressed as it travels through the wrist. The median nerve passes through a tunnel, along with other tendons, and it is the swelling of these tendons which often compresses the nerve. This results in the symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling in the hand and fingers, and weak grip/feeling of clumsiness. These symptoms are described as being worse in the night.

We treat this with the following treatments:

  • Massaging of the wrist to increase relaxation and reduce inflammation and swelling
  • Cupping; increases blood flow and thus the amounts of nutrients and oxygen reaching the wrist
  • Traditional Unani medicines
  • Mobility exercises
WRITERS SPASM
  • Neurological movement disorder
  • Involuntary excessive contractions
  • Can cause difficulty in writing and mild discomfort
  • Treated in a variety of ways by the Hakeem and sons

This is a neurological movement disorder, whereby the brain sends incorrect information to muscles causing involuntary excessive contractions. This manifests itself in difficulty writing, hands and fingers failing to respond precisely to the commands sent to them by the brain, and mild discomfort.

We use the following treatments:

  • Massage and cupping therapy to increase blood flow and thus delivery of antibodies, nutrients and oxygen
  • We prescribe traditional herbal medicines to reduce inflammation and swelling
LOWER BACK PAIN
  • Can result from a range of causes
  • These include injury to muscles, ligaments, joints or discs
  • Can cause severe pain
  • Dealt with through a range of treatments, including leeching, exercise plans and traditional Tibb herbal medicines

Your lower back is an intricate system of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles all working together to support the upper body and mobility for everyday movement. However, this intricate web is also highly susceptible to injury and pain. In most cases of acute lower back pain, the issue is caused by muscle, ligament, joint, or disc injury. Furthermore, the body reacts to injury by triggering what is known as an inflammatory healing response. Although inflammation may sound like a negligible problem, it can in fact cause severe pain.

We deal with this using the following treatments:

  • Exercise/mobility programs to aid muscle healing and long-term strength in the lower back
  • Hot and cold treatment; the cold reduces inflammation and slows down nerve impulses thereby reducing pain, whilst the heat speeds up the delivery of nutrients to aid healing.
  • Leeching; the substances in leech saliva are used to aid recovery and healing
  • Traditional Tibb herbal medicines
PLANTAR FASCITIS
  • Common cause of heel pain
  • Small lacerations at the band connecting the heel bone to the toes
  • Usually a stabbing pain, in mornings especially
  • Can be treated with massaging, cupping and traditional anti-inflammatory medicines

This is the most common cause of heel pain, an inflammation of the thick band of tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes. This band plays the role of shock absorption, and if the tension becomes too great, small lacerations may form.  The most commonly described symptom described by suffers is a stabbing pain in the heel, usually most intense in the morning when the foot has been stagnant all night.

We use a number of therapies to treat this:

  • Massaging and cupping to increase blood flow, and the delivery and nutrients/oxygen to the affected area
  • Anti-inflammatory traditional Unani medicines
SLIPDISK
  • Slipped disk symptoms include pain and discomfort in the back
  • Discomfort worsens with movement
  • Cupping, hot and cold treatment, and traditional Unani anti-inflammatories are used as treatments

The spine is made up of vertebrae stacked onto one another. These are cushioned by disks whose function is to protect bones by absorbing shocks from daily activity, such as walking, lifting, and twisting. Each disk is composed of an outer tough case and inner gel. When the gel protrudes we call this a slipped disk. Common symptoms described by suffers include pain and discomfort in the back, which is worse with movement.

We use the following treatments to deal with this:

  • Cupping and leeching to increase blood flow to the area, meaning more nutrients to support healing, and faster removal of waste.
  • Hot and cold treatment; the cold reduces inflammation and slows down nerve impulses thereby reducing pain, whilst the heat speeds up the delivery of nutrients to aid healing.
  • Stretching exercises are also prescribed to support recovery and prevent recurrence
  • Traditional Unani medicines are used to reduce pain and inflammation.

CHRONIC KNEE PAIN

  • Includes a wide range of knee problems
  • Common symptoms are swelling and pain which worsens during exercise
  • Treated using massage, hot and cold treatment, cupping/leeching and traditional Unani medicines

‘Chronic Knee Pain’ includes a whole range of knee problems, and each person will face a unique situation. However, most patients experience constant aching, a sharp shooting pain when in use, chronic swelling, and pain when the affected knee is touched.

We use the following treatments:

  • massage to repair and heal damaged tissue
  • hot and cold treatment; the cold reduces inflammation and slows down nerve impulses thereby reducing pain, whilst the heat speeds up the delivery of nutrients to aid healing.
  • cupping/leeching to increase blood flow and ultimately speed up healing
  • traditional Unani medicines
TENNIS ELBOW
  • Pain, swelling and immobility
  • Caused by intensive overuse of forearm
  • Treated using cupping, massaging to increase blood flow to the affected areas

Tennis elbow occurs when tendons in the forearm become strained and inflamed resulting in pain, swelling and immobility. It can be caused by any activity that involves gripping and twisting, and contrary to what the name may suggest, its causes are not usually related to tennis.

We use the following treatments to deal with this:

  • cupping and massaging which both increase blood flow to the affected area
  • hot and cold treatment
  • we advise certain mobility exercises to strengthen the tendons and prevent reoccurrence
  • traditional herbal medicines to reduce pain and inflammation
SCIATICA
  • Nerve compression or irritation
  • Can cause constant pain
  • Treated with a variety approaches dependent on the severity and the patient’s physical condition

The Static nerve is the body’s largest single nerve. It comprises individual nerve roots, which start from the spine. When the nerves become compressed/irritated near to the point of origin. Symptoms can include constant pain in one side of a leg or a buttock, which is worse when sitting, burning tingling and sharp pain (not a dull pain). Also, sufferers report a weakness moving their feet, leg and toes.

We mainly rely on the following treatments:

  • massaging and cupping to speed up blood flow and the healing process
  • hot and cold treatment; the cold reduces inflammation and slows down nerve impulses thereby reducing pain, whilst the heat speeds up the delivery of nutrients to aid healing.
  • Traditional medicines to reduce pain and inflammation.
INFERTILITY (MALE & FEMALE)
  • We treat both male and female infertility
  • Able to deal with the psychological, hormonal or physical causes of infertility
  • Use traditional Unani medicines to achieve this
  • Aim is to support natural, healthy pregnancy

We offer advice, guidance and therapy to those who wish to increase their chances of a natural conception and pregnancy. We aim to do this by improving the health of parent so that conception can occur naturally and thus a healthy pregnancy.

The causes of both male and female infertility lie in either the hormonal, physical or psychological realms. Around 7 percent of male infertility is from damaged sperm ducts, where men cannot transport sperm out from the testicles. Another common cause is infection and disease; mumps, syphilis, smallpox, influenza, gonorrhoea and tuberculosis can also cause testicular atrophy and a low sperm count. A common cause of female infertility is hormonal imbalance resulting from thyroid problems. When either too much, or too little thyroid hormone is produced, it can result in infertility.

We deal with this by first analysing and diagnosing the problem in detail, to ascertain whether it is hormonal, physical or psychological in nature. This allows us to effectively target the problem to give the best possible results. We achieve these through the use of special Unani herbal medicines with no side effects or pain.

ISCHEMIC/CORONARY HEART DISEASE

– Narrowing of heart arteries caused by fatty deposits
– Leads to pain and discomfort, and in extreme cases heart attack
– Treat it with lifestyle advice, herbal medicines and stress reduction techniques.

This refers to a narrowing of the heart arteries, from a build-up of fatty material on their walls. This means that less blood and oxygen reach the heart, resulting in heart problems.  When the heart does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood, you may experience pain and discomfort called angina. If some of the deposits break off, they may cause a blockage to form in the artery. This cuts off the supply of blood to the heart, which is known as a heart attack.

We treat this in with a combination of lifestyle-change recommendations and traditional Tibb medicines. We will recommend you a healthy diet, and our counselling will help to reduce stress, a key risk factor. We can also recommend traditional herbal medicines to keep your heart healthy.

ALLERGIES
  • Bodily reactions, of various types, to environments or foods
  • Herbal treatments successfully mitigate symptoms
  • Herbal antihistamines avoid negative side effects of other treatments

An allergy is an extreme reaction to a particular environment or situation. Allergies come in all shapes and sizes.

Perhaps one of the most common is an allergy to grass pollen, often referred to as ‘Hay Fever’. Common symptoms include itchy eyes, runny nose and hives. Fortunately, we are able to provide a range of herbal treatments to reduce the itching and sneezing symptoms in people who suffer from hay fever. For example, traditional medicines involving stinging nettles act as anti-histamines and reduce the symptoms of allergies. We also advise on particular dietary tips to reduce the symptoms of Hay Fever.

Another common allergy we treat regularly is Asthma. As humans we need a continual supply of fresh air into our lungs. For some people, certain allergens interfere with this process. This results in nose blockage and difficulty breathing. We are able to prescribe traditional herbal antihistamine remedies that have been proven to work over thousands of years and carry no side effects.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEMS DISORDERS
  • Varying disorders, for example haemorrhoids or acid peptic disease
  • Symptoms range from burning pain, to bloating, to bleeding
  • Unani medicine tackles the problem at its roots, as well as its immediate symptoms

The most common digestive systems that we deal with are piles, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Acid peptic disease (APD), chronic constipation. Piles (Haemorrhoids) are swellings containing enlarged blood vessels found inside or around the bottom. Common symptoms include bleeding, itchiness and soreness. IBS is a long-term digestive problem which causes symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. APD involves the development of sores on the lining of the stomach or upper part of the small intestine. It occurs when the stomach acid eats away at a protective layer of mucus. Common symptoms are discomfort or burning pain. Chronic constipation leads to a difficulty going to the toilet, and sometimes stomach ache and bloating.

Unani medicine adopts a holistic approach to the treatment of digestive disorders by trying to achieve a healthy digestive system by restoring the natural balance of body functions. We have a number of methods to rebalance digestive problems:

  • Unani herbal treatments
  • Nutritional supplements
  • Dietary changes
  • Patient education
MALE AND FEMALE SEXUAL DISORDERS
  • We treat both male and female sexual disorders
  • Able to deal with the psychological, hormonal or physical causes of problems
  • Use traditional Unani medicines to achieve this
  • Aim is to support natural, healthy sexual activity, and avoid harmful side effects

Sexual disorders are problems that interfere with normal, satisfying sexual activity. It is highly common in both males and females and can have either physical or psychological causes. Examples of physical causes include: high blood pressure and cholesterol, hormonal imbalances and nerve damage. Common psychological causes are relationship problems, depression, anxiety, body image issues and the effects of past sexual trauma.

Our treatment of physical causes focuses on the use of traditional herbal medicines to restore hormonal balances within the affected individual. Since these are all made from natural ingredients, they carry little to no side effects. We deal with the psychological causes using our counselling therapy service with our expert trained counsellors. Such a balanced approach to treating these disorders aims to restore patients to their natural state, without the side effects of modern medical treatments.

SKIN DISORDERS

We offer treatment for common skin conditions including the following:

  • Eczema; when the skin becomes itchy, red, dry and cracked
  • Cold sores; small blisters that develop on the lips or around the mouth
  • Hives; raised itchy rashes spread across large areas of the body
  • Extreme itching
  • Warts and verrucas; small lumps that appear on the body

Herbal therapy for disorders have been used for thousands of years. In fact, even our close relatives – the great apes – use herbal self-medication based on locally available plants. Our most common treatment is the use of herbal remedies which take a holistic approach to treatment and treat both the symptoms and the underlying condition.

KIDNEY STONES
  • Waste products from blood
  • Causes persistent, and sometimes intense, pain
  • Treated with short term solutions that break up the stones
  • Dietotherapy is effective in reducing the risk of reoccurrence

The waste products in your blood occasionally form crystals which can collect in the kidneys. Eventually, these may build up together. The result of this is the formation of what feels like a hard, stone-like lump.

After a kidney stone forms, your body tries to pass it out through your urine when you go to the toilet. In order to do this, it must travel through the kidney, kidney tubes and bladder. This results in a persistent ache in the lower back and groin, interspersed with periods of intense pain.

We treat this using a multi-pronged approach. In the immediate term, we prescribe traditional herbal remedies to aid in the breaking up of the kidney stones, as well as to manage the pain. In the long term we offer dietary and lifestyle advice to minimise the reoccurrence of the kidney stones.

DIABETIC WOUNDS
  • Body has difficulty managing sugar levels in blood
  • Symptoms influence the body in various ways
  • Unani methods deliver effective results with maintaining stable blood sugar levels
  • Naturally occurring substances are employed
  • Hakeem and sons are also experts in managing diabetic wounds

Many people with diabetes develop wounds that take a long time to heal. This makes them highly susceptible to infection. Once infection occurs, it can spread to the surrounding tissue and bone, causing further problems. Diabetic wounds result from the difficulty in managing glucose levels for diabetics, which impairs the function of both red and white blood cells in delivering nutrients and fighting bacteria respectively.

We target diabetic wounds in a number of ways. Firstly, we prescribe traditional herbal medicines which speed up recovery time and make patients more resilient to infection. We also employ effective wound management, including the dressing and care of the wound. We also aim to address the underlying issue, namely the regulation of glucose levels in our diabetic patients.

SPORTS INJURIES

We are able to deal effectively which a large range of sports injuries, including but not limited to:

  • Muscle tears
  • Ligament damage
  • Wounds and lacerations

We aim to treat these problems in the most natural ways possible, combining physical and medicinal treatments. We use massage to both increase blood flow to the affected area, and to rehabilitate muscular damage, ultimately speeding up recovery. We prescribe specific Unani medicines which over thousands of years have been proven to speed up healing and recovery time without unwelcome side effects.

CUPPING
  • Used to treat both mental and physical problems
  • Regulative therapy which promotes self-healing
  • First recorded use dates back thousands of years
  • Non-invasive treatment which loosens muscles, encourages blood flow and sedates the nervous system
  • Used to relieve back/neck pain, stiffness, anxiety, fatigue, migraines and rheumatism

Cupping is not an individual therapy – it is part of the whole treatment process for patients.

As our bodies age, they begin to lose muscle, and develop adhesions in the fascia (the connective tissue below the skin). This shows up through loss in muscle tone and stiffness/wrinkles in new places.

Cupping therapy is an ancient form of treatment used as a solution to this. During it, a therapist uses special cups to create a suction effect on your skin. The vacuum created pulls stagnant blood into the targeted area. As blood is forced into these tissues, it carries with it nutrients and oxygen to stimulate heating, and release anti-inflammatory chemicals in the body.

That being said, it isn’t suited to every body type, and we have developed criteria for being eligible for cupping therapy. This is to ensure that the treatment suited to the health of the patient as much as possible, and to make sure that process itself is as effective as it can be.

We use cupping to treat a large range of both physical and mental ails including inflammation, poor blood flow and stress.

Though cupping may appear to be a relatively recent phenomenon, it has been used by numerous ancient civilizations, which shows how effective it has been.

MASSAGING
  • Ancient treatment found throughout all civilizations
  • Used to treat stress related problems
  • Also used to treat physical illness
  • Motion moves blood into target areas of the body, and removes waste products

‘Massaging’ comes from the Arabic word مَسَّ (massa) meaning “to touch, feel”, and has been used as a treatment in many ancient civilizations.

Massaging is used to deal with stress related problems. When we become stressed, our bodies produce the stress hormone cortisol, which can lead to weight gain and sleeplessness. Massage therapy increases blood flow, thus lowering blood pressure and decreasing the effect of these problems.

We also use massaging to heal a range of physical problems. The motion of the hands moves blood through the congested areas of the body, squeezes out lactic acid, and aids lymph fluid in removing metabolic waste from internal organs and muscles. All of this counts towards improving body functions.