FACING up to a new initiative at Bury's popular Jinnah Centre!

That's Bury North MP David Chaytor who received some "hands on" experience of a newly-launched complementary health initiative now up and running at the centre.

Users of the Alfred Street-based Jinnah can now benefit from reflexology and massage, thanks to a grant from the Northern Rock Foundation.

The funding has enabled the centre to employ Mr Ijaz Ahmed as a project co-ordinator to inform the elderly Asian users of the Jinnah about the advantages of complementary therapies.

"This is in line with their cultural and gender needs, resulting in improvements in their health and general well-being," he said. "Hands-on" therapy treatment can improve circulation, especially for diabetes sufferers, and alleviate aches and pains associated with arthritis and rheumatism prevalent among the elderly.

Mr Ahmed added: "Regular therapy can aid mobility, promote sleep, relieve tension and anxiety and, in some instances, can lead to a reduction in medication, thus improving general health."

Complementary therapies and conventional Western medicine work alongside each other, bolstering the potential for health recovery and the maintenance of healthy conditions.

Members of the Bury-based Association of Complementary Therapists (ACT) are currently providing the service at the Jinnah with the aim of promoting the health and well-being of the users.

And already, those attending the centre are queuing up to take advantage of the benefits of the therapies.

"The over-subscription for the one-to-one sessions is a clear indication that the users would like this service to become a permanent part of the health care offered by the Jinnah day care centre, as well as the more traditional ones," concluded Mr Ahmed.

During a visit to the Jinnah on Tuesday, (March 20), Mr Chaytor was able to try out the therapies for himself.