General Practitioners across Andalucia usually carry out the initial exams to determine if COPD could be a problem. From there patients are supposed to receive help managing their disease and even recuperating some of their lung capacity through rehabilitation whenever possible.

There are a number of instances in which doctors or nurses can be sent to your home. Technically this is something that should be offered to you in times of need, however, in practice you're dealing with a public system and you would do well to know your rights and then insist on them (if necessary try "polite pleading" as it often has good results).

This programme is, above everything else, supposed to be confidential. If you think you could be at-risk for exposure to HIV, visit your family doctor to ask about testing. In theory, testing is to be available to anyone who asks for it as well as patients who have HIV symptoms and those who are especially at risk.

Patients with high blood pressure will find help managing this chronic condition at their local public health clinic. In order to ensure standardised, quality care across our region, doctors have a specific protocol to follow for anyone with a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg, which is determined by taking readings three times during a minimum period of one week.

Healthcare workers as well as prison staff, policemen, fire fighters and street cleaners are all expected to get this jab. Anyone who has multiple sex partners should talk to their doctor about the vaccine. Also on the list are people living with Hepatitis B sufferers, those living in institutions or sentenced to long terms in prison, intravenous drug users and people who travel to countries where the disease is prevalent.

Generally, family doctors in primary care centres see patients over the age of 7 years. However, there is the option for parents to sign up children aged 7 to 14 if they prefer their family doctor to the paediatrician.

Every autumn health officials across southern Spain start to rally their forces for the annual flu jab campaign. As a norm, Andalucia has enough flu vaccines for everyone in need.

If you are looking for family planning services, look no further than your local public health clinic. As usual start with your family doctor, who is in charge of offering initial guidance and then ensuring you have the right papers to get what you need in the case you require a visit with a specialist.

If you have diabetes when you arrive in Andalucia, you need to see your new family doctor in order to be evaluated so that you can get yourself into the public system's programme for treatment.

Women between the ages of 50 and 65 have the right to breast cancer screening, including a mammogram, every two years. Local health clinics participate in the breast cancer screening programme, but they are not the only place where you can get your bi-annual check up.

In Andalucia doctors at local health clinics are supposed to be on the lookout for patients with asthma. If you show signs of asthma, your doctor may order tests, for example the non-invasive spirometer test, which involves breathing into a tube so the doctor can measure your lung capacity.

Yoga originated in India some 5,000 years ago. Major benefits of regular Yoga practice include maintaining a supple, healthy body and an increased feeling of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. It involves a personal journey of meditation and self understanding.

Time line therapy is a process that allows freedom from undesired negative emotions; such as fear, anger, sadness and anxiety, by releasing these emotions from the memories that harvest them.

Thalassotherapy comes from the Greek word 'Thalssa' for the sea. It is a natural therapy using seawater in many different types of relaxing and reviving therapies, such as hydro baths, jet spray and body wraps.

Thai Yoga Massage is an ancient, unique and powerful massage, using a combination of gently pressure and applied yoga, which helps to release blocked energy and promote good health.

T'ai Chi is an ancient Chinese mixture of exercise and meditation based on a gentle form of martial arts. It has been practiced for centuries to promote good health, longevity and spiritual awareness.

Sports Massage is a deep tissue body massage, which keep the muscle tissue supple. For regular exercisers it should be part of the overall workout and avoids suffering from painful stiffness and injuries.

Spiritual Healing or the 'laying on of hands' is the ancient method of channelling energy through the healer to the patient to trigger self-healing in the body.

Shiatsu Massage is an ancient Japanese pressure massage, where the practitioner uses fingers, hands, feet, elbows and knees to stretch out your body in order to release energy and create wellbeing.

Reiki is a technique for stress reduction and relaxation that allows everyone to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve health and enhance the quality of life. An amazingly simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student by the Reiki Master.