Golden Milk: What Is It? RECIPE HERE

GOLDEN MILK:

Healing Properties of Turmeric

5 REASONS TO TAKE TURMERIC

1. DIGESTION AIDE

   Drink a small amount of Golden Milk as a replacement to after dinner tea or coffee. Or drink a nice warm cup before bed, it’ll help settle the tummy for overnight when your body should NOT focus on food or digestion! Works equally well as a warming way to start the day with breakfast. Studies have shown that turmeric aides in fighting gas, bloating and indigestion.

2. HEADACHE RELIEF

   as an anti-inflammatory and having calming effects, warm golden milk is shown to ease a headache whether its due to stress or sinus issues. It may help mucus flow in order to drain the sinuses by thinning the liquid.

3. IMPROVES SKIN

   Detoxifying and anti-inflammatory effects have rendered turmeric as an agent in anti-ageing and beauty preservation. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Its a skin smoother and in some studies showed reducing acne and eczema.

4. MUSCLES

   After a work out the anti inflammation and blood thinning effects can help neutralise the lactic acid build up and keep muscles supple and pain free when they have been over used.

5. IMPROVES LIVER HEALTH

   Natural elements contained in turmeric, curcumin and others, have protective and detoxifying actions to reduce injury to liver tissues from fats and toxic substances. Aiding in the healthy production of bile and helping the filtering and bile process.

JUST A TIP: Always make sure you brush your teeth afterwards!!

Vagus Nerve Health Benefits

A Bit About the Vagus Nerve:

Digestive Wellness

Watch this space for posts on how just breathing can nourish this important and all-healing cranial nerve

The Vagus nerve has been gathering lots of attention lately. Much has been learned about it and its importance to our overall health is being uncovered!

Its the longest of the cranial nerves, and is named so because it "wanders" like a vagabond. It sends out fibres from your brainstem to your visceral organs, not working inside itself at all.

Here's a brief list of all the good things its been learned that it does for our good health and good living!:

Wash Away the Body Stress Blockages

For every emotional event in your life, there is a physical response in your body. Make it positive!

1. Reduces inflammation, in all areas of the body: on a cellular level!

2. It initiates the body's relaxation response: makes us all zen, yum

3. Its the translator from the brain sending messages to the digestion

4. It helps you breathe: healthy breathing is basis for emotional and physical wellbeing

5. It helps retain memories ie., fighting Alzeheimer's potential

6. It improves cardio function by controlling heart rate

The power this nerve has to maintain balance health and wellbeing in our daily lives is astonishing, and it has opened up a whole new field of medicine called "bioelectronics"...as the interest is focused on the results of gently pulsed and electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to encourage our bodies to heal themselves completely naturally, and for the long term!

Acupuncture has long had a similar gentle effect on the body, creating a gentle stimulation to the nervous system to act more efficiently in its daily activities, keeping the body well and disease free, and healing itself more efficiently when challenged.

An exciting time to see truly integrated medicine platforms arise, and ultimately treat all people with less drugs and less side effects. Another piece of evidence showing the human body is a genius machine!

Healthy Chocolate Joy

On those premenstrual, bad mood, hormonal days, or just when the mood strikes you, nothing is better than that indulgent chocolate treat to make you smile. With carob, the all natural and even nutritious substitute, now you can satisfy the craving free of guilt and even get healthy benefits!

CAROB RECIPES

The Carob Tree (Ceratonia siliqua)
The carob tree (or locust bean) is a leguminous, evergreen tree that is native to the eastern Mediterranean where it is cultivated primarily for its sweet and nutritious fruits. Female trees bear numerous, long and flattened, dark brown pods, each of which can contains up to 15 brown seeds embedded in pulp. The pods, seeds and pulp are edible and because they are rich in sucrose have a fairly sweet taste. Humans have been eating carob pods for over 5000 years and livestock in tropical Africa and parts of Asia also eat them. It is interesting to note that although a carob tree does not usually bear fruit for the first 15 years of its life, thereafter a large tree can produce up to a ton of beans each harvest. Thus the average annual yield from a carob tree is considerably higher than that of a cacao tree, which usually produces no more than 1 kg of dried beans. Ripe carob pods can be chewed raw for a sweet snack, but most are processed in some way before being eaten. For example in the Middle East the pods are made into a syrup known as dibs. However, most carob pods are simply coarsely ground to first remove the seeds and are then roasted and ground to produce carob powder. The seeds can also be processed, being used mainly to produce locust bean gum, which is used as a gelling agent, stabiliser or emulsifier in products such as ice cream.

Why Eat Carob?
Carob has several advantages over chocolate. For example, it does not contain oxalic acid, or the stimulants, caffeine and theobromine, which are present in chocolate, nor does it contain the substances that can cause migraines in susceptible people. Also chocolate is high in fat and when purchased in bar form in sugar too. Whereas carob powder is virtually fat free and high in calcium. It is also worth bearing in mind that cacao trees require frequent spraying with toxic chemicals because pests and fungi readily attack them, whereas carob trees do not. It is for these reasons that it is much better to use carob powder instead of chocolate/cocoa powder, in recipes, whenever possible.

Using Carob Powder
Carob powder (carob flour) can be used in confectionery, cakes, hot drinks, soya milk shakes and desserts, in much the same way as cocoa powder. I would especially recommend the brand of carob powder produced by Cotswold Health Products, which is excellent value at around £0.83 for a 250g (recycled) cardboard box. Look out for it in your local health shop. It's also possible to purchase raw, unroasted carob powder, although this is much more expensive and more difficult to find.

If you simply can't resist the taste of chocolate, then carob powder may be just what you need to break your addiction. Do try out some of these delicious, no-added sugar, carob recipes. If you haven't tried carob before, then you are in for a pleasant surprise!
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Carob Brownies #1

Carob is a delicious substitute for cocoa in brownie recipes.

Carob powder is naturally sweeter than cocoa powder and is a good source of calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium and selenium.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

·         1/2 cup gluten-free all purpose flour(homemade or your favorite brand)

·         6 tablespoons roasted carob powder (see note)

·         1/4 teaspoon salt

·         1 cup cane sugar

·         1/2 cup unsalted butter

·         2 large eggs

·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract

·         1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

·         1 tablespoon gluten-free powdered sugar to sprinkle on baked brownies (optional)

·         NOTE: Chatfield's Carob Powder is manufactured on equipment used to process milk, eggs, soybeans, tree nuts, shellfish, fish oil and peanuts.

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350° F / 176° C for metal pan OR 325° F / 163° C for glass baking dish

Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan.

Place dry ingredients in a bowl and whisk to thoroughly combine. Set aside.

In another large mixing bowl, combine butter and sugar. Use an electric beater or stand mixer to cream the mixture until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined.

Add dry ingredients and nuts (optional.) Beat just until wet and dry ingredients are combined. Scrape brownie mixture into prepared baking pan.

Baking in metal pan - forabout 25 minutes at 350° F / 176° C OR for about 35 minutes at 325° F / 163° C (if using a glass pan.)

Watch cooking times carefully. When a toothpick inserted into center of baking dish comes out clean brownies are done. Don't over bake or brownies will be hard!

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Carob Fondue

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened carob chips
3/4 cup vanilla soymilk

Directions

Prepare a variety of fresh fruit into bite-sized pieces and refrigerate. You can use a combination of any of the following: banana slices; slices of apple or pear; fresh pineapple, papaya or mango cubes; grapes and strawberries. Melt the carob chips in a double-boiler and stir. Remove from heat and gradually stir in the soymilk. Mix until smooth and pour into a chocolate fondue dish. Dip individual fruit pieces and enjoy!

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Carob Sauce

Ingredients

• ½ cup of carob powdershopping list

• 2 cups of soya or plain milkshopping list

• ½ cup of pure maple syrupshopping list

How to make it

• Heat the milk and carob powder together til boiling

• Remove from heat as soon as it boils

• This will thicken (much like cornflour)

• Stir well to avoid lumps

• Add the maple syrup and stir well

• Serve

• VARIATION

• An adults only version

• Substitute ½ cup of soya milk for

• ½ cup of kahlua OR

• ½ cup of brandy OR

• ½ cup of your preferred liqueur

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 Hot Carob Sauce

In a small pan, mix together 2 tbsp. of cornflour, 1-2 heaped tbsp. carob powder and 250 ml of cold soya milk until smooth. Bring to the boil, stirring constantly and then simmer the sauce until it has thickened. Serve the sauce hot over stewed apples, or other stewed fruit. Serves 2.

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Ice Cream Parlour Sauce

Place 125 ml of water, 2 tbsp. of tahini, 40 g of carob powder and 1/2 tsp. of vanilla extract in a blender. Blend well. (If you don't have a blender, then simply use a little less water, making the sauce in small bowl or cup instead and stirring well with a spoon until completely smooth. For the Ice Cream: Peel and slice some bananas, allowing about 1 large or 2 small bananas per person. Freeze the banana slices overnight in a suitable container, removing them from the freezer about 10-20 minutes before serving to allow them to soften slightly. Divide the banana slices between individual serving bowls. Alternatively, they can be processed in a food processor using the S-shaped blade, or run through a champion or other suitable juicer to produce a smoother, more ice cream-like texture. Pour on the sauce and eat immediately. Store any unused sauce in the fridge. Sauce serves 3-4.

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 Carob Balls

Mix 95 g of ground almonds, 150 g carob powder, 50 g of desiccated coconut and about 125 ml of water together in a bowl, adding just enough of the water to bind the mixture together properly. Knead well and then divide the dough into 24-30 pieces, rolling each piece into a small ball. Roll a third of the balls in desiccated coconut, a third of the balls in carob powder and decorate the remaining balls with a whole almond, pressed into the dough. Store the balls in an airtight container in the fridge. These yummy sweets make the ideal treat for Christmas or Easter!

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 Carob and Apple Cake

Ingredients:

·         2/3 cup sunflower seeds

·         1/3 cup sesame seeds

·         1 cup of carob powder

·         1/2 cup of desiccated coconut

·         1/2 cup of dates, chopped

·         3 apples, pureed

·         1/2 tsp. vanilla

·         1 tsp. allspice (optional)

Method

1.     Grind the seeds in a coffee grinder.

2.     Place all of the ingredients in a bowl. Mix together well, then spoon the mixture into a pie case or flan dish.

3.     Smooth the surface with a knife and decorate with fruit. Try strawberries, kiwi slices, banana slices or tangerine segments!

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Carob Mousse
In a small bowl and using a fork, mash the flesh of a ripe avocado until smooth. Add 4 chopped-up dates (or 2 tbsp. sultanas) that have been soaked in a cup of water for a few hours. Stir in one heaped tbsp. of carob powder and 3 tbsp. of ground, organic hempseed. Then add enough of the fruit soaking water to give a creamy mousse-like consistency. Mix well. If desired, decorate with a sprinkling of unground hemp seeds for a nice, crunchy topping (optional). Serves 2 for dessert. Or makes a meal in itself for one, if eaten with several pieces of fruit and a couple of slices of sprouted wheatbread.

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Fruit Carob Smoothie

Ingredients:

·         100g mango chunks

·         100g papaya chunks

·         125ml (1/2 cup) of yoghurt (or soya yoghurt)

·         1-2 tbsp. carob powder

·         Juice of 1 large orange (about 100 ml)

·         Juice of half a lime (optional)

·         Half a frozen banana, sliced

·         30g blackberries, frozen

·         125ml (1/2 cup) milk (or soya)

Method: Blend the above ingredients together in a food processor, using the S-shaped blade. You will find that it blends more easily if the frozen fruits are allowed to thaw for 10 minutes before processing. Serves 2.

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Carob Fudge Sauce

1 heaping tsp. carob
1/4 medium - large avocado
1/2 cup water
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
5 large dates
16 drops vanilla extract

Pit and chop the dates. Place in the water to soak. Either use vanilla extract or substitute 1/2 shaved vanilla bean. Cut the avocado in 1 inch chuncks. You can substitute 2 tsp. flax oil for the avocado.

Blend the liquids and spices and 1/2 of the carob. While blender is on, carefully drop in date pieces and add avocado. scoop into bowl. Stir in remaining carob.

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Carob Shake….Chocolate Monkey Smoothie

Blend together in blender:
filtered water (to top of blades)
1/4-1/2 cup nuts, ground (any kind)
3 heaping Tbsp. carob powder, (raw organic)
4-5 bananas, frozen (break into chunks and add until thick)
vanilla to taste
honey to taste

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Carob Brownies #2

2 cups wheat flour

13 cup carob (powder)

2 tsps baking powder

13 cup honey

12 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup water

14 cup nuts (chopped, optional)

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, carob powder and baking powder. In a separate bowl, thoroughly mix remaining ingredients except nuts. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix well. Stir in nuts if using. Pour batter into a nonstick or lightly oiled 8-inch square baking dish. Bake at 350F for 35 minutes.

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Hot Carob Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons carob powder

• 2 tablespoons water

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1 tablespoon pure butter

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in a saucepan.

Stir gentley over a low heat until the mixture is creamy.

Serve immediately, poured over your ice-cream.

Help your Menopause

Menopause Symptoms?? Relieve them Naturally

For women who are unwilling or unable to undergo Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) ACUPUNCTURE is a natural and safe and highly effective, and even very pleasant, solution to curbing hot flushes and menopausal symptoms in general. 

EVERYTHING FROM MOOD SWINGS, TO RESTLESS LEGS, TO HEADACHES AND HOT SWEATS….ACUPUNCTURE CAN CALM AND NOURISH THE BODY AND REGULATE HORMONES. 

 Read the evidence….. 

Traditional Chinese acupuncture may be useful in reducing the severity of hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, a new study suggests. 

Researchers in Turkey conducted experiments with 53 postmenopausal women. Half of them received traditional acupuncture treatment. The rest were treated with “sham” acupuncture needles that were blunted and did not penetrate the skin. 

A five-point scale was used to measure the severity of hot flashes, vaginal dryness, urinary symptoms, mood swings, and other symptoms in the postmenopausal women. 

Twenty-seven women received traditional Chinese acupuncture twice a week for 10 sessions from an experienced and licensed acupuncturist. Those in the comparison group were treated with shams needles at the same acupuncture points. 

Levels of estrogen and other hormones were measured before the study and after the first and last acupuncture sessions in both those receiving real and sham treatments. 

Measuring Menopause Symptoms

The women who received traditional acupuncture had significantly lower scores on the scale of menopausal symptoms after 10 weeks, compared to those in the sham treatment group. 

Researchers also found that the severity of hot flashes and psychological symptoms decreased significantly in the traditional acupuncture group after 10 weeks compared to the sham acupuncture group. 

The severity of urogenital symptoms -- such as vaginal dryness and urinary symptoms -- was not significantly different in the traditional acupuncture group than in the sham acupuncture group after 10 weeks. 

Oestrogen amounts were significantly higher, while luteinizing hormone levels were significantly lower in the group that received traditional acupuncture compared to the sham acupuncture group after 10 weeks. Acupuncture naturally boosts endorphins and therefore may stabilise the temperature control system in the body. 

 TAC © 2020 

PMT: Pre-Menstrual Tension - How Do I Relieve The Discomfort??

Almost all women of age suffer with PMT at one time or another, if not all their lives. This simply doesn’t have to be the way. Gentle and nourishing ACUPUNCTURE is generally a pleasant and relaxing experience, and balances hormones so well that PMT quickly becomes a thing of the past. 

Imagine your monthly PMT gone, forever. 

BACKGROUND and SYMPTOMS

PMS is associated with imbalanced levels of progesterone and excess oestrogen and can be responsible for many physical and emotional symptoms in the days leading to menstruation: 

• Mood swings

• Food cravings

• Depression

• Bloating and Fluid

• Breast tenderness

• Headaches

These symptoms vary from woman to woman but can begin as much as two weeks before a period and usually end an hour to a few days after the onset of menstruation. About half of all women regularly suffer from PMT and up to 10% suffer from extreme symptoms. 

ALSO TRY SOME PMT FRIENDLY FOODS

• Increase intake of mineral water, and drink herbal teas

• Ensure you eat lean sources of protein including chicken, fresh fish, turkey and non animal based protein including legumes, pulses, lentils, brown rice and nuts

• Eat regular meals and small snacks, and include some protein with each snack and meal

• Increase dietary fibre by including some nuts and seeds, whole grains, lots of veg

• Increase your intake of essential fatty acids (EFAs) through consumption of oily fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout, plus avocado, nuts and seeds (no peanuts)

• Phytoestrogens (found abundantly in soy products) may exert a balancing effect when oestrogen levels are elevated. (legumes, seeds, soy, beans, plant proteins)

• Take a good multivitamin/mineral tablet daily as directed.

ACUPUNCTURE + GOOD NUTRITION = BALANCED HORMONES

NAUSEA DURING PREGNANCY

HOW and WHAT you eat (and drink!) at this time can make all the difference in how you feel

Although nausea during pregnancy is often dismissed as a minor disorder it can be very real affliction for many women. Nausea that may occur at any time, day or night can interfere with quality of life and may be accompanied with vomiting. in some cases this result sin hospitalisation for rehydration therapy.

in traditional Chinese medicine this nausea and vomiting can arise from a variety of causes. Acupuncture treatment is aimed at strengthening the energetic function of the digestive system and correcting any underlying disharmonies. in addition to specific dietary advice is directed at reducing the energetic workload of the digestive system. to get the most out of any treatment, it is essential to keep yourself hydrated and your blood sugar levels stable. while it can be difficult to think about preparing snacks and drinks throughout the day, this will help keep your nausea under control.

Fluid Intake

Whilst it may not appear that drinking relieves nausea, becoming even slightly dehydrated will make nausea more intense… dry lips, feeling thirsty and a reduced urinary output are signs that your fluid intake is inadequate.

If your urine output decreases to only once or twice in 24 hours you need to let your doctor or midwife know. This is because once dehydration affects your electrolyte balance past a certain point the best option may be intravenous re-hydration in a hospital.

if you are finding it difficult to drink fluids, concentrate on having small amounts frequently rather than trying to drink a cup of fluid all at once. Many women find it difficult to drink water in which case soups may be useful (potato soup can be useful as it is very bland.)

Warm teas such as ginger or peppermint may also be helpful. if burping relieves the nausea a carbonated drink may help settle the nausea.

The following is a list many women find helpful:

• Apple cider vinegar (I1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar - fill cup with boiling water - add honey to taste)

• Chamomile or peppermint tea

• Ginger ale ginger tea (grate a piece of ginger the size of a 50p coin, steep I n boiling water for 10 minutes - ad honey to taste. do not exceed 3 cups per day)

• Mineral water with freshly squeezed lemon

• Miso soup

• Potato soup, Peel and chop 2 potatoes, fry in a little butter, add in cup water and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer 15-20 minutes adding extra fluids like water or stock to achieve the consistency for the soup you prefer.

• Umeboshi plum tea (half a teaspoon stirred into a cup of boiling water - honey to taste)

Keeping Your Blood sugar levels maintained

Having small regular snacks will help to keep your blood sugar levels stable. This means easting a small snack at least every 90 minutes… before that empty, hungry feeling sets in. The snack can be very small, a few raisin or nuts (almonds are often useful), half a sandwich, a quarter piece of fruit. It’s a delicate balance as to exactly how much you feel comfortable eating as overeating will also intensify the nausea.

Lots of things can be done to relieve the pain an discomfort of the first trimester, for more information call us or talk to Jess during a session about further nutritional and body tips you can practise… together we can get you through this very special but trying time!

Treating Depression: Dont be S.A.D.!!!

Depression, Mood and Acupuncture

Darker longer days…. cooler, wetter weather:

It doesn’t have to mean depressed thoughts

OR Seasonal Affect Disorder.

EVER AGAIN

Misty cold mornings and dreary skies don’t have to mean your moods are the same!

This autumn turn your expected gloomy and glum mood into lifted spirits, beautiful appreciation, and unexpected joy over the marvel that is the official change of season.

As someone who spent half her life in very sunny, very hot climates in America, I came to England with the expectation of enjoying some sorely missed rain. It turns out I lacked an appreciation for the sunshine I had for so many years, but now that Ive been in England for so long, I learned I relish more than anything not the cold, not the hot, but the actual CHANGE itself. Seasonal change. Always brings the good with the bad, but more so it brings renewed LIFE.

Every seasonal change is a new opportunity to embrace positive actions and release negative stagnation.

Who doesn’t want that?

But….instead what I see year after year in clinic is the onset of colder weather making people frown, worry about shorter days, get anxious over expecting to feel sad and lonely and cold.

It so does NOT have to be that way. EVER. The eternal YIN/Yang symbol, that black and white circle every one is kind of familiar with, dictates the laws that life is ever-changing, ever-flowing, and circular within itself because that is how our energy flows to create good health.

Meaning when we resist change and flow and progress it goes against nature. And when we try to fight the natural state of things, so often we find that we become unhappy.

In more clinical terms we gradually lose our level of endorphins- those feel-good chemicals our bodies produce to keep our moods happy. And once that happens in the ever-flowing, circular systems, our mind and body begins to fold in on itself as one chemical after another becomes imbalanced due to knock on effects.

Result: Imbalanced Hormones leading to depression, anxiety, stress, worry, fear, sadness, lethargy

So, whats the answer? Acupuncture can play a huge role in taking action.

walking is as great way to prevent depression from taking hold, bundle up and be brisk!

How does acupuncture treat depression?

Depression is a very different experience for each individual and diagnosing the unique pattern of disharmony is at the heart of traditional acupuncture’s approach to treatment.

In order to arrive at the appropriate diagnosis the acupuncturist will usually take a full case history and discuss symptoms and physical information through minor examination.

Each diagnosis is bespoke and point selection is based on the individual’s needs and may vary from person to person and week to week. Example, one week we might do a session on the back and the next week we do a session with needles on the front of the body.

Don’t let seasonal cooler weather and darker days get you down, acupuncture can lift spirits!

Usually a standard course is about 6 sessions, some chronic conditions take longer.

Is there Anything I Can Do?

Being treated with Acupuncture is not just about having something “done to” you. It is also about taking steps to actively manage your own health and wellbeing and treatment is a partnership between patient and practitioner. At this clinic we will guide you through your entire journey, always address your concerns or questions. and really listen to what’s going on with you, because that is the only way we can really treat the core of the issue, not just mask symptoms like so many drugs do.

Diet has a major impact on our health and there are many studies confirming the dramatic effect that nutrition has on our mental/emotional wellbeing. If you don’t know where to start or feel to unmotivated to eat properly or at all, talk to us in the clinic we can get you started and there is the option of introducing some vitamin supplements and education on necessities like fish oils and other essential fatty acids, for example.

Exercise and movement. The more the better but even a short walk everyday starts the healing. Movement choices and exercise programmes are usually discussed as options in session.

And volunteering, any activity you take initiative to begin sets you on a path to pride and boosted endorphin activity!

Combine those with a course of acupuncture and you are on your way to super star healing and feeling joy in the movement, the CHANGE, of life around you, whatever the weather might bring!!!

Call today and see how we at Thames Acupuncture could boost your mood, your outlook and your healthy happiness this coming winter! Bbrbrrr!!

Your Acupuncture Challenge, NOW: Stress Awareness Day

Release anxious feelings,

promote relaxation &

find ultimate well-being

National Stress Awareness Day: November 2

Relieve STRESS:

Take the Acupuncture Challenge!

Get STRESS FREE in just 3 Acupuncture sessions...

 

Get yourself balanced, calm and relaxed in time for National Stress Awareness Day this November 2nd, and spend the day sharing your good fortune and happy disposition with others.

This time don't be a victim of the day, but be the catalyst to help others find the inner peace and calm you've now found, just through three sessions of relaxation acupuncture.

 

Worrying, anxiety and stress on the emotional mind can have negative health effects.

The symptoms:

• disturbed sleep and eating patterns
• feeling of inability to cope
• loss of confidence
• difficulty in concentrating and making decisions
• headaches
• stomach upsets, feeling sick, butterflies
• emotional distress
• depleted immune system
• irritability
• feeling de-energised

Because acupuncture can have a full effect on the whole body, the metabolic system in charge of adrenaline and all our other hormones can be gently persuaded, through gentle acupuncture, to operate more efficiently and recognise when our body and mind needs to calm down.

Its a vehicle to encourage your body to see how to heal itself. Beautiful! 

Take Action

If you feel worried, anxious and stressed...

Some of these suggestions may work for you:

TRY THEM!

• Take Action - evaluate all your options, then make a decision and act on it. There is often something you can practically do about a situation you are worried or anxious about. Consider each worry one by one, Then ask yourself, on a scale of 1 – 10 (where 1 is slightly worrying and 10 is extremely worrying) How important is this worry? if its under 5, release it for another day.

• Positive Thinking - ban the word 'worry'... and say concern, issue, problem dilemma, challenge instead.
• Talk to friends - they may be able to suggest a possible course of action or solution. Worry is often a habit, doing a ‘reality check’ with others can help you to change your thinking from negative to positive
•  
• Write it down! - Worrying often happens when you are trying to go to sleep. Keep a notepad by the bed, write it down and tell yourself you will deal with it in the morning. 
•  
• Relaxation - this is another excellent way to cultivate the habit of postponing worry. Talk to yoru acupuncturist about relaxation breath techniques, body movements, and mindful exercises
•  
• Physical activity - Regular exercise helps improve mood and encourages sense of well-being. It’s good for the heart as well as the head! Exercise changes the focus from the mind to the body by relieving tension and metabolising excess adrenalin. You don't have to become a cardio gym pro, a good steady walk outdoors is effective too.
•  
• Improve your diet - Eating well at regular intervals can help stablise blood sugar levels,avoiding jittery feelings that contribute to your state of mind. Alcoho, caffeinel and smoking affect mood.... so consider reducing or stopping if worry and stress is really getting to you. And ask your acupuncturist or nutritionist about which times of day to take viatmins as they can have an effect on sleep quality
•  
• Complementary therapies - Not on;y acupuncture but many others are wonderful for encouraging wellbeing and calm. Consult a qualified practitioner who can look at you as a whole person. There are many options that can help including, yoga, massage, acupuncture, reflexology and aromatherapy
•  
• Psychotherapy/counselling/medication – these options may be needed for extreme worry that leads to constant anxiety. If you suffer with severe symptoms and seek counselling your GP may a good resource to direct you to therapy..

Useful UK Contacts

UK Organisations

Health and Safety Executive
Advice for work related stress
W: www.hse.gov.uk/stress

British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
T: 01254 875 277
W: www.babcp.com
Can provide details of accredited therapists.

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
T: 0870 443 5252
W: www.bacp.co.uk
See their website for a list of practitioners in your area.

The British Psychological Society
T: 0116 252 9904
W: www.bps.org.uk

The British Osteopathic Association (BOA)
British Osteopathic Association 3 Park Terrace Manor Road Luton LU1 3HN
T: 01582 488455
F: 01582 481533
W: www.osteopathy.org

The Institute for Complimentary Medicine (IMC)
T: 0207 237 5165
W: www.i-c-m.org.uk
Provides information on complimentary medicine.

No Panic
T: 0808 808 0545 – Helpline
W: www.nopanic.org.uk
Helpline for people experiencing anxiety disorders.

National Phobics Society
T: 0870 122 2325 – Helpline
W: www.phobics-society.org.uk
Information and support for those with anxiety disorders.

Depression Alliance
T: 0845 123 2310
W: www.depressionalliance.org
UK’s leading depression charity with a network of self-help groups.

The Sleep Council
W: www.sleepcouncil.com

Relate (Relationships)
W: www.relate.org

Workplace Bullying
W: www.andreaadamstrust.org

National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH)
W: www.hypnotherapists.org.uk

United Kingdom Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations (UKCHO)
W: www.ukcho.co.uk

Stress Management Society
W: www.stress.org.uk

Stress Management with Melatonin
W: Information on hGH

Stress Awareness Month This April- Dont miss your chance

As a practitioner I am always aware of the new causes and weeks designated to health awareness issues. They are a really good reminder to us all to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. But for this particular topic, STRESS, it is an absolute must that they designated an entire month to it, and rightly so!

I can honestly say more then 85% of the patients Ive been treating over 14 years are in some element receiving treatment towards their stress levels. They might see me for menstrual issues, a bad back, an IVF cycle, or even constipation. Stress, stress, stress and more stress.

It's the root cause of so many physical ailments our bodies experience.

I'm forever quoting random snippets of ancient wisdom I learn to my patients. One of my favourites Ive learned:  'For every emotional event in your life, there is a physical response in your body.'

Physical wellness and emotional health just cannot and should never be separated. 

The brightness of our eyes comes from something as simple as a moment of laughter. We laugh because we were warmed in our hearts by something truly funny!  An emotional root cause.

This month is the perfect excuse to take the plunge and explore the dichotomy of your own emotional wellness in relation to your physical health. It's like the ancient Chinese symbol of yin and yang: the law which recognises one cannot exist without the other.

Whilst one receives from the other, it also gives just as much in return. Equals and opposites at the same time!

Nature's way of empowering us and balancing us. 

The genius machines we are have their own natural healing response. Acupuncture stimulates that healing mechanism. And in return we find healing doesn't just occur in our physical bodies but in our equal partner element, the emotions. Those are the governors of stress and anxiety. But that means they equally govern joy, laughter, happiness and love! Awareness of unhealthy stress levels means you can actively seek out their opposite, peace and joy, and find optimum health with gentle and natural healing responses from acupuncture!