Wednesday, 20 April 2011

Photizo - Light Therapy

Light Therapy - Cell Regeneration and Healing Treatment

I have just taken on the Photizo Light Therapy system and after only 5 days of using it on a very stubborn patch of eczema on my hand, I am certainly seeing some very significant improvement and look forward to what results I may acheive with clients for various conditions.  This treatment also enhances the effectiveness of other treatments such at the Environ Ionzyme DF.
 What is light therapy?
Light therapy of a certain, specific wavelength stimulates the mitochondria to make more of the high-energy molecule ATP.
This helps the cell to heal itself from the inside, and prevents cell death. These wavelengths have been optimized in Photizo, so as to provide high-power pulses of light of the most beneficial wavelengths to recharge the mitochondria to ensure quicker cell regeneration and reduce pain whilst healing.


Anti-aging LED light therapy ... a NASA research "spin-off"

Your skin has the ability to absorb infrared light and use it as a source of energy to stimulate cellular regeneration. Infrared LED light therapy, first researched by NASA for use in the U.S. Space Program, can reverse and control the visible signs of aging and help you look years younger without harsh chemical treatments or invasive surgical procedures. Dramatic tightening of skin, smoothing of wrinkles and rough spots, disappearing blemishes, softening of redness, and shrinking of pore size can be achieved with this natural light treatment. In addition, the unit can be used to effectively treat minor muscle and joint aches, sprains, back pain, muscle spasms, the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.

Infrared LED light stimulates your skin to produce collagen and elastin
The infrared light produced by LED lamps, aka photo rejuvenation, stimulates fibroblast cell activity in the skin, which increases the production of collagen and elastin—the proteins responsible for your skin's tone and elasticity. The effects of infrared LED light therapy on the skin and body have been reported in over 2000 scientific reports and documents.

Skin conditions improved by Photizo light therapy:

Tired, aging skin: Softening of lines, folds and wrinkles, healthier circulation, increased moisture and radiance, accelerated skin repair, toned and youthful skin surface, improved elasticity and skin texture.
Hyperpigmentation — age spots, freckles, uneven pigmentation due to sun exposure, etc: Most cases of skin hyperpigmentation even out over time from the use of infrared LED light therapy.
Acne and blemishes: Infrared LED light can assist in the repair of acne and blemishes because it stimulates the skin's natural healing.

Friday, 15 April 2011

Cranial Osteopathy - Myth or Magic???

Having had a Cranial Osteopath see both my babies shortly after birth and just recently on several occasions for my now 7 year old, I thought it was time I put it to the test myself. Not that I had my doubts, but I too had not had  treatment since the birth of my youngest, now 3.  I was due an overhaul!

A lady in Kew called Beryl Grix was highly recommended to me by a client and due to Tayla, my 7 year old daughters under-developed Vestibular System (for another blog...), I thought it best we pay her a visit and get some of her rhythm back!  She has helped Tayla tremendously.  My session with her this week was an hour long and I dozed in and out of sleep whilst watching numberous birds feed from her feeder attached to the window which I thought was a nice touch (even if you are not into birds!) 
She started at my head and slowly worked her way down to my toes.  She said when she started at my head it was amass with thick cloud and fuzz!  Exactly how I was feeling.  I had been feeling extremely ungrounded of late and this was really the catalyst of my visit.  The need to be put back in touch with myself and experience the magic this therapy offers. 

She informed me afterwards that I had really needed the treatment  and suggested I see her again in 2 weeks to regain and maintain balance.  I most definately felt like a huge weight had been lifted once the treatment had commenced and in honesty, like I was on some kind of drug!  She insisted  this was normal when the body has to ammend itself on such a deep cellular level.  I had the most peaceful of sleeps that evening and awoke with a contentment I have not felt for sometime.  Its as though all the chaos I was grapping with inside has dispersed and my body is clinging to this lovely level of balance.

Beryl certainly has the touch as I am sure many registered practitioners do, so be sure to find one registered or preferably recommended.

I have included below some details of what this therapy is and how it works ect.

Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment which works with the structure and function of the body.
The maintenance of good mechanical function is essential to good health. Problems in the framework of the body can disturb the circulatory system or nerves to any part of the body, and affect any aspect of health.
Osteopaths work to restore the structure and function of the body to a state of balance and harmony, so helping the whole person.
What is Cranial Osteopathy?Cranial osteopathy is a refined and subtle type of osteopathic treatment that encourages the release of stresses and tensions throughout the body, including the head.
It is a gentle yet extremely effective approach and may be used in a wide range of conditions for people of all ages, from birth to old age.
Osteopaths may have different specialities including sports injuries, paediatrics, and visceral osteopathy (treating the internal organs of the body). Cranial osteopathy embraces all of these.
lnvoluntary Motion- The Cranial Rhythm

Cranial osteopaths are trained to feel a very subtle, rhythmical shape change that is present in all body tissues. This is called Involuntary Motion or the Cranial Rhythm.  The movement is of very small amplitude, therefore it takes practitioners with a very finely developed sense of touch to feel it. This rhythm was first described in the early 1900's by Dr. William G. Sutherland and its existence was confirmed in a series of laboratory tests in the 1960's and '70's.
Tension in the body disrupts the cranial rhythm. Practitioners compare what your rhythm is doing to what they consider ideal. This shows them what stresses and strains your body is under at present, and what tensions it may be carrying as a result of its past history. It also gives them an insight into the overall condition of your body, for example if it is healthy, or stressed and tired.
Accumulation of stress and strain in the bodyWhen we experience physical or emotional stresses our body tissues tend to tighten up. The body may have been able to adapt to these effects at the time, but a lasting strain often remains. Any tensions which remain held in the body can restrict its free movement. Gradually the body may find it more and more difficult to cope with accumulated stresses and symptoms may develop.

Conclusion:  MAGIC!
 

Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Cold Sores - NOT pretty...

Lysine for Cold Sores

Unfortunately for my daughter and I we both suffer with cold sores... for her it seems to be worse.  Last night she complained of a tingle and I remember the last outbreak being so bad that this time I was going to be uber persistant about trying to stop this virus in its tracks!  I had 1000 mg tablets in the cupboard and gave her half of one before bed as well as dousing the area in Iodine and Zovirax!  This morning she has woken up and the lession has certainly not progressed further.  Very pleased indeed.  Looking forward to the sugar restrictions over the next week/s!  Sugar certainly aggravates and can even trigger an attack!

Lysine and arginine are two amino-acids. Amino-acids bind themselves together to form proteins. They are often quoted together because they have a negative relationship. In theory, the more lysine and the less arginine, the better. Research suggests that a high lysine/low arginine ratio prevents herpes from replicating.

Foods high in lysine and foods to avoid:

Meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products are very rich in lysine. Vegetarians can find vegetable foods containing some like corn, brewer’s yeast and sauerkraut. The best food for lysine is plain low-fat yogurt. It has the highest levels of lysine for the lowest levels of arginine. Kefir is also a wonderful source of Lysine.
Avoid chocolate, nuts, seeds, peanut butter, soya, oats, wheat and sugar.  These are high in Arginine and certainly aggravate symptoms.



Lysine Herpes Dosage for Prevention:

Proper dosage may vary from person to person, but according to research, it should range from 500 mg to 1000 mg, 1 to 3 times daily. Please ask your doctor. I personally give my 7 year old daughter 500mg twice a day at the first signs of an outbreak.  I also dab Iodine onto it and apply Zovirax thickly over the top once it has dried.  She does'nt like the yellow staining from the Iodine and you can get decolourised Iodine but I dont think it works as well.  More on Iodine in another post...

Lysine Creams and Ointments for Cold Sores:

Many ointments are available on the market, but lysine efficiency has been studied only as an oral supplement. Therefore, there is no scientific data backing the use of such ointments. However, you may want to try applying lysine cream on your cold sores or fever blisters especially if they tingle a lot. Some people have reported these ointments can have a soothing effect. They come either in lipstick, lip balm or cream. Try to use ointments that have other ingredients than lysine as well as, such as essential oil or grapefruit, vitamin A, C and E and zinc.   Also supplementing with Multivitamins C and Zinc will help.  These should be included in your daily regime anyway.

Side effects:
Some side effects might appear with a very high dosage (10 g). They consist mainly of nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. In one case, a 44 year old woman developed Franconi’s syndrome, manifested as tubulo-intersistial nephritis, after taking 3000 mg of lysine per day for 5 years.

Lysine and pregnancy:
Lysine supplementation is generally not recommended during pregnancy and breast feeding because there is no data proving its safety during pregnancy. Tell your doctor that you’re taking lysine if you’re pregnant or considering having a baby.

Lysine and children:
Children need three to four times more lysine than adults.  They should be getting it from their food. The medical literature has not reported any adverse effects specifically related to the use of lysine in children. However there is no sufficient information available regarding the use of lysine supplements in children. Do not give any supplement to a child without first talking to your childs doctor first.

 



 





Saturday, 2 April 2011

On the mend...

Homeopathy Does Work!

Having diligently put the Quercetin to the test, I am feeling tip top.  I didn't do the Hydrogen Peroxide as I thought the cold had become chronic but will certainly put it to the test the next time a tingle of a cold starts its invasion!  I am due to see my naturopath and homeopath only next Friday as she is away.

I called her and asked what I should do to avoid the antibiotic route.  She suggested I get down to The Organic Pharmacy on the Kings Road and get their Cough and Mucous Tincture.  I did just this and whilst there also included their Mixed Pollens & Grasses homeopathic pillules.  I thought I couldn't rule out hayfever judging by the length of this "cold" so let me cover all angles.  As soon as I got home I followed the instructions and added 15 drops tincture to a little water in a shot glass.  I also had 1 pillule (it is suggested this is taken only twice a week, but this could change I think if you were in an acute attack of hayfever).   I also ingested 2 Biocare Quercetin & Bromelain capsules.
The tincture is best taken 3 times a day.  It was late afternoon but in desperation I managed to get 3 doses in before retiring to bed.

I have awoken feeling the best I have felt in 2 weeks.  Sinus congestion is reduced to almost nothing and I actually have not needed tissues.  The congestion on my chest is breaking up and becoming more productive.

Cough & Mucous Tincture contains Organic Elecampane, Coltsfoot, Lungwort, Licorice & Mullein Tinctures.

Quercetin is a bioflavanoid that inhibits the manufacture and release of histamine, which is the hormone that triggers allergic reactions.  The vitamin C in the formula enhances the action of Quercetin and has been shown to ease bronchial constriction.

I used Biocare's Quercetin and Bromelain, which I think is particularly good, however The Organic Pharmacy do a Quercetin and Vitamin C Complex.

I was very impressed with their service and the selection of their beautifully marketed products.  The problem with homeopathic remedies is their names.... no one knows what Calc Carb or Nat Mur is for..... its so daunting when you are faced with all these names, so you give up and select the Ibuprofen or Paracetamol that we all know too well!  At The Organic Pharmacy everything is labelled in a language we all understand.  Cough & Mucous Tinture, Sneeze Away Tincture, Clear Gut Tincture, Sleep Tincure, Clear Skin Tincture to name only a few
Pillules labelled up as: Jet Lag, Burns, Energy, Food Poisoning, Cold and Flu, Indigestion, Period Pains, Physical Injury, Cystitis, Sinus and Catarrh, Travel Sickness, Headache, Diarrhoea, Heat Rash, Joints, Scar Tissue, Varicose Veins, Insect Bites, Insomnia, Hayfever, Anti-Stress, Dry Cough, Wet Cough, Hang Over.

Homeopathic Practitioners are also available there to prepare and dispense prescriptions using their remedies.  I see a fabulous Japanese lady in Marylebone who is a guru in homeopathy, naturopathy, nutrition and accupuncture.  I may not even need to see her if the effects of my magic tincture continue!

For those in doubt:  Homeopathy does work!

Tuesday, 29 March 2011

Cold or Hayfever???

Hydrogen Peroxide for Colds and Flu

Not something we should really be thinking about at this time of years, but its most likely to happen going into a change of season.  I a currently FULL OF IT!! 

Speaking of hydrogen peroxide, this naturally occurring substance has great benefits for colds and flu sufferers.  It can be effective 80% of the time, especially if used when symptoms first appear.
Colds and flu actually enter the body through the ear canal, not through the eyes, nose or mouth, as most have believed.  In 1938 German researchers had great success using hydrogen peroxide for treatment of colds and the flu.  However, their data had been ignored of over 60 years, perhaps because there ain't much money to be made selling hydrogen peroxide.  (A little bottle at the pharmacy can cost as little as a couple of pounds). 

Administering a few drops of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) into each ear, although often only one ear is infected.  It starts acting immediately and after a few minutes all germs will be neutralized.  There will be some bubbling noise sensation in the ears and a mild stinging.  Start with one ear by holding the head toward one side and once the bubbling/sting has subsided, drain onto tissue and repeat with the other ear.  One or 2 applications are usually enough. 

Hydrogen Peroxide at 3% solution is perfectly sage for infants/children and adults.  Best way to administer is with a dropper.  If it gets into eyes immediately rinse with water.

The above information was taken from Andreas Moritz book Timeless Secrets of Health and Rejuvenation.  I have only recently read this and am well into my second week of coughs and sniffs, however I am going to certainly give it a shot and shall report back my findings!

Quercetin and Vitamin C for Hayfever

Another thing some of you are probably starting to suffer with at this time of year is Hayfever, or the start of it....  Quercetin is a natural anti histamine and is reported to seriously suppress symptoms.  I tried it last summer and it certainly made the season more bearable.  Increasing ones Vitamin C intake is also a good idea.  As well as homeopathic remedies which really do work.  I work with a Naturopath and Homeopath who matches a remedy specifically to my personal symptoms and I would highly recommend this.

Did you know at the start of a cold or infection, increasing your Vitamin C to 2000mg every 2 hours is likely to dramatically shorten the duration!  I really should practice what I preach!!!
Personally my sinus problems are exacerbated by some foods I eat.  After the Liver Cleanse I felt tip top but reverted back to wheat and dairy which is when things started to go wrong again!  Our bodies are so in tune with what we need and what we don't!  I definitely think a 2nd Liver Cleanse is on the cards in which after I abstain from those culprits forever!!

Wednesday, 23 March 2011

FORGET BOTOX! A less invasive approach is here.....



Stunning results are now achievable both in the salon and at home*





*before & after images show 3 months use of the serum at  home








Environ® Breakthrough Takes the Worry Out of Treating Frown Lines

Professionals’ favourite skincare house Environ® has developed The Frown Treatment, the first facial specifically designed to tackle frown lines without the need to invite expensive aesthetic professionals to the salon. 


The facial is based on the Focus Frown Serum, arguably the world’s most effective product to address the processes involved in wrinkle formation and soften muscle activity in a mild, non-invasive way.  This treatment represents a major breakthrough in skincare therapists’ ability to achieve stunning results, without the need to resort to expression-freezing toxin injections.
 
FocusFrownFacial_v_lo_res.jpgThe powerful technology behind the Environ® Ionzyme DF machine provides a safe, alternative approach to deliver the potent active ingredient complex into the skin.  It increases penetration by up to forty-fold, helping to reduce muscle tension in the forehead area and the ‘smile’ lines at the side of the eyes.
As a result, frown lines become smoother, shallower and less prominent, with many people seeing a difference within two hours after their facial. 


“This new treatment achieves a noticeable result even after just one treatment, and the effects can be maintained by using the retail product at home,” says Environ training director Tracy Tamaris. 


For further information email:
carleyharrison@btinternet.com






Monday, 7 March 2011

Stimulants Make Strong People Weak

(Taken from Andreas Moritz book:  Timeless Secrets to Health and Rejuvenation)

All stimulants are 'sweet' when ingested but 'bitter' in their effects.  You can become addicted to them without even recognizing your dependency.  If you are used to drinking a few cups of coffee a day, try this: Go on a 'coffee fast', which means having no coffee for an entire day, and observe how you feel as the day progresses.  After a few hours you may notice a dull sensation in your head and a feeling of weakness and lack of energy throughout the body.  Some people develop headaches in the afternoon others yawn and feel downcast.  These effects may seem to be due to the absence of coffee in your diet that particular day, but it actually  reveals the weakening impact the coffee has been having on your heart.  You may argue, "But drinking coffee is normal, everyone does it."  Most people in the industrialized nations will also fall seriously ill at some stage in their lives.  For example, on in every two people in the U.S. will develop cancer at some stage in their life.  This is now considered to be an almost 'normal' experience too.
Stimulants, as contained in coffee, tea , alcohol and cigarettes, seem to be welcome and fast-acting substances for those who feel the need for a boost of energy, to wake up their mind or to feel more buoyant and alive.  But since these stimulants have no real energy on their own, where is the energy boost coming from?

Obviously, the body provides it.  Stimulants are nerve toxins that trigger a powerful defense reaction in the body.  When you smoke a cigarette or drink a cup of coffee or power beverage, the resulting boost in energy occurs because of this immune response.  Therefore, the experienced increase in physical energy is actually an energy loss for the body.

Many people now drink decaffeinated coffee in the belief this protects them against the addictive effects of caffeine, while decaf coffee has from 5 to 32 milligrams of caffeine (about the same amount contained in 12 ounces of Coca Cola Classic).  In addition to still getting a significant amount of caffeine, drinking three cups or more of decaff coffee may cause an increase in harmful LDL cholesterol by increasing a specific type of blood fat linked to the metabolic syndrome, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2005.  Decaffeinated coffee is made from more acidic beans than regular coffee.  These strong acids have shown to increase the incidence of heartburn, osteoporosis, Glaucoma and rheumatoid arthritis.  Decaf coffee can, in fact, quadruple the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in three months, compared with people who drink regular caffeinated coffee or tea.  In other words, if you feel you cannot do without coffee, it is far better to drink a properly brewed cup of real, unprocessed coffee.

There are other causes of energy depletion, such as overeating or ingesting unnatural foods.  Natural food, although it has a stimulating effect, provides balanced doses of physical energy and helps to support all functions in the body.   This kind of natural stimulation maintains physiological balance or homeostasis.  Eating too much of any kind of food, on the other hand, causes over-stimulation, and so does regular snacking.  Overworking, stress and fear also cause continuous over-stimulation.  Thus, the body in attempt to deal with the increased demands placed upon it, begins to over-secrete its own stimulants.  These are the stress hormones adrenalin, cortisol, epinephrine, cortisone, endorphins, prolactin, etc., which are needed to sustain the body's most essential activities.  Yet, abusing the stress response day after day and thereby wasting the body's energy resources take their toll on both the body and the mind.

One of the undesirable side effects of excessive adrenalin secretion, for example, is a constriction of important blood vessels, including those that supply the intestines.  This greatly diminishes the body's ability to digest food and eliminate harmful waste products.  Consequently, destructive bacteria begin to decompose the waste matter while producing powerful toxins.  Many of these toxins enter the lymph and blood.
The body's energy reserves become depleted further, and a toxicity crisis or acute illness becomes unavoidable.  The toxicity crisis can weaken then body to such an extent that it is hardly able to perform. 
Thus, the body allocates energy only to those functions that are absolutely vital.  Given this condition, feeling faint, nauseous or weak is perfectly natural.  This helps the body to preserve energy and use it to break down the toxins and eliminate them from the area of congestion.  If the energy-depleting causes are discontinued, the body will regain its balance.  But if they are not, the body may enter one crisis after another until the person falls seriously ill.  Through constant over-stimulation, even a strong and healthy person may eventually become weak, frail and chronically sick.