November/December 2011 Newsletter

Welcome clients to my November/December 2011 newsletter.

Plans are progressing for our trip to Perth next year (from January until the end of June) and as I will not have time for 2 editions before the end of the year I have decided to do them both together.

Next year from Perth I hope to continue my newsletters monthly if I have the time.


If you don't want to receive these newsletters, please send me an email and I'll take you off my list.
Feel free to forward this email on to friends and family that you think may find it interesting.


TIP OF THE MONTH – DRINK PLENTY OF PURE WATER IN THE HOTTER MONTHS


This month's tip is one I trot out at this time of year. Many people get into bad habits over the cooler months and not drinking enough water for optimal health is one of them.

On the list of vital ingredients to maintain life, water comes second after oxygen.

That's why you suffer if you don't provide enough of this vital substance to your body every day.

Two litres per day is best for most people although bigger people and those who do a lot of exercise will need more.

If you need more encouragement, adequate water will plump up your skin (reducing wrinkles), aid in nutrient absorption and speed up the elimination of waste - helping you to shed any unwanted kilograms added over winter.

If you do nothing else to improve your health, drinking plenty of filtered water every day will make a difference and may cure many of the nagging issues like aches and pains as well as preventing some more sinister illnesses.

In Bowen therapy, we always ask clients to drink lots of water before and after treatments because Bowen kick-starts the body's ability to heal itself - but it can't do that if it can't clean out the waste buil-up and transport nutrients to starving muscles and organs.


BOOK REVIEW – TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH and escape the sickness industry by Elaine Hollingsworth.

This is a very important book and I urge you all to obtain a copy if you can. It will change your way of life - for the better.

Elaine is the director of the Hippocrates Health Centre of Australia which is based at the Gold Coast where she lectures on health issues and continues her research into natural ways of maintaining good health.

In this marvellous book, Elaine attacks "big pharma" - the multinational pharmaceutical companies that peddle everything from cancer drugs to over-the-counter meds and lotions that we consume - often to our detriment.

She also gives details of some of the most misunderstood health problems - like hypothyroidism and adrenal exhaustion and suggests healthy alternatives to the toxic "cures" most commonly prescribed by doctors. There are some important warnings about cancer cures that do more harm than good and Elaine details safe alternatives.

The book also covers all the foods we eat (and shouldn't eat) and why - with a prescription for health that is sure to help anyone who gives it a go. For example, did you know that raw foods contain enzymes which we need to digest and metabolise them properly and that cooking destroys these? We should all be trying to eat as much raw food as possible - just like our ancestors did.

Elaine peppers the book with interesting little tidbits like the following - Did you know that if your short and curlies (down there) become straight and limp it is sure sign of adrenal exhaustion?

And - people with large ear lobes generally have more robust health than those with small ear lobes or almost no ear lobes.

Of course, lifestyle and food choices can effect that but if you have small lobes, you need to take even more care of your health than your stronger, bigger-lobed colleagues.

Even if you only adopt some of the suggestions in this book, your health will improve and you may avoid unnecessary surgery or the toxic effect of chemicals that will only make your condition worse.

For further information, you can check out the Hippocrates Health Centre Website (which also has details of how to order this book) at http://www.doctorsaredangerous.com

For individual copies, Elaine sells them at $30 each - she doesn't do this for profit - but to merely cover costs and continue her good work. If a few of you want to buy this book, contact me and maybe we can buy a job lot (it's cheaper that way).

I don't have shares in the company or anything. I just think this is the best health book I've read and want you all to get something out of it too.


DANGERS OF MOULDS

I recently read a disturbing article on the "Mercola.com" website about the toxic effect of moulds on our overall health.

As we live in a part of the country that becomes very humid during the summer, mould is a constant problem in our houses.

These moulds release toxic substances into the air that can make us really sick - Dr Mercola says they are more dangerous than some of the heavy metals that we all fear. - Scary stuff!

If you would like to read this article in full, the link to it is:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/09/03/molds-making-you-ill.aspx

Unfortunately, the cure is not easy and even prevention can be expensive as most of us can't afford room dehumidifiers and brand new appliances but at least keeping your house well aired and clean (with non-toxic cleaners) and "cupboard camels" can help a little.

Shannon Lush recommends putting a quarter of a teaspoon of clove oil into a spray bottle filled with water and spraying the mist into your shower regularly to keep mould at bay - I do it and it really works and smells good too!


ON A LIGHTER NOTE

I hope you and your loved ones all have a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.

I find Christmas a great time to be grateful for all the good things we have in our lives. We live in one of the safest countries in the world where no-one has to go hungry and we have wonderful opportunities to live fabulous lives.


MORE INFORMATION

Prior newsletters are available and you can also check out updates and detailed articles on my blog site at http://bowentherapytips.blogspot.com/


If you would like to see more information about Bowen Therapy, you might like to check out my web page on the
Natural Therapy Pages at http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/25736

You can also check out my youtube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZdWWmINSGc

You can also follow me on facebook - Carolyn Blackburn Bowen Therapy

And follow me on Twitter - @Bowentweeter



Best wishes to you and your families,

Carolyn.

October Bowen therapy Newsletter

Welcome clients to my October 2011 newsletter.

If you don't want to receive these newsletters, please send me an email and I'll take you off my list.
Feel free to forward this email on to friends and family that you think may find it interesting.


TIP OF THE MONTH – DON'T PUT OFF WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO DO IN LIFE

This month's tip is very apt for me as I try and make my big dreams happen. All it takes is planning, some hard work and being open to opportunities when they come your way. It was an opportunity to study Bowen therapy that led me to this exciting career that I always wanted - helping others to heal and lead their best lives.




One of the things my husband Chris and I have always wanted to do is take a trip across Australia on the Indian Pacific. I know many of you share that dream. Recently, Chris was offered a work contract in Perth for 5 months starting next January. Instead of turning it down, we tried to think of a way we could make it work for us. So we have arranged house sitters to mind our home and dog while we set off after Christmas - you guessed it - on the Indian Pacific with our car on board for the adventure of a lifetime.




We haven't yet worked out where we will live and I'm not sure if I will be able to get some work as a Bowen therapist while we are there - but I'm doing what I can to make that happen too.




Meanwhile I haven't forgotten you either dear clients. I am regretfully giving up my room in Lismore shortly - October 11 is my last day, but I will still be seeing clients at my clinics in Empire Vale and Ballina while I am available until we go to Perth. Then I have a colleague based in Suffock Park (south of Byron Bay) who is happy to see any of my clients who need treatments while I am away. Gladly, many of you are pain free these days and hopefully, will stay that way so won't need her services anyway.




I also intend to keep writing these newsletters so will keep you all up-to-date on our progress in WA.





BOOK REVIEW – There is no book review this month. I hope to bring you one next month.






BECOME BODY AWARE



Studies have shown that patients who are aware of their bodies during treatments respond better than those who zone out and ignore small changes. Patients were given a stimulus on their hands during a treatment session and were asked to show testers where on their hand they felt the pressure and whether it was sharp or dull. The control group received no stimulus and were encouraged to read a magazine during the treatment.



The patients who had to concentrate on the exact feelings in their hands reported greater pain relief from the treatment than the control group even though the pain they felt had nothing to do with their hands.



I often ask clients to be aware of subtle changes they may feel during Bowen treatments as their feedback can let me know whether the treatment is targeting the right areas. I now know that can also help them feel better after a treatment.



It is a good idea to become more body aware anyway so that you are alerted when things change in your body. Sometimes a small change can mean the beginnig of a disease process - or the start of a healing . Of course most things we notice are just normal bodily functions such as the movement of food through our digestive system.



But if you have some changes in your body and you are worried about them - they may be causing pain or discomfort - please see your doctor and get them checked out. We don't want to become hypochondriacs but being body aware is one of the best things you can do to ensure your body is functioning at its best at all times.


LISMORE CLINIC CLOSING OCTOBER 11, 2011.

Lismore clients please remember that I am only going to be at Traditional Medicinals for 2 more weeks so if you want a treatment, please book in as soon as possible.




REMEMBER, IF YOU WANT YOUR DREAMS TO HAPPEN, SEE TO LITTLE ACHES AND PAINS BEFORE THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO BECOME BIG ONES.



MORE INFORMATION

Prior newsletters are available and you can also check out updates and detailed articles on my blog site at http://bowentherapytips.blogspot.com/


If you would like to see more information about Bowen Therapy, you might like to check out my web page on the
Natural Therapy Pages at http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/25736



Youcan also check out my youtube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZdWWmINSGc


You can also follow me on facebook - Carolyn Blackburn Bowen Therapy

And follow me on Twitter - @Bowentweeter



Best wishes to you and your families,

Carolyn .

September Newsletter

Welcome clients to my September 2011 newsletter.

If you don't want to receive these newsletters, please send me an email and I'll take you off my list.
Feel free to forward this email on to friends and family that you think may find it interesting.


TIP OF THE MONTH – GIVE A SMILE TO A STRANGER. IT MIGHT BE THE ONLY SUNSHINE THEY SEE ALL DAY


BOOK REVIEW – There is no book review this month. I hope to bring you one next month.


BOWEL HEALTH - SOMETHING WE ALL SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT

I tragically lost my sister-in-law Cath last week to bowel cancer. She was 49 and a more caring person, I've yet to meet. At her funeral there were hundreds of people - all mourning the loss of someone too young to die from something that could have been prevented or cured if seen to earlier.
It was terribly sad and I can only recommend that anyone over 50 (or younger with symptoms) have a colonoscopy - I am having one this week.
The inconvenience is so much easier than the horror of what Cath went through.
We all have to be aware of what is going on in our bodies and our bowel habits can give us a clue as to how our body is going.
I have written an article on this very important topic and I suggest you read it if you care about your health - just below this on my blog.
In it I also mention the Ilioceacal valve which can be normalised with Bowen therapy if that is an issue for you. The article goes into detail on this topic.


SOMETHING UPLIFTING TO END WITH

Flatter me and I may not believe you
Criticise me and I may not like you
Ignore me and I may not forgive you
Encourage me and I will never forget you

Remember that a true friend is someone who reaches for your hand, but touches your heart.


MORE INFORMATION

Prior newsletters are available and you can also check out updates and detailed articles on my blog site at http://bowentherapytips.blogspot.com/

If you would like to see more information about Bowen Therapy, you might like to check out my web page on the
Natural Therapy Pages at http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/25736

Youcan also check out my youtube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZdWWmINSGc

You can also follow me on facebook - Carolyn Blackburn Bowen Therapy
And follow me on Twitter - @Bowentweeter



Best wishes to you and your families,

Carolyn .

Bowel Health

I am always amazed at how many people have problems with their bowels and don’t do anything about it – accept the occasional use of laxatives.
Most bowel problems are caused by our modern food and lifestyle habits. There are few bowel problems amongst the people who work in the rice paddies of Vietnam and yet they are far poorer than us. Why is this so?
In this article I will briefly outline some of the common bowel problems that we get and the causes and remedies for them.
The number one problem suffered by people of the first world is hardly ever an issue in the third world. It is constipation.
Constipation is usually caused by a diet too high in refined carbohydrates and meat protein and too low in fibre-rich vegetables and fruit as well as a lack of adequate exercise and water consumption.
It should be simply resolved by increasing the amount of fibre in the diet – both soluble and insoluble, eating less meat, drinking more water and regular exercise – even in Jane Austin’s day they knew the benefits of the daily constitutional walk.
Unfortunately, for some people, these changes don’t always resolve their constipation. This is because their lifetime of eating refined carbohydrates (mainly sugar and white flour) have caused chronic inflammation in their bowel and over time this can even lead to permanent damage to the walls of the digestive tract and malabsorbsion of nutrients. They could also be suffering from an overgrowth of yeast in their digestive tract and they may even have killed off all their good bacteria from too many antibiotics.
These issues can be helped by a qualified naturopath who can advise on diet and supplements to help restore the normal environment of the bowel. I have also recently heard of a new treatment where the patient has a “poo” enema from a person with healthy bowel flora to replace theirs. Apparently they are having wonderful results but this treatment is only available in a few hospitals so far.
Another cause of chronic constipation is a lazy Iliocecal valve. The Iliocecal valve creates a one-way door between the small and large intestine.
In the stomach, food is mixed with digestive juices. Then as it makes its way through the small intestines nutrients are slowly absorbed through the walls. By the time it reaches the iliocecal valve, the remainder is waste. In a normal body, the iliocecal valve opens periodically to allow the liquid waste to pass through into the large intestine (or colon). Bacteria in the colon further break down the waste and water is reabsorbed through the walls of the bowel. The solid waste is then excreted each day as soft stools.
If someone has a lazy iliocecal valve, it doesn’t open regularly. There is then a build-up of toxic waste in the small intestine, and excess water is absorbed – along with some of the toxins – through the small intestine walls. The waste in the colon doesn’t have the regular addition of new liquid to keep it moving along normally, so it stalls and more and more water is reabsorbed from it. This cause it to gradually harden and it is passed infrequently as small hard stools. These bowel motions are often painful and unsatisfying as often only small amounts pass at any one time - or no motions at all for up to 2 weeks at a time.
This often ends with an explosive elimination when the ileocecal valve finally opens normally, letting out an accumulated build-up of waste.
The unfortunate person can then suffer from diarrhoea which is the next most common bowel problem suffered from people in the western world.
In fact, many people with lazy ileocecal valves oscillate between constipation and diarrhoea constantly and live a miserable bowel life which they often keep largely secret. This condition is often referred to as irritable bowel syndrome which is then treated with a range of drugs.
In Chinese medicine, bowel health is considered to be of great importance and many of their medicines and therapies are aimed at helping to restore normal bowel function.
Western medicine focuses on symptoms only which has led to an overuse of constipation and diarrhoea medications without any attempt to correct the causes of the problems.
Bowen therapy has moves that can restore the iliocecal valve to normal function and together with diet and lifestyle changes and the use of some natural products such as aloe vera juice, slippery elm, normality can be reached by most people.
Of course, there are serious bowel complications that can occur if no action is taken. Diverticulitis is when a small pouch forms in the colon (often due to frequent straining stretching the bowel wall). Waste can get caught in the pouch and infected, causing extreme pain and in some cases, hospitalisation and operations are required.
Colitis and Chrone's disease are other inflammatory diseases of the colon that causes pain and discomfort. These conditions are routinely treated with antibiotics which can then lead to more bowel problems – it’s a vicious circle.
Stress is another factor which can effect bowel health and it is another thing that is on the rise in our busy, modern lives.
In the worst case scenario bowel cancer can form. This disease is on the rise in the western world despite campaigns to encourage people to have bowel scans regularly.
We could do well to copy the lifestyle of the rice paddy workers of Vietnam who live in harmony with nature. They get plenty of fresh air and exercise while they tend their crops. They prepare simple meals dominated by rice and fresh, organic vegetables and drink mainly water and green tea.
They also live in groups where family gatherings and social interactions with close friends are a vital part of their daily routine. It has been shown that harmony in our lives with others can help us to maintain health and the village lifestyle seems to offer a rich source of this vital ingredient.

August 2011 Newsletter

Welcome clients to my August 2011 newsletter.

If you don't want to receive these newsletters, please send me an email and I'll take you off my list.
Feel free to forward this email on to friends and family that you think may find it interesting.


TIP OF THE MONTH – AVOID DRINKING COFFEE AFTER EXERCISE

Apparently, when you drink coffee before exercise it gives you a boost of energy (which is why some athletes have gotten into trouble for abusing it) but when you drink it after exercise it blocks the body's natural response to exercise which is to build more muscle to replace that which has been damaged from the exercise by synthesising protein. Our bodies are always doing this and by exercising more, our bodies build more muscle (to meet our needs).

So, maybe have the coffee before you exercise and stick to good old fashioned H2O after. Cheers to that!



BOOK REVIEW – SAVE OUR BONES PROGRAM

My book of the month is "Save our Bones Program" by Vivian Goldsmith.

This is a great book for anyone who is interested in maintaining their bones in peak condition into old age so they can avoid osteoporosis and the risk of fractures.

Vivian offers lots of advice about keeping physically fit and eating a healthy diet. I've written quite a lot about the importance of maintaining the best physical fitness you can in past articles (see my blog for more on that), so I will only summarise Vivian's suggestions regarding supplements to keep your bones strong.


They include (in order of importance)

Calcium - Organic is best (from Marine algae). Take 500mg at a time 1200mg/day

Magnesium - take with calcium 320-420mg/day

Zinc - take with calcium 8-11mg/day

Boron - take with calcium 3mg/day

Copper .9mg/day

Manganese 1.8-2.3mg/day

Silicon 12mg/day

Vitamin D - sun is the best source 600IU+/day

Vitamin K - best from soy called NATTO 50mg/day

Vitamin B complex 1 mega multi/day

Vitamin C 500mg+/day

Omega 3 - fish oil 1000mg/day

CoQ10 50mg/day

Antioxidants - Lycopene, polyphenols

It's quite a list and I would advise you check with your doctor before embarking on it. Many of the minerals are available in a multi-form although I have yet to find a multi that includes an organic source of calcium.

Vivian also recommends increasing your exercise levels, reducing your acid levels and de-stressing. It seems that what is good for your general health is also good for your bones - makes a lot of sense really.

This book is available from bookdepository.co if you are interested in buying a copy.


SOMETHING LIGHTLHEARTED TO END WITH

A wise man once said, before you criticise someone, walk a mile in his shoes.

That way, if he gets angry, he'll be a mile away - and barefoot!


MORE INFORMATION

Prior newsletters are available and you can also check out updates and detailed articles on my blog site at http://bowentherapytips.blogspot.com/
If you would like to see more information about Bowen Therapy, you might like to check out my web page on the
Natural Therapy Pages at http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/25736

You can also check out my youtube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZdWWmINSGc
You can also follow me on facebook - Carolyn Blackburn Bowen Therapy

And follow me on Twitter - @Bowentweeter


Best wishes to you and your families,

Carolyn .

July 2011 Newsletter

Welcome clients to my July 2011 newsletter.

If you don't want to receive these newsletters, please send me an email and I'll take you off my list.
Feel free to forward this email on to friends and family that you think may find it interesting.



YOUTUBE VIDEO EXPLAINING BOWEN THERAPY

For those of you who haven't yet heard, I finally have a YouTube video in which I attempt to explain Bowen therapy with a demonstration of some of the moves I do.

My lovely son, daughter and husband helped me put it together – it helps to have family members who work with video for a living! Thanks to them for all the hard work!You can check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZdWWmINSGcOr just search YouTube by typing in Bowen Therapy Ballina Australia – my clip comes up at the top of the list if you include those 4 words.Feel free to show it to others who may be interested in Bowen therapy and please let me know what you think of it.


TIP OF THE MONTH – WARM UP BEFORE EXERCISE

I’ve been seeing a lot of clients with pulled muscles this winter. Most are due to a lack of warm-up before exercise. It is always a good idea to warm up before starting an exercise session but in winter this can take longer than in summer. Stretching is also advised before and after exercise for optimal muscle health.Another problem is the fact that many of us find it hard to drink adequate amounts of water in winter so we are actually dehydrated – which means our muscles are too. So they suffer tiny tears more easily – leading to soreness for a few days after exercising.MagPhos tissue salts can help ease sore muscles or you could try rubbing in some Arnica cream or soaking in a bath with some Epsom salts.Bowen or gentle massage can help severe cases if these simple remedies don’t help.

BOOK REVIEW – ORTHOMOLECULAR NUTRITION

My book of the month is "Orthomolecular Nutrition" by Abram Hoffer and Morton Walker.It was first published in the 70’s and revised and republished in 1996.The title is a terrible put-off which is probably why so few people have actually read this – and this is not even the full title. However, I persevered and am very glad I did.The orthomolecular concept is a simple one, using optimal nutrition to combat, heal and prevent physical and mental illness. Orthomolecular nutrition is based on diets and food supplements of essential vitamins and minerals specifically selected to solve individual problems and needs. Its overall aim is promoting optimal health and longevity for everyone. Dr Hoffer and colleague Dr Walker discuss orthomolecular medicine and treatment with case histories. They explain the functions of major nutrients, summarize new research and lay out a comprehensive anti-stress supplement program - to show the way to a longer, healthier life.Basically, they go into more depth than the likes of David Gillespie (Who you may remember wrote “Sweet Poison” - reviewed in an earlier newsletter).Dr Hoffer was the first to call sugar a “poison” in the body and he goes much further – he breaks all processed food down to their components and then refers to those as food “artefacts”. He says that we did not evolve to eat artifacts – but whole foods in as close to their natural state as possible. He shows evidence that eating things like sugar, white flour and artificial colourings (to name just a few artifacts) is damaging our health and leading to cancer, diabetes, heart disease and dementia – scary stuff!He is also scathing about the modern practice of labelling processed food “enriched” – as if it is better for you than something produced by nature just because the manufacturers have added back a few of the vitamins the processing had removed. He has a great analogy which I will share with you.If a thief robbed you at gunpoint of all your clothes and money – then noticing you shivering gave you back your undies and 50c for the bus, would you feel enriched?Food for thought…………….



MORE INFORMATION ON MY WEBSITE AND BLOG SITE

Prior newsletters are available and you can also check out updates and detailed articles on my blog site at http://bowentherapytips.blogspot.com/
If you would like to see more information about Bowen Therapy, you might like to check out my web page on the
Natural Therapy Pages at http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/25736
You can also follow me on facebook - Carolyn Blackburn Bowen Therapy
And follow me on Twitter - @Bowentweeter


Best wishes to you and your families,

Carolyn

YouTube video on Bowen therapy

I am very excited about my new YouTube video which explains Bowen therapy to you.
It also contains a demonstration of some of the Bowen moves.
To look at it, just click the first little picture at the top right of my blog under the video heading.
Hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed making it.

Multiple Sclerosis, Vitamin D and veins

I have previously written about Vitamin D in my June newsletter. This article explores the vital role of vitamin D in more detail and looks specifically at people afflicted with MS and the effect vitamin D has on their veins and their condition.

VITAMIN D AND HEALTH

Vitamin D is made by our bodies when we are exposed to sunlight but with the current trend to cover up, wear sunscreen at all times and spend less time outdoors, many of us are not getting enough sun exposure to make adequate amounts.
Vitamin D cannot be stored by the body, is vital for all cell functions and plays an important part in immunity.
People with MS and rheumatoid arthritis are usually found to be deficient in vitamin D. The same goes for many of the auto-immune diseases and cancers. It seems that when our vitamin D levels are low, we are far more susceptible to all types of disease. Another fact is that as we age, our vitamin D requirements increase. Maybe Granny had the right idea with the tablespoon of cod liver oil each day (Cod liver oil is an excellent natural source of vitamin D).
It makes sense to make sure your vitamin D levels are kept up. It is worthwhile checking your vitamin D levels if you are concerned. Dr Mercola believes the current required levels are way too low and to avoid illness, we should all be supplementing our diet.

A SHORT HISTORY OF MS, EBV AND VITAMIN D

1.In 1922 a lack of sunlight was identified as a risk factor in MS. The further a person lives away from the equator, the greater their risk of getting MS.
2. A US study showed that women who took a multivitamin which contained vitamin D were 40% less likely to develop MS than women who took no form of vitamin D.
This was based on women who only took a low dose of vitamin D but it showed that vitamin D may offer some sort of protective effect.
3. In 2001 a German study found that 100% of MS patients had antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) which causes glandular fever.
4. A UK study showed that 61% of MS cases can be linked to low levels of sunlight (ie: a lack of vitamin D) but this rises to 72% of MS cases when the combined effect of having had glandular fever as well as low levels of sunlight are considered.
5. During pregnancy, a mother's blood vessels expand to allow more blood to flow to the placenta. When this doesn't happen, pre-eclampsia can occur which causes the mother's blood pressure to rise alarmingly and the baby's health can be effected.
It is also known that women with MS often experience a remission in their MS symptoms during their pregnancy.
6. A study in Science daily shows that a lack of vitamin D causes stiffer blood vessels and an inability of blood vessels to relax - even in healthy people.
As pwMS are usually deficient in vitamin D, this could start to explain why they have chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI).
7. Recent studies have confirmed a connection between EBV, chlamydia pneumonia and MS. The pneumonia could be treated with antibiotics but the EBV is best treated by boosting the immune system and more evidence is showing that vitamin D is the key vitamin for immune support.

SOME MORE FACTS ABOUT VITAMIN D

1. Healthy people should register levels of vitamin D between 50-70 ng/ml.
People who have cancer, heart disease or autoimmune diseases should have levels of between 70-100 ng/ml.
2. The best source of vitamin D is the sun and we need to expose at least 40% of our skin to the midday sun for about 10 minutes per day in the summer and up to half an hour in the winter to get the optimal dose of vitamin D.
It is also important not to wash your skin for up to 48 hours after sun exposure to ensure the vitamin D is properly absorbed and of course, sunscreens stop the body absorbing vitamin D.
Animals lick their fur to get vitamin D and sheep lick their wool.
Eskimos eat the skin of beluga whales to get vitamin C. Perhaps they also get some vitamin D from this source as well as from the fats in their mainly fish diet.
3. As it is almost impossible for most of us to get adequate vitamin D during winter and for many of us in summer too, we may need to take supplements and vitamin D3 is recommended - to be taken with fat - preferably Omega 3 fish oil.
4. People who have adequate levels of vitamin D get fewer colds and flu's and recover quicker - might explain why we all tend to get sicker in winter when our levels are lower. Vitamin D also acts like a natural antibiotic in our bodies.
5. Vitamin D is fat-soluble but as it is needed for many vital body functions every day, we need to restock daily if possible.

DR MERCOLA'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PWMS

1. Optimize your vitamin D levels.
2. Optimize your essential fat intake (eg Omega 3) and avoid omega 6 fats such as soy, canola and corn oil.
3. Eliminate sugar - particularly fructose. Keep to below 25grams/day.
- 1 pear = 12grams, 1 banana = 7 grams, 1 cup of dried figs = 23grams.
4. Eliminate pasteurized milk and dairy.
5. Avoid aspartame (a neurotoxin) and commercial fruit juices.
6. Eat plenty of raw food - even meat and eggs.
7. Tailor your diet to your nutritional type.
8. Check your iron levels and donate blood if they are too high.
9. Take low dose Naltrexone and alpha lipoic acid.
10. Mercury detox - get rid of amalgam fillings.
11. Address early childhood emotional traumas.

HOW MUCH VITAMIN D SHOULD YOU TAKE?

The best answer is to get your levels checked first to find out if you are deficient and by how much.
But most people - particularly in the winter could take 4,000 - 10,000 IU's/day and not overdose.
If you suffer from candida infections, you may not be able to absorb the vitamin D adequately which exacerbates the problem.
PWMS should probably take far more vitamin D than normal people as their requirements are higher and their levels are lower.

Check out Dr Mercola's website at "Mercola.com" for more information about vitamin D and many other health issues.

June Bowen Therapy Newsletter

Welcome clients to my June 2011 newsletter.
If you don't want to receive these newsletters, please send me an email and I'll take you off my list.
Feel free to forward this email on to friends and family that you think may find it interesting.


TIP OF THE MONTH - TURN OFF YOUR ELECTRIC BLANKET

The weather has been getting colder and many of us have started using electric blankets to keep warm at night. I don't have a problem with using an electric blanket to warm your bed before you get into it but please, please, please turn it off when you get in.
Apart from the obvious dangers of fire and electrocution, leaving your electric blanket on while you sleep can cause a whole host of health problems - some of them very serious. At the least, the external heat will leave your muscles dehydrated by morning which will translate into increased pain. I have written a more detailed article on this topic which you can read on my blog site at:
http://bowentherapytips.blogspot.com/
Another tip is to keep a bottle of water on your bedside table and take sips when you wake at night to stay well hydrated.


BOOK REVIEW - THE ARTHRITIS BREAKTHROUGH

My book of the month is "The Arthritis Breakthrough!" by Henry Scammell.
It was published in 1995 but is still relevant today - probably more so with the epidemic of rheumatoid arthritis in our world today.
The book is about the wonderful work done by Dr Thomas Brown in the field of rheumatoid arthritis. Henry Scammel helped Dr Brown write his first book "The Road Back" about his discovery that rheumatoid arthritis responds to antibiotic therapy and this book refreshes that information.
Anyone with arthritis symptoms should read about the work Dr Brown did. Unfortunately he has passed away now but his work goes on and many more doctors now support his theory that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is caused by an infection of the connective tissues by micoplasmas which are like a cross between bacteria and viruses.
Dr Brown was also the first to notice that the first symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (even before pain) are fatigue and depression.
Dr Mercola - who's website "Mercola.com" is full of informative health articles, is also a fan of Dr Brown's work as he tries to promote the least invasive treatments possible. Dr Mecola has also noticed that rheumatoid arthritis usually follows a major trauma - either physical or emotional and that most patients are vitamin D deficient - more on that later.
Getting back to "The Arthritis Breakthrough", another interesting fact is that RA pain usually starts in the hands - specifically the wrists and joints nearer to the wrists - like knuckles. Osteoarthritis of the hands usually effects the joints near the fingertips first.
I learned so much about RA from this book and it has definitely got me thinking about all sorts of connective tissue disorders - many of which I see in practice every day. Perhaps micoplasmas are a factor in many of them? Perhaps the pain and inflammation I see is part of a complex allergic reaction to these infectious organisms? I don't know the answers but it's reassuring to know others are continuing Dr Brown's good work and that outcomes seem to be improving for sufferers of these terrible diseases.


VITAMIN D AND HEALTH

I have been reading a lot lately about vitamin D and how the lack of this vital vitamin can potentially lead to a disease state.
Vitamin D is made by our bodies when we are exposed to sunlight but with the current trend to cover up, wear sunscreen at all times and spend less time outdoors, many of us are not getting enough sun exposure to make adequate amounts. Vitamin D cannot be stored by the body, is vital for all cell functions and plays an important part in immunity.
People with MS and rheumatoid arthritis are usually found to be deficient in vitamin D. The same goes for many of the auto-immune diseases and cancers. It seems that when our vitamin D levels are low, we are far more susceptible to all types of disease. Another fact is that as we age, our vitamin D requirements increase. Maybe Granny had the right idea with the tablespoon of cod liver oil each day (Cod liver oil is an excellent natural source of vitamin D).
It makes sense to make sure your vitamin D levels are kept up. Ten minutes of morning or afternoon sun on your hands and face are enough in summer to get your quota of vitamin D but this rises to half an hour in the winter months.
If sitting in the sun is not an option for you - due to skin cancer worries or work commitments that force you inside during most of the day - or the weather not allowing enough sun, there are supplements you can take - or cod liver oil! Probably best to ask your doctor before taking any supplements but it is worthwhile checking your vitamin D levels if you are concerned. Dr Mercola believes the current required levels are way too low and to avoid illness, we should all be supplementing our diet.


BOWEN HELPS IMMUNITY

Those of you who enjoy regular Bowen therapy treatments will be familiar with the peaceful, relaxed feeling you get at the end of a treatment. I call it the "Bowen Buzz". I believe this very relaxed state enables the body to start to detox so that natural healing can occur. This process allows the body to "refresh" itself, thus increasing immunity. We all need to keep our immune system in the best condition possible to ward off illness and disease. So treat yourself to a Bowen treatment soon if you haven't had one for a while. Your body will thank you for it.



MORE INFORMATION ON MY WEBSITE AND BLOG SITE

Prior newsletters are available and you can also check out updates and detailed articles on my blog site at http://bowentherapytips.blogspot.com/
If you would like to see more information about Bowen Therapy, you might like to check out my web page on the
Natural Therapy Pages at http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/25736
You can also follow me on facebook - Carolyn Blackburn Bowen Therapy
And follow me on Twitter - @Bowentweeter


Best wishes to you and your families,

Carolyn

Electric Blankets - What they can do to you.

I love to get into my cold bed and snuggle up enjoying the warmth grow slowly around me until I am cosy and warm - but I'm the exception. Most of us prefer to get into a warm bed and many of us use electric blankets to achieve this state.
There is nothing wrong with this approach. The problems occur when they go to sleep with the electric blanket still blazing away.
As a Bowen Therapist, I am always advising clients not to put external sources of heat on their bodies if they can help it as heat causes the blood vessels on your skin to dilate, dehydrating the skin and thus, the muscles below. This may feel good in the short term but the next day, the pain in that area will be worse than before because the tissues will be even more dehydrated and the main way our bodies signal that we are dehydrated is by pain.
I usually recommend rugging up so that the body creates its own heat from within - but not to overdo that either.
As for sleeping, it is now well known that snoring and other problems can be made worse by sleeping too hot. Doctors usually recommend sleeping a little cooler than usual for optimum breathing.
In addition, imagine how much fluid you might lose if you are lying on an electric blanket and sweating all night.
Heat stress from sleeping with the electric blanket on can even cause raised blood pressure, increased heart rate and seizures in extreme circumstances.
New Mums are often warned about the dangers of putting too many bed covers on newborns. Newborns are especially susceptible to heat stress but all of us would benefit from not putting our bodies through unnecessary heat stress nightly.
Hot water bottles are probably a better option if you must have extra heat in your bed and don't happen to have THOL (The Heater On Legs) lying next to you like I do.
At least water bottles tend to cool down during the night so the dangers of overheating are far less.
As for THOL.....

Hypothyroidism - can you avoid it?

I am not a doctor but I am interested in natural alternatives to avoid or cure common illness. This is the first in a series of articles about common health issues that I found interesting and you might too.
Recent reading has led me to believe that a lot of people are being diagnosed with hypothyroidism (which means a slow thyroid) these days.
Hypothyroidism has the following symptoms; weight gain, hair loss, lack of energy and increased sensitivity to cold.
Once diagnosed, most patients are prescribed drugs such as Synthroid or Levothyroxin to synthesise the missing thyroxin in their bodies.
These drugs can have serious side effects including rapid heartbeat, chest pain, weight loss, headache, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, irritability, insomnia, fever and changes to menstrual cycles. That all sounds pretty awful to me so I thought there must be a natural alternative.
Turns out the natural alternative is a diet which is much easier to follow than I expected. It is called the TypeT diet and is basically as follows:
- eliminate black tea, coffee and other caffeine sources
- reduce or eliminate sugar
- reduce white flour and white rice consumption
- drink raspberry leaf tea as it helps the thyroid and has no caffeine
Apart from the elimination of all caffeine, I would find this diet pretty easy to follow and much preferable to the nasty effects of the drugs.
So if you have the symptoms of hypothyroidism or know someone who has, suggest this to them - it can't hurt and it may just help them avoid taking another unnecessary drug whose side effects sound worse than what they are trying to cure.
Please note: always do your own research before taking any health advice from these articles and if you have any doubts, consult your health professional.

Natural Health Articles

I have just added two new links - Mercola.com. and Healthiertalk.com. Both are sites that contains hundreds of natural health articles. I can really recommend you have a look at them. There is so much information there, it will keep you going for a long time.

Facts about Acupuncture

This article is a summary of the main points detailed by Chris Kresser in his series of articles that can be viewed at his blog site "The Healthy Skeptic". I have a link to his site on my home page.

I have been interested in Acupuncture for some time now as the more I learn about how Acupuncture - or more specifically, Acupressure, the more I realise the similarities with how Bowen therapy works. I figure that the Chinese spent thousands of years refining acupuncture and we can learn a lot from them.

The only things I found difficult to get my head around were the Meridians and the role of Chi. Chris's articles explained all that to me so I felt I needed to explain them to you too. However, if you want more details, I can recommend Chris's articles.

CHI AND THE MERIDIANS EXPLAINED
Chi is actually oxygen and the meridians are actually our blood vessels. There was a misinterpretation of the ancient Chinese texts and that is where the mistake happened.
So, if Chi is oxygen, then the Chinese believe that oxygen circulates through the blood vessels of the body. This is the same as we know in Western medicine - simple.

ACUPUNCTURE POINTS EXPLAINED
Acupuncture points are actually neuro nodes situated at points of thin skin. Neuro nodes have many nerve endings that can reflect pain from organs, etc. Interestingly, Reflexology uses many of the same points as acupuncture - as does Bowen therapy.

HOW ACUPUNCTURE HEALS
Acupuncture works in three ways:
1. It relieves pain
2. It reduces inflammation
3. It restores homeostasis
Acupuncture works on the peripheral nervous system so if those nerves are cut or blocked, acupuncture doesn't work. However, there are so many acupuncture points for each area that if one doesn't work, others usually will.

HOW ACUPUNCTURE ACTS
1. It promotes blood flow, thus healing (eg: a 3% lack of blood flow to the breasts can greatly increase the incidence of breast cancer)
2. It creates "micro traumas" which stimulate the body to spontaneously to start the healing mechanisms.
3. It releases natural pain killers (chemical endorphins)
4. It reduces the intensity and perception of pain
5. It relaxes shortened muscles which then takes the pressure off joints and nerves and promotes blood flow
6. It reduces stress by stimulating the release of oxytocin- the chill hormone

WHY WE NEED ACUPUNCTURE AND OTHER HOLISTIC THERAPIES
In ancient times, when we got injured, our brain evolved to cut off the blood supply to the injured site to save our life. For example, if you cut your knee you would live because you wouldn't bleed to death.
This system still works well for us for small cuts but these days when we can fix more serious injuries, the body's restriction of blood flow can hamper healing because there is less oxygen, chemicals and nutrients getting to where it is needed.

HOW ACUPUNCTURE WORKS IN MORE DETAIL
Acupuncture jumps the neural threshold on the position nerve pathway which stimulates the brain to release its natural painkillers.
But then the body slowly returns to the old habit and the pain returns.
After another treatment, the neural threshold is jumped again and after a few more jumps, the nervous system figures out that it's better to operate in a non-pain rather than a pain state. Bowen theray works this way too.
Then the brain stops seeing the body part as injured and restores normal blood flow to it so that healing can occur.
Acupuncture needles also stimulate the immune system as they are foreign invaders. This helps the body decrease inflammation as the white cells that rush to the site of the "invasion" also clean up a lot of the inflammation waste products.
Also, by "popping" the body's mast cells with the needles, acupuncture helps release anti-inflammation chemicals.

WHY HOLISTIC THERAPIES WORK FOR THE LONG TERM
Holistic therapies like acupuncture and Bowen therapy address the underlying causes of disease and try to remove them. Western medicine only tries to suppress the symptoms of disease. Western drugs suppress not only symptoms but the normal functions of the body which over time can worsen the underlying condition because they interfere with the body's self-healing mechanisms.
Examples of the sorts of drugs that have this effect include blood pressure drugs, statins and anti-inflammatories. When you come off them, your symptoms are worse than when you went on them because blood hasn't been flowing to the joint, etc. as it should.
Drugs also have side effects which for some people are worse than the symptoms they were prescribed to help.
Acupuncture works best as a preventative medicine; when the body still has some strength and just needs its immune system tweaking.

May 2011 Newsletter

Welcome clients to my May 2011 newsletter.
If you don't want to receive these newsletters, please send me an email and I'll take you off my list.
Feel free to forward this email on to friends and family that you think may find it interesting.


TIP OF THE MONTH - TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS FROM DESK WORK TO STRETCH AND BREATH
Too many of us (me included!) spend far too long perched on chairs in front of computer screens with our arms out in front of us tapping away. I always advise clients to take frequent breaks to stretch and do some deep breathing.
Start by standing up and taking some slow, deep breaths to re oxygenate your body.
Then you can try the standing hamstring stretch (see picture attached). This is great for sore lower backs and cramping hamstrings. Remember to bend from the hips keeping your back straight.
The other area that presents a problem is the upper back and neck. Shoulder rolls are a great release for this area - 5 forward and 5 backwards for each shoulder followed by both together. You can even do this while still sitting.
For the neck you can slowly and gently tip your head right back. Hold this pose for about 20 seconds then slowly move your head forward and down. You can then tilt your head slowly from side to side. Caution! - always do neck movements slowly and with total control so you don't injure yourself.
You can finish your stretches with a pinch and release of the trapezius muscle. To accomplish this get a good grip between thumb and fingers of your trapezius (located between the neck and shoulder) and squeeze. Then slowly pull upwards until the skin slips off the muscle. This move is most easily accomplished on people with good muscle definition who are well hydrated.
Oh, and don't forget to keep a bottle of water on your desk and take frequent sips to stay well hydrated.

NEW FACEBOOK GROUP AVAILABLE
I mentioned last month that I had a new business facebook page - Carolyn Blackburn Bowen Therapy. I have also started a group called "water drinkers". For those of you who are on facebook, you might like to check them both out out as I give regular tips and information about water and it's effect on the body

BOOK REVIEW - YEAST-FREE AND HEALTHY
My book of the month is "Yeast-Free and Healthy" by Richard Turner and Elizabeth Simonsen.
It was published in 1987 but is still relevant today - probably more so with our terrible fast-food habits.
This book is for people who have been feeling unwell for some time and suspect they may have a health-destroying yeast imbalance.
The main focuss of the book is the dreaded Candida. Candida albicans is a common yeast that is present in all our bodies but if we are healthy and eat a good diet, it doesn't take over. However, if we eat and drink too much of certain foods and beverages, candida can run amok and cause all sorts of disturbing symptoms from thrush to digestive disturbances and even contribute to inflammation and cancer in the long run.
And guess what the Candida in your body thrives on? Our old enemy sugar is top of the list, followed by the usual suspects of white flour products - particularly bread and of course, alcohol and soft drinks.
The book goes through an elimination diet to help you clear your body of candida overgrowth. It then details a yeast-free diet to keep you clear of Candida and suggests a way of slowly reintroducing certain foods and drinks so that you can work our what sets your Candida off badly and what doesn't.
One of the foods the book suggests you avoid while detoxing is mushrooms. I hadn't realised that mushrooms are closely related to yeasts but of course, they are a fungi. Certain cheeses (particularly those with blue veins) are also off the menu.

MORE INFORMATION ON ACUPUNCTURE
I recently read a series of articles by Chris Kresser on his blogsite "The Healthy Skeptic" - there's a link to it on my blog site.
Chris is a qualified Acupuncturist and his articles have helped to dispel the myths and mistaken beliefs about Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture in particular. I am going to write a detailed article on my blog site which basically summarises Chris's main points but the two things I found the most astounding were that the Chinese did not invent or ever base their medicine on "Meridians" and that "Chi" is not really energy.
The term "meridians" was used by Indian medics and adopted by the western man who "translated" the ancient Chinese medical texts. He had a bit of trouble understanding their terms. He also had no medical training, so the "meridians" became a convenient explanation for something he couldn't comprehend. In fact, what the Chinese were referring to were the veins and arteries of our circularity system. The Chinese worked out that blood circulates throughout the body in a time when western doctors were still "bleeding" their patients to remove the evil "humours".
The other term - "chi" was often referred to in the Chinese texts as the vital force of life that we inhale and that travels in the blood to give life and vitality to the organs and muscles of the body. Chris Kresser says that this description sounds more like oxygen than "energy".However, he does point out that there is energy involved as well. Food is converted into energy that the body needs to function and utilize the oxygen we breath. The Chinese understood all this and that is why their medicine focused on improving the blood flow around the body so that the life-giving oxygen could do it's job.
So the idea that Acupuncture somehow harnesses "energy" from the universe that then travels around the body in mystical "meridians" becomes; oxygen is inhaled and absorbed into the blood where it circulates to all parts of the body to help bodily functions. Sounds a lot like what we now know in western medicine and not mysterious at all.
I have often thought that Acupuncture and Bowen Therapy work in similar ways and it's good to find out that Acupuncture really does have a scientific basis as has Bowen.


MORE INFORMATION ON MY WEBSITE AND BLOG SITE
Prior newsletters are available and you can also check out updates and detailed articles on my blog site at http://bowentherapytips.blogspot.com/
If you would like to see more information about Bowen Therapy, you might like to check out my web page on the
Natural Therapy Pages at http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/25736
You can also follow me on facebook - Carolyn Blackburn Bowen Therapy
And follow me on Twitter - @Bowentweeter

Best wishes to you and your families,

Carolyn .

You're Not Sick; You're Thirsty

This is the subtitle to Dr F. Batmanghelidj's famous book "Your Body's Many Cries for Water". I have written about this book before but felt it needed another mention as I have just started a new group on facebook called "water drinkers".
I figured we all should be in this group but unfortunately, many of us are not. We poison our bodies with too much tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcohol. Even so-called "healthy" drinks like fruit juice are really no good for us as a substitute for water. Our bodies treat any drink that is not water as a collection of chemicals that have to be processed. When our cells are crying out for life-giving water, the last thing they need is to process some concoction to try and extract any water from it. That just overburdens them more. Then there are our much-ignored, long-suffering kidneys who's job it is to try and maintain our blood's balance. To do this in a typically dehydrated 21st century body, they must concentrate our urine and glean water from other parts of our body which puts them under incredible stress. Over time they start to malfunction and this is why kidney disease is so rampant in our western society. Our kidneys were never meant to work so hard.
Another interesting fact is that edema (often showing up as puffy ankles) is a direct result of not drinking enough water. I know that sounds crazy but Dr B. explains this phenomenon (as well as many others) in his book.
When we are chronically dehydrated and the kidneys must glean water from other areas of the body to maintain the correct fluid balance in our blood, the brain directs the kidneys to retain more fluid and salt in the body. This is why we get edema when we are dehydrated.
When we drink enough water to produce clear urine, the body can also pass out excess salt that was held back when we were dehydrated. That is how we can get rid of edema naturally, not by taking diuretics! Water is the best diuretic available and has no side effects.
However, in people who have had severe edema and irregular heart beats, they should gradually increase their water consumption and limit salt intake for a few days until the excess salt is flushed out of their body.
Once edema is cleared, salt should not be withheld from the body as it is vital for cellular functions.
Pharmaceutical companies don't want us to know all about the life-saving effects of simply drinking adequate water because then we wouldn't need to take all their medications. They keep us sick so we must depend on them to find ever more cures! The problem is that when our bodies are really just thirsty for water, all the meds just make us sicker and eventually terrible illnesses like cancer occur in our bodies.
Those who have discovered they don't need all those meds - just plenty of pure fresh water are the lucky ones. If they can also live a low stress, healthy life with plenty of good food, exercise and laughter, they should be able to avoid many of the chronic illnesses from cancer to heart disease and diabetes that plague our modern world. It sounds too simple but it can be true for most of us.
Even "normal" pains such as lower back pain, neck, shoulder and head pain can be avoided when a person stays well hydrated. I sound like I am trying to educate people to never need to see therapists like myself again but I know that will never happen. Unfortunately, even with all the best intentions, our modern jobs mean that we tend to develop aches and pains that need therapy to help us overcome them. But when we are well hydrated our pains are fewer and more easily fixed so we can get on with enjoying our lives. Regular Bowen therapy helps us achieve this ideal.
Some other interesting benefits of drinking more water include losing excess weight naturally, improved digestive and bowel function, clarity of mind and improved problem solving abilities, clearer, wrinkle-free skin, shinier hair, improved hormonal and sexual function and reduction of anxiety and depression symptoms.
What's not to like in all that? If you don't like water, I can only urge you to keep trying it; it will grow on you and then you will have no problem drinking it and enjoying it. It's what your body needs and desires and soon you will too.
How much water should we drink? I am often asked this question and it's harder to answer than you think. Health articles usually advise people to drink 6-8 glasses of water or 2 litres per day. This is a good average for most people but there are often reasons why this is too little or too much. I have already mentioned the caution for people with edema. They need to increase their consumption gradually.
Also, older people have usually lost most or all of their natural thirst reflex. Others confuse thirst with hunger (don't get me started on the obesity epidemic).
Anyway, for various reasons it is often counterproductive to ask people to go from drinking virtually no water to 2 litres per day overnight. They simply wont sustain it.
Women are also worried about bladder leakage with increased water consumption. The good news is that increased water consumption helps cure bladder leakage problems. This is because as the bladder adapts to greater quantities of urine, the muscles that hold the urine in have to get stronger, so the leakage stops. It's when we don't drink enough water that our bladder muscles get weak from not having to hold much liquid in that we develop leakage problems. Once again, pharmaceutical companies don't want us to know that. They make millions of dollars out of selling grown women incontinence pads. The ads on TV make it sound like every woman suffers from this problem and it's as normal as periods in young women. It shouldn't be so!
I usually advise clients to try and double their intake of water - so if they currently drink 2 glasses per day, they should try and drink 4 glasses. Over time they can get it up to 8 glasses - though experience tells me most never will.
Another thing that works well is to advise people to check the colour of their urine. If they are well hydrated, it should be the colour of light straw. Any darker means they need more water. That allows for heat and exercise (when we need to drink more water).
Dr B. also advises when it is most beneficial to drink your allocation of water. He suggests 2 glasses about an hour before each meal. This hydrates the digestive system and prepares it for food. It also means there is plenty of digestive juices available to help digest the food well.
He then advises little or no water be consumed with the meal and for up to an hour after the meal so that the digestive juices aren't diluted. That way they function more effectively.
He then advises another glass of water be consumed about an hour after each meal to help the digestive system push the food and waste through the complex system of tubes that make up our small and large bowels.
He explains that drinking water at these times (as well as for normal thirst) will ensure food is always digested effectively without peptic pain and bowel function will be normalised - also without pain. Furthermore, with a good diet and regular exercise (he recommends an hour of walking each day) most people will find their weight normalises too as an added benefit.
If you have enjoyed this article, I can really recommend Dr B's book. There is so much more information in it and it will become a book you return to again and again. It's available at book depository.co and is less than $20. You will save that in no time as you won't need to buy pain meds again.

Why diet soft drinks make us fat

There is a misconception that drinking diet soft drinks will stop you putting on weight or even worse - that they should be part of a weight-loss diet.
Nothing could be further from the truth!
What??? I hear you say. - But diet drinks contain little or no calories - how can you possibly put on weight by consuming them?
Easy - and here's how it works.
Diet drinks contain artificial sweeteners which are about ten times sweeter than real sugar but contain no actual sucrose or fructose like real sugar.
The artificial sweeteners trick your brain into thinking it's getting a sugar hit. As sugar is a highly addictive substance, your brain goes a bit silly when it thinks it is about to get a sugar "high". It's actually a conditioned reflex that develops from a life-time of eating sweet foods - just like a junkie reacts to drugs.
The brain alerts the liver that food is on it's way and the liver releases the appropriate hormones.
When the sugar high doesn't eventuate, your liver release hormones that stimulate appetite and your brain starts screaming for sugar or any available carbohydrate to satisfy the craving - just like a junkie that will do almost anything to score their drug of choice.
Even if you have gone cold turkey on sugar, just one diet soft drink will cause a relapse that most sugar addicts can't resist.
So they eat something - anything - that satisfies their craving.
It might be a packet of chips, a burger or a bowl of ice-cream. The point is, it usually contains loads of simple carbohydrates and plenty of useless calories that just go straight to your stomach or hips - where you least want it!
Then of course, you have another diet soft drink to make up for all that useless food and the whole cycle starts again.
There are plenty of studies that show that people who consume diet soft drinks regularly, actually put on more weight than those who drink the full sugar versions.
There is a small percentage of people with very strong willpower who can resist that sugar pull and can consume the occasional diet soft drink without any adverse effects but they probably don't have any problems managing their weight anyway.
The other factor of course is that your body doesn't need anything contained in soft drinks. You would be far healthier if you drank water and left all soft drinks alone.
Many soft drinks also contain caffeine which is another addictive drug that also acts as a diuretic in the body - so drinking any soft drinks with caffeine in them will make you dehydrated. Children seem to be particularly sensitive to caffeine - maybe because their brains are still developing.
As I've mentioned many times before, dehydration is the cause of many of the ills of modern times and the increasing ill-health in our children can often be directly linked to the amount of soft drink they consume instead of pure, natural water.
Our children are developing type 2 diabetes and obesity at an alarming rate and my opinion is that soft drinks - both diet and full sugar versions are the leading cause.
So do yourself and your kids a favour and treat soft drinks as a (very) occasional treat and not an every day drink - only water should fill that role in your health.

April 2011 Newsletter

Welcome clients to my April 2011 newsletter.

If you don't want to receive these newsletters, please send me an email and I'll take you off my list.
Feel free to forward this email on to friends and family that you think may find it interesting.

LISMORE CLINICS UPDATE
Unfortunately, the set-up at Inner Sanctum on Wednesday afternoons didn't work for me so I am no longer available there.
However, Traditional Medicinals is proving to be a great option for me and for clients as it is on ground level, has loads of long-stay parking nearby and is staffed by friendly naturopaths and herbalists who can provide advice and lovely products for all sorts of ills and indulgences as well as having a great clinic room for me.
I am there every Tuesday from 9am till 5pm. It is best to book although if you are in the neighbourhood, just drop in and I'll see you if I am free.
Traditional Medicinals is located at 133 Keen street - next door to Best and Less - phone 6622 4099 for bookings.
I am still offering complementary foot treatments for all new clients so let all your Lismore friends know about me.

Of course my Ballina clients can still see me at my home at 858 River Drive, Empire Vale or at the clinic at Go Vita, Ballina Fair by appointment - call 6686 6117.


TIP OF THE MONTH - RESISTANCE TRAINING CAN KEEP YOU AND YOUR BONES STRONG
It's easy to get lazy as we age and think that a regular walk is all we need to keep fit. However, if we don't do any resistance work, our muscles shrink and lose strength. Then when we need them to lift something heavy or to run and catch a bus or stop us from falling, they can let us down. The same muscle fibres that help us with strength work also help us to balance so resistance work helps us keep our balance too - very important as we age. The other benefit from resistance work is stronger bones.
So, to sum up, resistance training can help us maintain strength and speed, keep our balance, avoid falls and broken bones. All good reasons to give it a go a couple of times per week. Have a chat to your local gym or health and fitness advisor to get some ideas of what sort of exercises are appropriate for your age and level of fitness.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, resistance training is great for weight loss - for those of you who are interested in that.


NEW FACEBOOK PAGE AVAILABLE

I have had a personal facebook page for a while now but have just started a business facebook page.
If you are a facebook fan, just type Carolyn Blackburn Bowen Therapy into the search window at the top of your facebook page then click Like to become a fan. I will try to put regular posts on the page - some of them lighthearted and some more serious as well as recommending other pages that you may find interesting.
Facebook isn't just for teenagers to arrange their next "rave" party but can be a great tool for business communication.
My facebook page also connects to my twitter account - I am under @Bowentweeter for all you tweeters out there.


BOOK REVIEW - THE CONCISE BOOK OF ACUPOINTS
My book of the month is "The Concise Book of Acupoints" by John R. Cross.
This time it's probably a bit too medical for most of you but I think it's interesting to read about other modalities that can have some connection with Bowen Therapy.
This book is for novices and bodyworkers who want to use acupoints in their practices.
Acupoints are the points on the body that respond to stimulation (either with a needle or with pressure) and that stimulation can bring about pain relief or some other benefit (such as improvements in function of bodily organs and systems).
Interestingly, many traditional Bowen moves are carried out across acupoints - Tom Bowen must have done a lot of work to find those areas that responded best to the moves.
As Bowen Therapy develops, knowledge of acupoints can be a valuable tool for creating new moves and treating clients and don't worry, I have no intention of learning acupuncture - I'm not a fan of needles!


LOWER BACK PAIN AND THE QUADRATUS LUMBORUM MUSCLE

If you click on the attachment, you will see a typical pain pattern associated with the Quadratus Lumborum (QL) muscle. The QL is located in the lower back along the spine but deep under the other layers of muscle that lie along the spine and connect around the torso to the abdominals.
The QL is a large muscle that we engage when we lift ourselves or heavy objects and it can become weak if we spend too much time lounging around in chairs.
It is the muscle that seems to be responsible for a large proportion of the lower back pain that I see each week in my clinic. Acute QL damage can be observed by the way a person walks and lifts themselves out of a chair. They will have to do it on an angle to reduce the extreme pain in their back.
As can be seen in the picture, QL problems can also refer pain to the Gluteous region, Sciatic area and Hamstrings. In fact, all those areas are related and have close interconnections. That's why when I treat QL, I usually also treat the Glutes, Sciatic area and Hamstrings.
Those of you who haven't been to see me for over 6 months will not have experienced my Bowen moves for QL because I hadn't learnt them then. I love the moves as they can give wonderful relief for clients suffering in that area.


MORE INFORMATION ON MY WEBSITE AND BLOG SITE
Prior newsletters are available and you can also check out updates and detailed articles on my blog site at http://bowentherapytips.blogspot.com/
If you would like to see more information about Bowen Therapy, you might like to check out my web page on the
Natural Therapy Pages at http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/25736
You can also follow me on facebook - Carolyn Blackburn Bowen Therapy and Twitter - @Bowentweeter

Best wishes to you and your families,

Carolyn.

What exactly is Bowen therapy?

People are always asking me what Bowen therapy is and how it works so I thought I would have another go at explaining it it simple terms. Bowen therapy moves look a bit like simple massage but they are actually far more specific in their action and can have very profound effects on mind, body and spirit.

The first thing you have to understand is that our bodies are composed of 70% water and all of our bodily communications and functions happen along fluid pathways. We all know about arteries, veins and capillaries and our lymphatic system. What many of us don't know is that they are just the beginning of the body's fluid transport and communication system. Nerves send signals using chemicals that pass along nerve fibers that are bathed in fluid. Nutrients leak out of capillaries into tissues that are mostly fluid and of course wastes are dissolved in fluids and travel through the body through different fluid pathways on their way to being eliminated.
In fact, we are so fluid-dependent, water is the one nutrient (and yes water is a nutrient) that we absolutely cannot do without. We die very quickly if we are denied water and we die slowly if we are starved of adequate water. Fortunately most of us never fit into that first category but unfortunately, many of us fall into the second category - we spend our lives consuming inadequate water and suffering the effects of that starvation - often shortening our lives considerably as a result.

The second thing you need to know about before I try to explain the way Bowen therapy works is fascia. Fascia is a connective tissue that is present all over the body from your head to your toes. Its is present in a layer just under the skin and also surrounds muscles and organs. It's role is partly to act as a physical support for those structures as well as their nursemaid. Tiny capillaries pass through the fascia and their precious cargo of nutrients leaks out into the fluid bathing the fascia. From there those nutrients make their way to muscles and other structures where they are needed. In return, waste products leak from muscles, etc. into the fascial fluid where they are sucked up by lymphatic capillaries and removed. Fascia also supports nerve and immune functions and the Chinese believe it is the pathway of our very souls - important stuff that fascia!

So how is Bowen therapy connected with all that you might ask? If we are dehydrated or injured, the network of fibers present in our fascia can get glued together and the vital fascial fluid thickens like jelly. This makes it very difficult for nutrients and wastes to move around freely and even nerve fibers can get trapped. This means muscles and other tissues that are supported by the fascia don't function properly and pain is often the result.
Bowen therapy acts by stretching the fascia allowing fluid to rehydrate tissues and restore balance in the body. Of course you have drink more water to allow this benefit to continue which is why I am always barking on about drinking more water to my clients.

More details? It get's quite scientific but I'll give it a go. The fluid bathing the fascia acts like a liquid crystal, so the pressure and vector (or angle) of the Bowen move has a piezoelectric effect, forcing whatever fluid is available to flood into the dehydrated fascia, quickly restoring function. The stretching action also allows the fascial fibers to return to their correct position - a little like stretching out a fishing net that has been left to dry out on a beach. Water (and nutrients) can flow more freely again.

So Bowen therapy restores normality to the fascia which then in turn, helps the body to function normally again. But that is only the start of restoring good health because as most of us know, our diet and water intake, together with our lifestyle choices regarding stress and exercise are the other parts of the equation. That part is up to you. If you've read this far, you are probably motivated enough to do whatever you can to restore your health to it's optimum. Good luck!

If you want to read more about Bowen therapy, you can go to my webpage at http://ntpages/therapist/25736

The truth about salt

What follows is an article from NaturalNews - an online health magazine. It is very interesting (even though it refers to America). It is just as relevant here in Australia and highlights some of the misinformation we are fed daily regarding our health. I have been recommending sea salt since reading Dr Batmangheldj's book "Your Body's Many Cries for Water" which explains that water and salt are vital for normal cell function (see my earlier articles). Let me know what you think of this article.

Ditch the table salt, not the sodium.
It's no secret that sodium has replaced carbohydrates and fat as the new scapegoat for all sorts of health issues ranging from high blood pressure and osteoporosis, to heart disease. New product marketing strategies boast "low sodium" or "reduced sodium" labels, and many brands are replacing sodium all together with potentially harmful potassium chloride. It is true that many studies have been conducted linking sodium to many of American's modern day health problems; however, these studies are conducted using table salt (sodium chloride) or isolated sodium (sodium that has been stripped of the minerals needed for the body to utilize it properly). The table salt found in high amounts in the standard American diet is not synonymous with the "un-tested" good type of sodium our body needs to maintain good health.

Table salt is mined from underground salt mines. It is then heavily processed, refined, stripped of all its minerals except for sodium and chloride (NaCl), and subjected to anti-caking agents like aluminum. Table salt is an acidic, inorganic substance; this means the body cannot break the chemical bonds to utilize the sodium and it is not easily excreted from the body. This leads to various health issues, is responsible for 100,000 deaths each year, and contributes to the "sodium is bad" mentality.

However, table salt (NaCl) and sodium (Na) are not synonymous. In fact, the majority of Americans are deficient in the good type of sodium the body needs. True organic sodium is essential, beneficial, and needed by our body in moderate amounts. This type of sodium is found in fruits, vegetables, natural sea salt and soil. Sodium is known as the "youth mineral" because it is associated with youthful, limber, and flexible joints. The alkalinity of organic sodium helps neutralize acids that result from stressful lifestyles and poor nutrition. Without adequate amounts of sodium, the body will take minerals from its reserves, including the bones, to neutralize acid. Organic sodium is essential for calcium absorption, digestion, bile production, fluid balance, and the function of the brain, kidneys, liver, lymph, blood, spleen, gastric secretions, cellular function, and metabolism. Unlike table salt, an excess of this type of sodium is easily excreted from the body.

There are many health problems caused by an organic sodium deficiency including: gallstones, kidney stones, hardened arteries, osteoporosis, arthritis, gout, brittle bones, heartburn, acid reflux, gastroparesis, nerve problems, indigestion, headaches, stiff or painful joints, abnormal pulmonary function, bacterial infections, poor memory, diabetes, bloating, fatigue, restless legs, weight gain, and headaches, and more.

To prevent a deficiency of this important mineral, ditch the table salt and add sodium rich foods to your diet. Foods highest in organic sodium include: celery, asparagus, barley, red cabbage, carrots, coconut, okra, lentils, kale, strawberries, sesame seeds, raisins, goat's milk, egg yolks, and pure (non-iodized) sea salt.

When using logic, it is clear. Organic sodium from food sources is not responsible for poor health, as celery or any of the other foods listed above have not been used as controls in the research and studies responsible for the negative sodium publicity. The vast amount of health issues attributed to "sodium" are directly related to the high amounts of table salt found in the processed foods most Americans consume. To prevent these health issues, ditch the table salt, not the sodium.

References

1. Dr. M. Ted Morter, JR., M.A., "Your Health Your Choice."

2. Dr. Bernard Jensen, Ph.D., "The Chemistry of Man."

3. Harvard Health Publications, "Salt and your health, Part I: The sodium connection."
http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsl...



Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/031608_table_salt_sodium.html#ixzz1GLFEd9Qo

March 2011 Newsletter

Welcome clients to my March 2011 newsletter.

If you don't want to receive these newsletters, please send me an email and I'll take you off my list.
Feel free to forward this email on to friends and family that you think may find it interesting.

NEWSFLASH - LISMORE CLINICS
As of this week I will finally have a Lismore presence. I will be at the Inner Sanctum at 68 Magellan street on Wednesday afternoons from 9th March and at Traditional Medicinals at 133 Keen street on Tuesdays from 15th March.

Bookings can be made as usual by calling me on 6686 6117 or 0400 280 661 or you can call the clinics directly - Inner Sanctum 6622 7478, Trad. Meds 6622 4099.
Please feel free to let any friends you have in the Lismore area who may want Bowen therapy know these details.

Of course my Ballina clients can still see me at my home at 858 River Drive, Empire Vale or at the clinic at Go Vita, Ballina Fair by appointment - call 6686 6117.


TIP OF THE MONTH - DREAM BIG, LAUGH A LOT, FORGIVE EASILY AND LIFE'S RAINBOW WILL REWARD YOU WITH ITS OWN POT OF GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES

We all could do with some inspiration and I love coming up with different ones for twitter as well as reading what others have to say. If you are a twitter-follower, you might like to follow me and some of the inspiring people I follow - my twitter name is Bowentweeter - happy tweeting!

NEW TREATMENTS AVAILABLE

Lymphatic Drainage

Some of you may have already experienced my new Lymphatic drainage treatments. I use very gentle Bowen moves in a rhythmic way along pathways of the lymphatic system throughout the body. The moves stimulate the body's lymphatic system to help remove lymph build-up from the tissues. In some people lymph build-up manifests as oedema (or swelling) and for others it causes pain.

The body's lymphatic system is not perfect - we have two main drains - called ducts - that drain lymph into the circulatory system so that the waste products contained in the lymph can be removed by the kidneys and flushed out of the body. The two drains are situated near our collar bone - above the heart.
The right duct drains the lymph from the right arm, right breast, neck and head. The left duct drains lymph form the left breast and arm and all the rest of the body and the legs. So you can see that the left side has a much harder load to bear than the right.

Another interesting fact is that 80% of breast cancers are located in the left breast - can you see the connection? In those women, the left (or thoracic duct) may not be clearing the lymph as efficiently as the right lymphatic duct.

This is not meant to scare you. Most people who exercise regularly and are basically healthy have no problems with their lymphatic system but for others, lymph build-up is uncomfortable and unhealthy. For them, a regular Bowen lymphatic drainage treatment can be a less painful treatment than regular Bowen or massage with wonderful results.

Lymphatic drainage can also aid weight loss and is a wonderful detox for the body. It is also a very pleasant treatment to have and a variation from regular Bowen.

Bowen Massage and Foot treatments

I get a occasional requests for massage and foot treatments so have included gentle relaxation treatments and foot treatments as part of my services.
These treatments are designed as relaxation treatments and are wonderful for de-stressing and as gifts for friends and relatives who may not usually try Bowen therapy.
These treatments are a bit like a cross between Bowen and massage - without the messy oils. I've actually had clients fall asleep on the table during a Bowen massage - that is fine with me by the way - it just goes to show how much they needed the treatment!
The foot treatments include optional massage with peppermint foot cream which leaves your feet smelling fresh and clean.

BOOK REVIEW - LIFE OF PI

My book of the month is "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel.
Another non health book but like Great Expectations last month - I think it has some important messages that can be applied to your spiritual health and wellbeing.
It's funny that last month I reviewed a book about a person called Pip and this month it's about a person called Pi - weird.

Anyway, Pi is a 16-year-old Indian boy who has been raised by a father who ran a zoo. Pi's family decide to relocate (with some of the zoo animals) to Canada by ship - and the ship sinks suddenly with massive loss of life.
Pi ends up in a lifeboat with a large Bengal tiger called Richard Parker (don't ask) and the way he learns to survive make for some of the most exciting and absorbing reading I've had in a long while.
The book was written as if the author was a journalist who was recounting the story of a real person - the details were amazing and the whole thing seemed so real. I had to look up the internet to convince myself it hadn't really happened! There I discovered blogs from people who had had the same experience.

Pi has to use his ingenuity to avoid being eaten by the tiger, find enough food for the both of them and survive for many months on the ocean without human company.
He does this by applying the knowledge he already had (from being in zoos so much), learning new skills such as fishing and raft-building and by putting his faith in God.
Pi is a very religious boy - in fact he believes in all the major religions of the world so he is about as spiritual as you can get and it is his faith that make the big difference between living and dying.

Studies have shown that people who have some sort of spiritual connection - whether it's with mother nature, angels, God or whatever, cope better with difficult situations than those who feel no connection. Many feel comfort in the thought that someone is watching over them or that there is some purpose to our lives on earth. Even if all you feel is that you are part of the wonderful world of nature - that can help you cope with the trials that life throws at you. Through overcoming difficulties we develop strength and gratitude for life.

In Pi's case it was his faith in God that provided him with the strength he needed to survive some terrible times at sea and strive to find solutions to his problems. Near the end of the story the boat reaches land and the tiger jumps out and runs away into the jungle. Pi expresses his gratitude to the tiger for helping him to survive the ordeal and wishes him well "So farewell Richard Parker, farewell. God be with you." It's a sad moment as the two "friends" part for ever, but a moment filled with hope and peace.
I hope you all can find hope and peace in your lives.


REGULAR TREATMENTS CAN HELP WITH WHATEVER LIFE THROWS AT YOU
We all need a helping hand from time to time and Bowen treatments can be part of your armory that helps you cope with life's challenges.

MORE INFORMATION ON MY WEBSITE AND BLOG SITE
Prior newsletters are available and you can also check out updates and detailed articles on my blog site at http://bowentherapytips.blogspot.com/

If you would like to see more information about Bowen Therapy, you might like to check out my web page on the
Natural Therapy Pages at http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/25736
You can also follow me on twitter - @Bowentweeter


Best wishes to you and your families,

Carolyn.