Nurture Summer Issue 2
Lincolnshire
The magazine for the mind, body & soul
page 5
Healt hy herbs
The benefits of seasoning
page 9
What’s on your mind?
Understanding your mental health
page 12
Persistent pain Chronic pain explained
p Pick me u I’m FREE!
Time To Be: Lincoln Neuro Physio & Holistic Therapies (Ann Parkinson BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, MCSP)
www.lincolnneurophysio.co.uk www.timetobe-holistictherapies.co.uk 01522 688699
Improving your Health & Wellbeing
Losing weight does not have to be a struggle of frustration and self-loathing. I will show you that it can be a journey of curiosity and wonder that reveals the reasons you are overeating and not living at your ideal weight. Once you discover why, the ‘how to change’ becomes easier. Your best tool for losing weight is your mind. Working with me will show you how to use it. Mary Dunseath Weight Loss Coach w: marydunseath.com e: coachmary@outlook.com t: 07770 534059
LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATE IN INSTRUCTING CHILDREN
The Manor House Stables
...living life naturally
Want to teach fitness to children ages 5-16 years of age? Cost: £450 if you are a qualified instructor you may qualify for a course cost reduction. For more information please get in contact with us. Payment plans are available. Terms and conditions apply. t: 0800 043 3600 e: info@smartqualifications.com w: smartqualifications.com
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WHY NOT JOIN OUR TEAM? For more information contact Jo Miller Independent Distributor for Forever Living Products Mobile: 07745674326 Website: www.myflpbiz.com/hollyjamescompany E-mail: hollyjamescompany@virginmedia.com Facebook: /hollyjamescompany
• Traditional craft, cookery & gardening courses • Quality eco-friendly holiday accommodation Contact Sherry on: 01526 378717 or 07979750760 info@manorhousestables.co.uk www.manorhousestables.co.uk
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Welcome
readers!
Hello and welcome to the second issue of Nurture! After releasing the first issue in March I have received some great feedback. Thanks to all of you that have tweeted, emailed, Facebooked and telephoned. I am pleased that businesses are already feeling the benefit of advertising. Normally a strong and passionate readership does take time to build up but I think the concept of Nurture has really impressed people. Its positive approach to health has really shone through and this is exactly what I wanted.
If you want to get hold of your own copy of Nurture you can subscribe for just £10 a year for four issues (released quarterly). This can be done via the website: nurturelincolnshire.co.uk or by sending a cheque to Nurture Lincolnshire, 7 Buckfast Road, Lincoln, LN1 3JS don’t forget to send me your name and address!
I hope you enjoy this issue as much as the first, if not more. If you would like to write an article for a future issue then don’t hesitate to get in touch (details are below). Thanks for your support!
Joanna MB
/nurturelincolnshire @MissJoannaMB
W: www.nurturelincolnshire.co.uk E: nurturelincolnshire@gmail.com
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Rosemary, oregano, thyme and basil
Medical uses of
culinary herbs Written by Emma Warraner
Hippocrates stated ‘let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food’. As a herbalist I love this philosophy and regularly promote this fact. So I would like to share three of my favourite culinary herbs with you. Parsley is more than just a garnish; it has nutritional and health benefits. Parsley aids digestion and can freshen breath; it is therapeutic to the urinary tract making it a great addition to meals to prevent and resolve infections such as cystitis. Parsley is rich in vitamins A, C and K, folate and iron making it a useful addition to the diet if you have anaemia or just want to support your heart. It is a diuretic, cleansing herb which reduces fluid retention and resolves flatulence. Care should be taken with the amounts of parsley in your diet if you have gallstones as parsley contain oxalates which can aggravate this. I use sage to reduce hot flushes; it can slow down milk production in nursing mothers who are producing too much. Use sage to gargle in cases of sore throats, bleeding gums or throat infections. Try adding sage to conditioner as it can strengthen hair; darken brunettes and prevent premature greying. Sage is antibiotic, antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory. It is a fantastic tonic and has a calming effect on the central nervous system improving energy levels, memory and concentration. Sage can support the digestion of fats and relieve indigestion. Cleansing and diuretic properties mean it is helpful for arthritis and gout and it can help to reduce coughs and colds as sage has a specific benefit with respiratory tract infections. Rosemary is high in iron, calcium, and vitamin B6. This herb has antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal actions and enhances immunity. Rosemary can improve memory and concentration because it helps to improve blood circulation in the head. This herb tones and calms the digestive system as well as reduces mental tension. Traditionally this herb is used to improve digestive issues and headaches. It can reduce depression, improve blood pressure and ease rheumatism. Rosemary has an astringent and relaxant effect, regulating periods and relieving period pain. When giving herbal walks I utilise rosemary as an insect repellent preventing insect bites. Each of these herbs has an effect on the uterus and is safe to eat in culinary doses but should be avoided in medicinal doses in ladies who are pregnant. For more information please visit www.herbsforhealthandwellbeing.com
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IEMT –
Integral Eye Movement Therapy Written by Deborah Dawson
‘The eyes are the window to the soul’ is a common expression. We constantly use our eyes to access memories. The eyes are a doorway into how we store those and associated memories. IEMT explores the questions, ‘how did we learn to feel the way we feel?’ and ‘how did we learn to be this way?’ This opens up the possibility of creating the appropriate change in our emotional lives. Unlike many other therapies IEMT is completely content free, meaning clients do not have to share any details in relation to the reason they have come. This lack of detail does not affect the effectiveness of the therapy. In fact at times clients may find this beneficial to them when dealing with sensitive or painful experiences and events. IEMT is a relatively new area of brief change work, which explores the area of undesired emotions and our way of being. It is a wonderful, quick and practical way to help you manage your emotions and progress fully in life, feeling free and in-control.
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The beauty of IEMT is that it updates past experiences, allowing you to desensitise emotions and release any baggage associated with these events, so it can no longer affect your responses in the present or future. Throughout our lives, past experiences and events affect the way we behave and; our emotional responses to different situations. These are known as emotional imprints and identity imprints. During a session the IEMT practitioner will use a variety of techniques to change the emotional imprint and identity imprint, altering your emotional state and helping you overcome limiting negative beliefs, changing the way you feel about those experiences and events. An example of an emotional imprint might be ‘I feel unhappy’, an identity imprint might be ‘I am an unhappy person’ or even ‘I am a depressive’. Having an identity label like this can cause a person to see their reality in a way that reinforces the problem over and over again. IEMT is a truly amazing therapy.
One minute you have an emotion and then you don’t or it has reduced to a point where it does not impact on you anymore. You will finally be able to move forward in your life no longer restricted by unwanted and outdated thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, nervous disorders, panic, and anger, confidence, low self esteem and emotional blocks are just a few of the issues that can be changed with IEMT. Integral Eye Movement Therapy can also be combined with other therapies to help you become the person you want and deserve to be. Integral Eye Movement Therapy was originally developed by Andrew T. Austin based on the original work by Connirae and Steve Andreas and has been taught in the USA, Israel, England, Poland and India. Please have a look at my website for more details on this and other therapies that can help you in making change happen. www.changingstatus.co.uk
Burton Waters Clinic PinPoint Therapy based in Burton Waters Clinic is a professional practice, offering traditional Chinese therapies such as acupuncture, reiki and both relaxing and acupressure body and foot massage. Lucie Petts Bsc (Hons) BAcC finds working with people who have health challenges and those clients who have chosen health and well being as a priority is deeply rewarding. The philosophy of PinPoint Therapy is to give the patient an effective and relaxing treatment whilst giving them the understanding and sense of control of their health challenge which results in a more effective and longer lasting end result. Lucie states, ‘Many people are missing out on the benefits of acupuncture for the fear of needles or for the unknown, in fact the sensation is minimal and induces a deep state of relaxation. The pins help the body produce its own medicine giving your body the boost it requires to take over and heal yourself. It is one of the oldest forms of medicine and has helped billions of people worldwide’.
– PinPoint Therapy
‘When a client, who has been suffering constant pain for six months, finds the pain gone after three sessions and hugs you...It is the best feeling in the world.’ Whilst the pins are doing their magic, patients can experience a relaxing foot massage, reiki or simply listen to a guided meditation. Lucie has helped clients with assisted IVF, back pain, migraine, depression, PMT, infertility, gallstones, stroke, fibromyalgia to name a few.
Clients often comment that it is my calm and approachable nature and most importantly the way I explain their condition to them that makes me stand out from other health practitioners leading to them to recommend me to friends and family.
B U R T O N WAT E R S C L I N I C PinPoint Therapy Telephone: 07817415818 Email: pinpointtherapy@mail.com Website: www.pinpointtherapy.co.uk
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Please mind your Written by Steven Blake
language!
‘The pen is mightier than the sword’ refers to the awesome power of words. Our thoughts take the form of words and it is the combination of thoughts and the words that we use that determine our quality of life. Our own internal language, self-talk, seems to dominate our thoughts and if you are just thinking ‘I don’t have a voice in my head’, that’s the one! We use words that turn pleasurable tasks into chores, words such as ‘I must…’ and ‘I have to…’ when we could use words like ‘I would love to….’. We also attribute words to others as though they actually said them, frequently using our mind reading abilities to predict what someone is about to say then our perception changing the words to match our prediction. When we do this we are not reading their minds we are just reading our own. Our own perception of things is the map we work from, unfortunately every person on the planet has a map unique to them. For a more contented life we all need to start to being more aware of the language we use, be nicer in our self-talk and allow others to tell us what they want to say, being careful to listen to the words and seeking out the positive intent behind the statement. Visit www.explainedwell.com for more information.
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Mental Written by Jenine Butroid
health
Why is it that we can be so good at looking after our physical health but when it comes to our psychological health we often neglect this vital part of us? Improving and maintaining good mental health is just as important as eating the right foods, exercising and getting a good night’s sleep. Maintaining good mental health needn’t be difficult or time consuming. There are many ways in which you can keep your mind healthy, all of which are easy, free and can have a massive impact on your overall health. Express how you feel Don’t bottle up your feelings, it’s so important to talk to those around you about what’s on your mind. Taking the time to express how you’re feeling can save you from sleepless nights, unnecessary worry and stress, and long term problems like depression and anxiety. If expressing your emotions is difficult for you start off small, it may seem silly but having an opinion on what you do on a Saturday night is a great start. As you become more confident and learn to value your own thoughts and feelings you will find it much easier to express what’s on your mind. ‘Me’ time Find something that you love doing; baking your favourite cake, reading a good book, listening to your much loved music or even just sitting out in the sunshine. If you allow yourself some ‘me’ time at least once or twice a week you’ll soon start to notice a difference in your stress levels and your ability to effectively manage everyday difficult situations. You are important and you need time to relax, the more you practice taking ‘me’ time the easier you’ll find it. Exercising for the mind We all know that exercise is great for keeping us physically fit and healthy but most people underestimate just how fantastic it can be for their psychological health too. There are loads of ways to exercise from running a marathon to playing on the Wii with the curtains closed and the front door locked – both are great for keeping your mind healthy. Before you know it exercising will become a part of your everyday routine, you’ll not only feel fitter but also more relaxed and less stressed. Friends and family When we’re feeling stressed or low in mood it’s so easy to cancel on friends and family and hide ourselves away from the world. Don’t underestimate just how amazing your loved ones can be at boosting your mood and providing invaluable love and support when you need it most. For more information about mental health, then please visit www.supportingminds.com.
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Yoga Nidra
– The Art & Science of Deep Rest & Renewal
If you have every been to yoga class you will usually be looking forward to the last bit, where the teacher leads you into a guided relaxation or a quiet period, called savasana. Do you ever feel that just as you are starting to relax and enjoy this time it is time to get up again? Maybe you should try yoga nidra. Yoga nidra is an ancient practice, combining alert awareness with full relaxation, connecting with your deep consciousness, whilst healing the body. So what does that mean? When you sleep the body is in rest, but even in sleep there are physical and mental tensions, you move around, have dreams and nightmares, not everything in your day is resolved by bedtime and that tension can stay with you. Sometimes you wake up feeling not so refreshed, with stiff shoulders, tight neck or memories of bad dreams. Yoga nidra is a relaxation practice that slows down the mind, but not completely that you lose consciousness or sleep.
Written by Grace
2. Setting a resolve or affirmation – An important part of the practice as it is in the deep conscious awareness we manifest what we desire. A short, positive statement in the present tense is created such as ‘I will enjoy total health.’ or ‘I am happy and content’. 3. Rotation of consciousness – In a systematic rotation through the body parts you are guided to bring awareness to each part of the body, listening to the instructions and moving the mind rapidly according to the instructions without making any physical movements, judgements or anticipation. 4. Breath awareness – An awareness of the natural breath without making an attempt to change the flow of the breath. Watching the breath into different areas of the body, which is often combined with counting each incoming and outgoing breath.
‘Yoga nidra is the science of relaxation which enables each of us to dive deep down into the realms of the subconscious mind, thereby releasing and relaxing mental tensions, and establishing harmony in all facets of our being.’ – Swami Satyananda Saraswati Whilst remaining awake awareness, the mind and body relax, freeing underlining tensions and fears. In this deep state, free of stress, healing and mental clarity can happen. Yoga nidra actually means ‘yogi sleep’ or ‘dynamic sleep’, however it not about taking a 45 minute nap. You are guided through a series of different awareness – sensations, body parts, breath and visualizations. This systematic technique contains the distractions of the mind inviting deep relaxation. People often believe that relaxing is switching on the TV or reading a book, but in fact, this is merely a sensory distraction. For true relaxation the physical, mental and emotional body must be calm and quiet. Yoga nidra differs from meditation, where your mind stays focused allowing for thoughts, emotions and images to come and go. This is known as the waking state. Yoga nidra moves past the chatter of the waking state and the fantasy of the dreaming state, to go into deep sleep, yet remaining awake. Yoga nidra is a wonderful practice, it requires nothing of you, but to lie down, get comfortable and be still. It is beneficial for everyone and can be done at the end of physical movement or your yoga practice or as a stand alone experience, typically lasting for 20 to 45 minutes. Stages of a yoga nidra experience: 1. Relaxation of the body – Preparation to bring the body into relaxation and stillness, listening to external sounds and starting to cultivate the attitude of a witness. page 10
5. Manifestations of opposites – At this stage different physical or emotional sensations are recalled, usually this is practiced with pairs of opposite feelings or sensations like heat and cold, heaviness and lightness.
6. Visualization/journey – You are guided through different objects, stories or situations.
7. Return to the resolve or affirmation – This stage is repeated again at this time, with the same resolve repeated three times again. 8. Return to awareness – Slowly the awareness is returned by listening to the external sounds, objects and people around. Slowly moving the body, stretching and awakening. Benefits of yoga nidra: • Helps with stress levels, anxiety and panic, helping teach the nervous system not be constantly in the fight and flight mode. • Releases tension in the body and mind, with reduction of muscular, mental and emotional stress. • Helps with suffering from chronic conditions such as fatigue or pain, to connecting to your authentic self. • Helps with creativity and enhances mental focus. • Increases quality of sleep if suffering from insomnia. • It is said an hour of yoga nidra is equal to 4 hours of sleep. For details on my Rest and Renew Yoga Nidra classes and other yoga classes please contact me: Email: grace@serenitywithgrace.com Call: 01522 262 095 Website: serenitywithgrace.com
Understanding
Chronic or Persistent Pain Written by Ann Parkinson
Chronic or persistent pain is defined as pain which has been present for three months or more. According to The British Pain Society around 10 million people in the UK suffer pain daily, affecting their quality of life. Acute Pain is an unpleasant experience that is created by our nervous systems in response to an injury or threat of injury. When pain persists the brain becomes more sensitive to stimuli from the affected area. The brain uses all the information it has available to it to determine if the area that was once injured still needs protecting, if so it stimulates the release of chemicals that create the unpleasant sensory and emotional experience that we call pain. This means when we experience persistent pain it doesn’t necessarily indicate damage is still present or that there is a risk of further injury, rather that the nervous system is doing its best to protect an area of the body that was injured. Pain can be influenced by many factors, including: nervous system adaptations; physical factors, like muscle weakness; our emotions, thoughts and beliefs. Chronic pain may lead to anxiety and depression, decreased sleep, impaired decision making, and reduced quality of life or overall health and wellbeing.
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According to The British Pain Society best practice for chronic pain is to be assessed and treated by an interdisciplinary team, including specialist physicians, psychologists and physiotherapists. Group Pain Management Programmes, have shown to be helpful. These usually include pain physiology and psychology, healthy function, selfmanagement, and relaxation. The most effective treatment targets mind and body, for example, combining physiotherapy with meditation. There is some research to support the use of meditation in helping to reduce pain. Physiotherapy is effective in treating chronic pain, it usually includes neurophysiology education to help with understanding what is contributing to the pain. It is usually most helpful to calm the nervous system initially, to start to modulate sensitivity and work towards restoring harmony in the nervous system. After this, treatment to retrain the nervous system, change habitual movement patterns and improve the fitness of the muscular and cardiovascular systems can be helpful. Ann is a Neuro Physio and Holistic Therapist who has a specialism in treating persistent pain, alongside her specialism in neurology. For more information, visit www.timetobe-holistictherapies.co.uk.
Become your ideal body weight Tips from Karla Holmes
naturally
When you think about losing weight, what are the first things that pop into your mind? Feelings? Fears? Doubts? On the whole the majority of us feel and do a combination of these. When in truth it can set us up for failure from the start. Often diets can turn into deprivation; exercise is hard work and can easily be pushed aside and there is only so much will power you can give before it wears away. Self talk can easily turn into self sabotage – yo-yoing negative beliefs can hinder confidence and often leads to failure. Where focus goes energy flows. By concentrating on what you’ve always done you’ll get the result you’ve always got. To master your health once and for all and become naturally thin, fit and healthy; begin by focusing on what it is you want to achieve. Being naturally thin and accomplishing your perfect size is all about having limitless confidence – you want to look and feel amazing however your lack of self confidence often gets in the way. Start by picturing your ideal outcome, remember where focus goes energy flows; if you don’t know where your heading how will you know when you’re there? You focus on a wall, if your thoughts are on obstacles then you’re going to hit them hard! So instead prioritise on what you want and where you’re heading, step into your ideal body. Imagine you’re already who and how you want to be. This is not to say that exercise and diet aren’t important. These are the foundations and tools to get you from where you are to where you wish to be – the natural healthy happy you. The secret tool to creating natural permanent positive change is mind set. Delve deeper than will power alone. Create change from the inside out and use this formula to reach your goal: mind set + willpower + focus = success. Know where you’re headed and realise limitations, listen to your body and be aware when you’re full. Importantly overcome your fear and change your focus; take action and get to the root. Become limitless and see the bigger picture; settle for nothing less than what’s right for you. Set your desires so compressively that you programme yourself for success. So setting your mind for success helps speed up progress and guarantees long term results. It’s feeling good that really makes a difference, this matters and you matter – make the right choice and change for you. For more information, visit www.karlaholmes.com.
Lincoln Labyrinth 2014 Festival –
August 6th to 27th
Lincoln Cathedral is to be the focus of a novel festival in the City of Lincoln based on the labyrinth symbol and involving communities from Lincoln and surrounding areas, together with professional and other groups active in the fields of art, design, music, dance and history.
The project will provide an opportunity for people to participate in activities which cross cultural boundaries and demonstrate shared values between people of all ages and backgrounds. These activities include: (i) Walking the labyrinth: A full-size copy of a labyrinth symbol drawn by architectural students from the University on the nave floor of the cathedral. The symbol will be open to the public to experience walking a labyrinth path. LI NCOLN CATHEDRAL www.lincolnlabyrinth.wordpress.com
The festival is centred on a labyrinth symbol drawn on the floor of the nave of the Cathedral. To walk a labyrinth is a form of meditation and contemplation. It offers stillness in a busy world and the experience of the walk is different for everyone. It can be whatever you want it to be: contemplative, healing, mindful, prayerful or simply fun. To walk the labyrinth all that is needed of you is yourself. E X HIBIT ION
6th - 27th August
An exhibition open daily in the South Transept showing a survey of the historic, artistic and cultural background of labyrinth symbolism and a series of paintings undertaken by contemporary professional artists who are asked to interpret the labyrinth as a symbol of life’s journey.
P E R FORM A N CES Opening Event and Choral Concert by DISCANTVS: 6th August / 7.30pm Presentation by Stage Fright Community Theatre: 12th August / 11.00am The Quest of the Holy Grail #1: 13th August / 7.30pm The Quest of the Holy Grail #2: 18th August / 7.30pm Finale – Candle-lit Evening with Music and Readings: 27th August / 7.30pm
WO RKS HOP S Held in Lincoln Cathedral, the workshops vary from introductory sessions on the history and spirituality of the labyrinth, through creative writing and art-based workshops for adults, to afternoon workshops for children and young people. They will be held on Thursdays and Fridays throughout August (with the last one on Friday 22nd August). For more information visit:
www.lincolnlabyrinth.wordpress.com www.facebook.com/lincolnlabyrinth
(ii) Labyrinth workshops: A second smaller copy of a labyrinth symbol laid on the floor of the south transept of the cathedral. This to be used by the public in small groups for a series of guided workshops led by an experienced labyrinth facilitator. (iii) Labyrinth exhibition: An exhibition open to the public arranged along the arcades in the south aisle of the cathedral. This will set out a historical survey of labyrinth forms and is being designed by University students of Graphics, and to complete the exhibition a series of paintings by a group of 8 professional artists with the principal theme taken from the labyrinth symbol as ‘the journey of life’ and panels where children will depict their labyrinth experiences. (iv) The opening event: Takes place in the cathedral on the evening of August 6th and will be a performance of choral works sung by DISCANTVS, with the peace and stillness found in the heart of the labyrinth symbol as its theme. This is followed on the evening of August 13th with a dramatic rendering of ‘The Quest of the Holy Grail’ with music and dance settings written by William Wray and Rosemary Broadbent based on Mallory’s tales of King Arthur performed by CAODS, the City’s Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society using the labyrinth symbol as a stage. This is repeated with a second performance on August 18th. On the morning of August 12th in the cathedral there will be a presentation by young people from the Stage Fright
Theatre Community who will use the labyrinth to bring together ideas about life processes and pathways, time, space and boundaries. The closing event will take place in the cathedral on the evening of August 27th. It will be a candle lit evening with the labyrinth symbol being encircled with candles, accompanied by renderings of specially composed songs and readings offering the public the opportunity to experience the cathedral as a place of stillness and peace. The choir, readers and musicians will be taken from local community groups. This whole project has involved the communities of Lincoln and surrounding areas. Support has come from the County Council, the City Council, the Diocese of Lincoln, the Voluntary Centre Services, university students, local neighbourhood groups and businesses; while groups from the UK and abroad with cultural interests in labyrinths are expected to make the journey to Lincoln to attend and take part in the festival. The participants from Lincoln as well as the visiting performers and professional artists taking part are all contributing their time free in support of the event. The maintenance and running of the festival will demand considerable resources in terms of people’s time which will be supplied by willing volunteers. As well as providing Lincoln with a vibrant tourist attraction, the broad aim of the festival is to bring its people and visitors together to celebrate what the city and its cathedral can offer in terms of history, culture, beauty and the values human beings can express. If you would like to take part for a short while in helping to run the festival all you have to do is email your wishes to the festival organisers on lincoln.lifejourney@ zen.co.uk and you will be contacted.
Tickets can be purchased through the Cathedral Box Office. Tel: 01522 561644
The
key relief for PMT
Written by Paige White
When you have premenstrual tension or PMT, you might feel frustrated, hot-headed and a bit cross. When you are not anxious or angry, there are the dips into depression: ones that seem so random because a week later – once the period starts – the gloom clears and you are left thinking ‘What was that all about?!’
PMT is a truly debilitating, yet a common monthly experience for many women. Complementary medicine offers many helpful treatments: reflexology, massage, and acupuncture for women with PMT. All of these therapies create a feeling of deep relaxation which may explain why they are so effective.
There are many practices to help you induce a relaxed state of mind and body. Relaxation tapes, meditation, tai chi and qigong practice are mindbody exercises that can effectively help you relax. Just Google ‘mindfulness meditation’ and choose a guided meditation that appeals to you personally and then use it daily for a 20 minute self-treatment.
Relaxation is key in reducing the symptoms of PMT. Herbert Benson, M.D., Christine Northrup M.D. and Irene Goodale, PhD, published a study in Obstetrics and Gynaecology where women with severe PMT experienced a 58% reduction in their symptoms by eliciting the relaxation response daily for six weeks using meditation and breathing exercises. Compare this with the most common medicine prescribed for PMT – Prozac which offers relief for approx. 50% of women taking it, but can have many unpleasant side effects as well.
But relaxation is pretty tough when your PMT is at its worst, so finding a sympathetic therapist to provide relaxing treatment can help immensely.
PMT can wreck lives, so this simple effective approach to treatment that works with no side effects, and is free, is great news for PMT sufferers. The most difficult part for most women is to find a relaxation practice and use it diligently. By finding a way to relax deeply each day for six weeks for 20 minutes, PMT symptoms can become less intense and/or may resolve altogether.
The physical symptoms of PMT, such as bloating and breast tenderness are effectively treated by acupuncture, and the Chinese medicine approach to treating PMT includes dietary and lifestyle advice tailored to help with your particular presentation of symptoms. So embrace relaxation and see if you can find a way to really let go of the tension of PMT. For more information please visit www.paigewhite.co.uk
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Traditional Acupuncture
and
Male Infertility Written by Austin Austin
Statistics suggest that between 35-50% of infertility is due to male pathologies and the NHS suggests that in 25% of all cases the exact cause is unknown.
As a traditional acupuncturist I treat infertility based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories, treatments are either standalone or tailored to complement assisted reproduction techniques such as IVF. From a Western biomedical viewpoint it is thought that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, influencing the production of hormones and neurotransmitters, thus activating the body’s self-regulating homeostatic systems encouraging your natural healing abilities. An increasing weight of evidence from Western scientific research is demonstrating the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating a wide variety of conditions. Traditional acupuncture takes a holistic approach and regards illness or dysfunction as a sign that the body is out of balance. This holistic understanding that we are all individuals and that the exact pattern and degree of our imbalances are ultimately unique to us is one of the key strengths of TCM. My skill as an acupuncturist lies in identifying the precise nature of the underlying imbalances and selecting the most effective treatment plan. Male fertility is influenced by many factors including genetics, environment, age, injury and physical or emotional stresses. I usually see men in the clinic after they have been tested and found to have a low sperm count, reduced motility or sperm with abnormal shape and size. From a TCM perspective fertility problems typically fall under the influence of the kidney. The kidney is an approximate translation of the Chinese 腎 shèn and describes a conceptual framework affecting particular page 16
functions within the human body; the kidney is often referred to as the ‘Root of Life’. Kidney deficiency is commonly seen in male infertility and may include or lead to other pathologies such as blood and Qi stagnation (Qi in this context means the flow of bodily functions or energies). I typically aim treatment at balancing and strengthening the kidney and smoothing or invigoration the flow of blood and Qi. The kidney thrives under moderation and a healthy lifestyle, difficult for many of us in these modern times. Stress relieving activities such as qigong, yoga and meditation are helpful as are refraining from long term excessive exercise, excessive physical work and excessive sexual activity. Long term consumption of cold and raw foods, living with chronic illness and just getting older all deplete the kidney. A diet high in fruit and vegetables, warm cooked foods and if possible organic foods is preferable. Reducing alcohol and caffeine, stopping smoking and reducing exposure to toxins and pollutants can all be helpful. Men should also ensure their testes are kept relatively cool by not using a laptop on the lap and avoiding tight underwear. In my experience male and female fertility can often be directly improved through the use of traditional acupuncture and indirectly improved by relieving stress and anxiety and improving ones general sense of wellness. For more information visit: www.austinaustin.co.uk
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• Carefully sourced organic and wild-crafted raw ingredients • Daily nutrition, energy and fitness, weight management, nutritional cleansing • 40 years of excellence • Every product in our comprehensive range comes with a full 90 day money back guarantee For more information, contact Debbie Foers on: W: debrafoers.eu.nspshop.com M: 07743 020375 E: foers66@gmail.com
Subscribe to Nurture magazine! Fancy getting a copy of Nurture magazine delivered to your door? Then why not subscribe to us! For just £10 a year you can get your own quarterly copy. For more information visit our website. nurturelincolnshire.co.uk
Nurture Product review: Hippo-t herapy
Apparently there is a new way to beat back pain and it’s a whole lot of fun too!
Centaured Sport in Lincoln are proud to house a state of the art interactive simulator which they say can detect and help correct poor posture, improve back pain , improve and strengthen core muscles, improve flexibility and help re-position the spine to its natural state – reducing your symptoms of chronic back pain! Not only is this a drug free way of improving your health, it really is good fun. The ride is like riding a real horse, it is complete with sound affects and a screen to watch yourself riding around the countryside. This horse ride around the countryside takes place indoors at the spacious unit inside Lincoln City Football grounds so there is no need to wrap up in waterproofs and riding gear! The therapy consists of an initial consultation and ongoing sessions and support. The first session lasts around 45 minutes, sessions after that would be for around 30 minutes and cost £28. The benefits are normally noticeable within 4- 5 sessions. The therapy isn’t restricted by age as you can see in the photo my daughter thoroughly enjoyed the session. Hippo-therapy is safe and all sessions are supervised by Sharon Tomlinson who is fully qualified in this therapy.
Horsing ar ound
G iddy up!
If you are sick of suffering with back problems then give Sharon a call on 07779 921820 to make an appointment or visit the website www.centauredsport.co.uk
Want to enhance your personal or professional skills? Or fancy a career change? We offer a wide range of CPD and professional counselling courses that are affordable and professionally recognised. By studying with us you are doing something amazing. As a community interest company your money goes back into supporting your local community and it means we can provide free counselling to anyone aged 16 and over.
www.supportingminds.com 07590 963 012
News from the School of Philosophy Lincoln We welcome new members who wish to join the Practical Philosophy course in Lincoln. This course offers the opportunity to expand the knowledge we have about ourselves, about how we live and about what we know of this life, or perhaps put more simply to remind ourselves of that which we have once known but seem to have forgotten. It asks everyone attending the course to have an open mind, to neither accept nor reject anything that is presented but to test its validity through experience. In this way the knowledge that is spoken of in the course may then become practical in everyday life and what is discovered can then be shared with others. An aid to opening the vision and freeing the mind is for the mind to be brought to rest. For this simple exercises in awareness and mindfulness are introduced in the course. This will bring stillness, fresh energy and a more positive outlook to one’s life. John Woodward Senior Tutor and Registrar
Practical Philosophy for life today! Join a course in Lincoln learning about awareness, meditation and mindfulness. For further details go to philosophyinpractice.co.uk or phone 01526 323892 A branch of the Fellowship of the School of Economic Science Reg Charity No. 313115
FREE Training to all who live or work in Lincolnshire No qualifica1ons required Anyone can have thoughts of suicide Everyone can learn to help By a%ending the 2 day Applied Suicide Interven7ons Skills Training Course (ASIST) you will learn how to:-‐ • Spot the signs that someone maybe having thought of suicide
WILL YOU SAVE A LIFE?
SafeTALK Training is available at no cost to all those who live
or work in Lincolnshire. If you seek to make a difference to those suffering thoughts of suicide, you can become ‘Suicide Alert Trained’. SafeTALK can help you save a life, as you support and signpost those at risk to others who are trained in suicide intervention skills. You can help make your community a safer place!
SafeTALK Training Can be arranged For more information or to book a place on a ½ day Suicide Awareness Course, Please contact;
Maureen Toogood, ASIST Administrator on 01529 416251 or email Maureen.toogood@lpft.nhs.uk
or avoid these signs • Have confidence not to miss, dismiss ‘Suicide First Aid’ • Be ready, willing and able to apply
• Keep the person safe by crea7ng a safeplan • Connect them to other resources
ASIST IS A 2 Consecu1ve Day Training Course that runs from 09.00 – 5.00pm Courses are held at various loca7ons throughout Lincolnshire eg Lincoln, Sleaford, Skegness, Spalding etc For course booking or for more informa1on, please contact Maureen Toogood, ASIST Administrator
Email—maureen.toogood@lp@.nhs.uk or Telephone 01529 416251 Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Founda1on Trust Learning & Development Centre, Unit 3, The Reserva1on, East Road ,Sleaford, NG34 7BY
Hello and a warm welcome to Lincoln Counselling Your Escape Do you feel stuck, lost or alone? Have you a difficult relationship or event happening in your life? Need somebody to talk to? I offer a safe, confidential and sensitive environment for your to open up and help you find ways to adjust and move forward. Short and long term therapy is available as we journey through the counselling process together; you will discover where your thoughts are around how you are feeling. To find out more or make an enquiry: E mail: yourescapecounselling@gmail.com Mobile: 07940 430258 Twitter: @yourescape Facebook: /yourescapecounselling Website: www.counselling-directory.org.uk/ counsellors/maggie-murray
Master Your Mind & Become The Ideal You 1 DAY WORKSHOP • Enjoy Building The Ideal You • Overcome Cravings • Cut Negative Beliefs • Become Naturally Thin • Experience Lifelong Confidence • Stop Yo-yoing
Call: 01522 394116 / 07751 570199
£55
Would you like to be seen in the next issue? If you are in the business of helping others feel good then Nurture Lincolnshire is the mag to be seen in!
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Nurture Lincolnshire accepts no responsibility for information printed in this magazine. Please seek medical advice before embarking on any new health and fitness regime. Published by Nurture Lincolnshire. Post: 7 Buckfast Road, Lincoln, LN1 3JS Website: www.nurturelincolnshire.co.uk
Tel: 01522 808625 Email: nurturelincolnshire@gmail.com