Communication, business and personal relationships, whether with a partner, children, friends, family, or collegues are some important features in our lives that do not always run smoothly.
When communication breaks down or anger, tension and resentment are not expressed in a constructive manner in relationships or friendships, it is useful to have some counselling to help establish what the expectations in the relationship are and to establish what is important for each party concerned.
Counselling provides conflict resolution and insights into feelings and concerns, grievances may be expressed and problems resolved. The counselling process provides a safe and non judgemental environment for a person to express their opinions and emotions, and helps the person find solutions and if appropriate, gain negociation skills to obtain win-win situations in those cases that may otherwise be difficult to resolve.
In most cases only a few sessions are needed to resolve conflict and provide a satisfactory outcome.
The Neural Organizational Technique got its name from exactly what it intended to do. Neural is for nerve, Organizational is obviously for organization and Technique is a way of doing. It is a way of organizing the nervous system and therefore the body it controls.
This neural organization is the very thing which has given us the ability to survive and function under every possible situation. Some of the outward signs are the co-ordination of our stride or “gait”, when we walk and run, our sense of balance and posture, hand-eye coordination, sense of direction etc.
The organized neurological function of the brain itself depends on the very subtle and synchronous respiratory motion of the bone of the skull, which pumps the cerebral spinal fluid. This is responsible for proper drainage and circulation within the brain and skull. We must consider the many reflex (automated) neurological functions which centre the pelvis to gravity and to the head, and those which right the head to gravity, the environment and the pelvis to maintain the alignment of the spine. Using Kinesiology as a tool of evaluation we are ably to identify and correct these dysfunctions and as a result we see dramatic changes take place, almost immediately.
By dealing with CAUSES and NOT SYMPTOMS we are able to correct many dysfunctions and conditions which have often been difficult to treat in the past. Such conditions as:
Whiplash and head injuries
Cranial or head injury is probably the most undiagnosed, and therefore untreated physical problem. Because injury involves nerves and muscles that hold the head on the shoulders, a system of reactive muscles comes into play and this also affects the stability of the hips and pelvis, becoming a major player in the cause of lower back pain!
Temporo-Mandibular Joint
Research by Dr. Ferreri D.C., has led to the understanding of the cause of and the treatment from such diverse conditions as bed wetting, bladder incontinence, uterine and prostate problems, respiratory and circulatory problems stemming from diaphragmatic insufficiency, all sorts of back problems, and other health conditions. As further research was done, the sequence of taking food into the mouth, biting on it, chewing it thoroughly and then swallowing it (the feeding sequence) specifically related to the neurological control of the sequence of the digestive mechanism. The jaw or TMJ is also involved when we speak, when we are in pain, when we are emotionally stressed, plus many more situations. It takes up over 80% of our brain’s function! We may also have clicking jaws, face pain and tinnitus. There is a close relationship between the jaw and the sacrum, often contributing to lower back ain and it is also involved with Dyslexia and Scoliosis.
Dyslexia and ADD/ADHD
Dyslexia and ADD often involve eye tracking and auditory processing difficulties. This means that the child cannot focus attention on what is seen or heard for very long. We have found that at the base of may of these problems is a disorganised nervous system. Many times there is a head injury, often from birth or accident or falls as a baby. When the various reflexes for the eyes, ears, TMJ are evaluated and re-activated, the child or adult begins to process the information in a more meaningful way. This, of course, is what parents and teachers are looking for and is found in the N.O.T. program! Often there will be emotional problems and food allergies to deal with.
Idiopathic Scoliosis
Scoliosis is NOT A SPINAL PROBLEM – the deformity of the spine is a result of having a condition we call scoliosis (curvature of the spine). The cause of the bending comes from having hypertonic or too-tight muscles pulling in a constant way, causing a rotation and bending of the spine over a period of time. Generally, an injury to certain reflexes found on the head and pelvis, both front and back, along with certain hormonal changes around the start of puberty is the major cause. NOT can correct this situation.
NOT can also help with many other conditions, such as:
- Immune disorders
- Endocrine and diabetes
- Down’s Syndrome
- High blood pressure
- Menstrual disorders
- Asthma
- Epilepsy
- MS
- Cardiac dysfunction
Hypnosis, or private subconscious healing, is a state of deep relaxation which is natural and safe. It is a state of mind between waking and sleeping where a person is conscious, aware of physical sensation and surroundings, and yet much more receptive to therapeutic suggestions than they would normally be. It is a state of mind which many problems or conditions may be explored and treated.
It can offer benefits in many areas including:
- Confidence building
- Child birth
- Memory improvement
- Pain management
- Phobias
- Migraines and tension headaches
- Weight control
- Stop smoking
- Stress management
- Performance anxiety
- Exam nerves
- Fear and phobias
- Insomnia and sleep disorders
- Skin problems
- Social skills
- Assertiveness
- Bedwetting
- Sexuality and relationships
- Personal and behavioural conditions
While in hypnosis, your subconscious mind is open to positive, helpful suggestions. A hyno therapist will form suggestions that will help to meet your personal goals or change existing habits and create new behaviours. The suggestions that you receive while in hynosis are very effective. You will act upon them much more quickly than those given to you in a normal alert state.
The advanced techniques used are especially helpful in dealing with emotional problems. These techniques allow you to work within the privacy of your subconscious mind. There is no disclosure of any sort made by the client to the therapist. Everything that you discuss with your therapist, including the program you are undertaking is completely confidential.
On your initial visit, you and your therapist will spend some time clarifying your goals. The therapist will explain exactly what hypnosis is and will answer any questions that you might have. You will also find out exactly what program the therapist will be following with you.
Naturopathy is a natural holistic form of medicine. Holistic medicine addresses itself to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of those who come for care. It views health as a positive, vibrant, joyous state of vitality, not just the absence of disease. It emphasizes the uniqueness of the individual and the importance of tailoring treatment to meet the person’s individual needs. A number of therapies are used to improve vitality and restore and maintain optimal health.
Nutrition, massage, homoeopathy, herbal Medicine, acupressure/acupuncture, kinesiology, Bach flowers and other flower essences, counselling, Reiki, and many other natural therapies may be employed in assisting the client to a better quality of life.
Naturopaths commonly offer advice in the management of such things as digestive disorders, skin problems, stress related complaints, menstrual and reproductive problems, headaches, fatigue, lowered immunity, arthritic problems and many more.
Naturopaths do not treat disease directly as diseases are symptoms of deeper problems. Instead they attend to improving the body systems functions and this allows and directs the body to heal itself. We all have an innate healing process at work at all times and the body only needs a little direction in many cases and the body will get better itself, often very quickly.
The concept of “stress” was formalized by Hans Selye in the 1930’s after observing laboratory animals getting stress related diseases due to being subjected to unpleasantness. The term is borrowed from engineering and was introduced to medicine in the 1920’s by a physiologist named Walter Cannon in the sense that we understand it today.
Selye presented the concept of stress with two ideas:
- The body has a surprisingly similar set of responses to a broad array of stressors
- Under certain conditions, stressors will make you sick.
In a situation of stress, certain body systems like digestion, immune system, reproductive system and growth go into survival mode and become inhibited in order to spend the energy otherwise used for digestion etc. on survival.
In our daily lives, many things become “stressors”. Sitting in a traffic jam when you need to be somewhere at a certain time is a stressor. Going to work that is boring and unchallinging is a stressor. Tension in a relationships is a stressor. Lack of sufficient money to pay the bills is a stressor. Coping with illness is a stressor.
The body’s stress response (fight and flight) was designed for our survival, and is a necessary part of our body’s function. However, if the stresses are a daily recurrence and inescapable, the high levels of stress hormones (glucocorticoids) may result in breakdown of systems and disease, which may cause high blood pressure, burst your white blood cells, make you flatulent, ruin your sex life, premature aging and possibly damage your brain.
There are a number of ways to reduce the high levels of stress hormones brought about by the stress response:
- Time management
- Increasing predictability and control
- Managing pain and chronic disease
- Exercise
- Massage
- Meditation
- Hypnotherapy
- Social connectedness
A comprehensive approach to minimizing the effects of stress would typically consist of a number of sessions in which stressors are identified and coping strategies put in place, addressing time management and getting a sense of control over our lives, together with a program of proper nutrition as we excrete more nutrients at times of stress than we can absorb from food and a suitable program of exercise, which has a glucocorticoid lowering effect. Sessions of meditation, massage and hypnotherapy are a most useful approach to stress reduction and can form an important part of the program.
The program consists of 10 sessions, having 2 sessions per week (or 3 if desired) of 1 hour duration. The frequency and type of treatment will be defined during the first assessment and depending on individual preference. Goals will be set and strategies given to maintain the positive benefits.
Recommended packages could be either a full or a mini program, providing you with a discount of 15 % on the fees:
THE FULL PROGRAM: 10 visits of 1 hour duration, comprising massage ,kinesiology and counselling.
THE MINI PROGRAM: 5 visits of 1 hour duration, as above.
You may wish to have a personalised package to suit your needs, which can be discussed at the time of your visit or email for more information.
Herbal medicine is man’s oldest form of healing, yet maintains its relevance in today’s society. Throughout the ages all cultures have had their Medicine Man, and at the base of all their treatments you will find a strong herbal lore.
Some people may dismiss this today, yet we find that most drugs were first based on one therapeutic property of a plant, such as digitalis extracted from the foxglove plant for the use of cardiac complaints. With the high cost of drugs and their many side effects, many people are turning back to the herbal world, finding great results with old and new herbs alike. Indeed, many scientific trials have been conducted, and are still being undertaken to verify the effectiveness and safety of the plant medicines.
Herbal extracts (tinctures), capsules or tablets of dried and powdered herb are available for almost any condition or complaint. The parts of the plant used can be the flowers, stems, leaves, roots or all together and even bark from trees and shrubs.
In days gone by, the herbalist would make their own extracts and herbal products. Nowadays there is very strict government legislation for the production of standard herbal products with strict quality control, producing superior products of mostly organic origin.
When used as recommended, herbal products are safe, effective and have no, if minor temporary side effects and are generally cheaper than drugs. They work on all the body systems and contain many nutritional properties such as vitamins and minerals.
Both the Enar and Bemer systems are very effective for pain relief. People suffering from chronic pain due to back or joint problems, chronic headaches, digestive problems and inflammation, will find great relief from their pain. Treatment with these systems will consist of a series of regular short sessions, in which the appliance is placed at the area that needs healing, or a whole body treatment may be used. Other pain relief strategies will be discussed during this treatment. The Enar system is also used for face lifts, scar reduction and rejuvenation of the skin. Contact the office for more information.
Homeopathy is a system of medicine which was developed in the 18th Century by a German physician and chemist, Samuel Hahnemann. In the last 200 years, its effectiveness has been clearly established and today, homeopathy is used worldwide. It is used in the treatment of chronic disease, acute conditions and minor accidents which require first aid.
How does homeopathy differ from conventional medicine?
Conventinal medicine is based on a concept of disease and agents that cause disease (e.g. viruses and bacteria) and the resulting pathological changes. Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms.
Homeopathy views all symptoms as an indication of an underlying state of ill health that affects the whole person, not just one or two body systems.
Treatment aims to alleviate the cause of disease by stimulating the body’s natural immunity and recuperative power.
What does a visit to the homeopath involve?
This may take up to an hour. You will be asked questions related to your physical symptoms and your past medical history. In addition, you may be asked about your eating habits, sleep patterns, lifestyle and about your mental and emotional characteristics, A physical examination may be conducted according to the particular needs of your case.
What type of medicine will be given?
Homeopathic medicine is made from substances derived from plant, animal and mineral sources. They are prepared following strict homeopathic pharmaceutical guidelines and can be given as liquid or globules. The remedy may contain little or none of the original substance but carries its energy and healing stimulating properties.
You may be given a single dose or repeated doses of a single remedy. These small amounts of medicine are sufficient to stimulate the body’s healing process. Where illness developed over a long period of tine, several successive remedies may be needed during the course of weeks or months.
Are there any side effects?
Healing takes place in different ways and reactions to a remedy vary. Sometimes there is immediate healing. Sometimes it begins with and increased feeling of wellbeing even though symptoms initially remain. In some cases, old symptoms recur as part of the healing process. Occasionally, there is a temporary worsening of the symptoms prior to an improvement.
Can homeopathic remedies be taken with conventional medicines?
Because homeopathy works by stimulating the body’s natural immunity, conventional medicines may interfere with the homeopathic effect, but homeopathic remedies do not interfere with medical drugs.
To ensure maximum benefit from your homeopathic medication:
- The remedy is taken at least half an hour before or after food or drink, or as directed by your practitioner.
- Avoid taking the remedy immediately after using coffee, alcohol, tobacco, and toothpaste.
- Some practitioner believe that the taking of coffee lessens the effectiveness of the remedy, especially in individuals sensitive to coffee.
- Store the remedy away from heat and strong smelling substances such as perfumes, mentholated liniments, medical drugs and camphor.
Herbal Energy
Homeobotanical therapy is a combination of herbal medicine and homeopathy, and provides safe, natural care backed by a thousand years of experience and tradition to restore and maintain robust health. Based on the gentle action of natural herbs, people of all ages can benefit, especially sensitive people.
- Remedies are made to the patient’s individual needs at the time of consultation.
- Non-toxic, gentle and naturally sweet.
- Convenient, reliable, loved by children.
- A few drops each day is all you need to take.
- Great for the whole family including your pets.
- Professionally prepared for best results.
Pregnancy is a time of joy, anticipation and maybe a little anxiety about the labour and delivery, the new role of the mother and the health of the baby. At this time, the body is producing very high levels of female hormones to maintain pregnancy and there are many changes occuring in the body, which can be cause of symptoms like morning sickness.
If medication is required in pregnancy, homeopathic medicine is one of the safest forms of treatment. As homeopathics are very diluted, there are no molecules or toxic substances that can interfere with the growing baby. The remedies are very effective in cases of morning sickness, and any other unpleasant symtom. Homeopathic medicine is also very effective to start labour if delayed, and during labour to help relieve pain and to gently ease the newborn into the world.
Kinesiology is another treatment that is non-invasive and safe, and can identify imbalances in both mother and the unborn child during gestation, and clear emotional blockages that can prolong labour and delivery.
A few sessions of hypnotherapy from the 6th month of pregnancy may be useful for maximizing an easy and pain free delivery.
If labour is not progressing after a reasonable amount of time, a gentle manipulation at the base of the spine can speed up labour using the Bowen technique which also helps to relax muscles that are sore and tight.
Monthly visits from the time that pregnancy is confirmed is desirable to discuss any concerns and deal with issues such as morning sickness, gestational diabetes, appropriate nutrition for pregnancy and lactation, bladder discomfort, insomnia, low back pain and birthing preparation.
There is a choice of 2 packages, providing you with a benefit of 10% discount:
THE FULL PACKAGE: 8 visits of 1 hour monthly, including kinesiology, massage, nutrition, counselling, hypnotherapy and other treatments as needed. This package includes a kit with remedies to ease labour and any discomfort after delivery. Cost $550. Any other medication required is extra.
THE MINI PACKAGE: 3 visits of 1 hour monthly from the 6th month of pregnancy to prepare for labour. Cost $205. Set of remedies to assist labour and any pain is $20. Any other medication as required is extra.
You may wish to have a personalised package to suit your needs, which can be discussed at the time of your visit or email for more information.
Learning difficulties, poor memory and concentration, as well as behavioural problems may stem from a range of underlying conditions that mimic or cause the difficulties experienced. These conditions may include the following and need to be checked to assess the nature and extent of the learning or behavioural difficulties experienced:
- Brain/Head trauma during and after birth (long labour)
- Brain damage by toxins (bacterial, viral, heavy metals, external, fetal alcohol syndrome)
- Allergies from food and environment and nutritional deficiencies
- Autism
- Hearing impairment
- Hypo/hyperthyroidism
- Anemia (iron deficiency)
- Mental retardation (can also result from heavy metal toxins)
- Sensory and sleep disorders
- Seizures
ADD/ADHD
What is Attention Deficit Disorder?
This condition is usually characterised by serious and persistant difficulties resulting in:
- Poor attention span
- Weak impulse control
There is a subtype which includes hyperactivity (ADHD), and both forms occur in approximately 6-8 percent of the population, and in 70 percent of children having one or both parents diagnosed with the condition. It occurs more frequently in boys, who outnumber girls by 3 to 1, but girls may be underdiagnosed, as they frequently present without the hyperactivity. This is not a new disease and has been known by other names such as Minimal Brain Dysfunction (MBD) and hyperactivity or conduct disorder.
What are the common symptoms of ADD/ADHD?
- Excessive fidgeting, squirming and difficulty remaining seated.
- Difficulty sustaining attention and is easily distracted.
- Often talks incessantly, interrupts and blurts out answers to questions.
- Difficulty following instructions, playing quietly and shifting from one activity to another or awaiting turns in games.
- Often loses things and engages in dangerous activities, like playing with fire.
How is it diagnosed?
To qualify for a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, a child must exhibit a number of the above symptoms for a period longer than 6 months and have appeared before the age of 7 years, and the underlying causes need to be identified and treated.
Are there other complications of this disease?
While some children may outgrow the disease by puberty, many other problems can interfere in adulthood. A recent survey in the USA found that 75 percent of untreated children had addictions to alcohol and drugs as well as being sugar junkies, which may lead ultimatly to diabetes. There may be Central Nervous System (CSN) complications leading to:
- Learning disabilities
- TIC disorders
- Gross and fine motor control delays, such as co-ordination (may be accident prone) in 50 percent of ADD children and other developmental delays such as speech
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders
What does the treatment involve?
There is no simple treatment, and each child needs to be assessed individually. The medical history, previous illnesses and medication received need to be checked as well as food preferences, checking for allergies, intolerances and heavy metals, thyroid function, cranial function and nutritional deficiencies and a treatment plan will be prepared.
What is the treatment plan?
The treatment plan addresses many factors and is an individual program for each person concerned. It includes the following aspects:
PHYSICAL, Cranial function and head injury, Processing of visual and auditory material Equilibrium and centering, reading, writing and numbers, cross patterning and crossing midline, brain integration and temporo-mandibular (TMJ) function.
NUTRITION, Allergy testing and correction, establish correct individual diet, test for nutritional supplements if needed and natural medicines.
BEHAVIOURAL PATTERNS, daydreaming, difficulty making decisions, time management, concentration, motivation and difficulty following or giving directions.
EMOTIONAL, self image and self worth, confidence, sabotage, addictions and motivation.
The treatment plan consists of 6 to 8 weekly sessions initially, depending on the severity of the problem. Regular check ups are required thereafter as the child is growing or has had an injury or fall. This may be from 1 to 4 visits a year.
Dyslexia
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is really a group of conditions dealing with the inability to process language, whether it is spoken, written or symbolic. It presents as a”glitch” in the brain’s computer, whereby the afflicted person has trouble understanding words in normal conversation “seeing” or analyzing and understanding letters, words or numbers, remembering names, has a poor time concept and directionality, needs to re-read many times, has poor co-ordination and balance and takes a long time to learn things.
This complex disability is a combination of disorganizations in the central nervous system, and there are many deficits: digestion, scoliosis, allergies and intolerances, posture, gaits and cranial bone patterns.
This disorder does not stem from a brain disorder or trauma, in fact, brain scans of the cerebrum have been shown to be perfectly normal, if not extraordinary, as the dyslextic brain has the ability to “think outside the box”, in other words, can perform many functions simultaneously, even though the neuronal wiring of dyslexics make reading difficult. Many famous people, scientists, artists and business people are/were dyslexic (Einstein, Thomas Eddison, Agatha Christie, Tom Cruise, Walth Disney, Whoopi Goldberg). As their brains are wired differently, dyslexics are often skilled problem solvers, arriving at solutions in a novel way. However, the struggle that dyslexic children have to overcome language problems, can cause them to drop out of school, withdraw from family and friends or even attempt suicide, if self confidence/self worth is low.
The dyslexic brain tends to think in pictures and concepts, which is much faster than thinking in words. So, if the brain cannot make a picture of the word, it is hard to recognise the word.
How is dyslexia diagnosed?
Your child may be behind in reading and wrting, reading and writing words or letters backwards, i.e “was” may be written as “saw”, the letters “b” and “d” may be reversed, and the child may may be having poor handwriting. The child may be memorizing rather than reading a book or trouble rhyming words. If a teacher is finding difficulty with reading, this should be brought to attention as early as possible. If caught early, the problem can be reversed. If not treated or diagnosed in childhood, it is not too late to treat as adult, and many adults benefit from treatment or have found other technology such as voice recognition software to help with study and exams. However, dyslexics may have to work harder to become skilled readers.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging has been able to determine which areas in the brain are active during reading and speaking. The frontal lobe of the left hemisphere of the brain is active in vocalizing words (silent or out loud), while the parietal lobe of the left brain analyzes the word. The occipital lobe of the left brain is involved in automating the process of recognizing words (an automatic detector). In the dyslexic brain, the neurological “glitch” prevents the brain from easily accessing the regions involved, the word analyzer and the automatic detector, and may recruit areas in the right brain that process visual clues, such as a picture accompanying the word.
What does the treatment involve?
As for ADD/ADHD, early intervention gives the best results for dyslexics, and ideally, children should be screened in kindergarten to minimize educational delay and to preserve self confidence.
Many of the physical, emotional and cranial factors as for ADD need to be addressed for dyslexia and in addition, special exercises will be given to create new nerve pathways in the brain, to be able to “see” the letters or words correctly.
The number of sessions may be very few or many depending on how well the program is adhered to and if the exercises are done regularly at home. Any other medical and cranial patterns will need to be addressed as well.
Brain Power
Do you find that you forget important appointments or dates? Or cannot remember what you did yesterday?
Do you want to be a super learner?
Brain power is useful at any age, and the old saying “use it – or lose it” is very much applicable for mental function. Brain aging does not occur with age, but with lack of use.
An assessment of memory and concentration will be done at the first session. Frequently, it is not lack of memory, but no focus, attention to, or awareness of what is being said or done.The brain, just like any other part of the body needs particular nutrients, water and oxygen, and there may be brain allergies that prevent full function or cause psychological disturbances. Therefore, nutrition, allergy testing, brain integration and cranial work will be carried out to enhance brain power. An individual program will be made to suit each person’s requirements, integrating visual, auditory and sensory processing.
Special study techniques and exercises may form part of the program.