My symptoms:

• Stomach aches.
• Cramping.
• Difference in bowel movements – move frequent.
• Fatigue.
• Spotty skin.
• Sleeplessness.
• Loss in concentration.
• Lacking in appetite.
• Anxiety.
• Nausea.
• Weight loss – 11/2 stone.

Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrison’s- Free From sections.

Rhubarb & Custard Bakery – 40-41 Norwich Market. Do fantastic Gluten, wheat, diary and Fat free cakes, cookies and breads. Also vegan free. I would carry on eating cake/bread from this stall even when I am better as they are so tasty. Even my husband likes them.

Nutritionist:

Catherine Jeans  DipION mBANT CNHC. Based at The Orange Grove Clinic, Norwich.

Medication:

I do prefer to not take medication from the GP but to keep myself going it has been vital. There is many different times of IBS medication and it really depends what suits you.

Relaxation:

This gives your mind and body time to switch off for a while. I have found a regular Deep Tissue Massage very effective for my mind and muscular tension. Hobbies – jewellery making, cycling, walking, gym and watching films. Warm baths and burning Aromatherapy oils in a aromastone and even washing with them. Not doing Self-employed paper work at 10pm like I use to and to having to learn to switch off before bed. Listening to relaxing music to help me get to sleep and reading to make my eyes tired.

These commitments normally begin on New Year’s Day and remain until they have been abandoned or fulfilled.

If your New Year’s resolution consists of one of the following – help is at hand.

As soon as my husband started sneezing, sniffling and looked pale I knew he had a cold. He must be starting to feel unwell because out came the cold cures from the medicine cabinet, but at least it isn’t man flu! Personally I take a different approach to help boost my immune system, kill germs and improve my health and well-being. So out came the aroma stone and lavender essential oil so while we slept we could breathe in the therapeutic properties. You may think “why don’t you start taking medication?” but tablets don’t always agree with my digestive system.

Aromatherapy essential oils are so easy to use and have so many benefits for your health. How do they work? Well, essential oils are concentrated plant extracts, which are obtained through extracting the essence from flowers, bark, leaves, fruits and roots. The easiest essential oil to see is the pure essential oil that comes out of orange peel when you squeeze it. They are seven methods of extraction:  Steam or water distillation, expression, solvent extraction, carbon dioxide extraction, hydro-diffusion, enfleurage and maceration.

Essential oils enter the body in three ways. They can be:

• Applied to the skin – through massage, compresses, baths, in creams, gels, lotions, shampoos, conditions and face masks (must use an emulsifier as essential oils can irritate the skin).
• Inhaled – through the nose or mouth. Using a vaporiser – burner, aroma stone, diffuser, light bulb ring or added to hot water and inhaled in steam.
• Ingested – ingestion (swallowing). Oral ingestion of essential oils is NOT recommended because a great deal of essential oils knowledge and expertise is necessary for safe practice. Some essential oils can be toxic to the liver or kidneys when ingested.

My top five essential oils:

• Lavender – (true) Lavandula angustifolia.

Antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, balancing, cooling and analgesic. Relaxing if used in small quantities.

• Bergamot – Citrus bergamia.

Analgesic, antiseptic, antiviral, cooling, relaxing, sedative, laxative and uplifting.

• Geranium – Pelargonium graveolens.

Astringent, antidepressant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, balancing, stimulant, tonic and uplifting.

• Orange – (sweet) Citrus sinensis.

Antidepressant, antispasmodic, antiviral, sedative, stimulant (digestive/ lymphatic) and uplifting. Hypotensive – lowers blood pressure.

• Tea Tree – Melaleuca alternifolia.

Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, cooling, fungicidal, immune-stimulant, tonic and vulnerary.

Aromatherapy can be extremely effective and can be used in conjunction with other treatments (natural and pharmaceutical). For serious conditions and use in pregnancy always seek advice from a fully qualified aromatherapist.

If you’re feeling under the weather, or if you keep getting colds or other illnesses, there are many ways you can give your immune system a boost:

• Eat your five a day – swap junk foods and microwave meals in favour of fresh fruit and vegetables, and wholegrain foods. Fruit, vegetables, and wholegrain food contain lots of immune boosting vitamins and minerals.
• Cut down on caffeinated drinks – instead drink plenty of water, unsweetened fruit juices and herbal teas. Water will flush out your system, and fruit juice is packed full of vitamins and minerals. Herbal teas make a refreshing alternative to tea and coffee. Why not try Echinacea tea, it may reduce the duration of illness and decreases the severity of cough, headache, and nasal congestion.
• Get plenty of exercise – as well as lowering your risk of getting long-term health conditions, exercising for 30 minutes five times a week will improve circulation and keep your body’s defences on top form. The exercise you do doesn’t have to be too taxing – anything that gets you out of breath can count towards your 30 minutes.
• Get more Sleep – sleeping is your body’s way of repairing your defences. Aim for around 7-8 hours every night, and keep to a regular bedtime.
• Cut down on stress – as your heart beats faster and your immune system slows down. Take time to relax whenever you feel the pressure

For ears, nose and throat conditions Hopi ear Candling is a gentle effective treatment which helps to boosts the immune system as well. As the candle burns it creates a chimney effect drawing away the vapour and impurities from the ear.

Massage helps to eliminate toxins, impurities, and strengthen the immune system and aids relaxation. It can also help regulate sleep patterns, revitalize energy and induce a sense of well – being.

Making small changes can make the difference between suffering with illness or being fit and healthy.

Would you  like to try a Complementary Therapy treatment but don’t know if you will enjoy or benefit from it?

30 minute mini treatments for only £15 in October.

The Taster Treatment offer does not include a Aromatherapy Facial or Stone Therapy Massage. This is because of the preparation time needed before and after these treatments which would impact on full treatments.

Book yourself an appointment by calling Neal’s Yard Remedies Therapy Rooms: 01603 766681 and quote: TTOctVT

This offer is for new clients only.

Try a Treatment and get £20 off.

A Pregnancy Massage can be just the right thing to help get through it all, especially when it’s a treatment which is designed specifically for someone expecting. Mum-to-be and unborn baby can both benefit in many ways from a Pregnancy Massage; a treatment which considers well-being, comfort, safety and relaxation.

What to expect during a Pregnancy Massage:

There are a couple of positions  that can be used to ensure as much comfort as possible; mum-to-be can be seated on a chair leaning forward against a pillow or lying on her side on a treatment couch supported with pillows. The treatment can include: back, neck, shoulders, face, scalp, abdominals, hand & arms, foot and legs. Towels are used so that only the body part being massaged is exposed.

The products applied are Organic and Paraben free, also potential risks are limited by not using any nut based oils or certain essential oils that may be harmful.

After the first trimester there are still some conditions which may prevent the treatment from being carried out, in these cases the GP’s permission may be required for safety.

Benefits for mum-to-be and unborn baby:

Pregnancy massage helps to increase blood circulation, which in turn delivers more oxygen and nutrients to mum and baby. It can help to prepare mum-to-be for the birth; physically, emotionally and mentally. Swelling in hands, feet and ankles can be reduced, as well as minimising nausea. Postural alignment, muscular and sciatic discomfort can be improved. Blood and lymph flow which can help increase the elimination of toxins through the circulatory and lymphatic systems can be increased which can help with fatigue. The immune system can be strengthened and the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers, into the brain and nervous system can be stimulated. Anxiety and depression can be alleviated and blood pressure can be normalised.

Aromatherapy Pregnancy Massage:

Aromatherapy oils can be incorporated into the treatment to enhance the massage and can help treat further symptoms of pregnancy such as stretch marks, morning sickness, oedema, mood swings and can encourage a better night’s sleep.

 Post-natal care:

After the baby’s birth massage is a wonderful way to recuperate from childbirth and ease into motherhood. Massage can gently facilitate the body’s return to its pre-pregnancy state. It can help to restore and normalise abdominal structure, aid breastfeeding, maintain flexibility, prevent and reduce back and neck pain despite the physical stresses of infant care. The stress from childbirth and time spent caring for your newborn may be hard on your body. Massage not only gives you nurturing and emotional support to help you gain back your lost energy, but also helps the body return to its condition before pregnancy.

We forget about the importance of relaxation because modern life is full of hassles, deadlines, frustrations and demands. For many people stress becomes a way of life but stress isn’t always bad.

In small doses, it can help you perform under pressure and motivate you to do your best. We are constantly running from one thing to another and our mind & bodies are paying the price. Relaxation is both a physical and mental state of mind which is an essential element in helping an individual to maintain and optimize their physical and mental well-being. It is the antidote to stress which is known to contribute to the development of disease. When we relax, our body has an opportunity to unwind.

• Gastrointestinal -  Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Respiratory -  Asthma
• Cardiovascular – High Blood Pressure
• Musculoskeletal – Headaches, Arthritis, Back pain
• Reproductive – Infertility, Menopause, Premenstrual Syndrome
• Immune- Rheumatoid Arthritis, Herpes Simplex, Colds and Flu
• Skin- Eczema, Psoriasis
• Neurological – Multiple Sclerosis, Migraine & Epilepsy
• Psychological – Anxiety/ Stress, Depression & Panic attacks
• General – Insomnia & Chronic Pain

Relaxation isn’t just about finding a hobby, having a glass of wine or watching a film. Relaxation is a process that decreases wear and tear on our mind, body and soul. Whether you have a lot of stress in your life or you feel you have got it under control, you can benefit from relaxation.

A muscle knot is when your muscle remains flexed and refuses to relax, which is the reason why they can be so painful.  The medical term for muscle knots is myofascial trigger points.

How to reduce them: