TLC IN A COLUMN - Natural Medicine 08/06

Hello friends & neighbours!

Well I've settled into Hifumi's new clinic already. It really is proving to be a popular spot. If you haven't already, I recommend a visit to check out her exquisite new salon, as ever, with her warm welcome & exclusive service.

A little later than scheduled, I thought I would cover why I believe people are opting for more natural medicine these days.

I have observed people are taking more responsibility about what they buy, reading labels, questioning sources, side effects etc. This I believe is part of a general swing back to more of us taking responsibility for our health.

Gone are the days when a white coat could dish pills without question. Antibiotics become less effective with overuse. Side effects from many drugs result in people taking more drugs to address the side effects, & in turn these additional drugs may have more side effects……you get the picture!

I see more people coming through my clinics who want to find other ways of tackling their health issues. They don't want to risk taking blood pressure pills that affect their metabolism, so they put on more weight, therefore put more strain on their heart. People don't want to take anti-depressants they risk becoming dependent upon. We don't want a quick fix anymore & want to know what we can do to minimise trips to our GP.

I find friends, families & neighbours eat better, & eat less processed foods than they used to, preventing heart disease, compromised immune systems & vitamin or mineral deficiencies. Since Monty Don has been promoting grow your own veggies, requests for allotments has risen dramatically in the last 6 months.

More & more we are reverting back to drinking infusions or sniffing oils to address our agues. We look to St John's Wort tinctures to address depression with fewer side effects & just as effective results as with modern medicine.

Smokers taking vitamin C to attempt to counteract what they lose as a result of smoking. More parents are using gentle neem & essential oils to combat headlice rather than using artificial products which have been reported as carcinogenic.

We are using massage, acupuncture & osteopathy to address niggles, tension & postural problems rather than popping the ibuprofen, which ultimately your body has to deal with. Having a massage or Bowen Technique or exercising to address the build up of stress, or tension from sitting at a PC too long rather than taking anti-spasmodic pills & painkillers.

Obviously the ideal would be that we don't take any medicine, but realistically I think balance is the key. Our nation had become one of fast food junkies, but we have woken up & realise that with more self-maintenance, better nourishment & love we can enjoy living longer healthier lives. That means occasionally we should challenge specialists, therapists, GPs, suppliers of produce, toiletries & cleaning products; but challenge is healthy.

There is a place for most medicine, but I believe that people want to go the least invasive route with least side effects.

All in all, I think the outlook is good. Less stressed out bunnies who proactively build in a bit of relaxation time to reduce stress & tension, which means less stress-related illness. Less congested waiting rooms in our GP's surgeries, where GPs can afford more time to spend with their patients. Healthier generations enjoying all that life has to offer. Our knowing that ill health is rarely a random misfortune, but usually a culmination of how we live our lives, therefore, enjoying the wellbeing that personal responsibility brings.

On that note, as always, have fun & be well,

Nicolle Mitchell I.T.E.C., EMBODY, A.C. Registered

Holistic Health Therapist & Practice Manager

THE LITTLE MASSAGE CLINIC

HALF MOON

TEL: 01209 711686

Email: nicolle@tlcinabottle.co.uk

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH: "Globalisation is an inevitable evolutionary process of shifting from hostile competition to mature co-operation.” Elisabet Sahtouris, Biologist & Philosopher

DISCLAIMER: we do not diagnose or guarantee cures. We aim to help people make informed choices about their health. Any changes in lifestyle, diet, mediation, supplementation or remedies, should be taken with your G.P.'s or health professional's support.