Looking After Yourself

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Benefits of regular massage include…

• Reduced Stress 
• Allow Relaxation
• Improve health
• Increase Circulation
• Aids Anxiety and Depression
• Release negative energy
• Reduce Pain and Stiffness 
• Bring relief for pain in the shoulder, neck, and lower back
• Aid in the repair and recovery of the body from illness and injury
• Detoxify the body

It may help to make you feel freer and have more mobility to your joints without that achiness and soreness feeling.  

At Heart, Mind and Soul we work with many clients with specific types of ailments including:

Parkinson’s - Many clients find that having a massage helps them to relax. We also target trigger points which helps to release tension within the body.

Amputees - Massage treatment may increase the blood flow to the amputation area, which may in turn help to improve circulation. 

Stroke Patients - Massage therapy may help with rehabilitation after having a stroke. Massage treatments can help an individual client who has had a stroke by increasing serotonin levels, or alleviating depression and anxiety.

Depression and Anxiety - Massage can help to relieve physical symptoms which go hand in hand with depression. It may also help to relieve fatigue and sleeping problems.

PTSD - Massage therapy treatment may help improve circulation and release tension to promote relaxation. It also reduces the effect of the stress hormones, fatigue and may help to prompt a clearer mind set.

Fibromyalgia - Massage may help with relaxation to improve sleep. It also improves muscle toxins. When suffering with headaches, massage may give relief to tightness of muscles, especially when suffering with fibromyalgia.

Learning Difficulties - Massage may help support clients with learning difficulties. Suffering with stress and anxiety can be eased, as well as easing tight and achy muscles, and poor sleep. Massage should be considered as an important part of therapy with clients that have learning difficulties and are under a management programme.

Medicine the Natural Way to get well and stay well with Dian Dincin Buchman, an alternative medicine pioneer and writer and we just love hey way of thinking! Here are some of her best hints and tips: 

ARTHITIS:

Take apple cider vinegar baths. Or take ginger root baths. Drink small amounts of tea while in the bath.

Drink burdock, or burdock burr tea: 1 cup three times a day, for a month and a half. Alternate with Cleansing teas and use detoxification procedures. Arthritis is systemic problems. Always consult a GP before use.

PAIN RELIEF:

Catnip: Prepare a tea from sprays and flowers of the catnip plant. Use a very small amount in the morning or evening, or a teaspoon immediately before meals. Catnip tea soothes the nerves. Always consult a GP before use.

CRAMPS AND MUSCLE SPASMS:

Arnica: Use arnica lotion or ointment on a cramp or muscle spasms. Eucalyptus Oil you can apply to the muscle spam. Olbas Oil or Lotion, this will be prepared combination of various herbal oil is very effective for massage, sport-induced cramps and muscle spasms.

Vinegar: Apply compresses of apple cider vinegar to the body on the area of the cramp, spasm, or tension. Use serval cups of vinegar in the bath water. Always consult a GP before use.

BOILS & ABSCESSES:

Cabbage: Break large ridges. Dip the leaves in warm water. Apply. Replaces when warm.

Fig: Split fig and apply hot. This is especially effective for a boil on the gum.

Radish: Many European countries used sliced root of radish on large boils.

Always consult a GP before use.

BLISTERS:

Apply peach pit tea to the blister. Ice application are also remarkably effective. Always consult a GP before use.

MEMORY: 

Rosemary Ancient use of this herb included drinking tea to “comfort the brain and refresh the memory”. Ginseng / Add a few grains of ginseng powered to daily herbal teas as a memory aid and stimulant. Special double-blind test has shown the memory action of adult students to be increased with small amounts of ginseng in the diet.

Our top tip that we like to use is Echinacea Cold and Flu Capsules, which is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relive the symptoms of the common cold and influenza type infections.

For more information on how to stay fit and healthy, please feel free to contact Debbie directly for a chat about various remedied and therapies.

 What is the difference between the coronavirus and the influenza virus?

The speed of transmission is an important point of difference between the two viruses.

Influenza has a shorter median incubation period (the time from infection to appearance of symptoms) and a shorter serial interval (the time between successive cases) than COVID-19 virus. 

The serial interval for COVID-19 virus is estimated to be 5-6 days, while for influenza virus, the serial interval is 3 days. This means that influenza can spread faster than COVID-19.

Further, transmission in the first 3-5 days of illness, or potentially pre-symptomatic transmission –transmission of the virus before the appearance of symptoms – is a major driver of transmission for influenza. 

In contrast, while we are learning that there are people who can shed COVID-19 virus 24-48 hours prior to symptom onset, at present, this does not appear to be a major driver of transmission.

  Parkinson's develops when cells in the brain stop working properly and are lost over time. These brain cells produce a chemical called dopamine. Symptoms start to appear when the brain cannot make enough dopamine to control movement properly.

There are three main or most noticeable symptoms are:

· Tremor (shaking)

· Slowness of movement

· Rigidity (muscle stiffness)

But there are many other symptoms too. (This information found via the link below) https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/types-parkinsonism

How can Massage Therapy help and what is it?

Many people over thousands of years have used massage therapy for a healing injury and use it for relaxation. It also helps with mobility and to ease pain discomfort, helps with, motor symptoms and sense of wellbeing. 

There are many types of massage that can be used to help you with your condition. Some types of massage can help with but may be vigorous like a deep tissue or sport massage.

When having a massage, the therapist might just focus on one part or the whole area of the body. There has been lots of research with has taken place to say that massage may help with regards to lowering the pain levels.

Massage has been known to help with flexibility and joints movement. When having a massage, it should not hurt but there might be discomfort if pressure is applied to the tender area.

After massage, the therapist should go through the aftercare with you. There may be some soreness, redness or bruising for two to three days. 

Always make sure you use a therapist that is registered and insured with a professional body. The therapist should hold and be able to show you qualifications certificate. 

For further information go to hello@parksions.org.uk

(Heart Mind & Soul take no responsibility for injury whilst undertaking these or any other forms of exercise)

Debbie Lamb at Heart Mind and Soul specialises in working with clients with different types of ailments, illnesses and needs including: 

Parkinson’s

Many Clients find that having a massage helps them to relax. The therapist will use different techniques including kneading and rubbing manipulation of the body. This also targets trigger points, which helps to release tension within the body.

Amputees

Massage treatments may increase the blood flow to the amputation area, which may in turn help to improve circulation. Massage treatments can also help to reduce pain to the area as poor Blood Circulation can cause chronic discomfort and pain.

Stroke

Massage therapy may help with rehabilitation after having a stroke. Massage treatments can help stroke clients by increasing serotonin levels, which can alleviate depression and anxiety.

Depression and Anxiety

When suffering with depression, massage may help to relieve the resulting physical symptoms which commonly accompany depression. Massage can help alleviate sluggishness, back pain, joint pain, and muscle aches. It may help to relive fatigue and sleeping problems.

PTSD

Massage therapy treatment may help improve circulation and release tension to promote relaxation. It also encourages the release of stress-fighting, as well as helping to reduce the effect of the stress hormones, fatigue and may help to prompt a clear mind set as well as additional breathing techniques before and after treatment.

Fibromyalgia

Massage may help with relaxation to improve sleep. It also improves muscle toxins. It may help with fatigue and improve with mental clarity. When suffering with headaches, massage may give relief to tightness of muscles, especially when suffering with fibromyalgia.

Learning Difficulties

Massage may help support clients with learning difficulties. Suffering with stress and anxiety can be eased, as well as easing tight and achy muscles, and poor sleep. Massage should be considered as an important part of therapy with clients that have learning difficulties and are under management.

Deborah Lamb is trained in working with clients who suffer with learning difficulties, Asperger’s and autism ** Certificate can be shown on request 

  Turmeric

Helps may help with Arthritis & Joint Pain. 

May reduces the chronic Inflammation and Inflammation in the body’s immune system responding to irritation. 

May help with the aids weight Loss as obesity can lead to several different health issues, such as high blood pressure, pressure to the joints. 

Turmeric may help Improves Skin Health as our skin is the all-important, outermost protective layer of our body.  

  Devils Claw 

This is a traditional herbal medicinal product that is used for the relief of backache, rheumatic or muscular pain, and general aches and pains in the muscles and joints. 

It may help to relief of Arthritis. Devil’s claws are the ability to reduce discomfort to your joints. Devils Claw is known as natural Painkillers. It has been proven to be effective for arthritis pain. 

I was forty-four and was feeling down. There was no rhyme or reason, I was just totally exhausted, at a low like I had never known before – The tank was empty. 

“All I wanted to do was sleep and everything was just too much”

One thing I learnt throughout suffering with Chronic Fatigue is that when your body is telling you to rest, do it! Do it to heel yourself again. I am also extremely aware that there is a significant difference between tiredness or exhaustion and actual fatigue.

I found that for me that it really effected my emotional well-being and my mind state psychological. And God above did I find it hard to like other humans, give me my fur babies any day. No pressure, no white noise, no drama!

I also felt like I could not remember anything clearly, I’d forget the most mundane things. And my body and muscles always hurt, they burned. I also felt incredibly frightened all the time, with my anxiety at its peak and the tears would come without warning.

The worst I think was when my son went travelling in 2018 to Australia – He was the other side of the world and on his own. From the moment he was in the air I felt my whole world had ended. I did not want to go to work, I could not even get up and I felt like a whole part of me was missing, like someone had removed a limb. He was the first to leave home. He was always a home child prior to his travels, never leaving my peripheral vision or apron strings for too long, and I am to this day very protective of him.

This was, looking back now, not me being one of those clingy mothers. It was due to him chocking when he was a toddler. He nearly died in my arms and it was me who gave the poor boy the kiss of life. I was fighting to get him breathing again. Our relationship, or mine towards him, changed from that very second. 

And the strangest thing was that although he was completely fine and I had saved him, it felt like a bereavement. My emotions were off the chart. I cannot thank my best friend and my daughter enough; it was they who got me though those times of guilt and distress.

My daughter would make sure that I was up every morning and ready for work. Without her and my best friend, I think to this day I would have still been asleep and would have not been spurred on to get diagnosed.

“What did I do to help myself?”

It is important to look at your routine and look how you work your activities, so you are not going from zero to warp speed in what feels like a matter of seconds.

Make a chart from when you get up right to when you are tucked up in bed for the night; Look at the actives you do during the day and work out when you are at your best.

· Get up, shower and dress (or you will end up in your PJ’s all day)

· Remember to eat regularly and go for healthier choices

· Exercise and get out in the fresh air!

· Carve out time to just relax or meditate – There is no shame in this

· Be honest – Tell people what is going on

· Never be ashamed to say NO!

For me I would say that to support dealing with my fatigue, getting up at the same time every morning was important and going to bed the same time every night too.

I will still take a nap in the afternoon for an hour if I can, or do mindfulness breathing exercises which help to clear the mind and focus for the rest of the day and what it will bring. 

When at my worst though I can sleep for hours on end, so trying to keep it to a minim has really helped – Even setting a gentle alarm to wake myself.

Another important thing I have learnt from this is to give family and friends ownership of their own worries and problems. Don’t be afraid to say ‘sorry, not my circus, not my monkeys’ or ‘no I cannot assist you with that’.

“This is YOUR life - You need to control it!”

If you don’t this can cause you stress, poor sleep or pushing yourself too hard to be able help anyway. This in turn causes anxiety, depression which lead to either doing nothing or totally over doing it and of course a poor diet. It’s a slippery slope!

Things you can do to Improve your fatigue and your well-being

· Improve your diet and eat healthier, make healthier choices

· Set a routine like getting up and going to bed the same time each day

· Delegate to others and if not leave it and relax

· Planning is always best

· Relaxation through Mindfulness or Yoga

· Treat yourself to a Relaxation Massage 

(mine is an Indian head treatment)

· Set limits for home/work life balance

· Make sure you have time limits with your mobile phone

· Ensure you are off any social media an hour before bedtime

I have discovered that I am at my best first thing in the morning. I get out with my dog’s, ensure that the house tidy and that work has started (as I work for myself). 

I highly recommend regular exercise, even if it is just a ten-minute work out a day or a good walk or even sit-down yoga. There really is no such thing as “my mobility will not let me”.

I am (as you can see) also a great believer of the list, especially for a positive home life and work life balance. 

1. High priority 

2. Medium priority 

3. Low priority

4. Things for next week

And remember… Rome was not built in a day.

Look at taking Vitamin B12 - This really helps but do get advice from your GP first if you are on medication to ensure that any additional herbal products are suitable for you.

For more information go and visit your GP who may refer you on to the Chronic Fatigue department for support and advice.

The weird menopause world started incredibly early for me. At age just forty-two, there I was pre-menopausal. 

I did not know what the hell was going on with my body, or my mind for that matter!

I had some family worries at the time and life felt so awfully hard. 

I am a mum of three, a wife, daughter, cleaning, gardener, dog walker, chef, laundry, household bill operator, taxi services, small business owner with employees and general dog’s body to everyone that needed me to deal with their problems, so they did not have to.

“There was no time for ME!”

It felt like everyone wanted a slice of me and I was screaming inside, felt so bad on the inside, but the outside I looked like I had it together, level-headed. A woman that was strong and could deal with everything in life.

In truth, I was a person that did not know what the hell was happening with my hormones or my body. And by the time I was forty-four the hot flushes started to kick in and the ghastly sweats at night were unbelievable. Sleeping was hard and I would be awake for most of it, only to be interrupted by the daily alarm which indicated repeating the whole process again.

With such fatigue and feeling drained with the big M, I could sleep all day, having been awake most of the night before. 

I felt like everything on my body was heading southwards and hated myself. I suddenly felt incredibly old and ugly. My skin was losing lustre and was to me, saggy and to top it all, there was hair on my face! 

“Where did that appear from!”

I had three clear rolls of fat on my tummy and I felt like someone had pumped me up with a football pump. I was so irritable and yes, my poor husband got it big time. 

For some reason he was more annoying than normal, and I could never quite tell him how I felt. I didn’t feel that in a million years would he have understood.  As I know what he would have said “just get on with it”.

My anxiety was at the highest level it had ever been. I really did not like leaving the house and work was a real chore despite really enjoying my work and building my business up. 

Even walking my dogs was hard, as I really do not like humans at the best of times and conversations are a struggle. So, I would go out at 5.30am just to avoid any interaction. 

At work, working with clients, I was focused. My business is helping others, it’s what I choose to do. So, these relationships were easier for me.

Finally, I went to the doctors and they put me on HR tablets. I could not take them for long as they kept giving me a migraine, so I looked at alternatives, the natural approach.

I take Vitamin B12 and C, D, calcium tablets and my family has got on board and supported me on a healthy eating diet plan. 

Exercise has become vital! I walk with the dogs almost five miles a day and partake in some home fitness classes too - I say home fitness classes when I can be bothered. 

Luckily, my daughter is a great motivator and to date I have lost half stone.

“I feel so much better in myself, eating well and getting the right nutrition”.

I have just started the 30-day plan with Arbonne and so far, its ok, as ok as dieting can go. And I miss cheese and crackers!

Mindfulness and meditation time is totally amazing, and I could not be without it now. There is Yoga for 10 minutes a day which kick-starts my day. 

I go to bed at the same time every night and get up early every morning which really helps. I look after me now and I have regular massages to keep me more flexible twice a month. 

I also have a facial every other month and I have a facial bio peel every six months to strip the skin and reveal new fresh skin.

My daughter always says, “if you look good you feel good”. And yes, I think she could be right. 

I also rely on and talk to my small group friends about the menopause and what it is doing to me, and they all agree, all have a story or an idea. After all, they too are ladies of age.

Bust if I am honest, the best advice I can give anyone on tis mature journey is just take time for you. Breath! We were not designed to remain fresh and young, but we can ensure that we are healthy and happy as we grow older.

Please look at the NHS website for ideas and tips on how to cope with the menopause.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause