Kansa Vatki Foot Massage™. Kansa what?

Kansa Vatki Foot Massage™ (KVFM). Kansa what? I hear you say. KVFM combined with 'marma therapy' - Indian acupressure - is one of the most relaxing forms of massage and the most established. Now it is coming to Norwich!

Since qualifying in KVFM I have had nothing but praise for it. I have had lovely comments such as 'blissful', 'so relaxing', 'like walking on air'. This was the most recent one: 'it has left my muscles feeling soft & calm'. I received my qualification from a tutor who trained with the 'London Centre of Indian Champissage'. I was also lucky enough to have the treatment & found it be utterly relaxing.

So what is KVFM? This 'ayurvedic' form of foot massage originates from India and has a long well established history of use there. Ayurveda is the traditional medicine system of India and is the world’s oldest healing system, dating back approximately 5,000 years. By the way, 'ayurveda' is thought by many to be the forerunner of modern medicine: "ayur" means life and "veda" means knowledge.

Central to the KVFM treatment is a small bowl made up of three metals - copper, zinc and tin.

Copper may be helpful in reducing pain, inflammation and arthritis. Many people in the Western world wear copper bracelets for this reason. Zinc may be helpful in the proper functioning of the immune system. Finally, tin is believed to be helpful in digestion, relieving headaches and insomnia. This unique bowl in the hands of a experienced therapist will leave you feeling on top of the world. 

Traditionally, clarified butter or ghee is used although other oils such as coconut, sunflower, jojoba or sesame are used.

This treatment involves working on the feet and lower limbs using relaxing and smoothing massage techniques to soften and rest the muscles. Then using the special Kansa Vatki bowl, specific moves are carried out on the feet. Clients have reported that this leaves them feeling rejuvenated, refreshed, relaxed and more able to re-connect with themselves.

KVFM is suitable for all – young and old – sick or healthy. It especially benefits those who spend long hours on their feet as it may:-

• relax tired and aching feet and joints,
• improve and help joint mobility,
• help to strengthen the legs and feet,
• promote good sleep,
• help to reduce stress and anxiety

It may also help with regulating the body as it balances body, mind and spirit. Furthermore, it may promote good health and help in preventing de-generative diseases.

It is thought that the soles of the feet are directly connected to the human soul as the feet contain key energy and nerve endings relating to internal organs.

The treatment sessions are just under an hour with assessment and consultation. Give it a try – you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Further details: 07717089280

Kansa Vatki Foot Massage (KVFM)

Offering soon! I'll be doing Kansa Vatki Foot Massage (KVFM) in Norwich.

I will keep you posted about the introductory price offer but in the meantime I'll give you more information about this unique Indian Foot Massage. Must go & write it now!

Children & Bereavement

As an adult I find the subject of loss and bereavement difficult to discuss with others or on-line & even more so to put it down in words. It is one of those very personal subjects and it is hard to know how to approach it when someone has lost a person close to them. How do you acknowledge their bereavement? A card? A phone call? In person? On-line? Do you talk about the dead person; and for how long do you continue to mention them? How long should one stay in this 'grief' period? These and many other questions have cropped up whenever there has been a bereavement in my own circle. I am aware that people's responses will be as individual as they are.

If I as an adult have problems discussing bereavement then imagine what it must be like for a young child to loss a sibling, parent/s or friend. At such difficult times 'Nelson's Journey' have come to the rescue to help some children cope with their grief & thankfully has helped many young children come to terms with their loss.

I am supporting an event on Sunday 16^th August, at the Silver Room, Norwich to draw attention to this valuable charity and raise funds for it.

The following information was sent by the Organisation:-

”Nelson’s Journey is a Norfolk charity supporting children and young people, up to their 18^th birthday, who have experienced the death of a significant person in their life e.g. parent, sibling, best friend etc. Our vision is to give every bereaved child in Norfolk the support they need to move forward positively with their lives, never having to cope with their loss alone. We know offering the right help at the right time gives them the best chance of avoiding long-term mental and emotional health issues, which can lead to educational problems, drug and alcohol abuse and law-breaking. We understand too that coming to terms with their loss often means dealing with anger, bottled-up feelings and confusion as well as grief, particularly when their love one’s death was sudden, unexpected or the result of suicide. Our 1:1 sessions, therapeutic weekends, activity days and NJ Clubs offer support tailored to each child’s needs and circumstances, and our guidance gives parents and carers the tools they need to support them. Nelson’s Journey endeavours to ‘Bring back smiles to bereaved children’. During 2014 we received 598 referrals, a rise of 18% on the previous year.”

7 easy steps to avoid the 'heatwave'

As I write this the weather outside is sunny and bright – at least it is in Norwich, Norfolk! It is so tempting to get out there to enjoy the sun. However, it is always good idea to try and be careful with the amount of exposure to the sun; especially during a heatwave.

The definition of a heatwave is when the temperature exceeds 30°C during the day and 15°C at night. These temperatures could have significant effects on people’s health regardless of their age and present health condition. If these temperatures are reached on at least two consecutive days and the intervening night then it is advisable to be very sensible.

Taking the following precaution during a heatwave may be helpful:-

1.  Drink plenty of water, 2l is the recommended daily intake. Staying hydrated, especially during a heatwave, is crucial to your wellbeing.

2. Now may be the time to sort your wardrobe out and find your cool clothing. It is possible to be smart and cool at the same time by planning your wardrobe according to the temperature outside. So forget heavy wool, jersey or tight clothing such as the denim 'slim fit' trousers/leggings which seem be the fashion at the moment. Instead go for light and loose fitting clothing. If you are planning to buy new clothes this summer then look out for 'smart' clothes that are manufactured to keep you cool. I have a t-shirt made with this material & it is very comfortable to wear when I am working as a therapist.

3. Plan ahead and pace yourself. It is always best to see what the weather forecast will be if you have to be out & about during the heatwave. The weather forecasts are usually accurate these days. If you suffer from any pollen related allergies then paying attention to the pollen count would be beneficial to you. 

4. Get fresh air into your house/workplace. This may not always be easy but do what you can to create a through draft through open doors and windows where secure and safe to do so. Also, using a fan to lower the temperature would be helpful. You may like to think about switching off hot lights or electrical equipment that generate extra heat – this will also save you money!

5. Avoid physical exertion. Plan your day and delay anything that requires exertion to a cooler day or an early morning. If possible get someone to help you with heavy physical tasks.

6. Travelling - do you have to make that journey? If it is unavoidable then try to minimise going out in the heat of the day, normally between 11am - 3pm. Plan for cooler times of the day or delay your travel altogether. Also, always make sure that you have plenty of water to drink with you especially if you are caught in traffic or delayed on the railway. I always carry water in an insulated carrier & always have a frozen wrap around my water bottle. A little snack such as a banana is also a good idea.

7. The hot weather can increase the problems caused by any existing illness as well as causing heatwave related illnesses such as heat exhaustion. If you suspect that you or someone else is suffering from heat stroke then seek immediate medical help. If you have elderly or vulnerable neighbours then please keep an eye on them. Heat can easily kill.

Enjoy the weather; we don't get enough sunny days for our bodies to get used to the temperature so play safe and savour the moments.

Keep calm & cool!

This is one of the simplest, effective & cheapest way to cool down during the heatwave which we are having in the UK at the moment. Today the temperature where I live was in the 20s. So turn of the air conditioning/fans and just get yourself a water bottle. 

Place the bottle in the freezer for a few minutes and as the picture shows roll it under your bare feet. Of course, you can also do this with your socks/tights on. This will cool you down and as an added bonus will also massage your feet so helping to relax the rest of your body. What could be better than that. You'll feel refreshed & it only takes a few minutes.

Pain in the butt? What to do about it.

Pain in the butt? What to do about it.

The statistics for back pain are staggering. Back pain is very common and according to a survey published recently almost half the adult population of the UK report low back pain lasting for at least 24 hours at some time in the year. It is estimated that four out of every five adults will experience back pain at some stage in their life. The cost to the local economy and to one's health is enormous. Recently nearly 5 million working days were lost as a result of back pain. This means that on any one day 1% of the working population are on sickness leave due to a back problem. Back pain is the number 2 reason for long-term sickness in much of the UK.

If you had persistent back pain it used to be suggested that bed rest was the only solution and people used to be confined to their beds for months on end. As medical knowledge has improved, this is no longer the case. It is just as well that this advice is no longer followed as it leads to muscle wastage and can affect one's mental wellbeing. Recent researches in numerous countries have shown that the best way to manage back pain is through activity which help to strengthen the core muscles. These muscles are crucial in supporting our frames and any strengthening of muscles will also help to support the areas affected. Activities needed to strengthen muscles are varied and can include everything from gentle walking to vigorous swimming. Also, gentle exercise routines Such as Pilates or Yoga are worth investigating.

As a back pain sufferer I know just how pain can affect one's whole wellbeing. Life can become a struggle and the pain seems to be ever-present and dominating one's life. I remember when I first had my first attack of bad sciatica and things were desperate for me. Pain definitely has a way of saying “don't ignore me”! I tried out the usual physio and walking. It wasn't until I had some sessions of acupuncture that things began to improve. I also has regular massage sessions with a therapist who went on to become my massage tutor! I noticed the massage sessions helped me to unwind and forget my pain for duration of the treatment. The good news was that these 'feel-good effects' carried on for some time afterwards and I was able to 'bank' them. I decided to combine the treatments with gentle walking by joining a health group ran by the local Council and also a local walking group run by the local church. I made a point of noticing everything around me and tried to be calm.

I also joined a swimming group as I knew that I wouldn't turn up to swim on my own! These combined activities helped me to feel better about myself physically.

In addition to my own self-help activities I also had traction, heat treatments and prescribed exercises from the physiotherapist. I'm pleased to say that I still carry on with some of these regimes to maintain my wellbeing and strengthen my core muscles. I think that once you have had back pain then its best to keep on top of it by looking after it and pampering it. Pain isn't fun!

As well as physically looking after myself I also made sure that my mental wellbeing was taken care of. I did this by surrounding myself with supportive friends and family and making sure that I had social activities planned most days. This could be anything from meeting up for a natter and coffee (not forgetting the cake!) to going for a special outing to the beach or an exhibition. I found that having company helped me and having planned distractions outside the house greatly helped me too. These activities do not have to involve any cost – just forward planning!

I also found that “rewarding” myself & “self-talk” tactics were very useful. By rewards I mean little treats like: “I'll have a drink/biscuit after I've done this set of exercise”. Or saying to myself: “I will feel better and I will get better”. When I said that to myself I made sure that I put the emphasis on “will”. Thinking in the positive was cathartic and I am sure it helped towards my recovery.

However, it wasn't all plain sailing for me. There were days when the pain was so bad that I felt like just crawling under the duvet and staying there. Fortunately for me lying down was one of the worst positions for me.

Don't give up hope if you are in constant pain. Make sure that you are getting all the help that the National Health can provide for you and also make sure that your condition has been thoroughly investigated. Don't leave any stones unturned. I know this is easier said than done. When you are in pain it can take your self-confidence away and your ability to concentrate and communicate effectively may well be gone. If this does happen to you then make sure that you've got a family member/friend to support you. If you don't want to share this with family/friends then there are also many charities that may be able to support and act as your advocate. MIND is one of the most active charities in supporting people's mental wellbeing. You may also find that joining a support / interest group may well help you.

As a massage therapist I often get clients with back pain and I know from what they say just how badly it can affect them. Not only does their health suffer but their work, their finances and their personal life can suffer too. Please don't suffer in silence as there's help available.

If you approach your pain with a positive mind combined with some physical manipulation such as massage/yoga then you may be able to bring it under control or at least get some relief. Good luck.

Acupuncture is a part of traditional Chinese medicine....

I am delighted to say that my second guest blogger, Ehab Hamisa, the acupuncturist at the Centre where I am based has kindly agreed to let me have a copy of his article:-

"Acupuncture is a part of traditional Chinese medicine in which small, hair sized needles is inserted into the body at specific locations in order to alter the flow of energy. These channels which, according to Chinese medicine, run through the body keep everything in line and balanced. If one of these should happen to get out of balance, however, it could cause a problem in the entire body and depending on where the imbalance occurred, it could affect a specific area of the body. This is really the essence of yin and yang, the two forces which regulate almost everything within the human body. I am always interested in TCM to treat people using the body power and the soul by stimulating QI or SHI through the meridians channels to release and remove the blockage point using the acupuncture or acupressure on specific the acu-points to help healing and treat the cause of the disease. The strong back ground in biomedical and biological sciences where I have been practice in pathology to diagnose diseases using the western medicine methodology helped me to full understand of the human anatomy and physiology and increased my ambition to treat the human body and soul with the holistic therapy methods instead of the western chemical medicine which it always had a side effects. I am always interested in treating the cause of disease not just the symptoms, passionately enjoying working with people at profound level to encourage potential in addition to treating the illness. As I always believe that our bodies have an amazing ability to heal themselves but just need a helping hand".  Dr. Ehab Hamisa

Sue Adlam - My first amazing guest blogger

Sue Adlam is one of those amazing ladies I'm in contact with via the net. She has been very supportive of my business from the beginning. She kindly agreed to be my first guest blogger. As you can see she had an interesting career so far:-

"I am a Complementary Therapist, qualified in Aromatherapy, Holistic and Indian Head Massage. A member of and insured with the FHT – The Federation of Holistic Therapists. Based in West Wiltshire with my husband and my daughter, I am passionate about organic food, farming and pretty much everything else that is organic and truly natural!

Previously a primary teacher, I decided that it was time to take a different direction after spending the early years of my daughter’s life as a full time mum. So looking for something that fitted around her, as teaching was no longer an option, in October 2011 I commenced my training as an Aromatherapist. I then became an independent consultant with NYR Organic in February 2012 as I had used the products for years and couldn’t resist the idea of discount. I quickly realised how well these two things fitted together and have built quite a large business with NYRO – which is now supporting the growth of my therapy business as customers become clients and vice versa!

In July 2013, desperate to start working as a therapist, I gained a diploma in Indian Head Massage and started working at Warminster Osteopathic Clinic. In August 2014 I received a distinction in Aromatherapy & Holistic Massage through the Bristol School for Holistic Therapies. I am very excited about setting up my home clinic, the launch of which is imminent as all I have to do I make a blind for the window! Also looking forward to adding some more therapies and further developing my skills with CPD over the coming months. I am planning to add aromatherapy massage in pregnancy and take some advanced aromatherapy training for pregnancy , more therapeutic massage techniques such as releasing the back, hip and neck, holistic facials and Thai foot massage. In order to become the best Aromatherapist I can possibly be, I’ve just booked a two day advanced certificate seminar in June “Essential Oil Chemistry & Pharmacology", delivered by Robert Tisserand at Gabriel Mojay’s Institute in Regent’s Park, London and I am very excited about that indeed! I absolutely love essential oils and very interested in observing how these wonderful chemicals can aid in all kinds of health conditions and are even being researched for their support in antibiotic resistance.

I am now a Team leader with Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic, mentoring and coaching a fabulous team of like-minded people who are passionate about holistic health and well-being, promoting the use of ethical, non-toxic, truly natural, soil association certified organic skincare, supplements, natural remedies & high quality essential oils. I love the ethos and ethical nature of the way in which Neal’s Yard Remedies conducts their business and wish other companies would follow suit as the world would be in a much better state if that were the case.

I am passionate about complementary therapies and natural remedies and have found throughout my life there have been many occasions where I have found relief from conditions which have been resolved with a holistic approach to wellness. Many of us live highly stressful lives and it is my aim to support others who would like to explore the complementary approach to health and wellbeing. The effects of long term stress can cause many other mental and physical health problems and so many of us are afflicted with the ill effects of stress – unable to relax, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, high blood pressure, digestive problems, panic attacks, reduction of immunity and all number of other conditions. Aromatherapy massage has helped me to relax and I have found so many things which I have been able to treat without turning to medicines. Athletes foot for example has plagued me for years and now I have found a blend of oils which works within hours to relieve the itching and soreness. Recently I discovered that my chickens had feather lice and found that I could use essential oils for this too! Now the coop smells of lavender and thyme most days instead of the more obvious smell associated with chickens!"    https://sueadlamtherapies.wordpress.com/blog-2/.

To sleep or not sleep, that is the question

To sleep or not to sleep, that is the question.

Do you suffer from this? Are you tossing & turning in bed all hours of the night? Does it take you ages to drop off? Do you wake-up early hours? Over the years I've had some of these problems. They were acute when I was busy at home with a young family & trying to juggle a job & all my other commitments. I found out over the years that the key to feeling refreshed and relaxed is to have a regular pattern of sleep, rather than worry about the number of hours of sleep you get. Forget the old urban myth that everyone needs 8 hours of sleep! Everyone is different & the hours that you need may well be different from the hours that someone else needs. If you go to bed before you're really tired, and then sleep badly, you'll tend to stay in bed later in the morning, which will affect the next night's sleep, and so on. The 'knock-on' effects can be devastating & will affect your lifestyle & health. The following steps can help you establish a good sleep pattern & routine:-

Establishing a routine

• ONLY Go to bed only when you feel tired enough to sleep. If you always take a long time to get to sleep, delay going to bed until the time when you normally fall asleep, and get up at your usual time. This should mean you spend less time in bed, but more of it asleep, and your sleep pattern should improve but it may be gradual so don't get anxious if you don't get immediate results.

• Set the alarm at the same time each morning. Don't sleep in late to make-up for a bad night. This will only make it harder to sleep the following night. You may need to follow this programme for several weeks, to establish a regular pattern. Also, wake up as soon as you hear the alarm and don't be tempted to stay asleep; however lightly. 

• Don't watch television or use your computer in bed. These are what the brain considers waking activities. Restrict them strictly to your waking hours. Be firm with yourself and don't be tempted to just check that last minute email/Facebook update. Your 'status updates' can wait; your family & friends can wait for those crucial pictures/comments from you until the morning.  Be less nosey! Make a list if you have to and do it the next day. You may like to keep a notepad by the bed. I found this particularly helpful when I was teaching or doing an event or organising an article such as this one! If anything cropped up before I fell asleep then I just wrote it down for 'tomorrow' and not 'today'. I also told myself that I was in bed & couldn't do anything about it there & then. It just had to wait...  Be firm with yourself & soon this habit can be a lifesaver.

• If you don't fall asleep within 20 minutes, get up and go to relax & unwind in another room. If you don't have any other rooms to do this you then the corridor on a comfortable chair will do. Make this space as far away from the bed/bedroom as possible. Do something soothing, such as reading an amusing story, listening to music, self-massage or relaxation stretches until you're tired enough to go back to bed. Repeat this process, if you are awake for long periods.

• Avoid taking a nap during the day. But if you are really overtired, taking a short nap after lunch can be beneficial; sometimes sleep promotes sleep. Try to make the naps short ones; 30 minutes maximum. Set the alarm before your nap & wake up when the alarm goes off & don't stay in bed for another 10 minutes.

• Complementary therapies such as massage   or   Bowen  may be useful to help you to sleep. Many clients have reported that they have slept well after such treatments. Rosemary Barber, from Broadland Bowen, is an experienced Bowen practitioner. According to her Bowen's great to help you get to sleep: “People usually sleep well after treatment”.  Rosemary is a considerate person & passionate about her therapy.

Whatever you do, good luck & sleep well.

The power of ginger – the super star spice!

The power of ginger – the super star spice!

Ginger, a spice native to Southeastern Asia, is a rhizome and is botanically known as Zingiber officinale. The fresh flesh of ginger can vary from yellow, white or red. These colours are dependent on the variety used. The taste & smell has been described as aromatic pungent and hot. It surprises many people that ginger can be hot.

I first discovered the power of ginger when I was teaching & I found myself constantly battling sore throats. I knew that ginger could help to fight colds/coughs as its a warming spice. As an added bonus it also helps to fight muscle tension. I used to make a infusion to drink which helped to lubricate & ward off infections from students sneezing all over me! I always tried to find the freshest ginger possible (preferably organic) & then used a few strips in a drink. To make the drink: firstly, thinly slice or grate the ginger into a mug/flask & then add boiling water. Then leave it to infuse for 5 – 10 minutes. You can keep on topping up the drink with more hot water. You can also add honey to sweeten it. Honey is another of nature's wonder drugs but more of that another time. Enjoy!

Relax! 10 tips from chilled out people

Happy New Year to all. I hope that 2015 will be a good one for you. During 2014 I talked to various groups in Norfolk & often asked them for relaxation tips. Here are just 10 of them:-

1. Breathing slowly & deeply with your close eyes gently closed. Concentrating on your breathing was the most popular tip.

2. Close your eyes & listen to the sound of the sea (or any other sound you find relaxing).

3. Take 10 minutes rest in the afternoon with your eyes closed. Mid-afternoon is the lowest point in the day for energy levels so this may help to perk you up & so carry on with rest of the day in a calm manner.

4. Walk outside in the fresh air & take notice of sounds/sight around you.
   
   
   
   

5. Cut off & 'shut down' to enjoy silence & peace periodically during the day.

6. Get yourself a good & relaxing massage from an experienced therapist. 

7. Do enjoyable & stress free exercises such as swimming or yoga.

8. Draw; just doodling or colouring without any purpose is relaxing.

9. Enjoy a hot milky drink such as Horlicks; especially helpful just before bed time.

10. Enjoy the company of good friends, regardless of the weather!