Aspartame creates altered brain function, nerve damage and systemic organ complications. Information collected by independent research, reveals that aspartame clinically exacerbates any borderline (even yet undetected) predisposing illness, and absolutely complicates certain known medical illnesses...

Raw food is the biggest food phenomenon of the moment, burgeoning into the realm of the “ultra trendy”. A plethora of raw cookbooks are being released on the market by big name chefs. But there is much more to the raw food movement than just fashion.

Whether you are a weekend warrior or an elite athlete, your Osteopath can assist with prevention of injury as well as treatment of many common sporting injuries.

“How can I get back to normal and back on the field, track or the court, as quickly as possible?”

Acupuncture treatment ‘fast tracks’ your recovery time, and gets to the point of the problem quicker. If you happen to be sidelined by a sports injury, a fall, or injury to joint or muscles you’re likely to be suffering either one or a combination of the following signs and symptoms:

Have you been alarmed by the media's coverage of the swine flu scare. It has a noticeable subplot - preparing you for draconian measures to combat a future pandemic as well as forcing you to accept the idea of mandatory vaccinations.

If you want to avoid illness or at least reduce the time and intensity of sickness this winter here are a few uncommon common sense tips to help you stay healthy, and a bit of an ‘osteopathic lecture’ to help understand HOW they help.

Heart health, good strong blood, cardiovascular protection, liver strengthening, immune boosting, nature’s number one food medicine. Get a love affair going with Garlic this winter.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are extremely successful in the treatment of a multitude of conditions. Many people try Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine as a "last resort" to serious and complex medical problems and find that it can help them when other treatments could not.

Acupuncture is also often used as a preventative medicine. Many people see their acupuncturist only 2-4 times a year for a "tune up" or "balancing" treatment. This can prevent disease and promote health, energy and vitality.

It has been said that a cold is three days in the coming, three days here and three more going. So who has a spare nine days?

Your immune system is your own natural defence force that protects your body against invasion by harmful bacteria, viruses, toxins and other foreign organisms. You can train and stimulate your defence force to work at its best. The best way to enhance your immune system is to have overall good health. In a nutshell, this means eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, supplementing where appropriate and being able to unwind from physical and mental stress.

The Saliva Test - The simplest and cheapest indicative test for Candida currently available.

If you answer yes to 5 or more of the following questions, you may have candida, and colon problems.You should consult you Doctor.

Do you have no energy left by the afternoon, constantly feel bloted, suffer from headaches, muscle aches and stiffness or abdominal pain? A surprisingly large number of people suffer from an overgrowth of the micro-organism Candida Albicans. This condition (called Candidiasis) presents with a wide variety of symptoms which may vary greatly in each individual case.

Have you ever wondered what all those numbers meant on the nutritional and ingredient labels of the products you might buy at the supermarket? Ever wondered whether they were good, bad or indifferent for your body?

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to improve your health and wellbeing, be sure to incorporate adequate sleep into your plans. Quality sleep is as equally important as diet and exercise, in maintaining good health.

Also known as Hemaview live blood screening is an observation of live blood, which involves viewing a freshly taken blood sample under a microscope. Unlike most medical testing live blood screening allows you to be present and an observer during the entire procedure. You get to have a physical look at the blood and what is happening inside.

Take this comprehensive wellness survey and guage your health and welbeing. Find out what should be your highest priority; liver function? stress? digestion or vitality levels.

Acupuncture is as effective and longer-lasting in managing the common debilitating side effects of hot flashes, night sweats, and excessive sweating (vasomotor symptoms) associated with breast cancer treatment and has no treatment side effects compared to conventional drug therapy, according to a first-of-its-kind study.

New research suggests that broccoli is especially good in the fight against cancer.

The new work, led by scientists at Johns Hopkins University, is the latest in a 10-year series of studies on the cancer-fighting potential of broccoli.
Scientists have found that sulforaphane boosts the body's detoxification enzymes, potentially by altering gene expression, thus helping to clear potentially carcinogenic substances more quickly.

Nutritional ands Environmental medicine is the study of the interactions of both nutritional and environmental factors with human physiology, biochemistry, pathology and anatomy and the clinical application of these interactions in the pursuit of good health and the prevention and treatment of disease.

Are you one of the 25% of all women to suffer Thyroid problems?

Poor thyroid function often goes undetected. One way to indicate the functional health of your thyroid is to examine your Basal Body Temperature. The general management for thyroid disorders is based on gentle stimulation of the thyroid through proper diet, food supplements and herbs to allow hormones to balance and raise local and general vitality.

Resveratrol has been reported to have both cardio-and cancer- protective effects in animal models and in humans. The cardio-protective effects of resveratrol include preventing blood clots from unnecessary forming and helping dissolve them when they do form, as well as helping arteries and veins to dilate to lower your blood pressure.

Self assess your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes within the next ten years.

Eating broccoli may undo the damage that diabetes inflicts on heart blood vessels. Brassica vegetables such as broccoli have previously been linked to a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes. Research conducted by a University of Warwick team believe the key is a compound found in the vegetable, called sulforaphane.

The striking new results of a paper published in the August issue of American Journal of Preventive Medicine shows that dieters can double their weight loss by jotting down what foods they eat.

Insulin Resistance (IR) is a termed that gets brandished around, but what does it mean? It is a medical term used to indicate a condition when insulin, a hormone needed to control blood sugar levels, is not working as effectively as it should. It is not a disease, but is linked to increase risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes type II, high blood pressure and fatty liver disease to name a few.

For years, a small but growing band of scientists has been raising concerns about the impact on human health of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in plastic that mimics the effect of the hormone estrogen.

The Environmental Working Group produces the Shoppers' Guide to Pesticides in Produce.Of the 43 different fruit and vegetable categories in the Guide to Pesticides, the following twelve foods had the lowest pesticide load when conventionally grown. Consequently, they are the safest conventionally grown crops to consume.

A German study published in the September, 2008 issue of Cephalalgia shows that people who suffer from chronic migraines may benefit from acupuncture to reduce the severity and frequency of their headaches.

Chlorella is an amazing green food-based supplement with research backing up its overall safety and effectiveness.It is a natural whole food supplement derived from freshwater single-celled green alga, super-concentrated with key vitamins & antioxidants. Chlorella is considered to be nature’s most nutrient-dense food.

We are now becoming well aware of the dangers associated with low grade plastics. The chemicals used to give plastic its flexibility are dangerous toxins.
Polycarbonate water bottles are a safe alternative to most other plastic bottles that can allow leaching of chemicals into your drinks. Our polycarbonate water bottles are safely reused unlike cheap packaging used for most water and beverage products.

Its in just about everything and may be harmful to you and the planet.

Our food and water come wrapped in plastic. It's used in our phones and our computers, the cars we drive and the planes we ride in. But the infinitely adaptable substance has its dark side. Environmentalists fret about the petroleum needed to make it. Parents worry about the possibility of toxic chemicals making their way from household plastic into children's bloodstreams.

Find out what kind of person you are!

With Spring the warmer weather is here. Do you still have connection with your inner child?  Take the Survey

A German study published in the June 2007 issue of Circulation found that acupuncture significantly lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Eating fish contaminated with mercury, a poison that interferes with the brain and nervous system, can cause serious health problems, especially for children and pregnant women.

They’re packed with protein and environmentally friendlier than other meat. But can we kick the ick factor?

Irritable bowel syndrome, with its symptoms of intense contractions of the colon and hypersensitivity to painful stimuli, was once though to be a psychosomatic condition. Now its biological origins are becoming clearer and the finger of suspicion is pointing at digestive enzymes that have also been linked to inflammatory bowel disease.

Tis the season to be sniffly, and so it is important to give your body a fighting chance when faced with the culprits causing the common cold (bacteria) and influenza (viruses) which are so abundant at this time of year.

For many years the peoples of the Mediterranean have used fresh olive leaves for their healing properties. The earliest known use of fresh olive leaves for medicinal purposes appears to come from the ancient Egyptians. Olive Leaf Extract acts to prevent the onset of colds, flu, and a range of viruses, yeast, fungal and mould problems, bacterial infections, and parasites. It has even been found as an effective treatment and preventive for malaria.

Do you suffer heartburn or reflux even though you are taking medication for it? Don't put up with the discomfort, your doctor has other treatments that may be more effective.

Aromatherapy is so much more than you might have first expected. This is a holistic therapy using extracts and essential oils in a variety of ways to increase wellbeing and support better health. Aromatherapy blends are reliable treatments for cold and flu symptoms during winter. The Medical Sanctuary Aromatherapist, Kyah Alders, has created two versatile cold and flu winter essential oil blends for you to use at home. These blends can be used in any of the ways discussed in this article.

Dealing with stress on a daily basis is part of being human. In small amounts it can actually be beneficial as we learn to adapt and potentially become stronger. It is when that stress becomes chronic in amounts that we can no longer handle that the nervous system goes out of balance, internal alarm bells start ringing and we begin to experience stress, mood changes and anxiety.

If you are unsure as to how you may be absorbing toxins, answer the questions in this survey and add up the number you have said ‘Yes’ to. The higher the number, the more toxic – and in need of a detox – you are likely to be.

One of the functions of pain is to protect you and alert you to danger in the hope of preventing further damage. It is the actual unpleasantness of the pain experience that makes it so essential in our daily existence.

STRESS! Can’t live with it, can’t live without it.

We all know what it’s like to be stressed; it’s an everyday occurrence, and in fact we need a certain amount of stress to survive. Even so, it can get out of hand.

When discussing stress with patients, I often use the Sabre-Tooth Tiger analogy: our body is no different biologically from what it was thousands of years ago ... when facing that tiger, we had two choices – attack or run (known as the fight / flight response). This is how we managed to survive day to day, and is why stress is necessary.

Withania has been used for some 4000 years in traditional Indian medicine and is commonly referred to as the "Ginseng of India". This is very appropriate as the variety of uses this herb is put to in Indian medicine is as great if not greater than the use of ginseng in the traditional Chinese medicine.

Alcohol and exercise are not supposed to mix. But together in the right quantities – they may actually help your heart.

A new study of cardiac health has yielded a happy formula: Start with moderate exercise, at least 30min. to 1 hr. a day and add moderate alcohol consumption. Moderate means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. What do you get? A lower risk of heart disease than that of people who either drink without exercising, exercise without drinking or do neither.

The Functional Liver Detoxification Profile is a true functional test that is completely different to a blood ‘liver function test’.

If you answer yes to any of these questions, you may be at risk of Osteoporosis.

In our everyday life we are exposed to and absorb harmful pollutants and chemicals which our body doesn't know what to do with. Toxins are in the air, water, food, your home, beauty products, plastics, clothes... everywhere. They aren't nutrients, they can't be broken down so your body ends up storing these toxins anywhere it can usually in your body fat, organs and other tissues.

Back in the 1920’s, miners worked hard in the coal mines of Canada. The work was back-breaking and relentless, with miners spending hoursin unnatural positions digging for coal. With no professionals to turn to, the miners sought pain relief from the vibrations of an old coal sorting machine. They would stand against the machine for twenty minutes or so and feel enormous relief from their body’s ailments. It seemed not every machine worked, just this one No one knew why this made such a differenc, they just knew it worked.

Detoxification should include some type of skin cleansing, because our skin is one of our best eliminative organs. Skin cleanses have been performed for centuries using skin brushing, herbs, saunas and sweat lodges. Heavy metals are actually released through the skin's pores when we sweat. The theory behind skin cleanses is that toxic substances such as pesticides and drugs along with bodily wastes; for example, fats and excess inorganic minerals are often deposited in the fatty tissues below the surface of the skin.

The dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a common garden herb, with easily recognized flowers. It is commonly referred to as the enemy of the suburban lawn. However it is not well known that it happens to be a very nutritious food and has been used for medicinal purposes since the 10th century. The leaves contain substantial levels of vitamins A, C, D, and B complex as well as iron, magnesium, zinc potassium, manganese, copper, chlorine, calcium, boron, and silicon.

The historical use of medical St. John's wort (Hypericum) is well documented. Commencing 2400 years ago St. John's wort was used as a nerve tonic, a painkiller for arthritis, menstrual cramping, gastrointestinal problems (such as diarrhea, nausea . . . ) as well as ulcers. In 350 BC, the Greek physician and writer Hippocrates prescribed the herb’s extracts for relief from such ailments as insomnia and hysteria.

Many of us have met or heard of those who have quit their job, or even quit their marriage or relationships due to ‘burnout’. Burnout is that state of mental, emotional and physical exhaustion that is both overwhelming and crippling. Many doctors now use the term ‘Chronic Fatigue Syndrome’ after excluding things such as heart disease, lung disease, liver disease, diabetes and poor sleep patterns. Let’s discuss a number of common categories of fatigue problems.

Spring! A word that conjures up new life – birds nesting, lambs being born, shoots coming through the cold winter earth, buds opening. But for some, it can signify misery. Itchy eyes, wheezing, sneezing and a constant running nose. Take heart – there are some easy steps you can take to prepare yourself for the hay fever season.

Osteopathy - Post pregnancy
Why see an Osteopath after the birth of your child?

Gardening habits that can lead to body pain.

How does being pregnant affect a woman's body?
Why do pregnant women visit an osteopath?
Why see an osteopath during pregnancy?
How does an osteopath treat a pregnant woman?

WOMEN absorb more than 5lb of chemicals from beauty products through their skin every year. A daily routine of cleansing, toning and moisturising is thought to be essential for a healthy and youthful complexion, but scientists are now raising concerns about the damage chemicals in cosmetics and toiletries are doing to our bodies.

Some women’s handbags are literally overflowing with the stuff, but research suggests that applying make-up on a daily basis could actually be bad for your health.

Make-up is supposed to improve a person’s looks, but research now suggests that women who use make-up on a daily basis are flooding their bodies with as much as 5lb of chemicals a year. A study has shown that

An expert has questioned the contents of skin care products. It takes cleanser, moisturiser, make-up and a favourite lipstick to ensure the average woman is ready to face the world. But a daily routine like this leaves her with more than a polished appearance.  She also absorbs almost 5lb of chemicals through her skin every year.

The pelvis may be viewed as 3 separate bones having 2 possible fixation areas. The first in the in the public symphysis is the anterior and inferior end and the second is the sacro-illiac joints the posterior and superior ends.

Our bodies are constantly under attack from environmental factors. Toxins are becoming a big issue of importance as our environment becomes more polluted. Most of us understand that there are pollutants in the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink and the level and types of toxins that now surround us are far too great to list. Some of them occur naturally but most are man-made and it is these toxins that are causing the most concern.

For many years electromagnetic technology has been used in diagnostic and therapeutic devices, in both orthodox and complementary medicine. In the first half of the 20th century many of these devices were somewhat empirical and thus often considered ineffective.

Insulin Resistance Syndrome develops over time as the body slowly loses the ability to control blood sugar levels effectively.

If you have Insulin Resistance Syndrome, your blood glucose and insulin levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis to be made. Although Type 2 Diabetes usually develops if Insulin Resistance Syndrome is left untreated.

OMT is the heart and soul of osteopathy. It is what osteopathy is all about. Take away OMT form Osteopathy, and what are you left with?