About a month ago I attended a course in Glastonbury on Sound Healing that quite simply dazzled me with its ability to relax the body, empty the mind and leave you feeling energised and completely at peace with the world. Few things in life achieve this so i could not ignore it.

I will start at the beginning. Back in April, I came across a work shop at Studio One called Sound Healing by Tony Nec. It was a one day introduction to sound therapy instruments. I had never heard of sound therapy although was aware from playing music in my massage room over the years how evocative a piece of music can be. To find music that sends you into a state of relaxation is quite an art form as i have discovered. Often the most beautiful classical CD will have one or two outrageously loud tracks which kind of ruin the mood when you feel yourself drifting off to another place! Sound therapy is not "music" in this sense, it is the art of playing instruments like the Tibetan bowl, crystal bowl or drum which produce a certain state of relaxation in the mind and body. That particular day on the course i warmed to Tony as he explained his background in Gregorian chanting and being told he could not sing by his music teacher at school. Funny how he ended up as the head honcho of the Colour of Sound Institute.

Crystal Bowl

Tibetan Bowl

His approach to introducing sound healing struck a chord with me. No pun intended. First we loosened up by shaking ourselves, stretching,and mobilising our joints. There is nothing relaxing about launching into song in front of a group of strangers but i found myself "toning" quite happily. The idea behind toning is that the body, from eastern philosophy, consists of 7 chakras or energy centres starting at your feet and ending up above your head. We all know energy surrounds us day to day as we can feel energy deprived when we are staring at a computer screen for hours on end, in an airless environment or with certain people that leave us drained of energy. Parts of the body can be affected too. For example, stress can accumulate in the stomach area causing poor digestion and a stagnant energy in the solar plexus which covers the digestive system, autonomic nervous system, lower back and abdominal cavity.

The Sounds for each Chakra

The Chakras

So hopefully you can see the solar plexus chakra in yellow and its corresponding tone "oh" like go. Imagine opening your mouth and making that sound at a certain pitch. I was amazed that as we moved from the lowest sounding note at the root chakra up to the highest note in your crown chakra i could feel a definite change in my body. Having started out quite cynical and apprehensive about this group "chanting", i could not believe how good i felt afterwards. It only took a few minutes to tone the whole body and by the end i felt very relaxed, my mind was quiet and i was ready for the instruments with no apprehension or tension in my body.

It is interesting to look at some of these philosophies from the East as means of relaxation in our fast paced world where everything is becoming instant. We all have our own ways of switching off but i can thoroughly recommend getting vocal. You create this vibration in your body by creating the sounds which balance the body energetically, and physically.

From a more scientific perspective, sound is being used day- to -day in the medical world already. Ultra sound is a sound so high that it is not audible to the human ear. It is used in hospitals to see a baby foetus in the womb and by physiotherapists for injury treatment. At the other end of the spectrum is the Infra sound which is incredibly low. Sound is measured in Hz. Humans hear sounds with a frequency of between 20-20 000 Hz. Ultra sound is above 20 000 Hz and Infrasound is below 20 Hz. An elephant's range is 5-12 000 Hz while a dolphin's is 75-150 000 Hz. This means that there are many sounds we simply don't hear as humans but they exist. Infrasound through infrasonic therapy has been used in Japan to reduce pain, and help with headaches and migraines. There have also been clinical trials on the affect music has on disease. Sound therapy plays a positive role treating the following conditions:

insomnia
chronic pain
hearing difficulties
depression
stress (high BP etc)
recovery from major ops

That one day work shop became a 4 day work shop in Glastonbury where i was introduced to the instruments properly. I played a kaleidoscope of instruments from the Tibetan bowl, crystal bowl, tuning forks to drums, rattles and gongs. It wasn't band practice! The most phenomenal feeling was having 16 drums being played close to your body. The vibration runs down your entire spine. Add in the booming gong and you have left this world entirely. My particular favourite was during a rain ceremony where a multitude of instruments are played while you close your eyes. The sounds play out a form of guided meditation by creating the gentle patter of rain falling, before it becomes a full on thunder storm. As the rain gently recedes, the native American flute comes hauntingly across the room. By that stage I was by a camp fire with the elders open to all their wisdom. It was a beautiful moment.

I have begun to add a short sound healing experience at the end of a massage treatment for those who would like to receive it. By all means, do ask me if i have not suggested it. For pictures of the course and the instruments being played, please visit my facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Complete-Worx-Massage/469615179746536

If you would like to book a treatment, my contact details are 01491 577480 or vmansergh@hotmail.com.

Resources
Free Chakra Toning download:
http://www.healingsounds.com/

Most massage therapists using hot and cold stones understand the science behind the temperature application to the body but few have been offered the traditional explanations in the Native American way of ceremonial beliefs behind the temperatures. As I come across clients from all walks of life, I hope this article will be of interest to some of you.

It is based on ancient beliefs and although simple, carries a message that applies to our daily lives. As Native people lived in close harmony with Mother Earth, the Medicine Wheel was used as a method of organising thoughts. As you can see in the painting, stones mark out the wheel or circle and the large stones point to the four directions - north, south, east and west. Each direction represents a season. For the Native people, the medicine wheel was like the breath, a part of their existence. These traditions comes from the Sioux Nation - the last living generation of the Stone Clan People.

Starting in the East with Spring, we have the cool stone with a temperature of between 60-98F (15.5-36.5C). Our core body temperature is 98.6F (37C). The east represents the dawn's early light and is the place where we seek new breath and personal spiritual awakening. It is the place of birth as the bear emerges from her den, with her baby. Even if we do not have our own children, we are responsible for leaving the Earth healthy for future generations. It is a time of nesting, laying eggs and clearing of the old thinking, making way for the new. Air is the element as we breathe in the freshness of spring, we are reminded to live in the present. When a cool stone is received during a treatment, think of the sun thawing the winter snow. As the stone moves slowly over the body, it aids sinuses, asthma, lung congestion and allergies. As the bear moves slowly, so too does the cool stone.

In the South of the medicine wheel, Summer is the season. The hot stones are a toasty 120-140F ( 48-60 C). Here sun brings life to the seedlings of spring. The energies of strength, power, abundance and personal spiritual growth are represented here. The sun generates the "fire" for this season. Coyotes and wolves are playful in this season and training their young as a reminder for us to enjoy life, laugh lots and offer lessons for the next generation. The heat on the body relaxes sore, and tired muscles. As the stones are tapped together making a clicking sounds, remember a fire crackling. Be warned that only using only these hot summer stones will drain anyone of energy, however comforting the heat feels.

Moving into the West, we reach Autumn. This is a quiet place of rest and recovery as the sun goes to sleep behind the horizon. Native Americans recognise the earth as the element as it is where the bear digs his den in preparation for hibernation. He has fuelled himself with ripe berries, salmon and roots to last the long sleep ahead. This is a reminder to us to take care of ourselves and refuel our own spirits before we reach out to serve others. The autumnal stones are a warm temperature 98-120F (36.6-48C) and are the soothing ones that make us feel cosy. Think of the autumnal leaves slowly fluttering to the ground as you feel the warm stones tucked gently around your body. These stones which move slower than the hot ones affect the spirit at its deepest level. Native Americans dance and drum at their Autumnal festivals known locally as Fall festivals and offer thanksgiving for the abundance of summer and the harvest. Despite these festivities, autumn is a quiet time.

The last direction on the medicine wheel is the North where Winter lies. This is the place where the freezing cold temperatures of ice and snow kill the germs of disease. This is the centre of wellness and healing. Winter conserves our energy as a time of rest. It is the birth place of all pure waters so takes water as its element. The white buffalo guards this part of the wheel, also known as calf woman with all the mysteries of wellness offered in Inipi (sweat lodge) and Wakan Chanupa (Sacred Pipe) to the Sioux people. A winter stone is a cold 32-57F (0-13.8C). These stones represent the elders who are filled with wisdom but are stiff from over using their bodies in their youth. As they talk about the legends and teachings, the youngsters come and sit quietly by them. Now the bear is in full hibernation and plants have taken the sap to the bottom of their roots. The cold stones are moved slowly with this vision in mind. These stones address areas of pain, relieve swelling and inflammation from injury,and enhance the immune system. The wind song is when two cold stones are gently rubbed together which prepares the body for the new temperature. By breathing in deeply, you welcome and accept wellness.

For an authentic stone treatment, contact Vanessa on 01491 577480.

The article below is written by the founder of Lastone Therapy (massage using hot and cold stones), Mary Nelson. It is well worth reading as i know many people still regard ice cold temperatures as unrelaxing, intrusive and harder to receive compared to the comforting heat we all love.

Cryotherapy comes from the Greek cryo (κρυο) meaning cold, and therapy (θεραπεια) meaning cure

The latest craze is cryotherapy where you stand in an ice cold chamber. The cryotherapy chamber provides a treatment where users enter an extremely cold environment for a short period of time in order to trigger physiological reflexes and defense reactions in the body that, when associated with sport and fitness, help to improve training and injury recovery times. The reported physical benefits include significant reductions in rheumatic, muscle and joint pain and reduced inflammation, as well as improved sleep and higher energy levels. Wider physiological effects can induce beneficial chemical reactions in the blood to speed up recovery after intense exercise.

Lastone has been using the principle of cryotherapy for years. It is not the same method by any means but the principles behind the use are the same. Although atheletes are targeted, it can benefit anyone - those desk based, those with bad backs from physical jobs like gardening or mums carrying children.

If I only had one temperature

by Mary Nelson

That temperature would be cold stones; of course it would and many of you know why.
The basic reason is we use the chilled stones on chronic and acute conditions, congestion and inflammation, which has a lasting and safe effect on the body’s systems. The chilled stones remove heat from the body, allowing the client to relax the area where change is necessary. We use the cold stones for trigger point and cross-fiber friction, in addition to just laying them or tucking them where they are needed, for varicose veins, injuries, inflamed and chronic areas.

As we all have come to learn the chilled stones penetrate far deeper than any other form of ice treatment, not to mention the chilled stones do not hurt like ice does when applied to the tissue. In order for water to change from a liquid to a solid it needs to adjust its matrix, what happens is the hydrogen in the water bonds and forms a rigid lattice, this lattice/matrix is not as giving as when water is in its natural state of liquid, therefore ice therapy is not as pleasant an experience for the receiver due to this rigid lattice structure of the ice.

When you chill stones or heat them for that matter, their matrix does not change, it remains constant. The vibration that the stone emanates is consistent at all times no matter what degree the stone is resting at. Of course you can accelerate the vibration of the stone by using Piezoelectric Effect (tapping two stones together). The fact remains that the stone does not need to adjust its matrix/vibration when it is heated or chilled. The result is the client’s report that the cold stones do not hurt as bad as ice therapy does.

Vessel constriction pushes congestion, blockages and inflammation away from the area; this is short term (First Response) cold application. Most people find this to be painful and they will report that it hurts or they just do not like the cold stones. Of course they don’t, it hurts to push all that blocked/congested blood and inflammation away from the problem area(s). If isolated cold stones are done correctly, with the proper number of stones, slowly enough and with breath your client’s will report that they have a sensation that it feels ‘hot’ or ‘burning’. This will confuse them because they thought you were using cold stones.

In order to achieve the results you and the client desire you need to use enough cold stones in an isolated area to generate this reaction or sensation of heat moving through the area. This is then long term (Secondary Response) cold application. When vessel dilatation is occurring, new oxygenated blood is rushing to the area you are attacking with the cold stones; we call this ‘Champaign Blood’ because clients report that it feels tingly.

The application of both short and then long-term cold stones is referred to as active hyperemia.The superficial constriction of the blood vessels (short term), and the vasodilatation of the blood vessels (long term), relieves congestion and blockages in both the internal organs and the muscle fibers. This can create lasting relief for our clients for many days, with the possibility for total alleviation of congestion, trigger points or blocked areas in their body. Cold stone massage is more powerful and safer than hot stone massage; you only need to embrace the full benefits of the first and secondary responses that occur in the body when applying cold stones to isolated areas. Keep in mind that you can generate a“heating response” within the body by way of cold stones—applying cold stones to isolated areas of the body over a longer period of time will generate an active hyperemia response—therefore, you achieved vasodilatation with the application of cold stones.

I feel strongly that you cannot support the body in making the changes that are required in the internal system and tissues without the use of cold stones, for the body to truly begin the healing process the art of cold stone therapy is a must to master. Both first and secondary responses are achieved by way of the cold stones, you cannot do this with hot stones, they only offer warmth and comfort to the body if applied correctly and with the proper safe measures to prevent burning; they will not assist the body in healing tissue. The use of chilled/cold stones supports the body to heal, demanding a chemical reaction within all areas of the body for a healing response to occur. They are safer than hot stones, you cannot cause harm with a cold stone like you can with a hot stone.

On a personal note, I had a student/friend do a full cold stone session on me a couple months back; it was intense, challenging and even overwhelming at times. She did a full massage using only cold stones, my idea of course. I wanted to see what would happen and it was only fair that I was the one experiencing such a treatment, not sure which one of my clients I could have talked into such a journey. Hehehe! At times during the session I was unsure that such a treatment would benefit anyone or even me….even though I have tons of inflamed and chronic areas, I was still not fully convinced during the cold stone session if this was a good idea or not. Afterwards, for days actually I was hooked beyond any previous knowledge of the power of cold stones, nothing I had experienced up till then compared to the results I gained from this full cold stone session. My body was strong, the pain was gone in my joints and muscles, and my energy level was outrageous and fun to experience. I look forward to the next therapist I can talk into giving me a full cold stone session.

Mary Nelson

It might come as a surprise at the tender age of 26 (!!!!) that i am concerning myself with the small matter of age. Being in a profession where a healthy body is the end goal, it is common sense to look at natural ways to prevent wear and tear. I am not talking just about muscles and bones, the internal workings of the body are equally as important. I believe we are becoming more aware of our bodies, and are taking up sports like pilates, yoga and swimming alongside the cardio forms of exercise like running and cycling. This is positive but only the tip of the iceburg. There are a multitude of small things we can do to prevent dis-ease from happening and it all starts with planting that first seed of change or "preventative medicine".

What happens with Age?

"It's not how old you are, it's how you are old" - Jules Renard

Cells deteriorate

These are the basic building blocks of all tissues in the body (muscles, etc)
Connective tissue becomes stiff, making organs, blood vessels and airways more rigid so not so efficient
The speed of deterioration or how long a person lives is a balance between how fast things go wrong and how efficiently the body functions to prevent damage build up

Nervous System

Nerve cells transmit messages more slowly
As nerve cells break down, senses may be lost such as sight or hearing
Reflexes may be lost causing imbalances
Slowing of thought, memory and thinking

Metabolism

This is the sum of all chemical reactions taking place in the body (energy is required for the brain, heart, lungs and other organs to function and for activities like eating, walking)
Metabolism usually declines 2-3% with every 10 years in adults mainly due to an increase in body fat

Changes to the Skeleton

Osteoporosis where the bones become thinner as a result of a decline in bone tissue renewal
These thinner bones are more vulnerable to breaking
Osteoarthritis where the cartilage that lines the joints gradually degenerates with wear and tear (such as the knee)

Organ Function

Heart, lungs, kidney, liver and brain are all affected
The rate of ageing varies from one person to the next
Often one organ becomes the “weakest link”
Those that live into their 100s do not have a weak link!

Our DNA

Genes (or our blueprint) are passed down from one generation to another so we may look like our parents or grandparents
As we age, WE do not necessarily inherit the diseases our parents had because every cell in the human body has a membrane which contains 100s of 1000s of protein receptor switches that act like revolving doors deciding whether to let in or let out molecules e.g. those that trigger cancer
What causes the turn of the switch is an environmental signal – from the air, water and food we consume, the toxins we are exposed to, and even the people we surround ourselves with

How can we Age Gracefully?

There is no magic pill or miracle cure (sorry sis) but there is buckets we can do to keep our bodies and minds healthy. Some of this you will know, most of it will seem like common sense and hopefully all of you will do one of the list below to make a positive change to lead to a healthier and happier tomorrow.

Eating well

Let food be your medicine.
Cook from scratch, that way you know what is in the food you are consuming (jamie oliver has some brilliant 30min dishes online)
Avoid processed food and the sweet stuff – it tastes good but plays no part in the functioning of the human body.
Supplements - required more nowadays with the fast food fads that have no nutritional value. Take them in the liquid form as absorbed quicker and act faster.
Vitamin B – all B’s are good for the nervous system and most people experience stress at some stage in their life.

Drinking good quality water

Filtered or bottled water is better than tap water, unless you live in the Scottish highlands!

Breathing fresh air

Get into green spaces if you work in the city to soak up less polluted air
Breathing properly is possibly the most important thing you can do in this life time to de-stress, massage your internal organs, improve your thinking capacity, improve your physical stamina and relieve pain. Without our breath, we would not survive. It is something that requires practice as we do it all day long and often incorrectly.

Living a fulfilled Life

Ensuring you have a happy home is at the heart of good health
Recognising any work/relationship/home life stress and dealing with it
Every thought and emotion produces either a stress or healing response in the body which is why people bang on about meditation and why physical therapies provide clues to where there are “imbalances” in our lives.
Life is for living not enduring so stop and listen to your body and respond to its needs

Self-healing

Giving yourself a daily 30mins to focus on you, your breath or an exercise routine can work wonders. This includes parents too!
Stretching, mobilising joints and strengthening your core is key to walking tall and fluidly
Stiff, rigid bodies break easier than malleable flexible ones
Taking glucosamine with chondroitin daily or Vegepa (pure omega 3/6) helps joints as do oily fish
Prickle balls and tennis balls are fantastic tools to trigger point any tension in muscles
Use nature's finest products for everything: from skin care, to hair care, cleaning products, and make up. It is amazing how many people are allergic to chemicals in everyday products.

Resources:

Nutritionist: Julia Charles www. nutritionfornow.co.uk
Liquid vitamins: www.nutricentre.com
Helene Deville Moisturiser, tonic, face peel and spot cream: Vanessa!
Prickle balls:www.amazon.co.uk
Foam/stability rollers: www.physicalcompany.co.uk

Books

Look Great Naturally- Janey Lee Grace
Imperfectly Natural baby and Toddler - Janey Lee Grace
Imperfectly Natural Woman - Janey Lee Grace

Please contact Vanessa on 01491 577480 to book a massage treatment if you want to make one positive change today!

What is life without challenges and hurdles? Perhaps a little monotonous and less informative. I am learning to do what i have preached for years after a back problem left me unable to work for a month.

The Discovery
Pain comes in all forms and sizes but the most important thing is not to ignore it as i did. I had a dull ache back in September in my lower back, and found it really uncomfortable driving back from a break in Cornwall in October. It felt like needles in my left buttock. I put it down to doing too much and not stretching enough. I took up yoga for the first time in years. Every downward dog was so uncomfortable but i ploughed onwards, thinking it could only be doing me good. I was in a gentle class for those recovering from injury so what harm could i possibly be doing??! I was seeing my regular osteopath rather more regularly than usual and still the pain was there and i was beginning to find it tiresome. I reached the stage after 3 months where the only relief i got was from rolling a tennis ball against the wall down each side of my spine on a daily basis. By Christmas Day i was sitting on a pilates ball in a back brace on pain killers. The point is, i left it too late and by ignoring the warning signs became immobile and off work.

Diagnosis
My two worst positions were bending forwards and sitting, so that ruled out driving, catching a train or bus, eating at a table, putting on socks from standing and massaging. My osteopath had instructed me to see a GP for an MRI as he suspected a prolapsed disc or an annular disc tear. A normal X-ray would not show up this kind of soft tissue damage as is only really useful for bone related issues. Yup - it sounded rather alarming to me too. My first point of call was the GP to get a referral for an MRI scan to find out what i was dealing with. Sounds simple enough? The first two doctors i saw prescribed painkillers. The second referred me to a muscle hub in January as they are trying to reduce unnecessary MRI referrals as they cost the NHS money. I have yet to see anyone (it is now March). I took the bull by the horns as i needed answers before a flight in February, so went down the private route. Vista Diagnostics is a brilliant centre in Waterloo, London. With a referral from a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath, you can contact this company and make a next day appointment and walk out with your MRI on a CD that day. It is not as expensive as you might imagine. £250 bought me peace of mind. Well, kind of as once my osteopath had viewed the images, the prolapsed disc was a reality. Let me explain what a prolapse means. It is often called a herniated or slipped disc although the name is irrelevant, it is what is happening in the spine that matters.

Prolapsed Disc/Slipped Disc/Herniated Disc

Many people have undiagnosed prolapsed discs and will never worry about them as there is no pain involved. A diagnosis only becomes necessary when pain is involved as carrying on with day to day life is hard when you have a niggling sensation 24/7. A prolapse is most common in men and between the ages of 30-50. After 50, the jelly like texture of the nucleus in the disc dries up so there is no longer the risk of nerve pain. A disc as you can see in the image above is the soft cushion between the bony vertebra of your spine. They lie between every single vertebra in your back so in theory any could prolapse but it is usually your lower back or sometimes your neck that suffer. They have a poor blood supply hence the slow recovery rate when one is damaged. There are a plethora of reasons for why it happens but the general gist is, overuse (bending forwards repetitively in a job, sitting hours at a desk, lifting heavy weights etc), posture, inherited weakness or sneezing! What actually happens is the disc tears from the centre outwards and produces a bulge which may or may not prolapse. As the diagram shows the contents of the nucleus in the disc seeps out of the tear and surrounds a nerve which causes shooting pain down the buttock and leg. In more serious cases, bladder and bowel function can be compromised if the nerves at the base of the spine are pressed on. Instant GP appointment required in this case. I fortunately avoided this but as my osteopath told me my prolapse was as severe as they come and he was surprised i was coping without painkillers and functioning. A GP who looked at the scan would have had me straight onto the operating table.

What enables me to cope with back pain?

Hands on Therapy!!! (massage, acupuncture, osteopathy)
The moment i was sat on that pilates ball on Christmas day in a back brace i knew i was going to need help. The pain of getting out of a car and sitting down even on a pilates ball was excruciating. I was not sleeping well as lying on my side was uncomfortable even with pillows between legs. You become tired, and less able to deal with the pain. It is a difficult place to be. That Christmas week alone i saw 4 practitioners for treatment to take some tension out of my muscles which had clamped around the disc to protect it. I am lucky knowing top rate practitioners in the first place but i still had to pay for every treatment. I soon realised that money was going to have to be spent to cure this problem and time. Acupuncture was great at relieving the buttock and back muscles and calming the mind aiding the body to deal with the neural pain. I could take deep tissue techniques from day 1 as the muscles responded well to the pressure and the relief was immense. Listen to your body and what it can take as only you have the answers. Sports massage was effective and i saw an osteopath to occasionally manipulate the discs around the problem disc. It was gentle and effective. I have continued to have treatment once a week (now 2 months into the rehab).
Trace Elements
These I take periodically when the body is "blocked" in some way. In other words, when i am catching lots of colds showing my immune system is not functioning well or when i have had an injury and am experiencing nerve pain. It is a coincidence that i was already taking a product called No7 which treats the nervous system. I added protogel to this which helps heal connective tissue and cartilage, necessary for my disc recovery. A disc consists of several layers of fibrocartilage. I am a firm believer that this alone has aided my ability to tolerate the nerve pain without medication. Trace elements represent 0.01% of our body. They act as catalysts allowing an action in the cell of the body to happen with less time and energy. Trace elements are more important today as there are more reasons for the cells in the body not to function positively because of:

medication
pollution
poor nutrition
electro magnetic waves
emotional problems
rhythm of life - sleep/work/relaxation not in balance

Unlike herbal medicine, it does not go through the digestive system to be broken down which takes time and can produce side effects. It is taken under the tongue and straight into the system so results are relatively quick.
Pilates Exercises and Stretches
For the next month i had a weekly one to one pilates class with the amazing Sue Lloyd who i knew already. I remember trudging through the snow to reach her house on the fair mile as my warm up. It hurt to walk too but i knew i needed to stay mobile. In these classes i learnt how far i could stretch my muscles and the importance of regular stretching and exercise. Impressively without a diagnosis until February, i was able to stretch my hamstrings lying on my back and do pretty much everything except stretching my gluts on my left side (prolapse was to the left) and my left adductors.
Mindful Exercises and Breathing

In order to deal with the lack of sleep which had become chronic, i saw a Sleep Doctor. They exist! A young man called Guy Meadows who works in London is a physiologist who has studied sleep over 4 years and has a PHD in sleep. The basis of his work is a drug free way of dealing with sleep problems and minimising pain. In essence, you imagine your pain in lots of detail...its colour, size, where it is in the body and how it makes you feel and as you acknowledge it, it becomes less difficult to handle. You take the image you have in your mind and place it somewhere else in your body. It is an acceptance of the pain rather than struggling with trying to control it. A simple and effective technique which practised daily does work. Likewise, observing the breath and in so doing, calming the mind helps with pain.
Chair Support
A therapist friend suggested using a wedge to sit on which causes you to sit at such an angle that there is no pressure on the spine. I have taken it everywhere. It comes with me in taxis, at restaurants, in churches - you name it. I have even named it my clutch as it is black and square like and at night time perched under my arm looks like a bag rather than a cushion!!!
Ice and Heat
Instead of painkillers or inflammatories i have spent 20mins every day on an ice pack. It is the time of day when the back is struggling and really does give me enormous relief. I used to have a warm bath too every evening but in time the back becomes stronger and it does not feel essential anymore.
Rest
I do less nowadays. I stopped hiking at weekends and my exercise is pilates style core strength exercises, work, walking 30mins every day and resting in between.

Everyone is unique. I hope to be sitting comfortably by the summer so roughly a year after first feeling pain in the buttock. Listen to your body and respond early when it calls out for some attention. For any information, or to book an appointment with me, call 01491 577480.

Resources:
Osteopath: Bradley Whale 07727692224
Pilates Teacher: Sue Lloyd 07901590948
Seat Wedge: http://www.sittingwell.co.uk/products.asp?categoryID=10836
Back Pain Exercises App: http://shop.feelingprettyremarkable.com/
Sleep Doctor: Dr Guy Meadows http://thesleepschool.org/
Trace Elements: Vanessa Mansergh 01491 577480
Vista Diagnostics: 0845 4503559 (a referral is essential)

Native American Indian Stone Medicine

In many of these blogs i have written i have described the benefits of temperature in a hot and cold stone massage, as everyone is familiar with heat and cold. What i have not described in any detail is the native american traditions and culture that rest behind the temperature treatment. It is a vast subject, so i will attempt to bring some of the most subtle expressions of their beliefs and practices in my mind.

Inyan Pejuta

Inyan is a Lakota word meaning Stone and Pejuta Medicine. American indians believe that the physician within is the true healer. So Pejuta describes a way of healing the spirit through various treatments, ceremonies or herbs. Pejuta winan or medicine woman and Pejuta wichasha or medicine man are not considered western medical professionals like doctors or physicians. They are healers who work with Creator to help bring wellness (physical, emotional and spiritual balance) to the individual.

Shaman

A shaman can be a medicine woman or man but not all medicine workers are considered shamans. Shamanism is an ancient and primitive method of healing that is used by nearly all indigineous people in the world. At its core is the belief that our Creator has provided us with all medicines through Mother Earth. There are many different forms that are passed down from one generation to the next with only that particular lineage being able to carry on the teachings.

Stone Walker

Stones have been part of native american culture for 1000s of years. Stones are used in Inipi Ceremony or sweat lodge where they assist in the healing process on a spiritual level while cleansing the body of toxins on a physical level. Though an ancient practice, it is a very current one too with saunas. The american indians believed the stones recorded the history of Mother Earth (fossils) and archeologists have proved this to be true. Gem stones are used today to ornate the body as jewellery but they also offer energetic and healing properties. Getting back to the term stone walker. This is a a way of describing the practitioner who moves stones from one place to another during a treatment. It is more humble than saying shaman or healer as these titles require years of apprenticeship.

Mother Earth

Native americans are taught that we are one with all things in creation. Mitakuye Oyasin means literally all relations which is translated as we are related to the Earth and all its creatures. Everything Creator has made carries an energy that comes from God, also known as Great Mystery, White Buffalo Calf Woman for the wisdom and medicines she gives, Grandfather for the way we are cared for or Great Spirit. As they believe that as humans we are related to everything, we are no more important than the trees, the birds, the fish, the animals, the insects and the rocks. This allows for humility and believing that the practitioners of stone medicine are simply the feet that walk the stones on the body. This belief system comes from Mother Earth's teachings. When a hawk flies over head from the East, it signifies change. If the hawk settles on a post nearby, it means staying put to deal with a situation. They listen to the sounds of nature and resonate with them. Their flutes can sing high pitched bird songs or howl deep tones like the wolf. From the distance of a mountain top, human voices in a village below sing the same song as a great migration of geese. This is all about living in harmony with Mother Earth. Modern noise pollution has made it harder to hear the sounds of Mother Earth. Living in cities, away from the land, eating food with artificial chemicals in and rushing from buildings to cars to offices means many are out of touch with Mother Earth.

Smudge Ceremony

The lakota word is wazilyA which means to create smoke from herbs and draw it over the body during rituals and ceremonies. It is a ceremony for cleansing, much like incense is used in European churches and Eastern cultures. The herbs used are sweet grass, sage, cedar, palo santos and other mixtures depending on the tribe and what is available in that region. Traditionally the herb is placed in an abalone shell, clay bowl or stone vessel and the smoke is directed with the hands, a feather or prayer fan towards the body. An entire ritual is performed starting at the top of the head and ending at the feet. Much reverence is given to each part of the body. The smudging clears away any negative visions at the eyes, asking to see with love, it helps remove the sounds of war, anger, disrespect and fear from the ears, hearing instead what the Great Creator is telling us, it cleanses our thoughts, our minds, and our hearts from stress, animosity and petty grudges. When it reaches the feet, there are prayers for freedom from burdens too heavy to carry and that we may walk straight on the life path Creator made for us. The ceremony is always offered with respect and dignity for these good intentions.

Calling Directions

By bringing the energies of the 4 directions: North, South, East and West, a Sacred Space or Holy Ground is created for ceremonies to be performed.
East (yellow): represents the rising sun and signifies new beginnings, change and renewal. Every morning we forgive ourselves and are reminded that present moment is all that exists. Symbols include seeds as Spring is the season, air, and the power animals: eagle, spider, fox and crane.
South (red): represents the full summer, growth whether spiritual, physical or mental and abundance. It takes patience and faith to grow. Symbols include candles as Summer is the season, fire and the power animals: coyote, wolf, black panther, gecko and puma.
West (black): represents the night and is a place of rest, visions and dreams. Visioning is very important in the native american culture. Symbols include: the spiral, earth, Autumn is the season and the power animals: raven, hawk, owl and bear.
North (white): represents the winter snow, hibernation and health by slowing down to conserve heat, body fluids and energy Symbols include mountains, water, Winter is the season and the power animals: white buffalo, white bear, wolf, reindeer and moose.

These are just a few aspects of the native american indian stone medicine. I hope it has given you some food for thought in our slightly crazy and frenetic lives we lead! It only take a minute to stop, and refocus and now is the season for it.

If you would like to book a treatment with Vanessa, either email her at vmansergh@hotmail.com or call on 01491 577480 or 07906186912.

Homeostasis is the stable environment our bodies strive to maintain by constantly adjusting. Its regulation is controlled by the nervous and endocrine systems. The name homeostasis was created by the physiologist Walter Cannon in the 1900s and literally means "balance or equilibrium". The homeostasis process involves 3 main components: the receptor, the control centre and the effector. The receptor picks up data or signals called stimuli which are sent to the brain, the control centre, and the decisions are made.

Let us take the introduction of temperature to the body as an example. Many systems of the body are dedicated to making sure the body remains at its core temperature of 37.7 Celsius. When the balance or homeostasis is disturbed, the body gets to work to correct itself. A good analogy to explain this is War. When soldiers are waiting to go to War or to bring peace, or balance where there has been a disturbance, they hang out in the barracks waiting for direction from the Commander. The body works in the same way. Your brain is the Commander-in-Chief giving orders to all the soldiers that live within the body. These are the enzyme soldiers, immune soldiers, and the blood soldiers to name a few. We are focusing on the blood soldiers. The brain and body are also equipped with runners or informants who are in constant communication with the Commander, reporting the condition on the body.

During a hot and cold stone massage, the hot stones at 50-55 c are introduced to the body first by using the usual warming massage techniques. These stones do not pose a big threat or an attack to the core temperature of 37.7c, although a slight change occurs in the resting temperature. So the informants run to the Commander in a split second and repor

t the change to the periphery of the skin's surface. A few of the blood soldiers are needed. The Commander orders the blood vessels to widen slightly, allowing these blood soldiers to the area. This explains why the skin becomes slightly red and warmer. The Commander even donates some of his own blood soldiers so a slight sedation takes place and the body feels cosy, warm and relaxed.

A cold stone is then introduced to the body which is 40-50c cooler than the hot stone which warrants many more blood soldiers to bring back that homeostasis or balance. The informant in a flash dashes to the Commander and screams "ATTACK!". There is a huge disturbance to all

the systems of the body. All the blood soldiers are forced away from the front line - the skin. This is called vasoconstriction. The Commander sends all the troops to the area under attack. Those troops hanging out in the barracks - the kidney, liver, the heart, the lung and all the other vital organs are all sent to the area. They rush there bringing lots of blood - warming and clearing out all organ and muscle tissue in their path. This explains why a cold application creates heat and why hot and cold combined cleanse the vital organ system making It stronger and boosting the immune system.

Homeostasis is important for everyone and is critical to athletic performance. So this year when

our athlete's perform in the Olympics, spare a thought for the rigours their bodies will be under! What is key for them is the balanced mechanical function (on top of optimum cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic function) of the musculoskeletal system. Humans can only experience optimal movement, whether running, cycling or swimming when all the muscles and joints are in harmonious coordination without the expense of compensatory mechanisms. This means that having low back pain makes the athlete run slower and consume more energy with every motion. Their reaction times are slower, they fatigue easily and are more vulnerable to injury and post exercise recovery may be delayed.

If you would like to book a hot and cold stone treatment, please contact Vanessa on 01491 577480 or 07906186912.

Never in my wildest dreams would i have envisaged seeing snow capped mountains on a beautiful sunny day for 6 days on the trot.

The last time i was in Nepal- i spent a month staring at what appeared to be a mountain range covered in a layer of mist. Only once did i glimpse the "fishtail" mountain - Machhapuchhre (on the left).

I guess i should start at the beginning...my friends and i started our adventure from Heathrow. We did not meet up officially with our group & guide from Explore until Kathmandu but we were positive we would be spotting others way before then. What we didn't expect was every other person on our flight to be wearing trekking boots & ruck sacks! Not a hope of meeting our group until the designated time. I started speaking to an obvious trekker carrying Explore documents..Patrick was the first member of our group. Soon enough we met up with the others waiting for our connecting flight from Delhi. Ever been through Delhi?? Allow an hour for security...it is a crazy system of women in one queue, your coat & shoes in another & bundles of baggage tickets on everything including your plastic bags. Our group seemed like a good bunch - we were the youngest at first glance. By the time we arrived in Kathmandu we were ready for some shut eye.

Jangbu - our guide was a friendly soul. He bundled us into a bus & we inched our way towards our luxury hotel. Two nights here & some sight seeing with a man who had one tone of voice - brilliant english but i started nodding off early on! Finally our group was complete with 3 canadians, and 9 english including a plucky 22 year old called Anna, by the time we ended up at the airport ready to board our little plane to the scariest airport on this planet - Lukla. Our last group member - james rocked up late after falling asleep at Delhi. He joined us later that day after jogging the first few kms in the dark with an unfortunate incident with a yak...big, hairy creatures that carried our bags the entire trek. James was clearly going to be the entertainer for the trip. We almost lost him to an escape mission to the Maldives but we convinced him the cold, lack of oxygen and dodgy toilets were all character building!!!

Days 1-6 were blissfully sunny as we steadily made progress upwards. There were lots of hair raising bridges (James was also scared of heights)

Our phrase of the day soon became "yak attack". As every corner produced another line of yaks who walk precariously close to you and if you're not on the right side of the track (away from the edge) you could find yourself abseiling down cliff faces. As time went on and we grew wearier - there were so many yak expressions that left us in fits of laughter. The lack of oxygen was becoming evident by that stage. Tea Houses provided accommodation along the route. We usually walked for 6 hours, stopped for 11am tea and lunch and then at about 3pm. Dinner was always at 6.30pm and consisted of soup ((particularly pungent garlic one helps with altitude sickness apparently), rice or pasta & tinned fruit for dessert. We were fed well and always waited on by our sherpas - Dawa, Furger & Golpa. Apologies for spelling the names completely wrong. My attempts at learning sherpa were severely restricted by the fact that most sherpas these days speak nepali so they kept forgetting the words!!! These guys were unbelievable. By the time we reached 4000m some of us were seeing the signs of altitude sickenss...headaches & vomiting. The sherpas looked out for us 24/7, taking our ruck sacks when we were flagging and making sure we had our shades on etc

By day 7 of the trek my memory becomes hazy as i was one of the few not taking anti altitude sickness tablets. That soon changed! For many of us - our lowest points were reached at a place called Lobuche (4910m) where you can only describe the tea house as basic in every shape and form. The toilet was undesirable and for the first time i watched steam coming out from the hole in the ground as i was squatting! It was cold, really cold and we were tired. The khumbu cough that everyone seems to get with the ice cold air you're breathing in all day was in full force at that lodge. The next day we ascended to Gorak Shep - the highest tea house of our trek at 5140m. By this stage i was surprised how weak i felt. I attempted to walk at 5am to Kala Pattar - our highest point but after 40mins of shuffling for two steps and stopping to rest, i gave up. It had beaten me fair and square. Most of our group conquered this and base camp everest but the strain really showed as we began to descend. Gorak Shep will always be the place i will never return to for the stench in the corridors coming from the loos & the cold!!!! Some of us resorted to buckets as the toilet facilities were so unappealing (no names).

Heading back down was a relief. It was still tough going but with each tea house we knew it would get easier. We re-visited Namche Bazaar - one of my favourite stops where we spent 2 days acclimatising before our ascent. It served the BEST food and was the only time i personally went to the chef to thank her! Good food warms your cockles on a trek like this. It was just as good coming down. One thing we did religiously on our trek was to walk clockwise around the prayer stones and spin the wheels for good luck.

Little did we know at this stage that we were going to have amble time on our hands to spin merrily around the wheels while waiting at lukla for the fog to lift and the planes to land. That has to be the most bizarre part of the trip. weather has always been an issue with this airport as the conditions have to be good for any planes to land or take off. When we got there, we joined 1500 other trekkers stranded. It became obvious that we were "stuck" and would have to get used to waiting...having not showered or washed our hair for 2 weeks we were dying for that hotel in Kathmandu. By day 3 we just wanted out of there!!! We were the lucky ones. Some had been there 7 days. We found an old cinema in the basement of a bar where you could pay 200rupees each to hire it out. We had car seats for cushions, the clomp clomp of shoes in the bar above & freezing cold drafts but it was 3 hours of time killed watching the slowest moving film ever. The other form of entertainment was a set of scales outdoors that we visited once a day or more for the sheer pleasure of seeing how our weight had dropped off!!! Eventually the British Embassy agreed to military helicopters taking some of the trekkers off the mountain and soon we were washed and clean at our hotel in kathmandu. Our group had split up by then so the last supper was a funny affair in a trekkers restaurant with giant size feet all over the walls showing other groups trips to base camp everest.

What a trip, what memories and what a way to end it all! Thankfully i popped into the Seeing Hands Massage Clinic in Kathmandu before the trek so got to have my massage as the last part of our trip was devoid with the flight delay. I guess i have a reason to return to Nepal again....this country gets under your skin and comes out your nose/mouth!!!

Chiran and Laxmi, the blind massage therapists at the Kathmandu Clinic. Three members of our group - Andrey, Pelham and Hilary joined me for a sports massage and thoroughly recommend it pre/post trek.

http://www.seeinghandsnepal.org/

There are 5 weeks to go before setting off on our trek into the Himalayas. It has hit home that we are not as fit as we were at the begining of the summer....something to do with festivals, too much socialising and everyone choosing to get married in August. So the heat is on now to get back into a routine of regular sunday walks up and down hills. Nothing can really prepare us for the altitude, but being fit and used to carrying our 3 litres of water in our back packs is a step in the right direction.

I have mastered how to put the camel (water carrier) in my back pack after adamantly thinking i had a faulty one. Putting it in the right way so water runs down the tube and into the mouth makes a huge difference! I think my biggest fear is being cold at night in our little tea house up in the mountains. So any pointers woudl be gratefully received. A 4 season sleeping bag & thermals is my preparation.

People who do adventure challenges have many reasons for doing them. My reasons are twofold: the physial challenge and a school in Pokhara that is close to my heart. It is a flight away from the capital Kathmandu and the place so many trekkers start their adventures from into the Annapurna range of mountains. Back in 2009 i volunteered as a Sports Massage Tutor at a school called Seeing Hands which was set up my an english couple to teach blind students massage, to give them a profession and an income. I was extremely touched by the students and promised to return for a paid massage when they had qualified. So this trek is the mountain i climb to meet these students again.

The school in Pokhara has 7 therapists and a new one has opened in Kathmandu with 3. There is now hope they can expand to a third location in Patan, a popular area for ex-pats in Kathmandu. I have written all about my experience teaching these students back in my earliest blogs:

If you would like to donate any funds to the school please visit:

http://www.seeinghandsnepal.org/.