Issue 156

Wu Tao Dance: Balancing and Harmonising The Flow of Qi!

Wu Tao meaning The Dancing Way, is a dance-based therapy that balances and harmonises the flow of Qi (life-force energy in the body). It has its foundations in Oriental Medicine. A system of healing with a holistic philosophy and practice, that restores balance on all levels. Below is an excerpt from the interview with WuTao Dance instructor Suzi Van Middelkoop on PureCalma.com.


WuTao courses are available all over South East Queensland. Maybe this is the new exercise that your New Year's resolution has been waiting for!

Q. Wu Tao Dance - are there any links with Taoism?
A. Wu Tao is literally translated as "The Dancing Way". The way being the "Tao". The purpose of the dance is to become one with one's environment and to learn to be fully present in our bodies and to trust in the flow of life. Dance is the vehicle which is used to express and heal oneself.

Q. Wu Tao has strong connections with the 5 Chinese elements; can you explain how this is interpreted in the Wu Tao Dance?
A. Wu Tao is based on the five element theory of air (metal), water, wood, fire and earth. Each element represents certain organs in the body and generally govern two meridians. For example Wood governs the Liver and the Gall Bladder meridians. Each dance has a unique purpose. The Air dance for instance encourages letting go of the old and welcoming the new so in this case the emotions that are being addressed are Grief and Disappointment.

Q. What is the connection between Yin & Yang, Chi and the Wu Tao Dance?
A. Yin and Yang are always intertwined. You cannot have one without the other. Yin represents the still, nurturing feminine energy as seen in the Water dance while Yang is the active, protective masculine energy as seen in the Wood dance. There are also yin and yang organs so each meridian is made up of one of each. Chi is another word for energy and it is chi that we try and get circulating around the meridians through the form of dance.

To read the full interview please click on to PureCalma...

(http://www.purecalma.com/wutaodance.html)

 

 

Common Categories of Burn Out: By Dr Paul Payton, Nutrionally Trained GP From The Medical Sanctuary!


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.

RECENT ILLNESS

Fatigue can often last weeks following even a simple viral respiratory infection. The immune system may also become activated causing continuing problems even after the initial infection has been resolved. Antibiotics do not help the immune system and do not treat viral infections, only certain bacterial infections.

LITTLE EXERCISE, LITTLE SLEEP, OVERWORKED

Many people are chronically sleep deprived, falling far short of the required seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Caffeine may provide an initial energy pickup but may also rob you of a restful nights sleep. It can also be quite addictive as those withdrawal headaches will show you. Poor fitness levels combined with long work hours set the stage for fatigue. Exercise does not have to be time consuming but ideally should be regular and strenuous enough to cause a sweat.

IRON DEFICIENCY

Iron is important because when it is too high or too low fatigue may be the result. A low iron level means that the red cells are unable to carry the necessary oxygen for the brain and body organs to function at an optimum level. This is known as iron deficiency anemia and a simple blood test can rule this one out. Don't simply take iron tablets as they may cover up an underlying problem or even lead to iron overload. Other mineral deficiencies worth checking for (but often missed) include magnesium and zinc.

HORMONE IMBALANCE

Many women have taken hormone replacement for those troublesome hot flushes and insomnia only to find that the treatment causes worse side effects then when they started. This is because 'menopause' is not the same as 'estrogen deficiency', but more a result of hormone imbalance involving a central control via the pituitary and hypothalamus in the brain. Other important areas to check are thyroid and adrenal glands. For example fatigue with cold intolerance, dry skin, constipation and hair falling out may be caused by an underactive thyroid gland, whereas fatigue and lightheadedness may be an adrenal gland problem.

SLEEP APNOEA


Also known as 'snoring sickness', this is due to the upper airway collapsing during sleep, shutting off breathing and causing a person to wake up dozens of times a night. Sleep apnoea can result in heart failure if left untreated due to repeated pressure created on the pulmonary circulation.

EMOTIONAL LOSS

Grieving following the death of a loved one can take months or even years to get over. Even the loss of a job or loss of independence in older age can cause fatigue.

DEPRESSION

This is a common and treatable cause of fatigue associated with neurotransmitter chemical imbalance (such as seratonin) in the brain. At the Medical Sanctuary we sometimes use a multichoice questionairre to graph which neurotransmitters are deficient and the severity of that deficiency. There are a number of supplements available to then balance these neurotransmitters. Severe depression may require medication.

DIABETES


If you have been tired and thirsty and needing to empty your bladder often you may have diabetes. Simple blood tests such as a fasting glucose can rule this out. There are many people with undiagnosed diabetes which can lead to nasty consequences if ignored.

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

This is a diagnosis given to people who have no other causes of fatigue, and which has persisted or recurred over six months and is interfering with normal everyday activities. Symptoms may include; impaired concentration or short term memory, sore throat and glands, muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, unrefreshing sleep, irritable bowel, alcohol intolerance, and fatigue following exertion (for example sport) lasting more than 24 hours. As there are many causes of fatigue it is well worth getting some expert advice for peace of mind. You may be surprised at how good you can feel after getting energy back again.

 

The Medical Sanctuary Office C2 Ashmore City Shopping Centre, 206 Currumburra Road, Ashmore, Qld 4214 Phone: 07 5564 5013

 

http://themedicalsanctuary.com.au/

Not Tonight Honey I Have A Headache! Does The Battle of The Sexes Apply To Headaches:by Narelle Stegehuis From Mass Attack!

 

We're all a little guilty of using the phrase "not tonight - I have a headache". It's a convenient cop out phrase that gets us out of walking the dog, cleaning the house, mowing the lawn and basically doing those things that we know we should do. Unfortunately it's an innuendo expressing a reflection of low libido in females. But does this excuse extend to male folk?

A whopping 60% of us suffer from headaches on a regular basis! So why is it that so many of us suffer from such annoying and often debilitating pains in the head?

The exact cause of headaches is not known; however there are many theories. One theory is that migraines in particular are caused by a vulnerability of the central nervous system to immediate changes to your body or environment. Migraines may be triggered by several things such as changes in your environment, behavior, diet, physical condition, or drugs that you take.

There is also research that indicates high levels of adrenaline can trigger headaches. These days we run on adrenaline; we are adrenaline junkies. Unfortunately, we are killing - at the very least prematurely aging, ourselves. Our bodies are not made to subsist on such high levels of adrenaline and your hormones will not be at levels supporting optimal health for you. By the time you get to a point where things are out of "whack", you will find yourself experiencing, tiredness, disrupted sleep headaches & low libido.

Some of the other most common triggers of migraines are stress, food allergies, caffeine, medications, and lack of sleep, extreme weather conditions, blood sugar fluctuations and hormone imbalances.

Does the battle of the sexes apply to headaches? You bet. Women are more likely than men to experience "migraine" headaches - although men are more likely to experience "cluster" headaches.

Fluctuating hormone levels may influence headache patterns. But you're not at the mercy of your hormones. There is help to treat - or prevent headaches.

So - What's a girl to do?

During menstruation
The drop in estrogen just before your period may contribute to headaches and increase your sensitivity to pain. Headache is a common symptom of premenstrual syndrome, and up to 60 percent of women with migraines report headaches before or during menstruation.

If you have menstrual migraines, anti-inflammatory support such as Evening Primrose Oil & Omega 3 Fatty Acids is often the first line of treatment. If your menstrual cycle is regular, it's often most effective to take preventive headache support such as Willow Bark starting a few days before your period and continuing through the first few days of your flow. If you have migraines throughout your menstrual cycle or your periods are irregular, it may be better to take preventive medication every day.

Some women experience food cravings during the premenstrual phase of their cycle. One theory suggests that women who are predisposed to premenstrual migraines could be triggering an attack by the types of food they choose to eat during this time. Foods that have been linked to migraine include red wine, some types of cheese, caffeine and the flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG) and unfortunately … chocolate!

If you use birth control pills Some women experience headaches for the first time after starting birth control pills or other hormonal methods of birth control. For others, hormonal birth control changes existing headache patterns - sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.

During pregnancy Estrogen levels rise rapidly in early pregnancy and remain high throughout pregnancy. Migraines often improve or even disappear during pregnancy. Sometimes tension headaches improve as well. After delivery, an abrupt decrease in estrogen levels may trigger headaches.

During menopause Menopause is another prime time for changing headache patterns. For most women, migraines improve during menopause - but tension headaches often get worse. Hormone therapy can affect headaches too. Menopausal hormone therapy worsens headaches in some women and improves headaches in others, in just about equal proportions.

… And for the guys?

Cluster headaches are Gender-Specific in that they occur predominately in men of reproductive age. Ninety percent of men with cluster have their first attack between ages 17 and 40; half between 21 and 25 years of age. Since most of the attacks begin at night, these men most often jump out of bed in pain. These attacks may occur for days or weeks. They may cycle every year or every few years.

Men who develop cluster headaches have both a genetic predisposition and low levels of testosterone. Under 'stress', the increase in cortisol lowers testosterone levels and precipitates the cluster attack. Testosterone supplementation helps to prevent cluster headaches by keeping the level of testosterone above this threshold.

Men have significant changes in their hormone levels as they age, just as women do.

Testosterone has many direct effects on the male anatomy and metabolism - deep voice, increased muscle mass, and strong bones etc. It also has crucial, if incompletely understood, effects on male behavior; it contributes to aggressiveness and is essential for the libido or sex drive.

Similar to the way that women experience drops in sex hormones (for them its estrogen) as they age, men also see a reduction in their sex hormone, testosterone. In women, the bulk of this drop happens starting around age 50 and then plunges suddenly over a 5 year period. It's called menopause and because the symptoms are so clear (including the cessation of menstruation cycles), there is no question when it happens.

The pace of hormonal changes in men is quite different. Instead of happening in a condensed period in midlife, it starts in the 30's and drops gradually after that (around 1 percent per year). The slowness of the decline means that the effects can be equally slow to appear and may not even be apparent until well into middle age or older

Understanding the role of estrogen

Estrogen dominance is the most frequent cause of hormone imbalances in both girls & guys. It relates to a condition where there is deficient, normal or excessive estrogen, but little or no progesterone to balance its effects in the body. Here are a few keys to remember about estrogen dominance.

Fat stores estrogen. The more weight you gain, the more estrogen you will retain.
Stress produces cortisol boosting estrogen levels & contributing to weight gain.
A toxic liver will not filter estrogen out of our bodies.
Many of the foods we eat are fed estrogens to make them grow and produce more food. Eating meat and diary products will increase your estrogen levels.
Plastic containers, pesticides and cleaning chemicals produce xeno-estrogens, chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body.
Skipping periods, whether by choice through the use of birth control pills or by nature, will prevent the release of progesterone which keeps estrogen levels in balance.

Understanding the role of adrenaline

Every challenge to the mind and body creates a demand on the adrenals. The result is adrenal glands that are constantly on high alert. The adrenal glands are important control centers for many of the body's hormones. The outer layer of the gland produces cortisol, DHEA, estrogen and testosterone. The center of the glands produces adrenaline. Cortisol helps us meet our everyday challenges by converting proteins into energy. It does this by releasing glycogen and counteracting inflammation. In the short run that's fine, but an overproduction of cortisol will gradually tear down your body.

When the adrenals are chronically overworked and straining to maintain high cortisol levels they lose the capacity to produce DHEA in sufficient amounts. Since DHEA is a precursor hormone to estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, that's not good. You can experience fatigue, bone loss, decreased muscle mass, depression, aching joints, impaired immune function and wait for it … yes, lowered libido.

So what are the answers?

You can beat headaches through good nutrition and supplementation as well as regular exercise. Here are some suggestions.

Start shopping for hormone free meats.
Use non-toxic household cleaners and non-toxic pesticides whenever possible.
Make sure you are getting at least 30 grams of fiber every day. Fiber binds to estrogen helping to remove it from the body.
Vitamins A, C, B12 and E along with magnesium, selenium, calcium and anti-oxidants are essential to maintaining a healthy hormone balance.
Supplement with DHEA, chat to your health professional to see if this is appropriate. This hormone precursor promotes the development of progesterone which will keep estrogen in check.
Also consider adding in Milk Thistle. This herb has a wonderful track record for cleansing and supporting the liver.
Dietary changes - such as limiting caffeine, eating regularly to maintain blood sugar levels and avoiding known triggers such as red wine.

In most cases, hormones are just one of many migraine triggers. When suffering from chronic headaches, it is important to learn your triggers. Keep a diary that tells the date, time, weather conditions, foods eaten in the last 24 hours, emotional stressors, amount of sleep, drugs taken or, if you are a female, where you are in your menstrual cycle. Determining your triggers can take you a long way towards reducing the frequency and intensity of migraines.

Some triggers include:

Alcohol & MSG
Tyramine (aged cheeses and fermented foods)
Aspartame (artificial sweetener) " Phenylethylamine (present in some OTC drugs and chocolate)
Nitrates (preservatives used in sausage, bacon, and lunch meats)
Citrus foods and products Missing meals
Changing your sleep routine
Stress

Once you have eliminated many of the triggers, you may find your headaches are cyclical. If this is so, you may have just discovered that your migraines are triggered by hormones. If you fall into this category, there is hope beyond medication. It's important to understand that this will require a commitment on your part. Balancing hormones can be a tedious and difficult prospect but the rewards are well worth the effort.

Although over-the-counter pain relievers can relieve most headaches, lifestyle matters, too. Adopt lifestyle changes such as eating healthy foods, increasing your water intake, exercising regularly & keeping stress under control. Practicing relaxation techniques and getting plenty of sleep can also prove to be beneficial.

It is clear that many factors work together to bring on a migraine attack. Addressing one factor in isolation may not be enough to reduce the frequency and severity of the symptoms. If you are unsure of which steps to take, be sure you work with someone that is familiar with natural alternatives. They should be able to guide you in your decision making process.

By taking these steps, you should be on your way to improved health with a wonderful side effect, no more HEADACHES!

Narelle Stegehuis, CEO of MassAttack, is a practicing Naturopath specializing in the research and development of natural treatment programs for women with hormonal imbalances, which have contributed to such symptoms as weight gain, cravings, anxiety and mood swings. Uniquely for patient convenience her programs are also offered via the Internet. She is both an accomplished wrier and recent recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award 2006. Visit her website at www.MassAttack.com.au or download your Free E-Book by Narelle Stegehuis "7 Secrets to Weightloss Revealed" Click Here

T: 1300 133 536

Make Unsightly Facial & Smaller Leg Veins A Thing of The Past: with The New Medical Laser, The Cutera Xeo!


50% Off Facial Vein Treatments!

February is the month of love, so don't let unsightly facial veins, capillaries, haemangiomas or cherry angiomas spoil the mood for you. Medical Spa, at Albert Street in Brisbane, can get rid of them for you fast, comfortably and safely with their new medical laser, the Cutera Xeo.

This laser has been designed to make unsightly facial and smaller leg veins a thing of the past, with no more painful injections. Advanced laser laser technology, and a longer wavelength, treats most facial veins in just seconds, with patients able to return to work straight afterwards.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Cutera Xeo laser system delivers pulses of light energy which cause the blood within the vein to coagulate, eventually destroying the vessel which is later absorbed by your body. Blood flow will be then redirected to veins deeper below your skin's surface, where it should be. In addition to a broad range of blood vessels, from tiny spider veins to deep reticular veins, the Cutera Xeo laser can also treat blood blisters of "hemangiomas", usually with just one treatment. Patients with port wine stains and other vascular lesions who had given up on finding a solution have been overwhelmed by the success their laser vascular treatment. Most patients find that the majority of the treated veins have shown significant improvement with just two to six weeks.

WHO CAN BE TREATED?

Because of its unique design and long wavelength, the Cutera laser is suitable for all skin types (including dark skin). For most patients only one or two treatments are required, and all treatments are done by an experienced vascular laser technician fully licenced by Queensland Health.

During February, Medical Spa is offering My Health Specials readers 50% off the cost of your first facial vein or capillary treatment. There's never been a better time to take the step to feel good and look good. Call Medical Spa today on 3211 8100 for your free consultation or visit www.medicalspa.com.au.

Medical Spa is located on Level 1, 245 Albert Street (Cnr Adelaide St) in Brisbane and offers a wide range of licenced laser treatments for hair removal, acne, pigmentation and skin pores.

 

My Health Specials: $10 Massage at Proactive Therapy!

or Ph: 1300-0-PAINS

Shop 7, Springwood Plaza 3 Dennis Rd Springwood

 

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Nourishedmagazine.com.au:Forgotten Tooth Decay Cure: Heal your Cavities and Prevent Root Canals !

by Rami Nagel

In his search for a cure for his one-year-old daughter's cavities, Rami Nagel came across the work of Dr Weston A Price, a dentist who, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, discovered the true cause of dental decay. ...More

 

Brought to you by www.nourishedmagazine.com.au

Short and Sweet:Cucumber and Celery Salad With Tuna!

Serves 4

¼ tsp ground cumin 1 tbsp lime juice 1 tbsp vegetable oil 2 vine ripened tomatoes cut into thin wedges 1 small cucumber halved and thinly sliced 1 stalk of celery ½ small red onion, sliced finely ¼ cup coriander leaves 1 medium tin of tuna Place cumin, chili, lime juice and oil in a bowl, season to taste and combine. Place tomatoes, cucumber, onion, tuna and coriander in a bowl. Just before serving, add dressing and mustard seeds then combine.

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Brought to you by www.massattack.com.au

Download our new FREE e-book 7 Secrets of Weight Loss Revealed

http://www.massattack.com.au/sevensecretssubscribe.html

Laughter is the best medicine!

A frog goes into a bank and approaches the teller. He can see from her name plate that the teller's name is Patricia Whack. So, he says, "Mrs. Whack, I'd like to get a loan to buy a boat and go on a long vacation." Patti looks at the frog in disbelief and asks how much he wants to borrow.

The frog says "$30,000." The teller asks his name and the frog says that his name is Kermit Jagger, his dad is Mick Jagger, and that it is OK, he knows the bank manager.

Patti explains that $30,000 is a substantial amount of money and that he will need to secure some collateral against the loan. She asks if he has anything he can use as collateral.

The frog says, "Sure. I have this," and produces a tiny pink porcelain pig, about half an inch tall. Bright pink and perfectly formed.

Very confused, Patti explains that she'll have to consult with the manager and disappears into a back office.

She finds the manager and says: "There is a frog called Kermit Jagger out there who claims to know you and wants to borrow $30,000. And he wants to use this as collateral."

She holds up the tiny pink pig. "I mean, what the heck is this?"

The bank manager looks back at her and says, "It's a knick knack, Patti Whack. Give the frog a loan. His old man's a Rolling Stone."

Quote of the week!

Fall seven times, stand up eight.

For a Good Cause: Why Support The Lord Mayor's Community Trust

The Lord Mayor's Community Trust was established uner a Trust Deed to comply with the ancillary fund provisions of Divison 30 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, for the purpose of providing money, property or benefits to or for eligible charities or for the establishment of eligible charities. It is a deductible gift recipient and all donations in cash and in kind over $2 are tax deductible.

 

http://www.lmct.org.au/

 

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In the next issue of "Naturally Happy"

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  • Mass Attack!
  • The Medical Sanctuary!
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My Health Specials provides this information for your personal education and enrichment. Information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Nor should the information replace the advice of your health care practitioner. Always seek professional advice if suffering an illness. My Health Specials Pty Ltd and all parties involved in the conception, production, ongoing maintenance and operation of Naturally Happy accept no liability and no responsibility for any damage whatsoever arising from or in connection to your use or operation of the website or information contained in this e-magazine.