tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60195778782831241142024-03-13T18:17:06.588-07:00Acupuncture - What's the Point?Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-34604236451508982912019-02-28T14:36:00.000-08:002019-02-28T14:36:24.515-08:00Seeing the Bigger Picture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My practice is incredibly busy. In addition to my Garden Room Clinic, I still hold a low cost clinic on Tuesday afternoons/evenings in its town centre location at Quay Place <a href="http://www.quayplace.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.quayplace.co.uk</a>, where the 30-minute appointments are idea for those with limited time or resources, or who happen to work close by.</div>
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Interestingly though, I find more often than not that patient prefer to come for longer sessions at my Garden Room Clinic <a href="http://www.jobanthorpe.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.jobanthorpe.co.uk</a>. I am increasingly aware that patients really want to be listened to, and indeed they have a lot to say. Many do not have the opportunity o the appropriate circumstances in which to tell their story and to feel that they have been heard - a practical impossibility in a 10-minute GP consultation.</div>
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I am also aware that more and more people working in the medical profession are looking beyond drugs to help with their mental and physical health. I already treat a number of healthcare professionals who have turned to acupuncture in preference and/or in addition to the western medicine approach of drug therapy, and have recently been invited to explore the possibility of delivering acupuncture to the staff at my local hospital as part of their wellbeing regime.</div>
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Whilst I have utmost praise for the NHS and think they deliver an excellent service the majority of the time in acute cases, where I think they could do better is in the long term management of patients whose medical conditions require them to access multiple departments. There can be a very apparent lack of joined-up thinking, a lack of continuity with no one clinician overseeing the treatment and with a strong tendency to quickly escalate the strength and quantity of medication. Patients are left highly medicated, often with complications and side effects which require additional medication, but are in receipt of very little, if any emotional support.</div>
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In my practice I have come across a great number of patients who are living with extremely complicated and debilitating conditions. Many have been prescribed a cocktail of powerful drugs but increasingly they experience little, if any respite from their symptoms despite dutifully taking their medication.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">If a patient is willing to take the time to research their condition and treatment options in order to make an informed decision, and is willing to pay for private alternative therapy, then why wouldn't the NHS embrace an action that would take the onus off a system which is on its knees. In a struggling health service which is stressed and over-stretched, we are now in an environment which acknowledges the connection between emotional wellbeing and physical health.</span></div>
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I can understand a clinician's reluctance to allow patients full autonomy in view of the blame culture in today's society, and fear of legal action. On the other hand however, I find this surprising and rather narrow-minded as many patients are very keen to take responsibility for their own physical and emotional wellbeing, and I feel they should be applauded rather than reprimanded for wanting to do so.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Some of my recent experiences involve patients who have turned their back on conventional medicine in favour of acupuncture, on finding that they experience little or no lasting benefit from their meds, and in some instances when the prescribing has been nothing short of heavy handed. Where a patient has taken it upon themselves to explore a different route, their actions have often been severely frowned upon by their medical practitioners.</span></div>
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A recent patient suffering with alopecia totalis came to me after she was due to be prescribed a powerful immunosuppressant drug (usually given to transplant patients to prevent rejection), purely on the basis that one of its side effects was excess hair growth. She decided against taking the drug and is now doing very nicely after a course of acupuncture treatment. She is much less stressed and anxious and is now more accepting of her current reality and less impatient with the wait for hair regrowth.</div>
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Another patient had a very painful non-malignant melanoma in the brachial plexus of nerves in the shoulder area. She was told it was inoperable due to the proximity of nerves and was prescribed very hefty painkillers, which made her feel lousy. She was scheduled to undergo radiotherapy in an attempt to shrink the tumour. The patient realised that the medication side effects far outweighed its benefits and made the decision to reduce the medication, despite strong reservations from her consultant. Since receiving treatment, she has been able to cease all medication, has made significant lifestyle changes and is pain free. She is also refusing the radiotherapy, much to the disgust of her medical team.</div>
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Most recently I treated a young teenager who has a connective tissue disorder which leaves her with many symptoms including constant, severe joint pain. This has severely impacted her ability to attend school and has had a very negative effect on her emotional wellbeing. She had been subjected to innumerable tests over the years and was prescribed some very heavy duty medications, requiring fortnightly blood tests. All of this has left her feel low in energy and spirit, and utterly exhausted but with very little respite from her symptoms. Her parents made the decision to withdraw from treatment in favour of a less invasive, alternative therapy approach and were threatened with legal action by the hospital if they did so! I saw her for treatment and she says she feels so much better now that she has stopped taking the drugs. She loved the acupuncture treatment and felt very calm and relaxed afterwards.</div>
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And finally, a patient who was, according to her GP, addicted to the painkillers she had been taking for many years for her constant severe headache. She was told to stop taking all medication completely and to 'ride the storm' of withdrawal, having been offered no back up or support. When I saw her she had been struggling enormously after only a few days without drugs, but this was very quickly resolved with a simple de-tox treatment and nourishment for her constitution. When she came for her next treatment she looked a different person - lighter, happier and had felt well enough to wear make up.</div>
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I am at times horrified to hear of the over-prescribing of drugs and the seemingly heavy-handed approach by the medical profession, who often do not take kindly to being questioned, and often take umbrage should a patient show a desire for autonomy. I think patients should be applauded for wanting to take responsibility for their own health and for being willing to explore different treatment options. I think one of my roles as an acupuncturist is to support them in their decision, but certainly not to influence them in any way.</div>
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I am delighted to have been able to help these patients with some very simple Five Element treatments and to give them the encouragement they need to find their own treatment path. I feel both honoured and humbled to be asked to accompany them along their journey to recovery. </div>
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Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-10947529648227589362019-02-03T06:54:00.000-08:002019-02-03T06:54:53.953-08:00Alopecia - My Six-Pronged Approach<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
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<span style="color: black;">So, despite my best efforts at upping my self-care, my old friend alopecia has now taken a firm hold once again.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Whilst I'd been aware of the signs for a while now, I guess I'd still held an element of denial - hoping that it would resolve by itself and quietly disappear. Not so - clearly there was room for far more work to be done, and I needed to take this much more seriously.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6V2J5N0dxb6j08_nyrO49FY2zRnurPk3QVPisXJ1MsSK08CeB-kAAGYjiQ8euQHfkS1dmcQTcMxu6eug7ekb6GNb5PSp8QonagQgbYXJpwLyzDIBgGUb5MjYgiyR1AmjYi01V7Eqy6YI/s1600/cc427c84-63b2-4cf4-a330-7ea702f014f4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="color: black;">It's not that I'm stressed or anxious about the bald patches though, as I feel I've fully embraced and reconciled the emotional impact of the hair loss. </span><span style="color: black;">The fact is that my hair is falling out at a rate that is not normal, and whilst I feel fit and well in myself, my body is clearly in distress and is shouting for help. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The body is very good at telling us when things aren't right by giving us symptoms and/or pain. However, we're not always very good at recognising or heeding the warnings, and have the habit of pushing through and carrying on regardless. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Time then to make a step change. I decided to pay close attention to my body - after all, I'd be a fool not to listen to what it is telling me. </span></div>
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S<span style="color: black;">o time to up the ante.</span></div>
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Whilst I've always maintained regular acupuncture treatment with Caroline Shepherdson <a href="http://www.purelyacupuncture.com/" target="_blank">www.purelyacupuncture.com</a> every two months, I have to admit the daily guided meditations (Headspace <a href="http://www.headspace.com/" target="_blank">www.headspace.com</a>) have gone a bit by the wayside. But I have been doing weekly HIIT sessions with Ted <a href="http://www.vitalexercise.com/" target="_blank">www.vitalexercise.com</a> for the past year and just LOVE my monthly reflexology/massage treatments with Tracey <a href="http://www.facebook.com/tracey%20macrae%20wellbeing" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/tracey macrae wellbeing</a>. </div>
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It was time to pay a visit to scalp and hair loss specialist Cheryl <a href="http://www.cmhairloss.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.cmhairloss.co.uk</a>, whose late colleague Peter Bannister had first treated my scalp back in 2016, with excellent results. Cheryl uses gentle and natural products to improve the condition of the scalp and promote hair growth.</div>
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Her analysis of my hair concluded that whilst some follicles had been affected by hormones and stress, by far the greater problem was malnourishment - my remaining hair was thin, weak and malnourished. As it happened, I'd already made the decision to see a nutritionist, Fiona <a href="http://www.thenutritiondetective.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.thenutritiondetective.co.uk</a>, as I'd become aware that something wasn't quite right with my digestive system. Knowing that gluten and dairy are common culprits, I'd tried avoiding these in the past but felt I needed more expert guidance on this.</div>
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Fiona concluded that my bloating was a result of low stomach acid - the initial digestive process was inadequate so that food was passing out of the stomach only partially digested. This was remedied by a simple hydrochloric acid supplement taken with each meal.</div>
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My floating stools were a result of poor fat absorption, possibly as a result of compromised liver function due to Hepatitis A infection in childhood and long-term antibiotic use after rheumatic fever in early adulthood; not to mention low birth weight and failure to thrive as an infant, and four pregnancies (including twins), all of which hammered my body at the time. </div>
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This has all lead me to better understand my alopecia. Predominantly it tends to be stress related, but I knew that mine had happened at a time when I had very little stress in my life and I felt (and still feel) very calm, so I was rather puzzled as to why it happened when it did.</div>
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I realise now that nutrition plays a hugely important role. I was convinced that my diet was very healthy - which indeed it is - but if my digestion wasn't up to scratch then it was obviously leaving my body depleted and wanting.</div>
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A regime of supplements and slight tweaks to my diet has already improved my skin, which was prone to dryness and itching. The scalp treatments are optimising the condition of my hair follicles and hair is beginning to grow back at the edges of the bald patches. And my amazing hair dresser Lucy <a href="http://www.facebook.com/joshua%20c" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/joshua c</a> constantly comes up with styles which are kind to my hair and keep it looking edgy. </div>
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As an acupuncturist myself, I have come across practitioners who frown upon patients who have treatments with several different therapists at the same time. I agree that it's not easy to determine whether any one therapy is making a difference as the waters can become rather muddied, but I feel that sometimes a broader approach can be beneficial, as long as the therapies undertaken compliment each other, rather than duplicate or contradict.</div>
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I will continue to look after my general wellbeing with good diet, exercise, relaxation and acupuncture. It's very easy to become complacent when things are going well but it's important not to let self-care slip. If we do, we will regret it and pay the price.</div>
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<br />Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-57624493360841281432018-05-02T14:34:00.000-07:002018-05-02T14:34:38.439-07:00The Wanderer Returns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've all said it. Usually through gritted teeth, with a fake smile and a sinking feeling in the stomach.<br />
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'How lovely to see you!'<br />
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Extending that insincere welcome to a distant relative or the 'not quite a friend', to whom you've said, 'Do pop in when you're next in the area', but secretly wishing and hoping that they won't. In fact, knowing that you'd really not be bothered at all if you never see them again.<br />
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You know how it is - they turn up unannounced, stay too long, make seemingly unreasonable demands and whilst we try our utmost to accommodate them and make them feel welcome, we heave a huge sigh of relief when they've gone.<br />
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Great Aunt Alopecia has been threatening to pay me a visit for a while now. She's been knocking on my door since before Christmas but I've managed to avoid her up until now by hiding up and pretending to be out.<br />
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Her last visit two years ago turned my world up-side-down. I'd always thought of myself as a tough cookie who could cope with most things hurled at me, but I wasn't quite prepared for Auntie's surprise invasion, her vicious tongue and completely uncompromising manner.<br />
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She hung around for about nine months in the end, and I'd resigned myself to the possibility of her staying for good. But then I was pleasantly surprised (and relieved) when she packed her bags and left - just like that. 'Do come again - anytime,' I heard myself saying, 'You're always welcome.' (In my head 'NOT!')<br />
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After she'd left two years ago, I spent some time reflecting on her stay. Not being one to hold back, and being renowned for calling a spade a spade, she'd picked holes in my life, criticised some past life-choices I'd made and positively laughed at my paltry attempts at self-care.<br />
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Charming! I felt indignant. I didn't need some stuffy old bat coming into my life and telling me things that I already knew!<br />
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And that's the point. <br />
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She wasn't telling me. She was FORCING me to take a good look at my life, and at all things that I did indeed already know. I'd had my head in the sand and was ignoring all the warnings and red flags. I wasn't doing anything different to make changes or improvements - and Auntie wasn't going to budge until I'd addressed all of those things in question.<br />
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And so Great Aunt Alopecia took it upon herself to make me stop in my tracks and take heed. So slowly, gradually I did indeed make changes and really, really paid attention to my self-care. And guess what - it paid off! At long last Auntie took her leave - hooray! But not without that final, warning glance over her shoulder which seemed to say 'I'll be watching you.'<br />
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So yep - I hold my hands up - guilty as charged. I started to let things slip and the changes and improvements have been slipping out of the window. And so, true to her word Auntie came back, wagging that finger at me.<br />
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But I find I've changed my tune as far as my relationship with her is concerned. Despite her rather commanding presence, I've realised that she means well and actually talks a lot of sense. She encourages me to be more mindful of my boundaries, to make time for my family and friends - and above all, to make time for myself.<br />
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I actually have a lot of respect for Great Aunt Alopecia. I wouldn't say that I particularly enjoy her visits, but I have an increased tolerance towards her and so will always make time for her and listen to what she has to say. Just hope she doesn't hang around so long this time.</div>
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Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-34482936721360528342016-12-28T14:21:00.002-08:002016-12-28T14:25:31.455-08:00Alopecia - Journey's End and a New Chapter Begins<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 2016<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">I can always remember my late Father's wise words. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">'Give it time,' he would say. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">He would say it very often in his daily practice as a Vet, to anxious owners who wanted to know how long before their sick or injured pet to make a full recovery. He would say it to us kids when we were being impatient and expectant. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">There were occasions when I thought this to be an avoidance tactic when my Dad didn't have the time, energy or motivation to engage (and I'm sure this was the case more often than not). However, it taught us kids a valuable lesson in the virtue of patience, though I'm sure we weren't aware of this at the time, and probably didn't </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">appreciate it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">I remember hearing his very words ringing in my ears last May when I made the decision to embrace my alopecia and shave off my remaining damaged hair. Initially I felt the need to find out the cause and a way to fix it, but I soon came to realise that I may never find out why it happened, and there may not be a way of fixing it - and I was OK with that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Like my Dad said, I knew I just needed to give it time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">We tend to assume that the GP will have all the answers - after all, they have a pill for most things, and if there isn't a cure then at the least they can usually offer an explanation.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">We humans seem to need to have a reason/diagnosis/treatment or plan of action. It serves the purpose of putting our minds at rest, it can allow us to apportion blame, or it reassures us that it's not all our own fault, Above all, it gives us hope and empowerment - we feel we are able to do something constructive, and we are given back some semblance of control.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">However, often when investigations draw a blank, rather than being relieved that nothing sinister has been uncovered, some people can become frustrated and even disbelieving of the medical profession, and can feel that they have been let down.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">What we're not terribly good at is sitting back, doing nothing and accepting something for what it is without knowing the reason why. It is the element of control, or lack of, which can really mess with our emotional well being because being able to exercise autonomy is one of our essential emotional needs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Along with my Dad's words, I have held on to some other expressions during my journey with alopecia, and they have been my inspiration along the way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">'Let Nature take its course'; 'Wait patiently for what time brings', and especially</span> the words of the Serenity Prayer;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">the courage to change the things I can;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">and the wisdom to know the difference.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">I feel that the most important part of my recovery has been emotional rather than physical. I have been extremely fortunate in being able to give myself the gift of time in order to do a lot of introspection and reflection, and to implement changes where needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Most importantly, I have been able to focus on ensuring that my emotional needs are met as fully as possible - and I still make this a priority. I see this as not by way of any selfish need, but as an absolute necessity - because if I don't look after myself, then I cannot give my best to those that I care for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">I am convinced that my sound emotional health has been my mainstay throughout my journey and has undoubtedly helped me to accept the loss of my hair and the prospect of it not returning. Of course I feel immensely lucky to find that it has regrown, but I was mentally prepared for this not to be the case - and I was OK with that.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Sadly, I know there are hundreds who live on a daily basis with the anguish, embarrassment and low self-esteem that accompanies alopecia. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">To those who are suffering in this manner, you may find it useful to consider the following: </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">It is not so much WHAT we experience, but HOW we experience it. It's not <i>what</i> we go through that determines our ability to cope, but <i>how </i>we deal with the stress, and how we still manage to meet our needs as best we can, retain hope and feel empowered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Most people will accept us for who we are with or without hair - those who feel the need to poke fun or are unkind are generally acting out of ignorance, and these are not the people we need to associate with right now. Much of our criticism comes from within, so</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> it is vitally important that we learn to love ourselves and to ensure that as many of our emotional needs as possible are met on a daily basis.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">You might find the following links helpful :<a href="http://www.suffolkmind.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.suffolkmind.org.uk</a> and <a href="http://www.clinical-depression.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.clinical-depression.co.uk</a></span><br />
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Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-51841055031290162332016-09-25T07:29:00.000-07:002016-09-25T07:29:29.053-07:00Alopecia - Nearing my Journey's End<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlVnEHPwL45PKSWFByyZcdAhf7XV594GbV_znWOefpI9TSl-iobowF6d88Q0NtkDzJXt2V24h4viitrESgGeYM_N0T5CtZaIkDkWIkb5VNpgZekFBDw3ak28bdWgKUKV40vCx496OOwOR/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlVnEHPwL45PKSWFByyZcdAhf7XV594GbV_znWOefpI9TSl-iobowF6d88Q0NtkDzJXt2V24h4viitrESgGeYM_N0T5CtZaIkDkWIkb5VNpgZekFBDw3ak28bdWgKUKV40vCx496OOwOR/s1600/photo+2.JPG" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May 2016 - immediately after the chop!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August 2016 - with added blonde!</td></tr>
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<pre wrap="">It is now five months since I shaved my head (and 14 months since discovering my first bald patch) and I'm delighted to report that my hair is growing back!The patches are closing up and there is new (dark) hair growth clearly visible in their centres.</pre>
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<pre wrap="">I have attributed this recovery to a very simple, yet powerful Five Element acupuncture treatment given to me by my tutor and mentor, Nora Franglen <a href="http://norafranglen.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://norafranglen.blogspot.co.uk/</a>, whom I consider to be the authority on Five Element Acupuncture in the UK. </pre>
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<pre wrap="">The treatment she gave me was to clear a CV/GV block. This protocol is primarily used in Five Element acupuncture, but less so by practitioners trained in the more widely available Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture. </pre>
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<pre wrap="">A CV/GV block can occur as a result of major trauma (recent or historical) or after surgery in child birth, and can leave the patient with chronic, low energy (eg ME, MS), infertility and auto-immune deficiencies. If a CV/GV block is suspected, it is vital that it is cleared as this energy flow is responsible for supporting all the other energy meridians and officials.</pre>
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<pre wrap="">In Nora's eyes, my sudden and dramatic hair loss pointed clearly to a major energy block and a CV/GV block clearance was indicated.</pre>
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<pre wrap=""><pre wrap="">The procedure involves clearing blocked energy in the Conception Vessel or Ren Mai (CV) and the Governing Vessel or Du Mai (GV) by needling the following points;</pre>
<pre wrap="">CV1 (located at the centre of the perineum); GV1 (located between the tip of coccyx and the anus); CV 24 (located on the chin in the mentolabial groove); GV28 (located inside the mouth, on the frenulum).</pre>
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<pre wrap="">In reality, many acupuncture practitioners avoid clearing this block because of the intimate nature of the needling, but it can be done very discreetly with minimal embarrassment. Whilst it is important that the needling is carried out with intention, any discomfort is short-lived and the benefits far outweigh this. </pre>
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<pre wrap="">I have been reflecting back over my own past to try to think of a root cause to my hair loss. I know I am not alone in having experienced several traumas and losses in my life. Undoubtedly the most traumatic event was the sudden and unexpected home birth of my second child, who arrived two weeks before term, and was delivered before the ambulance arrived with just my husband to help. Sadly my son only survived for two days as he was born with congenital hypo-plastic left heart ie the left side of the heart had failed to develop, and so it was a fatal defect. </pre>
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<pre wrap="">This happened 29 years ago - but I didn't allow myself to grieve at the time as I had a 13 month old toddler to look after. I blocked out my grief to enable me to take on the role of supporting my young son, husband, parents and in-laws, who were all naturally absolutely devastated. </pre>
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<pre wrap="">I know now that I was clearly in shock and possibly suffering from PTSD, but certainly felt closed off emotionally for many years subsequently. I spoke very rarely of my loss and hid it from my children and others - in my mind I thought I was protecting them from hurt, but the fact was that I didn't know how to initiate the conversation or to answer potentially difficult questions. As coping mechanisms, I became an expert at avoidance and compartmentalisation, and adopted a frenetic life-style, absorbing myself completely by looking after family, home and work. </pre>
<pre wrap="">Could it be then that my alopecia was indeed a very delayed response to this and other traumas?</pre>
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<pre wrap="">My conclusion is that finding the exact cause doesn't really matter, but I believe that my own regular Five Element acupuncture treatment over the past six years and my understanding of how trauma affects the Five Elements, have helped me to finally reconcile past events, and to let go of unresolved emotional issues, unrealistic expectations, grief and guilt. </pre>
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<pre wrap="">Perhaps losing my hair was symbolic of this process of letting go? Certainly it has felt like quite a journey, and has really made me take a good hard look at myself and our society, and at the importance we place on looks, hair and imperfection. It made me realise that, hair or no hair, I am the same person on the inside and actually it really doesn't matter to me what I look like or what people think of me.</pre>
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I feel that this experience has allowed the real essence of who I am to emerge. For the first time in my life I feel that the real me has arrived. </pre>
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<pre wrap="">I like the person I have become and feel very privileged to be here with a wonderful family, home and good health.
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Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-7999132900396917492016-07-21T16:24:00.002-07:002016-07-21T16:24:50.992-07:00Alopecia - My Continuing Journey and the Rise of the Brave Shavers<div style="text-align: center;">
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I have great admiration for all those who are Braving the Shave for Macmillan - <a href="http://bravetheshave.org.uk/" target="_blank">bravetheshave.org.uk</a>, the hugely worthy cause for an organisation which does tremendous work in very difficult situations. </div>
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The decision to shave one's head is not an easy one, for many reasons. One practical reason being that it does get rather nippy around the back of the neck. I slept with a bobble hat on for the first few nights.<br />
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I decided to shave my head after 9 months of significant hair loss through alopecia. I had got to the point of considering options - headscarves, hats or even a wig, before I questioned my reasons for hiding my condition. I came to the conclusion that, having made the decision to shave my head, I no longer had a problem with my hair loss. However, I realised instead that I wasn't sure how to deal with the prospect of my acquaintances struggling with knowing how to act and what to say.<br />
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This was highlighted when I went into my local greengrocers with my newly shaved pate. Neither of the two young female assistants were able to make eye contact with me and acted as if nothing had changed. My day was saved when their boss took one look at me and said "What's with the hair then?"<br />
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This was exactly the prompt I needed - someone grabbing the situation by the horns and saying it straight. I decided at that moment that this would be the best way forward for me. I needed to prepare the ground before I walked on it by having some scripts ready at the tip of my tongue. Communication was definitely the key to managing this transition effectively.<br />
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To ensure that my alopecia didn't become the elephant in the room, it was important for me to initiate conversations. And so, just as the Brave Shavers did, I spread the word around my tribe using all the means available to me - email, social media etc - not to attract attention but to forewarn them of my radical new look, and to reassure them of my health.</div>
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Being open and honest also worked well for me. A child asked me very directly what had happened to my hair. "It fell out," I replied. Her response? "Oh, OK." My grand daughter declared that she didn't like Nanny's new haircut. I told her that I wanted to have the same haircut as Granddad and she was OK with that!</div>
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Embracing my alopecia was an incredibly liberating experience for me. It meant that I could rock a brand new hair cut and funky colour, I bought loads of new earrings and scarves, and re-vamped my make-up and spent an amazing day having a complete make-over and photo shoot at Dream On <a href="http://www.dream-on.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.dream-on.co.uk/</a> . I rediscovered colour, sparkle and lipstick! It was as if the real ME had finally emerged and it made me realise how much I had been hiding behind my old mop of hair.</div>
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It is now almost 3 months since I braved the shave - and my bald patches are getting smaller! Having turned my back on western medicine's drugs and hair transplants, I just stuck to healthy eating, vitamin B12 supplements and acupuncture. Here's an account of a really significant treatment which I'm sure marked a turning point for me : <a href="http://norafranglen.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://norafranglen.blogspot.co.uk</a>.<br />
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My journey is by no means over but it feels like I'm coming down the other side of the mountain now. It would be wonderful if my hair returns in its entirety, but if it doesn't, then I've already initiated Plan B - watch this space!</div>
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Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-34935383481439933512016-04-29T15:29:00.001-07:002016-05-05T14:28:19.080-07:00My Journey with Alopecia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://coodenmedicalgroup.com/images/treatments/aesthetics/alopecia-hair-loss-treatment-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://coodenmedicalgroup.com/images/treatments/aesthetics/alopecia-hair-loss-treatment-03.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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We have always been a family with good hair - and youthful hair at that. My Dad kept most of his hair until a ripe old age, and didn't turn grey until well advanced in years. My brothers all still have full heads of hair and I've always had a real mop of strong, healthy, shiny hair which was thankfully and conveniently very low maintenance.<br />
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Imagine then, my surprise when my hairdresser rang me immediately after my appointment to tell me that she had noticed a bald patch at the back of my head, which she thoughtfully hadn't want to flag up in front of others in the salon. Surprised, yes - but also relieved. I thought she was going to tell me that I had head lice! Somehow, alopecia didn't seem quite so bad at that point.<br />
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The immediate thought in cases of alopecia is that it is a response to stress. Yes of course I've had stress in my life (having four children under 5 years old was one of them) - haven't we all? - but I would say that these days I'm probably the most chilled that I've ever been. Blood screens for thyroid problems, diabetes or other auto-immune conditions all came back clear.<br />
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Alopecia is one of those mystery auto-immune conditions where there's no specific cause and no effective treatment. Alopecia areata (which is what I have) is the non-scarring variety so at least there is the potential for the hair to regrow in time.<br />
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So over the past nine months, I have gradually but significantly been losing hair from the back of my scalp. What started as a patch about the size of a £2 coin, and very well hidden somewhere in my mop - has now affected almost three quarters of the back of my head. I still had a wispy covering in the worst places but it was becoming very drafty indeed!<br />
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The remaining hair was not unaffected though. In more and more places the ends of the hair were becoming slightly crinkled, as though it had been heat-damaged. And more and more hair was falling out each time I brushed.<br />
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So today I took the plunge and had it all shaved off - short back and sides if ever there was one! Yes, it feels a bit chilly at the moment but I've still got some on top, AND I still have slightly more hair than my husband has!<br />
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This may seem rather extreme, but embracing the next stage in this way is exciting and actually rather liberating. I was more than ready to ditch the old mop and now I'm looking forward to experimenting with headscarves, new earrings and even a head tattoo!<br />
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I have pre-warned my family and close associates so as to lessen their shock, and will cover my head at times if I feel some, particularly vulnerable people and patients, may feel unsure of how to react. But ultimately, I don't want to hide my alopecia - after all, it's not contagious or life-threatening, it's just different.<br />
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At the end of the day, it's only hair (or rather, lack of) - the person underneath it all (me) is still the same.<br />
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<br />Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-73317749411731700502016-03-07T14:37:00.001-08:002016-03-07T14:39:09.561-08:00Grief in Everyday Life<br />
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When we suffer the loss of a loved one, then we must allow ourselves time to grieve. Grief is a process of healing, and it is necessary to experience each stage of this process before reaching the final stage - acceptance, learning to live with the loss which has occurred.<br />
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The stages of grief we experience start with shock and denial; we feel anger and want to blame - ourselves, someone or something; we may feel guilty or sink into depression and withdraw from life; we may start bargaining - asking the 'what if's' and the 'if only's', until gradually we learn to carry our burden and accept the loss, enabling us to reach out to others and get involved in life once more.<br />
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The stages of grief don't follow any particular timeline. Some people experience all the stages, some seem to skip a stage; many bounce back and forth between stages and some get completely stuck. There is no expected duration - there is no right or wrong. Some people are denied the time to grieve or don't allow themselves to do so, often by keeping themselves frenetically busy. This is a coping mechanism and /or an avoidance technique which allows them to function in the short term, but it cannot be sustained.<br />
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The grieving process also comes into play at other key moments in our lives - often when things are done to us or taken from us ie things happen which are not of our choosing. Things such as being sacked from a job or being made redundant; retirement; divorce; children starting school, leaving home, going off to uni or getting married.<br />
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When it comes to our health, there are also instances when it would be appropriate to go through a grieving process, although it may not be obvious at first glance that this is indeed what we're experiencing.<br />
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Some women can struggle emotionally on reaching menopause. Fluctuating hormone levels play a big part in this, but with it also comes the realisation that her child-bearing days are over - the door has closed on that part of her life and she will never get it back again.<br />
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Being diagnosed with a life-changing medical condition can also bring about an emotional struggle, brought about by the realisation that it is no longer possible to live by the same lifestyle as before the diagnosis. This diagnosis can bring with it intensive medication and treatment regimes, dietary changes, limitations in mobility and life expectancy. Once again, the door has closed on the 'normal' pre-diagnosis life and it will never be the same again.<br />
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At times like these it is therefore appropriate - and indeed necessary - to grieve the loss of the previous 'normal' life. Although the body will never fully heal, it is possible to heal the mind and the spirit by allowing ourselves to grieve - to give ourselves time and permission to experience fully all the stages and emotions, so that we can reach the stage of acceptance of our 'new normal' and begin to live our lives again.<br />
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Five Element Acupuncture is a very useful therapy in supporting patients who have received a life-changing diagnosis. The treatment room provides a safe space where the patient can talk about how they are feeling, a place where they can be heard and given permission to off-load without fear of being judged. It is particularly useful at times when talking is just to painful - we just let the needles do their work.<br />
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<br />Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-7690965525755267232016-01-18T14:13:00.000-08:002016-01-18T14:13:02.936-08:00Short Crust or Flaky?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Is it my imagination or have we as a society become rather flaky these days?<br />
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This has happened to me several times in recent weeks - people making an arrangement and then backing out at the last minute or simply just not turning up.<br />
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Of course this can be excused in times of crisis or illness, but very often people are flaky because a better option has come along, or they simply just can't be bothered.<br />
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Not only is this disappointing for the person who has been let down, but it shows a complete lack of respect by the perpetrator. Making a commitment with someone shows a sign of <b>respect</b> to that person - it tells them that they are important and worthy of our attention.<br />
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When we break that commitment, it tells the person that they are no longer as important as they were when the arrangement was made because something/someone else has come along that is more important and more demanding of our attention.<br />
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Not only are we showing a lack of respect to others when we renege on arrangements, we are also showing a lack of <b>self-respect</b>. The moment we feel pressured into changing our prior arrangement means that we are putting the needs of others before our own. Of course there will always be exceptional circumstances, but generally we are entitled to give our own needs and wishes priority and request that others wait their turn.<br />
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Very often we get sent a text message to remind us of a forthcoming appointment. This may well improve the attendance rates but it is actually relieving us of our <b>responsibility</b> to honour our original commitment.<br />
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And if we find ourselves breaking a commitment for legitimate reasons, then there really is no excuse for failing to letting people know. Left to their own devices, the person who has been let down may jump to the wrong conclusion and wonder what they have done to upset the other person; either that or they'll fear the worst.<br />
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It is worth noting that children, elderly and vulnerable people do not handle a lack of commitment well. By their very nature they are indeed vulnerable and they rely on trust - breaking a commitment will disappoint hugely and will erode trust.<br />
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Let's leave flakiness to pastry and endeavour to make our commitments short crust and solid.<br />
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Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-40382578422060272602015-11-26T14:44:00.000-08:002015-11-26T14:44:26.855-08:00Codependency - the Absence of Self-Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am often asked which conditions patients most commonly seek treatment for. People are usually really surprised when I say that whilst it is usually a physical pain or symptom which prompts them to seek help, almost without exception there is an underlying unresolved emotional issue which is prevalent and in need of as much, if not more attention.<br />
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Of the patients I have seen lately, a common theme has been evident - one of feeling completely emotionally 'empty'. Of those who are in a relationship, they feel unloved or undeserving of love; they do everything for everybody else and deny their own needs; they feel they have no voice, are not listened to or feel invisible in the relationship.<br />
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Of those not currently with a partner, they have a history of entering into toxic relationships which they feel unable to leave, or else are made to feel immense guilt at the thought of leaving, often being subjected to intense emotional blackmail by their partner. They often find it difficult to give and receive love and even compliments, and can seem very needy but at the same time are quick to push partners away or exclude them.<br />
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In Five Element Acupuncture terms this can be attributed to an imbalance in the Earth element and often can be traced back to a trauma in childhood, where the child's emotional needs were not met by one or both parents, often the mother figure. The child whose emotional needs are not met can become a child who shows little or no emotion, and eventually a person who is totally independent and prefers doing things/being completely on their own, unable to ask for or receive help. They may appear very confident and competent, and can be very controlling.<br />
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The irony here is that such patients are actually desperate to feel loved; they often need to be needed and are people-pleasers. In relationships, they become the perfect spouse or partner - bending over backwards to please but often feeling that whatever they do is never enough. They will do whatever it takes to keep the peace and avoid rocking the boat. They will do whatever it takes to be loved, but they will very often never actually FEEL loved as the relationship is frequently very one-sided and toxic.<br />
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These behaviours are learned early on in childhood where the family dynamic was difficult - one or both parents may have been an addict or an emotional manipulator. These are signs of CODEPENDENCY - and the overwhelming characteristic is the absence of self-love.<br />
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Codependency is a habitual and often addictive behaviour - those exhibiting these traits tend to be consistently drawn to partners who are emotional manipulators or addicts, and repeatedly enter into toxic relationships which are destined to fail.<br />
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But it is possible to recover. The starting point is awareness - the realisation that there is a pattern of behaviour which keeps being repeated, resulting in a negative outcome; there must also be the desire to change - a desire to be able to have a nourishing and equal relationship with a partner.<br />
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Emotional support through a talking therapy is extremely useful, in conjunction with Five Element Acupuncture, where the treatment would center on nourishing the Earth element so that it feels less 'empty'. Continued support is essential, and can be sought through self-help groups such as CoDA.<br />
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Could you be codependent? Click on the links below for more information.<br />
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<a href="http://www.coda-uk.org/index.php?page=patterns-characteristics-of-co-dependency" target="_blank">http://www.coda-uk.org/index.php?page=patterns-characteristics-of-co-dependency</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS1RP_-njwQ" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS1RP_-njwQ</a>Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-22378544473846051212015-09-21T14:51:00.000-07:002015-09-21T14:51:07.486-07:00Empty Nest? Now What?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/87/3f/d9/873fd9d4fee1ec8170581d53109c2f61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/87/3f/d9/873fd9d4fee1ec8170581d53109c2f61.jpg" /></a></div>
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Travelling on the M25 today I saw a people carrier stuffed full of gear, Dad driving, Mum reading a Uni prospectus and a soon-to-be uni student fast asleep in the back. It was only just after lunch after all, so far too early in the day for a fresher to be up and conscious!<br />
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Hmm - this brings back memories, I thought.<br />
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It's a few years now since I was making the self same Uni delivery trip with my tribe, but there will be lots of Mums and Dads out there who will be returning from such a journey to a very quiet and empty house. Once the novelty of owning a house that remains tidy for more than five minutes has passed and the fridge doesn't empty as soon as it's filled, then some parents may well be feeling rather lost.<br />
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Kids going off to Uni marks the end of an era and the beginning of a transitional stage in their parents' lives. Some cope very well but others really struggle with letting go of their offspring, feeling a real sense of grief, guilt, worry and a loss of identity.<br />
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In Five Element Acupuncture terms, it is the Earth element which is concerned with the caring, nurturing and providing qualities of parents. Late Summer is when the Earth element should be at its peak, but it can become very depleted through years of caring and giving to others (ie children) without adequate replenishment.<br />
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If the Earth element is undernourished, then it is unable to feed its 'child' element of Metal, which comes into its own in Autumn. The Metal element is concerned with taking in and letting go - when it is distressed it becomes out of balance and its associated emotions of guilt and grief are allowed to run riot.<br />
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When the Metal element is depleted, then in turn it cannot feed its 'child' element of Water. If Water is out of balance its associated emotion of fear becomes out of control, allowing worry and anxiety to develop.<br />
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So called 'Empty Nest Syndrome' can therefore be explained in Five Element terms as an imbalance in the positive energetic cycle. Treatment would entail nourishing the patient's Guardian Element so that it in turn can further nourish the distressed elements.<br />
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If this imbalance is left unchecked, then there is the tendency to adopt certain habits or lifestyle factors to fill the void that has been left by the departing offspring, eg comfort eating, drinking, smoking and other excesses. These measures serve as coping mechanisms and may well suffice for a short while, but often there comes a time when they're just not enough - before long, a habit becomes an addiction, and an addiction becomes a problem.<br />
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<br />Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-43460210757751389892015-07-25T04:44:00.001-07:002015-07-25T04:44:47.666-07:00Even Plants Like 'Acupuncture' Treatment.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Finding myself with an unexpected free afternoon the other week, I turned my attention to my houseplants. I had noticed that some of them were starting to look a bit stressed, and being around stressed plants really saps my energy.<br />
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One particular culprit was a large parlour palm which I had rescued a few months ago from the 'Reduced' section, where it was looking rather jaded and in need of TLC. It was parched when I bought it, so I gave it a good drink, some liquid feed and sat it in a light and airy spot, but it still looked sick. In fact, nearly every week I was having to cut away shrivelled leaves, despite watering it regularly.<br />
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This poor plant obviously needed more than I was currently giving it. The plant's needs were not being met and I needed to take a closer look at why the things I was doing weren't working.<br />
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So I decided I'd try re-potting even though the pot it was in was of adequate size, but some fresh compost never goes amiss.<br />
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When I eased the palm out of the pot, I found that the compost was dry, tired and had lost its structure. It fell away easily as there were no roots holding it together. After teasing away more of the old compost it became clear that the plant had previously become pot bound when it was in a much smaller pot and had subsequently been re-potted at least twice. However, when it had been transferred into progressively bigger pots its roots had not been teased out of the root ball, and so they were still tightly packed together and completely unable to free themselves in order to grow into the new space. The root system was being strangled and was clearly incapable of supporting an abundant top growth. No wonder the palm was struggling.<br />
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I see a clear parallel between this plant and my patients. Just as a plant will get by for a while with water and liquid feed, patients usually respond initially to Western Medicine prescribed drugs. But often there comes a point when this superficial treatment is not enough and both will fail to thrive.<br />
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At this point, Western Medicine would up the ante - turning to multiple, stronger or longer acting drugs to cover up persistent symptoms. My plant didn't respond well to the 'let's throw more at it 'approach ie being plonked into ever bigger pots - this proved to be completely overwhelming and its roots remained in a tight cluster, unable to branch out. It needed to have its roots gently untangled, to be given fresh compost and a smaller pot initially to encourage new growth at a steady rate before moving into a larger size.<br />
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Patients can react in this manner too, becoming easily overwhelmed by treatment or drugs which may be too much, too strong and too soon. They can retreat within themselves, unable to break out of their habitual, internal, emotional maelstrom created by their current illness and their past traumas. Any change to the status quo requires energy, a resource which patients often have precious little of when they present for treatment, and so they need to be able to reach out for help.<br />
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Patients need to give themselves permission to be coaxed out of the stranglehold their illness has on them; they need to feel safe, supported, reassured and nourished during their period of physical and emotional recovery and expansion; most importantly, patients need to allow themselves time to heal. Chronic illness is our body's way of telling us that our lifestyle isn't working for us and we need to change something - change requires energy and time, and can't be rushed.<br />
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Five Element Acupuncture treatment provides a safe and nurturing environment in which patients can explore the deeper issues surrounding their illness, to whatever depth and pace they are comfortable with.. It utilises a specific needling protocol to enable the patient to let go of the emotions associated with past traumas, thus freeing up the body to begin the process of self-healing.<br />
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Patients are very much like plants - they need sound roots in order to thrive.<br />
<br />Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-91602519177932359132015-06-22T14:37:00.000-07:002015-06-22T14:37:07.295-07:00New Car Rave!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've got a new car - yipee!<br />
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Well OK, not NEW new, rather new DIFFERENT - and very shiny and clean, with that 'new car smell' and immaculate blackened tyres.<br />
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Last week I parted company with my ageing Toyota and switched allegiance to a young whipper-snapper of a Honda. What's more, I really pushed outside of my comfort zone and switched from petrol to diesel.<br />
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This is really big cheese for me as my Earth element has the tendency to be very resistant to change. We with Earth Guardian Elements are renowned for being stubborn and can seem almost stuck, not necessarily through arrogance of knowing that our way is the right way or the only way (that would be characteristic of the Wood element) but more due to the feeling of safety in what we know.<br />
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Earth's belief of 'I know what I like and I like what I know' makes us very reluctant to try anything new. I must admit that I had to push myself to drive this new beast the day after I picked it up - I was quite content to look at it sitting pretty on the driveway for a whole day before I snapped myself out of my rut.<br />
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I remembered what the salesman had told me about this car's eco features - a green light comes up on the speedometer if you're driving economically, blue if you're not. Also, it will tell you when to change up or down a gear according to the engine revs.<br />
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Visions of grannies sucking eggs came to mind, as after all, I had driven my husband's diesel car fairly frequently over the years, and I knew what I was doing, didn't I?<br />
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But I duly paid heed to the bells and whistles - and just as well, because only then did I appreciate that actually the driving techniques for diesel and petrol cars are very different, and with this came the realisation that I'd been driving both in exactly the same manner for all this time.<br />
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And so I ate a big helping of humble pie! I'm now very aware of the wrong assumptions I had made and how blinkered I had become, and also set in my ways. This new car has prompted me to think more laterally and to increase my awareness so that I can learn to drive it far more sympathetically - and hopefully economically!<br />
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Extending this scenario to acupuncture practice, it is important that we challenge ourselves with new ideas often so that we don't become too comfortable with over-familiarity and we are able to keep our minds and hearts open. Regular CPD and reflective practice in Supervision are key to ensuring this is so.<br />
Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-39669346662611417602015-06-10T15:30:00.001-07:002015-06-10T15:30:12.527-07:00Observing the Five Elements<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The ancient, classical Chinese acupuncturists believed that a unique combination of five distinct elements constitutes an individual's make up, namely Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood.<br />
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Each element brings certain virtues, strengths and weaknesses to the person's character. Through a combination of nature and nurture, each of us develops a special relationship with one particular element, known as the Guardian Element.<br />
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It is nature of the Guardian Element which determines how we conduct ourselves in our day to day life, how we interact with others and how we react in certain situations. It is also the Guardian Element which literally gets knocked for six when life throws its traumas at us, throwing the element and ourselves out of balance energetically, leaving us feeling physically and often emotionally unwell.<br />
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The key aspect of Five Element Acupuncture is that treatment is directed specifically at the patient's ailing Guardian Element rather than at any specific symptom, ie it tackles cause rather than effect.<br />
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So how then do we determine a patient's Guardian Element?<br />
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This happens usually by means of close questioning and careful observation during the initial consultation with the patient.<br />
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This careful observation takes years of practice to perfect - as a practitioner I am constantly looking, listening, feeling and sensing clues which will direct me towards the patient's Guardian Element. Generally, the more out of balance the patient, the easier it is to fix upon the Guardian Element - in fact, it is as if it is shouting at me for help! So my discipline is to quieten my mind and to pay heed to all of my senses.<br />
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I find that social occasions are the perfect training ground for me and I often find myself 'people watching' - observing, noticing and assessing, and trying to pin down those elusive Guardian Elements.<br />
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At a family BBQ recently I watched my loved ones with mild amusement as I noted their conduct and reactions as we were all mucking in to prepare the food.<br />
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Number 1 offspring wanted to make a specific recipe and rushed out to not one but two supermarkets to get exactly the right ingredients - action, little flexibility = Wood.<br />
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If it was left up to me, I would have looked in the cupboards, changed the recipe and made something with what was already there - resourceful = Earth<br />
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Number 2 offspring went to Waitrose and only bought upmarket, branded goods - quality = Metal<br />
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Number 3 offspring went round chatting to everyone, making sure they were all OK and had drinks - communication, hospitality, entertainer = Fire<br />
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Number 4 offspring went back for second and third helpings and was starving again after a couple of hours, whilst also keeping a careful watch on the little ones - caring, nurturing, providing (especially food) = Earth<br />
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Husband controlled the BBQ (very expertly, too - nobody else gets a look in!) loved having everyone around and played with the little ones - leadership, comradeship, inner child = Wood.<br />
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We can learn so much by saying less and seeing more!<br />
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<br />Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-87111584569466434992015-04-27T14:58:00.001-07:002015-04-27T14:58:44.598-07:00Just Because We're Therapists Doesn't Mean to Say We're Sorted<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.nicolagrace.com/wp-content/uploads/knowledge-quotes-287x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.nicolagrace.com/wp-content/uploads/knowledge-quotes-287x300.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="C-7" style="box-sizing: content-box; color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-stretch: normal; text-align: center; vertical-align: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">“As practitioners we offer our patients guidance, support and encouragement -</span><wbr style="background-color: white; box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"></wbr><span style="background-color: white; color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"> it seems a good idea to offer it to ourselves” </span><span class="C-7" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: content-box; color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: center; vertical-align: 0px;">Isobel Cosgrove, Acupuncturist, BAcC Member and Supervision Trainer</span></span></div>
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<span class="C-7" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: content-box; color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: center; vertical-align: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">I have never felt so alone as I did the day I finished my training and qualified as an Acupuncturist. As I set out on my career, working in solo, I no longer had my tutors at hand for mentoring nor my peers to bounce ideas off or to share uncertainties with. All I had were my own two feet - and a short amount of time to learn to stand on them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Back then, patients were few and far between - and why should I assume it would be any different? I'd been qualified for all of five minutes so how could I possibly expect to have a queue outside my treatment room door from day one? </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Any seasoned businessman will tell you that if you can survive the first three years of any new start up, then chances are you're on to a winner. However, that time can be filled with confidence wobbles, fear of failure, escalating outgoings and a pittance for an income - tough times indeed. And because we're therapists, people seem to assume that </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">we're able to cope far better than most because</span><span style="background-color: white; color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> we've got a handle on everything, we don't get stressed or anxious and - because we're 'sorted', right?</span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Not right! Yes, we're therapists - but we're also human. We too get it wrong sometimes, lack confidence and can struggle as much as the next person. But I have found there to be in some therapists a reluctance to ask for help, either because of arrogance, fear of appearing to lack skill or knowledge, or an unwillingness to continue their personal and professional development.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">As therapists, we owe it to ourselves as well as to our patients to look after ourselves properly (if we don't do it, who will?), to further our knowledge and hone our skills, to be able to receive as well as to give and above all to maintain a sense of humility. After all, to be invited by our patients to join them on their journey of self-discovery and self-healing is indeed a privilege. We ourselves are not the healers - our job is to facilitate, to open doors so that our patients can consider the options available to them in their own time; ours is </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">not to lead the way but </span><span style="background-color: white; color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">to stand just behind in order to offer a steadying hand if and when necessary.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">As an Acupuncture therapist, I practice what I preach. I do look after myself - very well actually, but this hasn't always been the case (I learned my lesson the hard way!). I ring fence several hours in every week and set these aside as 'Me Time' - yoga, pilates, massage, my own acupuncture treatment, reading and most importantly, supervision and mentoring. <a href="http://www.mentoringsupervision.org/" target="_blank">www.mentoringsupervision.org</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: navy; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">However, in my efforts to take better care of myself I have encountered a number of therapists offering different treatments, several of whom I have had issues with of some kind or another. I admit that many of the issues were my own, but there were definitely some which were down to bad practice and people skills on the therapist's part. These were people who I assumed, or at least hoped were 'sorted' - in reality, some of them would have really benefited from working on themselves before working with their patients. </span></div>
Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-45057497962559974502015-03-10T16:16:00.000-07:002015-03-10T16:16:21.516-07:00Taking the Stress out of Dealing with Stress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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BBC news this week contained the worrying report on mental health charity MIND's recent online survey of emergency services personnel which found that 87% of respondents had experienced stress, low mood or poor mental health at some point whilst working within the emergency services.<br />
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A further worrying fact was that despite this greater prevalence of poor mental health, only 47% had admitted to taking any time off due to ill health. This suggests that emergency workers find it harder than other professions to say when they are not at their best, but they carry on regardless.<br />
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Whether this is down to embarrassment or an unfailing sense of duty, this line of thinking is not helpful - neither to the professional nor to the people they are trying to help as everybody here is getting the thin end of the wedge.<br />
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We've all heard the saying "Healer, heal thyself". How true is this.<br />
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It is only when we look after ourselves that we can look after others to the best of our ability. Anybody who is running on empty are doing just that - running - out of steam and helping no-one, least of all themselves. In fact, they are running towards burnout and a very long time off sick, and an even longer period of recovery.<br />
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MIND has initiated Blue Light Time to Change, a government-backed pledge for front-line mental health support for emergency personnel. And not a moment too soon.<br />
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If this pledge kicks off, then it will be a great start in the process. But even better would be pro-action rather than reaction. All people in caring professions or emergency roles would benefit greatly from receiving regular non-judgemental support, allowing time and space for reflection and exploration of issues associated with their working practice.<br />
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But what if, as in the case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) the stress is so severe or the memories and flashbacks are too painful to revisit through talking therapy? Five Element Acupuncture is the answer - the needles will do all the work if the thought of talking is just too overwhelming or frightening, and can be carried out with the minimum of patient/practitioner interaction if so desired.<br />
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Jo Banthorpe practices Five Element Acupuncture in Ipswich and is also a trained Supervisor and Mentor, offering support to those working in therapeutic, medical and caring professions and especially to those working in isolation.Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-58671048406259923062015-02-23T14:53:00.000-08:002015-02-23T14:53:01.220-08:00What Can Acupuncture Do For Me?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Many people would only think of turning to acupuncture for pain relief and indeed, it can be very effective both in the short and long term. Often, but not always, the number of treatments required will depend on the duration of symptoms.</div>
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But apart from alleviating joint and back pain, what else can acupuncture be helpful in treating?</div>
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The emphasis of Five Element Acupuncture is on treating people rather than symptoms and in so saying, I will happily stick my neck out and say that acupuncture can be useful in treating ANY condition and absolutely EVERYBODY, without fail, would benefit from having some treatment. </div>
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The key is however, to have a realistic outcome in mind. In some cases, a complete cure or cessation of symptoms will never be possible in which case the intention of treatment will center more around management and of the condition and the movement towards acceptance of the current reality.</div>
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Symptoms and pain arise as a consequence of our energy being thrown out of balance as a direct result of the traumas which life has dealt us. Whilst we may be able to function adequately in this state of imbalance, the body exists in a state of duress and is often unable to self-heal.</div>
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Five Element Acupuncture can help with the management of physical symptoms and medical conditions as well as enabling reconciliation of emotional issues and an increase in self-awareness. Most importantly, it allows the individual some invaluable 'me' time for reflection, replenishment and relaxation - something that each and every one of us could do with on a regular basis.</div>
Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-68212690975274499252015-02-04T15:19:00.000-08:002015-02-04T15:19:08.289-08:00What Exactly is Five Element Acupuncture?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Five Element Acupuncture, also known as Classical Acupuncture, is quite distinct from the more widely practiced Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Although the Classical method of healing originated in China over 2000 years ago it was almost lost in the 20th century in favour of TCM, but thankfully is now seeing a resurgence.</div>
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So what then is the key difference between TCM and Five Element Acupuncture?</div>
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Contrary to its name, TCM is not as traditional as it sounds - it is a Westernised and standardised version of Classical Acupuncture, and is concerned with treating specific symptoms and syndromes with a specific combination of needles.</div>
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Five Element Acupuncture on the other hand, is a very ancient system of healing based on the early classical texts and beliefs from its Chinese origins. Its emphasis is on treating people rather than their symptoms, and as each person is an individual then no two people are treated in exactly the same way, even if they present with similar medical conditions.</div>
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These different schools of thoughts can be likened to the difference between using PC or Mac, or to cooking with electricity or gas - the desired outcome is similar, but the operating systems are not the same.</div>
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The ancient Chinese believed that a unique combination of five distinct elements (namely fire, earth, metal, water, wood) constitutes an individual's make up. Each element brings certain virtues, strengths and weaknesses to the person's character. Through a combination of nature and nurture, each of us develops a special relationship with one particular element, known as the Guardian Element, and this lends an emphasis to the way in which we conduct ourselves and our interaction with others.</div>
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It is the Guardian Element which bears the brunt of the majority of our life's stresses and becomes out of balance, showing its distress by allowing symptoms and pain to arise. Each element shows certain characteristics when in a well-balanced state, and inappropriate or extreme characteristics whilst imbalanced.</div>
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My role as a Five Element Acupuncturist is to determine the patient's Guardian Element by way of in-depth questioning and very close observation. Treatment is then tailored specifically with the intention of reinforcing the Element, so that a better emotional and physical balance can be reinstated, gradually enabling symptoms and pain to subside.</div>
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Five Element Acupuncture advocates the use of as few needles as possible in any one treatment. This is because each needle carries a distinct message and the body can easily be overwhelmed, particularly in early stages of treatment.</div>
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For further information regarding treatment, please visit <a href="http://www.jobanthorpe.co.uk/">www.jobanthorpe.co.uk</a></div>
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Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-81463632113082458332014-12-15T15:01:00.001-08:002014-12-15T15:01:31.936-08:00Are We Becoming a Chronically Ill Society?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The BBC last week that one of the most comprehensive health studies conducted recently found that over 50% of women regularly take 3 or more prescribed medications (43% of men). 5% of all prescriptions are for antidepressants, taken by 1 in 10 women and 1 in 20 men.<br />
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Cholesterol-lowering statins, pain relief and antidepressants were most commonly prescribed, and with an average of 18.7 prescriptions were issued per person, the total cost to the NHS was in excess of £15bn.<br />
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So there begs the question - are the nation's medics getting better at diagnosing illness?<br />
Or rather - are we becoming a chronically ill society?<br />
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One wonders how much of this is down to people ignoring their body's warning signs and pushing themselves to the limit by working harder, faster and longer.<br />
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As a nation, our approach to our health tends to be reactive rather than proactive - we are more likely to seek medical help only when it is necessary, often by which time it is too late - we're possibly in need of medication and are already on the slippery slope to a lengthy period of recovery.<br />
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Taking responsibility for ourselves and adopting a proactive approach to healthcare means that looking after our own health and well being becomes a priority. Being more aware and listening to our bodies ensures that potential ailments can be nipped in the bud, or better still, we can choose to ease off sufficiently and allow ourselves time to recover and replenish before any signs of symptoms or illness arise.<br />
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But best of all would be to adopt a health maintenance regime in order to look after ourselves when we are in good health and to make sure we stay that way. Whilst a healthy diet, regular exercise, taking regular breaks at work and having sufficient sleep will all help, these can be difficult to sustain at times. Far simpler would be to have monthly or seasonal acupuncture maintenance treatments - this will serve you very well and keep you on the right track health wise.<br />
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<i>'If I am not for myself, who will be for me?</i><br />
<i>If I am only for myself, who am I?</i><br />
<i>If not now, when?' </i>Hillel, 12th Century<br />
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One for the New Year's Resolutions list?<br />
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<br />Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-49289795023012882262014-11-18T15:09:00.001-08:002014-11-18T15:09:22.837-08:00Confused by the Weather? You're Not the Only One ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs47/i/2009/236/6/8/4_Seasons_by_WhiteSpiritWolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs47/i/2009/236/6/8/4_Seasons_by_WhiteSpiritWolf.jpg" height="320" width="268" /></a></div>
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My garden doesn't seem to know what season it is at the moment!</div>
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My Japanese Maple has been in its full autumn glory for a couple of weeks now, but its not-so-distant cousin gave up the ghost about a month back and is absolutely starkers! Big brother, on the other hand, has hardly shed a leaf and is as green and lush as it was in the Springtime. </div>
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I have winter-flowering cyclamen happily nodding their heads alongside pelargoniums and fuchsias, still going strong after having flowered all summer long. There are even primroses in full bloom, with daffodils and grape hyacinths promising a splash of colour this side of Christmas.</div>
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Mother Nature is sending us mixed messages too. The lack of daylight is telling our bodies that it's time to hurry indoors, to close the curtains and snuggle down in preparation for the cold nights ahead. But we've barely had a frost as yet, and the midday sunshine is enticing us outdoors without a coat. </div>
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If our bodies haven't worked out what season it is then it's no wonder that so many of my patients tell me that they are really struggling with seasonal change at the moment. Having been buoyed for so long by the glorious summer, it seems that the number of daylight hours has decreased far faster than the temperature has outside, and as a result many people's energies have plummeted. </div>
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If any of this is resonating with you, then this is the ideal time for a Five Element Acupuncture seasonal treatment - to address any imbalance in energy, and to fortify you for whatever time ahead may bring.</div>
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Treatments for general well being offer an opportunity for reflection, replenishment and relaxation, and some well-deserved 'Me Time'.</div>
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I always recommend that patients adopt a proactive approach to their well being rather than a reactive one - if we only seek treatment for illness and pain then we've already left it too long. </div>
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It is vitally important that we take responsibility for looking after ourselves and our health - because if we don't do it, then nobody will do it for us. </div>
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<br />Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-1297802647264950562014-10-20T14:09:00.002-07:002014-10-20T14:09:23.181-07:00Back to Basics - the Simpler, the Better<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Whilst listening to Radio 2 the other day I heard a very interesting interview with Noel Fitzpatrick, Channel 4's 'Super Vet'. He was talking about his new TV series (of which I have yet to catch an episode) and my ears pricked up for several reasons - his obvious enthusiasm, love and devotion to his job; the lovely Irish lilt in his voice, which carried a real smile; but mostly because of something he said which really struck chord with me.<br />
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Noel was asked if he had ever come across a case which he didn't know how to treat, and it was this reply which will stay with me for a long, long time.<br />
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He said, 'People don't care what you know, they want to know that you care. That's the trouble with the medical profession these days - there's no point in having all this knowledge and qualifications if your bedside manner is zero. What's wrong with giving someone a hug in their time of need?'<br />
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He went on to say that because animals can't tell you what's wrong, vets have to really rely upon their senses to make a diagnosis - touch, sound, sight, smell, and their intuition. How very Five Element!<br />
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It just so happens that my late Father was a vet, and I was all set to follow in his footsteps until my body decided that it wasn't a great career choice for me (severe allergy to animals!). I used to spend as much time as I could with my Dad whilst he was working, despite the sneezes and wheezes. He was very much 'old school' in his approach and I remember him saying over and over how important it was to use the senses before anything else. He would despair at the new graduates came to work with him as they would run up enormous lab bills with blood tests, x-rays etc before even hinting at a diagnosis, and then they would proceed to prescribe very sophisticated (ie expensive) drugs. Dad always stuck to the generic forms - simpler, effective and much cheaper, and resorted to using the branded medications as a back up.<br />
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One other characteristic which my Dad definitely possessed, which I sensed this Vet also had, and which I aspire to possess - is courage. How courageous is any person who takes on cases when others have failed, given up on or who have shied away from, be it through fear (of failure) or lack of knowledge.<br />
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Our practice is a life long lesson which we undertake with honesty and humility. Often the most valuable lessons we learn are not through study or university, it is through life itself and our patients. It is up to us to be open and receptive to this knowledge, and never arrogant in assuming there is nothing more to learn.<br />
<br />Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-57231718330113083662014-10-13T14:50:00.001-07:002014-10-13T14:50:42.260-07:00Searching for the lost Mojo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://drmichellecleere-com.zippykid.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/mojo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://drmichellecleere-com.zippykid.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/mojo.jpg" /></a></div>
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'All illness comes from within, so don't just scratch the surface.'<br />
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I came across this statement the other day and it got me thinking. Of all the patients who have presented with physical symptoms or chronic medical conditions, I can safely say that in every single person there was a significant emotional undercurrent present.<br />
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These heightened emotions arise from a wide range of situations, most commonly relationship difficulties, bereavement, stress (financial, and work-related) and detrimental life-style factors.<br />
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The ancient Chinese were the first to recognise the correlation between emotional health and physical health, which is why Five Element Acupuncture is concerned with regaining a better emotional and spiritual as well as physical balance.<br />
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Many of my patients found they were able to talk about their emotional issues during their first acupuncture appointment, and for some it was the first opportunity they had had for years to 'get things off their chest'. What the sessions offer is the opportunity and time for patients to say whatever is on their mind, in a safe place where they can be heard without fear of being judged or discriminated against. There is no prescriptive advice offered, merely encouragement to discover alternatives and explore options.<br />
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The result is usually a mixture of relief, as if a huge weight has been lifted; clarity, with a plan for a way forward; an increase in motivation, self-awareness and self-esteem - and exhaustion, always!<br />
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And why exhaustion? Think of all of your holiday stuff being packed into a bag and held out at arms length. It's not how big or how heavy the bag is that matters - it's how long you hold it for. You have to let it go eventually to give yourself a break. Same goes for your emotional baggage.<br />
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We all deserve to give ourselves a break sometimes.<br />
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<br />Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-24654815485919148572014-08-12T14:47:00.000-07:002014-08-12T14:47:06.603-07:00Sunbathing in the Rain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've just read 'Sunbathing in the Rain' by author and poet, Gwyneth Lewis. She describes it as a 'cheerful book about depression'. A bit of an oxymoron it ever I've heard one, but it's exactly what she says it is. It is the author's account of her experience of severe depression - and she writes it very well, with wit, humour and a huge amount of honesty and humility.</div>
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One passage near the beginning of the book is particularly poignant and contains some very wise words which have arisen from her close observation of the illness.</div>
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She says, 'If you can cope with the eternal nuclear winter of depression and come through it without committing suicide - the disease's most serious side effect - then, in my experience, depression can be a great friend. It says: the way you've been living is unbearable, it's not for you. And it teaches you slowly to live in a way that suits you infinitely better. If you don't listen, of course, it comes back and knocks you out even harder the next time, until you get the point.'</div>
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She has realised that her depression 'isn't a random chemical event but has an emotional logic' which kicks in when she's not listening to what she really knows, when she's being wilful and harming herself.</div>
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Depression can be caused on the one hand by a significant imbalance in the blood's chemistry, the result of some underlying pathology of an organ responsible for the body's day to day function; it can also be down to a combination of genetic inheritance, emotional habit and stressful life events.</div>
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Stress is the precursor to depression if ignored over a period of time. So if you're constantly feeling stressed out, then this is your body telling you something. It's saying to you that the way you're living is not working for you and something needs to change. Stress is enormously sapping of energy, but change requires energy and a lot of effort in order to initiate and sustain it. </div>
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Depression sets in when your energy supply has been exhausted - you no longer have the resources to sustain the lifestyle you have chosen, but unfortunately you don't have the energy to initiate change either. This is the point when your body will go into recovery mode - and you may become incapable of doing anything other than sleeping. Minor day to day chores can become overwhelming and even the energy required to get dressed can seem more than is needed to climb Mount Everest. </div>
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The solution? Listen to your body. If it's telling you to rest, then do just that. Nourish yourself - physically and emotionally. Don't be afraid or too proud to ask for help. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness - it's a sign of maturity in that you have recognised that there's something you're struggling with - and you're willing to take responsibility and to do something about it.</div>
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And tap into your support network - family, friends, GP, therapist. Talk to someone - it's always good to talk, when the time is right and when you feel ready to do so. Sometimes you just need to hear yourself saying out loud all of those things that are going round in your head. Find someone who will listen to you without judging you or giving you advice - the answers to all of our problems come from within, we sometimes need a bit of time, space and guidance to find them.</div>
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'If you bring forth what is in you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.' </div>
Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-67751058571141135562014-07-21T15:20:00.000-07:002014-07-21T15:21:12.278-07:00Do you Love Your Car More than Yourself?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://us.123rf.com/450wm/lordalea/lordalea1202/lordalea120200025/12481404-car-wash--happy-green-cartoon-automobile-vector.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://us.123rf.com/450wm/lordalea/lordalea1202/lordalea120200025/12481404-car-wash--happy-green-cartoon-automobile-vector.jpg" height="293" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have come to realise that as a nation, and perhaps even as a species, there is a tendency towards a reactive rather than a proactive approach to health and well being.<br />
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Whilst most of us will seek treatment or advice when we're ill or in pain, on the whole we're not very good at looking after ourselves in order to prevent illness and to STAY WELL.<br />
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Certainly, most of us take our car in for regular service and MOT - whilst the latter is a legal requirement, the former is because it's such a pain if the car breaks down. Why then, don't we do the same for ourselves? After all, if a car is broken beyond repair it's easy to just buy another one. The same cannot be said about the human body.<br />
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Increasingly, we push ourselves to work harder, longer and faster until - guess what? The body says 'Enough!' - the result being the sudden onset of illness or pain, or a recurrent or chronic symptom. We duly trot along to the GP or therapist in search of that 'quick fix' that will help us get better and back onto that gruelling treadmill as soon as possible.<br />
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The trouble is, although we may feel better in the short term and we're able to pick up from where we left off, if we keep going at the same pace as before it's pretty certain that a recurrence will be on the cards sooner rather than later.<br />
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So how can we prevent this happening again?<br />
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The answer is to implement change. When illness, pain and symptoms occur, it is your body telling you that something in your lifestyle isn't working well for you. It is a warning sign - and you need to listen.<br />
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One change could be to ease up on yourself - don't work so hard, long or fast. Easier said than done though, in today's climate of financial and peer pressures.<br />
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If this is not an option for you, then TAKE TIME TO LOOK AFTER YOURSELF. Ring-fence an hour a month minimum for 'Me Time' - and hour a week would be better - to replenish and nourish yourself. Do an hour of yoga; have a treatment or a massage; go for a quiet walk; have an uninterrupted soak in the bath; SWITCH OFF YOUR PHONE!!<br />
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And don't give your car more TLC than you give to yourself.<br />
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<br />Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019577878283124114.post-71770037530414525632014-05-25T05:57:00.001-07:002014-05-25T05:57:41.394-07:00Cruelty or Kindness?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've had this problem ever since I qualified as an Acupuncturist and started my practice. As it turns out, this problem is a recent manifestation of a pattern of behaviour that I've adopted for most of my life, and now that I'm aware of it, I have made it very much a work in progress.</div>
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The problem I've had is that of charging patients a fee for the late cancellation or failure to attend an appointment.</div>
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I've always prided myself in being flexible and have been eager to accommodate last minute rearrangement of plans. I've shown limitless patience and understanding towards people in general, particularly of late to patients who either change their appointments at the last minute or just plain fail to turn up ("I got my phone reminder five minutes ago but I'm in Braintree" - that type of last minute!). </div>
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I've always smiled, shrugged and said "Oh never mind, just one of those things, happens to us all", in the hope that patients will re-book (which they mostly have done) and I've absorbed the inconvenience, the disruption to my work pattern and the cost of putting the heating on for two hours prior to the appointment.</div>
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When this degree of acceptance has been challenged in the past (by my clinical supervisor, my peers and my husband) I have justified my actions by saying things like "Such is life", "Can't be helped" etc, but mostly it was because <i>I thought I was being kind. </i>In my mind, to make a charge for late cancellations or missed appointments would be a punishment for something that was unavoidable, and so <i>would be cruel</i>. There was also the resonance of knowing that actually I too was once that person who would change arrangements at the drop of a hat because someone or something else took priority.</div>
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And that's the crux of it.</div>
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I would <i>allow </i>other people and their arrangements to take priority over my own plans. But who was to say that their stuff was any more important than my own?It was purely my <i>perception</i> and I had chosen to put myself in second place - because I felt that other people were more important than me. And this is a mindset I'd adopted for most of my life.</div>
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That is, until I decided to change this mindset - and in so doing, also changed the habit of a life time.</div>
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I now put <i>myself</i> at the top of my list of priorities, especially when it comes to arranged appointments. And because I have greater respect for myself, I am able to consider my own arrangements important enough to take priority. This level of commitment also reflects the fact that I have, and show, an equal respect for the person with whom I have made the arrangement, and so I will keep to my word and will not let them down.</div>
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The minute I allow something else to take priority and fail to keep to a commitment, it immediately intimates to the other person that they are no longer as important to me at that moment as they were previously. It is one thing to have a lack of respect for yourself, but to disrespect others is lamentable. </div>
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In conclusion, my perceived 'acts of kindness' were a total misconception. I was in fact denying myself respect - from others and well as from myself; I was enabling and actively encouraging disrespectful behaviour; and in relation to patients, I was denying them the opportunity to commit to looking after themselves and to gain their own self-respect. </div>
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And how can we possibly expect others to respect us if we fail to respect ourselves?</div>
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I now regard my insistence on payment for late cancellation and failure to attend appointments as a true act of kindness. It would be a misconception to see it as a cruel, financial punishment.</div>
Jo Banthorpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04019231645003086896noreply@blogger.com0