Since your brain is mostly water, drinking it helps you think, focus and concentrate better and be more alert. As an added bonus, your energy levels are also boosted!
Is hypnotherapy safe for children?
Generally it is easier to work with children and adolescents because they have fewer misconceptions about hypnotherapy than adults and have great imaginations for metaphors and visualisations. This means the sessions often progress quicker than those with adults. After all children are constantly role playing and imagining they are knights or nurses.
The biggest difference is the structure of the sessions and how long the sessions can realistically be which is determined by the age of the child. Younger children are less likely to be able to stay relaxed for long periods of time and so the techniques used are more conversational in style as the interactions keeps them interested and helps build a stronger rapport. Sessions can be unpredictable like children are and sometimes they will be able to reach a deep relaxed condition and then the next session they may want to have a more active interaction. It will work all the same.
The main point is that the child needs to want to come to a session, if they feel like they are being dragged along they are more likely to resist any treatment offered. So parents should try saying to a child that they have found someone who helps lots of other children to stop sucking their thumb or helping them keep their beds dry at night (whatever the presenting issue is) and that they believe they can help you too, but only if you want to. By allowing the child to choose will result in the child being more willing to participate. Older children are more capable of understanding the concept of a ‘inner mind’ so the language you use to explain is very important.
For parents the biggest hurdle is understanding that the hypnotherapist ultimately is there to help the child and what they would like to achieve and this may be different to what the parent wants. For example a child may be happy to improve their behaviour at school so as not to get in trouble, whereas the parents may want to stop the behaviour at home as well. It would be unlikely for the child to accept the parents suggestion as it is different to what they want to achieve. So the therapist would work collaboratively with children and parents to discuss any discrepancies beforehand.
Like adults hypnotherapy for children can help in many areas from self-esteem, sleeping problems, tics and habits, anxiety, nocturnal enuresis and behavioural problems. It can also help with learning and exams which seems to be an increasing issue experienced by older children. It’s also safe to use for children as young as 4-5 depending on the child and the presenting Issue. Hypnotherapy for some children can be a more effective therapy especially if they are struggling with physical symptoms or find it difficult to express their needs or wants. It can also support children through challenges as a release for intense emotions which they may be struggling to deal with and find difficult to talk about.
So whatever the presenting issue is, hypnotherapy may be able to support you and your child.
Room to rent for therapists
Are you looking for space to work from? We offer a quiet location just off the High Street. We are a small clinic offering a range of therapies.
Please call jackie to find out more - 07891747239
Drinking Water: Don't Medicate, Hydrate! - July 2018
Ensure that you are hydrating well in this weather, recommended daily water intake is 2.5lites in normal conditions. With these extreme temperatures ensure that you are drinking more.
Tips for Hydrating in Hot Weather
- Start hydrating right away. It's easier to maintain your fluid balance if you start out in a well-hydrated state.
- Schedule regular beverage breaks and keep a water bottle handy so you can take frequent sips of water while you work or exercise.
- Choose electrolyte-replacing drinks for maximum water absorption when you are exercising for more than an hour or when you are sweating excessively during exercise in hot weather.
- Drink water after you've finished work or an exercise session.
- Snack on fresh fruits that are rich in water, like berries, watermelon, peaches, and nectarines.
- Don't drink large amounts of plain water all at once—this can lead to hyponatremia or water-toxicity. This can also affect long-distance runners during races who push too many fluids. It is best to drink when thirsty during exercise and not push fluids.
(https://www.verywellfit.com/drink-more-water-during-hot-weather-25069180)
10 Benefits of Drinking Water: Don't Medicate, Hydrate!
1. Increases Energy & Relieves Fatigue
2. Promotes Weight Loss
Removes by-products of fat, reduces eating intake (by filling up your tummy if consumed prior to meals), reduces hunger (hello natural appetite suppressant!), raises your metabolism and has zero calories!
3. Flushes Out Toxins
Gets rid of waste through sweat and urination which reduces the risk of kidney stones and UTI’s (urinary tract infections).
4. Improves Skin Complexion
Moisturizes your skin, keeps it fresh, soft, glowing and smooth. Gets rid of wrinkles. It’s the best anti-aging treatment around!
5. Maintains Regularity
Aids in digestion as water is essential to digest your food and prevents constipation.
6. Boosts Immune System
A water guzzler is less likely to get sick. And who wouldn’t rather feel healthy the majority of the time? Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu, cancer and other ailments like heart attacks.
7. Natural Headache Remedy
Helps relieve and prevent headaches (migraines & back pains too!) which are commonly caused by dehydration.
8. Prevents Cramps & Sprains
Proper hydration helps keep joints lubricated and muscles more elastic so joint pain is less likely.
9. Puts You In A Good Mood
When the body is functioning at its best, you will feel great and be happy!
10. Save Money!
Water is FREE! Even if you choose bottled/filtered water, it’s STILL cheaper than that high sugar and fat-filled latte!
(https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4287/10-Reasons-Why-You-Should-Drink-More-Water.html)
Lottie Berryman - July 2018
Pithers Yard Natural Health Clinic is proud to welcome Lottie Berryman who offers the following counselling services:
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June 2017
Acupuncture and Addictions
Whether you suffer from overeating, smoking or are looking for help controlling any of your vices.
Acupuncture is becoming a complementary treatment in addiction recovery programs. Auricular or ear acupuncture is a popular form of this treatment that involves shallow insertion of a thin needle at various points on the skin of the external ear to help ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.
This article examines the use of acupuncture in addiction treatment, including:
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture originated in China and involves inserting needles into the skin in specific locations. It is used as a complementary and alternative treatment for a number of physical and mental ailments, including drug and alcohol addiction .
The Chinese have used acupuncture for centuries. But it has recently become a common practice in Western countries as well.
How Acupuncture Works
Auricular or ear acupuncture is the most popular form of acupuncture used to help people with addiction.
The professional inserts a thin needle into the person's ear and targets 5 specific areas:
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Lung Point: improves lung function and alleviates feelings of grief.
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Liver Point: removes toxins from the liver and blood, and curbs aggression.
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Kidney Point: repairs vital organs and eases fears.
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Shen Men: decreases anxiety - also known as the "spirit gate."
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The Autonomic (or Sympathetic) Point: promotes relaxation and soothing of the nervous system.
Acupuncture is based on the idea that the human body has meridians spread throughout it. When these are stimulated, they can increase the flow of Qi (life energy). Organ function is believed to improve when it becomes unobstructed.
Can Acupuncture Help With Addiction?
Acupuncture is both safe and cost-effective. When combined with other forms of treatment, such as individual therapy, group counseling, and support groups, it can benefit those suffering from a substance addiction.
Proponents of acupuncture claim that the practice can:
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Help reduce cravings .
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Increase patient retention in rehab.
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Ease unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
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Ease physical pain.
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Help the person regulate emotions.
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Decrease anxiety and stress.
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Help regulate sleep.
Effects on Drug Use
It's not fully understood how acupuncture works. But it is believed to affect the dopaminergic system in the brain. Drugs positively reinforce continued use by inducing feelings of pleasure and euphoria and negatively reinforce it by suppressing withdrawal symptoms, such as dysphoria. Acupuncture is believed to decrease the positive and negative reinforcements of addiction and therefore reduce drug use.
Acupuncture treatments are thought to reduce the positive reinforcement properties of drugs by decreasing the amount of dopamine released when the drug is used. Without the surge of dopamine, the person's "high" or "buzz" is diminished, and he or she is less likely to use the drug in the future.
Conversely, it is believed that acupuncture treatments decrease the withdrawal properties of drugs, such as dysphoria and distress, that serve to negatively reinforce continued drug use (since a user might otherwise quell withdrawal with more of the abused drug), by inhibiting gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons and increasing the release of dopamine. This flood of dopamine into the nucleus accumbens in the brain can improve mood and alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
Research on Acupuncture
Research is mixed on acupuncture's effectiveness in treating addiction. Acupuncture also appears to be more effective at treating certain substance addictions than others.
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One study revealed that acupuncture helped to alleviate opioid withdrawal symptoms. But it didn't benefit those withdrawing from alcohol or cocaine .An additional study didn't find any positive correlation between acupuncture treatment and recovery from cocaine addiction.
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Clinical trials revealed that acupuncture helped ease alcohol withdrawal symptoms in rats, which could pave the way for future research in humans suffering from alcohol addiction.
Self-Reports From Users
One study recorded recovering users' reports of their experiences with auricular acupuncture. Many had positive experiences with the alternative treatment. These included:
- Decreased substance abuse.
- Anxiety relief.
- Relaxation.
- Increased wellbeing.
- Peacefulness.
- Positive physical effects.
The negative experiences they reported included: - Time-consuming.
- Ineffective at reducing cravings.
- Physically distracting.
- Short-lived effects.
- Required another person to be performed (could not be done alone).
Despite the conflicting evidence, many people find acupuncture helpful while recovering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Due to the high level of safety and the lack of adverse effects, there seems to be little risk in using it as a complementary form of addiction treatment.
Use of Acupuncture in Addiction Treatment Programs
Holistic recovery centers are designed to treat the whole person by improving physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. The treatments provided at these rehab centers are considered alternatives to mainstream or traditional treatments, such as counseling, therapy, and medication.
Holistic recovery centers, as well as other rehabs, may incorporate acupuncture into their treatment programs. This alternative treatment can be a part of an individualized treatment plan that addresses a person's specific needs for recovery and mental health.
Acupuncture is not a standalone treatment for a substance addiction. It is used in combination with other recovery strategies, such as psychotherapy, 12-step programs, group counseling, or other alternative and complementary treatments, such as art or music therapy , meditation, nutritional counseling , exercise programs , or yoga .
Reference : Recovery.org