Acorn Health Blog

By Anne Marie Allen Reflexologist & Massage Therapist

Reflexology is based on the principle that the hands and feet have reflex points on them which mirror and link the whole body including the organs inside us.

An example of this is the Brain reflex sitting at the very tip of the big toe and the shoulder reflex just below the little toe!! Applying pressure to the reflex areas can help heal and balance the whole body.

So how can Reflexology help with Raynaud’s Disease?

As the whole body is mapped out on the feet and hands there are many ways in which reflexology can help:

1. Improves circulation

2. Balances and strengthens the heart and cardiovascular system

3. Reduces stress

4. Balances the endocrine, nervous and respiratory system

5. Promotes the body’s natural healing process

6. Can help to address, support and heal any underlying conditions that may be contributing or causing the Raynaud’s disease

7. Helps to relieve pain

8. Helps to rid the body of toxins

If you’d like to book an appointment or find out more please call me, Anne Marie on 01773 687349. Natural Touch Therapies is based at Acorn Natural Health Centre, 17a Market Place, Heanor, Derby DE75 7AA.

What is a Knotted Muscle…?

By Anne Marie Allen

We’ve all had knotted muscles but do you know what they really are and are they actually knotted?

Well….

A muscle is made up of lots of tiny fibres when these fibres become compressed and stick to each they become tight and go into spasm, the spasm can be a series of small contractions or a prolonged contraction, however due to the compressed nature of the fibres they are unable to release themselves.

Blood flow to the knotted area is restricted new nutrients can’t get in and metabolic waste builds up causing soreness and pain.

In a bid to stop the pain the muscle is given a signal by the brain to rest, with underuse the muscle starts to shorten and tighten up.

Are you tied up in knots?

So what causes knots?

There are many things which can cause a person to develop a knot but the most common reasons for developing a knot are:

• accident or injury

• over use – exercise, weight lifting etc

• stress on the body – due to posture, repetitive movement, long time in the same position

• sedentary lifestyle

Knot prevention

There are a few things you to do to help prevent knots such as:

• stretching and relaxation – the gentle stretching in a yoga class would be good

• maintain a good posture

• exercise – trying to remember to stretch before and afterwards

• B vitamins potassium and calcium – our Nutritionist Helen Duffy can help you to find out if you are low on any vitamins or mineral and advise you what foods to eat to up your intake

• stop smoking

• keep moving don’t stay in the same position for too long

• eat a healthy diet

• stay hydrated

• plenty of regular sleep

• avoid holding your phone with your shoulder use your hand or an ear piece

• lighten your bag

Already Knotty? How can you get rid of your knots?

• Stretching – helps to reduce and avoid knots

• Massage – a massage brings new blood to the affected area the new blood brings with it a fresh supply of oxygen and nutrients and also takes away the build up of toxins that has accumulated. The massage will also help the muscle fibres to relax and loosen so that they move again

• Yoga – gentle stretching during yoga can be good at helping to reduce and avoid knots

• Rest

Where else can they cause pain?

A knot doesn’t just cause a pain where it’s developed knots, whats known as Myofascial Trigger Points can cause pain in other places known as referred pain for example:

• headaches

• neck and jaw pain

• lower back pain

• symptoms of carpal tunnel

• joint pain

• tendinitis

• tendinosis

• bursitis

• ligament injury

• due to the pain they cause knots can also contribute to depression

• and can cause reduced mobility

You can book a treatment with Anne Marie at Acorn Natural Health Centre Heanor, Derbyshire on 01773 687 349 or book online here: Check availability

By Anne Marie Allen Reflexologist and Massage Therapist.

If you’re not sure what Raynaud’s Disease is, or if you’re suffering with the symptoms this blog will assist your understanding of it and give you 10 top self-help tips to manage the condition.

So what is Raynaud’s Disease?

Raynaud’s disease is a condition in which the arteries that supply certain parts of the body go into sudden, temporary spasm causing an intermittent narrowing of the arteries. This results in blood flow being restricted to the affected part of the body. Often this is the fingers or toes but the nose, ears and nipples can also be affected.

What does it feel like? Will I see a physical change?

The narrowing of the arteries can cause the fingers or the affected body part to change colour from white to blue and then red when the blood is able to return this can cause:

– numbness

– pain, this can either be mild pain or excruciating throbbing

– pins and needles

– burning sensation

– tingling

An attack can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, although it’s not a life threatening condition it can be very painful and make using the affected body part difficult.

So what causes it?

In most cases of Raynaud’s, there is no known cause and this is known as primary Raynaud’s. It can however be caused by:

– another condition such as an auto immune disease like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus

– an infection

– side effect of a medicine that’s being taken

– cancer

– illegal drugs

– injury

– overuse

– smoking

– vibration white finger

– emotional stress

So what can I do?

If your Raynaud’s is caused by something, it’s known as secondary Raynaud’s and treating the underlying condition or changing your medication may help, your GP will be able to advise you on this.

The good news is there are several things you can do to help yourself!

1. Keep warm, layer up and wear gloves and warm foot wear.

2. Stop smoking – Sally Race Acorns hypnotherapist can help you with this contact Sally for a free consultation!

3. Add Turmeric into your diet, turmeric helps to keep your arteries from being blocked.

4. Regular exercise helps to improve circulation.

5. Reflexology, massage and aromatherapy can all help with Raynauds contact me, Anne Marie to book an appointment!

6. Diet – our nutritional therapist Helen can advise you on dietary changes you can make which could help you manage your Raynaud’s contact Helen for a free consultation.

7. Reduce caffeine intake.

8. Green tea is rich in anti oxidants and help to relax the arteries and improves circulation.

9. Avoid direct contact with cold objects.

10. Try to avoid stressful situations as stress can trigger attacks. Taking up meditation or yoga can help you to manage and lower your stress levels – there are regular Yoga classes as well as Mark Clutton’s Mindfulness courses taking place in Acorn’s studio to find out more contact the Acorn Natural Health Centre.

You can contact the Anne Marie, Sally or Helen at Acorn Natural Health Centre on 01773 687 349 and you can find us at 17a Market Place, Heanor, Derby DE75 7AA.

By Sally-Anne Marler, Creative Arts Therapist, Coach & Facilitator

Creative Expressive Therapy changed my life and helped me to challenge my own fears and the voice of my inner critic telling me “I can’t do it” and “I’m not good enough”. I spent a long time researching into my own therapeutic and healing experiences and how I can share my knowledge with others – with you – so you can have the tools in which to do the same. But first I have a question for you.

Have you ever woke up one morning and wondered if this is it or is there more to life?

Are you repeating your days with the same routines, people and experiences and feel stuck in a rut? Do you crave for more meaning, purpose, spontaneity, drive and love for life? If you’re anything like me you will have answered yes to at least one of the above. Please know that you’re not being ungrateful or selfish to feel dissatisfied with your life or to want more. It’s not because you’re on the wrong path or evidence of making bad choices in life. It’s not because you may feel anxious or stressed or even depressed, although these feelings can certainly lead you to ask the above questions. It’s simple really. It’s about waking up. It’s about coming alive and actually wanting to live and not just function or ‘exist’. Essentially it’s a good thing, but it does mean you’ve got some work ahead of you. The way I look at it is, it’s better to work towards something positive than to stay fighting something negative – fear.

Each and every one of us has unlimited potential. Some of us tap into our potential, some don’t. But the majority of us haven’t even begun to use it, or if we have, only a small percentage of it. We witness other people living extraordinary lives that seem full of abundance, success, happiness and joy and we may feel envious or jealous or use their lives as a way to put ourselves down…”I could never do that, I’m not talented, I don’t have a gift to share with the world, no-one will want to listen to what I have to say”. But there is only ONE difference between them and you and it’s not talent or a gift that they have and you don’t. They have tapped into their potential and you haven’t. That’s it.

So what has stopped you from tapping into your potential?

You could literally be sitting on the world’s most amazing discovery or invention of the century or have life-changing ideas and experiences to share with the rest of the world, but if you believe you’re not good enough or deserving enough or worthy of anything good that might come your way then you’re blocking your own potential. You’re shutting it down and ignoring its very existence. We’ve all experienced these negative voices in our head from time to time. Usually fuelled by fear or ego; this is your inner critic and make no mistake it wants to keep you ‘stuck’ and ‘living in a rut’. Why? Because it is ruled by the very thing it’s trying to rule you with – fear of the unknown, under the guise of ‘safety’.

Here are my top 3 tips to harnessing creativity and expression to live without limits:

1. Stay open to experience where both positive and negative emotions are accepted. Negative feelings are not denied, but worked through. Creative expression is a great way to do this and something I use with my clients on the Spirit of Happiness Course I run and Holistic Well-being Coaching sessions. The important thing is not to block your feelings however uncomfortable they may be. Write about them, draw or paint in a way that expresses them, say them out loud – it’s the acknowledgement they want, then you can release them or turn them into something positive.

2. Living in the moment where you are in touch with different experiences as they occur in life, avoiding prejudgment and preconceptions. Sounds hard doesn’t it, well you’re right it is. We all have our own opinions, beliefs and experiences that shape how we see the present. In our always-on, always-connected world we live in it’s almost impossible to actually be in the moment without our thoughts trying to control how we experience it and our defenses getting in the way. Creativity and being present go hand in hand. When you’re creating something you have to be present, you can’t create something whilst thinking about your past or worrying about the future. Your creation – whatever it is, asks you to give it all of your focus in the here and now. For more advice, tips & shared experiences go to: www.facebook.com/thecreativeyou.co.uk and like my page or find me on twitter www.twitter.com/thecreativeyou_ and follow me.

3. Trust feelings where feelings, instincts and gut-reactions are paid attention to and trusted! You will always be the best person to make decisions for yourself, but doubt can sneak it and play havoc! We should trust ourselves to make the right choices. Decisions based on reason and rationale are for the most part a good thing, but our feelings should not be dismissed. Gut feelings are highly regarded as a source of intuitive knowing and insight in many cultures around the globe. As it turns out, ‘gut thoughts’ and feelings are not a fanciful notion but a physiological fact. Rather than the one brain found in our head, scientists have revealed that we have two brains – the other one is located in the digestive tract. So stop ignoring your feelings, hunches, senses and vibes – they too come from a place of intelligence. If you’d like to develop your intuition and start to trust your feelings more, subscribe to Acorn’s Newsletter where you’ll be the first to hear about upcoming events to develop your intuitive side!

I believe we are all creative and I see it as an effective repellent from staying stuck and living in fear. You will make mistakes, try things you might not enjoy, learn as you go, experience activities where there is no expected or controlled outcome and feel out of your comfort zone. That’s great. That’s living. Life is the art of drawing without an eraser. Go get messy 🙂

For a free 20 minute consultation for Holistic Wellbeing Coaching or for more information about the next Spirit of Happiness Workshop email:thecreativeyou1@gmail.com, or call/text: 07446378649. Or you could go straight to our booking system to book yourself in!

You can email us at hello@acornnaturalhealth.co.uk.

www.acornnaturalhealth.co.uk