Backache? 5 Ways to Ease Your Pain Naturally!
Did you know that there are many natural ways to reduce the inflammation that causes back pain – whether acute or chronic? These practical methods are free from harmful side effects and as a bonus, will improve your health & vitality generally. Try them out and let me know how you get on!
HYDRATE
Each spinal disc acts like a sponge, it retains water to stay hydrated so it can work effectively as a shock absorber and assist with movement. As we get older the discs in our spine begin to dry out and their ability to hold water in diminishes. Likewise a damaged disc, at any age, has reduced ability to hold in water.
SOLUTION – Drink 1.5-2l. water per day or even better drink super hydrating ‘flax tea’ see recipes page
RELAX
Long term stress, anxiety or adrenal stimulation (the use of caffeine, nicotine etc) dehydrates the body further, increases inflammation and greatly inhibits the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
SOLUTION – Learn and practice, conscious relaxation for 20 mins twice a day. Use an audio of deep relaxation and find out how good it feels to properly relax! Your body will thank you a thousand times!
MOVE
Gentle exercise has been shown to be essential for back pain sufferers! Simply lying down all day will not improve the situation. Effective blood & lymph circulation to the area is needed to deliver water & nutrients to the cells and remove the toxic by-products of metabolism.
SOLUTION – Gentle walking, swimming or yoga. I recommend Easing Back Pain a cd of gentle Dru Yoga designed by osteopaths which has helped 1000’s of back pain sufferers.
DETOX
Inflammation & pain are an indication of high cellular levels of sodium. Magnesium are potassium are needed to keep the muscles relaxed and create the correct balance of electrolytes for cellular health. Raw greens or green juice are particularly rich source of potassium but magnesium needs to be supplemented as it is lacking in the UK soil & therefore in many foods.
SOLUTION – Soak in a warm bath with a mug of Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) for 20 mins. Take magnesium citrate, preferably with a small amount of B6 to aid absorption, as a food supplement.
ALKALISE
Back pain indicates a pH imbalance in the cells in the spine – a build up of acids which need to be gently removed. Along with hydration and movement, an alkalising diet will help restore the pH balance and reduce inflammation.
SOLUTION – Reduce meat & dairy products and increase oily fish and green vegetables. Take super alkalising barley grass, start with half a teaspoon daily and increase to 1 teaspoon after a couple of weeks. Barley grass is also a natural anti-inflammatory.
HYDRATE
Each spinal disc acts like a sponge, it retains water to stay hydrated so it can work effectively as a shock absorber and assist with movement. As we get older the discs in our spine begin to dry out and their ability to hold water in diminishes. Likewise a damaged disc, at any age, has reduced ability to hold in water.
SOLUTION – Drink 1.5-2l. water per day or even better drink super hydrating ‘flax tea’ see recipes page
RELAX
Long term stress, anxiety or adrenal stimulation (the use of caffeine, nicotine etc) dehydrates the body further, increases inflammation and greatly inhibits the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
SOLUTION – Learn and practice, conscious relaxation for 20 mins twice a day. Use an audio of deep relaxation and find out how good it feels to properly relax! Your body will thank you a thousand times!
MOVE
Gentle exercise has been shown to be essential for back pain sufferers! Simply lying down all day will not improve the situation. Effective blood & lymph circulation to the area is needed to deliver water & nutrients to the cells and remove the toxic by-products of metabolism.
SOLUTION – Gentle walking, swimming or yoga. I recommend Easing Back Pain a cd of gentle Dru Yoga designed by osteopaths which has helped 1000’s of back pain sufferers.
DETOX
Inflammation & pain are an indication of high cellular levels of sodium. Magnesium are potassium are needed to keep the muscles relaxed and create the correct balance of electrolytes for cellular health. Raw greens or green juice are particularly rich source of potassium but magnesium needs to be supplemented as it is lacking in the UK soil & therefore in many foods.
SOLUTION – Soak in a warm bath with a mug of Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) for 20 mins. Take magnesium citrate, preferably with a small amount of B6 to aid absorption, as a food supplement.
ALKALISE
Back pain indicates a pH imbalance in the cells in the spine – a build up of acids which need to be gently removed. Along with hydration and movement, an alkalising diet will help restore the pH balance and reduce inflammation.
SOLUTION – Reduce meat & dairy products and increase oily fish and green vegetables. Take super alkalising barley grass, start with half a teaspoon daily and increase to 1 teaspoon after a couple of weeks. Barley grass is also a natural anti-inflammatory.
Increase your libido naturally…
Stress, lack of exercise & poor nutritional status can all take their toll on sexual vitality & energy. Get yourself & your partner tuned up with these top tips designed to make you feel like making love…
Natural aphrodisiac foods include raw oysters, avocado, bananas, celery, eggs, asparagus, figs, almonds (& nuts & seeds in general), oily fish, liver, brown rice, eggs, cheese, and turkey. These foods are all know natural libido enhancers by virtue that they all contain one or more of the following nutrients: Vitamins A, B, C, E, zinc, selenium, manganese & essential fatty acids which are all necessary for good hormonal health.
Aromatherapy essential oils can be effective in increasing female libido. You can use aromatherapy oils in your bath or have your partner massage them on your body (essential oils must be diluted in a carrier oil eg. almond oil before use). The scents of ylang ylang, jasmine, rose, patchouli & sandalwood, are known aphrodisiacs for women.
Reducing junk food and replacing it with healthy alternatives removes preservatives, refined salt and sugar, and other chemical downers that lower your sex drive. So far studies on this have shown that that people who add green smoothies to their daily diet have reported that their libido has dramatically increased. A healthy body results to stronger cardiac and reproductive systems plus better regulations of hormones. A healthier body, better moods, added confidence and increased sexual stamina is what you can expect from drinking a daily green smoothie. Recipe:
Blend 1/2 cup greens (rocket, watercress or spinach) , 1 apple/pear, ¼ cup natural yogurt, 2+ cups water, 1tsp lecithin & ½ -1 tsp. barley grass. See ‘Green for Life’ by Victoria Boutenko.
Exercise is important for adequate blood flow & muscle tone in the genital area. Yoga is especially helpful here as are ‘kegel’ exercises which are effective for increasing sexual enjoyment for both women & men for more info see www.kegelandpelvicfloorexercises.com
There are some very effective herbs available which are known to increase libido. These include Ashwaganda & Sarsaparilla for men & Maca & Shatavari for women. Rhodiola Rosea is suitable where low libido is accompanied by stress, depression & fatigue. Ask at your local health store for more detailed advice.
High levels of stress equal persistently elevated levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, which is very detrimental to libido as well as to overall health. Start by increasing water intake to 1.5l. per day, eating 3 high protein, low carb meals a day & replacing caffeine & sugar with high protein snacks. Your health is your wealth so consider consulting a health professional to help you get back on track.
Natural aphrodisiac foods include raw oysters, avocado, bananas, celery, eggs, asparagus, figs, almonds (& nuts & seeds in general), oily fish, liver, brown rice, eggs, cheese, and turkey. These foods are all know natural libido enhancers by virtue that they all contain one or more of the following nutrients: Vitamins A, B, C, E, zinc, selenium, manganese & essential fatty acids which are all necessary for good hormonal health.
Aromatherapy essential oils can be effective in increasing female libido. You can use aromatherapy oils in your bath or have your partner massage them on your body (essential oils must be diluted in a carrier oil eg. almond oil before use). The scents of ylang ylang, jasmine, rose, patchouli & sandalwood, are known aphrodisiacs for women.
Reducing junk food and replacing it with healthy alternatives removes preservatives, refined salt and sugar, and other chemical downers that lower your sex drive. So far studies on this have shown that that people who add green smoothies to their daily diet have reported that their libido has dramatically increased. A healthy body results to stronger cardiac and reproductive systems plus better regulations of hormones. A healthier body, better moods, added confidence and increased sexual stamina is what you can expect from drinking a daily green smoothie. Recipe:
Blend 1/2 cup greens (rocket, watercress or spinach) , 1 apple/pear, ¼ cup natural yogurt, 2+ cups water, 1tsp lecithin & ½ -1 tsp. barley grass. See ‘Green for Life’ by Victoria Boutenko.
Exercise is important for adequate blood flow & muscle tone in the genital area. Yoga is especially helpful here as are ‘kegel’ exercises which are effective for increasing sexual enjoyment for both women & men for more info see www.kegelandpelvicfloorexercises.com
There are some very effective herbs available which are known to increase libido. These include Ashwaganda & Sarsaparilla for men & Maca & Shatavari for women. Rhodiola Rosea is suitable where low libido is accompanied by stress, depression & fatigue. Ask at your local health store for more detailed advice.
High levels of stress equal persistently elevated levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, which is very detrimental to libido as well as to overall health. Start by increasing water intake to 1.5l. per day, eating 3 high protein, low carb meals a day & replacing caffeine & sugar with high protein snacks. Your health is your wealth so consider consulting a health professional to help you get back on track.
Sweet Cravings? How to overcome the sugar obsession
Do you find yourself either buzzing or crashing? Sugar cravings are part of an addictive cycle that can predispose you to obesity, diabetes, & many other degenerative conditions. This modern syndrome which is exacerbated by the massive variety of refined sugar & carbohydrate products that are on the market, affects most people at some point in their lives. Here I explore what underlies it & how you can help yourself recover from it.
Even though we know that refined sugar isn't so healthy, why is it we can often feel compelled to eat it when we really don't want to? A sugar craving is a legitimate biological demand from the body to replenish blood sugar that has become too low, we cannot ignore this call but the earlier we catch it the easier it is to bring it back to balance in a more healthy way. If we are busy & stressed we may not notice our blood sugar dropping & it will then become imperative to take very refined sugars...as one of my clients put it recently '...I just HAD to have a mars bar..'!
6 vital keys to avoid getting into this scenario are:
1. Eat regular meals especially breakfast (see last month's article).
2. Include protein in every meal.
3. Eat BEFORE you get hungry!
4. Drink plenty of pure water to keep hydrated throughout the day, blood sugar will drop if we are dehydrated.
5. Reduce or avoid caffeine as it overstimulates the adrenals causing blood sugar to fluctuate.
6. When snacking, never eat carbs on their own, always include some protein eg. Fresh fruit & nuts, oatcakes & cheese etc. A mega healthy all round snack is a green smoothie made with fresh greens & barley grass, greens contains free form amino acids which quickly replenish blood sugar levels. Email me for the recipe.
Adrenal fatigue & insulin insufficiency are two of the major underlying factors in hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. They frequently occur together & are often due to a combination of stress & an inherited lack of essential fatty acids (omega 3 & 6) which are necessary for hormone production. With that in mind ensure that you regularly include oily fish, flax oil, extra-virgin olive oil and fresh nuts & seeds in your daily diet. Chromium is useful in helping to balance blood sugar levels & B vitamins are also essential to stabilise energy levels, a good B complex with 200mg of B5 to support the adrenals can be found at a good health food store.
Sweet Tooth?
If you really miss the taste of sweet things it's much better to take a small amount of honey or raw cane sugar in your hot drinks & to drink diluted fruit juices than to use artificial sweeteners or diet sodas that contain toxic chemical sugar replacements. Pure fructose & agave syrups are also important to avoid. Lo Han is a good herbal sweetener as is pure Stevia. The good news is that regular EXERCISE is excellent for helping to moderate insulin sensitivity as well as curbing a sweet tooth. Everyone is different & unique so do experiment aware-fully & if in doubt about what will work best for you consult a nutritionist.
Even though we know that refined sugar isn't so healthy, why is it we can often feel compelled to eat it when we really don't want to? A sugar craving is a legitimate biological demand from the body to replenish blood sugar that has become too low, we cannot ignore this call but the earlier we catch it the easier it is to bring it back to balance in a more healthy way. If we are busy & stressed we may not notice our blood sugar dropping & it will then become imperative to take very refined sugars...as one of my clients put it recently '...I just HAD to have a mars bar..'!
6 vital keys to avoid getting into this scenario are:
1. Eat regular meals especially breakfast (see last month's article).
2. Include protein in every meal.
3. Eat BEFORE you get hungry!
4. Drink plenty of pure water to keep hydrated throughout the day, blood sugar will drop if we are dehydrated.
5. Reduce or avoid caffeine as it overstimulates the adrenals causing blood sugar to fluctuate.
6. When snacking, never eat carbs on their own, always include some protein eg. Fresh fruit & nuts, oatcakes & cheese etc. A mega healthy all round snack is a green smoothie made with fresh greens & barley grass, greens contains free form amino acids which quickly replenish blood sugar levels. Email me for the recipe.
Adrenal fatigue & insulin insufficiency are two of the major underlying factors in hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. They frequently occur together & are often due to a combination of stress & an inherited lack of essential fatty acids (omega 3 & 6) which are necessary for hormone production. With that in mind ensure that you regularly include oily fish, flax oil, extra-virgin olive oil and fresh nuts & seeds in your daily diet. Chromium is useful in helping to balance blood sugar levels & B vitamins are also essential to stabilise energy levels, a good B complex with 200mg of B5 to support the adrenals can be found at a good health food store.
Sweet Tooth?
If you really miss the taste of sweet things it's much better to take a small amount of honey or raw cane sugar in your hot drinks & to drink diluted fruit juices than to use artificial sweeteners or diet sodas that contain toxic chemical sugar replacements. Pure fructose & agave syrups are also important to avoid. Lo Han is a good herbal sweetener as is pure Stevia. The good news is that regular EXERCISE is excellent for helping to moderate insulin sensitivity as well as curbing a sweet tooth. Everyone is different & unique so do experiment aware-fully & if in doubt about what will work best for you consult a nutritionist.
