• Injury Prevention for manual therapists - Article by Inspire tutor Anna Anderson
• How can complementary practitioners help pregnent women who are “overdue” and wish to avoid induction of labour? - Denise Tiran
• The Jing Institute - Why should camexpo attendees come along to our Hands on, dynamic workshops?

Injury Prevention for manual therapists - Article by Inspire tutor Anna Anderson

From massage therapists to physiotherapists , reflexologists to body workers this article is for you.

Raising awareness of injury risk

Now I know this is a sensitive subject for many people, after all many, admittedly initially including myself, do not want to think about something deemed so negative, however with alarming statistics behind the facts it is a topic to stop and consider.

Being a therapist, by nature you are nurturing and caring and attentive to your client needs. But are you the same with regards to yourself? Many manual therapists come to accept achy hands, tired forearms or a painful lower back as part of the reality of their job.

Here are some results from a web survey done in the States.

1000 e-mail invitations sent to Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP)

Out of the 601 that replied:

• 77% experienced pain or other musculoskeletal symptoms related to massage work
• 64% sought medical treatment for their symptoms
• 41% were diagnosed with an injury
• Overuse syndrome and tendonitis were among the most common diagnoses
• Shoulders, thumbs and lower back were the most common injury locations
• “Applying pressure” was listed as the most common cause of work-related symptoms
• 19% had to reduce the amount of massage work that they did due to symptoms
• 18% considered leaving the industry due to symptoms or fear if injury
• 67% had on-going symptoms

(Info sourced from Save your hands by Lauriann Greene)

According to several reliable surveys the average career span for a massage therapist is 8 years. Eeek!
Ok. Enough of the depressing stuff, let’s concentrate on what you can do to reduce your chances of an MSD (musculoskeletal disorder)!

1. Be fit for your job! Giving an hours massage is like an hours tai chi only harder! The fitter and stronger you are the less likely you are to injure yourself

2. Ensure you allow time between sessions to stretch out

3. Eat and drink plenty! Snacks like nuts and raisins can keep energy levels high and blood sugar stable avoiding those afternoon slumps! Water is vital

4. Check your posture. Keep your stance wide and low and your shoulder blades down your back to avoid rounding forwards

5. Keep your wrists as neutral as you can, avoiding over extension. This can be done by lowering your position to either squat or lunge and extending arms out but not locking the elbows

6. Use forearms and elbows as much as possible. This may involve attending a course to show you how to do this safely for you and your client

7. Check your work area is set up so you can work as comfortably as you can. The are many articles/books on ergonomics which may be helpful

8. Stick to your skill set and your comfort zone. It may be an obvious one but how many of us want to please a client requesting a hard treatment and perhaps use more force than we should. This is where it’s great to have a referral list and to pass clients on. It may seem like you’re losing business but injury will lose you a lot more

9. Back to food……eat well! What we eat affects every part of us and certain foods put us in a more pro-inflammatory state, lessening our ability to heal and making us more vulnerable to MSD’s. (A note on caffeine…too much reduces blood flow to extremities therefore tissue repair will be diminished and increases muscle tension therefore putting us at an already overworked state)

10. Build your practice up gradually to allow your body to become conditioned. If you work in a spa where clients are continuous, discuss what their protocol is for injury prevention.

And most importantly, in fact so important I’m not giving it a number

GET REGULAR MASSAGE YOURSELF!!!

I, like all manual therapists, wish to have a long and prosperous career and am learning this stuff along the way! These tips are things I’ve tried and include in my day and have found to be beneficial. Please, if you have any personal experience or tips then let people know, it might just be something they haven’t considered.

One last thing….

As I am a homeopath also, I can’t leave without mentioning a few remedies I would never be without!

Rhus Tox. For straining and overuse of muscles and tendons. Symptoms (usually stiffness) are worse on first movement but ease off after you’ve been moving for a while Ruta. For joint and ligament strain. Can combine with the above.
Arnica. For when muscles feels bruised and tender. Again can combine with all of the above, in fact I generally do!
Go for a 12 or 30c potency and take up to 3 times daily.

Anna Anderson
A Touch of Medicine

Inspire Massage Workshop, will be hosting a number of workshops at camexpo, for the full workshop line up, please visit the education section of the camexpo website.

Denise Tiran - How can complementary practitioners help pregnent women who are “overdue” and wish to avoid induction of labour?

Denise Tiran and her team at Expectancy have been exhibiting at camexpo every year, almost since its inception, and always enjoy meeting old and new friends and colleagues. Denise is a freelance midwifery lecturer who uses a range of complementary therapies in her own practice. She is an internationally-renowned authority on the safety of complementary therapies in pregnancy and childbirth, and a prolific author of some seminal textbooks, both for midwives and for therapists.

Denise established Expectancy – the Expectant Parents’ Complementary Therapies Consultancy – in 2004, to bridge the gap between the different professionals providing complementary therapies to pregnant and childbearing women. Expectancy’s accredited academic courses and study days, for midwives and complementary practitioners, as well as doctors, doulas (birth supporters) and antenatal teachers have helped to improve multi-disciplinary communication and understanding of each other’s roles and responsibilities. Expectancy provides a range of study days, courses and year-long diploma programmes which aim to bring together the two clinical and academic disciplines of maternity care and complementary medicine so that expectant mothers can find well-trained practitioners who focus on safety, effectiveness and evidence-based practice. Denise is always happy to offer individualised careers advice to practitioners wanting to work with pregnant clients, but who may not be sure what to do to become adequately qualified.

Exhibiting at camexpo brings new customers every year. Some students, who first found out about the courses at camexpo, have gone on to do additional training with Expectancy – one has even become their Administrator, and a few have been so inspired that they have applied for midwifery training. Programmes such as Call the Midwife and One Born Every Minute have increased the number of applicants for midwifery courses from 31000 in 2010 to 37000 in 2011 and there is about a 1:60 chance of obtaining a place to study midwifery. Consequently, one of Expectancy’s new developments is a Preparation for Midwifery course which can be taken as a taught or home study course. Now about to enter its second year, it is already very popular, with 80% of those who completed in the 2011-12 academic year gaining a place at their first choice university.

Although Denise uses several complementary therapies in her clinical practice, including reflex zone therapy, aromatherapy, massage, moxibustion, nutrition, herbal, homeopathic and Bach flower remedies, expectant mothers do not consult her for a specific therapy. Instead she focuses on working with women with particular pregnancy issues, specialising in nausea and vomiting, but also offering treatment for other discomforts such as backache, constipation, oedema and carpal tunnel syndrome (wrist tingling). From her midwifery perspective, Denise can then devise a treatment plan, in partnership with the mother, which uses an integrated approach, combining conventional midwifery advice and care with one or more complementary therapies.

One of the most common issues which cause women concern is being overdue, especially if they want to avoid having labour medically induced. There are many self-help strategies to which women resort to try to start labour, although not all of these are effective and many are not safe. Popular self-help methods range from eating pineapple or drinking raspberry leaf tea (neither are recommended, nor are they always safe) to bouncing on a trampoline or having sex (if you feel so inclined!). There are, however, several complementary therapies which can be effective in giving women the “final push” towards labour, including acupuncture, reflexology and massage. Denise will be talking about these self-help techniques and the safety, effectiveness and evidence-base of different complementary therapies for post-dates pregnancy at camexpo on Saturday 20th October at 16:15 hours. Do go along to her session or pop down to stand 1412 for a chat.

Denise, will be speaking at camexpo, for the full seminar line up, please visit the education section of the camexpo website.

The Jing Institute - Why should camexpo attendees come along to our Hands on, dynamic workshops?

The Jing Institute is a revolutionary postgraduate training organisation providing master CPD courses and ground-breaking qualifications. The winner of last year’s camexpo Outstanding Achievement award, JING offers a new qualification to UK therapists, the BTEC level 6 in Advanced Clinical and Sports Massage accredited by Edexcel. By giving therapists the opportunity to train to degree level, JING has achieved great strides for the massage world. Founders, Rachel Fairweather and Meghan Mari have been therapists for over 20 years and began training master therapists in New York City in 1999. In 2003, they brought their pioneering courses to Brighton, centered on treating specific pain conditions such as frozen shoulder and sciatica. The feedback was phenomenal and JING trained therapist’s expanded their practices to an entire new height using proven JING protocols to get clients out of pain. JING became known as the place to train if you want to have a full-time practice and really make a difference in client’s lives. JING, now offers over 50 Master CPD courses, 3 Advanced Certificates, and the BTEC level 6. Therapists can train around the country with an expert team for just 2 days, or up to 3 years.

Why should camexpo attendees come along to our Hands on, dynamic workshops?

Join the revolution! You want to be the best and JING wants you to be the best! JING has created a revolution by offering the most comprehensive post graduate training in the UK open to therapists from all backgrounds. Courses include the Advanced Clinical Massage series to treat pain such as RSI, Whiplash, and knee pain, Trigger point Therapy, Advanced Certificate in Myofascial Release, Advanced certificate in Musculoskeletal anatomy, Pregnancy Massage, Eastern and Sports Techniques. As the creators of the BTEC level 6 in Advanced Clinical and Sports massage, accredited by Edexcel, JING is the only institution approved to offer this level of massage education in the UK. The work we teach is serious but we do it with a lot of laughter. We use innovative teaching methods that ensure that you leave courses with the material in your hands, head and hearts. All work is taught practically so that you can use it right away in your clinic.

Rachel Fairweather + Meghan Mari started their collaborative journey in 2001.They met working at what was to become the world famous StoneSpa in NYC.
Working together as head trainers, they quickly realised they shared a undying passion for massage and all it could offer.

Coming from different countries, Rachel from the UK and Meghan the US, they had very similar backgrounds cemented in counseling and working with vulnerable communities- Both Meghan and Rachel after completing their Bachelors degrees in Psychology and their Associate degrees in Massage Therapy, came to bodywork to help individuals through touch. Rachel worked for many years with woman in crisis empowering them through delivering a ground breaking massage training in Liverpool that not only gave women a career but helped ease the wounds of years of abuse. Meghan spearheaded projects in NY state to introduce touch therapy for autistic and disabled youth, as well as provided treatment to people living with HIV in the late 90′s in San Francisco when there was little alternative care.

At the StoneSpa, they were at the forefront of bringing stone massage to the international massage industry, not only training 100s of individual therapists but traveling all over the world setting up small and large companies including one of the largest spas at the time- the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Although they were thriving in the business arena, they wanted to get back to their roots of working to help those in need.

They moved to the UK in 2002 to explore their dream of creating a space where therapists could get the training they needed to help individuals in pain. In particular Rachel who had enjoyed her ITEC qualification a decade earlier, had wanted to bring the high standard of US and Canadian Massage training to the UK. She had moved to the US for 4 years to complete an advanced degree in Massage Therpay and didn’t want others to have to make this scarifice.They founded the Jing Institute in 2003 and in that year, Meghan and Rachel delivered 3 specialist trainings ( just 6 days) and were part of the first CAM workshop programme for massage therapists who wanted to improve their anatomy and pathology knowledge.

From there the JING Institute grew in leaps and bounds. Over the last ten years, this dynamic duo has traveled up and down the UK sharing their special cocktail of enthusiasm, expert knowledge and undying dedication to deliver exceptional massage training to anyone who asks. Following thier mission, they delivered endless workshops anywhere they were invited, in cold village halls as well as far better heated international conferences, Meghan and Rachel have now risen to the height of their profession. They are sought after guest lecturers for institutions such as the International Dermal Institute and the FHT, write regularly for professional trade magazines including Choice Health and Wellbeing and are honored to deliver 8 workshops at camexpo year after year.

Having been the first to bring Myofascial, trigger point therapy and other advanced techniques to small workshops in the UK, the JING Institue now offers over 50 different CPD workshops, (over 200 days of training), 3 Advanced Certificates and worked with over 5,000 therapists.

Now this year, they have realised their ultimate goal to bring higher education and increase the professional viability of massage therapyin the UK. Through their efforts JING has designed and been awarded BTEC level 6 accreditation from edexcel for their Professional Diploma in Advanced Clinical and Sports Massage. This is a milestone in the UK, as never before have massage therapists been able to access education at this level. The JING Institute enrolled 40 students in this its first year on the BTEC. It is the future careers that these graduates will enjoy, that is the piece of work, Meghan and Rachel are most proud of. By engaging in education at this level, the seeds that Rachel and Meghan have planted will change the future of massage therapy in Europe. They are true pioneers in their field.

Jing will be hosting a number of workshops at camexpo, for the full workshop line up, please visit the education section of the camexpo website.

• Concentrated milk fats creating “boom in bad bacteria”
• Too much vitamin D as unhealthy as too little?
• Patients of CAM-trained GPs live longer and cost less
• GM’s legacy: the eradication of independent food production?

Concentrated milk fats creating “boom in bad bacteria”

Posted on22 June 2012. Tags: IBS, IND, milk fats - http://www.naturalproductsonline.co.uk/industry-news/concentrated-milk-fats-creating-boom-in-bad-bacteria/

Concentrated milk fats found in confectionery and processed foods could alter gut bacteria and set up the conditions for bowel diseases.

That’s the conclusion of research carried out by a team of researchers from the University of Chicago.
In experiments using mice genetically modified mice to be prone inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), one in three mice developed colitis when fed either low-fat diets or meals high in polyunsaturated fats. This jumped to nearly two in three in those fed a diet high in saturated milk fats, which are in many processed foods.

These saturated fats are hard for the body to digest and it responds by pumping more bile into the gut. This changes the gut environment and leads to a change in the bacteria growing there, the researchers said.

The Chicago team says their research offers the first credible explanation for why the Western diet contributes to the “unusually high incidence in inflammatory bowel disease”.

Too much vitamin D as unhealthy as too little?

Posted on14 June 2012. Tags: Darshana Durup, University of Copenhagen, vitamin D -

http://www.naturalproductsonline.co.uk/industry-news/too-much-vitamin-d-as-unhealthy-as-too-little-%E2%80%93-danish-study/

A large study by Danish researchers has concluded that too much vitamin D may be as unhealthy as too little.
The study, based on blood samples from 247,574 Copenhageners, is published in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

As well as being vital to bone health, a huge body of research now shows that vitamin D is also beneficial in combating heart disease, depression and certain types of cancers – benefits confirmed by the University of Copenhagen study. But the research results also show higher mortality in people with “too high” levels of vitamin D in their bloodstream.

Lead researcher, Darshana Durup, said: “We found higher mortality in people with a low level of vitamin D in their blood, but to our surprise, we also found it in people with a high level of vitamin D. We can draw a graph showing that perhaps it is harmful with too little and too much vitamin D.”

The Danish study, the largest of its kind, showed that where blood contains less than 10 nanomol (nmol) of vitamin D per litre of serum, mortality is 2.31 times higher. But if the blood contains more than 140 nmol of vitamin per liter of serum, mortality is higher by a factor of 1.42. Both values are compared to 50 nmol of vitamin per liter of serum, where the scientists see the lowest mortality.

Patients of CAM-trained GPs live longer and cost less

Posted on 14 June 2012. Tags: CAM, Erik W. Baars man, healthcare, Peter Koore

Research by Dutch scientists suggests that patients of GPs with a CAM training live longer and cost health providers less.

A study carried out by Peter Kooreman and Erik W. Baars reviewed data from a Dutch insurance company giving information on healthcare costs, dates of birth and death of 150,000 insured individuals. In the study, data from 1,913 conventional GPs were compared with data from 79 GPs with additional CAM training, including acupuncture, homeopathy and anthroposophic medicine.

The researchers found that patients of the GPs with CAM training had 0-30% lower healthcare and mortality rates during the period 2006-2009.

Since the researchers took into account possible confounders – including ‘neighbourhood effects’ – they say the lower costs and longer lives are unlikely to be related to differences in socioeconomic status. Instead, they speculate that the “less overtreatment and more focus on preventative health promotion” could be responsible.

Commenting on the findings, Roger Barsby, managing director of Weleda, said: “The Kooreman/Baars research reinforces a number of other studies conducted in recent years, all of which indicate that CAM treatments help patients live longer, healthier lives, costing the country less and tying up fewer medical resources. In times when there is much negative press for complementary and alternative medicine it is a great encouragement to CAM practitioners, retailers and patients to know that research has shown them to be right.

• The Kooreman/Baars study was first published in May 2011 in the European Journal of Health Economics but has now become available at the open source website SpringerOpen.com.

GM’s legacy: the eradication of independent food production?

Posted on02 July 2012. Tags: Biotech, Gaia Foundation, GM, Seeds of FReedom, Zac Goldsmith -

http://www.naturalproductsonline.co.uk/featured/gm%E2%80%99s-legacy-the-eradication-of-independent-food-production/

“At its core the GM industry is about the eradication of independent food production.”
That’s the stark conclusion of Ramon Herrera, one of the activists featured in a powerful new film co-produced by The Gaia Foundation and The African Biodiversity Foundation.

Seeds of Freedom charts the story of seed from its roots at the heart of traditional, diversity rich farming systems across the world, to being transformed into a powerful commodity, used to monopolise the global food system.
Narrated by Jeremy Irons and with contributions from Dr Vandana Shiva, Zac Goldsmith, Gathuru Mburu (African Biodiversity Network) and Caroline Lucas, the film shows how a landmark legal ruling in 1999 – which opened the door for the patenting of natural life-forms – has allowed a small group of powerful corporations to take ownership of the global chemical, seed and food chain.

Seeds of Freedom warns that “at this corporate centre of power lies not just the massive profits of the GM industry but the decision making and agenda setting that will ultimately be the legacy of our global agricultural system.”
In the film the green campaigner and Conservative MP, Zac Goldsmith, comments: “The often heard argument that GM is needed to feed the world is one driven by the bottom line. It is nothing to do with feeding the world, it is about controlling food systems.”

Seeds of Freedom closes on a positive note: Small-scale, agro-ecological farming, though dismissed by agribusiness as backward and inefficient, feeds 70% of the world’s population with healthy, nutritious food whiles using less land, water and valuable resources. Given support it offers real hope for the future.

• Watch Seeds of Freedom on NPTV

camclub News

• camexpo latest news
• Institute for Optimum Nutrition Conference 2012
• Selenium-CoQ10 combination cut heart death risk by half
• Can I help you at all? – Harry Hill takes to the tills
• New audit scheme prepares Chinese medicine firms for stricter standards
• Profile | Healthy Sales & Marketing
• Blog Spot | Give yourselves a sporting chance this summer!

camexpo latest news

More new exhibitors confirmed for camexpo 2012!

With camexpo now just under five months away, organisers Diversified Business Communications UK has today announced some exciting new additions to its exhibitor list. Supplement specialist Nutri (Import & Exports) Limited, leading industry association the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT), Backjoy Europe BV, Acupressure Mats UK, Galway Natural Health Company, and Tisso Naturprodukte GmbH, are just a few of the latest companies to have confirmed their presence.

The UK’s only dedicated professional holistic event, camexpo 2012, which returns to London’s Earls Court on 20-21 October, will feature an extensive array of innovative new products, technologies, and services from over 200 of the natural healthcare industry’s leading manufacturers, suppliers and training providers.

Since its launch in 2002, camexpo has established a huge following for being the essential go-to event for complementary practitioners and therapists looking to stay up-to-date with all the latest research and product developments for their clients. Given the success of its 2011 show, which attracted 5,333 attendees and a wealth of positive feedback, camexpo 2012 looks set to be celebrating its milestone 10th anniversary in great company.

“Two glorious days of meeting our delightful FHT members and discussing business and therapy practice in a very pleasant exhibition environment is a pleasure as well as a benefit to the Federation of Holistic Therapists,” says Melanie Prince, the international association’s general manager. “We are always very busy on our stand and the speakers we sponsor always have well-attended sessions. We fully expect camexpo 2012 to be as busy and successful as ever.”

It’s a view shared by many of the show’s returning exhibitors, including Linda Booth, vice chair of ARCH (The Association & Register of Colon Hydrotherapists): “We exhibited at camexpo for the first time last year and had such a great response from therapists that we’ve decided to repeat it again this year. camexpo is a great platform for the UK Colonic Association to get its message across about the safety and benefits of modern naturopathic colonic hydrotherapy, particularly when treating bowel dysfunction associated with IBS, and chronic constipation.”

Asa Enmalm, owner of Acupressure Mats UK, which also returns for its second year, is equally upbeat, commenting that camexpo 2012 is “one exhibition that we could not afford to miss”.

“camexpo is the place to meet people for a company like us,” agrees Bernie Osborne, European sales manager for BackJoy Europe BV (creators of the world’s first Orthotic for backs). “Not only did we sell a lot of products last year but we also got connected to a lot of business-to-business contacts.”

With 96% of 2011’s surveyed exhibitors reporting an increase in brand awareness following their appearance at the show, camexpo offers a unique proposition for manufacturers and suppliers looking to strengthen and expand their trade presence in the UK’s growing CAM market. Amongst the new exhibitors hoping to attract new business this year are Chinese medicine pioneers Acumedic, Anamchara Detox Retreats, global payment processing company Digital Pays, Human Frameworks (sole UK distributor of the Acuball), hair mineral analyst providers Mineral Check, Baby Reflex (which has developed a soothing reflexology technique aimed at babies and toddlers), colon hydrotherapy equipment suppliers HAB Herrmann, and Guernsey-based Channel Island Flower Essences.

“camexpo is perfectly positioned to attract our target audience of customers, practitioners and therapists,” says David O’Connor, managing director of Galway Natural Health Company. “This is our first time exhibiting at the show and we’re looking forward to introducing visitors to ReviveQ10plus, our revolutionary cardiovascular, anti-ageing health food supplement. Its active ingredients include CoEnzymeQ10 and L’Aginine, which both won their discoverers the Nobel Prize for medicine and chemistry respectively.”

camexpo 2012 show highlights include 48 Taster Workshops (sponsored by Balens), 22 free Keynote seminars (in two Revital-sponsored theatres), and two days of lively free demonstrations in the CThA Demo Theatre and on the CAM Stage Live. Full details are available on the show’s website www.camexpo.co.uk.

For further information and to register, please visit www.camexpo.co.uk

Institute for Optimum Nutrition Conference 2012

The Nutritional Needs of Movement

Saturday 30th June 2012, 9:30 to 5:30, Hallam Conference Centre, London

Tickets are now on sale for The ION conference, 2012. The conference will focus on how to ensure healthy bones, joints and muscles throughout life, and how deal with common disorders such as osteoporosis, arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcopenia, ankylosing spondylitis and fibromyalgia. The programme will also include an overview on nutrition for endurance sports.

This exciting conference will explore the key roles of nutrition and the gut in the health of the musculoskeletal system.

The varied programme has a wide range of highly respected speakers, including Professor Alan Ebringer from King’s College; osteopath and naturopath Marcus Webb; Steve Hines, physical performance specialist at Fulham FC; Peter Cartwright, human microbiota specialist; Robyn Mason, specialist in gluten sensitivity; Tom Fox, sports scientist and clinical PNI practitioner from the Natura Foundation; Andrew Thomas, founder and managing director of healthcare company BetterYou; Alessandro Ferretti, clinical nutritionist; Paul Chamberlain, performance nutrition consultant; Stephen Terrass, CEO and Founder of Terranova Nutrition; and Dr Mark Edwards, Clinical Research Fellow at Southampton General Hospital.

The Conference will be instrumental to any practitioner that may work with clients suffering from mobility problems, including Nutritional Therapists, complementary practitioners, physiotherapists, sports therapists, osteopaths and chiropractors, and anyone working in the field of personal fitness.

A goody bag from our 13 sponsors (worth £70) and a healthy lunch are also included.

CPD accreditation has been applied for through BANT.

Preliminary programme (subject to change):

Topic - Speaker

• Welcome and overview - Val Bullen
• Early life and environmental determinants of musculoskeletal disease - Mark Edwards
• Maintaining a healthy gut through the microflora - Peter Cartwright
• Fibromyalgia-the gut/brain link - Tom Fox

Break

• The secret life of bone - Marcus Webb
• Magnesium - it’s role in movement and strength - Andrew Thomas
• The overlooked connective tissue - Alessandro Ferretti

Lunch

• The gut connection in Ankylosing Spondylitis - Alan Ebringer
• Gluten and muscles -from gut to gait - Robyn Mason
• Osteoarthritis - Stephen Terrass

Break

• Sarcopenia - Steve Hines
• In it for the long run: Nutrition for endurance sports - Paul Chamberlain
• Summary and feedback - Val Bullen

Booking fee £85

ION members/students £70

Venue:

Hallam Conference Centre

44 Hallam Street

London W1W 6JJ

For further information, please call Olga Hamilton on 020 8614 7800

Email: [email protected]

Register on ION’s website: www.ion.ac.uk

Selenium-CoQ10 combination cut heart death risk by half

Posted on30 May 2012. Tags: CoQ10, heart disease, selenium – www.naturalproductsonline.co.uk

Swedish scientists have shown that supplementing with a combination of selenium and coenzyme Q10 could halve the risk of dying from heart disease, reports the Daily Mail, Daily Express and others.
The Swedish scientists, based at the renowned Karolinska Institutet, led by Dr Urban Alehagen, carried out a study of 443 healthy men and women aged between 70 and 88.
Participants received either 200mg per day of CoQ10 capsules and 200µg of organic selenium yeast tablets, or a placebo, for 48 months.
The scientists found that 5.9 per cent of participants in the supplementation group had died of heart disease after five years, compared to 12.9 per cent of those in the placebo group.

Can I help you at all? – Harry Hill takes to the tills

Posted on22 May 2012. Tags: Fairtrade, Harry Hill, Liberation Foods – www.naturalproductsonline.co.uk

Harry Hill has taken his turn behind the till at Oxfam in London ’s Kensington High Street to encourage Oxfam shoppers to buy the Harry’s Nuts! range of Fairtrade nut products.
Harry’s Nuts! is the successful Fairtrade nuts brand developed by Harry and Fairtrade nut company Liberation Foods. Harry makes no money from this – he came up with the idea to help smallholder peanut farmers in Malawi sell their crops in the UK for a guaranteed fair price – and not at the roadside in Malawi or for a low price at the local market.
As well as being on sale in 200 Oxfam stores the products are also available at Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, The People’s Supermarket and other outlets.
The peanuts come from farming groups in Malawi , Mozambique and Nicaragua . The cashews are from smallholder farms in Mozambique and India .

New audit scheme prepares Chinese medicine firms for stricter standards

Posted on18 May 2012. Tags: Chinese herbal medicine, Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine – www.naturalproductsonline.co.uk
An initiative to improve the quality of Chinese medicine in the UK has been launched.
Under the Approved Suppliers Scheme, companies which supply herbal ingredients or products will be audited by an independent auditor with substantial experience in the pharmaceutical industry. The new scheme focuses on companies that supply raw ingredients (such as dried herbs or concentrated powders) to practitioners or manufactured products, whether made in the UK or imported.
The audit covers a range of aspects and some standards are the same as those required of pharmaceutical companies. There are additional requirements relevant to herbal suppliers, such as labelling ingredients in Chinese and in Latin, and checks to ensure that no banned or endangered plants are stocked.
The Approved Suppliers Scheme has been set up by the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine, the leading professional organisation for the Chinese medicine sector in the UK (RCHM). The RCHM established an Approved Suppliers Scheme in 2004, the first of its kind, and the revised scheme strengthens the original requirements. It is expected that the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulation Agency (MHRA) will impose a similar audit for herbal suppliers to coincide with the statutory regulation of herbalists, which is due in the autumn of 2013.
Emma Farrant, ceo of the RCHM says, “This scheme aims to prepare herbal suppliers for the stricter standards that will be required when statutory regulation is introduced. We are encouraging all Chinese medicine companies in the UK to enrol so the sector is fully prepared.”
Although new requirements for manufactured herbal medicines came into force in 2011, these do not cover the whole sector; the Approved Suppliers Scheme aims to ensure that all aspects of the herbal medicine sector are as robust as possible.
RCHM says that two suppliers have so far met the required standards for the Approved Suppliers Scheme – Mayway and Phoenix – and three companies are awaiting audits. Another company was audited but has been asked to address a number of issues before it can be accepted on to the scheme.
The RCHM estimates that there are around 20 herbal suppliers who would be eligible for an audit.
RCHM is offering training to help more companies to meet the scheme’s standards.

Profile | Healthy Sales & Marketing

Posted on28 May 2012. Tags: Cliff Miss, Clipper Teas, Green & Black’s, Healthy Sales & Marketing – www.naturalproductsonline.co.uk

Healthy Sales & Marketing is one of the health food trade’s best-kept secrets – yet the brands it represents have sales of over £30 million. Here, Natural Products editor Jim Manson talks to HSM founder Cliff Moss about what it takes to succeed in today’s congested and competitive natural products sector.
You eventually get to the head offices of Healthy Sales & Marketing when you reach a converted barn at the end of a long, winding lane in deepest rural Sussex.
But that’s the not the real reason why the company remains one of the health food trade’s best kept secrets. That has much more to do with HSM’s style of operation – a hard-working, behind the scenes business with the focus on delivering value for its clients. And by all accounts that is also the style of Healthy Sales & Marketing’s founder Cliff Moss.
Comments one industry insider: “Cliff is well known and respected in the trade but he’s actually quite a modest guy. He’s much happier putting his energies into the brands rather than blowing his own trumpet. It’s served HSM and those brands it represents ¬– big and small – very well.”

Strong focus
So, what is it that makes HSM stand out in the natural products arena? The evidence that it does, incidentally, can be seen in its client list – Green & Black’s, Clipper Teas, Tom’s of Maine, Urtekram, Lifestream, Pai, Tints of Nature and USN Sports Nutrition being among the roll call of leading natural and organic brands on its lists. Our industry insider again: “HSM’s specialisation in the health food trade is certainly one factor. But the company also has a very strong focus on the last part of the chain. Lots of agencies will get you listed by a wholesaler but HSM has a reputation for physically going into stores and getting products on shelves.”
HSM offers a flexible range of services – everything from sales representation through to the fully integrated running of a UK business, for an overseas company. But it prides itself on being able to get products into the marketplace quickly, and pull them through at the retail level thanks to its sales team. And the company’s feet-on-the-ground way of doing business has helped it forge a unique relationship with both health food retailers and wholesalers.

Healthy Sales & Marketing was formed in 1995 by Cliff Moss, a natural products industry stalwart who previously held senior positions (managing director of Whole Earth Foods and Green & Black’s among them) with several leading brands. In just 17 years he has built a solid, respected business. The HSM group also owns a range of new and heritage brands which complement rather than conflict with its client offering – among them PLj Lemon Juice, Honegar, and Free & Easy

Experienced team
So, what is it that makes HSM’s offer so effective? Moss tells Natural Products: “It’s a mixture of things. We’re a very hands-on company and I make it my business to regularly call on clients and retailers, and the whole team here stays very close to the industry – and at the forefront of industry developments. As well as having access to key buyers – a challenge often for companies coming into the UK – our turnkey approach includes an importation and logistical function for the UK wholesalers. So we are able to consolidate supply to wholesalers of a number of products. Simple things like product labelling can be a real challenge unless you have an experienced partner to work with like HSM.” And Moss stresses the experience and industry knowledge of the whole team – “even our accountant has a qualification from ION”.

While HSM represents its brands in the fine food, multiple retail, pharmacy and online (it even has its own selling site – grumpygorrila.co.uk) channels, its main focus has always been on the natural products sector.

Operating out of a dedicated site in Cheshire, the company works with all the specialist health food wholesalers in Britain and Ireland. Its sales team meets with 300 independent health food stores every six weeks and holds very regular meetings with Holland & Barrett.

Inside track

HSM is able to offer its clients an inside track by virtue of that specialist knowledge and engagement with the health food trade. Moss explains: “Taking a brand to market is tough – and the UK health food sector is probably the most congested in the world. Part of my job is giving new entrants a bit of a reality check! To succeed in the sector you need to understand how it works, you need to allow time to grow – it’s not instant sales like the multiples, it can take a year or so for volumes to grow. You’ll need genuinely innovative products, not a ‘me too’ range. You’ve got to keep talking to retailers and be actively using PR to drive customers to your products.”

A recipe for success? Well, proof of the pudding can be seen in the individual brand successes. Even well-established brands in the HSM fold have been recording strong growth in recent years. Clipper Teas is one example, where that growth is the product “of getting the legwork done”. USN has also seen good growth thanks to work done to strengthen distribution. “Supporting well-known brands with distribution of core products translates directly into more SKUs on shelves.”

Take it seriously
The health food trade is different, says Moss. “You need to treat the sector seriously and understand that it’s an ethics based sector. You need to understand the issues that drive consumers into these specialist stores – health, free-from, organic, Fairtrade, wholefood.
“And you’ll need to understand how the wholesalers work in the natural products channel – where you have up to 20 specialist wholesalers servicing probably no more than a thousand health stores. Do you know what listing fee to expect, what type of wholesaler promotion will serve you best?
These are all areas where HSM has extensive experience. ‘We’ve got a bit of traction, and that can help new brands get established more quickly and more sure-footedly.

And when it comes to wholesaler marketing and promotions, brands need to spend money, says Moss. “There’s a temptation in austere times to batten down the hatches. But the brands that are doing that are the ones currently losing market share. The people who are investing in the health food channel at the moment are reaping the rewards – Green & Black’s being a good example.”

Moss believes the perennial ‘independents versus multiples’ debate is unhelpful. “It’s a false comparison to make. The evidence shows that virtually every brand that has a multiple offer has seen its health food trade sales increase as a result. And the problem for brands who are only in the health channel is that they peak quickly and peak smaller. Our approach is to create a bespoke offer to the independent trade to help ensure brands enjoy growth in both channels.”

A changing retail landscape
HSM’s long-standing and regular contact with the independent retail trade provides it with some unique insights into the changing retail landscape – and the challenges facing the independent sector. Comments Cliff Moss: “There are some very good retailers out there. But there are also a lot who have not moved on. There really are some stores that still look like they are firmly stuck in the seventies! There’s often a lack of clear merchandising so you end up with an incoherent jumble of products. And while they may be offering new product categories, like high-end natural products, the selling environment is still low-end. Facias need to be updated to reflect that style – and price points – of these products.

“Most stores could make simple improvements that would help drive up average basket spend. There’s a case also for thinking more strategically. We try to offer lots of promotions to independents and we do it to build brand awareness, not increase sales. Unfortunately very few retailers pass on the discount to their customers, so that opportunity to grow footfall by getting people through the front door is being lost.

Building relationships
Moss attaches high importance to relationship building: “We’ve been working with some of our brands – for example, Toms of Maine, Green & Black’s and Lifestream – virtually since we started. It’s a very relationship focused trade.” Working with the right people in the first instance is also important,” he says. “We’re strict with ourselves about who, and what, we work with. We’re looking to work with businesses that show a real commitment and who have a consistent message – those are things we pride ourselves on too. And for our part we try to avoid competing brands – so, for example, we don’t work for any other chocolate brand.”

HSM is also undertakes bespoke PR and marketing campaigns for its brands, offering everything from advice on strategic direction to full implementation of multi-channel campaigns. “We were delighted recently to bring Stephanie Matson on board. Stephanie has an excellent track record and understanding of health sector PR. She’s a great addition to the team here and one which means that we are the only sales and marketing operation in the natural products sector offering a fully integrated PR, sales and marketing service. As well as being a unique feature, we think it’s an essential one for brands in the current economic climate”.

It’s good to talk

One of the ways that the company ‘talks’ regularly with retailers is through its quarterly 8-page magazine Healthy Talk. Produced on a non-profit basis – and raising money for charities – it’s distributed to 1000 health stores and aims to be informative as well as functioning as an effective sales tool.
Healthy Talk is just another way that Healthy Sales & Marketing aims to set itself apart. But I ask Cliff Moss if he could pick out the single most important ingredient of success in today’s congested and competitive health food trade. “There’s always a case to be made for working smarter, not harder. But this is very much a relationship-focused trade and you’ve got to get the legwork done. You’ve got to put yourself and your brands in front of people. Face to face is still so important. “

MOSS OBSERVATION
Get the legwork done

This is relationship-focused trade and you’ve got to get the legwork done. You’ve got to put yourself and your brands in front of people. There’s no substitute for face to face.

Remember, the health trade is different

You need to treat the sector seriously and understand that it’s an ethics based sector. You need to understand the issues that drive consumers into these specialist stores – health, free-from, organic, Fairtrade, wholefood

‘Independents versus multiples’?

It’s a false comparison to make. The evidence shows that virtually every brand that has a multiple offer has seen its health food trade sales increase as a result. Our approach is to create a bespoke offer to the independent trade to ensure brands enjoy growth in both channels.

You have to invest!
It’s tempting in austere times to batten down the hatches. The brands that are doing that are the ones losing market share. The people investing the in the channel are reaping the rewards. You’ve got to spend some money!

The short CV

Business name: Healthy Sales & marketing

Locations: Billingshurst, West Sussex; Wardle, Cheshire

Managing Director: Cliff Moss

Staff: 45

Client brands: Green & Black’s, Clipper Teas, Schwabe, Toms of Maine, USN Sports Nutrition, Tints of Nature, Pai

Distributor brands: Lifestream, Urtekram, Healthy Foods Brands (PLJ, Honegar, Free & Easy)

Blog Spot | Give yourselves a sporting chance this summer!

Posted on30 May 2012. – www.naturalproductsonline.co.uk

Robert Taylor – vice president at Vitabiotics and HFMA Council member – urges health food retailers to make the most of the opportunity presented by this summer’s London Olympic Games.

With the London 2012 Olympic Games just around the corner, there are huge opportunities for health retailers and businesses to capitalise on what will be the biggest UK sporting event in our lifetimes. The UK will be a magnet for millions of national and international visitors for the duration of the games and retailers will be among the first to benefit from the massive spending power. But how can health retailers take full advantage of the Games in their own communities?

“Legacy benefits” of hosting the Games were at the heart of London’s original bid – to deliver nationwide objectives in the form of economic, social and health benefits for the UK. With a commitment to help at least two million more people in England lead a more active lifestyle in 2012, the unique and distinguishing feature of this Olympic Games has been the emphasis on the effects of physical activity and sports participation on the wellbeing of the population.

In the run up to the Olympics, there is a unique opportunity for retailers and manufacturers to engage with new and existing customers to promote sports and health products. Highlighting specific sports-related health products is essential so imaginative sports themed window displays provide an ideal starting point, showcasing what’s on offer to support active lifestyles. The Games are inspiring so capitalise on this with displays and promotions in-store or special events and evenings aimed to motivate and encourage consumers to get involved in sports or fitness. Perhaps see if a local Olympic hopeful will do a store visit. The key is to remember that health products and supplements are no longer niche products that only target professional athletes and ripped bodybuilders. They are increasingly popular among your mainstream customers seeking to improve their physical health. It’s therefore recreational and lifestyle users that can continue to drive growth in this market, even after the Olympic show is over.

It’s equally important for retailers to maintain a high level of technical knowledge regarding the sports products which they carry. In some cases, you may be required to reassure customers that the sports vitamins, supplements and whey protein formulations that you stock to help support individual training programmes, are suitable for use by athletes and do not contravene any rules in sport on testing or banned substances.

With obesity on the rise, the Olympics also stand as a rare opportunity to motivate the nation, especially young people, to try new activities and sports. The Youth Sport Trust Young Ambassadors programme is a movement of inspirational young people who encourage other young people to take up sport and physical activity. Central to the programme is the principle that young people can drive opportunity, engagement and change for all young people to be involved in sport. They are selected as role models by their schools and School Sport Partnerships and share the Olympic Values by organising workshops, assemblies, practical sessions and informative talks. See if there are any Ambassadors in your area and if not, team up with local gyms and together, start encouraging and supporting schools and communities to nominate young people for the role.

At Vitabiotics, we’ve embraced this with the launch of Team Vitabiotics, supporting some of the UK’s top Olympic hopefuls including triple jumper Nadia Williams, long jumper JJ Jegede and hammer throwers Mark Dry and Sophie Hitchon while also introducing Wellman Optimuscle Whey Protein formulations into the Vitabiotics range.

There is no doubt that the London 2012 Games are a unique, once-in-a-lifetime national event, and health retailers and manufacturers can and should make the most of the opportunities that hosting them will bring. Take at look at your existing sports range and plan how to expand and make the most of showcasing it in store. There is still time for retailers to tap into and capitalise on the Olympics with the right in-store promotions, sampling and displays which inspire and encourage consumers to get take an interest in their own health, while promoting the importance of an active lifestyle.

Take Away Points:
• There is still time for retailers to tap into and capitalise on the Olympics.
• Imaginative sports themed window displays, promotions in-store and special events and evenings are ideal starting points.
• It’s essential for retailers to maintain a high level of technical knowledge regarding the sports products they have in-store.
Robert Taylor is vice president/marketing director at Vitabiotics and an HFMA Council member. An edited version of this article appears in the HFMA Bulletin page in the June issue of Natural Products magazine

<strong>camclub June Articles</strong>
<ul>
<li><a href=”#healing”>Healing hands - Angie Buxton-King</a></li>
<li><a href=”#Gill”>Predictions, Crystal Balls and Buying Patterns - Gill Tree</a></li>
<li><a href=”#CNHC”>CNHC register opens to reiki</a></li>
</ul>
<h2><strong><a name=”healing”></a>Healing hands - Angie Buxton-King</strong></h2>
<em>Angie Buxton-King provides an introduction to healing, before discussing its benefit as a supportive tool when used alongside conventional medical care.</em>

Healing is based upon the principle that the physical body is surrounded by an energy field and when a person becomes unwell physically, emotionally or mentally, this has an unbalancing effect on the energy field. Sensitive to energy flow and intuitive to areas of imbalance, a healer aims to facilitate the rebalancing of the<img title=”Angie Buxton-King for website” src=”http://www.camexpo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Angie-Buxton-King-for-website.jpg” alt=”" width=”165″ height=”200″ /> energy field by channelling energy through their own hands gently placed on – or just above – the client’s body. In turn, this may help to ease physical, mental and emotional symptoms.

<strong>A state of balance</strong>

There are a number of different modalities of healing and the ability to succinctly categorise these is often the source of much conflict and confusion. For this reason, it may be easier to focus on the similarities instead of the differences – healers do not under any circumstance diagnose specific medical problems, but aim to treat the individual with a view to alleviating physical, emotional and spiritual distress.

Relaxation is the main benefit of all healing modalities, as this opens the doors to further multi-faceted benefits on a number of levels. Many of us understand that our emotions can have an impact on our physical self, therefore healing may act as a preventative approach to healthcare by helping the body to achieve a state of balance needed for good health and well-being. Healing can provide very useful support to people affected by health issues, most notably in stress-related illnesses and in mental and emotional health, as relaxation can help to alleviate some of the associated stress and anxiety. It can also potentially help people to cope with some of the physical symptoms of illness and side-effects of conventional medication and treatment.

Therapists in private practice are afforded greater flexibility in working and can gear the environment more to reinforce relaxation and healing than those in a hospital setting. However, although the therapy environment may enhance the client’s receptiveness to energy channelled from the therapist, a healing session can be just as therapeutically effective in a clinical setting. Clients in both settings commonly report feeling the energy moving within their bodies, seeing bright colours, and experiencing a twitching or movement as the energy rebalances. It is very common for a client to experience a change in temperature, and often to feel heat from the therapist’s hands.

<strong>A supportive tool</strong>

Complementary therapy has progressed enormously following the House of Lords Select Committee report in 2000 which placed healing in the Group Two category of therapies ‘which are most often used to complement conventional medicine and do not purport to embrace diagnostic skills’, alongside others such as reflexology, aromatherapy and massage. The report recognised that many of the therapies in this group provide a supportive tool when used alongside conventional medical care, and may help relieve stress, alleviate side effects, provide support for the elderly and play an important role in palliative care.1

Healing can be very beneficial alongside conventional medicine, and my clinical experience within the hospital setting allows me to say that the therapy can be used to:

• assist anxiety management;
• aid pain management strategy;
• provide a supportive measure through unpleasant and/or painful procedures, such as lumbar puncture, bone marrow aspirate, liver biopsy, and so on;
• reduce chemotherapy/radiotherapy gut disturbance;
• reduce nausea and vomiting;
• reduce pain associated with sore mouth;
• engender a sense of control;
• enhance compliance with treatment regimens;
• enhance coping;
• enhance the immune response;
• improve quality of life;
• increase confidence and self-esteem; and
• assist the patient in the dying process.

There is no ‘one tool fits all’ for healthcare, however by providing conventional medicine and complementary therapy alongside each other we can facilitate a more holistic path to be taken by the client /patient .We must not ‘throw the baby out with the bathwater’ but allow people to choose for themselves how they wish to approach their health care.

<strong>Case study</strong>
Dr Anil Wijetunge was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2005 and was seen by a healer on the hospital ward at least twice a week for 30 minutes, sometimes more when he was experiencing a great deal of pain. Anil offers this patient insight:

‘When I was diagnosed with leukaemia in May 2005 my world was turned upside down. I had worked as a hospital doctor for 17 years in most of the medical specialties, including cancer. I knew from the early signs that the disease was very advanced and I was in a poor risk group where the chances of survival were only approximately 35 per cent. I had to face – and come to terms with – the possibility of death, and accept whatever treatment and consequences arose.

‘I experienced the most appalling pain in my back and throughout my body, especially in the muscles. There were infusions of very powerful drugs to keep my circulation and heart going, and it was a very difficult time being in an isolation room, month after month. I started my first healing sessions having known absolutely nothing about the therapy before; even when I had worked with cancer patients myself. I closed my eyes as the healer placed his hands over specific areas of the body, starting at the head and making gentle contact. I was immediately struck by how hot his hands were; they radiated heat. The healer slowly changed the position of his hands to cover and pause over different parts of the head and face, then the trunk, arms and legs, down to the soles of the feet. Gradually my mind calmed and I became less tense. For the first time I felt someone was helping to fill the massive gap in modern medical care where holistic care should be.

‘The healing sessions I experienced allowed me to fully relax, close my eyes and let my mind drift, out of the isolation room to a calm, quiet place that made me feel as if I was walking through a beautiful, sunny garden where I was reassured and spiritually nourished.

‘By the end of each session I was physically more comfortable and emotionally relaxed and stronger. As a hospital doctor I would never have realised how healing could benefit a patient. As healing defies detailed analysis of its mechanism of action in conventional medical and scientific terms, it is too easily dismissed by most physicians. My experiences as a leukaemia patient have shown me how important it is to provide holistic care that supports a person emotionally, mentally or spiritually. This is virtually absent in medical care today and I believe all sick people are suffering to some extent because of its absence. Healing provided an important part of that missing element of care and it helped me face up to and survive the physical and mental challenges.’

Working in the healthcare environment
Therapists who are keen to work in a statutory setting must develop the skills required to work safely and competently in such an environment. Further training can help the therapist to successfully integrate complementary therapies into the field of conventional medical care, taking into account how to:

• approach and present themselves and their therapy work to hospitals;
• describe complementary therapies to medical and nursing staff;
• use language to bridge the gap between conventional medicine and complementary therapies, as this can make or break your career at this stage;
• protect patients – and yourself – from the risk of infection;
• measure treatment outcomes, as gathering an evidence base is very useful in our field;
• gain support through clinical supervision; and
• gain funding (therapists often have to rely upon themselves).

1. House of Lords Select Committee (2000). UK parliament Science and Technology Sixth Report. Source: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199900/ldselect/ldsctech/123/12304.htm

Biog box
Angie Buxton-King is a reiki master, spiritual healer, tutor and a council member of the College of Medicine. She regularly speaks at medical and holistic conferences, is the author of The NHS Healer, and runs training in Delivering Complementary Therapy in a Statutory Setting. She has been employed for 12 years at the University College London Hospital (UCLH) working with cancer patients as part of an integrated holistic package of care. In 2003, she was promoted to manager/healer of the complementary therapy team, leading the acceptance and development of healing and other complementary therapies within the trust. Angie and her husband, Graham, are the founders of The Sam Buxton Sunflower Healing Trust (SBSHT), which helps to fund healers to work within the NHS with cancer patients. They set the charity up in memory of their late son Sam, who had Acute Muyeloid Leukaemia and benefited enormously from healing before he died in 1998 aged 10. In 2008, Angie and Graham created The Guild of Professional Healers to represent healers and provide a body of healers that embraced the different modalities within one organisation. www.cancertherapies.org www.angiebuxton-king.com

This article was first published in International Therapist (October 2011, issue 98), the membership journal of the Federation of Holistic Therapists (www.fht.org.uk). Reprinted with permission of the FHT and Angie Buxton-King.
<h2><a name=”Gill”></a>Predictions, Crystal Balls and Buying Patterns - Gill Tree</h2>
<img title=”Gill Tree website” src=”http://www.camexpo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Gill-Tree-website.jpg” alt=”" width=”158″ height=”220″ />

One of the keys to a successful business plan and therefore a successful business is the ability to fairly accurately predict your sales over the next 12-36 months. Whilst a fairly easy task when established, when you are a new business having a crystal ball would be really helpful to be able to make such predictions.

However if you are willing to play detective to establish your potential customers buying patterns with some market research, you will be able to start working on sales projections fairly quickly.
Going on a fact finding mission will allow you to start to define how your business is going to take shape. You need a several pronged strategy:

<strong>1/ Network with other therapists</strong>
Join a professional association that has regional group meetings that you can attend. When you are established in the group ask the questions in number 3.

<strong>2/ Call up 10 therapy centres and ask</strong>:
If I book a course of treatments what discount do you give?
Is it common to book a course of treatments?
How quickly can you see me?
I’m new to this- do people usually come weekly/ fortnightly/monthly?

<strong>3/ Find a successful therapist who is out of your area, offer a free treatment as a swap for their information and advice on:</strong>
How long it took them to get established
What successes they had, what failures
Their clients buying patterns;
<strong>How many: </strong>
come weekly
come fortnightly
come monthly
come as one off’s or on an occasional basis
Any seasonal fluctuations
Hints and tips

<strong>Repeat this several times with other therapists</strong>

Think up your own questions to ask also. Once you have completed this task, I guarantee you will have a much clearer idea of how your potential clients are going to buy from you. You will also be able to work out exactly how many clients you are going to need to fulfil your goal.

For example lets imagine your goal is to have by the end of year one, a full clinic of 20 hourly clients per week, paying £50.00 an hour and working 46 weeks per year.

Having done your market research above, you established that you will get approximately 30% of your clients coming weekly, 30% coming fortnightly, 30% coming monthly and 10% coming as one off’s or on an occasional basis. (this is for illustration purposes only- you need to do the research in your area to find out what is true for your market).

If this was the case you would need:
<table border=”0″>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Type of client</td>
<td>Number each week</td>
<td>Total number of unique clients required per annum</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Weekly</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fortnightly</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Monthly</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ad hoc (twice year)</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>52</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Total
</strong></td>
<td><strong></strong></td>
<td><strong>94</strong></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
This is an illustration only. You need to come to your own conclusions about how many clients you want coming on a regular basis and with what frequency. However if this was my business, I would look at the figures above and say, “<em>hold on a minute. I only need 40 regular clients for the whole year, that’s achievable, but the 52 adhoc, that seems like a lot of work to get them. Let me rethink my percentages and also think about how I can ensure repeat sales</em>”.

I mentioned above that it is a good idea to network with other therapists, but to be really successful but you need to expand your network far beyond that group of people.

<strong>Get Networking</strong>
Networking is going out to business breakfasts and meetings and specific networking events to meet many people, swap business cards and help support each other with business leads.
I think networking is an extremely important business activity, but it needs to be done selectively. I am quite a social animal and have really enjoyed going out and networking and meeting interesting people. That in itself served a purpose. It kept my energy high for my business and I would come back with some new ideas. There are lots of networking clubs and groups. the local chamber of commerce will have meetings and the virtual networking club ecademy <a href=”http://www.ecademy.com/”>http://www.ecademy.com/</a> will have local meetings.
<strong>
However did it bring me any business?</strong>
No! Not until I was clear about who I needed to network with and collaborate with. (More about collaborations in a future step).
Listed below are guidelines for making the most of networking.
<strong>Network with Purpose</strong>
Before you sign up for a networking event, think about reason for attending. Decide your goals and what you hope to accomplish. You may not achieve them straight away but thinking this way really gets your prepared and you will improve with networking practice. Often what happens at networking events is that you develop stepping stones to where you want to be.
<strong>Goals may be:</strong>
• To get ideas for how to run your business
• Find out about opportunities for working in clinics and centres in the community
• Practice giving an elevator pitch (giving a short promotional presentation)

<strong>Prepare your pitch</strong>
Often at networking events you will be invited to give a short presentation. Grab this opportunity with both hands. In later steps I will be talking about how important public speaking is to your success (and how many people who would rather die than speak in public have become great speakers!).
Practice in front of the mirror at home a one minute presentation clearly stating with warmth and humour why you are <strong>the person</strong> to book for your particular speciality.
Practice scanning the room and making eye contact and smiling as you speak.
<strong>Be prepared</strong>
Make sure you arrive on time and are armed with plenty of business cards and promotional flyers. If you’ve booked an event be sure to attend- no dropping out because of nerves ort a better offer or feeling too tired!
Make sure if you promise something to someone that you do the follow up within 48 hours of the event. Remember what goes around, comes around and your success is more likely if you are congruent.
<strong>Network and be yourself</strong>
People are more like to trust and warm to you if you are sincere and are being yourself. Be interested, listen, be genuine, honest, friendly and giving

<strong>Network with a view to giving support and help</strong>
When you are networking your thoughts should be on “how can I help” rather than how can I sell my service. If you have this mindset, when you present a particular issue or problem people will want to help you too. So for example, I recently met a woman at an event who I know would really benefit from being in touch with 3 business people I know. I have called them to see if they would be interested in speaking with her and put them together. What I get from that is the satisfaction of helping and knowing that there are other like minded people at networking events who will do the same for me.

<strong>Happy business planning!</strong>
Gill Tree is the Managing Director of Essentials for Health, one of the UK’s leading Schools of Massage and Sports Massage, established in 1992. She is an award winning entrepreneur, therapy business expert, author and presenter at CAM EXPO. Keen to support you with her business acumen and expertise so that you can focus on working you’re your clients, Gill would like to offer you a special 20th anniversary gift. Her E-Business Tool Therapists Business Passport <strong>for free</strong>.

Simply click here <a href=”http://www.essentialsforhealth.co.uk/Page.php?ID=Business_Passport”>http://www.essentialsforhealth.co.uk/Page.php?ID=Business_Passport</a>

Essentials for Health, thanks to Gill’s 20+ years of therapy business experience, prides itself in being the School that <strong>Provides a Career not just a Course</strong>.<a href=”http://www.essentialsforhealth.co.uk”> www.essentialsforhealth.co.uk</a> 01628 476100
<h2><a name=”CNHC”></a>CNHC register opens to reiki</h2>
<img title=”CNHC logo cam” src=”http://www.camexpo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/CNHC-logo-cam.png” alt=”" width=”164″ height=”81″ />CNHC opened its register to reiki on 14th May 2012. This means that as practitioners register, members of the public will be able to search the CNHC register for reiki practitioners in their area.

Practitioners are only admitted to the register if they can demonstrate that they meet national occupational standards and agree to abide by a rigorous code of conduct, performance and ethics. More and more people are searching the register to find practitioners who are properly trained, qualified and insured so this is good news for practitioners who want to sign up.

There has been a lot of demand for reiki going onto the register. CNHC’s Chief Executive, Margaret Coats, commented: “Reiki is widely used by people in services such as cancer and palliative care where it is essential that practitioners have met proper standards. The opening of CNHC’s register to reiki provides this assurance to members of the public and commissioners of services.”

Reiki is the 14th discipline to join the CNHC register since it opened in January 2009. The other disciplines are Alexander Technique teaching, aromatherapy, Bowen Therapy, healing, hypnotherapy, massage therapy, microsystems acupuncture, naturopathy, nutritional therapy, reflexology, shiatsu, sports therapy and yoga therapy.

Any practitioner interested in applying should check the CNHC website for details of the verification process. For further details check CNHC’s <a href=”http://www.cnhc.org.uk/pages/index.cfm?page_id=68″>step by step guide</a> on the ‘How to register’ section of CNHC’s website.

<strong>Reiki advertising wording available</strong>
Now that the register is open to reiki, the therapy descriptor for reiki is available on CNHC’s website.

CNHC has worked with the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) Copy Advice Team, in consultation with CNHC’s Profession Specific Boards (PSBs), to produce wording to describe each of the therapies CNHC registers. The reiki descriptor is the latest to be added to the list following work with CNHC’s Reiki PSB.

The purpose of this is to offer wording that practitioners may use to describe their practice in a way that will reduce to a very great extent the risk of a successful complaint to the ASA. CNHC will inform registered practitioners of any amendments to the wording which may result from any future ASA adjudications.

All CNHC registered practitioners may find the wording for their therapy available to download in <a href=”https://www.cnhcregister.org.uk/secure/login.cfm?loc=/my_cnhc/index.cfm&”>MyCNHC</a>. The descriptors are also available on the CNHC website here <a href=”http://www.cnhc.org.uk/pages/index.cfm?page_id=86″>Complementary Therapy Descriptors.</a>

For more information about advertising see <a href=”http://www.cnhc.org.uk/assets/6-063.pdf”>CNHC Advertising Guidance</a>.

For more information about the CNHC go to CNHC’s website at: <a href=”http://www.cnhc.org.uk/pages/index.cfm”>www.cnhc.org.uk</a> , email <a href=”mailto:[email protected]”>[email protected]</a> or call 020 3178 2199

• camexpo CAM Clinic of the Year Award 2011 Finalist - Gaia Lifestyle
• Body talk - Fiona Holland
• Mitochondrial MOT – Maintaining Our Natural Engine. Mark Robinson, BioCare

camexpo CAM Clinic of the Year Award 2011 - Finalist

Natasha Marchant founder of the Gaia Lifestyle Centres was delighted to be nominated for camexpo Clinic 2011, and attended camexpo 2011 to be awarded a place as finalist in the nominations.

Natasha said “its an amazing achievement to be nominated and absolutely fantastic for the whole team to receive this recognition for all their endeavours and professionalism.” Natasha Marchant has been practising Complementary Therapies and Yoga for over 20 years and established the first Gaia Lifestyle Centre in Cardiff, to bring practitioners from different disciplines together to provide a complete holistic service to clients and patients. The clinic has grown to over 16 practitioners and opened a second clinic and Ayurvedic Training school within the city centre.

“It’s such an honour for our clinic to have been given this award by camexpo” says Natasha “I have always been so impressed by the professionalism of camexpo, they really are at the forefront of what is going on within the Health and Wellbeing profession and I look forward to attending camexpo 2012!”

Natasha Marchant
www.gaialifestyle.com
0771 253 6541

Body talk - Fiona Holland, massage therapist and senior lecturer at the University of Derby, discusses whether the spa and therapy industry is helping to promote body esteem in clients

“Our culture emphasizes the body as a source of beauty and fitness but ignores and discourages awareness of the body as a source of relaxation, comfort and emotional wisdom.”1

As spa managers, salon owners and therapists, we know that our work helps people to relax and unwind and a growing body of research supports this tacit, experience-based knowledge. However, could further steps be taken to maximise the effects of relaxation, help our clients feel greater acceptance of – and comfort within – their own bodies, and thus enable them to tap into those places of ‘emotional wisdom’? My argument asks us to consider whether, at times, we short-change our clients this opportunity by emphasising the ‘beauty’ aspects of the work, rather than the relaxation and potential therapeutic benefits. An approach that focuses more heavily upon emotional wisdom may encourage clients to adopt a less judgmental relationship with their bodies. Popular treatments, such as massage, not only promote relaxation but also provide the space in which clients can recognise the benefits of being ‘in’ their body, rather than judging it from the outside, which often instils dissatisfaction in many people. Spa managers, salon owners and therapists could perhaps help to facilitate body esteem in clients through modifying the therapy environment, reviewing the language used in treatments menus, and altering interaction and communication techniques.

By all appearances

Body image and body esteem are complex and multi-dimensional constructs. Body image encompasses our thoughts, feelings, and behaviour towards our bodies,2 while body esteem implies our sense of value and worth in relation to our body image. Body dissatisfaction is common in both men and women,2-4 with research indicating that the idealised, slim, toned or muscled physiques featured in celebrity magazines, advertisements and the internet often provoke negative responses in both genders.5,6

A study of male university students revealed an increase in body dissatisfaction following exposure to advertisement images of more muscled males in comparison to average-sized males,5 while women often devalue their bodies when exposed to media images of thin women.6 Research also suggests that women feel less positively towards their bodies than men.7 Gender differences may be understood by exploring the social construction of male and female bodies within the dominant culture. According to feminist theorists, females often perceive their bodies as ‘objects to be looked at’8 thus socialising women to view their bodies as from an outsider’s perspective. I call this the ‘body as ornament’ as opposed to the ‘body as instrument’, which involves valuing the body for its functionality and emotional wisdom.

As spa managers, salon owners and therapists, we may not be fully aware of the influence that messages can overtly or covertly impress upon clients in the way we conduct our business and, in some cases, we may even perpetuate body dissatisfaction and reinforce poor esteem. We may also underestimate the profound effect massage or beauty therapists can potentially have on how clients view their own body.

The language of body esteem

Research has shown that body image becomes more negative in situations that are more body-focused,7 therefore the spa, salon or treatment room could potentially highlight any existing body image issues. A therapeutic relationship is established during treatments with the client stepping into a vulnerable role both physically, by exposing parts of their body to another, and emotionally, by needing help, support and care. In these situations, apprehension and nervousness can cause negative body-related concerns to surface, which may possibly revolve around the idea of being seen and judged as an ornament.

This can perpetuate body-shaming statements such as: ‘Is there anything you can do to massage the fat away?; ‘I don’t think there’s any muscle there to massage’; ‘Can you get rid of this ugly cellulite?’; or ‘Could this facial help tighten up the horrible saggy neck I have?’. These may be intended to elicit a response from the therapist, who should be trained to recognise and neutralise body shaming statements, and use effective communication strategies that support body esteem instead. As body-centred professionals, it is important not to perpetuate clients’ negativity and instead aim to instil positivity. When clients (or fellow therapists) make body shaming statements, it is easy to:

• Over-empathise, ‘Oh, yes, I have big thighs too’;
• Minimise clients’ feelings, ‘Don’t worry, I’ve seen it all before’;
• Deny clients’ feelings, ‘No, no, you’re not fat at all’;
• Try to offer advice, ‘Have you tried the X diet?’; and
• Make false promises based on non-scientific evidence, ‘This cream will reduce cellulite and wash away toxins’.

All of these responses originate from a place of judgement and move therapists out of the place of ‘unconditional positive regard’, a term first coined by pioneering psychologist and humanist Carl Rogers.8 Unconditional positive regard reinforces the client-centred core that is at the heart of our profession by offering clients acceptance and support, regardless of what their body looks like, their weight, their skincare routine, or how they feel about their body. Researchers suggest that both positive and negative body-orientated comments directed at women result in an increase in body ‘surveillance’ and body dissatisfaction,9 perhaps due to the indication that others are focusing on their outward appearance. This suggests that even seemingly innocuous comments may have ‘detrimental consequences for women’s self-objectification and body image’.9

As professionals, I suggest avoiding labelling body-shaming statements as ‘wrong’, but instead to tread with caution when such comments are made. It is easy to feel uncomfortable or at a loss for words when clients make body shaming comments, and therapists often inadvertently respond in ways that support the culture of negativity around the less than ‘perfect’ body. We are in a position of power with our clients and an unintended flippant remark either about ourselves, or in response to clients, can discourage return visits. It may even potentially contribute towards a downward cycle of anxiety or negative behaviour.

In order to support clients’ confidence, perhaps the first place to boost body esteem is within ourselves, and a good place to start may be reflecting on our relationship with our own bodies. It is important to ask ourselves, as therapists, if we perpetuate our own body anxieties through the very work that we do. Are we self-critical and judgemental about ourselves? Do we hold ourselves up to be role models of the perfect body? Do we feel terrible if we gain weight, look tired or have imperfect hair or skin? Habits are often ingrained over many years, therefore it can be difficult to identify and reduce our own body shaming tendencies. Once this is achieved, the next step would be to develop neutral ways to handle body shaming statements from peers and clients.

Preparing some neutral, genuine responses to body shaming statements from clients and colleagues can be worthwhile. Practise your response so that it feels natural, for example: ‘I am here to support your relaxation. Perhaps you can focus on your breathing and try to shift your attention to the inside of your body rather than the outside.’ As spa, beauty or massage therapists, we have a chance to educate our clients about their bodies and may have the luxury of time and an ongoing relationship with clients that other health professionals lack. If we can shift the focus from the body as an object to be looked at to the body as an instrument or place of wisdom, then we are offering clients a new, positive perception.

A new perspective

Spa managers, salon owners and therapists should also consider the potential effect of the therapy environment upon body esteem. Are surrounding images predominantly biased towards one body shape or size; do they perpetuate the ideal as a young, slim and toned person? One global beauty brand realised the power of harnessing positive body images in a ‘campaign for real beauty’, in which models of all ages, shapes and sizes were used to market products.10 In the first six months of the campaign, sales of products increased 700 per cent in Europe, and in the first year, global sales surpassed one billion dollars.

It takes a conscious awareness to critique the pressure often instilled by the idealised model of beauty and health portrayed in the media and a deliberate commitment to move away from this in an industry that tends to perpetuate this ideal. By reviewing communication practices, menu offerings and visual displays, therapists can then consider implementing small or large changes to support greater body-esteem, such as:

1. Look at the images that surround clients; try to achieve a balance of different body sizes and shapes, ages, ethnicity and genders. Alternatively, shift away from the ‘look’ of beauty towards the ‘feel’ of relaxation by choosing images of tranquil landscapes, inspiring artwork, a collage or sculpture.

2. Replace magazines in waiting areas that perpetuate the thin, young, perfect ideal with different styles of inspirational and educational magazines, such as travel publications. Alternatively, consider other forms of entertainment and sources of relaxation, such as books on art or travel, inspirational poetry, delicious food, collections of inspiring short stories, or perhaps install a beautiful fish tank or water feature.

3. Carefully consider the treatment menu; re-shape any promises to ‘fix’ people, or false promises or language reinforcing body shaming beliefs and instead focus on the process of the treatment and its relaxation and therapeutic properties.

4. Increase awareness of the instrument versus ornament debate through wider reading, workshops, or discussion and debate with friends or peers. Read about client-centred approaches and therapeutic communication models and engage with other therapists on this topic, supporting one another in a shift towards a more body-friendly approach.

5. Consider your own relationship with your body; are you ready to relinquish the pressure to be perfect, embrace who you are and be less judgemental of yourself and others? Are you ready to embrace the body as an instrument and become less judgemental of the body as an ornament? As your awareness of your own negative self-talk increases, you may find that clients are more drawn to you as they feel less judged.

6. When complimenting a friend, client or co-worker, avoid using language that focuses on how they look, such as ‘you look great’, or ‘have you lost weight?’ and consider less ‘ornament-focused’ approaches, for example, ‘how do you feel?’ and ‘you seem full of energy’.

As health and well-being professionals, if we can help facilitate a greater respect for – and harmony within – our own bodies, we can potentially move towards improved well-being, and help facilitate a similar path for our clients. A spa, salon or treatment room can then truly maximise its potential to become a place of healing, rejuvenation and empowerment.

Research
In a recent qualitative study* at the University of Derby, a series of workshops explored the messages beauty therapy students, aged 17 to 19 years, received from the media, and the images and language of the beauty industry, and ways in which the students recognised areas of bias and ‘ornament’ focused language or images.

The majority of students identified the stereotype of beauty in women as thin and long-legged, with long hair and perfect skin, and the stereotype of beauty in men as lean and muscular, with a hairless body. Many students also viewed themselves negatively in comparison to these images and made body shaming statements, for example, one student stated ‘it made me feel ugly’, one felt ‘jealous’, and another said ‘they’re all perfect looking and I’m ‘ugh’!’ However, some students were aware that these images were ‘all made up, it’s not real’, and that ‘it’s about your personality, who you are and what you do’. It was agreed that within peer groups, ‘you get judged on your looks and not your personality’.

The students were supportive of correctional beauty treatments and a broad range of plastic surgery if it helped people to feel better about themselves. Overall, the students (perhaps due to their age) were unable or unwilling to recognise any underlying emotional work, or cultural change that could potentially help clients to feel that they are acceptable in the bodies they have. In one activity, treatment menus from the beauty and spa industry were reviewed and it was highlighted that the language often reinforced the perception of the body as an ‘ornament’ by focusing upon improving how we look on the outside, rather than promoting the body as a functional, emotionally-wise ‘instrument’.

* This study was carried out by Fiona Holland, Jan Flamank, and Isobel Stockdale (2011) and was funded by a Research into Teaching fund through the University of Derby. The study is currently unpublished.

Fiona Holland, MA, BA, PGCE is a senior lecturer at the University of Derby and has been a massage therapist since 1997. She has had a private practice in America for nine years and was a lead teacher at The Body Therapy Institute in North Carolina for three years. She has worked in health promotion for more than 15 years and leads CPD workshops in body image for massage therapists and well-being professionals. [email protected]

References
1. Rabinor J and Bilich M (2002). Experiential approaches to changing body image. In Cash T and Pruzinsky T (eds) (2002). Body Image: A Handbook of Theory, Research and Clinical Practice, The Guildford Press.
2. McCabe M and Ricciardelli L (2004). Body image dissatisfaction among males across the lifespan: a review of past literature, Journal of Psychosomatic Research 56: 675-685.
3. McCabe M and Ricciardelli L (2009). Body image and body change techniques among young adolescent males, European Eating Disorder Review 9: 1-13.
4. Vincent M and McCabe M (2000). Gender differences among adolescents in family and peer influences on body dissatisfaction, weight loss and binge eating behaviours, Journal of Youth and Adolescence 29: 205-211.
5. Lorenzen L, Grieve F and Thomas A (2004). Exposure to muscular male models decreases body satisfaction, Sex Roles 51: 743-748.
6. Thompson J and Stice E (2001). Thin-ideal internalization: mounting evidence for a new risk factor for body image disturbance and eating pathology, Current Directions in Psychological Science 10: 181-183.
7. Haimovitz D, Lansky L and O’Reilly P (1993). Fluctuations in body image across situations, International Journal of Eating Disorders 13: 77-84.
8. Rogers C (1951). Client-centred therapy: its current practice, implications and theory. Constable.
9. Calogero R, Herzobo S and Thompson K (2009). Complimentary weightism: the potential costs of appearance-related commentary for women’s self objectification, Psychology of Women Quarterly 33: 120-132.
10. Dove campaign for real beauty. Source: Dove (http://www.dove.co.uk/campaign-for-real-beauty.html;jsessionid=87004C68EF1E43780D6071C3CAA7889E)

This article was first published in International Therapist (October 2011, issue 98), the membership journal of the Federation of Holistic Therapists (www.fht.org.uk). Reprinted with permission of the FHT and Fiona Holland.

Picture: PhotoDisc Inc

Mitochondrial MOT – Maintaining Our Natural Engine. Mark Robinson, BioCare.

Fatigue is a universal symptom which is present in a multitude of disease patterns, but could it be possible that fatigue related diseases share a common pathophysiology?

Energy metabolism must be considered as a complete, intertwined system where cellular, endocrine, nervous, digestive, and immune systems work in concert to maintain the internal environment of our cells and optimise energy output. However, the fundamental process of energy conversion ultimately relies upon the function of the cell, and more specifically, the mitochondrion.

Recent focuses in both nutrition and medical research alike have shifted heavily towards looking to the eternal energy converting organelles, the mitochondrion, for answers. This approach seems to hold weight, particularly because each and every human cell contains mitochondria, which are responsible for powering the energy demands of the body. Mitochondria generate energy storage molecules in the form of ATP, the energy currency of the body. If mitochondrial function is impaired, an inevitable reduction in cellular function will follow due to the decreased availability of ATP, resulting in the swift presentation of related symptoms.

A number of clinical trials have focused on the role of mitochondrial function in a myriad of diseases such as: chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)1, Alzheimer’s disease1, Parkinson’s disease1, GERD4, epilepsy4 and ataxia4; to name but a few. If the engines of our cells are impaired through environmental exposures, nutritional deficiencies or genetic predisposition, it is entirely possible that this could manifest as dysfunction of any cellular process that requires energy. A scary thought.

Organelle or Symbiotic Cell?

Mitochondria are theorised to have evolved as unicellular symbionts with eukaryotic cells, eventually evolving to become a fully functional organelle in eukaryotic cells7. They carry a very unique piece of information, in the form of mitochondrial DNA (mDNA), otherwise known as the “eve gene”, so-called because every human shares a common ancestor, “Eve” whose lineage can be traced through mDNA. To say that we inherit half our DNA from our mothers and fathers isn’t strictly true. We in fact inherit our mDNA from the mother, when the sperm reaches the ovum its mDNA is degraded7, as though the sperm must leave its guns at the door before entering the party. Mitochondrial disorders are strictly inherited down female lines; therefore a study reviewing inheritance in CFS could provide a particularly interesting concept.

Mitochondria are more heavily concentrated in high-energy demand tissues such as the heart, brain, eyes, and skeletal muscles. These are the tissues that are most likely to be affected by mitochondrial dysfunction. So, optimum mitochondrial function is absolutely crucial to power the demands of the body, especially when under periods of physical exertion, stress or illness. The metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins provides a potential source of energy, however to achieve the most efficient output of energy, cellular and mitochondrial environmental conditions need to be optimal.

Mitochondrial Function: What can go wrong?

The typical modern lifestyle is ladled with psychological stress, nutrient deficient diets and an ever increasing exposure to potential toxins. This forms a potent cocktail of environmental stressors for our cells and mitochondria to cope with. Bodily cells have an exceptional ability to maintain their internal environment in the face of these environmental stressors. However when these stressors occur over a prolonged period of time they begin to strain healthy mitochondrial function.

The sheer complexity of ATP synthesis is a major problem in optimal mitochondrial function. Molecules obtained from food undergo a multitude of enzymatic reactions on their journey through Kreb’s cycle and the electron transport chain. An interruption at any stage can inhibit the whole process. There are a number of potential mitochondrial inhibitors including heavy metal toxicity9 (e.g. mercury, cadmium and aluminium), drugs (e.g. statins10, metformin10 and beta blockers12), DNA damage through oxidative stress, cofactor deficiency and genetic predisposition.

A fantastic interview with Dr Rita Ellithorpe in the March issue of CAM, highlights the importance of lipid status for mitochondrial membranes, poor lipid status may inhibit the transport of substrates across the mitochondrial membrane. Similarly, electrolyte minerals are needed for mitochondrial membrane transport and protection13. If out of balance, the cap to the fuel tank of the mitochondria is effectively blocked.

The world renowned Dr Myhill suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction may play a significant role in the aetiology of CFS and found a statistically significant relationship between chronic fatigue syndrome and mitochondrial dysfunction in a ground breaking study1. In addition, deficiency in crucial mitochondrial cofactors such as magnesium14, CoQ10 14, and carnitine16 are common in CFS patients, further implicating mitochondrial dysfunction in the disease.

Measuring the problem

Revolutionary advances in mitochondrial function tests can now tell us1:
1) How much ATP is in the cells and how well it can give up its energy to form ADP.
2) How efficiently mitochondria can make ATP.
3) How well mitochondria can move ATP out of mitochondria into the cell and ADP back from the cell to the mitochondria again.

A slowing of any or all of these processes will result in poor energy supply to the cell. Furthermore, the tests can provide a unique insight into therapeutic intervention by revealing evidence of blockages and whether these are caused by lack of key cofactors.

Fuelling the Engine

An improved understanding of cellular energy metabolism provides further leverage for therapeutic intervention, particularly in cases where mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated, such as CFS. A key variable to normal mitochondrial function is the availability of cofactors. Barbara Marriage of the University of Alberta demonstrated that cofactor treatment in cases of mitochondrial disorders increased ATP synthesis17. The goal of cofactor treatment is to increase ATP production through: promoting critical enzymatic reactions, bypassing defective sites, reducing oxidative stress, and scavenging toxic molecules.

A useful starting point for an individual showing symptoms of mitochondrial dysfunction is to ensure cofactor intake is sufficient. Nutrients such as B vitamins, magnesium, glutathione, CoQ10, carnitine, iron, manganese, copper and selenium are all key cofactors for enzymatic reactions in mitochondrial energy metabolism.

Technological advances allow further therapeutic supplementary intervention by providing molecules which are not generally obtained through dietary intake in significant amounts, such as d-ribose. D-ribose is a sugar involved in ATP generation, which is synthesised by a slow biochemical pathway named the pentose-phosphate shunt. Under periods of overt physical or psychological exhaustion, d-ribose synthesis cannot meet ATP demands. In clinical trials D-ribose significantly reduced clinical symptoms of CFS18, and improved energy restoration in muscles following intense intermittent training18. These effects are presumed to be linked to improved mitochondrial function.

NADH, otherwise known as coenzyme 1 is a reduced form of nicotinamide and is one of the most critical high energy compounds in energy metabolism. If any stage of Kreb’s cycle is malfunctioning NADH synthesis may be reduced, which means less energy is transferred to the electron transport chain for oxidative phosphorylation, resulting in decreased ATP output. Theoretically, by supplementing NADH, Kreb’s cycle synthesis of NADH is bypassed and may increase ATP output. In clinical trials, NADH has been shown to reduce various symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome patients in three separate clinical trials20.21.22 The use of NADH is also being researched for a multitude of diseases linked with mitochondrial dysfunction. Such neutraceutical protocols could be particularly beneficial in cases of genetic mitochondrial disorders.

Providing the raw materials and cofactors for efficient mitochondrial function is essential, they may even bypass a blockage in energy metabolism. However, it is possible that the problem lies deeper, in the form of cellular and mitochondrial toxicity. Functional testing and appropriate detoxification strategies should be considered as paramount in tackling the underlying issue. In addition to dietary considerations any individual with severe fatigue, such as in cases of CFS should consider pacing, which is a form of physical activity based around the capabilities of the individual, rather than meeting a set target or exercise goal. Pacing is a treatment now recognised as a realistic adjunct for CFS patients23. Pacing presents a potential alternative to graded exercise therapy, after all forcing the body to perform work when it is running low on fuel, is unlikely to be the most effective method of treatment.
In order to even begin understanding the complexities of treating energy dysfunction we must discard the preoccupation of focusing upon single causes, single organs, or single viruses and instead appreciate the interdependent nature of bodily systems. Supporting the mitochondria is only one facet of treating energy imbalances, many sufferers display abnormal outputs of the adrenal hormones cortisol and DHEA 24, 25 which must be considered. Therefore the energy metabolism system should be supported holistically, ensuring that digestion, liver, immune, endocrine, nervous and psychosocial aspects are all supported, but there is no doubt that mitochondrial health should be considered heavily within this health paradigm.

1. Myhill S, Booth NE, McLaren-Howard J. Chronic fatigue syndrome and mitochondrial dysfunction. Int J Clin Exp Med. 2009;2(1):1-16.
2.Lakatos A, Derbeneva O, Younes D, Keator D, Bakken T, Lvova M, Brandon M, Guffanti G, Reglodi D, Saykin A, Weiner M, Macciardi F, Schork N, Wallace DC, Potkin SG; Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Association between mitochondrial DNA variations and Alzheimer’s disease in the ADNI cohort. Neurobiol Aging. 2010 Aug;31(8):1355-63. Epub 2010 Jun 11.
3.Esteves AR, Arduíno DM, Swerdlow RH, Oliveira CR, Cardoso SM. Dysfunctional mitochondria uphold calpain activation: contribution to Parkinson’s disease pathology. Neurobiol Dis. 2010 Mar;37(3):723-30. Epub 2009 Dec 23.
4.Hom XB, Lavine JE. Gastrointestinal complications of mitochondrial disease. Mitochondrion. 2004 Sep;4(5-6):601-7.
5.Rahman S. Mitochondrial disease and epilepsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 2012:10 1469-8749.
6.Zeviani M, Simonati A, Bindoff LA. Ataxia in mitochondrial disorders. Handb Clin Neurol. 2012;103:359-72.
7.Richards T A, Archibald, J M. Cell Evolution: Gene Transfer Agents and the Origin of Mitochondria. Current Biology. 2011. 21 (3), 112-114.
8.Sutovsky P, Van Leyen K, McCauley T, Day BN, Sutovsky M. Degradation of paternal mitochondria after fertilization: implications for heteroplasmy, assisted reproductive technologies and mtDNA inheritance. Reprod Biomed Online. 2004 Jan;8(1):24-33.
9.Houston M C. The role of mercury and cadmium heavy metals in vascular disease, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and myocardial infarction. Altern Ther Health Med. 2007 Mar-Apr ;13(2):S128-33.
10.Littarru GP, Langsjoen P: Coenzyme Q10 and statins: biochemical and clinical implications. Mitochondrion 2007, 7(Suppl):S168–S17
11.Spiller HA, Sawyer TS: Toxicology of oral antidiabetic medications. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2006, 63:929–938.
12.Wagner BK, Kitami T, Gilbert TJ, et al.: Large-scale chemical dissection of mitochondrial function. Nat Biotechnol 2008, 26:343–351
13.Szewczyk A, Jarmuszkiewicz W, Kunz WS. Mitochondrial potassium channels. IUBMB Life. 2009 Feb;61(2):134-43.
14.Cox IM, Campbell MJ, Dowson D. Red blood cell magnesium and chronic fatigue syndrome. Lancet. 1991 Mar 30;337(8744):757-60.
15.Maes M, Mihaylova I, Kubera M, Uytterhoeven M, Vrydags N, Bosmans E. Coenzyme Q10 deficiency in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is related to fatigue, autonomic and neurocognitive symptoms and is another risk factor explaining the early mortality in ME/CFS due to cardiovascular disorder. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2009;30(4):470-6.
16.Reuter SE, Evans AM. Long-chain acylcarnitine deficiency in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. potential involvement of altered carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I activity. J Intern Med. 2010.
17.Marriage BJ, Clandinin MT, Macdonald IM, Glerum DM. Cofactor treatment improves ATP synthetic capacity in patients with oxidative phosphorylation disorders. Mol Genet Metab. 2004 Apr;81(4):263-72.
18. Teitelbaum JE, Johnson C, St Cyr J. The use of D-ribose in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia: A pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2006 Nov;12(9):857-62.
19. Hellsten Y, Skadhauge L, Bangsbo J. Effect of ribose supplementation on resynthesis of adenine nucleotides after intense intermittent training in humans. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2004;286(1):R182-R188.
20.Forsyth LM, Preuss HG, MacDowell AL, et al. Therapeutic effect of oral NADH on the symptoms of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 1999;82:185-191.
21. Santaella ML, Font I, Disdier OM. Comparison of oral nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) versus conventional therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome. P R Health Sci J. 2004 Jun;23(2):89-93.
22. Alegre J, Rosés JM, Javierre C, Ruiz-Baqués A, Segundo MJ, de Sevilla TF. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Rev Clin Esp. 2010 Jun;210(6):284-8. Epub 2010 May 5.
23. Goudsmit EM, Nijs J, Jason LA, Wallman KE. Pacing as a strategy to improve energy management in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a consensus document. Disabil Rehabil. 2011 Dec 19.
24. Cleare AJ. The neuroendocrinology of chronic fatigue syndrome. Endocr Rev. 2003 Apr;24(2):236-52.
25. Cleare AJ, O’Keane V, Miell JP. Levels of DHEA and DHEAS and responses to CRH stimulation and hydrocortisone treatment in chronic fatigue syndrome. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2004 7;29(6):724-32.

• camexpo Presenter on Advanced Therapeutic Massage Wins Telly Award
• Top speakers announced for FHT’s 50th Anniversary Training Congress & Exhibition
• Time for Practitioners to “Seize The Day” - Jayney Goddard
• The M.E CFS and Fibromyalgia Recovery Association - Be part of Something New and Exciting For Spring
• Protestors reject scientists’ plea for GM-wheat trial
• Fraud and scientific error in medical journals on the rise
• Amazon to list 10,000 organic lines
• Supermarkets’ banana wars are hitting growers

camexpo Presenter on Advanced Therapeutic Massage Wins Telly Award

2012 Camexpo presenter and Massage therapist Paul Lewis does it again with his multi-language instructional DVD “Dynamic Integrative Massage Techniques for the upper body” winning a Bronze Telly Awards in this year’s 33rd Annual Telly Awards’ competition.

This high definition DVD demonstrates and suggests advanced methods for treating clients along with ways of extending a career through safe and effortless delivery of techniques designed to minimize joint pain and stiffness that so many in the health industry comment about. Paul Lewis is a Registered Massage Therapist with CMTO (Canada), NCBTMB (USA) certifications and is also an FHT (Europe) approved provider. He is the creator of the ‘Lewis Circles’ self-care exercise for stiff neck and shoulders included in all of his DVDs. He is a Reflexologist, international presenter, yoga and fitness instructor whose practice goal is changing the world one treatment at a time. Lewis’s first DVD on in chair massage received two Telly awards and his latest, winning the People’s Telly Award special non-broadcast category judged by the public on YouTube’s People’s Telly Channel for public viewing.

It is a remarkable achievement that recognizes Lewis for his continued creative excellence – furthermore, this advanced instructional DVD contains instructions in 5 languages, thus widening its audience base and the wealth of information that reaches out beyond the massage therapy profession to fitness specialists and other health care professionals. Paul will be presenting a workshop on Dynamic angular petrissage at this years camexpo.

The Telly is one of the most sought-after awards by industry leaders, from large international firms to local production companies. There are over 200 categories and more than 10,000 entries yearly from all U.S. states and from five continents around the world. Founded in 1978, the Telly Awards honor the very best in film and video productions, web videos, TV programs, and commercials from the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world. Past winners include Harpo Studios, The WOW Factor, Inc., BET News, ESPN, Penn State University, Golf Channel, PGA Tour Productions, Discovery Communications, Sports Illustrated, The Weather Channel, Time Life, Warner Bros., Disney Destinations, NBC Universal, Small Guy Music, TV Guide Network, American Cancer Society, Fox Soccer Channel, Bass Pro Shops, Radio Television Hong Kong, Nickelodeon, Sony Pictures, Miami Dolphins, and Microsoft to name a few. All judges of the 33rd Annual Telly Awards are members of the Silver Telly Council and are past winners.

Lewis received his congratulatory letter from Telly as soon as he arrived home from Europe where he was promoting his DVD and conducting workshops on advanced Upper Body Techniques using Dynamic Angular Petrissage(DAP). Surprised, he humbly comments, “Really! I am so honored to receive this award and there are so many people I must thank for their involvement. This certainly propels my enthusiasm for the collaborative release of my forth DVD with colleague Bruce McKinnon focusing on Joint Mobilizations on both the Table and Chair, to be released this fall.”

The Multi-lingual Advanced Upper Body Treatment techniques Instructional DVD featuring(DAP), “Dynamic Integrative Massage Techniques for the Upper Body” is being distributed worldwide in English, French, Spanish, German, and Japanese are offered on the single 60 minute DVD.

For more information visit www.paullewis.ca

Top speakers announced for FHT’s 50th Anniversary Training Congress & Exhibition

This year, the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) celebrates 50 years as the leading and largest professional association for complementary, holistic beauty and sports therapists.

To mark this special occasion, the FHT is hosting a training congress and exhibition at the Heritage Motor Centre in Warwickshire on 7th and 8th July, where therapists can choose from more than 70 informative seminars and workshops.

The FHT 50th Anniversary Training Congress programme offers an unrivalled range of topics and expert speakers, including some of the most respected names in the therapy industry, such as Dr Marilyn Glenville, Dr Christopher Norris, Penny Price, Dr Peter Mackereth, James Earls, Gill Morris, Jane Johnson, Darien Pritchard, Nikke Ariff and Deepa Apte – to name just a few. Whether therapists want to learn about a new treatment or technique, improve their business skills, or simply be inspired by those who excel in their field, this is an event not to be missed.

Those attending the FHT 50th Anniversary Training Congress can enjoy free entry and exclusive show discounts at a bespoke exhibition, showcasing the latest therapy products and training. Members of the FHT are also invited to attend a drinks reception in the centre’s spectacular, glass-domed Kestrel Suite on the Saturday evening, to celebrate the FHT’s achievements over the past five decades.

For a full speaker programme and to book seminars and workshops, please visit www.fht.org.uk/50

Time for Practitioners to “Seize The Day” With Jayney Goddard

Jayney Goddard, President of The Complementary Medical Association is dedicated to helping practitioners succeed - even in the face of the huge adversity we sometimes find facing our profession. Jayney says:

“My mission is to help as many practitioners be as successful as possible because I genuinely believe that complementary medicine and natural healthcare have a huge role to play in creating a better, healthier society - in all respects. Following the attacks on our field from well organised, very well funded groups, it is time for practitioners to take individual responsibility for protecting and promoting our profession. It is time for people working in this profession to “up their game” and ensure that the correct information gets out there about what a huge difference we practitioners can make. The latest research looking at our profession shows that it is growing - which is fantastic news - but we mustn’t become complacent. We must work together to ensure the continued success of our field.”

To support practitioners in this exciting and challenging journey, The Complementary Medical Association (The CMA) runs a variety of outstanding practitioner development workshops open to everyone working in this field - and all of which are proven to work. In order to ensure that as many practitioners as possible can attend, The CMA heavily subsidises these courses and also offers outstanding Early Bird discounts - as well as discounts to people who book multiple courses. The workshops run from the 16th to the 18th May as follows:

16th May morning: Becoming an Expert Broadcaster - How you can harness the power of broadcasting for TV, Radio and online (e.g. YouTube etc.) to promote your practice - and your profession.

16th May afternoon: Press and PR That Gets Results workshop - where Jayney guides practitioners in creating press releases and articles for professional and consumer media - which will get commissioned - and will position the practitioner as The “Go-To” expert in their field.

17th May morning: Website Design and Search Engine Optimisation - You’ll learn what you need to do to your website – as a practitioner – to make it work more effectively to build your business. What you should be saying – and where this should be placed: What you need to have on your site and what you must avoid. We’ll also show you exactly how to ensure that your site ranks well - thus coming high up on Google etc. searches.

17th May afternoon: E-Newsletters and Social Media. How practitioners can harness the enormous power of the internet with beautifully crafted e-Newsletters that build and develop your practice, getting you more clients and retaining existing ones. You’ll also learn how to take advantage of all the latest social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Blogger and so on.

18th May Full Day: Expert Public Talks to Get More Clients. This is the ultimate public speaking masterclass with Jayney Goddard. Jayney believes - and all her research shows - that the most successful practitioners all do one thing that they say makes them successful: They go out and TALK. The Complementary Medical Association researchers have created a superb presentation on complementary medicine and natural healthcare that is totally professional, and evidence based - so that you’ll be totally secure in the information you’ll learn to present. You’ll learn to give this presentation and Jayney will teach you all her public speaking techniques. Jayney has been running this course for three years now and knows it works! She has seen attendees land jobs in doctors surgeries, be taken on in NHS hospitals and dramatically develop and grow their practices.

Most importantly, Jayney and her co-presenter, world leading advertising expert Dave Hawkins (formerly Planning Director of Ogilvy and Mather - the world’s largest ad agency) are adamant that they continue to provide support to attendees long after the workshops end. Jayney says:

“Ongoing support for practitioners is crucial following our workshops. Most, if not all, attendees hit the ground running after a training day - however we always like to look at what our attendees are doing and help them to develop further. We’re friendly and accessible and above all are dedicated to making practitioners successful. After all - more successful practitioners out there equal greater numbers of people being able to take advantage of high quality complementary medicine and natural healthcare therapies. All this serves to move our valuable profession forward.”

To find out more, visit The Complementary Medical Association website The-CMA.org.uk or call The CMA on 0845 129 8434

The M.E CFS and Fibromyalgia Recovery Association - Be part of Something New and Exciting For Spring

With M.E Awareness Week coming up in May the usual heart-breaking stories will fill the press and media. Experts will be wheeled in to discuss the need for more research into the illusive cure for M.E There will be the usual discussions about what the differences are between Chronic Fatigue and M.E and those who are affected by it will once again be exposed to depressing statistics that so often leave them wondering if they will ever regain the precious gift of good health.
This year will be different, This year a new organisation will spring into life bringing with it a clear message. Recovery is possible. This year on May 7th The M.E, CFS and Fibromyalgia Recovery Association will launch, bringing with it energy passion and enthusiasm to Inspire, educate and inform everyone affected, those suffering, those caring for those suffering, as well as those practitioners who try desperately to help – but often without much success.

This social enterprise has been set up by those who have recovered from chronic exhaustive conditions in collaboration with those who dedicate their time to working in the field of recovery. One of the main aims of this organisation is to change the damaging mind-set around recovery.

Elaine Wilkins co- founder of the Chrysalis Effect suffered herself for over 6 years states ‘ When a person becomes ill and can’t find answers they are hungry for an understanding of what is happening to them. There is a lot of anxiety and a crucial need to find answers. This means that the information they find can have a huge impact on how they see their condition. So much information out there is about managing a long term condition. To read this in the early days is extremely damaging. I can remember the impact on my own family when we read in a book written by a doctor that this condition had been described as a ‘living death’. It is so easy to see how this can set up a mind-set where people lose faith in the possibility of recovery and this has to change’

Recently, journalist Bel Mooney published this Upsetting letter in her weekly column in the Daily Mail newspaper

At 20 I should be looking forward to the years ahead with excitement but I simply can’t do that. I have a wonderful partner of two years [we’re still students] whom I want to spend the rest of my life with. We talk of marriage, children, a pet dog. But last year I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and have felt my condition slowly worsening since.
Already I can’t do many small things and tire out far too easily to do anything particularly active during the day. I can’t help feeling that if I don’t find the right sort of medication or therapy soon I’ll just continue to get worse and worse. Not being able to put my hair into a ponytail [ holding my arms up is too much] will eventually become not being able to wash it myself; not being able to open jars will become not being able to do household chores at all; walking with a cane will become crutches and then finally a wheelchair. I simply can’t bear the thought of having to ask the man I love to look after me. I’ve spoken to him but he hugs me and says I am being daft.
I’ve made it very clear what scares me about the future and he probably knows more about my condition than most doctors. It doesn’t seem to worry him in the slightest, which just makes me feel more agitated. I almost feel he hasn’t really thought about the day to day burden of caring for someone who needs help with everyday tasks. I love him and want to make him happy- which means I don’t want him to wake up in ten years’ time and realise he’s saddled with a useless cripple and can’t escape. I want to be his girlfriend, his lover and his wife one day, not his patient. CAT

This article exemplifies why an army of volunteers are all beavering away to launch The M.E, CFS and Fibromyalgia Recovery Association which will set the tone for a new approach that is long overdue. This is not another support group it is a positive portal where those who have recovered or those who have cared for someone that has, can share information about recovery. Professionals who work in this field can share and learn from each other and become the collective voice that sings out the fact that recovery can be achieved.

The not for profit organisation has secured an initial grant from The Big Lottery Fund and awareness days are planned throughout the UK.
The Launch takes the form of a gala fundraising Lunch hosted by Eminent BBC Broad caster Nicholas Owen. We promise an uplifting and inspirational afternoon, where you are part of pioneering a shift in mindset around recovery!

We only have 300 spaces, and really need to fill this event and we can’t do it without you!! To attend the launch and support the event go to http://www.mecfra.org/ to book your seat. Email any enquiries to [email protected]

Thankyou so much for your support.
The M.E, CFS and Fibromyalgia Recovery Association Team

Aims of The M.E, CFS and Fibromyalgia Recovery Association

• To provide an informative website that forms a portal for recovery information and provide clarity about M.E, CFS and Fibromyalgia
• To provide a free helpline for sufferers and carers; manned by those who have recovered or by those who cared for those who have.
• To connect sufferers, carers and health practitioners to those who have experienced M.E, Chronic Fatigue or Fibromyalgia and now feel fully well.
• To provide educational articles and newsletters that focus on recovery not symptom management.
• To deliver conferences by leaders in this field who will teach the ‘what happened’ and the ‘what to do about it’ for sufferers, carers and those who treat these conditions.
• To lobby a change in mind-set within the government and NHS bodies on the approach to supported recovery.
• To run trials to demonstrate effectiveness of holistic approaches on recovery rather than western medical intervention.
• To change the mind-set around recovery worldwide.
• To develop prevention and recovery initiatives.

Protestors reject scientists’ plea for GM-wheat trial

Posted on08 May 2012. www.Naturalproductsonline.co.uk

Protestors are pledging to press on with “direct action” against a genetically-modified wheat crop despite a plea from scientists to allow the trial to go ahead The scientists from the Rothamsted Research Institute published an open letter last week imploring anti-GM protestors not to destroy or prevent their trial of aphid-resistant GM wheat. In the letter they pledge that the results of the publically funded work will not be patented or become owned by a private company. And they stress that the GM-wheat uses a “natural plant-based” process to produce a crop that “doesn’t need to be sprayed with insecticides”.
But the protest group Take the Flour Back has rejected the case made by the Rothamsted scientists and says that by going ahead with an open air trial they will be “recklessly endangering future livelihoods of the farming community – and putting our food supply at risk”.
In a response to the scientists’ open letter, the group said: “When a powerful minority threatens democratically expressed wishes of the majority, direct action become necessary.”
The protestors are calling on everyone worried about the impact of GM crops to join in a day of “direct action” at the trial site on 27 May. They continue: “We will come together to ‘take the flour back’, celebrating the thriving wheat industry we already have in the UK, with bakers, farmers, bee keepers, allotment holders and other bread-lovers”.
Organic farmer, Gerald Miles – a member of the Take Back the Flour group – told Radio 4’s Today Programme that the GM trial risked contaminating organic and conventional wheat crops with an “alien variety”. He added: “This can spread and escalate, they can’t give us a guarantee it won’t happen.”
Defending the Rothamsted trial, Dr Colin Ruscoe, from the British Crop Protection Council, told farminguk.com: “It is particularly disappointing to hear that an organic farmer is aiming to join in the proposed decontamination, ie. to destroy work on technology that could lead to many of the benefits that supporters of organic agriculture espouse – particularly reduction in the use of pesticides, and maximisation of biological control.”

Fraud and scientific error in medical journals on the rise

Posted on30 April 2012. www.Naturalproductsonline.co.uk Tags: Academic journals, retractions, The New York Times
Retractions of research papers by leading academic journals due to fraud or scientific error have hit an all time high, reports The New York Times.
This week the newspaper reported on a plea by two journal editors to overhaul the process of publishing research papers, which, they warn, has become “a winner-takes-all-game with perverse incentives that lead scientists to take shortcuts and sometimes commit misconduct”.
In two editorials in Infections and Immunity Dr Ferric Fang and Dr Arturo Casasevall highlighted the steep rise in retractions by science journals. For example, published retractions in the journal Nature are shown to have increased tenfold in the last decade. But the highest level of retractions identified by Fang and Casasevall was at the New England Journal of Medicine.
The New York Times notes that the investigation by Fang and Casasevall seems to validate wider concerns that science has changed in worrying ways – especially in the area medical research. Their study of the PubMed database showed that ‘fraud or fabrication’ accounted for over a quarter of retractions made by scientific journals between 2000 and 2009.
One of the reasons for the growing rate of retractions, say Fang and Casasevall, is the enormous pressure on younger scientists to get papers published in high profile journals – it is how they establish their careers and survive professionally. Fang told The New York Times: “You cannot afford to have your hypothesis disproved”.

Amazon to list 10,000 organic lines

Posted on01 May 2012. www.Naturalproductsonline.co.uk Tags: Amazon, Organic, soil association
At a recent meeting organized by the Soil Association, representatives from online retailer Amazon told around 50 organic business leaders about its ambitious plans to list over 10,000 organic lines.
A positive response from the organic companies present was cemented by the offer of £1000 worth of on-line advertising during Organic September for any Soil Association licensed business that agreed to supply Amazon before 1 June.
While the deal is initially restricted to ambient products that Amazon can take on directly now, the offer extends to third-party sellers who want to use the Amazon platform and organise their own fulfilment. The Soil Association’s Relationship Manager Lee Holdstock commented: “With 52% of households maintaining an active account, Amazon’s firm commitment to organic looks like a real opportunity for organic businesses to reach large numbers of on-line shoppers and to share detailed information about their offer.
• To find out more contact the Soil Association’s Business Development team on 0117 914 2406 or [email protected].

Supermarkets’ banana wars are hitting growers

Posted on24 April 2012. www.Naturalproductsonline.co.uk Tags: bananas, Consumer, Ethical, supermarkets
Ethical Consumer magazine (24 April) hits out today at the big supermarkets for selling bananas too cheaply and calls on them to set a realistic price that benefits workers in the banana trade. The magazine also raises questions over the fairness of Fairtrade bananas pricing.
Fierce price wars between the supermarket giants has forced down the price of loose bananas making them cheaper now than 20 years ago. But while shoppers have benefited from this race to the bottom, Ethical Consumer says that cheap bananas have spelt disaster for the four million families in the developing world who depend on the banana trade for their livelihood.
Co-author of Ethical Consumer banana buyers’ guide Heather Webb said:
“The good news for shoppers is that bananas are as cheap as ever. However this is really bad news for banana workers who are paying the true cost of these bargain prices. On average they earn just 4 per cent of the money made from the sale of bananas in UK supermarkets.
We’re now calling on the UK’s biggest supermarkets to abandon their price wars and start charging a fair price for their bananas.”
Alistair Smith, a veteran campaigner with Banana Link which works for justice within the world banana trade singles out ASDA for particular criticism: “ASDA/WalMart’s role in leading banana prices down to unsustainably low levels is a major block to achieving decent working conditions in the banana plantations of Latin America and West Africa.”
Ethical Consumer further claims that Supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s and Waitrose that sell only Fairtrade bananas are also engaging in damaging price wars. The magazine says that “68p per kilo for bananas is not a fair price” and argues that it is sending the wrong message to consumers. It accuses the supermarkets of concealing the rising cost of production by keeping Fairtrade prices at a minimum.
• Ethical Consumer rated the Best Buys for bananas as being Fairtrade, Oké and Windward Islands bananas. The Best Buy for bananas from supermarkets are Fairtrade bananas from the Co-operative, Ethical Consumer’s Best Buy supermarket.

April Articles

• Mark Shields “The Difference That Makes the Difference”
• Add on Treatments, A Strategy for Success - Annalisa Zisman of Inspire Massage Workshops
• Update on advertising - CNHC

Mark Shields - “The Difference That Makes the Difference”

Coaching for CAM Practitioners

A recent survey intimated 1% of people held 99% of the global wealth.

Can this be true? Why are some people so much better at certain things than others? Are people born with super hero skills, or just born lucky?

Why are some practitioners so much more successful than others? Where does this ever increasing never ending queue of clients come from and why don’t they come to me I hear you say to yourself.

Do the rich really get richer and the poor get poorer?

Mark Shields Explains.

Having first hand experience as a senior Business leader for many years, I know exactly how demanding and challenging life can get. I always believed in investing in people and as an organization, our success and future depended largely on our people’s skill, commitment and competence. However there were always the stars, the super stars and the underperformers.

Every business I ran had the same team dynamics. Generally one superstar, and ninety nine average or underperformers. Being fair this ninety nine was heavily weighted in favor of solid average performance with a few stragglers. Achievement and failure seemed part of everyday life. I noticed early on, the way this achievement and failure manifested itself in individuals and how they managed it on a daily basis was an art in itself.

The Art and Science of Human Success.

After moving on in my career and becoming a human potential coach the art and science of human success and failure became all the more interesting and important. Up until this point I had always believed individual success was down to skill, application and commitment. I ran many sales training seminars based on these principles. It was only one day when a friend sent me a copy of Anthony Robbins Unlimited Power I realized what I had been missing

Modeling

The word modeling seemed to bounce off the page at me. Surely it couldn’t be as simple as this. If I was understanding Tony correctly, all I should have done was studied my one superstar found out what he did differently to the rest and share his strategy with everyone else. But I had done this many times.

“The Zone” The Ultimate peak state of Focus, Belief & Power.

As I continued to read, Tony’s words seemed to hit a new level and I began to see and understand exactly what he meant. It wasn’t just the skill and application that should be shared and studied. I had missed the most important factor of all. The mental application. The mindset. Where the superstars go mentally prior to the game. Where the salesman goes before he closes that sale. The mental shift in their mind, allowing them to enter the peak state, the zone, the ultimate state of focus belief and power. This was “the difference that made the difference” This was the secret the top 1 % mentioned earlier shared.

This was re enforced by my good friend Paul McBride, a professional fighter who always seemed to vanish before every fight. When I asked him where he went to he simply replied “I go somewhere special” It turned out the three months leading up to a fight his whole world would change. His daily routine, training schedule, diet and most importantly mental application, changed dramatically in the lead up to every fight.

In fact when one day I dared to push him more on the subject, he simply stated he created this unbeatable, unstoppable fighting machine in his head, which he subsequently became. He achieved this through daily meditation, rituals and exercises and who was I to question him. After all he did win the WKA world kickboxing title three years on the trot after that.

I now use modeling everyday in my practices and clinics. Why reinvent the wheel. Find out what works and model it. Find the best of the best in whatever it is you are looking to achieve and teach yourself it. Focus on the mental application primarily, before modeling the strategy and plan. Think of what you could achieve as a practitioner. Imagine the impact you could have commercially on your business and practice.

The sequence of Success. Potential = Action =Results = Belief.

I think it’s important to note we all have the same potential. Some of us went to university and got a masters degree whilst others left school at sixteen without any qualifications. Regardless of this we were all born with the same potential. However how many people do you know that appear to say and do all the right things but never seem to achieve anything? They have lots of ideas and talk a great story but there is always a reason why their latest quest failed. And what do they do. Blame someone else, the economy, their manager, the estate agent and so forth.

I have found that over achievers are more afraid of failure than the people who are happy with what they have got. Over achievers beat themselves up more when they fail than anyone else. It’s the ones that can handle failure, pick themselves up and go again who are the true winners. Not blame someone else not winge and moan but get up brush themselves off and try again, learning from their mistakes as they go.

Core confidence and personal beliefs are at the core of every top performer. They truly believe in themselves, their capability their vision of personal success. To them it’s just a matter of time before they get what they want. They think about it every day, visualize themselves in the job they want or driving the car they dream off. The conscious mind convinces the unconscious mind that this is possible over a period of time in such a prolonged and meaningful way that their initial vision becomes a reality.

The Roger Bannister Philosophy

Take Roger Bannister for example. The first man to run the mile in under four minutes. He along with all his competitors had the same potential. The difference that made the difference with Roger was unlike everyone else truly believed he could break this incredible milestone even though it had never been done before. His mental application surpassed that of all his competitors and his prophecy came true. It was self fulfilling. Its funny isn’t it that whether we believe we can or we believe we cant we are normally right.

The Power of Belief.

Once the athletic community saw that this record had been broken there was a huge mental shift in a lot of other runners. It was possible, Roger had proved that. Over the next two years the four minute mile was broken by thirty seven other athletes. Amazing what confidence and belief can do.

Achieving Unlimited Success.

So how do we all make that mental shift and maximize our full potential. How do we attain that mental state to enable us to take action to achieve the results we need. How do we create and retain a successful practice. The answer is convincing our conscious minds we have the ability to achieve our goals. This is done by doing something everyday to help you tap into your potential. Daily rituals, visualizing your success, positive meditation and ensuring you do at least one thing everyday to take you closer to achieving your goals. Accept you can’t do it all at once but as long as you are making progress and your mindset is shifting you will get there.

The more you believe the more resourceful you become, the more action you take and your performance improves. The less you believe the less action you take the results and your performance get worse. When your performance gets worse, the less you believe, the less action you take, and your performance gets even worse. And so it continues, a downward spiral supported by doubt and the self fulfilling prophecy of “oh well I did say it might never work”

Put yourself mentally back to a time when you achieved tremendous success, a real wow moment when you felt really good and proud of what you had achieved. Go back to that very moment when you first experienced the realization of total belief. Total self certainty and confidence. This is the holy grail of the difference in people, between achieving success or failing. That moment of realization that certainty. If you have achieved once you will achieve again. A common example of this is with people from the sporting world. How many famous sportsmen and women can you think of that had it last year but for some reason have lost it now. This is a crisis situation for someone at the top of their game. When treating these individuals the best way to treat them is helping them get back in the zone, back into that mental state they experienced when they were at the top of their game.

Think of Nick Faldo visualizing where every shot will go before he makes it and other golfers who physically practice all the time to improve their skill. There’s no comparison between reaching that perfect state and practice swings. Practice is good but perfect practice is even better.

Summary

Potential = Action = Results = Belief. And so on. The more you believe, the more you tap into your potential, the more action you take and the results improve. As results improve this re enforces your beliefs and confidence, the more motivated you become, the more action you take and the results continue you to improve. And on it goes.

So decide what you want and commit to doing something different everyday towards your goal and work to achieving that peak mental state, enter the zone and see what you are capable of.

Think of the unlimited improvement and results you could achieve by implementing this philosophy in your practice and every day life.

“Make it so today is not like yesterday and tomorrow will be different forever”

Anthony Robbins

Mark Shields

Life Coach, Author, Media Expert & Motivational Speaker
www.lifepractice.co.uk
[email protected]
Head Office 01462451473

Add on Treatments, A Strategy for Success - Annalisa Zisman of Inspire Massage Workshops

What are your unique selling points? How do you stand out from the crowd? Do you have a clear message and do people know what it is?

As therapists, if you fail to plan you plan to fail! In this article I will use my 21 years experience as a fully booked therapist to share some strategies for success.

You only have to do a Google search to see that many areas are saturated with people that do massage. Becoming a therapist has become a very attractive career choice, not least now when redundancies are common.

I was very sad recently reading a questionnaire filled out by Greater London CThA local group members to see that the majority of therapists were not as busy as they needed to be. So what can make the difference?

Specialised Products

It is easy to get carried away with the treatments we do, but let’s focus on what we do them with. The world is becoming much more environmentally friendly and there is a push towards more natural products and organic skincare. I offer my clients the choice of wonderful pre blended aromatherapy oils and balms, developed by the award winning 100% skincare company Balm Balm, founded by Glenda Taylor, a leading aromatherapist , fragrance and skin care expert. Did you know that organic does not usually mean 100% organic, and I now use the 100% organic message as a unique selling point in my practice.

Glenda highlights the importance of excellent product knowledge.

I don’t like advertising the fact that I am a therapist when I go for a treatment. I had chosen an aromatherapy treatment as I know how effective specific aromatherapy blends can be. On entering the room, there was a lovely array of a well known brand of aromatherapy blends so I was happy and expectant about my treatment. I was asked the standard contra indication questions and then which blend I would like to have for my treatment. “I just want a nice relaxing treatment was my reply” – there were a few blends that would have covered this request. “Well, any of these blends”, said the therapist, randomly waving her hand around! “What’s in this one?” She replied “Relaxing oils” I could have cried as I had looked forward to this treatment so much. I expected her to be an aromatherapist being at such a smart venue and would have been very happy – ecstatic even – to have had a good massage therapist with an understanding of what she was going to offer and use on her client. She didn’t even ask me if I would like to smell them, nor did she pay any attention to the fact that some may not have agreed with me at all. I wanted to train her there and then on the spot even though they were not my products.

Not all therapists want to do full aromatherapy training but choice of products is key. Inspired by this experience Glenda has designed a course that insures therapists to use her range of 100% organic blends. Imagine being able to speak confidently about the benefits of organic skincare, the treatment room being filled with the amazing smells of organic essential oils and working with your clients to choose a blend tailored to their needs. The 100% organic message can run across all your marketing material giving you a reason to stand out from the crowd. This transforms “normal” treatments where competition is high to a signature treatment where your combination of knowledge, training and expertise makes you the one to choose.

Feature the face

Is the face featured in your treatment menu????

Facial treatments and products are a huge business. Open yourself up to a new market and carry the 100% organic message through to a luxurious yet simple organic facial.

Beauty has become such a complex affair. Glenda and I were passionate to address a simple yet effective facial given by really experienced massage therapists. “Too many complex products used on the face can often confuse the skin and cause problems that could be addressed by a more gentle approach” say’s Glenda. An advocate of using only natural oils on her own skin, she created her beautifully simple 100% organic facial range, collaborating with Inspire Massage Workshops to provide massage therapists with the training needed to offer a luxurious facial treatment, along with sound home use advice. The beauty of this treatment is that it can be adapted to absolutely every skin type – even very sensitive skin. It is the perfect treatment to offer as a first facial for very young teenagers, those with or without skin problems and this in itself is a brilliant niche for therapists to pursue, to give them the competitive edge.

Top Touches - The little things count…

A signature touch is what makes your treatment unique. Here are a couple of ideas that I use in my practice, the little things really do count!

1. Offer your client an eye pillow to help them switch off.

2. Invest in an electric blanket specifically made for massage couches, this can help warm the muscles before you start treating and is ideal for the winter!

3. Buy a warm towel caddy, the feeling of a warm towel will relax the client while you prepare to treat.

4. A warm wheat bag can be placed on the lower back or the abdomen whilst working on other areas, this is a big favourite with my clients.

5. Give your clients a small bottle of water to take away after the treatment, a great way to boost hydration.

Therapists can sell!

Product sales are a huge industry. Being confident in your product knowledge will mean clients want to take home products to continue results in treatments. As therapists we can sometime lack confidence in selling yet we have invested huge amounts of time and money in our training and professional development. When passionate about what we do, sales can be a natural extension to our treatments and clients can enjoy the opportunity to purchase gifts as well as products for themselves. This provides a win-win situation, happy clients and the opportunity to earn valuable extra revenue. Sales really is not a dirty word!

Stay Inspired

Want to make the 100% organic message the secret of your success?

Inspire Massage Workshops and Balm Balm has collaborated to offer the Certificate in Organic Facials and the Certificate in Organic Blends Product Knowledge, recognised and insurable through the CThA.

To book a course go to www.inspiremassageworkshops.co.uk or call 0844 478 0477 for more information.

Update on advertising - CNHC

At the CNHC camexpo seminar in 2011, many practitioners wanted to know more about advertising. We thought it would be helpful to update people about what’s been happening since October and to outline the work CNHC has been doing to agree wording which practitioners can use in their advertising materials.

What’s happening with the Advertising Standards Authority?

Most practitioners will be aware that there have been a number of issues for the industry regarding advertising and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). Many complaints were sent to the ASA during 2011 and the practitioners affected were required to find evidence to back up claims made on websites and / or in publicity materials.

Just before Christmas CNHC took part in a presentation/discussion with Miles Lockwood, the ASA Director of Investigations and Complaints, and representatives from the complementary healthcare sector at the All Party Parliamentary Group chaired by David Tredinnick MP.

Miles Lockwood described the focus of the ASA’s work in making advertising honest and clear and the sanctions they are able to put in place where necessary. He gave details of the 774 complaints they had received about complementary healthcare practitioners since April 2011 and described how these had been handled, with only 37 being still under consideration at that time. He emphasised ASA’s wish to work positively with the sector.

If a complaint is made and upheld, an ‘adjudication’ will be made. ASA will require the advertiser to provide a written assurance regarding future advertising and they will publish the adjudication. The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) Compliance team monitor the media to ensure changes have been made. Adjudications can result in adverse publicity, media refusal, poster pre-vetting, pre-vetting of press ads for repeat offenders and referral to Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for consideration as to whether legal proceedings should be taken. So although not a statutory body, ASA does have influence and authority.

Complaints relating to complementary healthcare are usually in the area of misleading claims and evidence. For ASA, claims must be backed up with objective documentary evidence and it is here that ASA and the complementary healthcare industry part company. ASA’s requirements on what is acceptable evidence do not accord with the views of the sector and this is the key area we need to continue to progress.

Agreed advertising wording for CNHC registered disciplines

The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) administers the Advertising Codes and its Copy Advice Team supports people putting together adverts or publicity materials to comply with the Codes. CNHC has worked with the CAP Copy Advice Team, in consultation with CNHC’s Profession Specific Boards (PSBs), to produce wording to describe each of the disciplines CNHC registers.

The purpose of this is to offer wording that practitioners may use to describe their practice in a way that will reduce to a very great extent the risk of a successful complaint to the ASA. CNHC will inform registered practitioners of any amendments to the wording which may result from any future ASA adjudications.

All CNHC registered practitioners may find the wording for their discipline available to download when they log into MyCNHC. The descriptors are also available on the CNHC website here Complementary Therapy Descriptors. We are awaiting confirmation of final wording on the descriptor for Naturopathy and will update CNHC registered practitioners as soon as the wording is agreed for this discipline.

For more information about how to deal with advertising see CNHC’s Advertising Guidance which is available on our website at www.cnhc.org.uk.

CNHC will continue to work collaboratively with the ASA and CAP, in consultation with CNHC’s Profession Specific Boards, to address the issue of practitioner advertising and will update on progress in future editions of the camclub enewsletter.

camclub April News

• The M.E CFS and Fibromyalgia Recovery Association - Be part of Something New and Exciting For Spring
• EHCA calls for reassessment of controversial claims process
• ‘Don’t gamble with health’ – author urges NPE
• Yoga can cure every disease, but don’t universalise’
• Eating berries can cut men’s risk of Parkinson’s disease by 40 per cent

The M.E CFS and Fibromyalgia Recovery Association - Be part of Something New and Exciting For Spring

With M.E Awareness Week coming up in May the usual heart-breaking stories will fill the press and media. Experts will be wheeled in to discuss the need for more research into the illusive cure for M.E There will be the usual discussions about what the differences are between Chronic Fatigue and M.E and those who are affected by it will once again be exposed to depressing statistics that so often leave them wondering if they will ever regain the precious gift of good health.
This year will be different, This year a new organisation will spring into life bringing with it a clear message. Recovery is possible. This year on May 7th The M.E, CFS and Fibromyalgia Recovery Association will launch, bringing with it energy passion and enthusiasm to Inspire, educate and inform everyone affected, those suffering, those caring for those suffering, as well as those practitioners who try desperately to help – but often without much success.

This social enterprise has been set up by those who have recovered from chronic exhaustive conditions in collaboration with those who dedicate their time to working in the field of recovery. One of the main aims of this organisation is to change the damaging mind-set around recovery.

Elaine Wilkins co- founder of the Chrysalis Effect suffered herself for over 6 years states ‘ When a person becomes ill and can’t find answers they are hungry for an understanding of what is happening to them. There is a lot of anxiety and a crucial need to find answers. This means that the information they find can have a huge impact on how they see their condition. So much information out there is about managing a long term condition. To read this in the early days is extremely damaging. I can remember the impact on my own family when we read in a book written by a doctor that this condition had been described as a ‘living death’. It is so easy to see how this can set up a mind-set where people lose faith in the possibility of recovery and this has to change’

Recently, journalist Bel Mooney published this Upsetting letter in her weekly column in the Daily Mail newspaper

At 20 I should be looking forward to the years ahead with excitement but I simply can’t do that. I have a wonderful partner of two years [we’re still students] whom I want to spend the rest of my life with. We talk of marriage, children, a pet dog. But last year I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and have felt my condition slowly worsening since.
Already I can’t do many small things and tire out far too easily to do anything particularly active during the day. I can’t help feeling that if I don’t find the right sort of medication or therapy soon I’ll just continue to get worse and worse. Not being able to put my hair into a ponytail [ holding my arms up is too much] will eventually become not being able to wash it myself; not being able to open jars will become not being able to do household chores at all; walking with a cane will become crutches and then finally a wheelchair. I simply can’t bear the thought of having to ask the man I love to look after me. I’ve spoken to him but he hugs me and says I am being daft.
I’ve made it very clear what scares me about the future and he probably knows more about my condition than most doctors. It doesn’t seem to worry him in the slightest, which just makes me feel more agitated. I almost feel he hasn’t really thought about the day to day burden of caring for someone who needs help with everyday tasks. I love him and want to make him happy- which means I don’t want him to wake up in ten years’ time and realise he’s saddled with a useless cripple and can’t escape. I want to be his girlfriend, his lover and his wife one day, not his patient. CAT

This article exemplifies why an army of volunteers are all beavering away to launch The M.E, CFS and Fibromyalgia Recovery Association which will set the tone for a new approach that is long overdue. This is not another support group it is a positive portal where those who have recovered or those who have cared for someone that has, can share information about recovery. Professionals who work in this field can share and learn from each other and become the collective voice that sings out the fact that recovery can be achieved.

The not for profit organisation has secured an initial grant from The Big Lottery Fund and awareness days are planned throughout the UK.
The Launch takes the form of a gala fundraising Lunch hosted by Eminent BBC Broad caster Nicholas Owen. We promise an uplifting and inspirational afternoon, where you are part of pioneering a shift in mindset around recovery!

We only have 300 spaces, and really need to fill this event and we can’t do it without you!! To attend the launch and support the event go to http://www.mecfra.org/ to book your seat. Email any enquiries to [email protected]

Thankyou so much for your support.
The M.E, CFS and Fibromyalgia Recovery Association Team

Aims of The M.E, CFS and Fibromyalgia Recovery Association

• To provide an informative website that forms a portal for recovery information and provide clarity about M.E, CFS and Fibromyalgia
• To provide a free helpline for sufferers and carers; manned by those who have recovered or by those who cared for those who have.
• To connect sufferers, carers and health practitioners to those who have experienced M.E, Chronic Fatigue or Fibromyalgia and now feel fully well.
• To provide educational articles and newsletters that focus on recovery not symptom management.
• To deliver conferences by leaders in this field who will teach the ‘what happened’ and the ‘what to do about it’ for sufferers, carers and those who treat these conditions.
• To lobby a change in mind-set within the government and NHS bodies on the approach to supported recovery.
• To run trials to demonstrate effectiveness of holistic approaches on recovery rather than western medical intervention.
• To change the mind-set around recovery worldwide.
• To develop prevention and recovery initiatives.

EHCA calls for reassessment of controversial claims process

The European Health Claims Alliance (EHCA) has written to the President of the European Parliament MEP Martin Schulz, calling for a re-evaluation of the process for assessing general function claims (13.1 claims).
It follows last week’s vote on the objection to the list of permitted health claims in the European Parliament’s ENVI Committee where 37 members voted against and 22 members voted in favour of the objection.
The letter, which raises the same concerns as voiced by the MEPs, has already received over 300 signatures from individual companies across 21 Member States since its launch in mid February and is still gathering more.
EHCA, an alliance of companies from across different sectors of the food and nutrition industry with mutual concerns about the claims regulation, argues that the current implementation of Articles 13.1-13.3 of the regulation is inappropriate and disproportionate to the aims that it was created to achieve.
In the letter, EHCA states that requests for a more proportionate application of the regulation’s Article 13. 1 have been “consistently ignored” and argue that the regulation is now set to fail on all of its main objectives relating to consumer protection, legal certainty, protection of SMEs, innovation in the sector, and fair competition.
EHCA spokesperson Patrice Michelang commented: “The consequence of the way in which the regulation is being implemented could be damaging to consumers and to the sector, with a potential decrease in retail sales of over one billion euros and a commensurate loss of jobs. The regulation’s terms of reference have explicit instructions, however these provisions for a more proportionate application of the Regulation’s Article 13.1 has been consistently ignored, despite the fact that the European Parliament itself fought to have it included during the negotiations when this regulation was adopted.”
“In our letter we call on the European Parliament to ask the European Commission to re-consider claims that have been given unfavorable opinions; to give clear instructions to re-evaluate the claims the way that was originally intended by the regulation, and to avoid unjustly devastating a sector because of an inappropriate approach.”

‘Don’t gamble with health’ – author urges NPE

Respected health journalist Jerome Burne explained to a busy seminar session at Natural & Organic Products Europe how relying on prescription drugs can mean gambling with health.
“Two hundred people need to take a statin for one to be beneficial,” he said.
“At 200 to 1 that’s a gamble with the body that I believe doesn’t show very good odds.”
“By 65 the average person is getting five-a-day – but it’s likely to be five types of prescription drugs rather than fruits and vegetables.”
At the session, held with Patrick Holford to promote their book on healthy ageing, he spoke about how many drugs prescribed to older people can actually hinder health rather than boost it. Conversely, evidence shows natural approaches appear to pay dividends. He cited a recent survey that found even simple lifestyle changes – such as cutting out smoking, eating five-a-day and getting exercise – extend life.
“These lifestyle approaches are additive too,” he said. “The more of them you take the more good things happen.”

Yoga can cure every disease, but don’t universalise’

Yoga therapy can cure every disease and disorder, even cancer, says a Delhi-based yoga therapist but warns against the mass teaching of yoga - including popular pranayams like kapalbhati and anulom vilom - saying they “can cause complications”

“Yoga cannot be universalised…like prescribing a paracetamol tablet,” says Subhash Sharma, a yoga therapist who spent 19 years in a gurukul in Rajasthan and is also a post-graduate from the Kasturba Medical College, Manipal.

Sharma told IANS: “People have different physiologies and each person’s response to yoga is individualistic. Therefore, there can’t be standardisation of yoga for any particular disorder.”

Eating berries can cut men’s risk of Parkinson’s disease by 40 per cent

Eating strawberries, blue- berries, blackcurrants and blackberries could help to protect against Parkinson’s disease, researchers suggest.

Men who ate the fruits along with other foods rich in flavonoids were found to be 40 per cent less likely to develop the brain disease.
And those who ate berries at least once a week could cut their risk of developing the disease by a quarter compared with those who never ate them, the study by British and U.S. experts also found.

The research is the first large-scale study looking at the effect of flavonoids in protecting against Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological condition which affects 125,000 Britons.

camclub Articles March

• camexpo 2011 Outstanding Achievement Award Winners - Jing Advanced Massage Training Institute
• Fibromyalgia and Magnesium - Andrew Thomas, Founder of BetterYou.
• Study Finds Essential Oils May Prevent PMS

camexpo 2011 Outstanding Achievement Award Winners - Jing Advanced Massage Training Institute

We are thrilled and honoured to be this year’s recipients of the camexpo CAM Outstanding Achievement Award. We are humbled by the incredible outpouring of support of the CAM community. We feel this award belongs not only to ourselves but also to our amazing teachers, staff and inspiring students who have been with us every step of this wonderful journey. This award is an important recognition of our collective triumph. Together, we have raised the standard of professionalism of the UK massage industry. The success of Jing is a testament to the power of positivity, passion, enthusiasm and co-operation in achieving any goal you set your mind to. We would like to thank the camexpo team for all their help and dedication through the years and everyone who has joined the JING revolution; those we have met and those we have yet to meet.

The Beginning
Jing was founded in 2003 by directors, Rachel Fairweather and Meghan Mari, who met in New York City while working as massage therapists. Both Rachel and Meghan have extensive experience in teaching, community development and business and between them have more than 30 years experience in the massage industry working as advanced therapists and trainers.
Their aim was to start a revolution in the massage therapy in the UK and provide the type of advanced massage training available in other countries such as the USA. In 2003 Rachel and Meghan ran 3 short weekend workshops in the cutting edge techniques that had helped make their own practices successful. The feedback was phenomenal and students started to build their own successful practices using proven Jing protocols incorporating trigger point therapy, myofascial release, advanced stretching and hot stone massage.
Jing became a place to not just learn great massage techniques but to meet like minded friends, build businesses, network and share passion about bodywork. The rallying cry of “Join the revolution” spread and Jing started growing into a passionate, dedicated community of students and teachers who wanted to make a difference.

Jing today

Eight years on we now offer almost 30 CPD courses and several longer advanced postgraduate qualifications including our acclaimed degree level BTEC level 6 in advanced clinical and sports massage. Rachel and Meghan are sought after guest lecturers for institutions such as the International Dermal Institute and the FHT, write regularly for professional trade magazines including Choice Health and Wellbeing, and annually contribute to a large workshop programme at the CAM Expo tradeshow. Our student body is ever growing and expanding and we have trained over two and half thousand students.

Our goal is to see the profession and you, the professionals obtain the expertise and acknowledgement that you deserve. We couldn’t have done it without the help of so many incredibly talented people. We are humbled by the success of the Institute and give many thanks to every single person that has helped it grow, those that we know and those we have yet to meet…

Fibromyalgia and Magnesium - Andrew Thomas, Founder of BetterYou.

Kathryn Fuchs, PHD, leading researcher and Editor of the US journal ‘Women’s Health Letter’ stated: “In my opinion – and my experience – you just can’t find a better single nutrient than magnesium for both energy production and pain control. This is why I think anyone who has fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome or general fatigue, should try increasing their magnesium – before trying more expensive remedies. I’m not alone in getting excellent results by increasing magnesium in my fatigue/fibromyalgia patients. Sherry A. Rogers, MD, a specialist in environmental illnesses and immune problems, found that 50 percent of her chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia patients had significant relief of their symptoms using magnesium alone.”

Research has suggested that persistent magnesium deficiency may lead to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). When we are magnesium deficient, our bodily functions slow down at the cellular level causing the body to become sluggish until, eventually fatigue sets in. A path-breaking study (The Lancet, March 1991) by Cox, Campbell and Dowson of the Centre for the Study of Complementary Medicine in Southampton, England, recorded that many patients with CFS have low red blood cell magnesium levels—a more accurate measure of magnesium status than routine blood analysis—and their condition may improve with magnesium supplements. They injected magnesium sulphate in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 32 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Fifteen patients, randomly chosen, received magnesium sulphate intramuscularly once a week for six weeks while the remaining 17 received injected water. Patients treated with magnesium showed better energy levels and better handling of emotions.

Studies have also shown that magnesium inhibits many nerve receptors related to the origins of certain types of pain in Fibromyalgia patients. As a result, when magnesium is deficient in the body, it is borrowed from muscle cells, and “calcium [moves] in to replace it, causing the muscles to grow stiff and tense,” writes Richard Firshein, DO, author of The Nutraceutical Revolution.

While magnesium helps activate production of ATP, malic acid allows the body to make the ATP more efficiently, even under low oxygen, or “hypoxic” conditions. Chemical analyses of tissues have identified low “oxygen pressure” in the muscles of many Fibromyalgia patients studied, and indicated that these patients’ “tender points” were often deficient in ATP. Tender points are areas of muscle attachment to bone, ligaments, and tendons which may be painful when pressed in Fibromyalgia patients.

Jay Goldstein, MD – known for his CFS studies focused on disturbances in neurotransmitters, the chemical substances responsible for transmitting cell-to-cell information – indicated he found malic acid to be a safe, inexpensive nutritional supplement which he recommends for CFS and Fibromyalgia patients suffering continuing or recurring muscle soreness, discomfort, and fatigue.

Jorge Flechas, MD, MPh, a Fibromyalgia specialist in Hendersonville, ND, has participated in two studies that have tested a combination of malic acid and magnesium for pain and fatigue. In these studies, subjects diagnosed with Fibromyalgia reported a significant reduction in discomfort and tenderness within 48 hours and without any side effects. Specifically, he says, his experience with about 500 individuals who used this combination was that “the results are positive 90 percent of the time.”

Billie J. Sahley, PhD, a San Antonio-based nutritional specialist and author, has also reported improved energy and comfort with magnesium for Fibromyalgia and CFS patients. He reports prescribing oral doses ranging from 800 to 1200 mg per day, “using diarrhea as the limiting factor,” because “Fibromyalgia patients tend to be extremely low in magnesium… [and] the sooner magnesium is started, the faster individuals begin to return to their normal lifestyles.”

In addition to maintaining normal muscle and nerve function, “magnesium keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong” by aiding with calcium absorption, according to a National Institutes of Health fact sheet. “It also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. It is essential in the conversion of vitamin D to its biologically active form, which then helps the body absorb and utilize calcium.” And, especially important for CFS and Fibromyalgia patients, studies indicate that sleep deprivation is associated with low levels of magnesium in the red blood cells.

The many sources of Magnesium range from milk and “hard” mineral-containing water to “sunshine” foods such as spinach, whole grains, and bananas. But with refined foods, magnesium-depleted soil, and the lack of Magnesium in commercial fertilizers, the vast majority of the U.K. population fails to obtain even 40 percent of the recommended dietary intake (RDI) of magnesium from their diet, according to the recent National Diet and Nutrition Survey. In fact it was stated that over half our teenage girls were showing levels that would indicate gross deficiency.

A blood test may identify suboptimal magnesium levels, though as noted this does not tell the whole story, since most of the body’s magnesium is found within the cell membranes and not in blood. The U.K. recommended RDI of magnesium for an adult is 360 milligrams per day. As magnesium is a natural relaxant absorption and retention actually declines the larger the individual dosage. Little but often is the key to effective supplementation. Dr Charles Heard and his team at Cardiff University reported in their recent trial that Magnesium Chloride (Magnesium Oil) applied and massaged into the skin delivers the mineral directly into the cells in a steady and gradual process, using the skin and then interstitial fluid as a reservoir. A study by Josling and Watkins in 2010 found that it remineralised their test patients five times faster than oral supplementation and increased cellular levels by an average of 59.9% over a period of 12 weeks.

An alternative to applying the magnesium chloride directly onto the skin is to allow the skin to bathe in a concentrated solution. Magnesium Flakes allow magnesium absorption via a relaxing concentrated body or foot bath. The flakes have a higher magnesium concentration that the oil, generally 47%, and provide a gentle way to gradually increase cellular levels.

Therapeutic doses used in clinical trials have typically been higher, ranging from 500 to 1500 mg per day, and “while many prescription medicines can cause side effects,” by comparison healthcare practitioners have found dietary magnesium supplements “extremely safe,” says magnesium expert and author Alan R. Gaby, MD. However, when using a transdermal approach, dosage levels can be reduced due the faster and more efficient absorption mechanism.

Andrew Thomas, Founder of BetterYou.

Study Finds Essential Oils May Prevent PMS

Essential oils have long been reputed to have therapeutic health benefits, but only recently have been subjected to serious scientific scrutiny. A recent study reported in e! Science News showed that a mixture of essential oils reduced the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) significantly. According to head of the study, Edilberto Raocha Filho of Brazil’s Federal University of Pernambuco, these essential oil capsules “show much promise as a treatment” for PMS.
What is PMS?
PMS is a term that refers to a broad range of symptoms that occur between 5 to 11 days before a woman’s menstrual period. The symptoms can be physical, emotional or both and vary in their intensity between individuals. A few of these symptoms include:

• Bloating and/or a sensation of abdominal fullness and gas
• Breast tenderness
• Headaches
• Diarrhoea or Constipation
• Fatigue
• Irritability and/or uncontrollable mood swings

Although PMS is a well documented and studied condition, the exact cause of the disorder is not yet fully understood.
What Was Uncovered in the Essential Oils Study?
The researchers carried out their study using a randomised control group of 120 women. The women who were administered capsules containing 2 grams of a mixture of gamma linolenic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid and other polyunsaturated acids together with Vitamin E showed a “significant decrease in symptom scores” 3 months and 6 months after beginning treatment. The few adverse events that occurred did not appear to have a direct connection to the medication and were “insignificant”. Also, the cholesterol levels in the subjects did not change after the dietary supplements were administered.
This study goes a long way towards scientifically validating the use of essential oils as therapeutic treatment for PMS and other disorders. Much of the evidence in the past has been anecdotal and not considered valid by the medical and scientific community. Women who suffer from PMS welcome any treatment that appears to relieve their symptoms and should be encouraged by the results of this study.
Other Treatments for PMS
According to the State of Victoria’s Better Health Channel, lifestyle changes can have a significant beneficial affect on the symptoms of PMS. They recommend dietary changes, including more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and up to six “mini-meals” per day in place of 3 main meals. In addition, they recommend quitting smoking altogether and cutting back on caffeine and alcohol 2 weeks before menstruation. Regular exercise, including during menstruation is also recommended.

News and articles which are featured on the camclub are not the views of the camclub, camexpo of diversified business communications

camclub News March

• MHRA flags up butterbur hazard
• UK industry welcomes claims objection
• Fresh benefits found for omega-3s
• Oranges and grapefruits can cut stroke risk
• Diet fizzy drinks increase heart attack risk by 43%
• Nutriton bodies committed to “frank appraisal” of misconduct allegations
• Tweet yourself with Sweet Cecily’s natural handmade skincare

MHRA flags up butterbur hazard

The MHRA has sent out a warning to consumers not to use unlicensed herbal products featuring butterbur (aka Petasites hybrids).

The industry regulator claims that one of the chemicals naturally found in butterbur can cause serious liver damage.

It reports that butterbur products have been associated with over 40 reported cases of liver toxicity. Of these cases, nine were of acute hepatitis, two of which featured liver failure requiring transplantation.

Butterbur is most commonly used to treat migraine and hayfever.

The MHRA advises anyone using products containing butterbur to stop doing so immediately and seek the advice of their GP or pharmacist if they have any concerns.

UK industry welcomes claims objection

The UK health trade has welcomed a decision by MEPs on the influential ENVI Committee to raise an objection to the European Commission’s plan for an approved list of general function health claims.
The MEPs are asking for more consideration of what should be included in the list.
ENVI committee* members Sirpa Pietikäinen (Finnish, centre right MEP – pictured), Chris Davies (UK, liberal MEP) and Pavel Poc (Czech, socialist MEP) raised the objection based on their concerns that the approach being taken to the substantiation of Article 13.1 claims is “pharmaceutical in nature, ignoring the fact that nutrients are foods rather than drugs”.
The European Commission recently submitted a draft list of approved claims to the Parliament for scrutiny. If the Parliament votes in favour of the list — which currently contains just 220 approved health claims — it will be deemed approved and published during May 2012. The 2,500 health claims rejected by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) would then be banned within six months
“We have reluctantly decided to object to this list of permitted health claims as, although we do not have an issue with what has been included on the list, we want the European Parliament to seriously consider what should have been included on this list,” said Pietikäinen. “A consequence to the positive list is the publication of the so-called Union Register of rejected claims, which the European Commission has said it will publish at the same time. This negative Register could include a number of claims that should have been approved but have not due to an inappropriate and disproportionate evaluation procedure. Such is the case for fibre, which claims to help maintain normal bowel function and regularity – a well acknowledged claim.”
“The European Ombudsman is currently looking into whether the health claims regulation has been appropriately implemented by the European Commission,” said Pavel Poc, “we would like that the permitted list of claims is seriously considered and that the Union Register of negative claims is not published until we have at least heard the opinion of the European Ombudsman on this matter.”

Fresh benefits found for omega-3s

A new study from California suggests that diets lacking in omega 3 can speed up mental decline and brain shrinkage. The research, published in Neurology, found that people eating the least amount of omega-3 fatty acids had less brain mass - equivalent to about two years of ageing.
Low levels of omega-3 were also linked to poor test scores for visual memory, problem solving, abstract thinking and multi-tasking.

Dr Zaldy Tan, an Alzheimer’s researcher from the University of California at Los Angeles, who led the US research said: ‘People with lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids had lower brain volumes that were equivalent to about two years of structural brain ageing.’

Oranges and grapefruits can cut stroke risk

New research from the University of East Anglia suggests that eating grapefruits and oranges can cut the risk of stroke. The study shows that both the whole fruit and juices protect against a ‘brain attack’, probably due to their high content of a certain type of antioxidant.

The research team based at Norwich Medical School in the University of East Anglia investigated the strength of protection from flavonoids, the antioxidant compounds present in fruits and vegetables.

They found that women who ate high amounts of flavanones present in citrus had a 19 per cent lower risk of ischemic stroke than women who consumed the least amounts.

Lead researcher Aedin Cassidy, professor of nutrition, said “Studies have shown higher fruit, vegetable and specifically vitamin C intake is associated with reduced stroke risk.

“Flavonoids are thought to provide some of that protection through several mechanisms, including improved blood vessel function and an anti-inflammatory effect.”

Diet fizzy drinks increase heart attack risk by 43%

According to new American research, consuming a can of diet fizzy drink every day can almost double the risk of a heart attack.
The findings from researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Columbia University Medical Center say that people who drink carbonated diet soft drinks regularly are 43 per cent more likely to experience heart attacks, stroke and vacular disease.
Dr Hannah Gardener, who led the research, said: “Our results suggest a potential association between daily diet soft drink consumption and vascular outcomes.
“The mechanisms by which soft drinks may affect vascular events are unclear.”

Nutrition bodies committed to “frank appraisal” of misconduct allegations

Posted on01 March 2012 - www.NaturalProductsOnline.co.uk

Nutrition bodies BANT and the NTC are setting up an expert panel to make a “frank appraisal” of recent media allegations about the conduct and competency of nutritional therapists.

In January, the consumer group Which? published a report accusing nutritional therapists of providing advice that “could seriously harm patients health”.

The report accused therapists of “relying on non-evidence-based testing to diagnose symptoms” after it sent investigators posing as patients to 15 practitioners.

Which? claimed that by making diagnoses the therapists would have been in breach of the code of practice operated by BANT.

In a joint statement this week BANT and NTC say that they have “taken the recent allegations reported in the media very seriously” and would be using the expert panel to make recommendations on how to move forward.

The statement continues: “The posts for the working party have yet to be confirmed but a number of experienced nutritional therapy practitioners and academics have been approached. The first meeting will take place shortly and we will report on their findings and recommendations in due course.”

Tweet yourself with Sweet Cecily’s natural handmade skincare

Sweet Cecily’s is a pioneering natural skincare company specialising in the personal touch. The unique flavours and formulations such as the mojito flavoured lip balm, have been largely generated by suggestions made in forums on social media sites, such as Twitter and Facebook.

Sweet Cecily’s is based in the coastal town of Whitby, on the North Yorkshire Moors. Founded by local girl Cecily Fearnley, the project has taken nearly two years to prepare and launch.

Cecily began the Sweet Cecily’s project by learning the basics, starting with lipbalms and moving onto more complex creams and balms, all created using basic tools and ingredients.

It is hoped that by creating dynamic collaborative online networks with partners and customers, Sweet Cecily’s can become a truly interactive brand shared and guided by the people involved. Cosmetics from the people, for the people - democracy never smelt so sweet!

Managing Director Cecily Fearnley states; ‘by creating the Sweet Cecily’s range I hope to de-mystify natural skincare by educating and informing customers about what they are putting on to their skin. Each product has been born from a suggestion, whether it is to include a certain ingredient, have a particular smell, or help a specific complaint, and this makes the Sweet Cecily’s product range completely unique within the current skincare market’.

Sweet Cecily’s product range is currently only available to buy directly from the company website, which has already been flooded with orders since it was launched in December 2011. Cecily will be steadily increasing the range of products on offer.