Positive Health Online

University of Westminster  New Integrated MSc CAM Courses

The University of Westminster School of Life Sciences, which  presently offers BSc (Hons) Complementary Medicine courses in Acupuncture, Complementary Therapies, Herbal Medicine, Naturopathy and Nutritional Therapy, announces new Integrated Masters (IM) and MSc courses over the next 18 months to run alongside the BSc syllabus.


These new courses, which extend U of Westminster CAM syllabus to 14 CAM courses, are in response to the demand for highly skilled practitioners able to contribute to both the development of their practice and the profession as well as the research base of CAM.

The Integrated Masters (IM) , which are planned to commence in September 2010 are in Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Nutritional Therapy and will run alongside the BSc courses. The fourth IM course includes two pathways, one in Complementary Medicine (Therapeutic Massage, Aromatherapy and Shiatsu) and the other in Naturopathy. 

The MSc courses that will be offered from September 2011 will be in Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Nutritional Therapy with the fourth entitled Complementary Medicine for practitioners of the other CAM professions. Both the IM and MSc courses are designed for practitioners, with attendance in short bursts of three days, appropriate use of virtual learning environments and with a strong focus on practice and practitioner skills.

Modules of the BSc (Hons) will continue to be available for continuing professional development; in addition, from September 2011 modules of the IM and MSc be available as short courses for practitioners. 

Further Information
Please contact School of Life Sciences Admissions, University of Westminster on  Tel: +44 (0)20 7911 5883; Fax: +44 (0)20 7911 5079;  cav-admissions@wmin.ac.uk  www.westminster.ac.uk/schools/science

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The Diagnostic Clinic – UK Premier Centre for Integrated Medicine

The Diagnostic Clinic (TDC) is a leading provider of Integrated Medicine – complementary Medicine combined with conventional, orthodox  medicine – with their clinic based in Central London. TDC offers a highly personalized, integrated health assessment by a diverse team of medical experts tailored to suit the needs of each of our patients.


Dr R Sharma, Medical Director of The Diagnostic Clinic, is a fully qualified doctor registered with the GMC and the Care Quality Commission.

The clinic offers the widest range of diagnostic tests to identify life-stage issues including fertility, post-natal depression, menopause, ageing, lifestyle related health issues such as insomnia, including those due to stress, alcohol, smoking, diet or occupation. In addition TDC's medical team offers services that support long standing and difficult conditions such as; Tired All The Time (TATT), ME and Chronic Fatigue, cancer, chronic diseases and depression.

The physician team utilize fully conventional tests ranging from blood tests through x-rays and CT/MRI scans, but also using blood, urine, saliva and stool whereby the doctors can review levels of environmental toxicity, heavy metals, neurological function, energy production (mitochondrial function), the health of bowel flora – essential for good health, digestive processes and many other metabolic functions. 

TDC not only provides Pro-active health and lifestyle management, but more importantly focuses on prediction and  prevention of disease. The correction of muscular-skeletal imbalances, the elimination of harmful toxins and organisms from the body and the strengthening of the digestive and immune system will help to bring patients as close to their optimum health as possible.

Further Information
Please contact The Diagnostic Clinic on Tel: 020 7009 4650; info@thediagnosticclinic.com www.thediagnosticclinic.com

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Institute of Craniosacral Studies – Craniosacral Therapy in Oxfordshire

The Institute of Craniosacral Studies announce that their next two-year training course, starting in October, is available on a residential or non-residential basis at The Abbey in Sutton Courtenay, 10 miles south of Oxford. 


Since the training began in 1999, the Institute's teaching team has been continuously working to develop the course structure to maximize each student's potential for both personal development and clinical effectiveness. The current course now benefits from this 10-year period of constant reflection and refinement and fully emphasises both of these qualities.

The training explores the way in which we hold experience within the fluids and tissues of the body due to the organizing potency of the Breath of Life.  The training looks at the ways in which these experiences affect our physicality, as well as the importance of psychological and emotional factors in this process.

Process-based Craniosacral Therapy regards the body as a process to be engaged with, rather than a mechanism to be fixed. It is a holistic approach which directly engages the Intelligence of life that animates the human system, and expresses itself through rhythmic and tidal motion.

The training is accredited by the Craniosacral Therapy Association of the UK.

Further Information
Please contact The Institute of Craniosacral Studies on Tel: 0118 986 3986;  admin@craniosacralstudies.co.uk  www.craniosacralstudies.co.uk

 

The Welsh School of Aromatherapy – Diploma and Aromacarer Courses

The Welsh School of Aromatherapy is now registering the September intake for the Holistic Aromatherapy Diploma Correspondence Course. This contemporary one-year training to professional Aromatherapist level, provides home based assignments complemented with seven student-centred, inspiring and hands-on practical tuition weekends in beautiful Snowdonia.  On successful completion, students are eligible to become members of the acclaimed International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA).


This autumn, the school is also providing the first professional Carers Aromatherapy and Massage qualification in Wales with their new courses Aromatouch  and Caretouch Wales. This will enable those working in schools, day centres, residential settings and other caring professions to use their skills in their working environment. This inspiring five-day course will enable carers working to become Caretouch or Aromatouch practitioners, and includes legal and ethical considerations. This course is due for accreditation by the International Federation of Aromatherapists, whereby practitioners will be able to access insurance to work within the caring sector.

To enable you to experience the quality our aromatherapy courses, and a chance to meet with tutor Lindsay Woodman the Welsh School of Aromatherapy offers an Aromatherapy Discovery Day. Open to all, from beginner to qualified massage therapist. See the news page on their website for current course dates.

Further Information
Please contact  Lindsay Woodman at the Welsh School of Aromatherapy on Tel: 01766 890 500;  info@aromatherapywales.org   www.aromatherapywales.org

Aikido – Journey into Physical and Spiritual Transformation

Aikido is a reflection on how we should live our every day lives, whether in business, relationships, sex or just how we interact with fellow human beings.  Everything we do has to have balance to succeed, whether you call it give and take, or seeing from another's point of view. Aikido is a rare thing – real and honest – opening your mind to the possibilities that exist when you can focus in the present. It is the very definition of balance.


We are developing a series of seminars, based at the Lincoln Aikido Club and beginning in September, that introduce students to the principles of Aikido. See the dojo at www.aikidolincoln.co.uk . Each seminar builds on previous elements, increasing the student's knowledge and proficiency one step at a time. We begin with basic meditation exercises to still the mind, stretching and movement to prepare the body and then move onto the study of individual techniques.

The practice of Aikido necessitates a challenging of many Western cultural preconceptions about strength, competition and success; these seminars would be ideal for anyone interesting in learning an authentic martial art with a philosophical twist. They explore a variety of concepts, including balance, control and communication, and involve using the body as a vehicle for self exploration and understanding. You will soon find that Aikido is about a group of people, coming together in a joyful and cooperative manner, to better themselves and the society in which we live.

Further Information
Please contact Shantelle Svarc via k.svarc@ntlworld.com  and Bob Willmington on willmington@googlemail.com  

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New Remedies for Homeopaths and Naturopaths

Homeovitality products (see www.positivehealth.com/article-view.php?articleid=2760) were originally designed to promote various forms of natural super-health; however, important scientific discoveries have been made confirming that the parts of the genetic blueprint that they are designed to target also have important homeopathic properties.

The anti-ageing Super Heart product, developed to target the KL gene and help people live longer lives, has now been shown to have important anti-cancer properties.[1] KL also supports part of the immune system that declines with age and protects against development of rheumatoid arthritis, [2] as well as slowing down the ill-effects of ageing[3] and protecting against heart and kidney disease. Since KL activity decreases with age,[2] everyone could benefit from taking Super Heart on a long term basis.

The weight loss product targets the gene that produces leptin, which reduces the feeling of hunger, enabling people to eat less. Leptin levels fall as obese people lose weight,[4] so as weight is lost, the urge to over-eat increases and weight is regained. Once weight is lost, increased leptin activity plays an important role in maintaining a healthy body mass index; consequently, the weight loss product can also help avoid weight gain when the desired body mass index is reached. Also, scientists have just proven that leptin can also correct diabetes.[5]

The Super Strong Bones product may also be helpful in the treatment of osteoporosis, and the memory/IQ product may be used to help clients suffering from dementia or other forms of memory loss or lack of attentiveness.
 

References.

1.       Wolf I et al. Klotho: a tumour suppressor and a modulator of the IGF-1 and FGF pathways in human breast cancer. Oncogene. 27:7094-7105, 2008.
2.       Witkowski JM et al. Klotho - a common link in physiological and rheumatoid arthritis-related aging of human CD4+ lymphocytes. J.  Immunol. 178:771-777, 2007.
3.       Rosenblatt KP and Kuro-O M. Klotho, an aging suppressor gene. Horm. Res. 67:191-203, 2007.
4.       http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080620195455.htm
5.       http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100105125836.htm
 
Further Information
Dr Peter H Kay, the creator of Homeovitality products may be contacted at peterhkay@gmail.com
For online sales please contact  www.healthmatters.net.au. For expressions of interest in usage and sales in UK, Pakistan and India, please contact info@wellnesshp.com

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B.E.D.A. Therapy™ – Health Therapy Through Education

B.E.D.A. Therapy,™ brainchild of natural health therapist, stress consultant and Buteyko practitioner Michael Clark, has taken over 18 years to develop.

 
B.E.D.A. Therapy™  offers a new paradigm in the treatment of clients and patients, aiming to take the responsibility for health out of the hands of 'specialists' and placing it firmly back where it belongs; which is of course in the hands of the client themselves. B.E.D.A. Therapy™ in effect encourages people to become guardians of their own health.
 
B.E.D.A. Therapy™ is an acronym standing for 4 key areas of health:

1. Breathing
2. Exercise
3. Diet
4. Attitude

Michael A Clark wishes now to train people who ideally should already have an interest in natural health or be medically trained to be B.E.D.A. Therapists™.  .
 
Further Information
Please contact Michael Clark on Tel: +44 (0)1482 342100; happiness@bedamethod.com    www.bedamethod.com

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Spring Shaper with VitalDETOX

In the UK we consider detoxing as a post New Year activity; our resolutions soon fail because our bodies simply resist. Because the Earth's changing position profoundly affects us, detoxing is more effective at the major seasonal shifts of spring to summer and autumn to winter rather than at the turn of the year, in deepest winter. 


Toxins enter our body via our food, air, water and products we apply our skin. The greater the toxic load, the greater the stress on the liver, which converts toxins into forms that can be eliminated from the body. An overload of toxins and/or a diet deficient in certain nutrients will impair this natural detox process; these poisons accumulate in body tissues, especially our fat cells.

The 'Spring Shaper pack' from Simply Vital contains three products which together will help you detox, and shape up for summer the Mediterranean way.

VitalDETOX is based on the Mediterranean herbal detox recipe and was developed by an Italian Naturopathic physician using very gentle methods of extraction of the herbs found around the Mediterranean, including Milk Thistle, Artichoke, Rosemary and Boldo.

VitalLIFE, including nutrient dense flakes of Klamath blue-green algae provide a rich spectrum of vital anti-oxidants, (particularly carotenoids), minerals and amino acids, nourish and prepare the skin for extra sunlight, protecting it and enabling a richer colour to develop.

VitalSHAPE contains digestive enzymes and high quality probiotics to help digest food and bring the digestive system back to health, an important factor to help neutralize and remove harmful toxins out of the body.

Further Information
The 'Spring Shaper pack' retails at £45.75 and contains 4 bottles of vitalDETOX, 1 of vitalSHAPE and 1 of vitalLIFE. All products can also be bought separately – for more details and to buy visit www.simplyvital.com  

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Acupuncture Proven to Help Treat Spinal Cord Injuries

One of the most traumatic events the body can experience is a spinal cord injury. The aftermath of this debilitating injury is almost always severe and in the most extreme of cases can result in death or permanent paralysis. When the nerve roots or fibre tracts of the spine are damaged, signals to and from the brain fail to occur, or have difficulty happening, thus causing the impedance of certain motor functions. Acupuncture and massage therapy have proven to be highly effective in helping aid patients with spinal cord injuries.


In a clinical study carried out in 2003, a team of doctors directed by Alice MK Wong M.D began spinal cord therapy through acupuncture on a group of patients recovering from their injuries. The doctors found that after beginning treatment at various acupoints including the bilateral Hou Hsi (SI3), Shen Mo (B62), the antihelix, helix, and the lower portion of the ear-back areas, patients were showing significant improvements. Neurological behaviours including sensory and motor skills improved greatly in the patients who were put through a regiment consisting of Oriental medicine (including acupuncture and massage), and physical therapy. The team of doctors and researchers concluded that the use of these therapies, when implemented early in acute spinal cord injury, contribute to significant neurological and functional recoveries.

The ASIA impairment scale is the American Spinal Injury Association's standard of assessing the neurological status of a person who has sustained a spinal cord injury. When this rating increased in patients who had undergone acupuncture treatments, the scientific evidence revealed that Oriental therapies such as acupuncture and massage indeed did improve the body's neurological response times, and helped patients with spinal cord injuries on the long road to recovery.

Further Information
Please contact Pacific College of Oriental Medicine at Tel: 001 619 574-6909; Toll-Free 800 729-0941;  www.PacificCollege.edu

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CHOXI+ - Healthy Chocolate!

Prestat – chocolatiers to The Queen – have created a fabulous range of CHOXI+ bars. The dark bars contain 70% cacao – making them intensely irresistible and confirming CHOXI+ as The Naturally Rich in Antioxidants Cacao Bar.  What's more, just two squares of Dark CHOXI+ contain all the antioxidants your body needs for a whole day – about the same as two bowls of blueberries or 1lb (0.46kg) of Brussels sprouts. 


Although Choxi+ is definitely a food and not a medicine, there is increasing interest within the scientific community concerning antioxidants. Scientific studies have shown how flavanol antioxidants may reduce the risk of heart disease, some cancers and stroke. A range of other health benefits are still being researched by leading scientists.

Bill Keeling the MD of Prestat – the chocolatiers by royal appointment to The Queen – says "CHOXI+ means that chocolate can be thought of in a whole new light – as a nutritional plus and not a minus. CHOXI+ really is a positive indulgence. You should still aim at eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day but, at around 50 calories for the dark chocolate (slightly less than a typical apple), it couldn't be much easier to fit two squares of CHOXI+ into a balanced diet. "

Nothing is added to CHOXI+, just more of the cocoa beans' natural goodness is left in, and because of the revolutionary and extraordinarily gentle processing techniques that are used it tastes absolutely delicious, too.

Further Information
Choxi+ Bars are available from the Prestat shop, Harrods, Selfridges, Waitrose, Ocado, Tesco and Sainsbury's stores and are available in Milk, Dark, Dark with Oriental Mint, Milk with Aztec Orange and Dark with Stem Ginger. Prestat Tel: 020 7494 3372;  www.prestat.co.uk  

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Women's Challenge To Fight Cancer

 
Television presenters Dawn Porter and Aggie MacKenzie are among an amazing group of women taking positive action in the fight against breast, ovarian and cervical cancers.

 
Dawn and Aggie were among the first women to sign up for the unique, new challenge.  Aggie is best known for her Channel 4 series How Clean is Your House? and Dawn for hard-hitting documentaries like Super Slim Me and My Breasts Could Kill Me. They will both be challenging themselves as part of a women-only team of cyclists riding through Kenya to support the work of three charities: Breast Cancer Care, Jo's Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action.
 
Women of all ages and all cycling abilities from across the UK are invited to join the adventure from 29 October – 7 November 2011. Cycle training advice will be provided by event organisers Action for Charity and there will be a pre-event training weekend for everyone taking part.
 
The group will cycle around 400kms over five days – both on and off road – experiencing Africa away from the usual tourist trails through savannah plains, wildlife game parks, tropical rainforests and traditional villages.
 
Further Information
To take part in Women V Cancer women need to pay a registration fee and pledge to raise minimum sponsorship funds of £2,800.  For further information and to register telephone Action for Charity on Tel: 0845 408 2698;  www.actionforcharity.co.uk