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From the time you were born through all the seasons of your life trillions of fungi, protozoa and bacteria have been with you.

There is a growing number of both children and adults being diagnosed with ADHD in Australia.

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) involves the neurological system that is typically characterised by inattention, poor concentration, fluctuating mood, hyperactivity, impulsive behaviour, impaired memory retention, learning difficulties and/or sleep disturbance. In some people, only one or two symptoms may present and in others, they will have a larger range of symptoms.

There is a growing interest in people wanting to explore natural therapies to manage ADHD symptoms which are proving to provide a promising alternative to ADHD sufferers.

Diet and Nutrient Intake

Including high quality omega-3 fatty acids such as walnuts, oily fish species, flaxseeds and other seeds, and high quality protein such as eggs, lean meat and poultry, beans, legumes, nuts and seed support brain health and cognitive function.

Enjoying a varied diet of seasonal fruits and vegetables ensures optimal clearance of toxins from the body, which can contribute to neurological dysfunction and aggravate symptoms of ADHD.

Avoiding poor nutritional choices such as highly processed foods and meats, sugar, additives, preservatives and artificial flavours and colours have a beneficial impact on brain development and cognitive development.

Exercise and Movement

Exercise releases neurotransmitters which are required for attention, memory, cognitive function, and mood stabilisation. Outdoor exercise provides an added benefit of sunshine which supports mental health, energy levels and facilitates optimal conversion of specific nutrients.

For those diagnosed with ADHD, exercise should form part of the daily routine or at least feature 4-5 days per week. A variety of exercise is best, in order to engage various systems of the body.

Nervous System Regulation

Including mindfulness and meditation into the daily (or weekly) routine can significantly improve focus, improve mood, and reduce impulsivity. These practices can also help with emotional regulation which leads to more positive social, educational, and personal outcomes.

Sleep Hygiene

Maintaining a regular circadian rhythm with optimal pre-bed practices to induce relaxation and sleep hormones is essential in the management of ADHD. Avoiding screens for the hour before bed as well as other nervous system stimulants such as bright lights, loud noises and physical over-exertion are recommended.

Herbal Medicine and Nutritional Supplements

Specific herbal medicines and targeted supplements work on the neurological system to support healthy production and transmission of neurotransmitters and hormones. In addition to this, specific ingredients can be chosen to target an individual’s presentation of symptoms, which often vary from person to person. Herbal medicine and supplements should be prescribed from a certified practitioner with dosage suited to the age/weight of the individual.

There are a number of additional therapies that can be helpful in the management of ADHD. Speak to your natural healthcare practitioner or a Naturopath, who is able to prescribe herbal medicine and Practitioner Only Products (POPs) as well as providing an individually-tailored treatment plan based on your individual symptom presentation. In some cases, medication is needed and it is helpful to supplement medication with the most suitable dietary and lifestyle habits for ADHD.

In a world where weight loss fads and diets come and go like seasons, it’s refreshing to discover the time-tested approaches that have been helping individuals achieve balanced health for centuries. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture are among these ancient methods that offer a holistic approach to weight management. While they are not a quick fix or a one-size-fits-all solution, TCM and acupuncture can assist in weight loss when integrated into a comprehensive wellness plan.

Understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine

In TCM, weight gain is often seen as a result of an imbalance in the body’s Qi, and addressing this imbalance is central to achieving weight loss.

Key Principles of TCM in Weight Loss:

1. Balance Yin and Yang: TCM seeks to harmonize the opposing forces of Yin and Yang in the body. Excess Yin (cold, damp) or Yang (heat, dryness) can lead to weight gain. TCM treatments aim to bring balance and harmony to these energies.
2. Strengthen Spleen and Digestion: The Spleen plays a crucial role in digestion according to TCM. When the Spleen is weak, it can lead to sluggish metabolism and weight gain. Herbal remedies and dietary adjustments can help strengthen the Spleen.
3. Liver Qi Stagnation: In TCM, emotional factors are considered important for weight gain. Stress and unresolved emotions can lead to Liver Qi stagnation, which is believed to contribute to weight gain. Acupuncture and herbs can help release stagnated Qi.

The Role of Acupuncture

When it comes to weight loss, acupuncture can be a valuable tool for several reasons:

1. Appetite Regulation: Acupuncture can stimulate specific points that help regulate appetite and reduce cravings. This can be especially helpful for those who struggle with overeating or emotional eating.
2. Hormone Balance: Acupuncture can influence the endocrine system and help balance hormones related to metabolism and weight regulation, such as insulin and leptin.
3. Stress Reduction: Acupuncture is well-known for its ability to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Lower stress levels can help prevent emotional eating and contribute to weight loss.
4. Digestive Enhancement: Acupuncture can improve digestion and nutrient absorption by stimulating the Spleen and Stomach meridians, which are central to TCM’s perspective on weight management.

TCM Herbal Remedies

In addition to acupuncture, TCM often incorporates herbal remedies to support weight loss. Some commonly used herbs and formulations include:

1. He Ye (lotus leaf): Known for its ability to promote fat metabolism and reduce fat absorption.
2. Huang Qi (astragalus root): Aids in digestion and helps boost metabolism.
3. Wu Long Cha (oolong tea): Helps control blood sugar levels and enhance metabolism.
4. Shen Qu (medicated leaven): Supports digestion and reduces food stagnation.

It’s important to note that TCM and herbal remedies should be administered by a qualified TCM practitioner who can tailor treatments to individual needs.

Interested in taking the first step towards a healthier, more balanced you? Schedule a free 15min consultation with our acupuncturists to find out more.

Inner child work is a beautiful way to heal and reclaim our true essence. The essence of who we truly are, before we were taught to stop being too loud, too quiet, too bold, too much. When we meet with our true essence, we realise the joy and playfulness we all have inately in our being. We have so much love and compassion for that part of ourselves and we can help to soothe the child within that is ultimately crying when we feel triggered as adults. We are essentially re-parenting ourselves which allows us to grow into strong, independent, self-assured versions of our adult self. It’s so empowering to reclaim this strength, compassion and love for ourselves. We can then move through life projecting a love vibration outwards instead of a wounded child which is ultimately the ego we use to protect ourselves. When we can do this, we can recognise this pattern in others and an acceptance of their human self happens. It creates less resistance in our relationships and our protective patterns can be healed. If you’re looking to heal your inner child, book in with Cate via our website.

The journey through infertility can be challenging, often leading to a pressure cooker of emotions month after month, sometimes year after year. This blog post aims to offer support and practical tips on how to safeguard your emotional wellbeing whilst navigating the complexities of infertility.

Acknowledge Your Emotions

It’s natural to experience a range of emotions during infertility, including grief, anger, resentment and anxiety. It’s also very common for those experiencing infertility to push down and ignore their emotions in the hope that they will soon enough become pregnant and when they do those feelings will disappear. Holding onto emotions long term can have a compounding negative impact on mental and physical health so… allow yourself to feel and truly acknowledge all the feelings that come up with compassion.

Communicate Openly

Fertility struggles can put a strain on relationships so it’s important to keep open, honest, judgement free communication with your partner and or support network. Encourage heart to hearts regularly by checking in and asking questions about each others fears, hopes and experience. Don’t be afraid to seek professional support in this area if it’s an area you struggle with.

Self-Care Rituals

Write a list of activities, people and places that enable you to feel joyful and at peace. Make space for these in your calendar regularly whilst also knowing what you can turn to when you are feeling particularly triggered.

Seek Professional Support

Research has shown that those experiencing infertility have global anxiety and depression scores equivalent to cancer, cardiac rehabilitation and hypertension patients. It’s ok to need some extra support, to have a safe space to express yourself, to learn coping strategies, gain valuable insights and access tailored unique guidance.

Educate Yourself

Making informed decisions is an important part of becoming empowered on the journey. Prepare questions and notes you want to pass on to your care provider/s before appointments, request copies of all tests carried out and ask for the pros, cons, side effects and success rates of suggested medications and procedures. Always ensure you take time to make decisions that feel right for you. This is likely to help alleviate anxiety and give you a sense of control.

Lean on Your Support Network

Surround yourself with understanding and supportive individuals for whom you feel trust and safety with. Stay connected, share the ups and downs, your fears and hopes and don’t be afraid let them know how they can best support you when things get tough.

Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation

Mindfulness activities have been shown to have a positive impact on the fertility experience and success rates – they can help you to relax, manage stress and promote emotional wellbeing. Some examples are; breathing practice, journaling, hypnosis, meditation and acupuncture.

Set Boundaries

It’s essential to set boundaries to protect your emotional wellbeing. Don’t feel pressured to attend events like baby showers that might be emotionally overwhelming for you. Instead, focus on high quality activities that nurture your soul and bring you peace.

Embrace Your Feelings of Hope

Amidst the challenges, hold onto hope. Fertility testing, treatments and support continue to advance, and many individuals and couples find their path to parenthood through various means, such as adoption or surrogacy. Allow yourself to dream and believe in the possibility of a positive outcome with an open mind.

Be Kind to Yourself

Infertility is extremely challenging, you didn’t choose this, it isn’t your fault, and it certainly does not define your worth. Be gentle and compassionate with yourself. Celebrate your strength and resilience, choose to notice things you can be grateful for in your life whilst you step forward on your journey with a hopeful heart.

Getting Support on Your Journey Starts Here:

If this blog post resonates with you and you’re seeking personalised guidance and support, Our Fertility Doula & Mind + Body Therapist, Kate Walton is available in clinic and online. Some of what you can expect;

• A safe and confidential space to share your feelings and concerns
• Personalised insights, guidance and education
• Coping strategies and techniques tailored to your situation
• Advocacy for quality medical testing and care
• Help to thrive and enjoy life whilst on the path

How to Schedule Your Discovery Call:

Your emotional well-being matters, and taking this step can be a significant turning point in your journey. To schedule your discovery call, click [here] or email Kate direct at kate@nbip.com.au to make your appointment.

” A woman’s rite of passage into motherhood needs to be honoured-  her being, body, soul, energy. Because when a baby is born a mother is too.”

Chantel Kismet

It’s an ancient Mayan postpartum healing ritual. It was created to honor and nurture the new mother after her passage through giving birth and her journey into motherhood.

In many cultures this is traditionally used and gifted to the new mother. The knowledge would be passed down from one generation to the other. They say it takes a village to raise a child and that is because in many cultures the village would look after the new mother with nutritious meals, massage, herbs, so the new mother could rest and recover as much as she could after the passage of giving birth. These cultures have a profound understanding of the importance of this for the new mother, so she can regain her strength and energy.

This practice would guide her physically to bring back her bones into place, to stimulate flow, to hold her emotionally and to honor her elf, body and womb for these two lives she has birthed.

Through gentle abdomen and womb massage we nurture all these parts of her body that expanded so much during pregnancy. We use rocking to shift energy and enhance postpartum healing, so we can assist the mother into this transition. We finish this beautiful ceremony with rebozo ( Mexican shawls) where we gently stretch and then swaddle the mother into a cocoon, so she can be sent back and connected into her womb portal to honor this rebirth of herself and her own birth.

When a woman births herself as a mother, it takes a lot of integration and griefing the old self, so the new mother needs as much love, care and attention as the baby does.

This is a simple and profound honoring and acknowledgement of the rite of passage from maiden to mother. One that sadly has been lost in the Western world and we have lost touch with for many years. We are only now re-learning it again. We need to bring back the importance of the Sacred Window ( first 42 days postpartum) and this ancient ceremony for the mother. The best gift a mother can receive to close the postpartum passage is this ceremony.

Closing the Bones and the postnatal recovery massage benefit a woman’s mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. A happy and well looked after mother = a happy family and home.

Through Womb Healing Massage we offered this beautiful ritual at the end of your treatment.  Feel free next time you come in to ask more information.

Balance is a word we hear often in clinic as something most people are striving for, working towards or needing more of in their lives. In Chinese medicine we look at the yin and the yang, the lightness and the dark, or the masculine and feminine.

It is a delicate dance to achieve balance and it takes mindfulness and practice.

Quite often, we become more dominant in the masculine as this represents the “doing” and “holding”, the Yang energy.

When we look at finding the balance of the yin and Yang within relationships, we see the dance of the masculine and feminine.

When both partners are in their masculine, the energy can become quite combative as it doesn’t allow for softness which represents the feminine energy.

The feminine is about receiving, nurture, mothering, softness and it allows for vulnerability which we so often avoid.

The practice is in allowing ourselves to bring both the feminine and masculine into relationship with ourself and in relationship with others. Allowing the Yang fire energy with the yin water energy. The yin is essential to flow with life so receiving in this feminine energy helps us to achieve this balance.

For couples who dream of starting a family, the journey to conceive can be both exciting and challenging. While traditional medical interventions play a crucial role in fertility treatments, alternative approaches are gaining recognition for their potential to enhance overall well-being and increase the chances of successful conception. Among these approaches, fertility hypnosis has emerged as a promising technique that aims to harness the power of the mind-body connection to optimise fertility.

Understanding Fertility Hypnosis: Fertility hypnosis involves the use of hypnotherapy techniques to support and enhance fertility. Hypnosis is a deeply relaxed state of focused awareness that allows individuals to access their subconscious mind, which is where beliefs, emotions, and behaviors are stored. By guiding individuals into a state of hypnosis, fertility hypnotherapists can help address emotional, psychological, and physiological factors that may be impacting fertility.

How Fertility Hypnosis Works: Fertility hypnosis utilizes various therapeutic techniques to influence the mind-body connection and promote a fertile environment. The primary objective is to alleviate stress, release emotional blockages, and create a positive mindset for conception. Through guided imagery, positive suggestions, and relaxation exercises, fertility hypnosis aims to reprogram negative thought patterns, reduce anxiety, and create a sense of harmony within the body.

Benefits of Fertility Hypnosis:

1. Stress Reduction: Stress is known to impact fertility negatively. Fertility hypnosis helps individuals relax, reduce stress levels, and manage anxiety, creating a more favorable environment for conception.
2. Emotional Healing: Fertility struggles can take an emotional toll on individuals and couples. Fertility hypnosis addresses underlying emotional issues, such as past traumas or unresolved anxieties, providing a platform for healing and emotional well-being.
3. Enhancing Mind-Body Connection: Fertility hypnosis helps individuals connect with their bodies on a deeper level, fostering a sense of control and empowerment over their fertility journey.
4. Optimising Fertility Treatments: Fertility hypnosis can be used alongside traditional medical interventions, such as assisted reproductive technologies (ART), to improve the chances of success by addressing the psychological and emotional factors that may influence treatment outcomes.

Book in with our wonderful fertility hypnotherapist Kate, via our website or call us on 02 8406 0679.