The Devon Clinic

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  • Stress Busting

    Stress-busting over the Easter holidays

    Stress

    Most stress in our lives is self-inflicted. We can’t change the weather (though sometimes we’d like to!), we still have to go to work and those pesky bills still require paying, by making a few small changes can improve our outlook and combined with some practical tweaks, stress can be vastly reduced.

     

     

    • Get up an hour early

    A bit of self-love and reflection early in the day can aid in stress-busting. Instead of your usual morning rush ease yourself into the day with a slow shower and sit down to breakfast.

    • Prioritise your time

    Write a list of all the activities you need to complete today and number each one in priority/urgency. There will be days when the list is impossibly long so halve it and move less pressing items to tomorrow.

    • Learn to say NO

    Be realistic, you can be everywhere doing everything at the same time. Saying no to someone isn’t going to hurt them and may even get your time more valued. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

    • Acceptance

    Perfection doesn’t exist so we should all stop trying to attain something that isn’t even real. Understanding that the need to be perfect is a losing battle that will inevitably leave you drained and at a loss.

    • Be active

    Take some regular exercise, it is a powerful de-stressor. A stroll in the park or even down the street during your break not only wakes your body up but also releases positive hormones.

    • Take time to relax

    Find time in your day, even a quick five minutes, to step back and evaluate how the day is progressing. Think about the number of tasks you can realistically perform at one time.

    • Put the day to rest

    Spend a few minutes evaluating your day at the end of the day. It is important to focus on the positives, even the very small ones, and not dwell on the negatives. Give yourself a metaphorical pat on the back.

     

  • What is Reiki?

    ReikiReiki is a healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the natural healing processes of the patient’s body and restore physical and emotional well-being.

    The word Reiki is formed from two Japanese words‚ Rei meaning‚ God, Wisdom or Higher Power‚ and Ki a Life force energy. So, Reiki means a spiritually guided life force energy.

    A Japanese technique is used to aid in the reduction of stress and promote relaxation and healing. The laying on of hands is based upon the idea that the unseen life force energy flows through our bodies keeping us alive. If your life force is low, then we are more than likely to feel the effects of stress and illness whereas when it is high, we are more capable of being both happy and healthy.

    During a Reiki session, the Reiki practitioner will use both a laying on of hands and a hands-off approach to ensure the correct flow of Reiki energy. Throughout the treatment, you will feel both relaxed, energised and calm. After the session, both you and your practitioner will discuss any findings and what is advised as a result.

    The secret art of inviting happiness

    The miraculous medicine of all diseases

    Just for today, do not anger
    Do not worry and be filled with gratitude
    Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people.
    Every morning and evening, join your hands in prayer.
    Pray these words to your heart
    and chant these words with your mouth
    Usui Reiki Treatment for the improvement of body and mind

    The founder, Usui Mikao

    Try Reiki here at The Devon Clinic

  • 10 Amazing Benefits of Acupuncture

    How can Acupuncture help you?

    It has been said that there are around 350 acupuncture points in the body. When the tiny needles are inserted into the appropriate points of the body it brings the energy flow back into balance. So how can acupuncture help you?

    Here are some suggestions:

    Head

    Monthly Migraines are reduced within 4 weeks with 20 sessions of Electroacupunture (a small electrical current that is applied to the needle).Acupuncture

    Mood

    Acupuncture regulates the happy-making neurotransmitters in the brain which aids in treating depression within three months.

    Throat

    After ten sessions over a month problems such as Acid Reflux and Heart Burn can be regulated speeding the duration of digestion.

    Nose

    Seasonal allergens will benefit from 12 acupuncture sessions leading to less use/reliability of antihistamines.

    Heart

    Regular acupuncture sessions can reduce the markers of stress and lower blood pressure.

    Sleep

    Aid sleep and insomnia by revving up the productions of neurotransmitters which are related to relaxation and restful sleep.

    Menopause

    Reduce the frequency and severity of hot flushes for up to three months as acupuncture can help regulate body temperature.

    Weight

    Combined with a good diet and exercise routine, four months of acupuncture treatment can lead to up to nine pounds of weight loss (measured on an obese adult).

    Back

    Five, twice-weekly sessions of needling have proven to relieve lower back discomfort for up to six months.

    Immune system

    Boost immune cells that seek and destroy infections. Studies have proven that it may be beneficial for Chemotherapy penitents to strengthen their immune system.

     

    If you want to know more about Acupuncture please fill out the form below:

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  • Bowen Technique – Julie Flood

    What is the Bowen Technique?

    Being balanced and having our pelvic level allows our body to work at its best. If our bodies are not in balance when we walk, jog, exercise etc., we are creating more issues. Think of your vehicle. If the tires are not balanced, other issues arise and when we continue to drive out of alignment before we know it we are facing more repairs!

    If we get the tires aligned then the vehicle runs at its peak. Same as our bodies balanced with the Bowen Technique everything works at its best and our bodies health issues are given messages to repair and heal and our daily exercises are usually enhanced.

    Bowen does not just mask our pains and you have to come every week – Bowen encourages healing by balancing and correcting issues, usually within three visits then we function as we should. Those of us with chronic pain issues find great relief when balanced and when the body begins to show it is out of alignment again the technique once again relieves our pain.

  • Can’t sleep? Don’t sleep? Want help to sleep?

    Are you having problems with sleep?stress

    You are not alone. It is estimated that 1 in 3 people will have problems either getting to sleep or staying asleep at some point in their lives. Wouldn’t it be great to know what to do if you were having problems with your insomnia? Could there be some effective techniques that you can learn to help you sleep better? Well there are.
    Susan Young, co- director of the Devon clinic has spent years researching insomnia and has designed a unique and innovative 2 day workshop that will help you teach yourself to become a better sleeper.

    Here’s what Susan has to say about sleep and the workshop:
    Good quality sleep is essential if we are to function at our best and look our best. We all know the term ‘beauty sleep’ and how we look and feel great following a good nights sleep. But getting a good nights sleep can sometimes be a bit hit and miss for some people.Sleep Trackers
    Just like you, I once was a poor sleeper. I knew I had to do something about it. I spent several years researching sleep and how to sleep better. This workshop is the result. I have tried and tested several different approaches to sleeping better on friends, family and clients. I now want to pass on my knowledge to you so that you can find which of the approaches work best for you.
    You may need more than one technique to help you improve your sleep, it sometimes depends on circumstances. I have therefore designed the workshop to include several different techniques, all of which you will practice under my instruction.

     

  • Sciatica

    What others sayWhat is it?

    Sciatica is the name given to any sort of pain that is caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. The Sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body, running from the back of your pelvis, through the buttocks, and all the way down each one of the legs, ending at your toes.

    But the most common cause of Sciatica is when your gluteus maximus muscle tightens, causing difficulty to move freely, and eventually working its way down your leg, to your feet and toes.

     

    Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica

    When the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated, it will cause pain, numbness and sometimes even a tingling sensation that diffuse from your lower back and will travel down one of your legs to your foot and toes.

    Often the pain from Sciatica can range from being mild to very painful and can also be triggered or made worse by coughing, sneezing or even sitting for a long period of time. Sometimes Sciatica can cause muscle weakness in the affected area e.g. legs

    What is the cause of Sciatica?

    Sciatica is sometimes caused by a herniated or a slipped disc. This is caused when one of the discs that sit between the bones of the spine also known as the vertebrae is damaged and presses on the nerves.

    Another less common cause of Sciatica is spinal stenosis which means narrowing of the nerve passages in the spine. A spinal injury or infection, or even a growth within the spine such as a tumor.

     

    Of course you can minimize your risk of developing a slipped disc or severe back injury that could possibly lead to Sciatica by embracing a better posture and if you have a job that involves lifting heavy things on a daily basis, be sure to learn a good lifting technique to stop injury to the back. You should always stretch before and after exercises and exercise regularly. 

    Remedies for sciatica

    Sciatica can be helped by any of the following:

     

     

  • Let me help you have healthy skin

    A case study in healthy skin by Sue Francis

    In the daily fight against infection and pollution our skin is our front-line defence. Therefore we need to protect and reinforce it with particular care. When our skins defences are breached, whether by allergy, bite, burn or the extremes of weather, our skin needs tender loving care to encourage the natural healing process whilst avoiding infection.

    Having researched all kinds of products So I can have healthy skin I found that lots of chemicals are used under complicated names that are time consuming to look up and for the most part many of us have not got the time, it is confusing to say the least! After years of not knowing and finally deciding to become a beauty therapist I had to explore this further and have found Aloe Vera to be a most helpful ingredient in restoring and promoting healthy skin. It has both anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal qualities which aid our skins defence perfectly. It is able to penetrate down to the deeper dermis layer of the skin, nourishing and protecting all the time, even influencing the rate at which our skin ages, thus creating healthy skin.

    Moisture is lost through our skin which causes dry, flaky, cracked, scaly skin. Dehydration causes damage in the lower layers of the epidermis. The health of the cell is affected causing the immune system of the skin to become weak, risk of infection and skin disease which cause gaps in the lipid barrier and show up as acne, eczema and rosacea.

    Environmental damage

    Seasons have harm on healthy skin. Winter/cold can take out the moisture causing itchy cracked and scaly skin which can cause it to be very inflamed and itchy.

    High humidity can cause you to sweat more and heat up faster. Once this happens the skin can become blotchy red and irritated.

    Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can help keep the moisture in and out of the air the seasons change and too much sun will cause dryness, irritation and sunburn.

     

     

     

     

     

  • IBS in Devon – How it is caused and symptoms

    IBS

    IBS

    Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Devon is a common, LONG term condition of the digestion system.

    It can cause all sorts of problems such as stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and/or constipation. The symptom isn’t the same for everyone. It varies and changes. It can affect people more severely than others.

    Irritable Bowel Syndrome tends to come and go in periods lasting a few days to a few months at a time. Most occur during times of stress or after eating certain foods.

    Some symptoms can be found to improve after going to the toilet.

    IBS often develops when a person is between 20 to 30 years of age. Around twice as many women are affected as men.

    The condition is often life-long, although it may improve over several years.

    Symptoms

    The most common symptoms of IBS are abdominal stomach pain and cramping, which may be relieved by going to the toilet.

    A change in your bowel habits, such as diarrhoea, constipation or sometimes both

    Bloating and swelling of your stomach

    Excessive wind (flatulence)

    Occasionally experiencing an urgent need to go to the toilet

    A feeling that you have not fully emptied your bowels after going to the toilet

    Passing mucus from your bottom

    IBS can be helped by altering your diet and lifestyle.

     

    For example, it may help to:

    • Identify and possibly avoid foods or drinks that trigger your symptoms
    • Alter the amount of fibre in your diet
    • Exercise regularly
    • Reduce your stress levels

     

    Living with IBS

    Living with IBS can be somewhat difficult. You can go for months with no symptoms then have a sudden flare-up. The condition can be quite painful and have a negative impact on your quality of life and emotional state

    Treatments for IBS

    Hypnotherapy – Hypnotherapy, relaxation training, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have all been shown to help alleviate symptoms of IBS.

    Allergy Testing – Allergy testing can help with symptoms of IBS by figuring out which foods, substances, and drinks make the IBS symptoms flare up.

    Acupuncture – Acupuncture is a popular alternative therapy for IBS and other conditions. It’s proven effective for treating chronic pain

     

  • Lily Allen‚ a story on how she dropped 2 dress sizes using Hypnotherapy!

    Lily first went under Hypnosis in 2009, for a while Lily was Bulimic, but soon realized that this was not a healthy way to control her weight so she took a more positive action, Hypnotherapy!

    Lily said, “After the Hypnotism, I wanted to go to the gym every day, otherwise I felt really bad. I just wanted to get more toned and healthy. I’m really good about everything at the moment, I’ve never been happier!”

    Lily Allen then went onto describe the process as “having her brain reprogrammed to enjoy healthy things”

    However, hypnosis is a professional method and is used as an approach for all types of reasons from helping people overcome fears, building confidence, quitting smoking and even managing chronic pain.

    A hypnotherapist helped Lily to undergo the changes in her life. Helping to reprogram her mind to develop a healthier attitude to food and exercise by boosting the enjoyment Lily has when heating healthy foods and also raising happiness levels when going to the gym or doing similar exercise.

    Hypnosis is not a magic cure though, you need to be prepared to work hard, both in terms of exercise and controlling what you eat. However, if you struggle to remain positive or have failed to stick to a plan before, hypnosis can help cultivate a more positive attitude.
    A hypnotherapist will deal with the sub-conscious part of the mind, that is the non-analytical or instinctive part.

    Here at The Devon Clinic, we offer a wide variety of weight loss packages.
    These can include Hypnotherapy to help ease cravings and comfort eating‚ allergy testing to check if you’re intolerant to certain foods, acupuncture to aid digestion and much more.

     

     

     

     

  • Acupuncture at the Devon Clinic

    What is Acupuncture?

    Acupuncture is arguably one of the first forms of recognised health care solutions in the world. A highly trained acupuncturist will be able to use subtle ways of diagnosing a patient, the acupuncture therapist will be able to utilise techniques that have been developed and refined over thousands of years.

    The acupuncturist will focus on you as a whole rather than just the illness because they will see all your symptoms in relation to each other or in a holistic way.

    The treatment involves putting very fine acupuncture needles into certain points on the body. The reason for this is so that it can interact and affect the flow of your body‚ qi, or vital energy.

    Does acupuncture hurt?

    The short answer is very rarely. This is because acupuncture needles nowadays are made with such precision that they are barely the width of a hair, sometimes you may feel something as they enter your body but it is more often a tingling than anything painful. I once had acupuncture for stress during a rather hectic time of my life and fell asleep despite having 20 needles in my back!

     

    What can Acupuncture be used for?

    National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend acupuncture can be used for

    Although many people turn to acupuncture to help with

    • What others saychronic pain, such as neck pain
    • joint pain
    • dental pain
    • postoperative pain

    Some acupuncture practitioners use acupuncture to treat a far wider range of conditions, including:

    However, the evidence is not conclusive regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture for many of these conditions.