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Spring … at last! … A time for cleansing and rejuvenation, a time to shed the excesses of winter, our outdated thoughts, beliefs and emotions. Cleansing makes room for new growth, creative expression and positive intentions for the year ahead. In Chinese Medicine spring relates to the Wood element and the Liver/Gallbladder. A healthy Liver allows life to flow smoothly as we express and assert ourselves with balance and ease, responding with honesty and kindness to the challenges life presents us. When the Liver is in disharmony we can feel stuck, sluggish, irritable, frustrated or depressed. Chinese Medicine teaches us that body, mind & spirit are one. Often we look to life’s circumstances to justify such emotions. Instead, by taking a proactive approach to eat cleansing foods and engage in healthy exercise, we can get our liver energy flowing smoothly again, bring about positive change and experience more happiness and ease. Check out our health tip, spring recipe, product focus and new Qigong courses we offer to support your wellbeing.

What's new at The Healing Point? - Our Osteopathic team is growing stronger with the addition of Anna Myers who brings with her much experience and passion for Osteopathy in the Cranial Field. From our TCM team, Sophia Moermond has returned from a recent training in Bali learning Sho Ni Shin, a specialized gentle and effective treatment for children, adding another dimension to what Chinese Medicine can offer to children at The Healing Point - more about Sho Ni Shin soon on our website. And of course don't miss our free Movie Night coming up in November as we watch “What About Me?” – a lovingly crafted explosion of music and philosophy.
May the force of Spring be with you!

PS: Coming up to Summer Solstice in December, read again our healthtip 'Rest at Noon & Summer Solstice'

The Healing Point Team

health tip • oil swishing

Oil swishing is an age-old method of daily cleansing from the ancient tradition of Ayurveda. It is an easy, yet very effective way of detoxifying the blood. Take 1-2 tablespoons of expeller-pressed unrefined sunflower, sesame or olive oil into your mouth without swallowing. For 5 minutes, slowly swish, chew, suck and draw the oil through your teeth, thoroughly mixing it with your saliva. This activates enzymes which start to draw toxins out of the blood. Do not swallow or gargle your throat with the oil mixture and safely spit it into the toilet bowl to dischard. The oil mixture will have turned a milky white or yellowish colour as it has become saturated with toxins and billions of destructive bacteria. Rinse your mouth with ½ teaspoon of unrefined sea salt or baking soda disolved in a small amount of warm water to remove any toxic residue from your mouth.

Oil swishing is done upon rising before breakfast, and can be repeated 2 or 3 times in a row, or 2 or 3 times a day during times of illness, but always on an empty stomach. Besides benefitting teeth and gums, oil swishing is helpful for numerous disorders including blood diseases, lung and liver disorders, heart and kidney ailments, headaches, skin problems, gastric ulcers, intestinal problems, poor memory, female disorders, bags under the eyes and more. Oil swishing greatly relieves liver functions, drawing toxins out of the blood that the liver is not able to remove, thus benefitting the entire organism.

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seasonal recipe • green spring soup

Now that spring has come we move from the hearty, salty and fatty foods we crave in winter to keep us warm, to lighter foods and cooking styles. Spring diet should reflect the ascending and expansive qualities of spring and include more foods such as young plants, fresh greens and sprouts which are naturally cleansing. In Chinese Medicine spring and the colour green are associated with the liver and gallbladder, and green foods therefore naturally benefit the liver. This recipe shows us how easily we can whip up a simple and light meal that rejuvenates us from within.

Serves 1. Mix the above combination of greens (or make your own) with 1 cup water. Simmer for 5 minutes and puree in blender. Enjoy as is, or add a pinch of sea salt, a teaspoon of shoyu and a squeeze of lemon or splash of brown rice vinegar. As this is a cleansing soup for spring, helping to clear the liver and blood of fats and salts of winter, it is more beneficial to prepare it without the shoyu. Your liver will thank you!

Recipe courtesy of Sahaja from The Great Life www.thegreatlife.com.au
Sahaja has been teaching Macrobiotic/Wholefoods cooking in Perth for 14 years and is a
Macrobiotic Counselor/Educator and Accredited Journey Practitioner.

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our new osteopath • Anna Myers

Yet again we have been lucky to have another excellent practitioner join our team!

Anna graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Clinical Science and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Osteopathy from RMIT University in Melbourne in 2002. Anna also underwent extensive postgraduate training in Cranio-Sacral Osteopathy, Biodynamics of Osteopathy and Balanced Ligamentous Tension Technique. She is a member of the Australian Osteopathic Association (AOA) and the Osteopaths Registration Board of WA.

After completing her osteopathic studies at RMIT, Anna had the privilege to undergo a three months intensive training in Cranio-Sacral Osteopathy with the principal osteopaths at the Stillpoint Osteopathic Medicine Centre in Auckland. Stillpoint, a busy and renown clinic dedicated to a high standard of osteopathic practice and a proactive approach to continuing education, provided a tremendously valuable foundation for Anna to grow as an osteopath. During her five year employment Anna was able to treat a wide variety of clients and conditions, including many children and babies.

Anna is passionate about Osteopathy, and in particular Cranio-Sacral Osteopathy – the meeting of science and holistic philosphy. She is inspired by its gentle yet effective clinical approach which focuses on finding health rather than disease, through facilitating the body’s intrinsic self-regulating mechanisms.

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Qigong • classes & courses

One-Day Qigong Intensive NEW!

This one-day intensive teaches the foundational aspects of Qigong by exploring all 3 types of Qigong: standing – moving – stillness. Also you will learn the popular Qigong form '8 Pieces of Brocade' - Ba Duan Jin.
Sunday 8 Nov • postponed to Feb 2010 • $85• booking essential • more info

Wu Xing Qigong NEW!

This one-day workshop, the first in a series of five, explores Qigong in the context of the Five Phases of Transformation 'Wu Xing'. Using Qigong movements, self-massage, sound therapy, meditation and interactive self-inquiry we will delve into the physical, emotional and spiritual qualities of the Fire element, corresponding to the summer season.
Sunday 6 Dec • 9:30am-4:30pm • $85• booking essential • more info

Shibashi Qigong

This 6 week course offers a complete set of 18 gracefully flowing Qigong movements. Includes manual, wall charts and DVD. The perfect course if you wish to learn Qigong and be able to practice it at home in your own time.
Feb 17 to Mar 31 • Wednesday evenings • 5:30 - 7:00 pm • 7 week course
Apr 19 to May 31 • Monday evenings • 5:30 - 7:00 pm • 7 week course • booking essential • more info

Qigong Open Class

This weekly class draws from a variety of techniques including movement, postures, breathing, mental imagery and meditation and is suitable for beginners and experienced alike. This is an open class and can be joined at any time.
Tuesdays • 5:30-6:45pm • $15 or $60 for 5 pass • open class, no booking required • more info

Check out our range of Qigong books available here at The Healing Point !

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case study • osteopathy and pregnancy

Marina (not her real name), started to see me for osteopathic treatment of neck and hip pain. She had been having these types of pains intermittently over several years. Marina was close to 40 years of age and had not yet managed to have a much desired baby. I observed her areas of pain and the way they functioned (or didn’t function), in relation to everything else in her body, and to her environment. Marina tried to take care of her nutrition, exercise, levels of stress, adequate rest and leisure and her relationships. Being proactive about lifestyle was an excellent foundation for being able to conceive. Osteopathy, as it improves nerve, fluid, organ as well as musculoskeletal function also supports conception and subsequently pregnancy. We would get a good change in Marina's body during treatment and her lifestyle would support energy levels and better integration of the treatment. I did not have to see her too frequently.

Marina did manage to conceive and treatments took on another dimension. During pregnancy her body changed a great deal. Even before the baby was very developed, Marina’s body was flooded with hormones that made her joints flexible, and sometimes unstable and a source of pain. Her lumbar curve became more pronounced as pregnancy progressed, compressing the sacrum and restricting its movement. She started to experience neck pain again. Observing the stresses on her lumbar spine it was not surprising that the curves of her upper back and neck were taking more strain.

Marina also had a sideways curve in her spine (scoliosis), so the joints where the curves changed were more prone to mechanical stress. We would release this with gentle articulation and cranio-sacral osteopathic treatment and her body had more energy for coping with the other changes of pregnancy. As the baby grew bigger and pushed upwards, Marina's lower ribs spread out and stretched the diaphragm tight to make more room for the baby, less room for Marina to breathe! We focused on keeping her spine, especially the lumbosacral junction as flexible as possible. The movement of the sacrum at the sacro-iliac joints was also vital to prepare her pelvis for labour.

At 38 weeks, Marina’s baby showed no sign of moving from its preferred position, bottom down or ‘breech’. Marina was being strongly advised to consider elective caesarian birth. The idea of a caesarian delivery filled her with disappointment. We managed to find a lateral–thinking midwife familiar with the research on breech deliveries, and also an obstetrician at KEMH who agreed to help Marina deliver. On her due date, with the baby still in breech presentation, Marina had a minimal mechanical induction and after a 9 hour labour she delivered a healthy baby girl.

Ilona McGavock • Osteopath

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baby massage workshop • thursday 5 Nov

Learn to build your baby's confidence and self-esteem through the loving touch of your hands. In this playful workshop you will learn a head-to-toe massage routine, baby gymnastics and a Pressure Point & Reflexology routine. Tuning in and reading your baby's non-verbal cues, you will be able to pass on the countless proven health benefits of Baby Massage and in an atmosphere of love and respect establish a close bond which provides the emotional security your baby needs to thrive and unfold its fullest potential.

Thursday morning 5 Nov • 2 hour workshop • 10:30am- 12:30pm

Read more details about this Baby Massage Workshop.

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friday night at the movies • "What About Me?"

"What About Me?" has been produced as a feature movie and a number of short films and TV episodes. For this night we have selected one TV episode and three short films, each of them featuring a different life theme.
Afterwards, join us for a cup of tea!

"What About Me?" - A Lovingly Crafted Explosion of Music and Philosophy

Friday 13 Nov • 7:00pm • free of charge • no booking required • (75 mins)

"What About Me?" is a collaborative film project for the 21st century, which fuses music, words, sounds, rhythms and images from 20 countries around the globe to celebrate diversity of musicians, story-tellers, authors, filmmakers, artists, philosophers and thinkers from many different cultures. It is the embodiment of the unity in human diversity and a cross-cultural exploration of universal truth that is a global journey unto itself. A thoroughly enjoyable, groovy and thought-provoking experience!

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swine flu • a different perspective

As mass vaccination campaigns are underway we are all facing an important decision whether to participate or not. Swine flu does not pose as serious of a threat as initially thought and we don’t believe the swine flu vaccine is a healthy choice. There is much evidence to suggest that the swine flu vaccine can pose serious health problems as it may contain numerous toxic substances such as mercury, formaldehyde and aluminum, to name a few. Furthermore many studies show that flu vaccines are not an effective method for flu prevention. For more specific information, studies and statistics and a thorough explanation how vaccines are produced, please follow the link below to the informative 8 min video clip ‘Think Twice’. Although it has been produced in the US, we believe it still has relevance worldwide.

Think Twice!

Rather than giving into fear, we should take this opportunity to be proactive about our health. The good news is, our flu season is almost over and our risks here are therefore greatly reduced. The swine flu is treatable using the same methods as seasonal flus and from a natural medicine perspective there is a lot we can do. Here are some helpful recommendations:

Hand Washing
Hand Washing not only after the toliet and before eating, but also when returning home from public places and having been in contact with other people, is our first line of defense. An important aspect of handwashing is drying your hands thoroughly. Use an air dryer or paper towels when in public and at home wash common hand towels more frequently.

Rest and Diet
During rest and sleep, our parasympathetic nervous system is activated, stimulating our natural immunity and healing responses. If you feel run down or unwell afford yourself a day of rest, refrain from talking, drink plenty of fluids and soups, stay in bed all day, or at least take lots of naps and and go to bed early. In today’s hectic world we so easily overlook the body’s most basic need for rest in order to heal.

Stay Warm
Keep away from drafts especially on the neck. This includes airconditioning and warm dry air coming from heating in buildings and vehicles as well as cool fans in summer. In spring when the weather fluctuates between cool and warm, we can easily be underdressed and catch a draft. Taking a hot foot bath before bed is another great way to stay warm. In colder months avoid cold or chilled food and drink, instead eat cooked foods, soups and teas with extra ginger, garlic, cinnamon etc.

Take Vitamins
During the winter months it is wise to take regular doses of vitamin C and Zinc, or a immune boosting remedy such as Olive Leaf Extract. Flu strikes in winter because we do not get enough UV from sunlight to keep our Vitamin D levels up and we may need to supplement it. Vitamin D is essential in keeping our immune system functioning optimally. Make sure you get regular exposure to sunlight on your skin. Several times a week, either lie 20-30 mins or walk 40-60 min in the sun, avoiding midday sun in summer. Although we have so much sunshine here in WA, vitamin D deficiency is actually very prevelant due to excess use of sun screen. Also reduce the use of your sunglasses, as they block out important rays of the light spectrum which the body requires for essential biological functions. To supplement deficient Vitamin D levels we recommend Bioceutical Liquid D3 drops, available here at The Healing Point. For more info on the benefits of sunlight click here.

Fluex
As featured in a previous newsletter, Fluex is our favorite off-the-shelf Chinese Herbal formula for cold and flu. Don't wait until you feel sick. Have Fluex handy in your medicine cabinet for the whole family. Taken at the first hint of a scratchy throat, body ache or blocked nose, symptoms can often be totally resolved and progression halted altogether. If taken when already sick, Fluex reduces fever and symptoms of the flu and expedites recovery.

Ionizers
We recommend using ionizers at home and at work to kill airbourne viruses and bacteria and generate masses of negative ions. Keeping the air clean and giving your lungs better oxygen will strengthen your immunity thereby preventing infection. Good quality plasma ionizers, Medklinn Air Sterilizers, are now available at affordable prices here at The Healing Point, providing many proven health benefits for your whole family throughout the year.

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product focus • Detox-Kit-Heel

For over 30 years I have used different methods to regularly detoxify and cleanse the body to promote good health and wellbeing. One of the easiest methods I’ve found is the Heel Homeopathic Detox Kit. It is gentle and effective and suitable for most people. It is easy to use, causes minimal, if any, detox reactions, is easily integrated into daily life and requires no fasting or drastic dietary changes. However for best results we recommend following general guidelines for good liver health such as avoiding alcohol, red meat, coffee, sugar, dairy and processed foods.

The Detox Kit last 3-4 weeks and the average recommendation is a 6 week period, which may be repeated twice a year. The Detox Kit also combines well with the Heel Metabolic Kit for cellular activation, chronic and degenerative disorders and immunity & fatigue syndromes. This combination has also proven effective for weight loss. During the detox period we also recommend taking an alkalizing buffer before bed such as ACD Buffer to relieve the acidity associated with the detoxification process.

The Heel Detox Kit consists of the following three carefully formulated homeopathic formulas which stimulate the body's natural processes of elimination to cleanse itself of toxins. 30 drops of each remedy are added into a 1.5 litre water bottle and sipped throughout the day. Depending on your health it may be recommended to you start with half the dose for the first week as your body adjusts to the detox process.

Lymphomyosot: helps maintain a healthy lymphatic system, treats fluid retention and assists detoxification. In Chinese medicine this benefits the spleen, drains dampness and helps the fluid metabolism regulated by the Sanjiao, also known as the Triple Burner.

Nux Vomica: improves the function of the liver and gut and assists detoxification. In Chinese Medicine the liver regulates the free flow of all Qi in the body. It is vital for our health to clear any stagnation in this organ which can cause fatigue, mood swings, irritability, frustration and a host of physical symptoms ranging from headaches, IBS to hormonal imbalances.

Reneel: supports healthy kidney function, renal drainage and assists detoxification. In Chinese Medicine the Kidneys are the foundation of all Yin and Yang in the body and are responsible for our energy reserves, stamina and longevity as well as proper reproductive health, urinary and bladder functions.

The Detox Kit works by opening the gates of the extracellular matrix and clearing the avenues of elimination to release toxins, thereby establishing good health and preventing disease. Some of the symptoms relieved by detoxification are: Poor concentration, fatigue, frequent colds & flus, sinus infections, allergies, hayfever, muscle & joint aches, stress, anxiety, food cravings, bloating, wind, indigestion and weight gain etc.

Sono Michetti • Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine

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