I've been very lucky over the last few years to have been able to give Indian Head Massage treatments to young people. On every occasion, I have been struck by the positive impact that the therapy has had on the young person, in terms of their posture and general feeling of relaxation. Often we see teenagers hunched over their school desks or slouched at their PCs, so it is very important what we take a conscious move as parents and therapists to encourage good posture and self awareness of health at an early age. I ran a workshop at the International Forum for Child Welfare in 2008 when it came to Cardiff and was very pleased to be able to attend a presentation by a Carmarthenshire voluntary sector organisation, offering massage to school children (www.cycaonline.org/holistic-therapies). You can find out more about Massage in Schools here: www.misa.org.uk. When I first started providing therapies for children, I did some web research to find out what other services ere available in the locality. I stumbled upon Clover House in Bristol (http://www.cloverhouse.org/index.php) which is a holistic therapy centre for children. I am hoping to make links with the Centre and visit soon, to see what they do. I have worked in children's services both in health and local government for many years and am acutely aware of the issues around parental consent, child protection and Safeguarding. So I feel confident that with parental / guardian's consent and parents/guardians in attendance that giving these therapies is a positive move. I am also a magistrate, so I have been CRB and police checked for different roles at different times.

Last week I had a phone call from an Associate Director from the Sherman Theatre, asking if I would be prepared to offer some therapies and to have a discussion with a playwrite who was currently doing some research to get inspiration for new characters and new plays! I was, of course delighted and this evening, I had a lovely hour offering therapies and talking about myself to the lovely Sharon Morgan, who has appeared on our TV screens in many programmes such as Belonging, Torchwood, High Hopes, Pobol y Cwm and lots more! Sharon told me that she was on a 5 day course visiting a number of different people and places to gain inspiration and on Saturday she and 4 other playwrites will be locked in a room and will have to write up their ideas! The Sherman Theatre will be closing for a 12 month refurbishment shortly, and during that 12 months, the Theatre will be out on the road, performing the dramas, plays etc that will be developed from this course. I am really looking forward to the results and whether I can pick out a little bit of 'me'!!!

There is a wealth of evidence out there pointing towards the benefits of complementary therapy for babies, children and young people. Research conducted by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine identified that massage had very tangible affects:
1. Facilitates weight gain in premature babies
2. Enhances attentiveness
3. Alleviates depressive symptoms
4. Reduces pain
5. Reduces stress hormones
6. Improves immune function
In the UK there are already organisations, centres and projects which are blazing a trail in the 'complementary therapy for Bright Young Things' arena. During my time working in the NHS, it was apparent that infant massage or 'baby massage' was gaining popularity and now, it forms a part of many parent-child development programmes and interventions. The benefits of baby massage are as as apparent for the baby as they are for the parent.
Baby Massage Benefits for Babies:
* Smoothes transition from womb to world
* Develops a feeling of love and security
* Develops body, mind, awareness and coordination
* Can help to reduce the discomfort of colic, wind and constipation
* Helps to regulate and strengthen baby's digestive and respiratory systems and stimulate circulatory and nervous systems
Baby Massage Benefits to Parents:
* Promotes bonding between babies and parents
* Enhances parent's confidence in dealing with baby
* Can help with postnatal depression
There is anecdotal evidence that Reflexology can help to relieve childhood illnesses such as
· Ear ache
· Sore throat
· Sleeplessness
· Hyperactivity
· Constipation
· Asthma
· Eczema
· Coughs & Colds
In 2008, I ran a workshop at the International Forum for Child Welfare when it was in Cardiff and was both in awe and inspired by a project running in Carmarthenshire, which sees complementary therapies used in particular comprehensive schools, focussing around the 'massage in schools' movement. They are already seeing the benefits in terms of pupils' stress levels and improvements in attention and concentration. Wouldn't it be something to see this as part of the curriculum in all schools?! The evidence suggests that the stresses and strains of growing, physically, mentally and emotionally, and the transition between the stages of growth could be eased quite considerably by complementary therapy interventions. If you are a parent, carer, child or young person, the information is at your fingertips and the professionals are within your reach. Seize the opportunity to broaden your horizons and reap the benefits for your children!

When I first qualified as a reiki practitioner I built up my confidence in giving treatments to my friends. At the time I was recovering from some kind of virus which left me with symptoms akin to chronic fatigue and I discovered that a work colleague suffered from ME and often had very bad periods when she could hardly bear to stay awake for more than a few hours a day and was constantly cold, wearing socks to bed in the middle of Summer. She lay on some big floor cushions which she had in her cosy meditation and relaxation room and I carried out the therapy kneeling on the floor. I conducted the treatment in the usual way, starting at the head on the front of the body, working down to the toes. From the beginning of the treatment she was telling me about feeling tingling and seeing colours. I continued the treatment, working from the back of the head down the shoulders and spine. Whilst over the sacral plexus I felt an extreme heat just above my knee, thinking that possibly I'd knocked over a cup of tea . But to my amazement and delight, it was coming from my friend's elbow! At the end of the treatment she felt warm all over, for the first time in ages and her face was a lovely pink colour, rather than the usual pale palour. I was so delighted to have had such a significant, positive and immediate impact on my friend. If you suffer from MC or CFS, I would be delighted to hear about your experiences of complementary therapy

Over the years that I have been practicing reflexology I have been delighted at the positive impact reflexology has had on clients suffering with 'backache'. The ailments have ranged from a twinge in the mid-back, to neck pain, an aching lumber region, sciatica and more. One particular client had been taking strong painkillers for some months to a maximum of 6 in a day. He had two reflexology session, two weeks apart. During the two weeks between his first and second treatment he took two painkillers in total! The relief was visible both in his posture, facial expression and even tone of voice. I have also had clients suffering sciatic pain who have responded well to reflexology. Between two and four treatments and the pain and discomfort has been significantly reduced and even disappeared in some cases. Other clients who suffer back pain and have come for reflexology have reported improved sleep, ability to walk for longer, less general stiffness and improved bowel and bladder function. I am continually impressed by reflexology's ability to improve people's back pain, often after only a few treatments

Happy New Year! Happy Calennig! Calennig is a Welsh word meaning 'New Year celebration/gift', though literally translates to "the first day of the month," deriving from the Latin word 'kalends'. The English word 'Calendar' also has its root in this word. The tradition of giving gifts and money on New Year's Day is an ancient custom that survives even in modern-day Wales, though nowadays it is now customary to give bread and cheese. Many people give gifts on New Years morning, with children having skewered apples stuck with raisins and fruit. The Calennig was a small decoration with a great history.