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.

It's that strange time between Christmas and New Year when you can really relax and have a chance to unwind. The mad dash of the Christmas roast is over for another year and you don't need to start planning New Year's Eve just yet! So, you're in that nice stage of limbo when you can wonder around the shops and pick up bargains if you fancy or go out for walks or maybe just stay in and watch some family movies.

Today is the Winter Solstice, Winter Equinox or Yule and it's one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. Technically, it's occurs exactly when the earth's axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26'! It is known as the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere and the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere due to the seasonal differences.

Many cultures celebrate various combinations of the winter and summer solstices, the equinoxes, and the midpoints between them, leading to various holidays arising around these events. For the December solstice, Christmas is the most popular holiday to have arisen. In addition Yalda, Saturnalis, Katachun, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Yule are also celebrated around this time

Yule is a Pagan celebration and was celebrated in Britain long before Christianity arrived. The Celtic Druids would celebrate Yule by burning a log during the long dark, short days to conquer the darkness. Bonfires were lit in the fields, and crops and trees were wassailed with toasts of spiced cider.

In modern times Christian all over the world celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas, which falls on December 25. However, it is believed that this date was chosen to offset pagan celebrations of Saturnalia and Natalis Invicti. Some believe that celebrating the birth of the “true light of the world” was set in synchronisation with the December solstice because from that point onwards, the days began to have more daylight in the northern hemisphere. Wishing you all a happy Yule!

It's day 7 of my hideous cold and I can say it is only marginally better! I can't remember having a cold that has lasted this long, been so lingering and debilitating before! Usually 5 days and I'm back in work and back to normal. Not only do I have a cold, but I've lost my voice too, have lost my sense of smell and have lost my sense of taste. What a pain!! As a complementary therapist, I'm really ... disappointed that the cold bug has got me, even though I eat lots of fruit and veg., drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep! It's time I found a new therapist near our new home, someone to help me keep the bugs at bay! if you're feeling under the weather or can feel a cold heading your way, come for some reflexology to help your body fit of the bugs and viruses and heal itself. Reflexology points of ...focus

* Head/Sinuses: To help decongest the head and sinuses.
* Lungs/Bronchial Tubes: To help break up congestion
* Spleen & Thymus :o help with immunity

And now, I'm off for an orange, plenty of Vitamin C required!!