How to avoid RSI waving that flag this weekend

We all want to show our patriotism this weekend for the Queen’s diamond jubilee.

However, all that flag waving could lead to a repetitive strain injury (RSI) like inflamed wrist tendons or a frozen shoulder.

The Bowen Technique is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy that can be a gentle yet effective release of pain.

Rather than 'making' the body change, Bowen 'asks' the body to recognise the ailment and make the changes it requires. It works ‘with’ the body as opposed to ‘against’ it.

During the 30-60 minute treatment, the Bowen practitioner makes small, rolling, movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue at precise points on the body, using only the amount of pressure appropriate for that individual.

No hard-tissue manipulation or force is needed or used.

Between each set of moves, the body is allowed to rest for a few minutes, to allow it to absorb the information it has received and initiate the healing process.

Read testimonials from people who have had great results with their RSI from Bowen here

If you suffer with a RSI and are interested in how Bowen Therapy can help, visit the website to find a Bowen therapist near you or call 0844 561 7173.

How you can keep moving at any age – just like our Queen.

Are you ready to get together with your children or grandchildren to celebrate the jubilee?

Do you remember gathering around the TV with your parents and grandparents to watch the Queen’s coronation?

Sometimes it’s daunting to think about how much time has passed by, but making the most of who you are today is important.

Now, more than ever, we are maintaining high levels of physicality later on in life - like the Queen herself, who is respected for her active role.

With the Olympics taking place in London this summer, there is currently a big focus on the level of fitness of us Brits.

A study found that Britons aged 60-plus are much more likely to exercise than those in their 20s.

In fact, the 60-plus crowd are three times more likely to exercise every day compared to those that are twenty-something.

However, the aerobics or weights that might have once been a breeze can now seem more of a gale force.

Naturally, as we age our strength and stamina does too, which is why light movement is good for joints and muscles.

Bowen Therapy is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy that can help joint and muscle movement.

Rather than 'making' the body change, Bowen 'asks' the body to recognise any problems and make the changes it requires.

During the 30-60 minute treatment, the Bowen practitioner makes small, rolling movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue at precise points on the body, using only the amount of pressure appropriate for that individual.

No hard-tissue manipulation or force is needed or used.

Between each set of moves, the body is allowed to rest for a few minutes, to allow it to absorb the information it has received and begin healing itself.

The treatment helps maintain a healthy body and it’s anti-aging effects keep you feeling young inside and out.

This is because Bowen is an extremely relaxing experience and can aid any mental stress, allowing you to feel extremely refreshed.

If you are interested in how Bowen Therapy can help you visit the website to find a Bowen therapist near you or call 0844 561 7173.

Soccer Aid injuries could be relieved with Bowen Therapy

Yesterday saw Soccer Aid 2012, the annual fundraising event where celebrities round up to play a charity football match.

English celebs including Robbie Williams, Mark Owen, Aston Merrygold, Olly Murs and Marvin Humes went up against ROW (Rest of the World) which included Mike Myers, Gerard Butler, Edward Norton, Woody Harrelson and Michael Sheen.

The game, which raises money for UNICEF, took place in Manchester and although England won 3-1 there were some injuries.

The worst of which was suffered by Gordan Ramsay, who was tackled to the ground by Teddy Sheringham.

The celebrity chef was given oxygen on the pitch and carried off on a stretcher. He is said to have suffered a back injury and is still in pain.

Anchorman star Will Ferrell was also left hobbling off the pitch after hurting his leg late in the second half.

Olly Murs took a knock and had to be taken off.

The Bowen Technique works to heal sporting injuries in an extremely gentle but effective way.

Bowen is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy that 'asks' the body to recognise the ailment and make the changes it requires as opposed to ‘forcing’ the body change.

During the 30-60 minute treatment, the Bowen practitioner makes small, rolling, movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue at precise points on the body, using only the amount of pressure appropriate for that individual.

No hard-tissue manipulation or force is needed or used.

Between each set of moves, the body is allowed to rest for a few minutes, to allow it to absorb the information it has received and initiate the healing process.

If you have a sports injury and are interested in how Bowen Therapy can help, visit the website to find a Bowen therapist near you or call 0844 561 7173.

‘Henna Heals’ for cancer and alopecia sufferers

A photographer is using her work to transform the lives of women with cancer and genetic alopecia with the ancient art form of henna.

Frances Darwin launched Henna Heals last year to allow women dealing with hair loss to feel feminine and beautiful.

  
Artists use the bald heads as blank canvases to create one-off intricate designs using a natural plant-based paste.

'The designs are customised and one-off works of art' said Ms Darwin, who wants to give these women the confidence and power they may have lost as part of their illness.

Henna has been used since antiquity in countries such as Pakistan, Morocco, Somalia and India for decorative purposes, to bring the wearer luck, joy and enhanced beauty.

Mr Darwin’s project not only aims to de-stigmatise conditional female baldness but actually give it a chic edge.

Known as henna crowns, the designs are not tattoos, involving no needles or pain, and last up to two weeks - offering women who are experiencing hair loss to regain a sense of self that may be lost.

Ms Darwin was inspired to start Henna Heals when she first saw the henna crown's power to transform.

While taking pictures of a breast cancer patient whose head was adorned with a henna crown, the woman told Ms Darwin she had never felt as beautiful, even before she had cancer.

Ms Darwin knew she wanted to continue empowering women to feel beautiful and confident, while at the same time helping to de-stigmatise hair-loss.

Alopecia sufferer shunned for his hat

A bald pub punter was thrown out of a pub for hiding his head underneath a baseball cap.

Father Lee Adams had to leave the Blake Pub in Finsbury, London because he was wearing a hat that pub owners said covered his face; meaning it was not visible by CCTV cameras.  

The news underlines the problems that Alopecia sufferers face when trying to conceal something that they feel to be self-conscious. Other ailments are often treated with more respect and there needs to be more awareness for what this feels like for someone with the illness.

Bratz® follow in bald Barbie’s footsteps

A new range of hairless Bratz® dolls will be launched this summer at Toys"R"Us stores in Canada.

This comes amidst a growing social media movement that calls for toymakers to create hairless dolls to emotionally comfort young girls and boys going through illnesses or treatments that cause hair loss.

Last month Mattel announced that is will launch a bald Barbie doll next year.

The dolls are being created to support children dealing with hair loss due to illnesses such as cancer and alopecia, and a portion of every sale will go to Starlight Children's Foundation.

                                                                                                          

MGA Entertainment Canada, creators of the dolls, have named the range True Hope Bratz®, which will include hairless versions of its hit dolls Cloe™, Yasmin™ and Cameron™, who will each come with one hat, a second outfit and a beaded bracelet.

MGA and Toys"R"Us, Canada will each donate $1 to Starlight Children's Foundation for every True Hope Bratz doll sold online and in stores, in an effort to back the Canadian charity's ongoing support of children with life-threatening illnesses.

MGA will also donate True Hope Bratz dolls to young patients in major children's hospitals in Canada later this year.

Arthritis Care Awareness Week - Bowen can ease arthritic pain

Today is the start of Arthritis Care Awareness Week 2012. There are around 10 million people with arthritis in the UK, a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints.

However it’s not as simple as that; there are around 200 types of arthritis and they can be split into three different categories of their own.

The major complaint by individuals who have arthritis is joint pain. The pain may be constant and only on the affected joint.

This pain from arthritis is due to inflammation that occurs around the joint, damage to the joint from disease, daily wear and tear of joint, muscle strains caused by forceful movements against stiff, painful joints and fatigue.

Symptoms of arthritis include varied levels of pain, swelling, joint stiffness, and sometimes a constant ache around the joint. Sufferers may also incurr:

• Inability to use the hand or walk
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Poor sleep
• Muscle aches and pains
• Tenderness
• Difficulty moving the joint

This is why the quality of life for sufferers can severely diminish and why family and friends play very important roles in their life.

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Initially, this condition starts with minor pain while walking but soon the pain can be continuous and become debilitating.

Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis is most commonly a disease of the elderly. More than 30 percent of females have some degree of osteoarthritis by the age of 65.

The Bowen Technique is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy that can help with arthritis pain.

Rather than 'making' the body change, Bowen 'asks' the body to recognise the ailment and make the changes it requires.

During the 30-60 minute treatment, the Bowen practitioner makes small, rolling, movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue at precise points on the body, using only the amount of pressure appropriate for that individual.

No hard-tissue manipulation or force is needed or used.

Between each set of moves, the body is allowed to rest for a few minutes, to allow it to absorb the information it has received and initiate the healing process.

Bowen is an extremely relaxing experience and can also aid any mental stress that an arthritis sufferer may feel.

Read testimonials from people who have used Bowen for help with arthritis here.

If you have arthritis, or are caring for somebody who has, and are interested in how Bowen Therapy can help you visit the website to find a Bowen therapist near you or call 0844 561 7173.

Bowen can help you take action after a stroke

This month sees the launch of the UK’s first Action on Stroke Month.

The Stroke Association is making its first annual push to increase awareness of the impact of a stroke and reach out to many more stroke survivors and their families.

The public are encouraged to support campaigning and fundraising activities.

Already nearly 400 stroke clubs, groups, hospitals and individuals signed up to join Action on Stroke Month and they’ll be:

• running information and awareness days
• taking part in events and helping to raise essential funds to support our work
• celebrating the recoveries that people can make with the right support following their stroke.

Often people affected by a stroke, be that victims or carers, do not know about the support out there for them.

The focus of this year’s Action on Stroke Month is Life After Stroke.

The campaign highlights the everyday difficulties that stroke survivors and their families face and what needs to change to ensure stroke survivors are supported to make their best possible recovery.

Stroke survivors can find it hard to walk and general movement can be very difficult, resulting in severe pain.

Naturally, a person’s state after a stroke can vary depending on their rate of recovery.

Bowen Therapy has seen some wonderful results working with stroke victims.

The Bowen Technique is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy that can help with post-stroke recovery.

Rather than 'making' the body change, Bowen 'asks' the body to recognise the ailment and make the changes it requires.

During the 30-60 minute treatment, the Bowen practitioner makes small, rolling movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue at precise points on the body, using only the amount of pressure appropriate for that individual.

No hard-tissue manipulation or force is needed or used.

Between each set of moves, the body is allowed to rest for a few minutes, to allow it to absorb the information it has received and initiate the healing process.

Bowen is an extremely relaxing experience and can also aid any stress the stroke survivor may be feeling.

Read testimonials from people who used Bowed for post-stroke recovery here.

If you have had a stroke, or are caring for somebody who has, and are interested in how Bowen Therapy can help you visit the website to find a Bowen therapist near you or call 0844 561 7173.

Sienna Miller's pregnancy pangs could be banished with Bowen

It looks as if Sienna Miller’s bundle of joy was causing her a little pain and discomfort as she was spotted rubbing her blossoming belly on holiday.

The actress was photographed enjoying lunch with her fiancé, Tom Sturridge, on the Italian Riviera.

The 30-year-old style-icon has a few months to go before she becomes a first-time mother and it looks as if her pregnancy symptoms are in full swing.

The by-products of pregnancy can be absolutely unbearable. As the mum-to-be’s posture changes through pregnancy, the spine and pelvis are vulnerable due to the stresses from carrying her unborn child.

Knock-on effects of pain and discomfort are often also felt in the muscles and ligaments which support the spine and the pelvis.

Pregnancy can create problems and exacerbate existing ones. Ensuring that the pelvis is correctly aligned through the pregnancy will not only help to alleviate back pain and sciatica as well as tension in the shoulders and neck, but it will also help to ensure that there is no restricted blood flow to the baby and uterus.

Bowen Therapy is one sure way to improve posture and alleviate some of the side-effects of pregnancy including digestive problems such as constipation, hemorrhoids and acid reflux etc…

Bowen is a drug-free, non-invasive complementary therapy. With primarily fingers and thumbs, the Bowen practitioner makes small, rolling movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue at precise points on the body, using only the amount of pressure appropriate for that individual.

No hard-tissue manipulation or force is used and between each set of moves, the body is allowed to rest for a few minutes, to allow it to absorb the information it has received and initiate the healing process.

Bowen prides itself on being able to trigger the body’s own healing systems. Rather than 'making' the body change, Bowen 'asks' the body to recognise and make the changes it requires.

The advantage of the Bowen Technique over most other alternative therapies is that pregnant women can be treated in the sitting position or lying on their side.

When receiving a Bowen treatment, it is also common for the mum-to-be to say that she can feel the baby moving about in response.

Many of the problems associated with pregnancy can be treated with the treatment both before and after childbirth.

Victoria’s Secret model Alessandro Ambrosia gave birth to her second child yesterday and Stacey Solomon gave birth to her second son on Saturday.

Alessandro Ambrosia was 3 months pregnant when she walked in the Victoria's Secret show

If the girls are determined to get their sleek figures back in no time, a Bowen Treatment could help them get ready to start exercise once again.

The long-term hormonal and musculoskeletal changes can last many months after childbirth with often painful symptoms. Both the relaxing and therapeutic effects of the Bowen Technique are particularly useful during this period and can be performed within hours of birth.

Trials in the UK, Australia and New Zealand using the Bowen Technique on infertile couples for whom no other obvious reason for being unable to conceive has been found, have met with remarkable success.

If you’re suffering with pregnancy, post-birth or infertility problems and want to try Bowen therapy visit the Bowen website or call 0844 561 7173.

MS Awareness Week - Testimonials from MS sufferers who have used Bowen Therapy

We are half way through MS Awareness Week, 7 days acknowledging an illness that affects 100,000 people in the UK.

MS (Multiple Sclerosis) is an inflammatory disease in which a substance called myelin, which protects the nerve fibres in the central nervous system, is damaged.

Your immune system, which normally helps to fight off infections, mistakes myelin for a foreign body and attacks it.

This damages the myelin and strips it off the nerve fibres, either partially or completely, leaving scars known as lesions or plaques.

MS typically affects young adults but the age of sufferers can range. It is more common in women than men and can be spotted by various signs.

A person with MS can suffer almost any neurological symptom or sign, including changes in sensation, muscle weakness and spasms, difficulties with moving, coordination and balance, problems in speech or swallowing, visual problems, fatigue, and bladder and bowel difficulties.

MS can make the smallest of tasks a huge struggle, severely affecting a sufferer’s quality of life.

Michelle Obama revealed her dad was diagnosed with MS in his thirties

Bowen Therapy is known for its healing qualities and has had amazing results with MS sufferers.

The Bowen Technique is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy.

Rather than 'making' the body change, Bowen 'asks' the body to recognise the ailment and make the changes it requires.

During the 30-60 minute treatment, the Bowen practitioner makes small, rolling movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue at precise points on the body, using only the amount of pressure appropriate for that individual.

No hard-tissue manipulation or force is needed or used.

Between each set of moves, the body is allowed to rest for a few minutes, to allow it to absorb the information it has received and initiate the healing process.

You can read testimonials from MS sufferers who have had some wonderful results from Bowen here.

If you suffer from MS, or know somebody that does, see if Bowen could help you. Find a qualified Bowen practitioner near to you by visiting the Bowen website or call 0844 561 7173.

Kiddichef and Jamie Oliver share the same ethos - Food Revolution Day

If you are passionate about having fresh, tasty and impeccably sourced food, as we are at Kiddichef, then pencil Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day (FRD) into your diary immediately.

On 19^th May 2012, FRD will give people who love food a chance to come together to share information, talents and resources; to pass on their knowledge and highlight the world's food issues.

All around the globe, people will be working together to make a difference.

Oliver said it is “a global day of action for people to think about where their food comes from and get back into their kitchens.”

Food Revolution Day is about connecting with your community through events at schools, restaurants, local businesses, dinner parties and farmers' markets.

Anyone can visit the FRD website and create a local food event which will be in the global event listings for the public to attend.

“It can be an event for five people or for 50, and the more creative the better. We hope that this will inspire future projects at a grassroots level and connect neighbours who can support each other” said Oliver.

However, you don’t have to create a big event to get involved. People can also contribute by hosting their own dinner party. There will be people in over 45 countries around the world hosting their own dinner parties in support of food education on 19^th May.

Oliver, who sums up his food philosophy as “Better food, better life,” has made it his life’s mission “to get people to eat real food, made from scratch. I believe — and research has shown — that by eating a diet of real food (meats and vegetables, carbohydrates and the occasional treat) that you cook for yourself and your family will make you a healthier person.”

Kiddichef is all about enjoying healthy, tasty food together, making dinner time a fun family experience as opposed to a rushed job.

Oliver said: “When I look around the world at the rising rates of obesity and diet-related disease, I am saddened and angered because this is entirely preventable. People just need food education and a few cooking skills.”

After ‘Jamie’s School Dinners’ aired in the U.K., the British public petitioned to get the government to serve better food to schoolchildren. The government actually listened and voted more than £300 million into the system which has since had a complete overhaul.

Jamie urges us Britons to eat local and sustainable goods. He said: “More fresh, less processed. More access to good fresh food and food education so that the lovely people at home actually know what to do with a fresh vegetable.”

This fits in perfectly with Kiddichef’s ideology. Our meals are made out of fresh, delicious ingredients but, as well as this, we think it is important to teach children about where food comes from and how to prepare it.

On 19^th May, sit down to real food and stand up for real food!

For more information on Food Revolution Day, visit the FRD website.

To find out more about Kiddichef, visit the website, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @kiddichef.

Lily Cole make-up collection for Body Shop

It was inevitable that the 23-year-old model would launch her own cosmetics line for the high street giant after she was made the face of Body Shop in March this year.

Lily Cole

The collection looks very cute, colourful and, of course, cruelty free.

The range launches in June (in the UK). Price wise, the Pearl Radiance Primer is £12, the Mini Hi Shine Glosses, £4 and the Shimmer Cubes are £18.

Kate Moss goes topless for charity

The 38-year-old supermodel has donated a picture of herself to be auctioned off to raise money for a children's charity.

The National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) will be holding an auction at Bonhams in London and the picture of Kate is sure to make it a roaring success.

The portrait shows a topless Kate wearing nothing but a gold pair of hipsters and a pout.

Other images being sold are a topless picture of Christy Turlington, taken by Patrick Demarchelier in 1986 and a photo of Florence Welch by Isreali photograper Nadav Kander.

Barry Lategan's famous shot of a doe-eyed Twiggy taken in 1966 will also be sold at the auction.

Andrew Flanagan, chief executive of the NSPCC added: 'We are very pleased to be involved in such an exciting auction. Without support such as this, we would not be able to deliver vital therapeutic services.'