Energy, Mood and Gut Issues: Cracking the Code of Your Body’s Messages

Are you feeling a bit lost in the maze of your health issues? The fatigue, the brain fog, the anxiety, gut pain and autoimmune symptoms? It’s like you’ve been trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. You’ve tried everything under the sun – lab tests, supplements, diets, even yoga and breath-work – but still those annoying symptoms just won’t budge. Sound familiar?

Annoying, right?!

My Chronic Health Story

I was there once too. I have experienced chronic “weird” health issues THREE times. I struggled with a mix of anxiety, insomnia, gut issues, low immunity, body pain, female hormone issues, low energy, chemical sensitivity and histamine intolerance.

The first time was after my first baby and I resolved some of the issues with lifestyle changes – sleep, movement, wholefoods and low-tox living. It was GREAT, until baby number two came along, and all my symptoms flared back up, even though my lifestyle was dialled in. This is when I came across functional medicine, and started lab testing my own body systems and therapeutically supporting imbalances in my body with natural medicine supplements. This worked AMAZING, and I got on top of my symptoms. Until…COVID came along, and I was under a lot of stress, and all the same issues flared up again! I realised I still hadn’t addressed the deepest root-cause of my health issues, and that was the “baggage” stuck in my unconscious mind (dysfunctional unconscious core beliefs, deep-seated perfectionism, people pleasing and addictive-doing patterns, and unprocessed past distressing events), that were dysregulating my nervous system.

Each time my body flared up, I had to go deeper into discovering the root-cause – not just looking at the physical body, but also the unconscious mind, the nervous system & the brain, and how these other parts of the “body” greatly impact symptoms & one’s ability to heal.

The Missing Piece In Healthcare

What I’ve found in the health industry as a whole, is that the we have lost the ability to communicate with our bodies. You go to a GP or medical specialist and THEY are the expert dictating what tests to do, and what medications you need to be on. I even see this in natural medicine modalities, like functional medicine (which I practice), where the practitioner runs some labs and creates a protocol for the patient. This is great for therapeutic support, and something I do with clients, however, it is still promoting the message that OTHER’S KNOW BEST.

This is simply not true.

You Are The Expert of Your Body

I wholeheartedly believe that 95% of what you need to heal is already inside of you. Our bodies hold ancient wisdom, and you know inherently what is good for you, and what isn’t. The thing is, society as a whole has lost the ability to listen to and communicate with our bodies.

I’m here to change that! In our practice we work with clients to rebuild trust with self, to learn how THEIR body communicates to THEM, and to act on the messages.

When you act, magic happens! I have literally seen symptoms “switch off” in the moment when we listen to our bodies and act accordingly. For example, I spoke at a business women’s conference on the Gold Coast on the weekend, and took attendees through a process to communicate with their unconscious mind through the symptoms in their bodies. One lady stood up at the end and said her chronic headache that had been hanging around for days completely disappeared (she’d even taken 4 pain-killers that morning, which didn’t budge the headache!).

Oh my gosh?!?! How cool! I see this again and again for myself and with our clients, how quickly chronic health issues can be resolved when you deeply listen, connect, trust and love yourself.

I’ve seen:

  • Chronic fatigue disappear over months
  • Heartburn clear up in a moment
  • Anxiety ease
  • Chronic pain in the body switch off within days
  • Brain fog lift
  • Food sensitivities dissolve
  • Plus so much more!

It’s Not Woo-Woo – It’s Science

If you’re someone who needs the facts, let me tell you this way of holistic healing isn’t just “woo woo” or “magic”. It’s how we’re wired as human beings.

For example, let’s look at pain. Pain is not your enemy. As humans we have evolved for safety and survival. Pain is a primitive way our bodies have warned us of danger. You touch fire, you get burned, your brain creates a neural pathway to never to the fire again because it hurts!

The nervous system, too, is so important at sending you messages of safety or danger. It’s always trying to keep us safe and alive. So if it deems something unsafe – this could be your own beliefs about yourself, self-doubt, uncertainty, shame, guilt, frustration, or fears about eating certain foods, smelling perfumes, being around mould, etc – your system gets very good at creating symptoms to alert you of danger, which then leads to chronic health issues.

When you can create the space to ask: what is unsafe? What’s the story behind the symptom? And what do you need from me body to feel safe and loved and to heal? Then you can finally end your state of dysregulation and body burnout.

Want Some Help To Crack The Code Of Your Symptoms?

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably wondering how exactly can I look beneath the hidden meanings of my symptoms, and unravel the riddle?

Great! I have created an interactive workshop for Natural Medicine Week where I’ll take you through how you can learn to listen to and communicate to your body, and take you through a beautiful body-mind process that you can use again and again to gather wisdom from your body.

To learn more, sign up for our interactive workshop: Communicating With Symptoms, held on Mon 13 May, 7pm AEST via Zoom.  This event is being held in celebration of Natural Medicine Week!! 🙂

Head Lice Repellent

Every parent dreads them!  They are tiny, wingless parasitic insects that infest the scalp and hair of humans and seem to have a preference  for pre-school and primary school aged children.

Head lice feed on human blood and can cause itching and discomfort. Head lice are most commonly spread through direct head-to-head contact with an infested person or through sharing personal items such as hats, brushes, and towels. Infestations are common among school-aged children due to their close contact during play and activities.

While head lice are not known to spread disease, they can be a nuisance and cause embarrassment. Prompt treatment with lice shampoos or other lice treatments is essential to effectively eliminate lice and prevent their spread to others.  Regular checks and good hygiene practices can help prevent and manage head lice infestations.

Prevention:

To prevent lice infestations, it’s important to:

  • Avoid Sharing Personal Items: Encourage children to avoid sharing hats, scarves, brushes, combs, and other personal items.
  • Avoid Head-to-Head Contact: Teach children to avoid head-to-head contact during play and other activities.
  • Regular Checks: Perform regular head checks for signs of lice, such as nits (lice eggs) or live lice.
  • Maintain Good Hygiene: Encourage regular washing of hair, clothing, and bedding.
  • Use Repellents: Some natural and over-the-counter products may help repel lice, but they are not guaranteed to prevent infestations entirely.

Head lice repellent

1 cup filtered water

10-15 drops tea tree essential oil

10-15 drops lavender essential oil

10-15 drops rosemary essential oil

5-10 drops peppermint essential oil

Spray bottle

Instructions:

Mixing: In a spray bottle, combine the filtered water with the essential oils. Shake well to mix.

Application:

Spray the natural lice repellent spray onto your child’s hair daily, ideally before school.  Focus on the scalp and behind the ears. You can also spray it on hats, scarves, and other accessories that come in contact with the hair.

Storage:

Store the spray bottle in a cool, dark place when not in use.

Head lice are most prevalent in January, February and again August to October, so ensure you are vigilant during these months.

What is a Neti Pot? And will it help me?

Maybe someone has recommended you use a neti pot and you are wondering what are they? How do I use one? Will it help me?

A neti pot is used to flush out your nasal cavity and this is often referred to as nasal irrigation using water and salt.

When might you use a neti pot?

Neti pots are used to

  • Clear mucus and nasal congestion,
  • Clear nasal congestion due to dust or pollen.
  • Clear nasal congestion due to synthetic fragrances.
  • Clear nasal congestion from chemical exposure.
  • Reduce allergies including hay fever and seasonal allergies.
  • Help those with sinus infections both short and long term.
  • Sinus headaches and facial pain.
  • Reduce the load from viral upper respiratory infections – virus infection in the nose.
  • Reduce irritant based congestion – when you have been exposed to dust or something that has upset your nasal passage.
  • Reduce pregnancy related sinus congestion.
  • Reduce snoring if caused by sinus congestion, and this can help you and your partner sleep better.
  • Reduce the nasal congestion associated with colds or the flu.
  • Post nasal drip.

The neti pot may help you to breathe easier, and many also comment because their nasal passages are clearer their senses of smell and taste also improve.

What is a Neti Pot?

A neti pot looks like a small teapot and is usually made from plastic or ceramic. Neti pots have their origin in Ayurvedic medicine and Neti means nasal cleansing.

The design of the neti pot allows the user to flush out irritants such as dust and pollen, and to thin mucous by pouring saline solutions into the nostrils.

It is important to use a saline solution in your neti pot as water alone may irritate your nasal cavity.  It is also important to use good quality water such as distilled water, or water that has been boiled and stored in a closed clean container or filtered water.  Alternatively you can buy ready made saline solutions. If you are making your own the ratio is 1 cup of water to 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

Using a neti pot can be messy and many choose to use their neti pot in the shower, alternatively you can lean over a sink.

You need to tilt your head sideways about 45 degrees. Place the spout of your neti pot in your nostril that is closest to the ceiling.

Slowly pour the contents of the neti pot into your upper nostril, keep your mouth open whilst you do this to help you breathe easier.  The contents will start to pour out your other nostril. You are now doing nasal irrigation.  When your neti pot is half way swap to the other nostril.

This will take between 3 to 5 minutes – once you have done it a few times it gets easier and less messy.

The aim of the neti pot is to clear out any excess mucus, irritation and invaders from the inside of your nose, and make your nose and sinus area healthier and clearer.

After every use make sure you clean you neti pot with good quality water and then allow it to air dry before you use it again.

Always wash your hands before and after using your neti pot to avoid the transfer of germs

Never share your neti pot with anyone else, you are likely to share germs that way.

If you suffer from sinus congestion, hay fever, allergies,  frequent nasal congestion or colds and flus bother you, it may be worth giving a neti pot a go. It is easy to use and inexpensive therapy that can have amazing benefits in as little as 5 minutes.

We are all unique and what works for one person may not work for another. With your health be informed so you can make the best decision for you, and if in doubt seek the advice of a natural health care professional.

How holistic treatment with Tuina Massage can help

Holistic treatment is based on treating the person as a whole, not isolating one area of the body from the other and incorporating the energy flow of Qi to bring back to homeostasis.

Tuina is an ancient form of Traditional Chinese Massage used for centuries. Based on a holistic health approach of treating the person as a whole to balance the energy flow of Qi in the body.

Qi is the energy of everything and is from our vital force to the vapour of the air we breathe.

If you have a reoccurring injury, illness or issue then it is best you look at finding what caused the imbalance in the first place, the core of your problem. I use a blend of Acu-Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Acupressure, Dry Needling, Cupping, Guasha, Kinesiology, Lymphatic Massage, Moxibustion, Myofascial Techniques, Reflexology, TCM Remedial Massage and Mind-Body Medicine therapies to alleviate anxiety, mood disorders, pain, PTSD, stress with expanding or contracting the physical to spiritual layers of energy and unblocking any stagnant energy and releasing trauma held within the mind, body or soul.

A simple explanation for a holistic approach to a problem with constant pain or tightness in your Anterior Tibialis – the front outside area of your leg between your knee to your ankle.

Structural:

  • Gait system – cross/crawl walking could be out. Look at shoulders, hips, knees, ankles and/or feet.
  • Any or all the different areas of the gait system could be out or the Golgi’s, tendons, ligaments or muscles need to be realigned with acupressure, massage techniques or meridian balance or massage.
  • Flat feet.
  • Gait system – walking could be homolateral or contralateral.
  • Gait system because there is a coordination issue not crawling properly and the brain and gait system are not integrated.
  • Gait system – not walking properly with homolateral or contralateral since walking as a toddler, or as a teenager or adult from an injury or accident and integration has been compromised.
  • Myofascial release on any of the myofascial trains that connect various areas of the body.

Biochemical:

  • Imbalance of electrolytes as it is a Water Element muscle for the bladder
  • Not drinking enough water – dehydration may cause hypernatremia
  • Drinking too much water – over hydration and may cause hyponatremia
  • Issue with the bladder having incontinence which also involves the organ of the brain or nerves connected to the spine and/or brain

Psychological: Anxiety, Fear and Phobias

  • Fear of water
  • Fear of drowning
  • Fear of social interaction or external environment
  • Loves looking at the water as long as it is calm
  • The flow of the water and how it moves can indicate the different emotions and other elements and/or meridians at play

Spiritual or Electromagnetic Layer:

  • Brain
  • Nerves
  • Organs – brain and/or bladder
  • Salt water is what our plasma is made up of

The gait system is complex and since studying Kinesiology in 2005 I have found that the majority of people have tension in the Anterior Deltoid muscle of the upper arm just below the shoulder on the front. Tension in this muscle relates to the gait system, gall bladder and swinging movement from side to side – hence why the shoulders, hips, knees, ankles and feet are at play. The Anterior Deltoid is a gall bladder muscle and relates to anger and frustration.

Physical and emotional aspects can be corrected holistically by balancing the gall bladder muscle or gall bladder meridian or gall bladder acupressure points on the side of the torso of the body to the head like a map of Australia – the wood element as it is part of the gait system.

Holding or tapping emotional stress points GB 14 or placing your hand over your forehead can help you feel better.

Anxiety, depression and stress can grow if we don’t learn to breathe, walk and talk with ease.

Our connection to what surrounds us externally and what we feel internally affects how our body responds.

Clean water, clean food, regular exercise and regular maintenance on ourselves is the key to health and wellness.

Chinese principle is to promote health and longevity promoting qi flow with Tuina Massage.

The power of words and how they can control you

Ever stood still and thought about how words can affect you and how you feel?

Looking at it simply; our feelings can get triggered by the words we hear (from others and ourselves).

Hearing something like “You’re not working fast enough” might cause feelings of hurt, anger, frustration or fear.

And when we feel like this our bodies react to it. Anger can cause our body to tense up. Fear can cause the body to be in a constant state of high alert/panic. Feeling hurt can make the body feel sluggish and lethargic. All of which cause the body to work at a less than optimum level. Causing our bodies to work extra hard, or to shut down all together.

Your body listens to your words and thoughts. This doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with reality, but revolves solely around your perception.

Eg, Your body will react a certain way when it ‘thinks’ there is a snake on the path, but it wont react if it ‘thinks’ there is a branch on the path. Therefore what you think and say is incredibly important.

One of the most common phrases that can cause you to feel stuck are the words “Have to”.

Please take a minute to do the following exercise:

Think back and make a list of some of the sentences you have said or thought that started with the words “I have to…..”

In a private space, take a few deep breaths into your belly, and try to relax your body as much as you can.

Once you are feeling relaxed, I’d like you to focus on the different things that you have written down.

Eg.         I have to go to work

I have to clean the house

I have to cook dinner

I have to visit my mother

I have to……

I have to……

And notice with every statement how your body reacts and feels.

Does it feel heavy or light, tensed or relaxed?

The words “Have to” tells the body that you have no other choice. And the fact that there is no choice creates a feeling of being burdened with another chore, making us feel heavier.

This also means the brain is not on the lookout for any other opportunities because it has not been given a choice.

Now, what if we changed the heavy energy we get  from “I have to” into a lighter one, and telling the body and brain “we have a choice!”

Rewrite your list of “I have to….”  By replacing the words with  “I choose to….”

Then take a few more deep breaths as you sit with each of the “I choose” statements and notice how the body is feeling now.

Remember that all we can do, is to make the best choices we can, with the information we have in that moment, and what feels best for us, at the time.

As time moves on we might get different information or have learned more. You are always allowed to change your mind at any time! Your choices are based on what you knew and how you felt at that point in time, and was the best possible choice for you at that moment.

So it is always important to reflect and check in on those choices, and make sure they are still working for you. (And if not…. change your choices!)

I would like you to challenge yourself, and ask “Do you really HAVE TO?? And according to whom?”

Have a read from the example below from someone who feels stuck in their job.

Person A: I have to go to work!

Challenger: Why and according to whom?

Person A: According to my partner and myself, I have to earn money to provide for my family.

Challenger: What happens if you did not go to work?

Person A: We would be living on the streets, and I don’t want that.

Challenger: So you have a choice: to go to work or live on the streets?

Person A: I suppose there is a choice, but I don’t want that.

Challenger:  So in other words: “You choose to work, because you want to be able to support and provide for your family”

Person A: When you put it like that…….. It does feel better.

Challenger: Great! But if you do not like the job have, why not change it?

Person A: I have to, I can’t find another job that pays enough.

Challenger: If there was another job available would you take it?

Person A: Yes, I would.

Challenger: So “You choose to stay in this job, until there is another one available”.

Making a statement that says “I have to stay in this job even though I don’t like it” puts the brain to sleep, as you have already made up your mind, it believes that it’s not negotiable, so no need to look for any other possibilities.

Making a statement that says “I choose to stay in this job to provide for my family, until I can find a job I enjoy better“ forces the brain to wake up and be on the lookout. So it will stay alert and scan your environment for other possibilities and opportunities.

Feel the difference.

Set a challenge for yourself and change your thoughts and words from “I have to” 🡪 “I choose to”   and you will start to feel a lot more in control in life.