Welcome to the April 2010 issue of the LaVida Health Newsletter.

LaVida Health Services

- Naturopathy
- Herbal Medicine
- Nutrition
- Myotherapy
- Massage Therapy

In this Issue

	Introduction
	Menopause
	Hypnotherapy and how it can help....
	Special Offers...
	Disclaimer
	We love feedback....

Website Articles

Click here to visit the News and Views articles section of the LaVida Health website, where you will find comments on items appearing in the media, information about specific health issues, and other titbits.

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Introduction

Welcome to the April 2010 issue of our newsletter.

I hope you have made the most of the lovely summer and autumn weather and are looking forward to cooler nights, beautiful soups and other hearty winter fare.

Welcome to those of you who are receiving our newsletter for the first time. I hope you find the information contained within interesting. This newsletter is published every two months and contains information on different topics related to health and wellbeing.

This month I talk very briefly about menopause.  It's a fact of life for all women (and it impacts their men too).  Also, we explain how hypnotherapy works and finally we have some great special offers for yourself or perhaps as a gift idea for Mothers' Day which is just around the corner.

Yours in good health,

Kaye Wright
Naturopath and Owner

Menopause

Menopause is a time of transition.  Unfortunately, many women view it as the end of their good life as they know it and the start of the slide into old age, when in fact it can mark the start of a wonderful new era with all the opportunities that experience, wisdom and hard earned resources can bring.  However in order to achieve this transition successfully, you would be wise to prepare for this mid-stage of your life.  A good diet and lifestyle can make a significant difference to how you experience menopause. 

Technically, we only know menopause has occured retrospectively.  It is defined as the absence of a menstrual period for a consecutive period of 12 months.  The time leading up to that date is what we now call peri-menopause and may start in the forties.  For some women it can last for a number of years with symptoms continuing on past menopause.  During this time, hormone levels can fluctuate and the menstrual cycle can become erratic.  As a consequence, during this transition phase some women will experience varying degrees of associated symptoms such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness, insomnia, irritability, depression, poor concentration and more.    For many women, these symptoms will be a minor irritation but for others they can be very debilitating.  However the good news is that a supportive diet and lifestyle complemented by some nutritional supplements and traditional herbal remedies can make a big difference.

I don't have room in this newsletter to address specifics but a diet which includes foods rich in phyto-oestrogens such as tofu and flaxseed and avoids coffee, alcohol, and very spicy foods can have a significant effect on hot flushes.  A lifestyle which incorporates some relaxation and exercise has also been shown to help in reducing symptoms.  Nutritional supplements such as magnesium, vitamin B6 and calcium may also be useful for some symptoms.  Herbs such as Vitex agnes-castus, Withania somnifera, Schisandra chinensis, Cimicifuga racemosa and Hypericum perforatum have all been shown to have numerous positive effects and there are many more herbs in our arsenal so we have plenty to choose from in prescribing a formula which will address the individual symptom picture as rarely are two women alike.  

So if you, or someone close to you, is starting to feel the effects of a mid-life transition it is not necessary to suffer in silence.  There are many things you can do to make life a bit easier.  But as always, before taking any nutritional or herbal medicines I would advise you to seek professional advice from a naturopath or herbalist to ensure you are getting the best possible support for your particular health needs, taking into account any other aspects of your health.

Hypnotherapy and how it can help....

From Stephen at Successism

First of all I would like to distinguish between hypnosis and hypnotherapy.  Whilst all hypnotherapy employs the use of hypnosis, not all hypnosis employs the use of hypnotherapy.

Hypnosis, in itself, is used to natually induce a trance like state.  While in a state of trance, the hypnotherapist will make suggestions and test if the suggestions have been accepted by the subconscious mind.  This "testing" is to determine if the individual is hypnotised.  When in a state of hypnosis or trance, the individual is very relaxed and other than relaxing the client and opening up the door to the subconscious part of the mind, hypnosis is not of much use on its own.

However, if the hypnotic state is aided with the use of suggestions, then the hypnotist can bypass the critical faculty of the conscious mind to implant suggestions for behavioural change into the client's subconscious.  These suggestions when accepted by the subconscious can bring about fast and dramatic positive changes that are desired by the client.  Hence the term hypnotherapy.

So, hypnotherapy helps about any way you sincerely want it to.  Hypnotherapy is a practical, effective way of developing or retraining lifelong attitudes and behavioural patterns.  The list of applications is long, but most items will generally fall into the following categories:

• controlling motivation and improving health
• relieving stress and anxiety
• changing unwanted behavioural patterns
• overcoming irrational fears
• achieving goals and improving performance.

Stephen and Olivia run Successism and are now working out of LaVida Health in the Melbourne CBD. 

Special Offers...

For the month of May 2010, Hayley, our relaxation massage therapist is offering $50 off the price of her Complete Treat package.  This is a wonderful 90 minute relaxation indulgence and represents a considerable 33% saving off the regular price.  To take advantage of this offer, please call Hayley directly on 0449 757 479.  It could be a wonderful Mothers' Day treat.

Also, Stephen and Olivia, our hypnotherapists from Successism, are offering to new clients, $40 off the cost of your first session and $10 off any subsequent sessions.  This means each session will cost only $100.  To take up this offer, please call Stephen on 0417 579 879. This could be the perfect opportunity to try hypnotherapy to help break some of those unwanted behaviours.  This offer is valid until the end of May 2010.

Finally, Eri, our myotherapist is offering 15% off myotherapy sessions for new clients during the month of May.  If you have been wondering how myotherapy differs from remedial massage or if it can help your aches and pains, now would be a great time to take advantage of this offer.  To make an appointment please call Eri directly on 0410 700 073.

Disclaimer

Naturally, the advice in this newsletter is of a general nature for educational purposes and should not be taken as a substitute for personalised advice from your healthcare professional. It is provided in good faith without any express or implied warranty. If you have, or suspect you have, a medical condition you should seek expert advice prior to taking any supplements or treatments.

Self-diagnosis and treatment may be ineffective, costly and possibly even harmful in some circumstances.

We love feedback....

If you have any questions relating to any of the above or suggestions for topics you would like covered in subsequent newsletters, please feel free to email me at info@lavidahealth.com.au  or call LaVida Health on 9620 9503.