Training & Influences
I have been a chiropractor for 20 years and a zoologist before that. During that time, I have been a seeker, experimenter and researcher as well as working in chiropractic clinics and then having my own practice.
Two things had a profound impact upon me early on after graduating from Chiropractic School. The first was a seminar on world health which showed a direct correlation between health and empowerment. This seemed to me to be in direct opposition to the paradigm of the current health service. The second was discovering that the cranial (skull) system was dynamic and has very subtle but detectable movement. I have been studying this ever since in the realm of sacro-occipital technique (SOT). This technique assesses and treats the body as a whole system including the cranium (skull) and how the whole body compensates for a problem.
My unique philosophy on healing has gradually evolved over my 20 years of experience in practice. Some aspects of the Kalish Method and GAPs (Gut and Psychology) are incorporated into my approach. I offer adrenal hormone and gut testing and analysis of results should people require this. My belief is that true healing comes from establishing the connection between mind and body and the re-awakening of the senses, and with this empowerment comes the ability to make healthy choices that are perfect for each individual. I always try to look for primary causes and explanations and if I can do this, I don’t believe that there is a need for forceful cracking and twisting.
The Kalish Method
This method demonstrates that the effects of stress on the body are real and allows testing to measure this. The levels of the stress hormones cortisol and DHEA are affected by stress and may be measured via saliva samples. Seeing how the levels of these hormones change throughout the day allows one to analyse how stressed the body is. The integrity of the gut is also commonly affected by stress allowing parasites to take up residence there. The presence of parasites then stresses the system further, further depleting stress hormones through an inflammatory effect. This can be tested via stool samples.
GAPS
The GAPS (gut and psychology) method, developed by Russian neurologist Dr Natasha Campbell McBride establishes the importance of gut bacteria upon physical and emotional well-being. I use parts but not all of this protocol. The basic principle of gut healing is to remove any gut damaging elements from the diet and the environment in which you live. The damaging elements in food are refined sugar and processed food containing chemicals. On top of these are the chemicals and toxins in your house, including toiletries and cleaning products. The most enlightening part of this approach is that it brings you closer to nature, thus harmonising your gut bacteria with your natural surroundings. By avoiding the chemicals, the money spent can then be used on quality healing foods, these being organic, meat that has been grass fed and reared outdoors and fish from the ocean; farmed fish is not always fed with natural foodstuffs.
Foot analysis
Feet are a very important and often primary cause of pain and dysfunction all over the body. Having evolved to walk upon sand and soil, our feet are not adapted to walking on hard surfaces. The result of this is that the foot ligaments become stretched causing dropped arches (pronation) or ‘flat feet’. This causes compensatory stresses and strains upon the rest of the body. I have found that just correcting this pronation with orthotics on some people can ease aches and pains all over the body. I prescribe ICB heat moulding dual density orthotics. These are an excellent product that I have personally found to be extremely effective in relieving foot pain, back ache, hip pain and knee pain. They have been developed by podiatric practitioners and expert biomechanical engineers in collaboration with the International College of Biomechanics (ICB). Cardiologists are even using them to take pressure off the heart due to the resulting postural change that ensues once the foot arches have the correct support.
Self-healing
I have been lucky enough to have experienced my own healing via cranial treatment on myself (having myself experienced cranial birth trauma), and both treatment and training from top cranial chiropractor Dr Jonathan Howat. The removal of cranial stress and I believe the resulting improved function of the vagus nerve has produced profound healing and stress relief.
