Helena spoke to us about Craniosacral therapy (CST) which is an alternative therapy that she practises.
It comes from an osteopathic condition which beleives that the bones are not fused and the brain has mobility. She works from the head down to the tail bone. She works with people with stress, anxiety disorders amd neurodiverse conditions. It is a gentle therapy and can be off the body. She told us it can help regulate the autonomic system and can reduce the stress response and increase the rest and digest response. With children, she tries to support some of them from a place of high overwhelm to where they feel calm, regulated and resilient. Her work is child led and she is guided by what they are comfortable with. She shared that some of her results have been remarkable.
Helena is keen to set up a low cost clinic for neurodiverse children and their families.
Diana is a nutritionist with many years of experience.
One of the main areas she talked about was the effects of fats and how they work with our brains and nervous systems. Fish oils have a hugely benficial affect. All good oils have a link with anti inflammatory too. Hard fats like butter or palm oil are not recommended. But advocado oil is viewed as a super food. She also mentioned the important research around probiotics and and how the gut effects everything. The science is identifying how certain bacteria may effect things such as autism. She also touched on detoxification and how our biochemistry is effected by so much. It is important to help the liver get rid of toxins. She highlighted protein as a very important macronutrient and the need to have good digestion. Papaya and aloe vera help us digest protein. She said a little about gluten / dairy free diets and giving certain foods a rest.
Other things she recommended: vitamin D and vitamin E, lots of fruit and vegetables for fibre, magnesium ascorbate (vitamin C powder), Saccharomyces boulardii (friendly yeast), epsom bath salts for detox, buying only organic chicken and apples because of the skin, smoothies for getting things into your child’s diet.