Children`s Treatments

As parents, our aim in life is to ensure that our children are healthy with good concentration levels and sleep patterns, have emotional and physical well-being and, if unwell, are treated with natural remedies that are free from side-effects.

Homoeopathy is a completely safe form of medicine, fast acting and effective. My low cost children’s clinic provides natural healthcare for a wide range of physical and emotional problems that can arise when bringing up a child—from the first few weeks of their life to the conditions that can affect children as they mature.

As a craniosacral therapist, I work with stillness, listening via the cranial touch to what the body is revealing, moving my hands in response to the fluid motion to release strains and tensions.

This therapy is particularly well suited to the treatment of children with special needs; autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, learning difficulties and for problems such as sleep disorders and bed wetting. A few sessions can help a child settle into a new school or overcome exam phobia.

With my own child, I found that Craniosacral therapy helped when dental braces were fitted and then tightened every few weeks. Using this gentle hands-on therapy together with homoeopathy, her recovery was quicker and the adjustments made to the teeth were less painful and easier to deal with.

Allergies in the form of hay fever, eczema and asthma respond well to complementary medicine and parents are pleased with the results when their children are treated naturally. A complete medical history is taken together with the symptoms of the allergic response and the way in which the child copes with the problem. This helps with the choice of the homoeopathic remedy and gives the child the time and space to describe their feelings and contribute to the consultation.

As a mother of two, I have personal experience to draw upon. I also have a wide range of books and articles to consult. Much of my CPD (continuing professional development) has consisted of attending seminars and workshops connected with the treatment of children and I keep my working knowledge current. I enjoy teaching clients about the remedies and the way they work and recommend that families have homoeopathic kits at home. I work both face to face or via telephone consultations. When a child is ill, parents can keep in touch with me via text messages or emails so that remedies can be suggested for use and notes can be kept up to date with any changes in health recorded. This works well for me and the families in my practice.

Cathy Brooks RSHom, RCST

CranioSacral Therapy, Homoeopathy and Birth Support “Doula”

In Essex, Suffolk and North London

Press Release

Helping children to combat bugs naturally

Local homeopath Cathryn Brooks is highlighting an alternative approach to children’s healthcare after a Government watchdog warned that many cough and cold medicines aimed at youngsters may be ineffective and can even cause side effects (1). Cathy has been working with families in Colchester for several years to help children overcome illnesses naturally.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) reported earlier this month that it had found "no robust evidence" that many of the popular conventional medicines worked in children, and advised that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines should no longer be used in those under six, stating “there is no evidence that they work and they can cause side effects, such as allergic reactions, effects on sleep or hallucinations.”

And the charity Deafness Research UK has warned that thousands of children could be affected by ear infections not properly treated (2), and that routine antibiotics do not always work.

Ear problems and recurrent coughs, colds and related symptoms are high on the list of health issues which lead parents to seek the help of Cathy, and there is research evidence which supports the efficacy of homeopathic treatment in these conditions ^3,4,5,6,7

Homeopathy is a system of medicine which is based on treating the individual with highly diluted substances given in mainly tablet form, which triggers the body’s natural system of healing. Based on their experience of their symptoms, a homeopath will match the most appropriate medicine to the child.

Cathy said: “Homeopathic medicines, known as remedies, have no toxic side effects, so can be used safely even in babies.”

It is recommended that a professional homeopath (look out for the RSHom designation) is consulted as each child will be treated according to their own individual needs, and the treatment will be more effective.

However, homeopathic medicines can be used at home. Listed below are some common remedies available over the counter and pointers to the symptoms that would indicate their use:

Belladonna: indicated where the symptoms have come on suddenly and there is fever, throbbing and pain, with great irritability, and symptoms worse from jarring.

Bryonia: the symptoms are slow to come on, there is much dryness and pains are worse from even the slightest movement. Children are irritable and may reject what they just asked for. The cough is dry, worse after eating or drinking. There is increased thirst.

Pulsatilla: mucus is sticky and difficult to cough up. The child might be tearful and need constant cuddles. They are better in the fresh air, and thirst less despite having a dry mouth.

Phosphorus: this is a hacking, tickling cough, often with sweating. The child is worse at night and might ask for icy drinks or ice cream, which may be vomited up immediately. They may be hoarse, and are better for affection and massage, and worse for cold air.

Gelsemium: the number one flu remedy, with symptoms slow to come on, where there is much heaviness and drooping, fatigue, clammy skin, flushes of hot and cold, dizziness and congestion.

Please contact :

Cathryn Brooks RSHom RCST.

Holistic Healthcare

Braiswick

Colchester CO4 5BB

01206 843 153

www.cathybrooks.co.uk

Notes to editors:

· Homeopathy has been available on the NHS since its inception in 1948

· There are 5 NHS homeopathic hospitals

· Interest in homeopathy is growing – a Mintel report (July 2007) reported that the

sale of homeopathic treatments had seen a 24 per cent growth since 2002.

The Society of Homeopaths is the largest body of professional homeopaths in Europe. Established in 1978, it has over 2,300 members.

Registered members of The Society of Homeopaths are fully insured and

have agreed to abide by a strict Code of Ethics & Practice. A copy of the code is available on www.homeopathy-soh.org.

For further details about the The Society of Homeopaths please contact Pamela Stevens on 0845 450 6611 or info@homeopathy-soh.org

References:

1.ww.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Safetywarningsalertsandrecalls Safetywarningsandmessagesformedicines/CON038908

2. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7902302.stm Feb. 2009

3. Friese K-H, Kruse S, Ludtke R, Moeller H. Homeopathic treatment of otitis media in children: comparisons with conventional therapy. Int J of Clin Pharmacol and Ther 1997; 35: 296-301.

4. Jacobs J, Springer DA, Crothers D. Homeopathic treatment of acute otitis media in children: a preliminary randomized placebo-controlled trial. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2001; 20(2): 177-83.

5 Frei H, Thurneysen A. Homeopathy in acute otitis media in children: treatment effect or spontaneous resolution? Br Homeopath J 2001; 90: 180-2.

6. Harrison H, Fixsen A, Vickers A. A randomized comparison of homoeopathic and standard care for the treatment of glue ear in children. Complement Ther in Med 1999; 7(3): 132-5.

7 Adler M. Efficacy, safety of a fixed-combination homeopathic therapy for sinusitis. Adv Ther 1999; 16: 103–111/