March

The 3rd to the 10th of March is Acupuncture Awareness Week, supported by the British Acupuncture Council. This week-long event aims to dispel some of the common misconceptions regarding acupuncture by informing people of its benefits. Traditional acupuncture forms a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine where the basis for diagnosis and treatments is that the mind and body should be in perfect balance. It originated in China over 2,500 years ago and has become one of the most popular complementary therapies in the UK today.
Many people turn to traditional acupuncture for help with a specific symptom or condition. Others choose to have treatment to help maintain good health, as a preventive measure, or simply to improve their general sense of wellbeing. As traditional acupuncture aims to treat the whole person rather than specific symptoms in isolation, it can be effective for a range of health complaints.

Therapist of The Month

Val Davis B.sc., Lic.Ac., M.B.Ac.C - Acupuncture & Facial Revitalisation

Tel: 01395 578050 / 07870 881596
Web: www.devonacupuncture.org.uk
Email: valdavis@btinternet.co.uk

Val originally trained in Psychiatric Nursing and worked in a large teaching hospital in Sheffield. Following several years of nursing she became interested in medical ethics and philosophy and subsequently went to University and obtained a 2:1 degree in Philosophy and Medical Ethics. At the same time she became interested in complementary therapies as an alternative and gentler way of treating people. She trained in Therapeutic Massage at the College of Holistic Medicine in London and subsequently set up a practice. After only a few years of delivering massage, she developed RSI (repetitive strain injury) and subsequently was treated and cured of this painful condition by Acupuncture.

She then decided that she would train in Acupuncture. She trained at the College of Traditional Acupuncture in Leamington Spa, and subsequently set up a practice in Devon. Val has now been in practice for 20 years, is passionate about her work, and often says “she has the best job in the world!”  She is a member of the British Acupuncture Council.

Talk: A Trip for the Soul

A Trip for the Soul:
Personal Pilgrimage to Peru and Bolivia

Talk by Trudi Morgan, Medicine Wheel Teacher and Shamanic Practitioner

Friday 14th March 7.30pm-9.00pm £3

Trudi, a teacher by profession, started teaching French in comprehensives in Liverpool in the 1970s. She still teaches but a little differently - she teaches the Medicine Wheel. Trudi will be combining her knowledge of the Medicine Wheel and how it can be used to benefit both our personal and professional lives, with her personal experiences while visiting Peru and Bolivia. During this personal pilgrimage, Trudi worked with shamans from the Sacred Valley, spent time studying the uses of herbs and plant medicines, and connected with the beautiful and powerful landscape.

In August 2014 Trudi will be taking a small group to Peru and Bolivia visiting ancient sites and colourful markets, working in ceremony with local shamans, relaxing in open air thermal pools, making personal flower essences, walking, staying on Lake Titicaca and much more. If you would like to be part of this group visit Trudi's  website www.starkeepers.co.uk and get in touch.

February

'We should not have to wait until we are sick to be well' - This is a quote from Diane McLaren one of Canada's top natural health practitioners. It poses some interesting thoughts when exploring the benefits of complementary therapies. Here at the Centre we believe in not just restoring but maintaining health long term. Conventional medicine has made huge progress in the last 100 years and it can be a fantastic tool in restoring health, however it is often used as a solution to a problem rather than to prevent the issue arising in the first place, or repeating itself. We believe by combining an holistic approach to health, alongside conventional medicine, wellbeing throughout the mind, body and spirit can be achieved and sustained throughout our lives.

Therapist Of The Month

Emma Gilmore APNT BCMA IMFT - Sports Injury Massage & Myofascial Release

Tel: 07711656011
Web: http://www.schoolofbodywork.com/therapists/emma-gilmore/
Email: emma@schoolofbodywork.com

Emma is an advanced bodywork therapist with many years of experience who specialises in injury management, chronic disorders and pain relief. Emma’s training in Myofascial Release Therapy & Sports Injury Massage give her the tools to treat the physical and emotional component of an injury at its source, allowing the patient to heal at the deepest level.

Myofascial Release (MFR)- Fascia is a strong connective tissue that runs like a 3D web throughout the body. In healthy patients the fascia is relaxed, providing a cushioning, supportive mechanism, allowing us to move safely without restriction or pain. Physical and emotional trauma, poor posture and surgical procedures all scar and harden fascia in the affected area and along tension lines imposed on it. This causes the fascial network to loose its cushioning mechanism, and internal structures are pulled out of alignment. MFR is an extremely effective therapy in the treatment of chronic injuries, pain and dysfunction. One restriction in the fascial network can lead to another, the job of the therapist is to peel off the layers and get to the root of the problem.

Volunteers Needed!

Our volunteers all have key roles to play in the day to day running of the Centre, they're the heartbeat of the organisation and so we are always grateful for the work they do. We are currently looking for volunteers to help on reception Wednesday mornings, Thursday afternoons and Fridays. If you would be interested in becoming part of this community based charity give the Centre a call on 01297 32331 or just pop in and have a look around.

Cancer Information Cafe

The Cafe is open every Thursday afternoon between 1:30pm and 4pm. It offers people living with or affected by cancer a place to come and gather information and support from our Macmillan trained volunteers and our Macmillan library. The library has a range of books and leaflets containing all the Information you could possibly need. The Cafe also offers refreshments and free WiFi.

Audio Essences talk by Brian Pearsons

Friday March 7th
7:30pm - 9pm
£3

Audio Essences is a revolutionary new process for capturing subtle vibrations on to MP3 files, so that you can receive these vibrations just through the act of listening. In this interactive talk, we will be using Audio Essences to explore how to: Change our feeling state, access states of deep relaxation, visualise and manifest situations and people who align with our core vibration, work with our meridians and chakras to align and balance our own energy system and create healing spaces for other people and our planet.

For information:
www.audioessences.com
info@samarpan-alchemy.co.uk

**Facial Revitalisation Acupuncture**

£10 off treatments throughout February and March
01395 578050
www.facialacupuncture.org.uk

We would like to say a massive THANK YOU to East Devon District Council for their incredibly generous donation of £5000 to the Centre. The donation was given in recognition of the assistance we have given to people in crisis in the local area.






Finally we would like to offer this short quote for you to think about as we move through February. 'Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.'  ~World Health Organisation, 1948