What is the Matter with Me?

Have I got an allergy, sensitivity or intolerance? What is available to help me? A panel of speakers will discuss the latest diagnoses, treatments and information sources and answer your questions.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Alarmist condemnation of all alternative therapies ignores the crucial role some could play in the human healing process.

Read on at the guardian website. 

Alternative Treatments… On the NHS
By Dr Rosemary Leonard

The recent announcement that several health authorities were no longer funding homeopathic remedies surprised many people - because they didn’t know they were available in the first place! Many patients believe they can only get traditional treatments on the NHS, but in many areas a choice of alternative therapies is available. These treatments include acupuncture, osteopathy, Alexander technique and even hypnotherapy.

Provision varies widely in different areas, and depends on individual primary care trusts. You can find out about the services in your area from the NHS Directory of Complementary and Alternative Practitioners (see www.nhsdirectory.org), or from a Patient Advice and Liaison co-ordinator (PAL) at your local primary care trust. Your surgery will have the contact details.

N.B. In Bedfordshire, your G.P. can prescribe C.A.M.

Since the launch, the two book collections, sponsored by Bedford Allergy Support Group, have been issuing well, demonstrating the interest in books on allergies as well as complementary medicine. The full collection can now be found at Bedford Central Library.

In January 2007, Bedfordshire Libraries launched the Bedfordshire Books on Prescription service in all 17 of it’s libraries, working in partnership with the PCT. Each library has a collection of 35 books covering mild mental health conditions such as depression, panic attacks and anger management, as well as books on various other health matters.

Further details of the Bedfordshire Books on Prescription service can be obtained by contacting Anthea Stark, Senior Librarian, Community Link Services on 01234 350931.

Allergy: Services, Politics and Real Life

The slides used during a talk for the Bedford Allergy Support Group by Dr. Ramesh Mehta FRCP;FRCPCH;MD;DCH Consultant Paediatrician at Bedford Hospital.

Wyndham Centre

The slides used during a talk for the Bedford Allergy Support Group by Sandra Bullock, Nutritionist at The Wyndham Centre.

Find out more by coming to hear Phillip Day, International Speaker, at the Bunyan Free Church (Mill Street, Bedford) on Thursday 10th January 2008 from 19h30.

For further information, call 01234 354499

In addition to the availability of this newsletter, you can also now download past newsletters. Please click the links below to read them, or right-click the links and select “Save as” to save them to you computer and read them at a later date.

• Newsletter 1
• Newsletter 2
• Newsletter 3
• Newsletter 4
• Newsletter 5
• Newsletter 6
• Newsletter 7

Homeopathy can take some time to provide a really effective therapy. During the course of homeopathic treatment, you might find your condition worsening initially (a reaction to treatment); this is a good sign and means the medication is ultimately likely to be effective. It is important to understand that during a course of treatment your symptoms may change and this will necessitate a change in medication.

If a reaction to treatment occurs:

1. If you are taking a medicine which you rub into your navel, halve the dose (e.g. if it is five drops on alternative days then decrease the dose to five drops evry forth day). If you are still unwell a week later, then ring the clinic.
2. If you are only taking oral medication, halve the dose of all medicaments. If you are still unwell a week later, then ring us.

General advice about taking homeopathic medicines:

• Before food medication should be taken as instructed, 15 to 20 minutes before food. Also, please avoid toothpaste, cigarettes, pharmaceutical medicines (drugs), or drinking anything except water, for that period of time.
• After food medication should be taken 15 to 20 minutes after food, following all the above regulations.
• Coasted tablets should be swallowed whole.
• Try and keep hydrated while taking homeopathic medicines. We would recommend that you drink plenty of spring water per day during therapy.
• Please store homeopathic medicines in a cupboard, away from strong light, heat, perfume or coffee.
• Medicines supplied in the form of pills or tablets should be taken from a clean palm of hand and put into mouth. Medicines should be placed directly onto the tongue. Powdered medicines should be mixed as directed. If the instructions say that they should be taken in water, then the containers used should be cleaned and dried. Immediately before use the glass should be rinsed in water.
• It is preferable, but not essential, to avoid taking prescribed medications (particularly self prescribed medications such as pain killers and laxatives) whilst taking homeopathic medicines.

If you run out of medicines a long time before your next appointment, telephone the Centre on 01962 718004 and we well send more in the post.

The medicines prescribed at the Dove Clinic are all registered in the country of origin. We obtain medicines from two major sources in the United Kingdom and Germany. In Germany, natural medicines are subject to careful quality control in their production and are registered under a seperate natural medicines licensing procedure. In the United Kingdom, our medicines are made by licensed pharmaceutical companies and their production and quality are carefully monitored.

Ingredients of medictaion can be given if required.

If you want to know more about the Dove Clinic, visit their website.