Over the past few years the idea of holistic health has grown in popularity in Barbados and there are several clinics that offer complimentary treatments. There are also frequent special events in the fields of holistic health and beauty.

The Maas Clinic is located on the South Coast of Barbados in a beautiful original Barbadian chattel house that has been lovingly restored into a state of the art clinic on the inside while maintaining its character and originality on the outside. Set in lush mature gardens with a beautiful view of the Caribbean Sea, they pride themselves on the efficient yet tranquil and healing environment that they provide to patients. There is ample parking available at all times.

Overseas Patients:

Due to the growing volume of overseas patients coming in for nutritional rehabilitation the Clinic will endeavour to assist with recommendations on accommodations and other relevant local information.

Staff & Practice Policy:

The practice has several members. Each of the Physicians/Practitioners are highly trained at International University level and licensed and registered under local and state board regulations. The Clinic endeavours to be meticulous in the management of each patient. Osteopathic Medicine is covered by most insurance companies. Each of the Practitioners reserves the right not to treat a patient.

The following information on health and diet is reproduced with the kind permission of the Maas Clinic

Basic Requirements for good health

Good nutritious food
Clean water
Clean air, especially when exercising
Regular meals
Stretching / exercising
Washed vegetables.

Water Quality and Life
Scientific research has greatly improved our understanding of the unique properties of water. The quality of life that our cells experience and their matrix or mesenchyme, and by extension of that our own body's performance, is determined by the quality of water.
It has several roles that cannot be replaced by anything man-made.
It should be as pure as possible.
The pH of the water should be between 8.5---9.5
The redox should be less than 25, millivolts;
Lower is better
The resistivity approximately 15,000.

What's Your Metabolic Type?

Metabolic types and food combining; based on the work of Dr's Atkins and Watson. Broadly speaking there are two metabolic types. Slow and fast oxidizers... and the oxidizer part relates to how fast the patient’s body metabolizes carbohydrates.
There are a lot of people in the world that believe that they can control their diseases by their diet. And it's true. Hippocrates said "let medicine be your food and let food be your medicine" and how true that really is. The trick is to know how to match your food with your metabolic type, so that your metabolism can "burn" the fuel and not store it in a fat cell; and how well your digestion and absorption deals with that food and to convert it into ENERGY. What cannot be achieved through the food is supplemented with minerals, enzymes, herbs and vitamins.

Food tips.
Always wash and clean vegetables and fruit well.

Steam, bake, grill or stir fry, with only the best oils.

Never re-use the oil, as the food fragments left behind cook to carbon and that's very toxic for your body!

Minimize or avoid food combining starches and proteins.

Proteins need a strong acid to be broken down so a pH of 1-2.... in the form of HCL is secreted by your stomach cells.

Carbs and starches need an enzyme pH of 6.5 to 6.75, from the saliva glands and pancreas (and the enzyme is very sensitive to the surrounding pH environment, so a strong shift in an acid direction can slow the performance of the digestive reactions).

Mixing those two brews problems in your tummy and tubes, causing FERMENTATION, GAS AND BLOATING.
N.B. Feeling bloated is NOT the same as feeling full.

Eat lots of vegetables and salad.
Between four to five vegetables is the minimum requirement to avoid biochemical deficiencies.

Below is a Candida/ultra clean diet, minimizing the toxic burden on the body.

Avoid sugar, yeasts, chocolate, white flour, non- organic meats, fermented products and dairy. It is hard because these foods are VERY VERY addictive. Withdrawal takes sacrifice!

Protein
Most of the time.
Salmon, mackerel, cod, snapper, tuna, Dorado, chicken breast(free range), sardines, trout, flying fish, king fish, turkey breast( free range), eggs(poached or soft-boiled).

Moderate
Lamb, shellfish, tofu.

Protein/Carbohydrates
Yoghurt (goats or cows), soya milk, rice milk

Fats
Olive oil, olives, garlic and garlic oil (great for attacking yeast) sesame oil and tahini, flax seeds and oil, almonds and almond butter, butter, palm oil, walnuts (check for mould), brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, mayonnaise (sparingly), avocado and guacamole.

Vegetable/Carbs
Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, mustard greens, turnips, radishes, watercress, tomatoes spinach, romaine, nettle, garlic (again because it's so great), onions, zucchini, celery, sprouts (fresh only) fresh herbs, okra, eggplant, leeks, cucumber, yellow squash.

Starches with glycemic index
Barley 36
Pasta ( variable) 40-130
Lentils 41
Kidney beans 42
Lima beans 46
Chickpeas 47-60
Tortillas 54
Peas 68-70
Bulgar 68
Rye Kernel 71
Rice (all kinds) approx 75-85
Sweet potato 77
Buckwheat 78
Corn 78
potato 81
Beets 91
Cous cous 93
Rye flour 92
Carrots 101
Baked potato 120
Parsnip 140

Fruits
These are not to be eaten while on the Candida diet and no canned fruit, fresh is best.
Clean the fruit.
Eat by themselves.

cherries 32
plums 34
grapefruit 36-40
peaches 44
pears 50-55
apples 52
grapes 62
kiwi 75
bananas 76
mangoes 80
pineapple 94
watermelon 102

If you want to LOSE weight, choose starches less than 60.

If you want to GAIN weight, choose above 60.

Beverages
Drink at least 8-12 oz glasses of water /day while doing a detox !
Filtered tap water, herbal teas, ginger tea, natural lemonade (made from water, a little lemon and lime and stevia), dandelion tea or coffee, green tea, vegetable /chicken broth.

Avoid sugar, alcohol, chocolate, soft drinks, packaged fruit juice, cigarettes, coffee and tea, coke and diet coke.
( Q = why? A = because they all upset the liver enzyme system and that organ is really important, because it cleans the food as well as the blood and your body's waste !)

Kidney diet
With this diet always think reduce the acid load and max the alkalizing load!
These food are very beneficial to this pair of filters;
Acidophilus, asparagus, barley, celery, potato broth, cranberries, dandelion, juniper, parsley, pumpkin seeds. Yoghurt (live) and fish are good sources of protein.
Understand why to strictly avoid highly acidic foods and be consistent and kind with yourself.

DANGER FOODS TO THE KIDNEYS (high oxalic acid content) RED MEAT, DAIRY, WHEAT, SUGAR,TEA , COFFEE, CITRUS FRUITS AND JUICES, TOMATOES,PEANUTS AND CASHEWS,SPINACH , STRAWBERRIES ,CHOCOLATE AND ALCOHOL !

The Modern Toxic Environment Definition
~' toks-sin'~ The word toxin is any poisonous substance which , when ingested, inhaled or absorbed, or when applied to, injected into or developed within the body (from other organisms), in relatively small amounts, by its chemical action can damage /destroy the life or harm the health of a living animal or plant.

Here are some facts
Over 2.2 billion pounds of toxic chemicals released in the USA in 1994 US Environmental Protection Agency,
In the USA, 4000 additives are allowed in foods.......
There are currently over 1500 different pesticides used in over 50 000 products used in North America alone..... these have some rules of use.
Third world countries have no strict use policy on most pesticides.

Humans are on top of the food-chain organism, what we send out into the world we will get it back into our bodies sooner or later..... what goes around, comes around....

The Modern Toxic Patient these are some of the symptoms of chronic poisoning

1) Fatigue
2) Sleep disturbance
3) Gastro-intestinal distress
4) Headaches
5) Allergy symptoms
6) Confusion
7) Anxiety as published by Liang HK, Clinical evaluation of the poisoned patient and the toxic syndrome, Clinical Chemistry, 1996 42 1350-1365

Concepts of Toxins and De-toxing
Most toxins will act as an acid in your system and it changes the way your blood, saliva and urine buffer the body's bio-chemistry. Those fluids have an optimal environment. If the fluids stray too far from the optimal pH, rH2, R this has an effect on the enzymes and hormones, i.e.. slowing down the performance of homeostasis.
And this obviously stresses the organ that deals with that particular enzyme or hormone. There are over 2500 different enzymes in a single liver cell !
That is why detoxification is a good step to a solution that is used when most patients have the above symptoms.
Having any of the above symptoms for longer than three months and the disease has now become chronic. Pointing to causes, could the internal and external environment cause or maintain the dysfunctions ? Maybe...of course!

Cleaning up the organs of acid elimination would involve cleaning the liver, bowel and kidneys. The lungs only eliminate 10% of the acid load ( i.e. from breathing)... they work in conjunction with the kidneys and intestines(Chinese Acupuncture theory). Cleaning the kidneys will help clean up the lungs. This is the first step to getting back the energy that has been lost. Unloading the acids and toxins will improve enzyme catalytic reactions and drive the body's engines, the mitochondria to produce more ATP, adenosine - tri- - phosphate. This substance has loads of explosive bursts of energy produced by the oxidation of glucose.
All the body's processes use this substance for energy. All of them.
And the last step will be balancing the minerals and the water level into a natural ratio. The BTA will give measurement of the oxidative reduction profile of the blood and saliva. In other words how is the anti-oxidant activity of the blood and liver/lymphatics? Is the body taking too much oxidative stress which inturn will create illness and disease?

Specialty Labs

The Maas Clinic uses Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory for the majority of the specialty testing, including toxic metal analysis, saliva hormone testing, lymphocyte nutritional assays, and gastrointestinal/parasite evaluations. Listed below some of the popular tests required by our patients at the Centre.
Hair analysis- describes level of toxic and nutrient elements in a body
Toxic Metal Challenge-a 6-24 hour urine test
Parasite Stool Analysis
Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis-digestion, absorption, excretion Adreno-cortex profile
Female hormone profile
Menopausal profile
Bone resorption tests
Amino-acid profile Genomic Testing This testing protocol is a service performed in conjunction with Great Smokies Diagnostic Labs
Virtually all-human diseases result from the interaction of genetic susceptibility and modifiable environmental factors, broadly defined to include infectious, chemical, physical, nutritional, and behavioral factors.
GenovationsT offers a unique line of Predictive Genomic Diagnostic Profiles.

Each profile focuses on a carefully selected set of SNPs associated with a particular disease or physiologic imbalance
*cardiovascular,
*bone metabolism,
*detoxification,
*immune surveillance,

The Natural Therapy Centre uses this information to advise the patient exactly what steps are needed to avoid future diseases. Prevention doesn't get any better than this.

1) Disc Recovery Program *Physical examination and case history
*Musculo-Spinal evaluation
*Vertetrac / Cervicotrac
*Power assisted Micro-Manipulation
*Osteopathic therapy
*Laser therapy
*Myo-fascial acupuncture
*Deep Muscle therapy/Trigger point therapy
*Muscle Massage/ lymphatic massage
*Exercise rehabilitation programs

2) Medical rehabilitation For all chronic diseases, post trauma or post surgical using the functional principles of Osteopathy i.e. to restore as near as optimal function as possible on an individual with specific health issues.

3) Detoxification programs This program is designed for individuals that want to cleanse through nutritional detoxification programs while receiving instructions of when and why to take vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

4) Weight loss programs The program is designed to uncover which foods are allergic and cause water retention as well as aid the body into increasing the metabolism and detoxification. This is because fat cells are good for storing fat as well as toxins. Sometimes strong lipase's are needed to help assist the liver in breaking down the fats.

5) Food and Environmental Sensitivity Assessment and Desensitization programs The BEST and BTA together are used to address the food and environmental sensitivities that the patient would like to discover and treat. Patients for years may be consuming food and work /play in environments that aggravate the physiological systems resulting in an altered immune response to otherwise non-hostile substances. 6) Female health programs ( all ages ) This program is for women who want to change
*PMS,
*breast disorders
*osteoporosis,
*menstrual disorders,
*peri-men / menopause/post-menopausal, situations.

Female hormone profiles/ Menopausal profiles will be instructed to the patient, to exactly disclose which hormones are related to the patients dysfunction.

7) Heavy Metal /pesticide chelation programs BTA and Hair analysis and urine analysis give us the data to process what metals are in the body and how much of them are in there.
These tests are regularly performed during any metal detox work e.g. mercury amalgam removal, environmental poisoning, vacciNation Newside-effects. It allows us to check how well things are going or not and take the appropriate steps to guide the patient through this toxic maze, minimizing the side effects of moving metals through the body.
The samples are sent to GSDL, in the USA.

Biological Terrain Assessment The BTA assessment is a quick, easy, in office test of your blood, saliva and urine. After a 12-14-hour fast, you will collect your first and second morning urine which you will bring to the Natural Therapy Centre. Upon arrival at the office, a small sample of venous blood is drawn and a saliva sample is obtained.

These samples are then tested with the BTA unit, the most advanced instrument of its kind for measuring biological terrain. It's that simple!

Digital Feedback and interpretive understanding The BTA test, through digital feedback, will tell you and the practitioner, how acid or alkaline your body is. Your body tries to be slightly alkaline. But your body processes everything with the result that it produces an acid product.
The test will tell you
* optimal acid/alkaline balance (Blood pH)
*optimal your digestion is (Saliva pH).
*evaluation of Kidney strength (Urine pH)
*the overall demand of anti-oxidants ( Blood RH2)
*the level of energy (Urine rH2) of the urine.
*the liver oxidative performance ( Saliva rH2)
*congested your body is (Blood R).
*level of toxicity(Blood R)
*adrenal resilience (Urine R)

How to Prepare for the BTA TEST
1) fast for 12 hours, start the night before at about 7.30-8 PM,
2) avoid toothpaste and brushing
3) no mouthwash/lipstick
4) first two morning urine collections ( 1 hour apart )
5) only take necessary medication ( inform the Osteopath)
6) avoid strenuous exercise for two days before test
7) avoid working with chemicals, paints and solvents etc.
8) minimize any stress and emotional conflict

E.A.V. / B.E.S.T. Electro-Acupuncture (by) Voll was founded by the research of Dr Rheinhardt Voll. The MSA (Meridian Stress Assessment) is a premier functional medicine tool made by Biomeridian, Utah. It is essentially a computerized, digital meridian assessment tool that encompasses electro-magnetic technology, homeopathy and bio-resonance used to perform radio-frequency scans of the body, via the body's meridian system (as understood by Eastern Medicine). Homeopathy, as well as supplement information, is used to specifically assess what item can balance the dysfunctional meridian via digital feedback, real-time from the patient.

Sensitivity Screening allows the practitioner to establish which foods/environments the patient has an allergy towards. A great system for indicating Xeno-Biotics on all levels ...parasites, viruses, bacteria and yeast/moulds, pesticides, heavy-metals and chemicals.

P.I.C.E. P.I.C.E. stands for Psycho-neuro-Immuno Computerized Electro-dermal screening. The PICE system is a premier software system, invented by Dr Dieter Karin and incorporated into the hardware of the BEST system. It's approach is to "leave no stone unturned". Each of the radio-frequencies allows the same frequency to be used as a therapeutic code that encourages the Psycho-Neuro-Immuno systems to unify for a beneficial goal. Your mind CAN affect the way you heal or don't heal. This is cutting edge technology where East meets West and where heart and mind meet. On such programs patients will understand the link between the mind and heart and where they meet in the tissue.

Holistic Integration
The primary assessment of all patients is through the BTA results. These are then married together with the Bio Energetics Stress Test results in the form of a "Q" chart. The Q chart gives an energetic picture of the patients body systems. The BTA gives the intimate picture of the patient's chemistry. The MSA/Best System gives the physics. The PICE technique allows the energetic disturbance in the PNI (Psycho-Neuro-Immunology ) to be tracked and balanced. Also it discovers, through a "Bach" flowers technique, how a patients mind issues can affect their nervous system and how it implicates on the total well-being of the patients immune system and lastly the health level achieved by that individual.

Soy , HRT , Menopause Both the American Heart association and the FDA agree that there are beneficial effects to eating soy. Cardio- vascular disease, which includes heart attack and stroke, is the no.1 killer of both men and women. Some scientists and doctors estimate that an astounding 140 million Americans are at risk from heart disease ( 1 out of every 2). Heart disease is often not discovered until the disease is too late. When cholesterol and blood pressure are high, these two factors increase the risk of heart disease. One can't feel high blood pressure or cholesterol. They have to be regularly checked. Statistics of low death rates from Asian diet researchers has demonstrated that soy is the active principal food item that is responsible.

Cholesterol and Heart Disease Many prescription drugs that lower cholesterol can have severe side effects on the liver and other organs. Soy foods are safe and are a natural way to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Be responsible, regular checks are necessary. Research has shown that soy increases the good cholesterol and reduces the bad. No drug can do that. Some patients have a strong genetic component to produce a lot cholesterol in the blood system. The two strong factors in heart disease are high blood pressure and cigarette smoking. The main factor is lipid abnormalities. This is costing the US in excess of $130 billion per year. This is the no. 1 killer. Low density lipo-protein (LDL) plays a key role in the atherosclerotic process( hardening of the arteries). It all starts in the liver. If the liver is not balancing its own detoxification enzyme system, lipid peroxides are released into the vascular system. Atherosclerosis first starts with inflammation of the internal vascular membranes. This inflammation is caused by the lipid peroxides, that spill free radicals, that damage the delicate cell membranes. An anti-oxidant will neutralize the free radical eventually , but the damage has been done. The wound on the inside of the artery now needs to be repaired. Here comes the LDL and HDL as well as lipoprotein (a). This repairs the peroxide site. If more free radicals damage the LDL they'll go rancid as well. Lipoprotein(a) has been associated with a coronary risk factor, and Linus Pauling researched that taking 3000mg of vit C per day lowers the risk. Vit C is in the structure of collagen, arteries and veins etc. LDL can penetrate into the walls of the blood vessels for repair objectives but where they further oxidized by free radicals. The immune system now rushes in to repair the injured the cell membrane and the effect is a gruel like substance that is built up over time, until it blocks an artery. Sometimes this material can break off and cause a thrombosis.

Soy protein exerts several anti-atherogenic effects .
1. Shown to lower LDL (the bad cholesterol)
2. Increases HDL (the good cholesterol) (this is unique since most dietary interventions such as Oat Bran or decreased saturated fat intake , will also significantly decrease HDL levels)
3. Soy isoflavones protect LDL from oxidation.
4. Isoflavones have beneficial effects on vascular membrane function .

Where do you get these lipid peroxides from then?

Myco-toxins...toxins from the fungus species, from peanuts/cashews and their moulds, from candida /yeast these produce phenols, and the liver tries to neutralize the epoxides and peroxides

Heavy metals...such as mercury (from dental fillings, fish, water) such as aluminium (pans and cookware, foil etc) lead, arsenic, thallium etc basically, get a hair analysis test done and measure what is going on inside the body.

Smoking ....nothing more to say about that.

Alcohol ....ditto.

Pollution...The curse of modern environmentally-ignorant lifestyle.

Bad Oils/ Fats and Junk Food ... Fried food, heavy starches, trans- fats, nasty cheap junk food which is really low in anti-oxidants. Research has shown that the immune response involved in athero- sclerosis is very similar to a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to heavy metals. Allergies basically. Get to the allergies, support the immune's system and detox the body, and get some good natural food.
Having a vit C deficiency allows more damage to arteries and also the arteries can't repair themselves well when damaged, because tissue repairs requires vit C

Menopause and HRT
Lack of estrogen predisposes a women to heart disease, bone loss and memory problems. Traditional pharmaceutical HRT is based on equine ( horse), plant and laboratory synthetic compounds. HRT can decrease the effects of menopausal symptoms, reduce the risk of heart disease and prevents osteoporosis. Some good benefits.

Unfortunately, numerous research studies have shown that HRT increases the risk of breast cancer, uterine cancer and blood clots. Other side effects are weight gain bloating, gas, irritability and nausea. Breast cancer survivors should not take HRT either.

Soy and it's products are the safe alternative. Many medical doctors, osteopaths, nutritionists and dietitian are recommending soy to their patients to help alleviate the conditions of menopause symptoms, its a heart and vascular endo- protectant, promotes bone health, promotes better breast and endometrial health, and lastly good in preventing prostatitis. Soy contains Phyto-estrogens. Compounds very similar human estrogens, that help to surrogate the low menopausal levels of estrogen.

Adjunctive Therapies
Neuro-Muscular Therapy Neuro-Muscular Therapy is used to locate spasms and hyper- contraction in tissue; eliminate trigger points that can cause pain; restore postural alignment, proper bio-mechanics and flexibility to tissue; rebuild strength of injured tissue; assist blood flow. It may be useful in relieving discomfort from such problems as tension headaches, TMJ, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic sprains/strains or unequal leg length. Deep Tissue Massage A therapeutic massage with attention given to specific tight areas. Using slow strokes and deep pressure, it releases specific muscle tension and restores flexibility. Deep tissue massage is very firm. Excellent for eliminating muscle knots and locked areas and emotional tension.

Vertical Traction Our practice is unique in that it incorporates ambulation or walking into the management of disc degeneration in conjunction with specific Osteopathic therapies for either the neck or lower back. Walking is an aged natural rhythm, that your body finds very intimate, that actually articulates the spine while under sustained traction. Acute or chronic disc disorders do well with a traction approach. Programs are designed to match the need of the degeneration level.

Myo-fascial Acupuncture This acupuncture is a method from the East that has been borrowed by Western Physicians to help alleviate pain and dys-function. The specific application of dry needles in certain points will have a strong remedial effect to the surrounding tissues by increasing local endorphins that will help to reduce pain and inflammation. Trigger point de-activation using acupuncture is quite fantastic. Muscle injury-response times are dramatically reduced and preserves the integrity of the muscle. I If muscles are constantly contracted from spasm due to pain or persistent aberrant signals generated from the spinal cord of from within its own fibres, the muscle starts to atrophy (waste away) from its own metabolic demand. Myo-fascial acupuncture can help relieve muscle spasm and hyper-tonicity and it induces relaxation of several muscle groups at the same time. It is used as a tool for shoulder rotator cuff disorders, hip arthritis, lower back spasm , myalgia's, hamstring disorders etc. It's clinical application is very wide.

Cranial-Sacral Therapy Cranial-sacral therapy focuses on assessing and improving the function of the nervous system via an inherent rhythm, named due to the fact that the rhythm oscillates between the patients head and pelvis. The brain, the spinal cord, their surrounding meninges and their own fluids, and the bones of the skull and spine should be, in healthy individuals, balanced and uniform. Assessment is carried out through gentle palpation in order to locate and release points of restriction in the cranium, resulting from injury from other parts of the body or from direct trauma to the head. Very beneficial to infants and children because it IS so gentle.

Laser Therapy Laser as a therapeutic modality for non-intrusive pain and dysfunction management has been used since the 1970 's. It is particularly useful as there is very little discomfort while having therapy. It is used for treating mainly musculo-skeletal complaints. Muscles, tendons and ligaments all respond well to laser therapy without the pain of deep pressure massage or needling acupuncture. It is a great tool for burns and scrapes, excellent for accelerating the healing time of non-cast fractures such as broken ribs, toes, noses, fingers by as much as 50% or more depending on age and cellular integrity. Great for neuralgia and TMJ.

Laser therapy results in
*pain management
*wound healing
*inflammation control
*bone repair
* replaces needles

Arch Supports/ Orthotics We supply personalized or prescription made orthotics made using original Birkenstock materials. The personalized version is a standard cork/rubber mix lined with a blue upper. It is shaped to help improve the arch of the foot in an elementary way. The custom or prescription Orthotics are given to patients that require greater demand from an arch support. An exact copy is made from the patients non-weightbearing foot. An arch support is molded to copy the patients foot. This arch support is lined with nubuck leather.

Power Assisted Manipulation
Otherwise known as PAM in the practice, it has become a strong player in the spinal care maintenance of inflexible spines ranging from 40 degree scoliosis or less, kyphosis to dowagers humps as well as encouraging greater flexibility in athletes and lay people.

Golf pain rehab / improvement programs

Golf, compared to other sports is relatively benign, and has a lower injury rate. However there are some unique stresses that golf demands on the body which over time can result in pain and dysfunction of certain joints.

Golf Injuries involve the
Lower Back ( discs/spinal ligament overstrains)
Shoulder (A/C strains and rotator cuff issues)
Elbow (Golfer's and Tennis)
Wrist and Hands (carpal tunnel, Arthritis)

All the above injuries will affect the swing and muscle memory...and therefore your handicap changes for the worse.

Proper technique and equipment as well as preventative measures can seriously reduce the number of related injuries.

More and more golfers are seeking relief from pain and dysfunction from complementary and alternative therapists.

Directions from a golf Pro as well as good diagnosis and therapy from an Osteopath can help to improve golf related injuries and offset injuries from becoming permanent.

Osteopathy boasts a great understanding of bio- mechanics and the mechanism of injury to spine and peripheral joints. All injuries are treated non-pharmaceutically.

Technique Tips
For example rotating the hip and shoulder by equal amounts during the backswing and keeping the spine straight during the follow through can reduce the load of the lumbar spine and any consequential injury to the spine.
Shoulder problems such as degeneration of the acromioclavicular joint ( A/C) can be less irritated by reducing the backswing.
Most of the injuries are to the lower back and shoulder. These tips are given to help improve the bio-mechanical function and therefore the "swing". However this is not intended to replace the advice of an informed physician.

Holistic Program The Natural Therapy Centre offers rehabilitation programs for all physical golf injuries.
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is used to improve the mental aspect of the game ( focus, self- esteem, yips etc)
Computer assessments for improved physiology. Diet modification for weight loss and supplements are key tools in shaping the keen golfer into a serious player.

The programs are multi- level. They will work to improve...
1) body's injuries
2) your mental outlook
3) your weight
4) energy levels

So therefore your handicap goes down and your game just got even better...

Tennis Injuries

Tennis , compared to other sports is relatively intensive , and has a higher injury rate. There are some unique stresses that tennis demands on the body which over time can result in pain and dysfunction of certain joints.

Specific Injuries Lower Back ( discs/spinal ligament overstrains)
Shoulder (A/C strains and rotator cuff issues)
Elbow (Golfer's and Tennis)
Wrist and Hands (carpal tunnel, arthritis)
Achilles Tendons (tendonitis and tears)
Ankles ( ligament sprains)

All the above injuries will affect the performance of the serve and therefore your tennis game changes for the worse.
Proper technique and equipment as well as preventative measures can seriously reduce the number of related injuries.
More and more tennis players are seeking relief from pain and dysfunction from complementary and alternative therapists.
Directions from a Tennis Pro as well as good diagnosis and therapy from an Osteopath can help to treat , prevent and offset most injuries from becoming permanent.
Osteopathy boasts a great understanding of bio-mechanics and the mechanism of injury to spine and peripheral joints. Injuries are treated non-pharmaceutically.

Frequently Asked Question's What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is an established recognized system of diagnosis and treatment, which lays its main emphasis on the structural and functional integrity of the body. It is distinctive by the fact that it recognizes that much of the pain and disability which we suffer stems from abnormalities in the function of the body structure as well as damage caused to it by disease (pathology) [Description by General Osteopathic Council, 28th October 1998]

What kinds of problems can Osteopathy help with?

Whilst back neck and knee pain are the most common problems seen, Osteopathy can help with a wide varied of problems including changes to posture in pregnancy, babies with colic or sleeplessness, repetitive strain injury, postural problems caused by driving or work strain, children with glue ear, the pain of arthritis, sports injuries visceral problems among many others.

What can I expect when I visit an Osteopath?

When you visit an Osteopath for the first time a full case history will be taken and you will be given a physical examination. You will normally be asked to remove some of your clothing and to perform a simple series of movements. The Osteopath will then use a highly developed sense of touch, called palpation, to identify any points of weakness or excessive strain throughout the body.

Further Functional evaluation
The Osteopath may need additional investigations such as x-ray or blood, saliva, stool tests etc. This will allow a full assessment and suitable treatment plan to be developed for you. For example x-rays used to perform bio-mechanical evaluations; certain types of colon problems can lead to back pain( BTA/ BEST/ Stool Tests). Liver abnormalities can lead to allergic arthritis, gastric reflux , migraine, IBS, varicosities, haemorrhoids, auto-immune diseases, eczema, psoraisis etc.

How many treatments will I need?
Osteopathy is patient centred, which means treatment is geared to you as an individual. Your osteopath should be able to give you an indication after your first visit. For some acute pain one or two or even up to sixteen treatments may be all that is necessary. Chronic conditions may need ongoing maintenance. An average is 6 - 12 sessions/year for more neurological and visceral based problems.

Do I need a referral from my GP?
A formal referral from your GP is not necessary though they are welcomed, the majority of Osteopathic patients self-refer.

How does Osteopathy work?
Osteopaths work with their hands using a wide variety of treatment techniques. These may include soft tissue techniques, rhythmic passive joint mobilisation or the high velocity thrust techniques designed to improve mobility and the range of movement of a joint. Gentle release techniques to muscles , joints and viscera are widely used, particularly when treating children or elderly patients. This allows the body to return to efficient normal function. Other Osteopaths will practice hands-on cranial-sacral therapy for more neurological based problems and visceral Osteopathy for digestive disorders.

How can I be sure I am in safe hands when visiting an Osteopath?
A Registered Osteopath has demonstrated to the General Osteopathic Council via a detailed application process that they are a safe and competent practitioner, that they have adequate malpractice insurance and have agreed to abide by a Code of Practice.

I have noticed many Osteopaths have the letters B.Sc. Ost after their names what does this mean?
These are Osteopathic qualifications at university level. The B.Sc. Ost is a Bachelor's Science degree specializing in Osteopathic medicine. The length of training is at least four academic and clinically intensive years (full-time and thousands of clinic hours).

Can I have Osteopathy on my private medical insurance?
Many private health insurance schemes give benefit for Osteopathic treatment. Some companies will reimburse the total fee or pay a percentage of the costs. Contact the help line of your insurance company who will explain the actual benefits and methods of claim for your individual policy.

What should I do if I am unhappy with my Osteopathic treatment?
Often problems are caused by misunderstandings and can easily be resolved by discussing your concerns with the Osteopath directly. If this does not resolve the problem or your concerns are of a more serious nature the G.Os.C. has a Code of Practice which patients may refer to.

What is the status of Osteopathy in the UK and Barbados?
The 1993 report from the British Medical Association "Complementary Medicine - Approaches to Good Practice" recognised Osteopathy as a discrete clinical discipline'. Osteopathy is the first complementary health care profession to be accorded statutory regulation (Osteopaths Act 1993). In 1997 Osteopathy became a registered Para-Medical science in Barbados parliament. Finalization on statutory regulation This legislation came into force on 9th May 2000 requiring all Osteopaths to be registered with the G.Os.C.

	For you holistic holiday accommodation, this three bedroom, two bathroom beach house is private yet not isolated. Click on photo to view.
All holistic needs are met. Massage, reflexogogy, chakra clearing and acupuncture can be performed in the privacy of your own home on the secluded patio it is perfect for watersports and within easy reach of the family beaches and vibrant restaurants and nightlife of the south coast.

Click on photo to book.

At Us $180 per night, sleeping 6, this is a great deal! Becoming a patient

When you become a patient at the NTC it is to be clearly understood that you are responsible for your health and we can only serve to guide you on your journey. Your body does the healing, we guide you there.
You have to be committed to making changes yourself and then you will see results. It comes down to a question of honesty and discipline to yourself. We know that about 85 % of our patients will respond for the better, sometimes even miraculous health improvements, but one has to apply the advice daily and diligently.

Do not be lazy about health and getting it!

Basic Requirements
Good nutritious food
Very clean water
Clean air especially when exercising
Eat regular meals (b/w 3-5 meals/day )
Essential supplements for your condition,
Stretch / exercise
Work on the emotional
Washed vegetables.
The previous statement is the base requirement with which you work / clean up your body from illness.
If you can, then the journey starts with the first step.

Water Quality and Life Scientific research has greatly improved our understanding of the unique properties of water. The quality of life that our cells experience and their matrix or mesenchyme, and by extension of that our own body's performance is determined by the quality of water.
It has several roles that cannot be replaced by anything man-made.
It should be as pure as possible.
It is essential
The pH of the water should be between 8.5---9.5
The redox should be less than 25, millivolts;
Lower is better
The resistivity approximately 15,000.

Caribbean Holidays

Caribbean Accommodation