finally - it seems the rain has stopped

Finally - it seems the rain has stopped.  Great for people on holiday.
The clinic open - if you need to book:
www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz

still raining - is this the wettest Christmas summer holiday on record?! And, yes, clinic still open (until Jan 06) www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz

So it's  still raining - is this the wettest Christmas summer holiday on record? 

And, yes, I'm still here decorating  (until 06 January) and yes - the clinic is still open if you are in pain, or need treatment:  www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz

So I'm working this Christmas holiday.  Paid good money for paintes while away in November - only to find their work was very shoddy - and having to go over it all again, this time with proper preparation and high standard of finish (my own!)  Moral of the story is to never use contractors you don't know - only reputable family buidlers (locals) that you do know well and will do a good job!

Strangely - this holiday has been something of a wash-out, and I'm sitting here looking out my window at torrential rain! Great for the garden (and my asthma and hay fever - lucky me - no need for any more anti-histamines this year!) but pretty horrible for holiday campers in fields of mud!

Must be about the wettest Christmas on record here (ususally very good weather - like July in UK!)
well, must get back to the decorating - the paint will dry - eventually!

Mike

raining, so clinic open (and decorating) and not going to the beach: www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz

So it's raining (in Christchurch anyway), so the clinic is, of course open as usual (with some decorating still going on, with my family) and not going to the beach, with family and friends: www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz

For everyone in that mythical winter realm of the fabled Northern hemispere (Rob M, Phil M, Martin S, Prasanavira, Ruth, Simon, etc) I am not spending the entire Christmas holidays on the beach - as many of you would like to do.  Thanks for keeping liking these links.  Helps keep website 'fresh' for google visiblity. 

And Season's greetings from this mythical realm of high-summer (supposedly) in Australasia, well here in NZ.

On retreat from 6 - 20 Janaury. Clinic open every day till then:  www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz

www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz: will be open throughout holiday period from 24/12 ...

www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz: will be open throughout holiday period from 24/12 ...: Happy holidays to everyone.  Just a reminder that we are open all over Christmas and New Year. Although Kaori will be here, I will be on re...

will be open throughout holiday period from 24/12 to 06/01/2014, then again from 20/01/2014

Happy holidays to everyone.  Just a reminder that we are open all over Christmas and New Year.
Although Kaori will be here, I will be on retreat in Sydney from 6th January until Monday 20th January.  So no worries, as most other clinics will reopen on January 6th.

You can either phone to book, or book online: 
www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz

painting still not quite finished

The painting here at 88 Linwood Avenue is still not quite finished (everything has to be to a high standard), however, there is virtually no smell of paint in the clinic now.

There are still a few appointments left this week, if you need to get in before you go on holiday.
I will also be here over Christmas and New Year.  Either phone 03 980 2425, or book online at www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz

best book online www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz

Next week, up to 24/12 is getting busy, but I can still fit you in, if you need a treatment before the holidays.

I will be here at home (unpacking) all over the Christmas period, so you can also phone: 03 980 2425.
And, of course, you can also book online at:  www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz

open over Christmas and Holiday period

The Clinic here will be open over the Christmas and Holiday period.
To book, please phone 03 980 2425 or book online at
www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz

All EQ repairs are competed, and we are now fully open again at 88 Linwood Avenue.
to book:
www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz
or phone 03 980 2425

Clinic to reopen at 88 Linwood Avenue from Monday 2nd December

Although EQ repairs may not have been fully completed, it is hoped that the clinic will be able to reopen at 88 Linwood Avenue, from Monday 2nd December.

Please also check the website for details:

www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz

67 Buckley's Rd, Eastgate ( corner of Rhona St)

Please note: we are now operating from the temporary clinic at 67 Buckley's Rd, Eastgate (corner of Rhona St). We hope to be back at 88 Linwood Avenue again by the beginning of December.
Details will be posted on the website: www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz

Please also note that from Tuesday 5th November until 30th November, there will be a locum osteopath: Mr Vaughan Hedley. Vaughan is a highly experienced Osteopath.  I (Mike Inman) will be available again from the beginning of December - when the clinic at 88 Linwood Avenue will reopen after EQ repairs are competed.

Please Note: Due to EQ repairs at 88 Linwood Avenue, Avonside, we are temporarily relocating to

67 Buckley's Rd, Eastgate, Christchurch, from 22 October to 30 November.

The Phone numbers remain the same:

 

03 980 2425

 

021 043 6282

 

Book your appointment online, as usual:

 

www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupunture.co.nz

If you need to contact me - you can easily do so by email.  To see the address you need to click on the @ symbol.  This is below the Parking and Wheelchair Icons (in blue) in the middle of the top margin of the Homepage.

www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz

The clinic here is now stocking CREMAX cream for relief of muscular aches and pains.  The cream contains a mixture of different herbs, and is very soothing. Please ask me if you would like to try this.

Reflections on Mindfuness Training.

For more information - please see:

http://www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz/painManagement/courses.html

and

http://www.risingholme.org.nz/courses/exercise-health-and-relaxation/mindfulness

 

I've had a lot of feedback, including that some people want more 'method' and 'practice', even though this is what we mostly do. For example, in most Qigong, Tai Chi classes, and yoga classes, there is little talking or discussion - virtually none - except the teacher's instructions.

My attempt in the Mindfulness training, is to base the material on each participants own experience, and gauge everything on the learner's understanding - i.e. to make the class very 'learner-centered' and not at all 'teacher-centered'.  Of course, this can be scary to some people, as they can't just sit back, and be passive, and do nothing - but need to participate in some way, and engage with the material.  Of course, this requires a level of effort and practice - that not everyone wants to make, or sustain.

It would be nice if I was some kind of 'magical healer' and the learner had to do nothing, except receive. This is a common characteristic of Qigong teachers, especially the more famous and charismatic ones - and an ethos they actually encourage - yet the result is a teacher-centered class, revolving around the energy and personality of the teacher.  Something I try to avoid.  Even though people try to project the role of 'healer' onto me in my work as an Osteopath.

 

http://www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz/osteopathy/osteopathy.html

http://www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz/mike.html

I shall look carefully at the course description, and see if it gives an accurate sense of this. It does, for example, say that homework, about 20 or 30 mins per day, to practice the meditations, etc is expected on the course. Few people do this. Not unusual. The course description is that everything is very 'laid-back' and relaxed - yet in a subtle way, people do need to engage with the material and make it their own. Yes, I know that I need to be 'inspiring' and have some 'charisma' and teaching 'presence', and I can do this - yet I am only presenting tools and methods for personal practice, for self-directed learning.

 

I shall continue to reflect and refine the course.

Let's see what happens

Gatsby the dog here, not well

For many of you who come to the clinic here, you may have noticed the large white fluffy Labradoodle called Gatsby.  Recently, although only 5 years old, he has been diagnosed with Lymphoma (a cancer, common in dogs, that spreads through the lymphatic system).

Hopefully he can start Chemo this week, and hopefully we can achieve a good remission.
He is not eating - and I have to feed him with a large sringe.  He still loves going out for drives and to the beach - but of course, he is steadily losing wieght and getting weaker.

In that intuitive way that animals can have, he seems to know that he may not have long to live - yet seems to live each moment very mindfully, and wants to live life to the full, and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, living each day, one moment at a time.  Animals can have a remarkable wisdom, and a far greater intelligence than we realise.

To see pictures of Gatsby - please visit my Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/index.php#!/michael.inman.796

and go to the Photo gallery

The Clinic here will be closing in the next few weeks for Earthquake repairs.  I'll keep you posted on the exact dates.  Look on the website Home page for details (soon)

http://www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz/default.html


and on the booking page
http://www.ezybook.co.nz/pages/christchurchosteopathyandacupuncture/

Maybe this is all to complicated - best to keep it simple - just a gentle moment to moment awareness of our present experience, emotions - and thoughts (thoughts are not facts - they're only thoughts).

As Jon Kabat-Zinn said about mindfulness "Just do it''.

Mindfulness can be an extraordinary tool for ongoing learning, if we can apply it to all aspects of our lives.

Forgive me if I haven't got quite the right balance, but my attempt is to engage everyone in the group, and attempt to give some understanding of the methods we use, and how they can work.

Remembering, that the course attempts to be for chronic pain and stress management - and therefore has to be all things to all people. I am not trying to do any 'healing' in the group - but merely to give tools and methods for self-directed learning and personal practice.

 

Website now has new banner pictures - as a rotating slideshow.  Also has the real-time internet diary booking feature, where you can see all the available appointments over the whole week.

So, its very easy to book your appointment online:

www.christchurch-osteopathy-acupuncture.co.nz

Christchurch Osteopathy Acupuncture

Michael Inman BSc(hons)

Book your appointment on-line 88 Linwood Avenue, Avonside, Christchurch Phone: 03 980 2425 - 021 043 6282

• Home
• Osteopathy
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Principles
  • Back Pain and Posture
  • First Visit
  • Osteopathic Treatment
  • Related Conditions
  • How Many Treatments
  • Cranial Osteopathy
  • Visceral Osteopathy
  • Children & Infants

Acupuncture

• Introduction
• Traditional vs Dry-needling
• Channels and Meridians
• What Acupuncture Treats
• Fertility and IVF
• Scientific Basis
• First Visit

Self-care Rehabilitation

• Introduction
• Mindfulness, Health & Fitness
• Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga
• Yoga and Stretching
• Pilates and Core-stability
• Pilates, Iyengar, Feldenkrais
• Movement, Stillness, Meditation
• Mindfulness for Health

Naturopathy & Herbs

• Introduction
• History
• Vitamins & Minerals
• Herbal Medicine
• Herbs & Drug Interactions
• Herbs & Medication
• Homeopathy
• Food as Medicine
• Diet & Fasting
• Food Allergies
• Allergies, Asthma
• Epsom Salts
• Working with your GP

Pain Management

• Introduction
• Courses
• Medication
• Headaches & Migraines
• Muscle & Joint Pain
• TENS Machines
• Pregnancy & Childbirth

Massage Therapy

Share: inShare Testimonials Search: Mike Inman BSc(hons) Osteopathy (London, UK) Dip Acu (China), Dip Acu (London, UK)

After-hours evening and weekend appointments also available. Make an Appointment Back to Health and staying well Fees - (Osteopathy or Acupuncture, or both): $70 — Children, students and community card holders: $60 The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) provides personal injury cover for all New Zealanders and also temporary visitors. You will need to fill out a form when you visit your Osteopath (or GP). ACC surcharge: $40 ACC surcharge for children (under 17), full-time students (under 22), and Community card holders: $30 No GP referral is required for ACC. I can register an accident for you with ACC No EFTPOS, cash or cheque preferred. Internet bank transfers: KiwiBank 38-9008 0219470-00 There is still no charge for changing or cancelling an appointment. However please let me know, by email or text to 021 043 6282 if you are unable to keep your appointment.  A $30 cancellation fee may be charged for failing to attend, changing or cancelling an appointment at less than 4 hours notice. These fees offer exceptionally good value for money for a highly experienced practitioner, with after-hours service, and a treatment time of 45 minutes,  longer than most other clinics. Also, if you would like, Acupuncture in addition to Osteopathy can be given in your treatment with no additional fee. If you have medical insurance, then check as it will often cover your Osteopathy fees. Did you know? Osteopathy can treat a range of health issues including acute pain from injury and trauma, and chronic pain from occupational stress and repetitive strains. Read more >> Acupuncture works with single-use ultra-fine disposable needles inserted below the skin into superficial muscle. The scientific basis of how acupuncture works is related to changes in blood flow to promote soft-tissue healing, and effects on the nervous system. Read more >>

Osteopathy

Other material
> Introduction <
History
Principles
Back Pain and Posture
First Visit
Osteopathic Treatment
Related Conditions
How Many Treatments
Cranial Osteopathy
Visceral Osteopathy
Children & Infants

Introduction

Osteopathy treats the body as a whole. Osteopathy is a hands-on treatment that involves soft-tissue release, cranial-sacral (cranial osteopathy) techniques, articulation and gentle manipulation of the spine and its extremities to improve alignment and posture and allow the body to return to good health.

Osteopathy treats a range of health issues including acute pain from injury and trauma, and chronic pain from occupational stress and repetitive strains.

Other conditions, such as headaches, migraines, asthma, and high blood pressure may all have a structural component, and can respond well to osteopathic treatment.

Suggested Resourses:

Find an Osteopath in Australia

• Australian Osteopathic Association
• Australian Yellow Pages on-line

Find an Osteopath in the UK

• General Osteopathic Council
• Institute of Classical Osteopathy
• London Clinic of Classical Osteopathy
• British Osteopathic Association
• UK Yellow Pages on-line

Naturopathy & Herbs

Other material
> Introduction <
History
Vitamins & Minerals
Herbal Medicine
Herbs & Drug Interactions
Herbs & Medication
Homeopathy
Food as Medicine
Diet & Fasting
Food Allergies
Allergies, Asthma
Epsom Salts
Working with your GP

Introduction

There was a time when Naturopathy was part of, adjunctive to and integrated with Osteopathy. For example the Naturopath Henry Lindlar’s influence on John Martin Littlejohn, who developed Osteopathy in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries from its founder Andrew Still.
John Littlejohn when he returned to the UK, founded the British School of Osteopathy in the early twentieth century. Lindlar’s work also continued to influence John Wernham, founder of the Institute of Classical Osteopathy in Maidstone, UK.

The former British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy in West Hampstead, London (now renamed the British College of Osteopathic Medicine, or BCOM) in its early decades maintained a tradition of the integration of naturopathy (diet, nutrition, fasting) with physical therapy (osteopathy) and had an integrated curriculum, where both disciplines were taught.  However the College gradually reduced the amount of Naturopathy taught over the years, and the BCOM now focuses entirely on teaching Osteopathic medicine.

Naturopathy integrates modern biomedical science with traditional and natural forms of medicine. The Naturopathic philosophy is to stimulate and strengthen the body’s own intrinsic healing power (vitalism) and treat the underlying causes of disease.  This principle is also the basic tenet of Osteopathic philosophy (from Andrew Still, and John Littlejohn) which views the body as a self-healing, self-repairing mechanism.

In Naturopathic philosophy, as in all traditional medicine, symptoms of disease are seen as warning signals of improper functioning of the body, and unfavourable lifestyle habits, and Naturopathic medicine emphasizes disease as a disharmony or process rather than exclusively as an outside entity.

Treating both chronic and acute conditions, Naturopathic treatments are chosen based on the individual patient — their physiological, structural, psychological, social, spiritual, environment and lifestyle factors. Again this philosophy of treating the ‘person’ the ‘individual’ not the disease (as modern pharmaceutical medicine tends to do) is the principle of both Osteopathy and Naturopathy.

Of course, there are times when pharmaceutical medication is definitely required, and no change should ever be made in your prescription medication without consulting your GP.  However Naturopathy and all it entails, is generally safe and the best results are usually from a wide range of approaches, including Osteopathy and physical therapy, diet, correct exercise, lifestyle changes, herbal medicine and nutritional supplements.

Both Naturopathy and Osteopathy attempt to stimulate the healing powers of the body and as far as possible enhance its own self-repair mechanisms and self-correction and healing, although this may need to include diet and lifestyle changes, remedial exercise, stretching, core-strength exercise, and so on.

Naturopathy could also be said to encompass a full range of natural therapies: botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, Osteopathy and Traditional Chinese medicine/acupuncture.

Naturopathy as with Osteopathy treats the individual rather than diseases, as all traditional medicine treats the person rather than the ‘disease’ in the generic way that modern pharmaceutical medicine works (the same drug can be given to millions of people). When visiting a naturopath (osteopath, herbalist, acupuncturist) you benefit from the individual attention and a treatment plan uniquely tailored to your own requirements and needs.

Did you know?

Osteopathy treats a range of health issues including acute pain from injury and trauma, and chronic pain from occupational stress and repetitive strains. Read more >>

Acupuncture works with single-use disposable needles inserted below the skin. The scientific basis of how acupuncture works is related to changes in blood flow to promote soft-tissue healing, and effects on the nervous system. Read more >>

Fees - (Osteopathy or Acupuncture, or both): $70 — Children, students and community card holders: $60

The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) provides personal injury cover for all New Zealanders and also temporary visitors. You will need to fill out a form when you visit your Osteopath (or GP).

ACC surcharge: $40
ACC surcharge for children (under 17), full-time students (under 22), and Community card holders: $30

No GP referral is required for ACC. I can register an accident for you with ACC

No EFTPOS, cash or cheque preferred.

There is no charge for changing or cancelling an appointment. However a $30 cancellation fee may be charged for failing to attend, changing or cancelling an appointment at less than 4 hours notice.

These fees offer exceptional value for money for a highly experienced practitioner, after-hours service, treatment time of 45 minutes (longer than most other clinics) and if required and/or requested Acupuncture in addition to Osteopathy. Medical insurance sometimes covers Osteopathy fees.







Osteopathy treats a range of health issues including acute pain from injury and trauma, and chronic pain from occupational stress and repetitive strains.

Acupuncture works with single-use disposable needles inserted below the skin. The scientific basis of how acupuncture works is related to changes in blood flow to promote soft-tissue healing, and effects on the nervous system.

We offer two courses on Mindfulness i.e. an Introduction to Mindfulness for Health and a full 8 week course on Mindfulness. 

Introduction to Mindfulness for Health

This one day course will give an introduction to various approaches to mindfulness-meditation, including some gentle movement (based on yoga, T’ai Chi and Qiong). We will introduce three mindfulness meditations: the bodyscan, the Mindfulness of Breathing and the Kindly Awareness practice.

 

This introduction day will be suitable for anyone suffering from stress or poor health, and will teaching the methods of “coming home” to our present experience, inhabiting our bodies more fully, quietening the restless mental activity (anxiety and stress) that we can all suffer from, when we are not able to switch off from our on-going “internal dialogue” (over-active thinking). 

 

This day would also serve as a refresher or practice day for those who have already done the longer course.

 

As we will be working on the floor for some of the time (mat work exercises and some meditations), please bring a yoga mat, blanket or cushion.

 

Term 4 Sunday 12 October 2013 or 8 December 2013
Fee $40
Time 11 am – 4 pm

Location Risingholme Community Centre; please use the entrance at 99 Hawford Road

http://www.risingholme.org.nz/courses/exercise-health-and-relaxation/mindfulness


Tutor Mike Inman

Mindfulness (full course)

This course will explore various approaches to mindfulness-meditation, with guided meditation-relaxation practices, and gentle movement (based on yoga, T’ai chi and Qigong). The course is suitable for anyone suffering from stress or poor health, and will teach methods of ‘coming home’ to our present experience, inhabiting our bodies more fully, quietening the restless mental activity (anxiety and stress) that we can all suffer from, when we are not able to ‘switch off’ from our ongoing ‘internal dialogue’ (over-active thinking).

 

 

What will I learn?

• Learn to inhabit the body more fully – rather than living in the noisy ’internal dialogue’ of constant thinking.
• Learn awareness of breathing, how and where the breath comes from in the body.
• Learn how poor breathing (not paying attention to how we breathe) may be associated with tension and stress.
• Learn to work with positive emotion and kindness to self and others.
• Learn to live in the ‘present moment’ rather than in the past or future. Take time ‘to smell the flowers’.
• Learn ‘pacing’ how to moderate our daily activities, and avoid the ‘boom bust’ cycle of overdoing and burnout, or living on ‘nervous energy’ and stress.
• Learn to keep a ‘daily activity log’ and pacing diary
• Learn an appreciation of poetry, beauty and aesthetics – and how to stay positive and present in our experience
• Learn how ‘staying present’ and cultivating ‘kindness and generosity’ can reduce any anxiety or social phobia in interactions with other people in the workplace or daily life, and lead to more creative outcomes.
• Learn how to potentially use these skills of attention to body sensation, breath and positive emotion in any ‘challenging’ situation – to further educational goals (exams etc), job interviews and workplace skills, and increase confidence, relaxation and self-assurance.
• Learn how to potentially also use these skills in any communication to ‘ground’ and ‘ease’ any situation by being ‘centred’ in oneself, and staying with awareness of breath, emotion and body sensation to allay anxiety and stress.

This course is suitable for (almost) everyone. There are no pre-course requirements.
There is a suggested reading list if you would like to read more about Mindfulness and Health, but it is not necessary to read anything if you don’t want to.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction, and Mindfulness-based pain-management can be very helpful for those living with pain and illness, and people can attend this course with any health issue. The gentle exercises are simple and safe, and suitable for those who may not have good levels of fitness.

 

However, this course will probably not be suitable for those with significant ‘learning disabilities’, or for those with other mental health issues.

 

Mindfulness based approaches have been also been used to help prevent relapse into substance use (e.g. alcohol) and addiction – but this course would not be suitable for those currently in withdrawal.

 

‘Mindfulness’ has also been used (e.g. mindfulness based cognitive behavioural therapy) for helping to prevent relapse into depression, but again this course will not be suitable for those currently depressed.

 

About your tutor
Mike grew up in England and studied Acupuncture, T’ai Chi and Qigong from his early 20’s, going to China to study at a teaching hospital there (1987) after finishing his diploma in London. He then spent time in Japan (teaching English) and continuing his study of acupuncture and Qigong. Returning to London, he studied Osteopathy, and then Chinese Herbal medicine. He also continued his interest in ‘practical’ meditation and yoga and his interest lies in body-mind awareness (integration) and practices as they can be applied in modern healthcare and healing.

 

Mike trained in the Breathworks programme (UK) from 2004, training also with its founder Vidymala Burch, among others, and it is this training that has perhaps had the greatest influence on the Mindfulness for Health material presented here. 

 

Mike lives with his family in Linwood, Christchurch, where he practices as an Osteopath, Naturopath and Acupuncturist.