Inside the Literal and Energetic Bodies
I first met Naturopath and BodyTalk practioner Merran Lusher two years ago, on recommendation from a trusted friend. I credit her diet and lifestyle advice/treatment to the vast improvement in quality of life and general vitality and well-being that I have experienced over the past couple of years. In addition to being an excellent naturopath, Merran uses BodyTalk in her treatments (she explains more about this below), which is a relatively new and incredible holistic therapy. Although I'm generally open to energy talk/treatments and alternative therapies, the first time she used BodyTalk in our session, I thought it was totally crazy - she asked my wrist some questions and tapped my chest and head while I took deep breaths. A couple of sessions in, I was totally converted. I noticed (and so did people around me), how much my energy levels had improved and how vibrant and alive I seemed compared to my time "pre-Merran". In addition to improvement on a physical level, I have experienced the profound impact of BodyTalk on mindset and the changing of limiting beliefs; this has been the most incredible part of my time with Merran. I have an increased sense of grounding, confidence and self-assurance that comes directly from my sessions with her. She's also a beautiful person to spend time with, so appointments are a joy and I feel great afterwards; I liken her to a psychiatrist, but the experience is much less emotionally painful, and definitely much more fun!
I asked Merran all about her naturopathic work and if she could shed some light on this crazy incredible thing called BodyTalk.
1) What is naturopathy and how does it work?
Naturopathy is an age-old complementary health care system first established as a distinct profession at the turn of the 21st century. Used across the world today, it involves assessing, preventing and treating conditions of the body and mind though the use of natural medicines.
A Naturopath is often trained in a range of modalities including nutritional medicine, western herbal medicine, homeopathy, dietary and lifestyle coaching, counselling, iridology, flower essences, colonic hydrotherapy and massage. Those naturopaths with more advanced qualifications are trained in symptomatology and diagnosis, pathology, pharmacology and toxicology, laboratory tests, medical reports and more. Various diagnostic techniques are used in consultation and the root underlying cause of the problem is always addressed - not simply the superficial symptoms. The individual is viewed as a whole, composed of a complex interaction of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual factors.
Every patient is treated uniquely, whereby a detailed case history is taken and the client is provided with a tailored wellness plan, specific to them. Using the above methods and strategies, a naturopath works with the client's own inbuilt intelligence system, helping the body to heal itself and return to balance. A naturopath aims to educate, employ and motivate the patient to assume more personal responsibility for his or her health by adopting a positive attitude and balanced diet and lifestyle.
2) I get confused about homeopathy and naturopathy - could you explain the difference?
Naturopathy is an umbrella term for a practitioner who has trained in various modalities as explained above. Some naturopaths like myself are also trained in homeopathy.
Akin to naturopathy, homeopathy also treats each person uniquely, using remedies to activate the individual's innate healing ability, or vital force, so the body can heal itself and return to balance. The system is over two hundred years old and despite what the skeptics say, has been used with great success all over the world. The approach however is different and is based on various homeopathic laws and principals.
A homeopath uses specifically prepared remedies made of plant, animal or mineral substances (in tablet, pillule or drop form), selecting the most appropriate remedy based on the individual's presenting health complaints of the body and/or mind. These medicines are made by repeatedly diluting and succussing (shaking) a preparation of the original substance, (usually plant or mineral) in water and alcohol. Contrary to modern medicine, the more stages of dilution and succussion the homeopathic preparation has gone through, the more potent the medicine is.
The prescription is a very select homeopathic remedy that matches not only the exact characterisation of the person’s symptoms, e.g. red, hot, burning eczema that stings 'like a bee', between the hours of 6-10pm, but commonly, other characteristics of the client's physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of health. So the symptoms are not isolated but rather observed in connection with the whole. There are thousands of homeopathic remedies and so prescribing the right remedy for a particular health complaint is an art form and takes a high level of skill and expertise.
3) Who benefits most from naturopathy?
Certainly those who have been struggling with ongoing chronic health complaints with little or no resolution could benefit from naturopathy. Also those diagnosed with a condition and told to 'take this medication for the rest of your life' type scenario, could absolutely benefit from seeing a naturopath....or indeed a BodyTalk practitioner. :)
4) I'm glad you brought up BodyTalk, as I love how you use it in your treatments - can you explain what it is and how it works?
Quoted by the man himself, "BodyTalk is a revolutionary, scientifically proven, whole healthcare system that combines the western medical expertise of epigenetics, neuroscience and psychoneuroimmunology with a blend of ancient and modern healing methods. Some of which include the clinical findings of applied kinesiology, the insight of modern physics and mathematics, the energy dynamics of acupuncture, osteopathic and chiropractic philosophy, consciousness studies, Ayurvedic principals, yogic wisdom and energy psychology." -Dr John Veltheim, founder of BodyTalk
When all the systems, cells and atoms of a person’s body communicate with each other - healing occurs naturally. Every minute of every day the body is repairing and fixing damaged cells. However, due to toxins, stress, genetics, poor diet, smoking, drugs, and emotional traumas, as well as radiation through cell phone towers, mobile phones, microwaves, and x-rays etc., our communication systems can break down. The result is a deterioration of health.
Every experience and choice you have made in your life, has attributed to your current state of health and wellbeing. Every laugh line, injury and scar has it's own unique story and history. BodyTalk takes into account your whole life story and offers a unique and tailored healthcare system with lasting changes.
Through using various BodyTalk protocol charts that map the entire body/mind complex, a BodyTalk practitioner can identify and balance priority issues in a great amount of detail across a person’s physical, emotional, mental, energetic levels of health. BodyTalk works on every level - from the organ systems and their associated anatomical structures, all the way down to the tissues, cells, atom and even quantum levels. Balancing environmental factors such as intolerances, allergies, as well as microbial imbalances such as parasites, Candida, viral infections, heavy metals and SO much more - can all very easily be addressed through a BodyTalk session. BodyTalk is also excellent for lowering stress, supporting detoxification pathways, enhancing energy, clarity, and one's general optimism for life.
Epigenetics is another really fascinating area of science that has been woven into the fabric of the BodyTalk System by Dr John Veltheim and Dr Laura Stuve, Ph.D molecular biologist with 26 years in the research of human molecular genetics. A hot topic, scientists are now claiming that the underlying cause of 90% of all health conditions are held at the epigenetic level. The epigenetic code is a newly discovered genetic code that sits on top of our DNA code and is instrumental in switching genes on and off and turning gene expression up and down. Poor diet, lifestyle, toxin exposure (there are over ten thousand in our modern day world) and emotional traumas and upsets dating as far back as far conception, can create 'locks' on our epigenetic code affecting the health of our cells and tissues.
Even our thoughts have been shown to affect our genes. Happy thoughts produce endorphins that turn on the good genes, resulting in healing, growth and repair and negative thoughts…well negative thoughts have the opposite affect. Thus impacting gene expression and the ultimate health, structure and function of our cells, tissues and organs. Think cancer, obesity, diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease, acne, fertility issues and many other health conditions. AGEING is epigenetic in nature...and through BodyTalk we can see the reversal of it!! For more info on how your thoughts control your genes, read “The Biology of Belief” by Dr Bruce Lipton.
Oh and if that's not enough - we can also inherit epigenetic markers arguably up to five to seven generations back. And as and when it's a priority - these can be addressed and cleared in a BodyTalk session. So it's all a very exciting area of medicine to be working with.
So HOW does BodyTalk work? It's complicated...but in short, through simply using a technique called neuromuscular biofeedback, we can establish a yes/no communication response, using the client's hand as a tool. There is a strong intuitive focus as well and much of the information that comes up in a session is through the practitioner’s intuition. Most BodyTalk practitioners are certified in a technique called mindscape - a scientifically proven, structured way of accessing the intuition. Anyone can be trained to do it! Once we have found the specific areas of the body/mind complex that require balancing, we then use a variety of gentle and non-invasive techniques to refocus the body's natural healing response to establish better communication with the body.
I love BodyTalk for its ability to work on self-limiting, outdated belief systems. Helping to liberate the old, outmoded programming, giving rise to a more optimistic, enthusiastic and inspired YOU. BodyTalk can help you to unleash your true potential! What can I say - it's amazing. The findings and results I see in practice both impress and surprise me daily.
5) How do you win over skeptics (the people that would say that asking the body questions is crazy hippie woo-woo)?
Honestly - I am not even interested in attempting to win over skeptics, including my mother - but I think she's coming round. :) BodyTalk is founded in quantum physics and is scientifically proven. It's been published in the peer reviewed Journal of Alternative Medicine Research, Volume 3. Issue 3. BodyTalk: healthcare redefined. It's also been rolled out into hospitals in Germany, the United States and in Brazil. I have a really busy practice and am totally about working with clients who have an open mind and are ready to experience a new level of health and wellbeing.
6) What's the most amazing thing that you've witnessed as a result of treatment?
I've seen many amazing results in practice. You name it. Women's health is my special interest and so its always heart warming to see mothers who have been struggling to conceive, having tried many unsuccessful options, actually do so and sustain a healthy pregnancy through to full term. Facilitating in the process of new life coming into the world is both humbling and most rewarding.
Above and beyond the resolution of specific health complaints, people tell me they generally just feel much happier, brighter and clearer after a BodyTalk session. Energy increases, sleep improves, aches and pains subside and memory gets sharper to name just a few of the many additional positive effects. I love that I get to witness these results through the work that I do.
About Merran
An expert in holistic healthcare, Merran is a London based natural health consultant specialising in women’s health and reproduction including preconception, fertility, miscarriage, pregnancy and postnatal care. Offering private health consultations, Merran blends functional medicine with ‘BodyTalk’ – a revolutionary, quantum physics based, whole healthcare system. With ten years of industry experience, Merran is a leading naturopath, medical nutritionist, medical herbalist, homeopath and BodyTalk practitioner. For enquires or to book an appointment please visit www.merranlusher.com