These are items from Traditional Chinese Medicine which have kept the Chinese people well for over 5000 years. Shen Nung, the father of Traditional Chinese Medicine theorised that the body had an energy force running throughout it known as Qi (roughly pronounced Chee). The Qi consists of essential life activities that include the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical aspects of life. A person’s health is influenced by the flow of Qi in the body, in combination with the universal forces of Yin and Yang.

Traditional Chinese Medicine includes Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, diet, Tuina, which is massage, and Qi Qong, which is treatment using energy techniques.

In 1994 Nick and I compiled The Huntington’s Scene in NZ’, the Huntington Disease website in NZ, now at its brilliant new address http://www.huntingtons.org.nz/. It has been maintained and updated by Graham Taylor. It includes information pertinent for NZ and is linked to the Canadian site for information about HD.

Tight muscles have always caused me to tumble and fall after which I have to visit my Chiropractor, Dr Richard Cheyne. He finds and adjusts the area of the body that is not working properly. He uses spinal manipulation. He always asks ‘Why has this happened? He does his diagnosis and suggests a dietary supplement or whatever is necessary. He has always been interested in my HD and is delighted with my body’s response to the EPA I take. He is constantly upgrading his knowledge and is delighted to use it.

When constant headaches made me look for a way to manage them a work colleague suggested I visit a Naturopath. She diagnosed food allergies, which turned out to be dairy products. When I include dairy products in my diet I feel unwell with flu-ish symptoms.

Naturopathic medicine, which is taught in NZ, includes Naturopathy, Homoeopathy, Iridology, Bowen Technique, Herbal Medicine, Holistic Pulsing, Massage and Reflexology. The Homoeopathic medicines used are prepared so that they cause no side affects or addiction, making them suitable for treating children and pregnant women.

For many years I have used arnica products, since a fellow ski club member shared his advice, that it was great for bruises and sprains and strains. It has full instructions on the tube. Arnica products are in most chemists.