Gloucester Natural Therapies Clinic

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Allergy Testing

Practitioners

Tess Rogers MInstAET MACH
Jamie Gisby BSc(Hons) MBAcC MInstAET
Adrian Mills IST MAI GBCCH Dip

What is Allergy Testing?

The term allergy was first used nearly a hundred years ago by Baron Clemens von Pirquet . He defined an allergy as being any altered response to the environment. In this context the environment means the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe and anything to which we come in physical contact. To put it another way, an allergy is an overreaction, by the body, to an ordinarily harmless substance. These substances he termed allergens.

Nowadays we tend to talk about allergies, food intolerances and chemical sensitivities, but the same basic definition is a useful one; they all involve the body over-reacting in some way. Increasingly it is being found that there is no easy way to differentiate between allergies and intolerances – both involve the immune system but in slightly different ways. Whilst intolerances, or delayed allergies, used to be thought by most doctors to be all in the mind, they are now increasingly recognised as causing many different health problems.

Some 70% of the population are thought to have one or more food intolerance. Intolerance can cause, or be involved in, migraine and headaches, muscle and joint aches and pains, irritable bowel syndrome and more.

What is muscle testing?

Muscle testing is a safe and non-invasive method for evaluating food and environmental sensitivities. With the patient lying, and fully clothed, small samples are placed over the patient's naval. If the patient is sensitive (i.e. allergic or intolerant) to the sample then their test muscle will go weak. Young children, infants and debilitated patients can be tested via a surrogate.

Could Allergy Testing Help Me?

According to the Royal College of Physicians, one in three people suffer from allergies at some point in their lives, with foods being the most common provokers of allergic symptoms. Symptoms linked to food allergy include:

If you have any of these conditions then an allergy could be causing some or all of your symptoms. Avoiding the cause of your illness can bring partial or complete relief and a better feeling of control.

What happens on my first visit?

At your first visit you will be asked about your symptoms, general health and lifestyle and medical history. Following muscle testing we will discuss which foods or chemicals seem to be causing you problems. A plan of action will be agreed and remedies prescribed if needed.

Will I be able to eat normally?

Whilst you may have heard stories of people being allergic to everything, this is, in fact, highly unusual. I find that most people only test weak to a small number of foods or chemicals. Only patients with very significant health problems tend to have extensive allergies. A varied diet encompassing all the different food groups is essential for good health and this is always the final goal. Quite often no allergies are found and these patients are delighted to be able to worry less about what they are eating!

Will I need to see my GP?

Most patients won't need to see their GP, but occasionally we might suggest it would be wise. If for example, you test weak for both wheat and another grain, such as oats, I would suggest you be tested to gluten sensitivity ( coeliac disease). If you are experiencing new symptoms you should see your GP first for a proper diagnosis.

How many sessions will I need?

We see most patients for between 1 and 4 sessions, depending on how complex your complaint is and how many sensitivities you have.

Do I need to bring anything?

We use small phials of purified foods and chemicals for testing but there is no substitute for the real thing. If you suspect any given food or household substance please bring a small sample in with you for testing. Any food which you eat daily, or crave if you don't, is more likely to cause you a problem, so a sample of this would be good too, as would a small sample of tap water.

Tess Rogers practices both Allergy Testing and Colon Hydrotherapy. She focuses on the nutritional dietry aspects of Health, using diet management and specific suppliments which support the body to overcome food intolerances. Email Tess Rogers

Jamie Gisby is a Pharmacology graduate and Acupuncture and Allergy practitioner. Jamie uses homoeopathic desensitization; where the patient is given a homoeopathic potency of the allergen. A patient might come along, and after muscle testing, be found to be sensitive to diesel fumes. A homeopathic remedy would be given for this. Homoeopathic remedies are medicines which contain a minute amount of a substance which, in a larger dosage, would give you the symptoms you already have. In this example we would give a homoeopathic diesel fumes remedy. Because the remedy is so dilute, or potentised, there is no danger of an allergic reaction. Instead it stimulates the immune system to, hopefully, no longer react to what is ordinarily a harmless substance. This technique is particularly valuable in helping patients with food intolerance, chemical sensitivities and hay fever. Obviously with true food allergies, such as to peanuts, the best approach is always one of strict avoidance. Email Jamie Gisby

Adrain Mills uses his knowledge of kinesiology and associated whole body therapies to assess health in a holistic way. This enables him to identify food intolerances, allergies and nutritional imbalances. Having identified the problem, solutions can be suggested which may be needed in the short or long term to restore balance in the body.

ALL OUR PRACTITIONERS ARE FULLY QUALIFIED AND INSURED

Prices correct at time of publishing April 2007

Allergy Testing Gloucestershire - Allergy Testing Gloucestershire