The Endometriosis Natural Treatment Program

Edith Maskell reviews the new Endometriosis treatment program from Valerie Worwood and julia Stonehouse

Many readers will already have come across Valerie Worwood for her previous books in Aromatherapy like "The Fragrant Pharmacy", "The Fragrant Mind" and The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy. She is a clinical Aromatherapist specialising in the natural treatment of female reproduction problems, including endometriosis and infertility. Julia Stonehouse is a lecturer and writer specialising in reproductive issues. She too has authored previous books like "Idols to Incubators" and "Conceiving Persons".

The book is promoted as a "Complete Self-Help Plan for an improvement in your health and well being……… about taking control of endometriosis and is the result of many trials and research carried out using Valerie's techniques as improvement in well being factors.

It's not so much about the problems of the condition as about the solutions. ……the programme involves an effective combination of self disciplines" and is very comprehensive.

Endometriosis sufferers will find this book very enlightening. It breaks the pattern of belief that having been labelled by the medical profession with this traumatic condition, there is nothing anyone can do about it outside of medical procedures.

The book is a PROGRAMME ….. a regime which needs to be participated in. It is not a treatment in the sense that it is something which a therapist/practitioner performs on a client/patient. The participants are encouraged to learn about the use of essential oils and various modalities of complementary and alternative medicine. It includes dietary advice, nutritional supplementation, support methods for reducing pain, the benefits of hydrotherapy, de-polluting the environment and reducing stress. Following the Programme empowers Endometriosis suffers and encourages taking back responsibility for their bodies.

My only criticisms are that the book

• is aimed at members of the public but I felt the content was, for the most part, levelled more at practitioners. There were times throughout the book when I was in information overload and my experience in those situations is that patients are likely to be selective on which elements they are prepared to fit into their lives rather than following the programme in its' entirety. Accepted that even some change would be effective in the short term but for long term effectiveness and true success, the regime followed pretty much to the letter.

• There is comprehensive advice about specific essential oil blends using oils that are not normally available to the public. These oils are made available from their own source (indicated at the back of the book). However, my concern is that I did not see any statement of contra-indications about use in pregnancy or where there is a strong possibility of conceiving whilst on the programme.

Overall, a very educational book. It is clear that the authors know what they're talking about and the book is a result of their joint knowledge, skill base and past success.

I would highly recommend this book for practitioners interested in working in this field and for any woman who suffers with any reproductive problems including not only endometriosis and infertility but also menopausal, post menopausal and Poly Cystic Ovaries Syndrome.

"The Endometriosis Natural Treatment Program"
By Valerie Worwood and Julia Stonehouse
Published by Endometriosis Solutions Limited. London
ISBN 0 – 9548506 -0 - 2

Thursday, 25 January 2007

© 2007 Bromley Health Management