The everyday value of self-testing

I had a lovely reminder recently of the everyday value of self testing.

Having developed some discomfort in my hand, wrist and elbow, I became increasingly concerned. The discomfort was affecting my keyboard work and crochet. It was also leaving me miserable and disturbing my peace.  I started experiencing an odd ‘pre-cramp’ sensation in the side of my knee. Sometimes I felt slightly light headed too.

With my equilibrium off balance I wasn’t thinking clearly. Haphazardly I tried several random ‘solutions’ I had used for physical discomfort in the past, none of which helped.  This failure to resolve the issue left me feeling rather sad, would I have to stop writing and crocheting?  Both of which are sources of huge pleasure for me.  I started to wonder if I was just ‘getting old’. Would I reluctantly surrender to the ravages of a declining body?

Would I reluctantly surrender to the ravages of a declining body?

Whilst walking my little bundle of fluffy goodness, I did a little questioning using self testing. In a moment of clarity I remembered the everyday value of self-testing. Starting with broad questions I gently quizzed my body to find out what was amiss.

After a couple of simple questions my body informed me it needed salt.  My salt grinder ran dry over Christmas and I hadn’t made it to the store to buy my usual salt crystals, so my food had been completely unsalted for nearly a month.

Having rectified the situation I dabbed my little finger into the salt crystals that fell on the counter ,as I filled the grinder, and placed them on my tongue.  Almost immediately, my discomfort ceased.  

I feel so lucky to be able to ask my body what it needs, and to listen to the responses it provides.  Even if, sometimes, it takes me a while to remember the everyday value of self testing and the fabulous tool I have, literally at my fingertips.

If you’d like to learn how to use self-testing to support your own health, well-being and decision making, click here to find out more.

Claire is a KFRP member of the Kinesiology Federation, find out more here

Let’s talk about lymph

Let’s talk about lymph. When you’re feeling tired, rough, sick or even hungover, hydration alone may not quite cut it, here’s why.

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Let’s talk about lymph

When our bodies fight against anything, stress, fatigue, bugs, alcohol or any of the other stuff we chuck at them, they create toxins.

Toxins are the waste materials from the fight, the shell casings if you like.

These toxins are mobilised out of the body via the lymphatic system, passing into the blood stream and leaving the body through urination, perspiration and exhalation.

The lymphatic system relies on you moving about, to move it about.

Now, here’s the thing. The lymphatic system is pumped by movement.

Unlike the heart and lungs, which have their own integral pumping stations, the lymphatic system relies on you moving about, to move it about.

So, when you’re feeling sluggish, tired, sick or hungover, do yourself a favour, get up (if you can) take a full body stretch, fling your arms around, do some marching on the spot. If you can, wrap up and take a walk outside.

Lymph is a colourless fluid full of white blood cells and lymphocytes, the goodies that fight bacteria in your blood. Lymph bathes the tissues, collecting up any nasties and drains, via a network of vessels and nodes, called the lymphatic system, exchanging into the bloodstream.

When the lymph gets sluggish it is harder to move the nasties out of your body so keep drinking the water too.

Your body will thank you.


Claire Cutler-Casey is a professional Kinesiology Practitioner and Touch For Health instructor as well as delivering a variety of business and well-being workshops designed to help you navigate the process of change.

If you would like to book a 1:1 Kinesiology session, please click here.

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