Tag: Nutritional Therapy – Craniosacral Therapy – Neurolinguistic programming

Nutritional Therapist Craniosacral therapist – NAET practitioner – NLP practitioner

Birth Trauma, Early Experiences & Our Relationship with Food

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

Experiences around pregnancy, birth and our earliest years can sometimes have a lasting influence on how we experience ourselves and the world around us.

For some children, difficult experiences may naturally resolve as they grow and develop. For others, particularly when an experience has been overwhelming, its effects may continue into later childhood or adulthood.

Through my work, I have met adults who feel that some of their earliest experiences continue to influence them today. Sometimes these patterns can be connected to experiences around birth or even to the environment in which they developed before birth.

There is also an interesting area of science exploring how experiences can influence development across generations.

A female foetus develops the eggs that she may carry throughout her life. This means that, biologically, when your mother was developing in your grandmother’s womb, the cells that would eventually become your eggs were already present.

This is one reason why researchers are interested in intergenerational and transgenerational influences — how environmental factors, nutrition and other experiences may interact with biology across generations.

Could This Influence the Way We Eat?

Our relationship with food is shaped by many influences: our biology, our environment, our experiences, our family, our culture and the eating patterns we learn as children.

Some of our food preferences and habits may begin within our family environment. We may grow up eating the foods our parents and grandparents prepared, developing familiar tastes, routines and associations around food.

This can be a wonderful thing.

If you grew up in a family where fresh, nutritious food was prepared from scratch, those habits may become a positive part of your relationship with food.

But if your early environment involved highly processed foods, restrictive eating, emotional associations with food or other unhelpful patterns, these too can become familiar.

Understanding where some of our patterns come from can be an important first step towards changing them.

The Science of Nutrigenomics

Nutrigenomics is a scientific field that explores the relationship between nutrition, genes and gene expression. It is helping researchers understand how the foods and nutrients we consume can interact with our biology.

However, our genes do not determine our destiny. Our health and behaviour are influenced by a complex interaction between genetics, environment, lifestyle, experiences and many other factors.

Exploring these influences can therefore be a valuable part of understanding ourselves — not to place blame on previous generations, but to develop greater awareness of the patterns we have inherited, learned or developed.

Explore Your Own Story

Sometimes healing begins with curiosity.

Rather than asking, “What’s wrong with me?”, we can begin asking:

“Where might this pattern have come from?”

“What did I learn about food, safety and wellbeing while growing up?”

“Which patterns still serve me, and which would I like to change?”

Exploring these questions as an adult can create an opportunity to develop a healthier relationship with yourself, your body and your choices.

You cannot change the past — but you can begin to understand it differently and make new choices in the present.

Maria Esposito BSc (Hons)

Registered Nutritional Therapist, NAET Practitioner, Craniosacral Therapist, Reiki/Angelic, Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) Health Coach and Trauma-Informed Practitioner with more than 35 years of professional experience.

Appointments are available in N15 6HA, at Life by Margot, online. Community Clinic. Home visits for mothers and babies also available.

Book or enquire for your session click here

Annotated diagram of appendix anatomy, intestines, cecum, and ileocecal valve

Did you know these facts about your appendix?

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

What is the appendix?

And why it is more important than you think, like every single part of our body, is there for a reason.

In the past, the appendix, was considered useless and at times it was taken out for no reason, even without being inflamed, the newest research show that the appendix has a bigger role in the human body as usual. Here are some of the explanation of it:

  • The appendix is a small, narrow, tube-like pouch attached to the beginning of the large intestine (the cecum).
  • In humans, it is usually about 6–10 cm long.
  • It contains a lot of lymphoid tissue, which is involved in the immune system.

2. What is the appendix for?

The text explains that the appendix is not simply a useless organ. It may have two important roles:

  • Immune function: The lymphoid tissue in the appendix may help support the body’s immune response and protect against harmful organisms.
  • “Safe house” for good bacteria: The appendix contains beneficial bacteria in biofilms. Because it is a narrow, protected pouch, these bacteria can survive illnesses such as diarrhoea and later help repopulate the gut with healthy bacteria.

3. What is appendicitis?

  • Appendicitis means inflammation of the appendix.
  • It commonly happens when the appendix becomes blocked, for example by a hardened piece of stool (fecalith), a foreign body, or a tumour.
  • The blockage can increase pressure, reduce blood supply, cause tissue damage, and allow bacteria to multiply.
  • If untreated, the appendix can rupture, which can cause peritonitis or sepsis.

4. Symptoms of appendicitis

Typical symptoms include:

  • Nausea
  • Abdominal discomfort/pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Pain may initially be dull and difficult to locate.
  • As inflammation increases, the pain can become sharp and more focused, often in the lower-right side of the abdomen.

Unless you do have appendicitis, do consider the benefit of this little part of your intestine and how great it is.

Reference:

A review of the function and evolution of the cecal appendix

Heather F. Smith, First published: 01 April 2022 https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24917Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

Listening to the Body: Go within to heal yourself!

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

As I work gently with the whole person—physical, emotional, and, when appropriate, spiritual—I often become aware of different sensations through my hands and intuitive awareness. Sometimes I notice areas that feel warm, tense, dense, or resistant, particularly around the head, neck, and body.

Over many years of practice, I have observed that these sensations can sometimes reflect areas where a person has been holding physical tension or experiencing emotional stress. While these are my clinical and intuitive observations, they should not be interpreted as medical diagnosis.

I believe that the body often communicates before the conscious mind fully understands what it is carrying. During a session, we gently create space for awareness, allowing the person to notice thoughts, feelings, or life experiences that may be connected to what they are experiencing physically. This process is always guided with kindness, compassion, and without judgement.

My role is not to force change, but to support the body’s own natural capacity for balance and self-regulation. As the nervous system relaxes and the body begins to soften, many people describe feeling lighter, calmer, more flexible, and more connected to themselves. Often these positive changes continue to unfold naturally in the days and weeks following a session.

At times, I may experience warmth through my hands. Within my holistic practice, I sometimes interpret this as an indication that a person may be carrying strong emotions such as frustration, sadness, grief, or emotional intensity. This interpretation comes from my experience as a therapist and from traditional holistic perspectives, rather than established scientific evidence.

When working with babies and children, I often observe how naturally they respond once their bodies begin to relax. Children frequently release tension quickly and may become calmer, more settled, and more comfortable. Supporting parents to understand their child’s emotional and physical needs is an important part of my work, helping families respond with greater confidence, compassion, and connection.

Every person is unique. Every body tells its own story and responds in its own way and in its own time. Each session honours the wisdom of the individual, supporting their natural journey towards greater balance, wellbeing, and inner peace.

Begin Your Healing Journey

Book your healing session today and discover how your body can naturally unfold, heal, and find balance—in your own way and in your own time.

Maria Esposito BSc (Hons)
Holistic Healing & Heart-Led Therapy


📍 North London

Supporting babies, children, and adults with compassionate, heart-led holistic care for over 30 years.

Healing Ourselves, Healing Our Children, Healing Our World!

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

Working with Babies, Children and Adults through Craniosacral Therapy

“What happens during a session? I don’t see anything happening. Are you doing anything?”

This is one of the questions I am asked most often.

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on therapy. Although the touch is light and the movements are subtle, many people describe experiencing a deep sense of relaxation during treatment.

During a session, I use my hands to gently assess areas of tension, restriction and movement throughout the body. My training in anatomy, physiology, the musculoskeletal system, fascia and the body’s natural rhythms allows me to work with the body in a careful, responsive and individualised way.

Rather than attempting to force change, the intention is to support the body’s natural processes and create the conditions in which it can function with greater ease and comfort.

Every session is tailored to the individual, recognising that each person’s experience is unique.

Working with Babies

Babies often respond well to the gentle nature of craniosacral therapy because their bodies are still developing and adapting to life outside the womb.

Birth can be an intense experience for both mother and baby. Whether the birth was straightforward or more complex, some parents choose craniosacral therapy as a way of supporting their baby’s adjustment during the early weeks and months.

Parents sometimes report that their babies appear calmer and more settled following treatment. Some also notice changes in feeding, sleeping patterns and general comfort. As every baby is unique, responses to treatment vary considerably.

The techniques used during treatment are extremely gentle and are intended to support relaxation and overall wellbeing.

Working with Children

Children may benefit from craniosacral therapy during times of physical, emotional or developmental change.

Parents often tell me that their children seem calmer, more comfortable and better able to cope with the demands of everyday life following treatment. Some children also appear more confident and better able to express themselves.

Each child is treated as an individual, and every session is adapted according to their needs.

Working with Adults

Many adults seek craniosacral therapy because they wish to make time for themselves, experience deep relaxation and explore a greater sense of balance and wellbeing.

Each session is unique because no two people are the same. Rather than directing the process, I work alongside you, allowing your body to respond in its own way and at its own pace.

Many people describe the experience as being like peeling back the layers of an onion, gradually revealing deeper patterns of tension, stress and holding.

From the moment you arrive, my intention is to provide a safe, supportive and compassionate environment in which you can relax. As the body settles, many people describe experiencing a greater sense of ease, calmness and wellbeing.

Every healing journey is unique, and we move forward at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

Is Craniosacral Therapy the Same as Reiki?

People often ask me this question because some clients describe experiencing colours, images, deep relaxation, or a profound sense of peace during treatment.

Although there are similarities in the gentle nature of the touch, craniosacral therapy and Reiki are different approaches.

Craniosacral therapy is grounded in the study of anatomy, physiology and the body’s physical structures. The therapist works with gentle touch to assess and support the body’s natural movement and balance.

Reiki is a spiritual energy healing practice that works from a different philosophy and framework.

Some people find that craniosacral therapy also brings emotional or spiritual awareness during a session. This experience is unique to each individual and depends on many factors, including where they are on their own healing journey and what they are ready to explore.

My intention is always to support the whole person—with compassion, presence and respect for the body’s own wisdom and natural ability to move towards balance.

Craniosacral therapy: “what do you feel?”

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

During sessions, people often ask me, “What do you feel?”

Each person responds differently to a craniosacral session because every system has its own map, history, and way of responding to life experiences.

As I connect with the whole system — physical, emotional, and sometimes spiritual, when appropriate — I may notice different sensations through my hands and awareness. Often I feel heat, tension, or pain, especially when working around the head area.

For me, pain can sometimes reflect inner conflict, stress, or thoughts and emotions that the person may not yet be fully aware of. The body and brain often communicate through sensations before the conscious mind understands what is happening. When this arises, we gently explore what may be going on emotionally or mentally, allowing space for awareness, compassion, and new possibilities.

My role is to support the system and the person in letting go of what is no longer needed, with care, love, and compassion. As this happens, the whole system often begins to reorganize and adjust naturally. People frequently describe feeling lighter, calmer, more flexible, and more at ease afterward. Sometimes changes continue unfolding in daily life without great effort.

Heat can carry a different meaning. It may relate to anger, frustration, emotional intensity, or unresolved feelings toward oneself, another person, or a life situation. At times, especially with children, these feelings may even reflect emotional dynamics around them.

Children often release these patterns more easily. When parents become aware of what the child may be experiencing emotionally — whether frustration, fear, uncertainty, or difficulty adapting to new situations — they are often better able to support their child with understanding and openness.

Every person experiences life differently, and every body responds in its own way. The session respects the wisdom of the individual system and supports the person according to their own unique journey.

Book your healing session and see how you unfold in your own way and time!

The Health Benefits of Apples: Why One a Day Matters

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

Almost everyone knows the expression “one apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Even in Italy, where I grew up, we used this saying! Being lucky enough to grow up in the countryside near the seaside, I didn’t realize at the time that not everyone had the same fortune of picking their own fruits and vegetables from their front yard.

I remember simply going under the tree, picking the fruits of the season, washing them, and eating them. I don’t think I have ever tasted fruit quite like that again. The only time I still experience it is when I go back to Italy, where my parents still pick pears from the tree for our breakfast.

But fruits in general contain a good amount of nutrients and vitamins, so why are apples the ones most associated with this famous expression? I’m not sure exactly where or when it started, but here are some facts about apples, their history, and their qualities.

There are about 25 common types of apples, and they vary in colour and texture—from green to deep red. Some are sweet, such as Red Delicious and Royal Gala (my favourite), while others have a sharper taste, like Granny Smith, Pink Lady, and Cox apples.

It is believed that the original apple tree comes from Eastern Europe and Southwestern Asia. Through cultivation and hybridization—the process of combining different varieties or species of trees to create new ones—many more varieties have developed over time from the original apple tree.

In the past, apples were even thought to help people stay forever young. Modern scientific studies show that regular consumption of apples may help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, asthma, and type 2 diabetes, partly because apples release sugar slowly into the bloodstream.

Apples contain high amounts of flavonoids, especially quercetin. Quercetin is an antioxidant that helps protect the integrity of cell membranes. Our bodies are made up of millions of cells, and the outer part of these cells can constantly be under attack from oxidation. Quercetin, along with other antioxidants such as vitamin C and many flavonoids found in colourful fruits and vegetables, helps protect our cells from damage.

Quercetin also helps block the inflammatory cascade, which plays a role in several inflammatory conditions such as asthma, arthritis, and allergies.

Of course, some people may be allergic to apples. In that case, it is important to find suitable alternatives or solutions.

Another important component of apples is pectin. Pectin can help lower cholesterol levels by improving intestinal motility and reducing the reabsorption of fats and toxins—in other words, it helps the body eliminate waste more efficiently.

One medium apple provides about three grams of fibre. Eating about two apples a day may reduce cholesterol levels by up to 11 percent. Pectin is helpful not only for relieving constipation but also for easing diarrhoea. In fact, the over-the-counter medication Kaopectate contains pectin.

Nutritionally, raw apples provide vitamin C, pectin, fibre, potassium, and phytochemicals such as ellagic acid (another antioxidant) and quercetin.

So when people say that “one apple a day keeps the doctor away,” there is some truth to it. However, many fruits contain valuable nutrients, antioxidants, and fibre. For this reason, it is important to vary and combine different fruits to gain the widest range of health benefits.

Hopefully this has convinced you to start carrying an apple—or perhaps two—in your lunch box or bag. Of course, other fruits are just as good. A fresh fruit salad is also a wonderful and enjoyable way to get all that goodness!

http://www.nutritionhealth.net

Swaddled baby Leo and unswaddled baby Mia sleeping in a crib

Swaddling or not swaddling your baby — that is the question.

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

If you have swaddled your baby, please don’t worry — all is well and nothing harmful has happened.

I have been researching swaddling and have not found strong medical evidence clearly proving significant long-term pros or cons. Historically, swaddling began in cultures where babies stayed very close to their parents throughout the day. Babies were often carried on the front or back while parents worked or went about daily life, and swaddling sometimes helped them feel secure and connected to their caregivers, especially during sleep.

From what we understand about infant brain development, movement is an important part of growth. Each movement helps stimulate the brain and supports the development of new neural connections. Because of this, some practitioners believe that babies benefit from freedom to move and stretch their bodies.

Sometimes babies who seem to need swaddling to settle may simply be adjusting to the experience of birth. Birth can occasionally be physically intense — for example after a caesarean birth, ventouse or forceps delivery, or a labour that was very fast or very long. Stress or emotional challenges during pregnancy can also influence how both mother and baby adjust after birth.

If you did swaddle your baby and your child is now a toddler, please be reassured: they are absolutely fine. Swaddling has been used for generations.

However, if you currently have a baby who struggles to settle and seems uncomfortable, you may wish to explore gentle supportive approaches that aim to help babies relax and find balance in their bodies. Some parents choose to see a craniosacral therapist — like myself — with 16 years of experience working with mothers and babies and 35 years of experience as a holistic therapist.

If you live in North London, look at the options below for either my private practice in various clinics or a community clinic drop-in.

Silhouette of a glowing humanoid form composed of illuminated leaves in a dark forest

Release Old Traumas for Better Wellbeing: Start Your Healing Journey

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

It is now more than ever that our human body, either the physical, mental and emotional needs more help to heal than ever. The unbalance in more than one Country, can affect everybody in the entire World, as we are all one, this can affect our fields of emotion, mental, spiritual and eventually physical. This is even more for more sensitive people children, babies and sensitive adults, including spiritual open adults. It feels that we are swimming again the current, and getting tired or exhausted without doing anything. If you are feeling that is harder than usual to do the exact same things, you are right. Even if you do not notice it as much or you do not have time for that, well this is the time to ask for help. All the old Karma, or trauma or emotions that you have bottled up within you, needs to go, and now it is the time.

Nutritionally, physically, mentally and spiritually, it is time to let go!

Book your session to start shedding things that no longer serve you any good!

COMT and neurotransmitters

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

(COMT) is an enzyme that helps break down catechol compounds, including neurotransmitters like:

  • Dopamine
  • Norepinephrine (noradrenaline)
  • Epinephrine (adrenaline)

COMT works by transferring a methyl group from S‑adenosyl methionine (SAMe) to those molecules, which helps deactivate them.

It is active mainly in:

  • the liver
  • the brain (especially the prefrontal cortex)

So the basic biochemical idea in your text is correct.

COMT genetic variants

There are known variants of the **COMT gene. The most studied is the **Val158Met COMT polymorphism.

This variant affects how quickly COMT breaks down dopamine.

  • Val/Val (“fast COMT”) → dopamine broken down faster
  • Met/Met (“slow COMT”) → dopamine broken down slower

People with slower COMT may have:

  • slightly higher dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex
  • sometimes increased stress sensitivity

Raw Beetroot contains betaine (trimethylglycine, TMG), which is indeed involved in the body’s methylation cycle.

Betaine helps convert homocysteine → methionine in the liver via the Betaine-Homocysteine Methyltransferase (BHMT) pathway. This supports production of S‑adenosyl methionine (SAMe), which is the body’s main methyl donor.

SAMe is used in hundreds of processes, including:

  • Neurotransmitter metabolism (adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine and more)
  • Liver detoxification
  • DNA methylation
  • Hormone metabolism

It is your choice if you would want to try raw betaine juice or not to see if it helps with your sleep, reducing the anxiety or reduce your cholesterol and or homocysteine.

Medically there is no research for the natural things, and as we know nobody is going to sponsor things that are for free, or that might work without medication!

I am a great advocate or checking if your liver works well, genetically, and there is a lot that it can be said for different gene pool and gene variant.

If you would like to be tested (private tests with genetic company, extra costs). Book an appointment and we go from there, or we try dietary changes, lifestyle changes and more to get you into health!

Beetroot, Betaine and Methylation for immunity and more

by Craniosacral Therapy/Paediatric craniosacral therapy/Nutrition/NAET/ NLP Health Coach/Mindfulness meditation, posted in Blog

Beetroot, Betaine, and Methylation and immunity

Raw Beetroot contains betaine (trimethylglycine, TMG), which is indeed involved in the body’s methylation cycle.

Betaine helps convert homocysteine → methionine in the liver via the Betaine-Homocysteine Methyltransferase (BHMT) pathway. This supports production of S‑adenosyl methionine (SAMe), which is the body’s main methyl donor.

SAMe is used in hundreds of processes, including:

  • Neurotransmitter metabolism (adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine       and more)
  • Liver detoxification
  • DNA methylation
  • Hormone metabolism

Methylation Genes

Several genes affect how well the methylation system works.

MTHFR

This gene helps activate folate for methylation. Variants can reduce efficiency of the cycle.

COMT

COMT uses SAMe to methylate catechol compounds, including: Dopamine, Adrenaline, Estrogen metabolites

People with slower COMT variants sometimes describe feeling “wired but tired”, because neurotransmitters clear more slowly.

Magnesium and COMT

COMT requires magnesium as a cofactor, so adequate magnesium can support the enzyme’s activity.

One commonly used form is: Magnesium glycinate. It’s often chosen because it’s well absorbed and gentle on digestion.Glycine and Hormone Metabolism

Betaine contains glycine, and glycine plays roles in: Liver detox pathways, Glutathione production, Neurotransmitter balance

SAMe-dependent methylation reactions also help process catechol estrogens, which is why methylation is sometimes discussed in relation to hormone balance. However, it’s important to note that hormone metabolism involves many systems, not only methylation.

Beetroot for Cough Relief

My mother used to support my immune system with raw beetroot juice, beetroot as well as TMG contains the following:

Nitrates → improve circulation

Polyphenols → anti-inflammatory

Vitamin C and antioxidants

Beetroot should not be consider a substitute for medication for your cough, however, if it does help and your cough is reduced than it is worth investigating your gene pool.

Traditional remedies often worked because they supported nutrition and immunity, even if people didn’t know the chemistry. Nowdays, we might have forgotten than food is still our main medicine and health, but also our own destroyer if we eat non-nutrition dense food! eg. take away food and more…. Let food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food!