Today’s teaching observation might seem rather off-topic. Regular readers will know that I usually stick to writing about playing the piano, but occasionally I like to highlight a particular subject that has either had a significant impact on myself or my students and is, therefore, worth writing about as it may just be of help to others.
Nutrition. It’s far more important than we realise. I’ve found that what we eat can have a huge impact on our everyday lives and, more specifically, on our concentration and ability to function optimally. Recently, I was pleased to be able to use my nutritional knowledge to make a difference to a particular student who had been suffering from all sorts of issues. She had visited countless doctors and medical professionals to no avail. It got to the stage where she was missing lessons, as well as practice sessions, and generally falling behind with her work. A bright student, she should have easily been able to sit her end-of-year piano exam but health issues were getting in the way and it looked as though the exam may well have to be postponed or even cancelled altogether.
I am NOT a medical expert at all and what I write here is from personal experience only. But I have had rather a lot of that over the past thirteen years since I was diagnosed with cancer in 2010. I was fortunate, the tumour was small and removed easily and I was able to make a full recovery – physically, at least. Mentally though, such illnesses can be much more complex to overcome and they can have a ‘knock-on’ effect for years. I haven’t written much about this as I feel it isn’t relevant to my work or this blog – but, perhaps, one day, I will.
Alongside my work as a teacher, writer, and composer, I’ve made a study of the importance of good nutrition. It’s become a bit of an obsession. I’m often to be found pouring over my iPad watching the latest YouTube video from certain healthcare professionals; there are links to those who I’ve found most useful at the end of this article. I’ve learned a lot and have put much of it into practice. Some of these practices might seem off-beat, far-fetched, and even downright ridiculous, but I’ve been surprised by the positive results that they can yield, which is why I encourage students to explore different options if health is a problem.
Encouraging anyone to change their eating habits is a challenge. We all have our favourite foods which can provide us with great comfort; eating is a joyful experience and when we are denied what we want and have to adhere to strict protocols, this joy is removed and we can become upset, frustrated, and even angry. However, there comes a time when our illness or disease takes over and most of us will try almost anything to remove the discomfort. It’s at this point – the point of desperation – that we will resort to more unusual concepts and practices.
I’m a big fan of alternative medicine and was fortunate to have found a superb homeopathist. Her care and knowledge of combining particular remedies, has, over the past twelve years, encouraged my body to become increasingly stronger and healthier. I also visit an energy healer who is equally talented and has removed the discomfort I was experiencing in my back in just two sessions and it has never returned; I had a small scoliosis or curve, probably due to hunching over the piano for years. I realise that these ‘alternative’ providers don’t appeal to all, but some of my more sceptical friends, colleagues, and family members, have also visited these professionals on my recommendation, only to find their symptoms alleviated.
Similarly, random nutritional concepts can yield great benefits. For example, at the beginning of the pandemic, I started drinking celery juice every morning and was surprised by its positive effects; it can eliminate digestive issues and is highly beneficial for the pancreas and liver, as it encourages the production of bile salts, the lack of which can eventually lead to gall bladder issues. More recently, I’ve become a fan of fasting; it has changed my view on food, weight management, proper body healing, and has really increased my energy levels.
Sometimes we need to look elsewhere to deal with health problems and think outside the proverbial box. The connection between food and illness is marked yet it’s a subject often ignored as my student’s tale illustrates.
This student had been suffering from issues associated with consuming too much sugar. Simple and obvious, you might think, but this is not always the case. Sugar can cause numerous problems for many of us, particularly for those suffering from cancer. It encourages tumour growth and inflammation, and raises insulin levels throughout the body. What is concerning is the amount of sugar we consume; it hides in most foods, particularly processed food, and it takes considerable detective work, effort, and dedication to keep a check on how much we eat every day.
The pain my student suffered sounded appalling, and some days she could hardly move. To help, at one of our lessons, I asked her to recount all the food she had eaten that week. As she studied at a university, the quality of food being consumed was probably less than ideal and the usual refined carbohydrate suspects were repeatedly mentioned, especially pasta, which was a favourite food. This student recalled suffering a slump after lunch, a loss of concentration and energy, as well as terrible fatigue, to the point where she couldn’t even get herself along to the practice rooms. Debilitating headaches as well as general body aches and pains were ongoing concerns alongside endometriosis, which, as I know from personal experience, can be a most painful living hell. Repeated fainting was also a problem.
As my student was at the point where she would have tried almost anything, I suggested we implemented an eating plan, which she agreed to follow. Each week, we eliminated a particular food from her diet. Starting with pasta, then bread (gluten can be a sticking point for many), followed by cow’s milk, and finally, processed food. I stopped drinking cow’s milk over ten years ago and almost immediately felt a lot better. It’s not just lactose that can cause issues; cow’s milk can be full of harmful antibiotics which are so often detrimental to human health. None of this information is ‘new’, but it’s surprising how few seem to know how to help themselves to better health without resorting to visits to the doctor.
After just one week, my student felt significantly better. Her energy levels started to slowly return and, rather shocked by the sudden turn-around in her condition, she immediately became far more observant about what she ate. After about two months, she was a different person. The headaches had stopped completely and the endometriosis became easier to manage. Fainting episodes ceased, and she came bouncing into lessons, clearly displaying a renewed interest in her work. It was quite startling to witness the change. One question which played on her mind; why did all the medical professionals that she had visited not make the sugar connection? The connection between food and illness isn’t always highlighted. Food consumption is a personal topic and it is arduous to change eating patterns because it requires discipline and dedication. Perhaps it’s for this reason that many would rather side-step the whole subject.
Did I go beyond my ‘job’ advising a student about their health? Probably. But that’s just me, and this student was over 18 years old. I always try to help in any way I can, even if it’s ‘off-topic’. My student’s health improved to the point where she was able to prepare her recital programme securely and she gave a good performance at her end-of-year exam. Mission accomplished!
If you are experiencing similar health concerns you may find the following links a useful place to start your research:
Helen Johnson (Homeopath)
John McGrath (Energy Healer)
Yes, I completely agree with everything you write here Melanie. I have also been working with a doctor Homeopath for many years and it works well for me, I usually work with the prescribed granules. For example, I now take Actaea spicata 5CH to keep and prevent my wrists and fingers from pain. And yes, too much sugar is also a big culprit, so everyone should use as little as possible. Not always easy of course. I think the following saying is true: “we are what we eat.” I think this too. Of course, it requires continuous effort. 😉
Thank you for your comments, Martin. It’s great to hear that you too have had success with homeopathy. It’s such a useful aid, in my opinion. 🙂