Highwood Health Lifestyle Retreat.  Doctor-Supervised Natural Live-in Therapy
Phone 03-5963 7011 or 0409 978 480. enquiries@highwoodhealth.org

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Auto-immune Diseases. Highwood's Approach.

Testimonial: "One of our guests came from the Sydney area suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis. She was on low dose prednisone which was not controlling her disease and she was getting significant joint pains. She did not want to increase her medication. She was treated with our usual healthy and delicious vegan food but also did significant juice fasting for about three days a week. She stayed for the 19 day programme. She had 1.6 litres of vegetable or fruit juice per day and a vegetable broth in the evening. She had fever baths and regular far-infrared sauna therapy. The far infrared was in the morning and in the late afternoon she often had a steam sauna. She was on herb teas, an exercise  programme and also had regular stress-relieving group therapy. She did very well and had major reductions in her pain. Her blood tests revealed a dramatic reduction in rheumatoid factor and in ESR. She went  home feeling greatly improved" Dr. David Bird, Aug. 2007.

Details of Treatment: One our Philosophy and Specialities page we mention "The programme at Highwood for those with these conditions is aimed at immune modulation and enhancement (without aggravation). Specific treatments may include any or all of the following: green vegetable juices, intravenous vitamin therapy, fever baths, clay wraps, far-infrared therapy, prolonged juice fasting, keffir, fenugreek herbal tea, dental evaluation and blood testing. Guests should not expect to get significant results on the 4-day programme for these conditions. The 18-day programme is definitely recommended." Here we will go into more detail:

Immune modulation and enhancement. Some sufferers with auto-immune disorders are concerned that if their immune system is just "boosted" then they will have a boost in symptoms caused by their immune system's auto-attack. To some extent this fear is a correct one - in my opinion. If the immune system is "treated" with a narrow approach I think that this is possible.  That is why at Highwood we aim for a wholistic attack at the problem. We consider the 8 basic principles of health (moderation, yield, air, nutrition, sunshine, water, exercise, rest) along with such factors as poisoning, family history, specific deficiencies, leaky gut syndrome, food sensitivities, etc. The aim is to "sharpen" the immune system as well as too enhance it. The following specific treatments are focussed on this aim.

Green vegetable juices. These juices are generally lower in sugar and higher in vitamin/mineral content than other juices. They are less palatable so sometimes they need to be mixed with other juices to help keep them settled on the stomach. They are especially rich in folic acid, an important immune supporting vitamin. They are also high in vitamin K.

Intravenous vitamin therapy. This may be recommended if there is severe adrenal exhaustion from stress and a high decree of digestive upset and "brain fog". Vitamin C given intravenously bypasses the digestive tract and saturates the body pool of vitamin C in the adrenal glands, brain and everywhere else. The adrenals have the highest concentration of vitamin C in them of any tissue and the brain is second.

Fever baths. This is where the body is given an artificial fever. The body's temperature is raised by about 2 degrees Celsius above the start temperature. The pulse and temperature are closely monitored and sometimes the blood pressure. This treatment is designed to increase the activity of the immune system's anti-pathogen abilities and inhibit various bugs that may be aggravating symptoms, or even causing them. It also provides pain relief.

Clay wraps. Fine clay is warmed and applied to most of the skin and then the guest is left wrapped in blankets for a specific period. This therapy is designed to assist in improving the detoxifying abilities of the skin and to help various poisonous substances that may be interfering with the immune system to be eliminated.

Far infrared therapy. This type of sauna is excellent for pain relief, improving circulation, promoting perspiration (for waste removal, including heavy metals) and for enhancing immune function.

Keffir is a cultured food containing many beneficial microflora that can greatly assist with alleviating such digestive problems as leaky gut. It is a wonderful all round bowel tonic.

Herbal teas such as fenugreek are designed to help with immune modulation and detoxification. Also to provide antioxidants.

Dental evaluation. Doctor Bird has worked closely with a dentist who had a special interest in the interaction between dental problems and immune system problems. He can help you decide on what kind of dentist to get an evaluation from, if needed.

Blood test. We can monitor progress using standard blood results such as ESR, FBC, CRP and Rheumatoid factor. We can also test for important deficiencies such as Vit D.