Mary Niker Oncology Massage

10/02/2026

VTCT Skills
Swedish massage Level 3
Facial massage and skincare Level 2
Reflexology Diploma level 3
All starting soon- email if you would like to join any of these courses
info@holisticbeautyacademy.co.uk

24/01/2026

Vitamin B12 is long understood as a vital nutrient required for red blood cell formation and nerve function, but a new Cornell study suggests its role in human biology is far more intricate, with implications for aging, metabolism and disease prevention.

The research, published Jan. 19 in the Journal of Nutrition, reports previously unrecognized pathways by which B12 influences cellular metabolism and uncovers biomarkers that may identify early nutritional stress far before classic deficiency symptoms appear.

“This is the first study that shows B12 deficiency affects skeletal muscle mitochondrial energy production,” said corresponding author Martha Field, Ph.D. ’07, associate professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences and in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell. “It’s highly relevant because muscles have high energy demands. More importantly, my co-author, Anna Thalacker-Mercer from theUAB - The University of Alabama at Birmingham, wondered if B12 supplementation in aged mice would improve muscle mitochondrial function – and it did.”

Up until now, most research has focused on B12 deficiency and the resulting clinical syndromes – megaloblastic anemia, neuropathy and cognitive decline – rather than its deeper mechanistic roles.

At Cornell, a team including Field and two of her former lab members, first authors Luisa Castillo, Ph.D. ’25, and Katarina Heyden, B.S. '18, Ph.D. ’24, set out to probe those mechanisms, mapping how B12 interacts with lipid metabolism, organelle stress pathways and epigenetic regulation.

What emerged was startling: The vitamin appears to act as a gatekeeper of multiple “hub” pathways, meaning that its insufficiency may ripple far beyond the classic symptoms.

Read more at https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/01/vitamin-b12-clues-offer-hope-new-therapies.

21/01/2026

Throwback to 15 years ago 🤍

This photo was taken at Hospice of the Valleys during the Reflexology Lymph Drainage research. At the time, I had no idea the reach RLD would have or how many lives it would touch 🤍

What I did have was a love for the work, guided by curiosity, compassion, and a deep belief in what was possible 🤍

A reminder that when you follow your passion with integrity, care & hard work, the path unfolds in ways you could never have imagined 🤍

“The way to do great work is to love what you do.” — Steve Jobs

20/01/2026

A 2024 systematic review in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (26 studies, 2,465 patients) found reflexology can improve pain, fatigue, and quality of life among cancer patients.

While results vary, consistent findings point to reduced anxiety and enhanced relaxation. Reflexology likely works by stimulating nerve pathways in the feet, promoting relaxation and parasympathetic balance.

We’re seeking volunteer therapists and fundraisers from all backgrounds to ensure every client feels seen, heard, and supported.

💚 Full training, peer support, and NHS pathway guidance provided.

➡️ Apply today or share with someone in your network:

🔗 https://mycancermychoices.org/get-involved/

We also welcome local business partners who’d like to fund or host wellbeing sessions for our community! Get in touch with us today.

10/01/2026

Reflexology diploma Level 3 VTCTSkills.
Allows membership for assossiation of reflexologists which now being a member are listed with NHS open space. 🙌🏼

info@holisticbeautyacademy.co.uk to find out when the next course is or book for a call.

10/01/2026

✨Manchester ✨
RLD training at Christie’s integrative therapies training unit.
Honoured to guest tutor at such a respected centre 🫶🏻
Last few places left for the first face-to-face RLD course of 2026 — join us!
31st January & 1st February 🗓️

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reflexology-lymph-drainage-rld-tickets-1304095206869?

07/01/2026

28/12/2025

Research published in Psycho-Oncology (2023) found that mindfulness-based interventions significantly reduce anxiety, depression, and fatigue in people affected by cancer.

At My Cancer My Choices, we see these results every day, like small shifts that help clients feel calmer, sleep better, and reconnect with life.

And at this time of year, when emotions can feel heavier and the season can be overwhelming, that kind of peace matters even more.

We believe everyone deserves access to calm and care, no matter their gender, ethnicity or diagnosis. This Christmas, you can help us make that possible.

💚 Partner, fund or volunteer; every action brings warmth and support to someone’s festive season.

Together, we can make calm accessible to all.

🔗 mycancermychoices.org/volunteer
🔗 mycancermychoices.org/fundraise

28/12/2025

VITAMIN B12 AS MEDICINE
Vitamin B12 as medicine: B12 has been used to treat a number of diseases successfully. The active cobalamin forms have proven to be particularly effective.
Vitamin B12 – A Versatile Vitamin
Vitamin B12 is involved in a number of essential metabolic processes and therefore influences a wide range of health-related reactions. Some of the vital functions that B12 is needed for include: blood formation, DNA replication, cell division, gene and enzyme regulation, synthesis of neurotransmitters and hormones and energy production.
Recent research suggests that in addition to the well-known benefits of vitamin B12, there could be many others that are yet to be found and researched. For example, the vitamin appears to be involved in basic anti-inflammatory processes – a function which has only recently been investigated in detail – and may therefore have many more roles that are yet to be discovered and/or fully understood (1).
The Medicinal Effects of Vitamin B12 on Illness and Disease
While B12 has a diversity of positive effects on the body, unfortunately there are an equal measure of disorders that can prohibit the absorption and utilisation of the vitamin. Most commonly these are disorders affecting the gastrointestinal mucosa, which can dramatically impede B12 uptake. Many illnesses can thus lead to vitamin B12 deficiency, which in turn causes further symptoms and damage to health overall.
Sometimes it is not the medical condition itself that impairs the absorption of B12 but rather aggressive medicines that are frequently prescribed as treatment. These can damage the gastrointestinal tract, making absorption much less effective.
Another factor to consider is that both physical and emotional stress (a byproduct of nearly all illnesses) increases the body’s need for the vitamin.
Vitamin B12 as a Therapeutic Aid
Due to its positive influence on health, vitamin B12 is often used today to accompany the treatment of illnesses and has been shown to have a direct therapeutic effect on a number of diseases. The exact mechanisms of action here are not always fully understood, nor why in some cases only certain natural or active forms of B12 have a healing effect.
The use of B12 as a therapeutic agent to treat illnesses other than B12 deficiency is a relatively new concept. The idea was borne out of a type of medicine that is increasingly gaining recognition: orthomolecular medicine. The belief is that almost all diseases can be the result of metabolic disorders and an imbalance of micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids. The body is a complex and carefully balanced system of biochemical reactions and interactions, where even small disturbances can trigger chain reactions which may then cause disease.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Disease: Examples from Practice
An undersupply of nutrients can lead to various clinical pictures. However, instead of treating these illnesses directly with medications, many therapists today consider it more effective to test for underlying nutrient deficiencies, which can be rectified first.
The orthomolecular perspective presents new treatment options, but also requires experienced therapists and practitioners. Surprisingly, biochemists have until now given medicine little attention and likewise doctors and medics have hardly engaged with biochemistry; even experienced physicians are unlikely to know much about the specifics of biochemical correlations. However, this knowledge is necessary to be able to detect possible deficiencies from symptoms and to carry out the correct laboratory tests.
Example 1: Mental Illness
The success of this approach can be dramatic. For instance, orthomolecular physician Dr Bodo Kuklinki has reported of a patient who took psychiatric drugs for 20 years and was even treated on a psychiatric ward, before it was eventually discovered that he was suffering from a vitamin deficiency. Once this deficiency was rectified, all medicines were stopped and all symptoms disappeared permanently (2).
Example 2: Nerve Pain
Even illnesses and diseases known to result from B12 deficiency are frequently misdiagnosed. This was the case for 33 year old Roy R. from Berlin, who suffered from neuralgia (nerve pain) – running from his back down to his legs – and had a medical history of stomach disorders. After being examined by an internist he was referred to an orthopaedic doctor, who diagnosed him with a herniated disc and recommended an operation. Mr R. was prepared to go ahead with the operation because he was suffering with a lot of pain, but decided to seek a second opinion in the meantime. A blood test revealed a severe B12 deficiency caused by a disruption to the stomach lining, as his body was only able to intake very small amounts of B12 through the diet. After just two vitamin B12 injections his pain and symptoms were gone. He now takes regular B12 shots every 2-4 weeks and is also receiving treatment for his stomach problems.
There are countless other case studies that tell similar stories, showing how poorly recognised and treated vitamin deficiencies are.
Vitamin B12 to Treat Diseases
In many cases a combination of micronutrients are required to treat diseases effectively. Many deficiencies are not identifiable through a blood test alone, so it is always advisable to consult an expert.
Below is an overview of diseases that vitamin B12 has shown to be an effective treatment for. In these treatments, the vitamin is used in conjunction with other micronutrients. The active ingredients used have also been specified.
This information is based on studies and correspondences with naturopaths and doctors and does not claim generality or completeness. In many cases, clinical trials are still missing and information is supported by individual cases and the practical experience of professionals. The list is intended to provide an overview of experiences gained so far. A consultation with a therapist to determine exact vitamin levels is always advised.
Table: Vitamin B12 and Diseases
A supplementation of vitamin B12 is used for the treatment and prevention of the following diseases:
Brain/Psychological
Disease
Methyl
Adenosyl
Hydroxo
Cyano
Alzheimer, dementia (6) x x
Depression (12 – 15) x
Schizophrenia (30) x
Psychosis (31 – 33) x x x
Bipolar, manic depression (34) x x x
Insomnia (27) x
See here: Vitamin B12, Brain and Psyche
Nerves
Disease
Methyl
Adenosyl
Hydroxo
Cyano
Nerve pain (neuralgia),
nerve disease (neuropathies)
(23-25)
Fibromyalgia (9,10)
Multiple sclerosis (22]
Trigeminal neuralgia (28, 29)
Back pain (26)
Vitamin B12 and Nerves
Metabolism
Disease
Methyl
Adenosyl
Hydroxo
Cyano
Chronic fatigue (8-11)
Increased homocysteine
Mitochondria (disorder)
Nitrosative Stress
Further reading: Vitamin B12 and Nitrosative Stress and Homocysteine and Vitamin B12
Other Disease
Disease
Methyl
Adenosyl
Hydroxo
Cyano
AIDS (3 – 5)
Cancer (all types) (20, 21)
Anaemia
Anorexia (7)
Intestinal diseases in general
Gastritis and helicobacter pylori (16, 17)
Crohn’s disease (35)
Hashimoto’s disease
Hepatitis (19)
Skin (neurodermatitis, psoriasis) (18)
Herpes zoster (shingles)
Cardiovascular problems
Reconvalescence (recovery after illness)
Vitamin B12 Therapy for Disease
The treatment of diseases with vitamin B12 usually consists of two steps:
High dose initial therapy
Filling the body’s store via injections or high oral doses
Maintenance treatment
Sustaining a sufficient blood levels through supplementation
Initial Therapy
Often B12 is given in the form of injections at first. The frequency and dosage is individually adjusted in each case and ranges from 1000-1500 μg vitamin B12, one to seven times per week. After a few weeks/initial improvement, the frequency of administration is reduced.
Orally, even higher dosages are necessary to achieve a similarly high intake as with injection. Here 5000 – 15000 µg vitamin B12 are given as capsules for about four weeks.
Hydroxocobalamin is particularly suitable for initial therapy.
Maintenance Treatment
After vitamin levels have been suitably raised, the patient should switch to taking a sustained dosage of oral B12 supplements. Capsules are most recommended here, as tablets always contain undesirable additives.
Which vitamin B12 form is used depends on the clinical picture. In maintenance therapy, a mixture of the three natural B12 forms – methylcobalamin, hydroxocobalamin and adenosylcobalamin – can be used to cover the full spectrum of effects.
Interaction with Other Medicines
Various medications may interfere with vitamin B12 and cause malabsorption (30). Below such drugs are specified, however the exact interactions are yet to be fully understood. There may be varying degrees of interaction.
If one or more of these medications are being administered, an additional intake of 500 – 1000 µg B12 is recommended.
Contraceptive (oral)
Contraceptive pill
Antibiotics
Chloramphenicol
Neomycin
Tetracyclines
Antihypertensives
Diabetes medicine
Metformin
H2(acid)-blocker/proton pump inhibitor
Cimetidine
Lansoprazole
Omeprazole
Ranitidine
Cholesterol/Lipid-Lowerers
Coletipol
Colestyramine
Clofibrate
Antidepressants
Fluoxetine
Drugs and narcotics
Alcohol
Laughing gas
Antiepileptic drugs
Carbamazepine
Phenytoin
Primidone
Chemotherapy
Pemetrexed
AIDS Medicines
Stavudin
Zivuduvin

28/12/2025

🦠 Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

The Silent Storm Behind Histamine, Swelling & Sensitivity

The Body on High Alert

Have you ever felt like your body is overreacting to everything?

One day it’s your skin.
The next it’s your stomach.
Then your heart races for no clear reason, or your face flushes and swells without warning.

Blood tests? “Normal.”
Allergies? “Nothing specific.”

You’re not imagining it.
And you’re not weak.

Your mast cells may be playing a bigger role than anyone has explained to you.

🌬️ What Is MCAS?

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a chronic, often under-recognised immune condition in which mast cells become overly reactive and release inflammatory chemicals too easily, too often, and sometimes without an obvious trigger.

These chemicals include:
• Histamine
• Leukotrienes
• Cytokines
• Prostaglandins

Under normal circumstances, mast cells protect us during injury or infection.
In MCAS, however, they behave like overprotective guards who never stand down.

This doesn’t mean your body is broken — it means it’s stuck in a state of constant alarm.

📍 What Are Mast Cells?

Mast cells are immune sentries found throughout the body, especially where we interact with the external world:
• Skin
• Lungs
• Gut lining
• Blood vessels
• Brain barriers
• Lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes

When they perceive danger, they release inflammatory mediators to protect you.
In MCAS, this response becomes exaggerated and dysregulated.

🧬 MCAS Symptoms: A Body on High Alert

Because mast cells are widespread, symptoms can affect multiple systems, often fluctuating and overlapping:

🩷 Skin & Face
• Flushing
• Hives, itching, eczema
• Swelling (under eyes, lips, throat, underarms)

🧠 Brain & Mood
• Brain fog
• Anxiety or panic sensations
• Dizziness or light sensitivity
• Migraine-type headaches

🫁 Heart & Lungs
• Heart palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness (without structural heart disease)

🌿 Gut & Digestion
• Bloating
• Cramping or loose stools
• Acid reflux
• Food sensitivities or unpredictable reactions

🌡️ Whole Body
• Fatigue
• Joint or muscle pain
• Temperature regulation issues
• “Allergic-type” symptoms without a true allergy

🔄 MCAS & the Lymphatic System: An Overlooked Link

This connection is often missed — yet it’s vital.
1. Mast cells live alongside lymphatic vessels and nodes.
When overactivated, they irritate lymphatic tissue, contributing to:
• Puffiness and swelling
• Sluggish drainage
• A sense of heaviness or congestion
2. Histamine alters lymph fluid dynamics.
Elevated histamine can thicken lymphatic fluid, slowing its movement and allowing inflammatory byproducts to linger.
3. Chronic inflammation overwhelms drainage pathways.
When the liver, gut, and lymphatic system cannot keep up, symptoms tend to intensify or last longer.
4. Supporting lymphatic flow may reduce inflammatory load.
Gentle strategies such as Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), castor oil packs, hydration, and rest can help the body process and clear inflammatory mediators more efficiently.

This is supportive care, not a cure — but for many, it plays a meaningful role in symptom regulation.

💥 Common MCAS Triggers

Triggers vary widely between individuals and may change over time:
• Emotional or physical stress
• Infections (viral, bacterial, fungal)
• Mold or chemical exposure
• Hormonal shifts (menstruation, perimenopause)
• Heat, cold, or overexertion
• Certain medications or supplements
• High-histamine foods (aged cheeses, fermented foods, alcohol, citrus, leftovers)

🌿 Supporting a Calmer System (Management, Not Cure)

MCAS management is highly individual. The goal is regulation, stability, and longer symptom-free periods, not perfection.

🔹 Mast Cell Stabilisation (when appropriate)
• Quercetin
• Luteolin
• Vitamin C
• Stinging nettle
• DAO enzyme support
(Always under professional guidance)

🔹 Support Detox & Drainage Pathways
• Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
• Castor oil packs
• Adequate hydration with electrolytes
• Gentle heat or infrared sauna if tolerated

🔹 Nervous System Regulation
• Breathwork
• Vagus nerve support
• Magnesium
• Low-stimulation environments during flares

🔹 Dietary Adjustments
• Temporarily reducing high-histamine foods
• Prioritising fresh, simply prepared meals
• Listening closely to individual tolerance signals

📍 Conditions Commonly Seen Alongside MCAS
• Long COVID
• ME/CFS
• Fibromyalgia
• POTS
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
• Mold-related illness
• Autoimmune conditions (e.g. Hashimoto’s)

💚 In Summary

MCAS is not imagined.
It is not a character flaw.
And it is not simply anxiety.

It is a complex, chronic condition involving mast cell dysregulation — one that often requires ongoing management, self-awareness, and compassionate support.

While MCAS may not be “cured,” many people do achieve periods of stability, improved quality of life, and reduced symptom burden when their nervous system, lymphatic system, and immune load are supported.

✨ You are not broken.
Your body is trying — sometimes too hard — to protect you.

📌 Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.

© Lymphatica