Body-rocking is a rhythmic behaviour commonly seen in childhood. It is a self-comforting activity seen from about the age of 6 months, though it is more common in the toddler age group. The child may rock while sitting, or else while on hands and knees in a semi-crawling position. He will rock back and forth, usually for less than 15 minutes each time, although sometimes for considerably longer. It occurs at any time of the day, though more commonly at bedtime. Sometimes the activity is extremely vigorous, at other times gentle and the child may appear as if in a trance. These behaviours seem more common in retarded children, and those who are institutionalised, although perfectly normal children also rock their bodies.

Body-rocking is always a transient phenomenon, representing that particular phase of the child’s life. It is best ignored and no intervention is necessary.

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The frequency of sexual abuse in our country is frightening. Its scars cover our potential for intimacy unlike any other influence in our life. Think back to this experience, as painful as it may be. Remember that professional help may be needed to explore the memories of this abuse, but as you will learn in [...]

The working-through process also involves reiearning what it is like to be ‘normal’. We lose sight of what it is like to be ‘normal’, and it is not unusual for people to interpret ‘normalcy’ as a setback! It isn’t, we just have to relearn.

This means reiearning to have a ‘normal’ bad day without reacting with [...]

You may be frightened of having any operation at all for cancer because you have heard that ‘letting the air in’ makes the cancer grow and spread much more quickly. What facts support this belief? How heavily should it weigh when you are considering the possible costs of a proposed operation?

It is true that some [...]

Can you have sex after having a heart attack? This is a problem which concerns not only a man after his coronary but also concerns his healthy wife.

Many men have anxiety and some sexual dysfunction following a heart attack. Most of the problem is fear.

The physical exertion of having sex may cause angina and this [...]

Women who do not smoke have a lower risk at all ages. Those who do smoke have a higher risk.”

The young, non-smoking woman who uses the Pill to “space” her family has no reason to be alarmed. Older women, those over 30 and particularly smokers may consider a different method of contraception.

Many women, to avoid [...]

This entails the use of creams, oils or lotions to relieve dryness and make the skin feel smoother. Skin varies in its degree of oiliness from person to person, depending on age and the climatic conditions. For example, adolescent skin is oilier than that of the elderly. Also, during the winter, and in air-conditioned buildings, [...]

To prevent hypoglycaemia remember:

• Eat regular meals and snacks—plan to eat every three hours or so

• Include low G.I. carbohydrate foods at every meal and for snacks

• Mix high G.I. foods with low G.I. foods in your meals—the combination will give an overall intermediate G.I.

• Avoid eating high G.I. foods on their own for snacks—this [...]

The value of skinfold measurements. Skinfolds represent a relatively simple method of measuring general fatness and fat distribution. The validity of skinfold measures in the hands of an experienced measurer in people who are not excessively obese can be quite high, however reliability is quite variable, depending on the measurer, and sensitivity quite low. Skinfold [...]

‘Have a heart!’ you’ll hear somebody say. Or ‘he’s all heart!’ Ever said that to anyone?

We all know the body has a heart. Often it’s equated with emotions. ‘Heart-throb’ and ‘heart-break’ are common words which relate feelings to this important part of the body. Although the ancients believed the heart had something to do with [...]