FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How many visits will be needed over 9 months?
The normal number of visits required to check out and address all the various screens and tests is seldom less than 10 and not usually more than 15 spread over intervals to suit you and your child.   It's not possible in advance to give an exact estimate as hundreds of tests are performed and any abnormal results are addressed individually and immediately. It would be impossible to do all the tests at one time; therefore the whole diagnostic system is split into manageable sections. We treat what we find in each individual case.

How can I apply for funding to help my child access Sunflower Programme?
Please download a bursary form from the Downloads section of the website. 

Can I access Sunflower Programme as a private patient?
Yes! 

At what intervals will the treatments normally take place?
The first appointment comprises an Initial Sunflower Screening Assessment - consultation, evaluation and report of findings. A double appointment space is needed for this. This will be followed by a regular weekly meeting for the first 4 to 6 appointments. During this time, each child will be screened to finer and finer levels of assessment and treatment screening. Once we reach the stage of chemical evaluation, we normally schedule a 4 to 8 week gap between treatments – this is to enable the nutritional programme prescribed to be followed and have time to work. Once that part is completed, additional time is required for all the treatments to work together before re-assessments are made.

A full school term should be allowed to give the child a chance to discover and explore the reactivated and newly integrated parts of their mind and body that result from the treatment. The overall treatment time would probably be spread over a period of 4 to 6 months. A reassessment should follow 9 to twelve months after the initial consultation. It is possible to be flexible about these timings to take into account logistical and geographical constraints and availability for appointment times.

How do I find a Sunflower Practitioner?
If you'd like to learn more about the Sunflower Programme, please contact the Sunflower Trust – 0845 054 7509. We'll be able to advise you on your nearest practitioner and answer any other questions that you may have.

How many visits will be needed?
The normal number of visits required to check out and address all these various screens and tests is seldom less than 10 and not usually more than 15 over a 9 month period..  It is not possible in advance to give an exact estimate as hundreds of tests are performed in a systematic way and any abnormal results are addressed individually and immediately.

At what intervals will the treatments normally take place?
To begin with it is preferable to see children weekly for the first 4 – 6 appointments.   When the chemical side of the treatment is reached, there is normally a gap of 4-8 weeks between treatments.  This is so that the nutritional programme prescribed can be followed and have time to work.  Once that part is completed, additional time is required for all the treatments to settle in before re-assessments are made.  The overall treatment time would thus spread over a period of 6-9 months.  A re-assessment should follow a year after the initial consultation.

What about children that live far away?
Special arrangements can be made for those coming from a distance away or for children who are away at school.  We can, on request, supply you with information to enable you to make arrangements to stay locally overnight and receive treatment on two consecutive days.  This could be repeated a month later so that the number of journeys would be minimised.

How does the child cope?
Mostly we have had little or no problems with children, provided they have the full support and encouragement from their parents.  Although a strange and very different experience for them, most children respond well, enjoying the challenge and the attention they get.  Some slight discomfort for a very short time may be experienced in the early stages but this has hardly ever been a problem and is well within the degree of discomfort that any normal children might experience in their day to day activities. Occasionally some children find difficulties in following nutritional programmes and taking food supplements where indicated.  We have found that the attitude of the parents is a crucial factor in helping children overcome such difficulties.

How can we as parents help?
The love, leadership and support of parents for their children to overcome short term inconveniences in their pursuit of a longer term gain, is a lesson for life.  It helps them to develop the self discipline, character and confidence that they need to be successful.   At some stages exercises may be introduced which only take a few minutes each day. However, they need the supervision and support of parents to ensure they are being done and correctly.  Parents should also remember that it isn’t just the visit to the practitioner but the work in between the sessions that will make the Programme that much more effective for your child.

What is AK?
AK employs muscle testing with other standard methods of diagnosis. This is very important to understand as many people perform muscle testing, such as an "arm pull-down test" or other various modifications of muscle testing to diagnose what may be going on with a person's health. This type of muscle testing is a misused and oversimplified type of testing and is not AK. AK muscle testing is performed using many specific muscle tests to see a real-time sensory-motor (input-output) response, along with a detailed patient history, orthopedic and neurological testing to get a thorough understanding of a person's health problems and how to best deal with them. Muscle testing done alone or by an unskilled practitioner is no better than a psychic reading. AK is diagnostic; it is not a treatment procedure. A skilled AK doctor will employ various treatment methods such as chiropractic manipulation, cranial techniques, myofascial release or trigger point therapy, acupressure, nutritional or dietary changes/counseling, exercise therapies, emotional techniques, as well as other procedures to help the patient restore their health. The therapy is tailored to fit the patient based off examination.

"Health is the harmonious function of all elements of the whole being; structural, chemical and emotional"