I have worked in a health care environment for over 25 years. I owned and managed a retail optical business for twelve years before deciding on a career change to become a nutritional therapist.
I first discovered the benefits of improved nutrition and healthy lifestyle changes after suffering from chronic neck and shoulder pain along with calcific tendonitis for several years. I did not improve with treatment using the traditional healthcare model and wanted to find a natural solution to regain my health without undergoing surgery.
From this, I gained an understanding of how imbalances in the body can lead to chronic inflammation and problems absorbing the necessary nutrients for optimal health. After discovering the benefits of improved nutrition for myself, I decided to study to become a Registered Nutritional Therapist.
Qualifications
I am an Accredited Registered Nutritional Therapist with a post graduate diploma in nutritional therapy. I am a fully registered member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and a member of the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) which is the regulatory body for BANT. As part of my continued commitment to professional development, I undertake compulsory continued professional development which includes regular BANT supervision sessions.
I am GDPR compliant.
I hold professional indemnity insurance.
Nutritional Therapy
I am based in Sale, Manchester and practice nutritional therapy both online and in person. I use a Functional Medicine approach ( explained in Your Consultation), working with my clients to find the root cause of their ill health. This is an evidence-based, scientific approach which acknowledges the inter-connectivity of the body’s systems and helps to restore the body to optimal function and vitality by examining how lifestyle, diet and exercise influence health.
My approach is aimed at encouraging and nurturing you to develop and sustain a new approach to your diet and lifestyle which you can view as a positive, permanent change. A programme will be designed to fit your specific requirements.
Health conditions which I am particularly interested in and may benefit from a nutritional therapy approach are energy regulation, weight loss, hormone imbalances and digestive problems.
I encourage clients to have an open communication with other health care professionals to ensure their healthcare needs are fully met. Clients are encouraged to approach their GP’s for diagnostic checks that are provided on the NHS. I am also able to provide access to functional tests to assess gut and hormone health.
Val Ackers
Registered Nutritional Therapist, BSc (Hons) Psychology, PG Diploma Nutritional Science and Practice, mBANT, mCNHC.