An independent health journalist interviews Sarah about her experience of iolife treatment on her son Jack.

When Jack was three years old, he was diagnosed with the rare and complex Kabuki Syndrome (KS) with autistic characteristics.

His parents knew that Jack, now 12, had problems soon after his birth, but it was not until he was seen by a consultant at Great Ormond Street Hospital, who had diagnosed at least one other child with the Syndrome, that his condition was identified.

It is estimated that only one child in around 32,000 in the world is born with KS, although because of under-diagnosis, the incidence is thought to be higher. The range of symptoms include delay in speech and language acquisition, mild to moderate intellectual disability and behavioural challenges.

His mother Sarah, who trained as a dancer and worked as a personal trainer before her son was born, is dedicated to finding new therapies and treatments which will help Jack.

When she learned about a new treatment called Iolife, suggested by therapist Gudrun Jonsson, who trained as a Biopath in Denmark before establishing her London practice over 22 years ago, Sarah opted to sample the effects herself first.

Iolife is a non-invasive treatment and works in a similar way to acupuncture but without the use of needles.

With patients lying or sitting in a comfortable position, the equipment is directed by the therapist on to the area deemed to be most appropriate - the soles of the feet, the face, head, neck or a specific area of the body.

The Iolife machine then creates a concentrated stream of negatively charged ions which release their charge when they make contact with the skin, creating an alkalising effect of the lymphatic system throughout the body.

In turn, the effect helps to stimulate the body’s natural energy channels and defence system. The patient often feels a warm sensation.

“I felt an immediate effect after my first session on the machine,” she says. “I had lots more energy, I felt more centred, calmer, more settled.”

Because Jack has more complex needs, Gudrun began with only a few minutes’ treatment, building up the time gradually over many weeks.

Jack settles comfortably in a treatment chair, fully dressed except for bare feet sticking out from beneath a blanket. A red light, glowing from the portable Iolife machine, is first directed on to the soles of his feet, before being moved up to his stomach and finally his face.

At first Jack is lively, talkative and laughing with therapist Gudrun, whom he has visited regularly for over a year. “Jack loves coming here,” says his mother Sarah.

After five to ten minutes of his 40-minute treatment Jack appears calm and relaxed but his mother knows that after the session is complete, he will be full of energy.

Now Sarah, who manages Jack’s diet carefully and includes supplements which her own and Gudrun’s research have shown to be helpful, believes the treatment is making a real difference.

“At one time Jack was in his own world for much of the time, but his general awareness has improved and he is able to focus his attention more easily,” she says.

“His eye contact and speech have improved and he is able to have more appropriate conversations.”

Although Jack has more energy immediately after his treatment sessions - usually on his way home from school - Sarah believes he settles down in bed more quickly and falls asleep earlier on those nights.

Jack, who has a younger sister Susie, aged nine, is a pupil at a mainstream school but needs the additional support of speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and cognitive therapy.

He also attends the Hope Centre for Cognitive Education in north London, for children and