Tai chi and other traditional Chinese exercises may benefit people with heart disease, researchers report.
The new review of 35 studies included more than 2,200 people in 10 countries. The investigators found that, among people with heart disease, these types of low-risk activities appeared to help lower blood pressure and levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and other unhealthy blood fats.
Tai chi, qigong and other traditional Chinese exercises were also linked to improved quality of life and reduced depression in heart disease patients, the study authors added.
But the exercises did not significantly improve heart rate, aerobic fitness levels or general health scores, according to the report published March 9 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
“Traditional Chinese exercises are a low-risk, promising intervention that could be helpful in improving quality of life in patients with cardiovascular diseases — the leading cause of disability and death in the world,” study co-author Yu Liu, said in a journal news release.
“But the physical and psychological benefits to these patients of this increasingly popular form of exercise must be determined based on scientific evidence,” added Liu. He is dean of the School of Kinesiology at Shanghai University of Sport in China.
The association reported in the study doesn’t prove a cause-and-effect relationship between activities such as tai chi and improved heart health.
But, the researchers said they plan to conduct randomized, controlled trials — the gold standard for scientific research — to review the effect of different types of traditional Chinese exercises on chronic diseases.
Original article and pictures take www.corespirit.com site
Tai Chi and Its Benefits Taichi is often referred to as “meditation in motion” requiring concentration and accompanied by deep breathing. It consists of graceful, flowing movements and postures that transition smoothly into each other without pause.
As the world’s population ages, exercise has become increasingly important as a tool to prevent and manage the chronic illnesses that are affecting larger portions of society. Tai Chi (also known as Shadow Boxing) has evolved from its original ancient Chinese form of self-defense to a modern-day, gentle form of exercise and stretching.
It is often referred to as “meditation in motion” requiring concentration and accompanied by deep breathing. It consists of graceful, flowing movements and postures that transition smoothly into each other without pause.
About Tai Chi
Tai Chi is grounded in the ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism. This philosophy emphasizes the natural balance in all things and encourages spiritual and physical harmony with nature. It surrounds the relationship of perpetual balance between the two opposing but complementary elements of yin and yang. The effectiveness of the Tai Chi exercises is believed to lie in the perfect balance between yin and yang.
There are varying styles of Tai Chi based on its different principles and methods. While some styles focus on the healthful aspects, others are more concerned with the traditional martial arts aspects of Tai Chi.
Benefits of Tai Chi
It is considered safe for all fitness levels and ages, due to the fact that it is low impact with minimal stress on muscles and joints.
Taichi has been shown to reduce joint pain.
Taichi requires no specialized equipment and is therefore an inexpensive form of exercise.
It may be done anywhere and at any time, whether alone or as part of a group.
Tai Chi improves your mood and helps to a decrease anxiety, depression and stress.
A regular practice of Tai Chi movements improves muscle definition and strength with consequent increases in stamina and energy.
Persons who practice this form of exercise experience improvements in their agility, balance and flexibility.
Taichi is shown to increase aerobic capacity of the maximum amount of oxygen the body is able to use during physical activity.
It is believed that Tai Chi can contribute to a better quality of sleep, leaving practitioners feeling more rested and rejuvenated.
Taichi has been said to help lower blood pressure and as such aids overall heart health.
The immune system is boosted by the practice of Tai Chi, making those who practice it benefit from greater general wellness.
Tai Chi is practiced worldwide by as many as 300 million people. It is considered as an effective approach to maintaining health and improving the quality of daily life.
Original article and pictures take www.acupuncture-treatment.com site
Tai chi produces the same benefits as physical therapy for patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis, according to a new study by researchers at the Tufts School of Medicine.
The study, led by Chenchen Wang, a professor at the School of Medicine, focused on osteoarthritis patients who reported significant pain. The average participant was 60 years old, and many were obese. “This was a really representative sample of patients we see in our clinical practice at Tufts Medical Center every day,” says Wang, director of the Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine at Tufts Medical Center.
Wang defines tai chi in her studies as a multi-component traditional Chinese mind-body practice that combines meditation with slow, gentle, graceful movements, deep diaphragmatic breathing, and relaxation.
Patients were randomly assigned to either do tai chi twice a week for 12 weeks with an instructor with 10 to 30 years of experience, or undergo physical therapy twice a week at Tufts Medical Center for six weeks and then do six weeks of exercise at home. At the end of the 12 weeks, the tai chi and physical therapy groups reported equal improvement in pain and related health outcomes, effects that remained 52 weeks after the start of the study.
“Six weeks is very expensive with a physical therapist,” says Wang, who is a member of the National Advisory Council for Complementary and Integrative Health
at the National Institutes of Health. By comparison, “tai chi is relatively cheap, and you can get it in a lot of places,” she notes.
The effects were the same across the four tai chi instructors, she adds, showing the protocol is easy to learn and perform successfully. “Everyone can do this,” she says.
Further, the tai chi group showed significantly more improvement than the physical therapy group when it came to depression and quality of life. “By integrating physical, psychosocial, emotional, spiritual and behavioral elements, tai chi may systematically promote health by its effect on both the body and the mind,” according to the study, which was published online May 17 in advance of print publication in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
“These people never knew what tai chi was. But when we brought them to the tai chi room at Tufts Medical Center week by week, we saw them changing to become happier, healthier people,” says Wang, who watched patients’ progress on video. “It was very exciting to see every day.”
The study conclusion: “Standardized tai chi should be considered as an effective therapeutic option for knee osteoarthritis.”
Rise of Integrated Medicine
Times have certainly changed since Wang conducted her first study in 2008 at Tufts showing that tai chi alleviates pain in knee osteoarthritis patients. For that research, the 40 patients and single instructor practiced the ancient Chinese martial art in a conference room. “When there were meetings, patients would stand outside and wait,” says Wang.
Her most recent study was a different story. It included 204 patients and four instructors, the largest group in any tai chi study, and they practiced in a dedicated tai chi room.
Wang has seen a greater accommodation in the medical world’s attitude toward tai chi as well. “After 10 to 20 years doing this work, I think integrated medicine is becoming popular now,” Wang says. “Everyone realizes its importance.”
Now Wang is planning on studying the mechanism by which tai chi produces its benefits. She has been conducting brain imaging studies to more closely examine the biological psychology and social aspects of the treatment, and also will estimate the net health-care spending reduction of offering tai chi as an alternative to physical therapy.
Tai chi could benefit more than just osteoarthritis patients, says Wang. She has also found that it promotes cardiovascular fitness and reduces pain associated with fibromyalgia.
“When I came to North America and I saw people use pain medication, I was so surprised. I asked, ‘Why would you use something like this?’” says Wang, who grew up watching her mother, a Chinese physician, rely on traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, combined with Western medicine.
“This is the main reason I became a physician and scientist, and I think more young people and health-care professionals should realize the importance of this field,” she says. “Complementary and integrated medicine is a big field now—whatever patients need, this provides the best care.”
Original article and pictures take www.corespirit.com site
Study Reveals How Chinese Skullcap Makes Anti-Cancer Compounds
A new study, published in the journal Science Advances, has revealed how the popular Chinese herbal remedy Huang-Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis) — also known as the Chinese skullcap — produces compounds which may help to treat cancer and liver diseases.
Chinese skullcap is cultivated in China, Siberia, Mongolia and Korea. It is an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of conditions including epilepsy, hepatitis, infections, and cancer. It is often used in combination with other botanicals such as PC-SPES and sho-saiko-to.
Previous research on cells cultured in the lab has shown that certain compounds called flavones — found in the roots of the Chinese skullcap — not only have beneficial anti-viral and anti-oxidant effects, but they can also kill human cancer cells while leaving healthy cells untouched.
In live animal models, these flavones have also halted tumor growth, offering hope that they may one day lead to effective cancer treatments, or even cures.
As a group of compounds, the flavones are relatively well understood. But the beneficial flavones found in the roots of the Chinese skullcap — such as wogonin and baicalin — are different: a missing hydroxyl (-OH) group in their chemical structure left scientists scratching their heads as to how they were made in the plant.
“Many flavones are synthesized using a compound called naringenin as a building block,” said study senior author Prof. Cathie Martin, from the John Innes Centre in Norwich, UK.
“But naringenin has this -OH group attached to it, and there is no known enzyme that will remove it to produce the flavones we find in the Chinese skullcap roots.”
Prof. Cathie and her colleagues explored the possibility that Chinese skullcap’s root-specific flavones (RSFs) were made via a different biochemical pathway.
Step-by-step, they unraveled the mechanism involving new enzymes that make RSFs using a different building block called chrysin.
“We believe that this biosynthetic pathway has evolved relatively recently in Scutellaria roots, diverging from the classical pathway that produces flavones in leaves and flowers, specifically to produce chrysin and its derived flavones,” Prof. Martin said.
“Understanding the pathway should help us to produce these special flavones in large quantities, which will enable further research into their potential medicinal uses.”
“It’s exciting to consider that the plants which have been used as traditional Chinese remedies for thousands of years may lead to effective modern medicines,” she added.
Original article and pictures take www.corespirit.com site
An article that I stumbled across this week in Medscape Medical News which is an online mainstream medical news publication discussed the findings of a study which demonstrated acupuncture's effectiveness in treating hot flushes in women associated with cancer drug therapy.
There were 120 participants in the trial whereby either electro acupuncture, gabbapentin (an anti-epeleptic medication), sham acupuncture and placebo treatments were administered over an 8 week period. At the end of the 8 weeks and again later at 24 weeks the results showed acupuncture was the most effective at reducing the hot flushes and maintaining that reduction even 16 weeks after acupuncture treatments ceased.
Studies have also demonstrated that acupuncture can be helpful in reducing cancer treatment related nausea.
Ahhhh, end-August! This is the time of year when the hot sunny days begin to be tempered by less muggy breezes at night. That small hint of coolness creeping in reminds us that autumn is just around the corner.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are not four but five seasons. The additional season, ‘Late Summer’, is considered the “hinge between hot and cold seasons, uniting yin and yang”. This observation is from a beautiful book, the Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine). It was written about 2,000 years ago. Not only is it a classical TCM text still studied by acupuncture students today, it is also a lifestyle guide with advice on health optimization. There are even directions on how best to sleep throughout the year according to the seasons. In general, we can take cues from our environment and work with the seasons. For example, in the summer we can stay up a bit later and rise a bit earlier than usual, thus following the sun’s pattern, benefiting from the season’s warmth and sunshine (“Yang” energy). In the fall, we can start to turn in a bit earlier but still rise early.
August and September are a pivotal time when we slowly change gears from summer’s looser, freer timetable (long weekends, vacation time, children out of school and at camps) to autumn’s much more regulated and disciplined work and school activities. For the sleep-deficient among us, this can be a challenge. Just when we are feeling like we’re finally getting some rest on vacation, it is time to get back to our regular lives of alarm clocks and stressful commutes.
We know that we feel better when we sleep well. Did you also know that good sleep helps maintain our memory, reaction times, emotional functioning and decision making skills? In a recent CBC episode of The Nature of Things, the relationship between good sleep and a healthy appetite was discussed. If you have ever experienced an increase in appetite after a night or two of poor sleep, you will be interested to know that some research supports this phenomenon.
Here are some suggestions to help you get the most out of your sleep time so that you will be refreshed and well rested, ready to tackle whatever the day has in store for you.
In general we can apply good sleep hygiene principles:
Reserve your bedroom for sleep and intimacy, not for eating, studying, watching TV, or using electronic devices
Keep your bedroom dark, well ventilated, and at a comfortable temperature
Use a good quality mattress and pillows (mattresses and pillows do wear out; refresh a mattress after approximately 10 years and a pillow after a year or two)
Stick to a schedule – go to bed and rise at approximately the same time every night (consider the Yellow Emperor’s suggestion to flex the times a bit throughout the year), whether it is a weekday or weekend, vacation or work day
However, we should balance this with going to sleep when we are tired – forcing ourselves to lie in bed at a designated time can make us feel frustrated instead of relaxed
More strenuous exercise should be done earlier in the day; relaxation exercises can be done at night
Turn off electronic devices, especially interactive technology, an hour or two before bedtime
Avoid high energy or stressful TV viewing later at night; read inspiring and uplifting books instead
Eat your last meal of the day at least three hours before turning in – digestion will interfere with sound sleep and lying down will interfere with optimal digestion
Consider changing the paradigm of supper being the largest meal of the day to the smallest with Yellow Emperor’s suggestion to ‘eat like a king at breakfast, a prince at lunch, and a pauper at supper’
Avoid very spicy food, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine before bed; they are all stimulating and can disturb sleep
Have a warm bath and consider adding calming herbs to the water:
Wrap a handful of lemon balm, lavender or rose petals in a square of cheesecloth and tie tightly
Place the wrapped herbs into the tub and run the water over it
When the tub is full, remove the herbs and enjoy the bath
Treat yourself to a cup of calming herbal tea before bedtime
Chamomile, lavender, lemon balm or peppermint can be helpful
Some tea companies have specific blends to help support sleep and may contain additional herbs such as valerian or kava kava root
Other soothing food and drink to try contain significant calcium and magnesium:
A cup of warm milk with a teaspoon of honey
A small handful of almonds
From TCM dietary therapy, there are some additional options to consider. Lemons are considered helpful for calming the mind and relieving insomnia. Mulberry or Longan fruit (looks like a smaller, darker litchi) can be consumed fresh or, in the dried state, made into tea. Lingzhi mushrooms, also known as Reishi, are available in tea form to support heathy sleep. Barley tea is also soothing but is not appropriate for those with Celiac Disease as it contains gluten.
If, in spite of your best efforts to transition to a regular sleep schedule, you are still not sleeping well, you may want to consider acupuncture treatment for insomnia. Acupuncture, famous for its effect on pain, has also been used for at least 2,000 years to treat sleep difficulties. This modality for supporting healthful rest is becoming more popular here in the west as people try to avoid using prescription or over the counter sleep aids.
In TCM, there are several patterns of insomnia and they are identified by collecting your particular information about problems falling asleep, staying asleep, waking too early and/or not refreshed, or experiencing excessive dreams or nightmares. Because each person has their own unique history and presentation of insomnia, the acupuncture points used will vary somewhat between patients. While it would seem logical that acupuncture points for insomnia would be on or near the head, there are some that are located on the body and limbs. Examples of some commonly used acupuncture points for insomnia are Yin Tang and An Mian, which are located on the head. Shen Men is found near the wrists and San Yin Jiao is on the inner leg above the ankle bone.
Sometimes the underlying reason for poor sleep may be a pain condition or a digestive issue. It is important to identify and correct these core imbalances to bring relief to the sleep deprived. Again, acupuncture can play a significant role in this area.
To help you manage your sleep as you transition into autumn, please request your appointment with our registered acupuncturist Barbara Adach, R.Ac. by contacting The Pacific Wellness Institute at 416-929-6958 or submit your online appointment request.
Original article and pictures take www.pacificwellness.ca site
Singapore zoo heals animals with herbs, acupuncture
SINGAPORE (Reuters Life!) - Acupuncture for a limping elephant? Herbal tea for a constipated orangutan? The Singapore Zoo has tried it all, and it works.
Around 200 animals, including giraffes, elephants, horses, pythons and sea lions, have successfully been treated with acupuncture and traditional herb-based Chinese medicine in the past decade, although Western medicine remains the first line of treatment in the zoo.
“The Western medicine did not always work, so we had to find other solutions,” Oh Soon Hock, a senior veterinarian at the zoo told Reuters on Friday.
Earlier this week the zoo received a S$30,000 ($19,700) grant for further research into traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for animals from a Singapore-based firm that produces
TCM.
Oh -- who was trained in Western veterinarian medicine but also studied Chinese medicine -- said this sort of healing is typically used after Western medicine fails to produce results.
He said an orangutan who had received modern medication for constipation for more than a year recovered after drinking an ancient Chinese brew of herbs, ground and dissolved in its honey drink, for just one week.
The zoo has also used acupuncture to reduce the swelling around the fractured leg of a sedated cheetah.
Treating an elephant with acupuncture requires some industrial-size needles to pierce its 2.5 centimeter (one inch) thick hide and sometimes through 15 centimeters of muscles.
The custom-made stainless steel needles are 15 to 20 cm long and 0.6 mm (0.024 inch) thick, Oh said.
“We use stainless steel needles because they bend but won’t break,” Oh said, adding that the needles need to pierce through the hide and muscles to get close to the bones for the treatment to be most effective.
Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese treatment, stimulates blood circulation by sticking needles at specific points of the body through which the body’s energy flows.
According to Chinese medicine, the blood carries “qi”, or body energy, that flows along pathways through the body. Acupuncture stimulates the blood by stimulating the “qi”.
Original article and pictures take s3.reutersmedia.net site
Chakra healing is a science that has been around for hundreds of years and is finally making a comeback in modern medicine. Trending all through blogs, Pinterest and even The Dr. Oz Show, many are looking to learn as much as they can about their Chakras in order to promote healing in their bodies and overall healthy living.
But with so much information out there on all seven Chakras, how to actually get started can seem overwhelming. Because of that, I created a very simple and easy-to-use daily cleansing process.
Now you can stop searching through endless articles and jump right into full body healing! Read on to learn which of your Chakras are blocked and what you can do to fix it.
What Are the Chakras?
Chakras are located down our back from the top of our head to the base of our spine. The word Chakra is Sanskrit for wheel. These wheels are the seven centers in our body through which all energy flows. If any Chakra is blocked, then energy cannot flow freely, thus disrupting our body’s natural flow, causing emotional and physical ailments.
The seven Chakras are, from the bottom, the Root Chakra, Sacral Chakra, Solar Plexus Chakra, Heart Chakra, Throat Chakra, Third Eye Chakra and the Crown Chakra.
Each of these Chakras is directly related to a part of the body and thus affect our overall health. From our digestive system to our fertility to our intuition, it is vital to keep these energy wheels clear and open to allow our body to function as it was designed.
Various things can block our Chakras. The most common are diet, negative thoughts, stress, and sedentary lifestyle. By implementing just a few simple changes in our lives, we can easily unblock all seven of our Chakras and drastically improve our physical and emotional well-being.
Which of Your Chakras are Blocked?
Obviously, the first step to healing any ailment is to determine where the problem lies. The same is true for blocked Chakras. Before we can focus on unblocking specific Chakras, we need to figure out which wheels are blocked. You may discover that many are blocked or you might find you only have one or two that need clearing. In order to recognize which, if any, of your Chakras are blocked, take a look at the list below.
Decide if any symptoms describe you. If so, note the Chakra with which the symptom is associated. Those are the areas you should focus on unblocking.
Emotional Symptoms: Low self-esteem, Lack of willpower
HEART CHAKRA
Physical Symptoms: Heart disease, High blood pressure
Emotional Symptoms: Lack of empathy, Fear of intimacy
THROAT CHAKRA
Physical Symptoms: Thyroid problem, Sore throat
Emotional Symptoms: Can’t express feelings, Heart and mind are disconnected
THIRD EYE CHAKRA
Physical Symptoms: Headaches, Hormonal imbalance
Emotional Symptoms: Poor intuition, Depression
CROWN CHAKRA
Physical Symptoms: Poor sleep habits
Emotional Symptoms: Difficult to meditate, Bodily disconnect
Simple Steps to Unblock Your Chakras
Now that you know which Chakras you need to focus on, it is time to take action and cleanse them with the simple steps I explain in my 7 day eCourse, Daily Chakra Cleansing.
In it you will find:
A quick overview of the Chakra system
Checklists to determine in minutes which of your Chakras are blocked
Easy-to-implement unblocking techniques to add to your daily routine
Basic exercises to improve overall health
Affordable dietary additions for any lifestyle
Downloadable Chakra Cleansing Cheat Sheet and so much more!
For less than the price of a meal, you will receive this eCourse right to your inbox with everything you need to know to achieve whole body wellness.
It also includes a downloadable Chakra Cleansing Cheat Sheet!
After you sign up, you will receive an email confirming your purchase. You will then be automatically enrolled in the 7 day eCourse, where you will receive an email once a day from Jennifer Soldner for the duration of the course.
If you do not receive an email after sign-up, please check your spam folder and then contact us for assistance.
Cleanse Your Chakras with the Power of the Sun Crown Chakra Essential Oil Original article and pictures take 50.87.248.230 site
Shoulder Pain Points Acupuncture points used for shoulder pain
Acupuncture Points Used for Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
LI15: Jianyu 肩髃 ：On the shoulder girdle, in the depression between the anterior end of ateral border of the acromion and the greater tubercle of the humerus.
LI16: Jugu 巨骨 : On the shoulder girdle, in the depression between the acromial end of he clavicle and the spine of the scapula.
SI9: Jianzhen 肩貞: On the shoulder girdle, posteroinferior to the shoulder joint, 1 B-cun uperior to the posterior axillary fold.
SI10: Naoshu 臑兪: On the shoulder girdle, superior to the posterior axillary fold, in the depression inferior to the spine of the scapula.
SI11: Tianzong 天宗: In the scapular region, in the depression between the upper one third and lower two thirds of the line connecting the midpoint of the spine of the scapula with the inferior angle of the scapula.
SI12: Bingfeng 秉風: In the scapular region, in the supraspinatous fossa, superior to the midpoint of the spine of the scapula.
Original article and pictures take www.acupuncturemoxibustion.com site
I never realized how much I relied on my shoulders until I experienced limiting shoulder pain. Every little action with my hands created pain in my shoulder. There are many causes of shoulder pain. Fortunately, there are many acupressure points for relieving shoulder pain.
Let me introduce you to two acupoints that can be used to reduce shoulder pain:
San Jiao 14 and Large Intestine 15
Gently massage L. Intestine 15 and San Jiao 14 to relieve shoulder pain
How to locate Large Intestine 15 and San Jiao 14
Place a hand on top of your shoulder. Feel for a bone at the top of your shoulder, it will feel like a “flat shelf.” Feel for the boney “shelf” at the top of your shoulder
Slide your hand down from this bone to the outside of your upper arm.
Keep your hand on the upper arm while you raise that arm to the side, away from your hip. Just raise it a little in order to activate the muscle (the deltoid muscle). Lift your arm out to the side
Now feel for two indentations in the muscle, just below the “shelf of the shoulder.”
The indentation that is more toward the front is acupressure point L. Intestine 15 (LI 15).
The indentation that is more toward the back is acupressure point San Jiao 14 (SJ 14).
Regular massage to these acupoints can help prevent pain
How to use acupressure points to relieve shoulder pain
Apply gentle pressure to these points. Experiment contacting both points at the same time or separately. I find that some people prefer to contact one acupressure point at time, some like the feeling of both. Use a gentle circular pressure to massage these points.
How much pressure?
Never cause pain with your pressure because that will only counteract the benefits of acupressure. Start with light pressure, and then slowly increase it until it feels “just right.” Be sure to keep your breath moving while massaging these points to help the energy flow. The intention of using acupressure points to relieve pain is to help the energy flow. Once the energy is flowing freely, the pain is relieved.
How long should you massage an acupressure point?
Start with massaging these acupressure points for 15-30 seconds. Then pause and notice how you feel. Try again for a few more seconds. Be sure to keep breathing and feeling into your shoulder area. Pause and notice the response. Once you are able to feel how you respond to these acupressure points, you will better know how much time is just right for you.
I prefer to massage LI 15 and SJ 14 for a short time (15 seconds to a minute) three or four times a day. A little at a time goes a long way.
Be gentle, experiment, and notice how you respond. Make adjustments based on how you feel. Things will change over time.
Listen to a recording of this blog post:
Original article and pictures take bigtreehealing.com site
Is your summer long, happy, days lazing in the sun… or do the stresses of life leave you feeling burnt out?
Think of those summer months… a time when you can raise your face and get that delicious, tingling sensation of the sun dancing over it and warming you to the core. Summer is associated with the Fire energy in Traditional Oriental Medicine, which is epitomized by our vibrancy, sociability and expressiveness. It is not surprising that the Ancient Chinese associated this element with the sound of laughter and the emotion of joy.
This is the time of year for openness – flowers are in full bloom in the hedgerows, poppies and cornflowers nod in the fields, and the leaves on the trees are out in full as if to soak up every last drop of summer. This is the time of year when we, too, are at our most open and outgoing – spending time outdoors, meeting up with friends and holidays with family – making the most of the long days and warm evenings. It sounds idyllic and infinitely achievable. And yet for many people such an idyll seems always to be out of reach.
As a Shiatsu Therapist, I tend to see clients when their energy is out of balance. An imbalance in Fire energy can manifest as physical pain – particularly in the neck, shoulders, arms and hips – or through other physical associations like weight loss, anaemia, menstrual blood problems (for women), or experiencing low energy levels. Clients often feel too hot or too cold – especially in extremities (hands and feet). An imbalance, however, is often also in evidence at an emotional level. Clients are often harbouring emotional stress or vulnerability which can produce symptoms like restlessness and insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, nervousness, irritability, or anxiety. In addition a disharmony can show itself in speech problems feelings of detachment or numbness, dizziness or palpitations.
Here are some signs that your Fire element may be out of balance:
Do you have times of emotional unease?
Are you easily wounded, rejected or offended?
Do you laugh frequently at inappropriate times?
Do you have a tendency to talk rapidly without taking a breath?
Do you feel tense when meeting new people?
Do you suffer from sleeplessness or have an overactive mind?
Do you have circulatory problems?
Do you have a ruddy or flushed complexion?
Do you often have cold hands or feet?
Do you have digestive problems?
What can Cause Disharmony?
Shiatsu is based on principles of Traditional Oriental Medicine. It thus works with Ki (often more familiar to people by the Chinese spelling ‘Chi’ or ‘Qi’), the body’s natural energy. Ki flows around the body via meridians, linking vital organs with other parts. Ki can get out of balance for a wide range of reasons, often due to an individual’s ability (or lack of ability) to adapt to changes going on inside or outside the body, and resulting in pain or ailment.
Emotions and lifestyle are significant contributing factors to this. Fire energy is associated with the Heart and Small Intestine meridians of the body, hence the close relationship with the emotions. The Heart, in particular, is seen as being responsible for maintaining a stable emotional core; it provides the seat of conscious and houses our spirit (‘Shen’) – keeping us emotionally balanced so that our body can flourish, and enabling us to have an open, warm and sensible disposition and a sparkle in the eyes. Meanwhile, the Small Intestine acts as a shock absorber. Its principle role is one of assimilation – on a physical level this relates to the assimilation of food into the body, and on a deeper level the assimilation of ideas and emotions. In its role as a ‘shock absorber’ the Small Intestine meridian takes on and processes the unpleasant things that life throws at us to protect the Heart – which is regarded as the most vulnerable organ in the body – from having to deal with too much. Emotional upsets – relationship problems and breakdowns, loss of loved ones, confusion and hurt, along with stress, anxiety and overwork – all require a considerable amount of processing and can upset the balance of our Heart and Small Intestine meridians.
Seeking Harmony through Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a subtle yet powerful and effective healing art originating from Japan. Shiatsu involves working on the whole person, addressing imbalances of the body at physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual levels, unblocking and encouraging the flow of Ki. In a treatment, an initial diagnosis is made to identify the client’s energetic disharmony. Gentle thumb and palm pressure are then applied along the meridians and to specific acupressure points, along with manipulations and stretches.
“It is a new name for the oldest form of medicine – healing with hands.”[Lundberg, 1999] The experienced Shiatsu therapist is able to tune in to the flow of their client’s energy and is able to sense how it responds to touch. Just as every person is an individual, every treatment will be different, as it is tailored to the specific needs of the client. So for some, the Heart or Small Intestine meridian will need to be calmed (sedated), whilst in others it will need to be boosted (tonified); this will be done bearing in mind the client’s specific set of circumstances. Factors like the location of aches and pains, other medical conditions or ailments, lifestyle and current situation, stress levels or emotional state are all part of the client’s make up and are all taken into consideration in determining how to give a treatment that will help them to feel relaxed and revitalized, and to regain a sense of calmness and connectedness.
Along with an energetic diagnosis and treatment, the Shiatsu therapist will often advise the client on lifestyle adjustments that will help to address the root causes of an imbalance. It is this holistic approach working at multiple levels and seeking out underlying causes rather than just treating the symptoms, that makes Shiatsu such an effective treatment.
Going with the Energy of Summer
Everyone can take responsibility for maintaining their own well-being. We can help to keep our Fire energy in balance by focusing on being grounded and emotionally stable, so that these extremes do not occur. Looking at how nature is balanced and adjusts with the changes from season to season provides us with a good indication of how to maintain a balance within ourselves. The key function of the Heart and Small Intestine meridians of the Fire element is to maintain a stable emotional centre. This stability enables us to be warm and open, to experience and express happiness, and to deal with life’s knocks whilst maintaining a zest for life.
Whilst there is a greater tendency for our Fire energy to get out of balance in summer, disharmony can occur at any time of year. It is important to go with the energy of the summer – to make the most of the warm weather, enjoying time with family and friends, we also need to make time for quietness and contemplation in order to maintain a sense of perspective and sense of balance with the intensity of living in the moment.
Top Tips for Balancing your Fire Element
Fire creates light, revealing the darker edges of our lives and bringing everything into bright relief. It is an intense experience, heightening our sense of being alive and more aware of every thought, emotion and sensation. It is easy to either
get carried away by this, or conversely to shy away from its intensity. There are practical things you can do to help keep your Fire energy in balance:
Make time to reflect on your emotions and note the quality of them;
Slow down and try to spend a bit of time everyday on living in the moment – not worrying about what’s gone before or what is to come… but concentrating on the here and now. Take time to notice what is around you, breathe deeply and just be;
If you have a tendency to withdraw from company, make an effort to arrange something social;
If you tend to take on too much, try saying ‘no’ to some invitations;
Give yourself permission to spend time doing nothing – sit quietly in the garden with a book or go for a stroll;
Meditation makes a lovely antidote to our busy lives. Spend ten minutes every day to just sit and breathe;
Practise Tai Chi, Qi Gong or Yoga – any form of exercise that helps you to relax, get grounded and clear the business from your head;
Book a Shiatsu massage to help rebalance your energy.
This is the time of year of openness – flowers are blooming and trees are in full leaf; and we, too, are at our most open and outgoing – making the most of the long days and warm evenings. Cherish this season. It is the time of year when we build up our reserves for the autumn and winter to come.
Original article and pictures take www.corespirit.com site
While we offer some conventional services such as vaccination and surgery, our comprehensive approach to managing your pet’s health focuses on finding whatever therapy or combination of therapies addresses and resolves the problem with the fewest side effects.
Original article and pictures take www.naturalpetfamily.com site
Seasonal Allergies Acupuncture Could Help You With Seasonal Allergies
Dealing with seasonal allergies can be frustrating. A runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing aren’t easy to handle on a daily basis. There are many over-the-counter antihistamines that may provide a temporary relief but for the long term relief acupuncture is one of the best treatment options. Acupuncture is a popular alternative treatment that involves the insertion and manipulation of needles at fixed acupressure points in the body.
Understanding Seasonal Allergies and The Symptoms
Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis and hay fever, are an allergic reaction that is active at specific times of the year especially during the fall and spring seasons. The symptoms occur when people come into contact with pollen, mold, dust, and animal dander that are spread by wind. Seasonal allergies are generally more common around spring time due to the new growth of trees and flowers blooming. Other allergens like dust, animal dander, and mold are present all year round. People with pets are more prone to experience more frequent reactions. Symptoms include nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, itchy ears, and hoarseness.
How Acupuncture Treats Seasonal Allergies
Acupuncture treats seasonal allergies by restoring the flow of Qi (life force or life energy) which flows through meridian channels in the body. From Traditional Chinese Medicine’s perspective seasonal allergies, referred to as “bi yuan”, occur due to a disruption or imbalance in the flow of Qi.
All imbalances, excess dampness, deficiencies, and stagnation, occurring along median channels and connected organs must be addressed in order to treat symptoms of seasonal allergies. Wind is believed to be the main cause for the imbalances resulting in congestion. Individuals with a deficiency or stagnation of Qi are more likely to catch colds and suffer from allergy symptoms during the windy season.
TCM also takes internal factors into consideration that may cause allergy symptoms to surface. The principle is to address all causative factors for the long term relief. Lungs, kidney, and/or spleen deficiencies, are often common among individuals who experience severe allergic symptoms. The aim of the acupuncturist is to establish an effective plan to address all the underlying immune system imbalances and other causes.
Acupuncture needles are inserted at certain acupuncture points during the treatment. Acupuncture needles inserted along meridian points are intended to help eliminating congestion, coughing, soreness, difficulty breathing, and asthmatic reactions. Traditional Chinese herbal medicines or naturopathic treatment may be recommended along with treatment.
Original article and pictures take www.acupuncturemoxibustion.com site
SCIENCE IS FINALLY PROVING THE EXISTENCE OF MERIDIAN POINTS THROUGHOUT THE HUMAN BODY
It may seem counterintuitive, but there are many instances where science can actually hold us back from new discoveries and knowledge. Unfortunately, mainstream science is quick to discount anything which cannot be physically seen or felt, making notions like ‘energy points’ within the body seem like pure science fiction. But just because we can’t physically see something, does not mean it doesn’t exist. Nikola Tesla told us that “the day science begins to study non-physical phenomena, it will make more progress in one decade than in all the previous centuries of its existence,” and hundreds of scientists around the world have been taking on this task for several years. Within the next few decades, the examination of non-material science is going to skyrocket, and we all stand to benefit. What we know as science is definitely changing.
One example where non-material science could benefit the human race is healthcare, as a number of publications have revealed the importance of mind-body connections, and how our thoughts, emotions, feelings, the perception of the environment around us and more are all connected to the health of our body and regulation of our immune system. A study published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies titled “The Primo Vascular System as a New Anatomical System” is one that has recognized the importance of these concepts.
The medical community, for the most part, discounts healing therapies using this type of knowledge — knowledge which was present thousands of years ago in various ancient cultures. Acupuncture, a technique that manipulates the human meridian system in order to heal the body, has worked wonders for many people, yet our science has yet to explain how it does so. This is one example of many. Despite being unable to scientifically explain how these techniques function, few could deny that traditional Eastern medicine has proven successful for many people, or that it’s been crucial for curing various diseases. It has been used for thousands of years, and one has to assume that if it didn’t work, we would have abandoned the practice by now.
According to Western medicine, no known meridian system has a physical anatomical basis. The above study offers a different perspective, however:
In the early 1960s, only one hypothesis was proposed to explain the anatomical basis of the meridians. By using different experimental approaches during the past 10 years, the number of scientific papers that report the discovery of different anatomical and physiological evidence confirming the existence of an anatomical basis for the meridian system has increased. Morphological science is greatly challenged to offer a new biomedical theory that explains the possible existence of new bodily systems such as the primo vascular system (PVS).
Researchers are calling it the Primo Vascular System, and, according to another paper published in the journal Evidence Based Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, “even today, the meridian system is still being investigated with well-known anatomical structures.”
This includes connective tissues called the fascia system, which are representative of the function of the meridian system being established and understood, as outlined by a study published in the journal Anatomical Record that mapped acupuncture points in serial gross anatomical sections through the human arm. It found “an 80% correspondence between the sites of acupuncture points and the location of intermuscular or intramuscular connective tissue planes in the postmortem tissue sections.” The study proposed that “the anatomical relationship of acupuncture points and meridians to connective tissue planes is relevant to acupuncture’s mechanism of action and suggests a potentially important integrative role for interstitial connective tissue.”
Korean researchers (of the first study cited above) believe the primo-vascular system is in fact the physical component of the Acupuncture Meridian System. They’ve also suggested that this system is involved in channelling the flow of energy and information relayed by biophotons (electromagnetic waves of light) and DNA. They propose that the anatomical basis for the PVS and this energy, also known as “Qi,” is “an electromagnetic wave that is involved very closely with the DNA in the PVS and that DNA “provides genetics information” and “functions as a store of information that can be obtained from the electromagnetic fields of the environment.”
They cite several studies showing that the PVS has been detected in various regions of the body:
The PVs have been found inside blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. The PVs inside lymph vessels freely flow in the lymph. The PVs and PNs flow in the third ventricle, fourth ventricle, cerebral aqueduct, and along the central canal of the spinal cord. The PVS has also been found on the arachnoid mater, cerebellum, perinervium, and epinervium of the sciatic nerve. The PVs and PNs are present on the surfaces of the liver, stomach, small and large intestines, bladder, spleen, kidneys and omentum, abdominal cavity, hypodermal layer of the skin, superficial fascia, fat tissue, and cancer fascia. The PVs also enter internal organ tissues.
The researchers injected a special staining dye which coloured the meridians, revealing thin lines along these acupuncture points which were not present at non-acupuncture point sites (where there are no meridians). The researchers discovered that the meridian lines are not confined to the skin, but are in fact a concrete duct system through which liquid flows. They also learned that this liquid aggregates to form stem cells.
After all of their research (as seen in the publication), the scientists concluded that PVS allows communication between living organisms and the environment, and that it’s a system which spans throughout the entire body and plays a role in all biological life processes. They concluded that it receives signals in the form of electromagnetic waves from the environment, and internal signals from the body as well:
The PVS, which until now has been a missing body system, can explain many of the mysteries of life. The physical substrate for the meridian system is the missing point that can be used to combine the knowledge of ancient Chinese medicine and that of modern science into one successful unit.
It’s always interesting to look at ancient knowledge and teachings, particularly because so much has been and continues to be confirmed by modern day science. Every day, it seems, we discover why an ancient practice works on a scientific level; every day we validate something which previous generations simply understood to be valuable. And these ‘new’ discoveries of old knowledge support the notion that many more of these supposedly antiquated or pseudoscientific practices are in fact worthwhile.
There remain many phenomena for which we have no explanation. For example, a study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine, as seen in the the US National Library of Medicine, demonstrated that a women with special abilities was and is able to accelerate the germination of specific seeds for the purposes of developing a more robust seed stock. This is just one of many example where extraordinary things have been observed and documented yet cannot be explained scientifically.
As with meridian points and energy systems in the body, perhaps science is calling us to be more intuitive, more trusting, and more openminded. Perhaps a scientific explanation is not needed to confirm what people knew thousands of years ago and still benefit from today. It’s something to think about.
Original article and pictures take www.corespirit.com site
For centuries the ancient wisdom keepers and healers in several traditions had a keen understanding of the energetic body. The healing traditions from China, India, Japan and Tibet, as well as other countries all spoke of energy channels, meridians or nadis along which the vital energy flowed.
Life was considered to be a bio-electrical and vibrational energy phenomenon and so health revolved around balancing energy through various means. Life existed because of life force and energy running through and animating the body, ensuring we can move, breathe, digest food, think and even feel.
Healing traditions all spoke of energy channels, sen, meridians or nadis.
Energy channels
This vital life force or chi, is composed of two kinds of forces, yin and yang, and flows along a sophisticated network of energy pathways, or highways, circuiting the body. Over 2000 years ago ancient cultures knew of the existence of these energy channels. They were called ‘sen’ in Thailand, ‘nadis’ in India, ‘meridians’, ‘channels’ or ‘vessels’ in China and Japan, and ‘channels’ in Tibet. In India, where many eastern healing arts developed, there were said to be 72 000 nadis or energy pathways. Disease is believed to be a blockage in the energy flow of these channels. A range of healing traditions, including acupuncture, acupressure, massage and yoga, are founded on the principle of the existence of energy channels or pathways, known as meridians, or nadis, running around the body in an expansive network.
While it may seem a little airy fairy to some to consider the energy body while we have flesh and bone, at source we are an energy field, embedded into another energy field. Our bodies are electromagnetic in nature and science has measured these frequencies with advanced machines, like EKG’s and MRI scanning, for many years. Numerous studies demonstrate these energy pathways and points conduct electricity even when needles aren’t used. And the massage technique of Shiatsu have been found to stimulate the same energetic effects. Similarly, Qigong,Tai Chi and the postures of yoga, have been found to increase electrical conductance at acupoints, yet science never believed in the existence of meridians until now.
A range of healing traditions are founded on the principle of the meridians.
Scientific research
Recently scientists at Seoul National University confirmed the existence of meridians, which they refer to as the “primo-vascular system.” They say that this system is a crucial part of the cardiovascular system.
Previously, North Korean scientist Kim Bong-Han proposed that he had found meridians in the early 1960’s. Dr Kim Bong-Han showed over 50 years ago that new tubular structures exist inside and outside of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, as well as on the surface of internal organs and under the dermis. He believed they were the traditional meridian lines. The meridians were called Bonghan ducts or channels, after his research, but now the existence of this system in various organs has been corroborated by further research.
The current Korean researchers now believe the primo-vascular system is in fact the physical component of the Acupuncture Meridian System. And it has also been suggested that this system is involved in channelling the flow of energy and information relayed by biophotons (electromagnetic waves of light) and DNA.
here may be a link between the meridians and energy and information relayed by DNA.
The Korean scientists studying oriental medicine with biophysical methods injected a special staining dye which coloured the meridians. By injecting the dye onto acupuncture points, they were able to see thin lines. These did not show up at non-acupuncture point sites where there are no meridians. The researchers discovered that the meridian lines are not confined to the skin, but are in fact a concrete duct system through which liquid flows, and that this liquid aggregates to form stem cells.
Previously, scientists used a combination of imaging techniques and CT scans to observe concentrated points of microvascular structures that clearly correspond to the map of acupuncture points created by Chinese energy practitioners in ancient times. In a study published in the Journal of Electron Spectroscopy and Related Phenomena, researchers used contrast CT imaging with radiation on both non-acupuncture points and acupuncture points. The CT scans revealed clear distinctions between the non-acupuncture point and acupuncture point anatomical structures.
Scientists injected a special staining dye which coloured the meridians.
The meridian system
There are 12 primary paired meridians and two single mid meridians, six yang and six yin. The yang meridians run down the body and the yin meridians flow up the body. Each meridian is also related to an element. Each meridian is most active at a certain time of the day or night and each meridian is influenced by an element or season.
The nature of meridians, in their elemental structure, and as vessels for the life force, show the intricacy and profound connection of our body at a cellular level, to the universe. We are intimately connected by the elements, energetic structure and flow of energy, to all life, at a cellular, physical level. Our earth is also said to have energetic pathways or ley lines, akin to meridians.
The map was created by Chinese healing practitioners nearly 2000 years ago.
How are meridians related to health?
Our bodies need balance. A balanced flow or energy, not too much or too little, is conducive to good health. This is the same in the way we live our lives. Balance is paramount. Just enough food, water and a healthy balanced lifestyle. As the Buddha said: “middle way” or moderation in all things.
We can see this harmony and balance in life, as the balance between the energies of yin and yang – or more simplistically, masculine and feminine – the two opposing and catalyzing energies of the universe.
n our bodies we need balance, not too much or too little.
Our health is vibrant if there is harmony and balance between these two forces in the body. If the balance is disturbed, and the flow of one of these forces becomes greater than the other then illness arises. These forces or energies flow through very definite channels in the body, or meridians, and these are the body’s healing energy pathways.
In traditional Indian medicine, the meridians are expanded upon.There are nadis found within the physical body and these nadis make up the nervous system, the circulatory system, the digestive system, the respiratory system, the lymphatic systems, etc. Any blockages in these nadis can result in physical health conditions. Nadis can also be found in the subtle body where they carry thoughts, feelings, and nerve impulses. When these nadis are blocked, we lose our ability to feel, and connect deeply with others, the environment and ourselves. In the same way that veins and arteries are important for the body to function, nadis weave through our physical nerves and the matrix of consciousness that circuits the mind and self, supporting our physical expression from the otherworldly dimensions of existence.
Chi is made up of two kinds of forces, yin and yang.
When the flow of energy is blocked, it causes low energy and illness. Practices like yoga and meditation work on these subtle energy channels, supporting the flow of energy through the body. According to some ancient indian texts there are 350 000 nadis or energy pathways in the body. In traditional Indian medicine and spiritual science, the energies of the physical body, the subtle body and the causal body are said to flow through the nadis. Within this framework, the nadis are said to connect at special points of intensity called nadichakras.
The three most important nadis are those running along the spine: ida, pingala and sushumna. The Sushumna is the central channel of energy in the human body and it runs from the base of the spine to the crown of the head and carries kundalini energy, which is the primal evolutionary force. Kundalini is awakened through yoga and meditation and is said to lie dormant at the base of the spine. Activation of the kundalini leads to higher consciousness states. The aim of yoga is to broaden the sushumna and to unite the pathways. Purifying all three nadis leads to overall health, and wellness of body and mind, as well as spiritual growth. Various Pranayama techniques aid in helping to keep these nadi channels open.
The three most important nadis are those running along the spine: ida, pingala and sushunma.
If you are sensitive to energy and have had energy treatments, such as acupuncture, you may have felt streams of energy or a flow of cold or heat, for example, up the legs or arms. This is a freeing up of energy in the meridians and the flow of energy that is released when a blockage is removed.
There are many wonderful healing modalities based on the meridian system that support radiant health. By enhancing the flow of energy through the body, balance and health is achieved and we come in touch with our true selves. Acupuncture is a therapeutic modality used in China as early as the late stone age. It was used to treat all ailments affecting people. Acupuncture did not enter modern Western consciousness until the 1970’s when China ended a period of isolation and resumed foreign political and cultural contacts.
The range of applications for acupuncture has grown slowly in the West, possibly because of the belief that it has no scientific basis. Perhaps now with the scientific proof of meridians, acupuncture will become more widespread for all ailments, along with other great healing modalities based on the energetics of the body, supporting more people to have vibrant health and wellbeing.
Original article and pictures take www.corespirit.com site
Sciatica is not a medical diagnosis, rather it is a term used to describe the patient’s symptoms that involve a radiating pain, tingling, and numbness along the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve branches from the lower back through buttocks, legs and feet.
The sciatic nerve can get irritated or compressed by various underlying causes, including herniated disc (or bulging disc), spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, spinal tumor or spinal infection. The response to the acupuncture treatment largely depends on the underlying cause of the sciatica.
When acupuncture is deemed applicable to treat this condition, an acupuncturist may determine the type of sciatica based on the patient’s body constitution. In addition, acupuncture needles may be administered specifically to the affected nerve root and its branches.
Standard and Non-Standard Sciatica Acupuncture Points
The sciatic nerve forms as one thick nerve at the inferior border of Piriformis muscle (gluteus region), the specific treatment applied to this area is vitally important for both L5 and S1 impingement cases. However, standard acupuncture points in the region such as BL63 or BL64 are often insufficient to produce a desired effect. Therefore, experienced acupuncturists use one or more extra-acupuncture points, located either superior, inferior, medial, or lateral from the BL63 or BL64.
Figure 1:
One to three points are chosen based on pain distributions, point palpation and findings from physical examinations such as deep tendon reflexes and muscle testing.
Other Sciatica Acupuncture Points: L5 Nerve Root Involvement (L4/L5)
BL25: Dachangshu 大腸兪 In the lumbar region, at the same level as the inferior border of the spinous process of the fourth lumbar vertebra (L4), 1.5 Bcun lateral to the posterior median line.
BL26: Guanyuanshu 関元兪 In the lumbar region, at the same level as the inferior border of the spinous process of the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5), 1.5 B-cun lateral to the posterior median line.
ST40: Fenglong 豊隆 On the anterolateral aspect of the leg, lateral border of the tibialis anterior muscle, 8 B-cun superior to the prominence of the lateral malleolus.
BL58: Feiyang 飛揚 On the posterolateral aspect of the leg, between the inferior border of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle and the calcaneal tendon, at the same level as 7 Bcun proximal to BL60.
GB35: Yangjiao 陽交 On the fibular aspect of the leg, posterior to the fibula, 7 B-cun proximal to the prominence of the lateral malleolus.
ST42: Chongyang 衝陽 On the dorsum of the foot, at the joint of the base of the second metatarsal bone and the intermediate cuneiform bone, over the dorsalis pedis artery.
LR3: Taichong 太衝 On the dorsum of the foot, between the first and second metatarsal bones, in the depression distal to the junction of the bases of the two bones, over the dorsalis pedis artery.
Other Sciatica Acupuncture Points: S1 Nerve Root Involvement (L5/S1)
BL26: Guanyuanshu 関元兪 In the lumbar region, at the same level as the inferior border of the spinous process of the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5), 1.5 B-cun lateral to the posterior median line.
BL27: Xiaochangshu 小腸兪 In the sacral region, at the same level as the first posterior sacral foramen, and 1.5 B-cun lateral to the median sacral crest. Note: At the same level as BL31.
BL31: Shangliao 上髎 In the sacral region, in the first posterior sacral foramen.
BL59: Fuyang 跗陽 On the posterolateral aspect of the leg, between the fibula and the calcaneal tendon, at the same level as 3 B-cun proximal to BL60.
BL60: Kunlun 崑崙 On the posterolateral aspect of the ankle, in the depression between the prominence of the lateral malleolus and the calcaneal tendon.
GB41: Zulinqi 足臨泣 On the dorsum of the foot, distal to the junction of the bases of the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones, in the depression lateral to the fifth extensor digitorum longus tendon.
Figure 2:
One to three points are chosen based on pain distributions, point palpation and findings from physical examinations such as deep tendon reflexes and muscle testing.
Sacrifice, Physical Training, and Forging the Alchemical Body
I have always cherished and savored the endless hours of physical training in martial arts and long distance running. In many ways I view this time as alchemical in nature: heat, pain, sweat, blood, tears, joy and sadness all coalescing into physical expression.
Ayurveda and Yoga refer to this as the transformative fire of tapas, a type of alchemical expression of heat manifested and stoked by the dedication and passionate commitment of our pursuits; a type of creative incubation that allows the individual to transform and manifest new expressions of the soul.
This is how I view the pursuit of physical training: an incendiary pathway to personal growth and self-expression.
One of the most common questions I hear from friends and readers alike, however, is, “how do you find the time to train so much?” This is typically followed by the statement “I wish I could do that but I don’t have enough time.”
Yet, such individuals commonly spend large amounts of time on other activities such as watching television, smoking and playing video games. They do have the time, in fact, but they choose to spend it on other pursuits. They view physical activity as a type of sacrifice, which they are unwilling to pursue regardless of the benefits. I all too clearly remember the end stages of my father’s life as circulatory complications resulted in encroaching necrosis in the lower limbs. His physicians would explain that if he would just walk more and explore physical therapy, he would be able to avoid limb amputation. He refused to make this relatively small sacrifice and, over time, lost both of his legs.
The words of Sri Aurobindo, which I read in my youth, have always stuck with me:
This, in short, is the demand made on us, that we should turn our whole life into a conscious sacrifice. Every moment and every movement of our being is to be resolved into a continuous and a devoted self-giving to the Eternal. All our actions, not less the smallest and most ordinary and trifling than the greatest and most uncommon and noble, must be performed as consecrated acts. Our individualized nature must live in the single consciousness of an inner and outer movement dedicated to Something that is beyond us and greater than our ego.
These words always echoed in my mind as I studied martial arts or competed in cross country running events in my youth, germinating deep inside my mind and body forming a deep reservoir of inspirational fire fueling all my activities esoteric and mundane; life become an embodied sacrifice.
My physical training became a powerful metaphor for the expression of life on all levels as well as a sanctuary for spiritual succor. Over time, the alchemical fire of physical training began to reveal deeper and deeper layers of my life, as well as deeper levels of the physical praxis proper. This is discussed by Miyamoto Musashi in his classic text Book of Five Rings:
A master achieves the Way by being devoted to the art, while the art itself reveals its true identity to a warrior only when the ‘spirit of the thing itself’ feels comfortable with the warrior as a vehicle for its own expression. If you wish to learn my Way of strategy you must do sufficient research and study. Doing sufficient research means that you must devote yourself as much as possible to the study of these ideas — to the degree with which you feel that you will have accomplished that which you wanted to accomplish. The level of commitment that you give to it will indicate to it what to reveal of itself to you.
This idea is pregnant with meaning for an individual’s life as well as his or her interaction with the world. Most individuals are in a constant search for meaning; for a “secret” which is obtained that will make all sadness clear like clouds in the sky. Yet this is an illusion and this illusion seeps deep into the mind-space of the masses searching for a unique identity in a world that only appreciates homogeneity.
I look back on all the years of physical training — some within martial arts lineages, some alone on a mountain trail — and realized that my self-expression was incubated in the heat of the physical pursuit. A sword is formed by heat and adversity not comfort and safety; and my lifetime of physical pursuits became the crucible of my constant and never ending maturation. How could I NOT make time for this?
The more we dedicate to anything with focus and commitment, the more “secrets” are revealed; the silent voice of the respective pursuit starts to speak if we listen with the heat of our praxis. For many, the heat incubated within the pursuit of physical activity can be channeled into life at large, allowing one to hear inspiration calling within all activities mundane or “magical.”
Time and the timing of life all cross pollinate in our pursuits of physical experience preventing sloth and complacency from dulling our growth and personal evolution as individuals and as members of the world at large. This idea is puissantly expressed once again in The Book of Five Rings:
Remember timing. Do not forget harmony with the Universe and self. Remember that continuous study is essential for approaching perfection in a chosen art. Although some people may appear to be ‘there’ they must continually deal with change — based on the rise and fall of timing and rhythm. However, through devotion to the Way of your art you can remove yourself from the general mass of people and be able to concentrate more effectively on your chosen Way. It is also essential to remember the need to function in society, good or bad, and that in order for your Way to be successful, you must interact with society. If you wish to control others you must first control yourself.”
My physical pursuits of martial arts and running have made me a better writer and a better friend, not just a better fighter or runner. The “heat” of the physical experience has refined my vision of the entire landscape of the world allowing me to see much deeper and vaster than the shallow view of “the general mass of people.”
I am often humored at groups within the esoteric subculture who claim to embrace a body-centric view of gnostic spirituality yet possess pale, flaccid, lifeless bodies, and suffer from endless maladies such as insomnia and digestive issues on a day to day basis. How can they reach the depths of the soul when they can’t even live comfortable in their body or nervous system?
In the valiant pursuit of physical fitness, the individual can experience the precious ephemeral quality of life as deep within the flesh resides our ultimate destination: death. This is the basis for all martial arts study. The building up of the body is essentially the deconstruction of the ego! Yukio Mishima succinctly expressed this:
The body carries quite sufficient persuasion to destroy the comic aura that surrounds an excessive self-awareness; for though a fine body may be tragic, there is in it no trace of the comic. The thing that ultimately saves the flesh from being ridiculous is the element of death that resides in the healthy, vigorous body; it is this, I realized, that sustains the dignity of the flesh……Nevertheless, wherever one sought after the ultimate sensation, the moment of victory was always an insipid sensation. Ultimately, the opponent — the ‘reality that stares back at one’ — is death.
This is of course echoed in Hagare: The Book of the Samurai:
The Way of the Samurai is found in death…If by setting one’s heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he gains freedom in the Way. His whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling.
Every morning and every evening when I train, slipping on a boxing glove, bruising a knuckle, or lacing up a running shoe, I remind myself that this is my ultimate sacrifice. One day I will no longer have the breath to run or the energy to punch; one day I will no longer have the energy to live.
Often at the end of a fight or a long run, I remember waking up and finding my father dead in his hospice bed at home. I remember seeing his body without legs, without breath, without a whisper of life. I remember helping the funeral home wrap his body and carry it to the death hearse. How can I not make time to lose my breath in a fight with a martial arts brother, or feel the beautiful pain in my legs after a mountain run?
My physical training allows me to engage with this dialogue with death on a daily basis, and consequently my passion for life courses and flows strongly through all of life’s activities! Every day becomes precious and the systole and diastole of my heart is never taken for granted. This flows into the words I write, words shared with friends, and the final blessings dispensed upon a hospice bed. How could I not have time for this sacrifice? Deep within the flesh, the heat of the pursuit has revealed the voice of death and the Elan Vital of life!
Within the pursuit of physical refinement lay many sacrifices: sweat, time, blood, tears, ultimately the sacrifice of our lives. However with patience and dedication, the simple act of physical expression can reveal the priceless: the sacrament of life.
Original article and pictures take www.corespirit.com site
Find the GB 39 pressure point area on the side of the left leg just in front of the bone (the fibula) which runs down to the outside of the ankle. You may find one, two, or three separate sensitive points in this area.
Find TW 3 on the left hand just behind the knuckles of the ring and little fingers. Some neck or back pain may be a sign of a serious medical emergency. Read more here...
Treatments often used for neck or back pain can lead to serious long term side effects. Read more here..
Step 3: Scroll Down and press both points for relief
Locate and press the most sensitive spots in each area. Press deep enough to feel an achy sensation. If you need to press harder use your thumb or (if your have long finger nails) try the blunt end of an ink pen.
Press on the
left leg...
Press each point for about a minute while gently MOVING the neck and taking 3 or 4 DEEP, SLOW breaths.
...and then on
the left hand.
Wow!
That feels Better! Did you feel some relief? If your answer is yes you may feel more improvements if you repeat this treatment after a few minutes. If there is still any remaining pain or if the pain returns you may repeat the treatment as often as you wish. If the pain moves to a new area find the proper treatment points for the new location and use the new points to eliminate the pain. If you feel significant improvement use the form at the bottom of this page to let us know. Your feedback will help PrestoPainGo become more and more effective.
Please help us eliminate needless pain and make the world a healthier place to live, a world where medications are a last resort instead of the first available option. Spread the word: like us on Facebook, pin us on Pinterest, or email your friends to let them know about PrestoPainGo. Donate to the website by using the button below to make a credit card or PayPal payment. Any amount is welcome and appreciated.
Hey!
Is this supposed to work?
No relief? Try these suggestions:
1. Check to be certain that you started by selecting the image that best matches the location of pain on your body. If you can find an image that is a better match try pressing those points. If your pain moves to a new location after you press the first set of points go back to the previous page, select the image that best matches the new pain location, and try using the new points.
2. Check the general area around the point location by gently pressing to find the most sensitive spot. Pressing on the most sensitive spot in the area will usually give you the best results.
3. Follow the proper techniques for pressing the points. Press hard enough to feel a connection and then breathe in and out slowly three times while pressing for at least 15 to 30 seconds. If you do not get any results you should try pressing hard enough that it is quite intense but, please don’t injure yourself. Breathe into the pain and slowly move the area of the body that you are trying to treat. Take a two minute break and try again.
4. Try points in the same area but, on the opposite hand, foot, leg, or arm.
5. Select another pain location image that is located close to the pain location on your body. Try using these related point selections to see if you get better results
6. Contact an acupuncturist and make an appointment. An individualized diagnosis may be necessary to resolve your condition.
Leave your email if you would like a reply
Awesome! - Beth R.
Impressive! - Luisa Morales
My body has improved drastically. - Audrey M.
Mejoras significativas - David Lappara
The best! - Valerica Buiac
Absolutely worked for me! After lying awake until 2:00 am, I decided to Google search pressure points for neck pain, right temple headache, and jaw pain. Best thing I've ever done for the pain. Thank you for putting this site together! - Melissa Lyons
When I applied the pressure to the area in the hand between the knuckles, I could feel an instant release of the pain in my neck area - the pain was actually sideways into the shoulder area from the neck, and upon applying the pressure in the hand, I felt it release. I couldn't locate the correct spot in the leg, though. I still had just slight pain, but the pain went away upon applying the pressure in the hand. Thanks so much for providing this information for free!
Original article and pictures take www.prestopaingo.com site
