January 27th, 2010 by Acuhealer
In the western model of medicine, a cold is transmitted from person to person through a virus or bacteria. This leaves us with the feeling that we are always “exposed” and have no means of self defense. In the Traditional Chinese Medicine model, we can do things to prevent and release disease. This is because disease can only manifest in the correct climate. Therefore, if our immune systems are healthy, we will be much less likely to get sick. This explains why some people get colds twice a season while others get colds very rarely.
The immune system is managed by the nervous system. The immune system can be impaired by what’s called Allostatic Load. Allostatis is our body’s ability to maintain balance when under stress. Thus, Allostatic Load is our bodies immune response to stress. When our body ‘fights’ off’ an illness, it creates an acute stress situation. Acute stress actually helps the immune system handle a pathogen by causing immune cells to move out of the bloodstream and into tissues where they are needed. Acute stress actually strengthens our immune system. It is chronic stress that impairs our immune system. Chronic stress comes from overwork, lack of sleep/exercise, poor diet, etc. Acupuncture actually causes acute stress by creating tiny sterile wounds all along the body’s surface. As mentioned, acute stress helps the immune system handle a pathogen by causing immune cells to move out of the bloodstream and into tissues where they are needed. Acupuncture also “resets” the Allostatic Load. After acupuncture, the body is relieved from acute & chronic stress and regains its ability to recognize and respond to pathogens. Read the rest of this entry »
January 27th, 2010 by Acuhealer
The thought of meditation often brings cringes of resistance and images uncomfortably sitting, legs crossed, in a still position for long periods of time. Most people resist the idea of meditation because they cannot imagine themselves slowing down.
We live in a world that is extremely fast-paced. Most of our daily actions and activity support us in moving even faster. Television, computers, cell phones, text messaging, emails and instant messages overload us with information; keeping us connected to the world 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Much of the information is challenging – news of war, earthquakes, crime and scandals become difficult to hear. We hate it, we fear it – yet we are drawn to and often forced to listen. Most of us seek peace and harmony. We often feel this is lacking in our lives. We strive to be happy yet few of us attain this. Individual distress and tensions combine to create stress in society. Meditation can provide the respite one needs.
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January 27th, 2010 by Acuhealer
I recently attended a symposium conducted by the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan. This two day symposium was dedicated to updating physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants as well as a host of integrated medicine practitioners on research and successes of incorporating integrated medicine in primary care. It was very exciting for me to look at the audience and see over 200 medical professional gather together to learn how they can incorporate integrated medicine in their medical practice.
Some of the highlights:
Dr. Robert Ivker of the Ivker Center for Respiratory Healing spoke of the “body as a self healing organism”, He talked of the risk factors and causes of chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. He recommended natural antifungals such as Allicin and Candex for fungal sinusitis treatment and had a myriad of suggestions for treating allergic rhinitis including grape seed extract, Quercetin, Vitamin C and papaya enzymes. He spoke of the importance of diet (reducing dairy) and clean, moist air for healing mucous membranes. Read the rest of this entry »
January 27th, 2010 by Acuhealer
The practice of tai chi promotes the circulation of Qi (life energy/force) within the body. Tai chi developed in China in about the 12th century A.D. Although Tai chi started as self defense practice, it has become widely used for health purposes as well. Tai chi practitioners move their body in a series of movements. These movements make up forms in which each movement flows into the next. There are over 100 possible movements. The simplest style of tai chi uses 13 movements, the more complex could have dozens. Tai Chi is often called meditation in motion. Most forms are gentle and suitable for everyone. During practice, focus is on breathing and movement which creates a state of relaxation and balance.
There are five major styles of tai chi, each named after the family that originated it. There are also a variety of offspring styles as well. Each style shares in their underlying theory and principles, but may offer different approaches to training. It is important to take into consideration, age, health, as well as personal goals when choosing a style. For example, the Sun style is less strenuous than the Chen style and the Yang style promotes peace and tranquility. Read the rest of this entry »
April 17th, 2009 by Julie Silver
This morning I was waiting in line at Starbucks to get a cup of tea. The woman in front of me was in a hurry and I could feel the tension and frustration standing behind her. She back up and unconsciously pushed me out of the way. As she was waiting for her drink, she was getting more and more frustrated. Again, I was amazed at how much her frustration permeated the space around her. By the time she got her drink, she was ready to complain. She yelled at the gentleman behind the counter and, when he did not respond the way SHE wanted, she became more and more upset until she stormed out and threatened to complain about the service.
The reason I bring up this story is because I was able to gain some great insight watching this drama unfold. It was very clear to me that this woman was creating her own drama – right before our very eyes. The larger space around her was peaceful. It was early morning and patrons were going about their day – living their lives. She was living her life – which, at that moment, was one of anger. She was choosing to feel this way. No one else was feeling this way. As I started to feel her energy and feel her frustration, I could feel my shoulders tense up. I saw how easily it is for me to “take on” the frustration of another person. I found that I had to consciously breathe and separate myself from her so that my day did not start out the way hers did. It is a choice.
Now I am not perfect and I do recognize that there are times we have every right to feel frustrated. Things happen in our lives and every day is not perfect. However, I also see very clearly how we are constantly have a choice as to how we look at our world. How many times do we let the layers of anger and frustration build until they turn into an illness, tension, insomnia or some other physical condition? How many times do we build our layers of anger and lash out at our kids or strangers when we are driving? And who is getting hurt?
As an observer of this incident at Starbucks, I saw so clearly how this was a one person show. She was upset and we were all observing.
Take some time each day to observe others. Notice those who have good energy. Notice those whose energy may be challenged. Notice how you are the observer. You are not part of anothers energy. You are only responsible for your own. This is a very important lesson.