Katherine Minder. Post Traumatic Stress, Aftershocks, and earthquakes.

Post-Trauma Stress from  

Emotional Aftershocks of Earthquakes

by Katherine Minder

    I have lived in Alaska for 40 years and I am no stranger to earthquakes, but on the morning of November 30th,  2018 my experience of earthquakes changed.  After a minute and a half of shaking at a magnitude of 7.1, it looked like someone had turned my house upside down and shook it.  My foundation was cracked, literally and emotionally, and I stood braced up against my entryway wall in the dark, calling my sons to make sure they were all okay.  For the next hour, and through the aftershocks that followed, I stayed frozen against the wall experiencing my own forms of emotional aftershock.

    At the Oriental Healing Arts Center, I witnessed people coming in seeking help for symptoms that ranged from not being able to relax or sleep, being on high alert, confusion, loss of mental clarity, difficulty making decisions, headaches, fear and anxiety, nightmares, tiredness, and mood swings, all symptoms of post trauma stress.

    The article named “Self Help for Post-Traumatic Stress,” in Psychology Today talks about cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of talking, that combines cognitive and behavioral therapy.  Drug therapy, which does not treat the root of the symptom, so symptoms reappear when the drug wears off. Also listed were therapies called, “cognitive processing, prolonged exposure, and virtual reality therapy,” which according to Psychology Today, is where “the client relives past traumas in an attempt to extinguish the negative emotions associated with the traumatic experience.” (Sword, Rosemary K.M. and Zimbardo, Philip PhD)The article goes on to tell about the birth of mental health apps for the self-help population.  A new app that is available for between $8- $15 a month called Happify, is referred to as a 4-week solution, based on cognitive behavioral therapy for anyone with post-traumatic stress symptoms. It claims that 86% of users saw happiness improvements in 2 months.

    “The Earthquake People” in Psychology Today talks about how psychotherapy is at a loss when it comes to “making us feel safe” and points us toward perspective instead.   It states, “We are all earthquake people, who interact not only with each other but with forces far greater than ourselves, far greater than humanity.”  It goes on to say, “These forces should not only humble us, they should focus us. The presence of these great forces beneath our feet, in our seas, in our skies, is like a voice telling us in no uncertain terms to live this day, to open our hearts in this moment, to be guided by our deepest feelings not on the weekend, or on our vacation, or next year sometime, or when we retire, but in this very hour.”( Ventura, Michael)

    I chose a different route in dealing with the emotional aftershocks I experienced from the earthquake.  I went with treatments of acupuncture to reset my nervous system. After each treatment I felt calm, relaxed, and more emotionally balanced.  I also got massage, to help release those lovely feel good endorphins, with a little extra focus on my feet to help me feel more grounded. I prepared as much as I can for the things I have no control over, chose natural treatments like massage and acupuncture that I feel work well, and the rest for me is in the perspective of choosing faith over fear.      

    If you are feeling post trauma symptoms from the earthquake and aftershocks, ask yourself what the best resources and tools would be for you to move on and heal from these symptoms.  If you lean toward a self-help app or talk therapy, you may consider mixing it with massage, acupuncture, energy healing or all the above, but whatever you choose, know that you don’t have to live with post trauma stress, and you are not alone in feeling these symptoms.

Works Cited:

Ventura, Michael. “The Earthquake People.” Psychology Today May 1994 Reviewed June 2016

Sword, Rosemary K.M. and Zimbardo, Philip PhD. “Self-Help for Post-Traumatic Stress.”  Psychology Today June 2018

To Cynthia, from 2022

Hey Cynthia!

Welcome home! How was Paris? Can’t wait to gang together and set our schedule for Little Shaolin clinic. I am getting so excited for our first day in our new office! I’m going to miss the back corner at Massage Now, but it’s going to be great to have more space to work with. Not to mention, it’s going to be a blast to decorate! The girls and I have a lot of special treatments to propose, we are so excited! This last two weeks has been full of progress! I cannot believe it’s the one year anniversary of Healing the Heroes already. It’s been so incredible to see my vision come from just an idea to everything it has become. It’s been a light in the dark to have everyone’s support and helping hands. One of the HTH group members told me last week that his cousin in Arizona wants to start a group for the trauma survivors there just like ours, that made me really, really happy! It’s hard to believe that just a couple of years ago my life was completely different, I didn’t know one little thing about massage and now I get to do it every day! I keep seeing signs and synchronicities every day that remind me that this is the path I was meant to take this time around. It is so amazing to finally be where I’m supposed to be with people that see the world the way I do. Looking forward to continue to work closely in the future, see you soon!

All the love, Khrista Fortune

Cupping

Cupping

What is cupping? 

Cupping is a treatment and form of therapy used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The cups are placed on the skin and a suction device or heat is used to create a vacuum within the cup which pulls the skin into the cup. The purpose of cupping is to remove stagnation and stimulate the flow of Qi. The skin that is drawn into the cup will change color as the blood flow increases in the area where the cup is placed. Much like a bruise. The muscles in the area begin to loosen and the healing process will begin as the area is cleared of any blockages and stagnation.

There are different types of cups and types of therapies involving the cups. Most commonly the cups are made of glass or plastic. There are also gliding cups that work great for large muscle groups and can easily glide over a large area with a little oil on the skin. 

How does it help? 

In Chinese medicine it is said that the stagnation of qi and blood are what causes pain and disease. Cupping draws out toxins and impurities which will relieve pain and tension.  From the Western point of view, it is said that cupping loosens connective tissue and fascia and stimulates blood flow the surface. Much like a deep tissue massage. Cupping relives pain and promotes relaxation. Cupping also increases blood flow to certain muscle regions which makes it beneficial for most athletes. Cupping is used in a variety of treatments from a common cough to areas of paralysis. 

Side effects of cupping? 

The nice thing about cupping is that there are not really too many side effects. The most common side effect is bruising that may last a few days to a week or more. There may be pain associated with those areas. Cupping is not recommended for anyone that is taking blood thinners or that has a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia. Cupping should also not be done on areas that are infected, burns, or open wounds. With repeated cupping treatments the bruises will decrease and no longer appear. When the bruises no longer appear it is said to be a successful treatment as all the stagnation has been removed at that point. 

I personally found cupping to be a useful form of treatment as it loosened up some areas on my shoulder that had been in pain for months. It feels good in the sense that you can feel it pulling on the tissue and releasing the muscle tightness. The bruises definitely can be uncomfortable but after they are gone you can really feel how much the area has loosened up. I feel that in order to resolve a more chronic condition or pain that you would have to have several treatments in order to remove all the stagnation. 

Reference

Article: Cupping Therapy from MedicineNet.com

Managing Depression and which path to take

For someone with depression it can feel like a constant feeling of sadness and a complete lack of interest in the things you once enjoyed. You may feel a sense of hopelessness or like life isn’t worth living. Depression is more than just a feeling of sadness, it takes a toll on the person mentally and physically. Some other symptoms of depression are a feeling of emptiness, irritability and anger, lack of sleep, anxiety, trouble concentrating and even thoughts of harming oneself. There are many other symptoms that can appear with depression as well. These symptoms of depression can often disrupt the person’s life such as their work or school performance. They may find themselves feeling miserable and unhappy without an exact reason why. They may begin to isolate themselves and withdraw from all social or family activities. 

Most often a person with depression will be prescribed a medication. There are many types of medication that are suppose to be targeted towards the type of depression you have. This would be diagnosed after a doctor visit, consisting of several types of lab tests, a physical exam and a psychiatric evaluation. There are many side effects with medication’s and other risks involved. You may have to try several in order to find one that works for you. 

You may also undergo psychotherapy where you will discuss your feeling with a mental health professional. In some cases, you will be admitted to a hospital for monitoring if you are unable to care for yourself. In more extreme cases a form of brain stimulation therapy may be used. An ECT or TMS where they literally send magnetic pulses or electric currents directly to the brain. 

So let’s look at another approach and view point of depression from a Chinese medicine point of view.

One thing that is clear is that the Chinese population do not turn to drugs right away or at all for depression. They instead receive acupuncture treatments and take herbs instead of drugs. In Chinese medicine depression is caused by a blockage or imbalance in one or more internal organs, and the energy pathways that are involved with the organ. It can start in one organ where the chi is stagnating and can then spread to other organs if not treated. Acupuncture has been very effective in treating depression and statistically just as effective as antidepressants. Acupuncture has been shown to change levels of neurotransmitters which effect the persons’ mental state. The use of herbs has been around for 600 years to treat depression. Similar to western medicine you would meet with a practitioner who would evaluate you and determine what kind of imbalance you were having, but in this case you would be prescribed an herbal remedy instead of a drug! The practitioner will also discuss your diet with you and recommend what foods you should eat and avoid as part of the treatment. 

Another great form of therapy for depression is massage. Massage has been used for more than 3,000 years in China. Massage release hormones in your body creating an emotional connection, a calm mind and can improve your mood. Massage may not cure depression but it will certainly help with some of the physical pains that come along with depression, such as back pain, and joint pain. It can also help with sleeping problems. Massage will help to strengthen your mind body connection. It also will increase your energy and reduce the stress hormone called cortisol. When cortisol is reduced your body has the ability to fight off pain, anxiety and sadness better. Massage is a great way to create a safe and nurturing space for someone to feel calm and cared for. It creates a stronger sense of self worth and confidence. 

Depression can be treated in many different ways and with many combinations of treatments. There is no single pill that will cure everything. A person must do what they feel is right for them. The important thing is to treat depression in a way that works for you, exploring all options until the right treatment is found. 

 Sources:

Article- depression from the mayo clinic website

TCM information page on depression

Massage therapy for depression fromHealthline.com

How massage helps with anxiety and depression from www.prevention.com

Anxiety Pathology by Beth Jansen

Anxiety and it’s Physical Effects on Your Body

Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States affecting 18.1% of adults 18 and over, and 25.1% of children 13-18.  It can range from  mild to severe and can even be debilitating.  It can cause physical effects as well as emotional and mental issues and can also effect the relationships with the people around the anxiety ridden person.  

There are many causes for anxiety and it has become more prevalent than ever in our fast paced culture.  Chronic stress and traumatic events are the main contributors.  

Anxiety can cause panic attacks and interfere with daily activities.  Some symptoms include feeling nervous, a sense of impending danger or panic, increased heart rate, breathing, and gastrointestinal issues.  Anxiety increases chances of cardiovascular disorders, obesity, heart disease, weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure, among many other physical ailments. 

So, what physically happens in your body when you have anxiety?  The flight or fight response is triggered,  under normal circumstances a sudden threat activates the autonomic nervous system, which increases levels of adrenaline, faster breathing, and racing heart rate. These reactions trigger the activation of stress hormones, such as cortisol.  When cortisol is activated it increases glucose levels in the bloodstream in order to respond to the perception of imminent threat, so that muscles can be activated to respond to the danger. When your body is in this response it suppress the immune system because processes such as healing, repairing, and digestion can wait until after the threat subsides. When someone has an anxiety disorder where there is constant activation of these responses,  and constant flow of these hormones, your body loses its ability to control immune function, which contributes to heightened systemic inflammation that increases risk for cardiovascular disorders and even autoimmune disorders.

In western medicine anxiety is mostly treated with pharmaceutical drugs, all of which have a long list of side effects and do not address the main cause. 

Chinese medicine would treat anxiety as a disturbance of the spirit.  Using acupuncture, dietary changes and herbs, in conjunction with meditation, regular massage, Qigong, and Tai Chi, focusing on a mind body balance.  Allowing the Qi to flow freely helps relieve not only the symptoms, but really focuses on what it is that is causing the anxiety.  

Massage can be extremely beneficial for anxiety helping the body and mind to relax.

There are many natural ways to relieve and possibly remove the anxiety.  Whatever you decide to try, listening to how your body responds to the treatments you choose, will tell you what works best for you. 

Anxiety can also be self inflicted, ;ie waiting until the last minute to post your blog. 😉

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961

https://www.anxiety.org/what-is-anxiety

https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics

https://www.muih.edu/using-chinese-medicine-treating-depression-and-anxiety

Sent from my iPhone

Sent from my iPhone

Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma)

Liver Cancer begins in the cells of your liver. The cells become abnormal and then destructive to the normal tissues of the liver and can spread to both areas of the liver and to other surrounding organs. The cells mutate which causes the DNA of the cell to change. The cells lose it's instructions and can begin to grow out of control resulting in a tumor. Liver Cancer is also known as hepatic cancer.

There are many types of liver cancer. The most common being hepatocellular carcinoma. Which originates in the main liver cells known as hepatocytes.

Not all cancers that affect the liver are diagnosed as liver cancer, if the cancer has spread from other organs or areas of the body it is called a metastatic cancer, and will be named after the organ in which it originated.

Symptoms:

• Weight loss
• Decreased appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue and weakness
• Abdominal swelling
• Jaundice of the skin and eyes
• White, chalky stool

The causes of liver cancer can vary. Liver Cancer can develop from a chronic liver disease such as hepatitis.

The diagnosis is made by running several tests such as:

• Blood tests
• Imaging tests
• Biopsy

Your doctor will be able to determine what type and at what stage the cancer is in and whether it has spread. Type IV and type D are the most advanced. 

Treatment will depend on the stage of cancer, the patients overall health and age. Types of treatment include:

• Surgery, either to remove the tumor or a liver transplant
• Localized treatments, these are treatment's that are dispensed directly to the cancer cells. Such as: Heating cancer cells using an instrument containing liquid nitrogen. Injecting alcohol into the cancer cells causing them to die. Or placing beads filled with radiation into the liver.
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted drug treatment
• Palliative care is also used among the other treatments

Alternative medicine may help with the pain management including acupressure, acupuncture, deep breathing exercises, music therapy and massage.

The TCM diagnosis is based on the person's chief complaints, medical history and family history as well as observation. Physical features will be examined such as the person's hair, tongue,face,nails and sputum. Hearing the chest and smelling the sputum and touching to feel the pulse.

From a TCM point of view liver cancer is caused be disharmony in the body. Types of disharmony:

• Spleen deficiency
• Stagnation of QI
• Influence of dampness and heat
• Excessive heat
• Blood stasis
• Yin deficiency

The treatment will be based on the type of disharmony using different decoctions of herbs depending on the area targeted.

Massage benefits for cancer:

Massage will reduce pain, fatigue, nausea, and reduce anxiety and depression. It helps to rebuild hope and to make them feel whole again. Massage will help improve the patients quality of life, mental clarity and sleep. It will also help with scar tissue and range of motion. 

Massage is safe for people in all stages of cancer. Light massage techniques should be used and tumors and treatment areas should be avoided. 

Websites used for reference:

Mayo clinic. Article: Liver Cancer

Cancer council. Article: Massage and cancer key questions

MedicineNet. Article: Liver cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma

Shen-nong.com. Article: Liver Cancer