Natural Treatments for SCIATICA

SCIATICA

Definition

Sciatica, also called sciatic neuritis, is a painful condition caused by problems with the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest single nerve in the human body. It is composed of the fourth and fifth lumbar nerves and the first three sacral nerves. It runs from the lower back down the posterior of each leg. (See photo below).

Symptoms

The pain is usually described as burning or shooting pain in the lower back, buttocks, or one or both legs. Numbness of the legs or even muscular wasting may be observed in advanced cases.

Causes

Pressure on the sciatic nerve can be caused by swollen or herniated discs, protrusions on the spinal vertebra, or inflamed piriformis muscles.

Treatment

In Western Medicine sciatica is generally treated with prescription painkillers and bed rest. Surgery is considered a last resort because the scarring can cause additional pressure and pain.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine there are multiple approaches which are most effective when used in combination. These include acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine, Tui Na or Chinese Massage, properly balanced diet, exercise, and rest, Qi Gong breathing, and stress management which can include meditation. The objective of the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach is to restore the essential flow of Qi and the proper balance of Yin and Yang within the body. There are no contraindications for use of massage therapy in the treatment of sciatica.

References

https://www.sustainhealth.com.au/blog/sciatica-treatment-chinese-medicine/

https://www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/alternative/care-your-low-back-according-traditional-chinese-medicine-tcm

Weight Balance Challenge - Special Meditation

How did the intro steps go? Did you find it easy or hard to love yourself exactly as you are right now?  Were you able to work out any issues in this that you wouldn’t mind sharing?

In changing our Mindset so that we really love and work with our bodies, we can actually tell our body what we need it to do and then expect that to start happening.  Ok, there is a little background info to understand here.

First, when we tell our body out of love what we need it to do, this has a completely different energy that demanding, begging, or talking down to.  “Body, I love you so much. We’re going to be working together to balance our weight differently than it is right now and I would adore your help with this. You have some incredibly important work to do on your end and I appreciate your grasp of the details. Thank you!”

It’s very interesting that when we speak out of love in this way, who are we that is saying this? It’s us, but we’re connecting to our Higher Self also, and there’s an energy of power associated here.  Whenever we completely feel love – gratitude – appreciation and we speak or act within this feeling, we are connected to our Higher Self.  The feeling it part here is very important.

Here’s an easy, fun meditation to work with over the next few days. Doing this right before bed can be really nice! But do it whenever you have a quiet moment.

1. Bring your attention to your heart center and consciously breathe here, as if you are inhaling and exhaling from your heart center.
   
2. At a certain point, your breath will naturally slow, and this signifies that physiological changes are starting to take place. Enjoy the slow softness of your breath.
   
3. In the slow breathing, start to feel love for yourself.  Allow the feeling to grow until you feel your entire emotional state shift and expand.
   
4. Consciously radiate this feeling of love coming out of you beyond your body, into the space that surrounds you.  Can you fill the area or room with it?
   
5. When we do this, our brain waves literally change.  You may feel as if you are experiencing a slight altered state that is extremely light and clear.
   
6. In this state say to yourself “Subconscious Mind, I direct you to begin right now doing what is necessary to change my weight.”  You can tweak this sentence to fit your own words as long as you speak directly to your subconscious mind and tell it exactly what to do – in a state of love.

Let me know how this goes – I’m excited for you to try it! And it’s so much fun to see what your subconscious mind knows you need and starts to do for you. 

Weight Balance Challenge - Introduction

What this is:  We are going to blend a variety of real-life natural techniques found in Oriental medicine that work.  This is going to be done in steps that allow us to experience and integrate genuine changes into our daily routine that bring us into a more balanced state of being.  Through mindset, reaching a higher vibration, caring for and moving our body, and using gifts from the Earth like herbs and crystals, we are going to have FUN shifting into our natural weight and feeling absolutely wonderful about it.

What this is not:  This is not a New Year’s Resolution.  It is also not a diet.  It is not a quick gimmick to lose 5 or 10 lbs then gain it right back.  If you’re looking for an external source to change you, there are plenty available out there.

How to participate:  Over the next few weeks I’ll be posting specific items and ideas to work with, so make sure you Like my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TouchOfTao/) and watch for them.  I’ll also re-post everything here on our blog in case you missed it, or so you can come back to it anytime.

These will be actionable items that you’ll need to play with and actually do.   I like to make things flexible enough to allow them to fit your own unique preferences and ways, because all of this has to work from you and through you.  It’s you that is changing you – not me or anyone else doing something to you. You create your own beauty from within, and all of the upcoming activities will help that come out.

Ready? The first item to work with is Self-Love.  In order for all of this to work as fluently as possible, we need our bodies to feel incredibly loved – no matter what - and invite them to work with us. 

This may take some inner work, because often if we want to change our weight we don’t like how we are right now.  Really look at the self-talk you have going on inside about this.  What do you think about yourself and how your body looks?

If you already say “I love myself exactly as I am right now. I’m beautiful and perfect!” then keep doing more of that.

If you say anything at all like “I’m too fat. I’d look good if I lost 20 pounds. I look terrible.” Etc. etc., then become very aware of exactly what you are saying.  You’ll need to add a disclaimer at the end.  You can make up what works for you, but it needs to be something like:  “I’m too fat. But I totally love myself anyway.”  “I’d look good if I lost 20 pounds. But I completely love myself right now regardless of my abundant weight.”  “I look terrible. Well I love my terrible looking self so much it doesn’t matter what I look like!”

I think of our inner self-talk like talking to a child.  How does a child respond that is told he/she is too fat and looks terrible?  It’s not a good feeling.  Usually it’s a heavy, energetically damp feeling that weighs down morale and slows down the energy flow.  This can directly translate into a slower metabolism.

If we tell a child “You’re beautiful! You’re perfect! I love you so much!” and we mean it deeply and genuinely – now we’ve got some amazing energy to work with and we can be motivated and play and love what we create within.

So start today – right now - and look at your inner self-talk about your body and weight.  Wherever you think or say something negative, imagine you are talking to a beautiful innocent child and change it around.  Add a disclaimer, or apologize to your body, forgive yourself, and think/say a better thought filled with unconditional love.  This takes commitment and practice, so keep doing it until it’s so natural the love you feel for yourself becomes emotionally palpable.

I’d love to hear your comments and experience with this, especially if it will help someone else who can relate or is having a hard time.  Thanks! Have fun & be creative with this.

PS: Throughout the challenge if you feel like you need one-on-one personal assistance please call to make an appointment with myself or the other amazing practitioners at the Oriental Healing Arts Center.  Your success means a lot!

Auricular Therapy for Weight Loss

What is Auricular Therapy?

Auricular Therapy, also known as Ear Reflexology, is a special way of stimulating acupoints in the ear as a way to treat symptoms of imbalance.  The method of treating acupoints in the ear has been practiced in Oriental medicine for at least 2,000 years.  This can either be done with small acupuncture needles, or as a non-needle technique that uses massage and small gold or silver beads, or seeds, attached to tape and pressed into acupoints on the ear at precise locations.  

The needles and beads or seeds stimulate the Qi and Blood of the related area, function, or internal organ of the body.  This treatment is commonly used by acupuncturists, and because it does not actually break the skin may also be used by bodyworkers and herbalists trained in Oriental medicine.  (All of the professional massage therapists at The Oriental Healing Arts Center are trained in Oriental medicine.)

What can Auricular Therapy treat?

The ear, hands, feet, and back are places on the body that can each be used to treat the entire body.  Oriental medicine techniques are all used to re-balance the Yin and Yang energies of the whole mind-body-spirit, so from this point of view there is very little that could not be treated at least in part by Auricular Therapy.

In 1990, the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) proclaimed that Auricular therapy is “probably the most developed and best documented, scientifically, of all the ‘micro-systems’ of acupuncture and is the most practical and widely used.”   The WHO lists 150 conditions for which Auricular Therapy is appropriate, including headaches, migraines, nerve pain, facial paralysis, tennis elbow, high blood pressure, sciatica, low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, pain associated with cancer, menopause symptoms, allergies, addictions, depression, and more.

How will Auricular Therapy help me to lose weight?

By identifying the internal organs and functions that are out of balance now, Auricular Therapy is used to stimulate specific acupoints that will act to re-balance you.  This includes increasing the function of sluggish digestive organs, regulating your sense of hunger, regulating hormones and metabolism, and encouraging the body to release excess accumulations and waste efficiently.

What are the side effects of Auricular Therapy?

Used properly, there are no known adverse side effects of this treatment.  It is natural, generally painless, and highly effective.

Is Auricular Therapy done by itself, or do I need to do anything else too?

Our culture is very used to the way that conventional medicine will prescribe a medication to ingest or apply and no other action is required.   Oriental medicine says that if we are experiencing pain and suffering of any kind, there is some aspect of our life that is out of balance and thus supporting our current circumstances.  We must address the imbalance and take appropriate measures to correct it.  According to Chinese medicine, there are 6 main reasons that people experience illness:

1.      Improper eating habits

2.      Too much work

3.      Too much emotional upset (including stress)

4.      Not enough exercise

5.      Not enough rest

6.      Environmental

Except for #6, these are all lifestyle related issues to which changes should at least be considered.  Luckily though, Auricular Therapy will often stimulate the necessary motivation and awareness to catalyze change.

Auricular Therapy can be done alone, but is most often supported with one or more of the following treatments according to individual needs and preferences:

·         Meditation, QiGong and Tai Chi practice

·         Medical QiGong Energy Healing

·         Acupuncture

·         Massage Therapy

·         Five Element Nutritional Counseling

·         Herbal Therapy

·         Chinese Medical Essential Oil Treatments

What should I expect after a treatment?

Results will depend mainly on the degree of illness and the length of time it has been present.  Many conditions will experience immediate relief to some extent, while others will show gradual but steady improvement over time.  Treatments are continued, usually on a weekly basis, until symptoms are gone, or until enough of a push has started a healing momentum that can be maintained on your own.

Ear beads or seeds are kept in from 3-7 days.  They should be gently rubbed for 3-5 seconds each, 3-5 times every day.  A cotton ball should be placed in the ear to protect it while taking a shower.

What if I have pierced ears?It is recommended not to wear jewelry on the ear being treated as this will add stimulation that may affect the energy of the treatment.

Contact us if you are interested in receiving this therapy.  907-279-0135

Natural Therapies for Anxiety

Natural Therapies for Anxiety
Acupuncture & Herbs
Massage Therapy
Energy Healing
Meditation – QiGong – Tai Chi

See video at end -
Anxiety: Frankincense and Energy Work

Approximately 38 million Americans suffer with chronic anxiety or depression with one out of eight adults currently taking antidepressant medications for these symptoms. While these medications can offer support and benefit on certain occasions, there are many people that do not respond well to this form of treatment. What happens when you need to try something else?

Natural therapies can offer tremendously helpful support in healing the root causes of this epidemic. This approach is much more comprehensive and much less invasive to the brain than using SSRI medications. Oriental medicine looks at the whole mind-body-spirit, and treats on all 3 levels.

Acupuncture

Practiced for over 2,500 years, acupuncture is a branch of Chinese medicine that treats the energetic level of the human body/mind. Did you know acupuncture is usually a profoundly relaxing experience that establishes a deep quality of restoration and balance to the central nervous system? Many people report a pleasant feeling of an altered mind state, floaty, dreamy, or sleepy after treatment. This feeling tends to stick around for a few hours after the treatment and becomes a more continuous experience with repetitive treatment.

Acupuncture works by balancing the flow of Qi, or internal life force, in the body. Energetically, anxiety is considered a byproduct of weakened Qi in the heart or kidneys. Other symptoms such as low back pain, heart palpitations, insomnia, irritability, or nightmares commonly accompany the anxiety and are naturally included as part of the treatment.

Chinese & Western Herbs

There are a number of Chinese herbal formulas that can work wonders for anxiety disorders. Here is a brief list of formulas an acupuncturist may use to treat anxiety followed by several common Western herbs that can be easily found at your local health food store:

• Peaceful (or Calm) Spirit
• Salvia and Amber
• Heavenly Emperor's classic formula
• Free and Easy Wanderer – one of our favorites!
• Suan Zao Ren Tang
• chamomile
• valerian
• lemon balm
• passion flower

Massage Therapy

Many people have found Massage Therapy to have a wonderful effect in relaxing the body-mind and re-integrating a sense of peace and calm into the nervous system. Regular massage, which we suggest either once a week or every other week for about one season, trains our body to attain and maintain a strongly serene state. It can become much easier to avoid or release the feelings that anxiety brings on.

Energy Healing

Many people find light touch/no touch energy healing helps them to reach a mind state that is so relaxed it becomes a mentally transformative experience.  In this altered state, it can feel like floating, energetic sensations throughout the body or in focused areas, and simultaneously being in a deep sleep while being aware of not being asleep.  Medical QiGong Energy Healing uses the same energy pathways as acupuncture, and externally re-balances energy (Qi) flow to assist in healing symptoms.  The therapist helps the energy of your heart and kidneys communicate harmoniously again so that deep healing can occur.

Meditation – QiGong – Tai Chi

Many people find meditation, qigong, and tai chi to be their most powerful allies in healing anxiety. With regular practice of various breathing techniques and tai chi postures, people often feel that they have much more control over their anxiety and that it need not run their life anymore. These practices can be direct gateways to the rest and restore mode of the nervous system. On a deeper level, they can help us forge a spiritual connection with our lives that instills an unshakable sense of trust and safety in the workings of the universe. 

From a holistic perspective, our symptoms are never random. There is always a reason why they creep up. In the case of anxiety, it is helpful to disengage from our personal feelings about it and look at the bigger picture. What is the anxiety telling us about ourselves and where we are at in life? Is it a warning sign that something is amiss and needs to be acknowledged or changed? In any regard, the practices mentioned here can offer a profound level of support in getting to the root of the problem and inducing a gentle course in a new direction of calmness and insight.

Natural Therapies for Insomnia

Natural Therapies for Insomnia
Acupuncture & Herbs
Massage Therapy
Energy Healing
Meditation / QiGong
Essential Oils & Ear Reflexology

Sleep disorders plague millions of Americans and can be attributed to a variety of causes. Perhaps the main cause of insomnia and restless sleep is the whirlwind pace that most modern people live with day in and day out. Our society emphasizes ‘doing’ much more than ‘being’.

From the perspective of acupuncture, the yin aspect of life is quite depleted for the average modern American.  [

In case you have never heard of yin and yang, these are the polar forces that are reflected in everything in the natural world. Yin is related to stillness, tranquility, and contemplation. Yang is related to movement, accomplishment, and function. We need yin and yang to be in balance within ourselves in order to experience true health and wellbeing.

When we are yin deficient, we easily become restless, irritable, and excessively busy. Our ability to rest and restore is compromised, as we never seem to get a break from the constant activity in our minds and our lives.

This is one of the main dilemmas that we face in terms of experiencing deep states of continuous sleep. We have forgotten how to turn our minds off due to the frantic speed of everything around us and we have become yin deficient.

The common word is stress, but there is a lot more to this picture than is implied. Another way to look at this is that the sympathetic nervous system is on overdrive. We are stuck in fight or flight mode, as we are trying to keep up with our hectic schedules and myriad responsibilities. We have excessive amounts of cortisol and adrenaline in our systems, which keep us feeling amped up and unable to rest.

With the pattern of yin deficiency and a hyperactive sympathetic nervous system, we often feel too warm, excessively thirsty, dried out, and anxious. This pattern is extremely common in menopausal women. Due to the fact that we are in fight or flight, we sometimes can’t tell if we are tired. We often feel wired or manic. Yet other times a deep-seated exhaustion is felt that penetrates into our bones.

There are many other factors that contribute to insomnia, but this is the primary issue that many people are facing. Other potential inputs are nutritional imbalances, suppressed emotions, relationship troubles, hormonal imbalances, and energetic imbalances.

Let’s take a look at a few of the top natural treatment options for insomnia:

1) Acupuncture: All of the major organs of the body are related to specific kinds of insomnia. For instance, there is a liver/gall bladder insomnia in which one is kept awake strategizing, planning and scheduling their lives at night. This person often can’t turn their minds off unless they read or watch TV before bed. Likewise, there are kidney, heart, lung and spleen forms of insomnia that all have specific manifestations. Acupuncture is an excellent treatment option for insomnia, regardless of its etiology.

For chronic insomnia, we generally recommend receiving acupuncture once a week for 4-6 weeks, then we can assess for progress. Acupuncture helps to restore balance to the central nervous system and harmonize Qi, the functional energy that underlies our general state of health. Qi can either become stagnant, meaning that too much energy is locked up in a certain area or organ, or it can become deficient, meaning that there is not enough energy in an area or organ. Either pattern can cause insomnia and both are treatable with acupuncture.

2) Herbs: There are many Chinese and Western herbs that can be very helpful for insomnia. Chinese herbs are typically used in combination to create formulas that treat specific patterns of disharmony. Western herbs are frequently used on their own. The great thing about herbs is that they don’t cause the drowsiness and disorientation that many of the Western sedative drugs do. Here is a great list, and our Acupuncturist can help you make an appropriate selection.

·         Valerian: Has mild sedative properties that help to relax the nervous system and calm the mind.

·         Chamomile: Has a mild tranquilizing and calming effect that soothes all major systems of the body.

·         Kava: A highly prized medicinal that is used to alleviate anxiety and induce deeper sleeping patterns. Kava is contraindicated for those with Liver disease.

·         Gui pi tang: A Chinese formula that nourishes the heart and spleen, for insomnia with low energy, nightmares, anxiety, depression, and possibly night sweats.

·         Tian wan bu xin dan: A Chinese formula that balances the relationship between the heart and kidneys, for symptoms such as insomnia, low back pain, anxiety, feeling of heat, thirst, and night sweats.

·         Suan zao ren tang: A Chinese formula that nourishes the heart and liver, for insomnia irritability.

·         An mian pian: A Chinese formula translated as peaceful sleep, for insomnia due to heart blood deficiency.

3) Massage Therapy:  This is the ultimate way of teaching our body how to go into a deeply relaxed state.  Through massage, our muscles relax, circulation flows smoothly, and our mind quiets.  For insomnia, we recommend getting a massage once per week for 5-8 weeks to start making full relaxation a welcome change. We like to reassess at this point to see if continued  weekly massage is still needed, or changing the frequency to a massage every 2-4 weeks would be of better benefit.  The goal is to re-train the body to attain and maintain a state of pure relaxation and great sleep on its own.

4) Energy Healing:  Many people find light touch/no touch energy healing helps them to reach a mind state that is so relaxed it becomes a mentally transformed experience.  In this altered state, it can feel like floating, energetic sensations throughout the body or in focused areas, and simultaneously being in a deep sleep while being aware of not being asleep.  Medical QiGong Energy Healing uses the same energy pathways as acupuncture, and externally re-balances energy (Qi) flow to assist in healing symptoms.

5) Meditation and QiGong: Meditation – either still or gently moving like QiGong, is a deeply restorative practice and can replicate many of the benefits of sleep. In fact, meditation is often considered to be even more beneficial because it can lead to a state of non-thought, which is said by many spiritual traditions to be the deepest state of relaxation and healing possible for human beings. In sleep, our minds are still processing and dreaming. Spend 15 minutes before bed meditating and it will quite likely allow you to fall asleep faster and to sleep more peacefully. Not sure how to do this? We can teach you, and there are many excellent guided meditations.

6) See our YouTube video on Essential Oil and Ear Reflexology for Insomnia. Click the image to access the video.

Want to Try Acupuncture? Do This First!

There is a wonderful treatment we call an “Acupuncture Clearing”.  It’s like going into the energetic space of your body and cleaning, dusting, and scrubbing the surface area so we can see what we really have to work with.

We highly recommend this as either a first treatment, or done fairly close to the time of beginning a series of Acupuncture treatments.

How Is It Done?

A total of 12 Needles are gently inserted in a series of very special points along the spine called “Shu Points”.  While they are in, you can lay on a massage table or sit in a massage chair and rest for about 45 or so minutes.

What to Expect

This treatment works over the next 72 hours (3 days).  People are so different there is no standard to say exactly what you will experience, however most people report a shift in physical symptoms, or a change in attitude.  Sometimes symptoms can feel worse at first, but there is something different about them and they go away faster than usual.  At the same time, it’s not unusual for a number of seemingly unrelated symptoms to go away.  One example of this is a person who came in for leg pain and had the ringing in their ears subside.

Follow-Up Treatments

We like to schedule you back in about 1 week after the Clearing.  At this time the Acupuncturist will ask some questions, feel your pulses, and decide on course of direction.

We love it when we can help you achieve your health goals, experience a more balanced life, and then use Acupuncture proactively to maintain your new high level of health – the way it was originally intended.

What Does It Cost?

We have 2 options for the Clearing Treatment:

• Private appointment with Professional Acupuncturist: $130
• Acupuncture Student Clinic: $65

Follow up treatments are very reasonable and range in price from $35 - $95 depending on your choice of Community Clinic, Student Clinic, or Private Professional.

Call us to Schedule Today:   907-929-4525

Spirit of the Point

August is the Spirit of the Heart Protector.  It’s the work of the Heart Protector to guard the Heart against assault or insult.  This month we will be offering a 1 or 2-point treatment Friday nights from 8-9 at Inner Space in the Community Room.

The points being needled this month are on the arm. The needles are inserted and gently stimulated and immediately removed. The points are like light switches to your heart.  You won’t want to miss it! Please call to reserve a spot.

Friday, August 7: Gate of Qi Reserve, Xi Men

Feeling like you’ve got nothing left to give?

Can’t remember the last time you had a good laugh?

Xi men is one of the strongest points to bring peace and serenity to a troubled heart, mind and soul.  It’s brings reinforcements to the struggle.  It brings warmth to the mind through the heart and helps to stabilize mood.  It’s a good point to use in acute illness, or in recovery from an illness that’s taken it’s toll.  It’s a reserve for people who’ve “had enough.”  It’ll make you smile again.

It helps to open the diaphragm so you can breathe more deeply again.  It’s good for people who bruise easily, physically and emotionally. If you’re feeling vulnerable around others.    

Friday, August 14: Inner & Outer Frontier Gates, Nei Guan/Wei Guan

Neiguan  is often translated as Inner Gate or Inner Border Gate.  It is also a Taoist expression - to examine oneself, a heartfelt search of one's inner world. When out of touch with what you want out of life, this point gives connection, take you inside.  It is a messenger of the Emperor (Heart) who resides in the interior.  Restores balance between body and mind.  A good point for "broken hearts", it let's you see you will not be torn in half.  

Weiguan  reflects the importance of harmony and opens the gate to allow access between our internal and external environment.  Has a big effect on the senses for those who don't want to see, hear or know.  Triple Energizer is the social ambassador to the Heart. The party hostess who ensures everyone at the party gets what they need.  She promotes harmony within the kingdom of the bodymindspirit. 

These points together help to keep the gates well-oiled so there is balance  between  the internal and external world and healthy boundaries between the two. 

Friday, August 21: Heavenly Well, Tianjing

Drawing from this well is like feeding someone in the desert. A deep reserve for strengthening mind and spirit. It gives stability of mind, strength, peace and serenity. A supply of heavenly Qi. Come with us this Friday, reconnect with the Divine and drink deeply from the well of joy.

I'd like to add that this point is particularly poignant for those whose relationship with their father was/is disrupted

Years ago when I was diagnosed with a potentially life threatening squawk, I happened upon a sage in the mountains of Virginia.  This sage whispered to me "often in this life a being of great wisdom and strength comes into a life to lend support when you can't cope on your own.  He or she will walk beside you, taking your arm gently enough so as not to force you in a direction, and firm enough to support you in the direction you have chosen."  I envisioned that being taking hold of my elbow to keep me from falling should I stumble along the way.  I think of that image when I think of this point.  A heavenly helping hand that doesn't try to lead me, but rather walks beside me supporting my progress.

Spirit of the Heart Protector: Pericardium

August is the Spirit of the Heart Protector.  It’s the work of the Heart Protector to guard the Heart against assault or insult.  This month we will be offering a 1 or 2-point treatment Friday nights from 8-9 at Inner Space in the Community Room.

The points being needled this month are on the arm. The needles are inserted and gently stimulated and immediately removed. The points are like light switches to your heart.  You won’t want to miss it! Please call to reserve a spot.

Friday, August 7: Gate of Qi Reserve, Xi Men

Feeling like you’ve got nothing left to give?

Can’t remember the last time you had a good laugh?

Xi men is one of the strongest points to bring peace and serenity to a troubled heart, mind and soul.  It’s brings reinforcements to the struggle.  It brings warmth to the mind through the heart and helps to stabilize mood.  It’s a good point to use in acute illness, or in recovery from an illness that’s taken it’s toll.  It’s a reserve for people who’ve “had enough.”  It’ll make you smile again.

It helps to open the diaphragm so you can breathe more deeply again.  It’s good for people who bruise easily, physically and emotionally. If you’re feeling vulnerable around others.