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!

Benefits of Massage with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Benefits of Massage for Rheumatoid Arthritis

For my research paper subject I chose to study and find more information regarding Rheumatoid Arthritis. In this paper I will go through the following:

• a Western Medicine description of the condition, 
• a Traditional Chinese Medicine description of the condition, 
• the benefits of massage for this condition, 
• the contraindications of massage for this condition, 
• and the modifications of massage that can be made for this condition.

     Western Medicine on Rheumatoid Arthritis: in the Western Medicine point of view Rheumatoid Arthritis it is known as an autoimmune disease. This disease is the body’s immune system trying to help protect the body but going about it in the wrong way. In this condition it is the immune system attacking the joints of the body. The joints most commonly affected are those of the hands, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles. Swelling and pain generally occur as symptoms of this condition. This condition can cause a decrease in joint mobility, a decrease in the cartilage of the joints, and a decrease in the spacing between the bones in joints. There are many ways to have self-care when dealing with this condition. A few ways to keep good self-care with this condition are a healthy diet, physical exercise, or hot and cold therapies.

     Traditional Chinese Medicine on Rheumatoid Arthritis: in Traditional Chinese Medicine Rheumatoid Arthritis is looked at in a different way. There are categories for different types of arthritis such as the upper and lower body, the deficiency or excess of the condition, the pain of the condition, or the hot and cold types. Rheumatoid Arthritis is known as a disorder of Qi and blood circulation that leads to the swelling and pain of the condition. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an invasion of the joints by wind and dampness which belong to the Wood and Earth elements. Traditional Chinese Medicine remedies can help to relieve the pain from the condition. A few of these ways are acupressure, acupuncture, herbal remedies, Qi Gong physical exercises and massage, or diet changes.

      Benefits of Massage on Rheumatoid Arthritis: there is a vast number of ways that massage can benefit those with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Massage can have a very pleasant effect on Rheumatoid Arthritis and the pain that comes with it, massage has been known to help soothe and calm the body overall from the tension and stress it has gone through with the condition. Massage therapy can help relieve the sore muscles and joints in the major areas affected by this condition also. Since Rheumatoid Arthritis attacks the joint and lessens mobility, massage therapy can make a significant difference in improving range of motion for those affected by it. Stiffness and pain can decrease significantly when massage therapy is applied with this condition.

      Contraindications of Massage on Rheumatoid Arthritis: there are times when massage therapy should not be used with this condition. The main contraindication of massage therapy on Rheumatoid Arthritis is when the patient or client is experiencing a painful flare up in the symptoms of the condition. Massage therapy can worsen or increase this pain of condition with too much pressure. This might be an instance when massage should be avoided until flare up ceases or make use of light pressure in massage so as not to increase pain.

       Modifications of Massage on Rheumatoid Arthritis: there are times when modifications may be needed for client to have a relaxing experience throughout the massage. The massage should be modified if the client or patient is in significant pain from the condition. Light pressure is a common way of still giving relief to the client but not worsening the pain or swelling of condition. Deep pressure may be applied if the client or patient with condition feels more relief this way rather than light pressure. Applying passive range of motion during massage can be beneficial if agreeable to client and if client is not experiencing much pain at the time. Checking your client’s range of motion before and after the massage can help form a basis of their level of range of motion and how they are improving.

      It is always good to know and learn more about the different conditions that can be helped by massage therapy. Rheumatoid Arthritis can be very painful and degenerative. The benefits of massage are endless for those experiencing this condition. Those with this condition are often seeking relief when using massage therapy and it is best when we know best how to care for them in the right ways.

  References: http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/rheumatoid-arthritis/self-care.php, http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/rheumatoid-arthritis/what-is-rheumatoid-arthritis.php, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_system, http://www.itmonline.org/arts/arthritis.htm, http://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2014/10/19/tcm-approaches-relieve-arthritis, http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/other-therapies/massage/massage-benefits.php, http://www.livestrong.com/article/129484-massage-therapy-contraindications/

An Eastern alternative in treating Parkinson's Disease

By Shoshana K.

Attending Alaska Institute of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture and Massage Therapy, I've learned much. One part I find particularly interesting in Chinese medicine is the relation of Qi moving and flowing within the body. When Qi becomes still and stagnant pain and tightness settles into the body. Which leads me to think about how could people affected with Parkinson's disease have a disharmony in their energy flow if their bodies are rarely stagnant.
 

Parkinson's disease is a progressive movement disorder of the nervous system. Stricken with symptoms of tremor, muscular tension, and slow imprecise movement.  Associated with degeneration of the basal ganglia (linked with voluntary motor control) of the brain and a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

As far as western medicine is aware the cause is unknown, and there is presently no cure. Western medicine has traditionally treated patients’ with medication and surgery to manage its symptoms.

Eastern medicine takes a different opinion on Parkinson's disease. It is defined in Oriental medicine as a symptom of spasms and tremors. These symptoms are found as common conditions that fall under the liver-wind pattern, with blood stagnation, kidney essence deficiency, liver wind, liver yang rising, liver yin deficiency. The main causes are overwork and excessive sexual activity, excessive consumption of greasy or sweet foods, and emotional stress. 

Needless say there is a large difference of beliefs between the two practices. Taking a deeper look into exactly what a Parkinson's disease patient could do with the knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, I have researched acupressure points that will specifically support the body returning to harmony with this condition.    

To aid in blood stagnation, calm wind and tonify Qi, rejuvenate joining channels the acupuncture points used are ST 36 and SP 6; CV 4 to nourish blood; and LV 8 to nourish the liver blood; GV-20 extinguishes liver wind and subdue liver yang; HT-3 is a good local point to move the Qi and blood assisting in reprieve of pain, numbness, tremors. Along with these acupressure point range of motion exercises are important to relax the muscles.

 

With that being said you can imagine how a person afflicted with Parkinson's disease would find hope in traditional Chinese medicine. Just knowing that there is something that can be done to work towards reducing symptoms can give the patient optimism.

 

 References:

http://www.acupuncturetoday.com

www.yinyanghouse.com

http://www.yinyanghouse.com/research/parkinsons-disease