A brief overview, and my personal experience with moxa

Moxibustion

An Overview

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine (TMC) technique which using the burning of mugwort. There are several varieties; Direct, both scarring and non scarring, where the moxa is placed directly on the skin and burned until it becomes too hot, or with the scarring method it is left to burn completely. Indirect utilizes moxa poles, moxa on an insulating medium, warming the needle, and warming instruments. It can be used with needles and is commonly paired with acupuncture. Non scarring and indirect styles are what we commonly see here in America. In TCM the aim is to free qi and blood, disperse cold, eliminate damp, and warm yang. It moves things that are stuck, and causes activity. It is also known for it’s ability to ward off disease.

Common Uses

Moxibustion can treat many conditions, including:

• Headaches/Migraines• Back Pain• Joint and Wrist Pain• Muscular Tension• Digestive Irregularities • Irritable Bowel Syndrome• Menstrual Problems• Elimination Problems• Neck Pain• Shoulder Pain• Stress Relief and Stress Management• Tinnitus• Insomnia

Skin conditions

Moxibustion is well known for it's use in dealing with skin conditions, such as bruising, cuts, whiteheads, and psoriasis. In these cases, a moxa pole is used for usually 5-15 minutes to indirectly apply heat over the affected area. It brings blood and Qi to the area which accelerates the healing. It also works to pull toxins out of boils.

Muscular Tension and Pain

Moxibustion does wonders for shoulder and back pain. The warmth from the moxa penetrates deep into the muscles and has a very soothing effect. Moxa also breaks up stagnation and invigorates the blood, which can help relieve the ache. Just by bringing awareness and healing energy to your pain you can sometimes help release it.

Moxibustion for Energy & Mood

A Personal Experience

This is something I've seen be very effective in myself. I have Lymes Disease and suffer from chronic fatigue and occasional low mood. Moxa has some very nice energetic properties. In class we practiced an indirect technique called a belly bowl. The moxa was in hollow stick form and placed in a small bowl which kept it raised slightly from my skin. The bowl had holes in it to enable the heat and smoke travel deep into my core.

We did this outside on a wonderful sunny March day. After Cynthia, my teacher, lit the moxa and placed it in the bowl it was set about an inch above my navel. Within the first minute I started feeling a sensation, as if there was a spring in my core and it was tightening slowly. I felt myself being filled with potential energy.

This sensation continued on even after the moxa was removed, and I was extremely energized all week. I was more motivated than I had been all season. This led to me getting many tasks done that I had been putting off, even a few hiking trips over the next two weeks. I felt great and I give credit to moxa. I would be interested to know if anyone else with chronic fatigue sees results with this. Please feel free to leave a comment with your experiences and any questions.

Contraindications

Moxa should not be used on anyone who is fasting, has just overeaten, or is intoxicated. Pregnant women should not receive moxibustion on their abdomen or lower back, and all other use should be performed by professional. Moxa should not be used any where that is inflamed or exhibiting fire signs. It should also not be used over blood vessels, arteries, mucus membranes, prominent skin creases, or anywhere on the face. It is not to be used over an active tumor. Anyone with an aggressive personality or in an irritable state should not use it either, it can be too invigorating. Not contraindicated but use caution with high blood pressure. A note for belly bowl moxa, if you are near your cycle it can jump start it.

Sources:

Fundamentals of Chinese Acupuncture by Ellis - Wiseman - Boss

http://www.quiet-island.com/moxibustion.html

http://www.sharecare.com/health/acupuncture/what-is-moxibustion

http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/moxibustion

http://www.xojane.com/newagey/ill-try-anything-once-diy-moxibustion

http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/freshliving/2009/07/have-you-tried-moxa.html

Digestive Massage

Digestive Massage Treatment

What happens when you combine Massage Therapy and Oriental medicine? Awesomeness!

Meet one of our new Dream Team members, Starla Brewer, LMT.  Our Dream Team therapists are some of our best alumni who are mentoring directly under our instructors to learn and practice combination Massage Therapy and Oriental medicine non-needle techniques for specific symptoms.

This month Starla is offering our special Digestive Massage Treatment, 45-minutes, only $65.  Here’s what she has to say about it:

“I was drawn to this treatment due to 1^st hand experience I’ve had with digestive issues.  I didn’t realize what a difference it would make until going to massage school here and doing the treatment in class. Until my digestion started to actually feel good, I didn’t even know how not-good it had been.

I really like doing this treatment because people have so many digestive issues.  Many people get surgery for them.  This treatment is a really nice way to help. It also reminds people that self-care is important.

People usually feel good immediately after the treatment, but it’s especially noticeable over the next few days when you eat and have a different experience – noticeably better.  This is some of the feedback I’ve gotten from people:

·        * Feel so good I don’t have the desire to eat foods that normally bother me.

·        * Less bloating.

·        * Tightness and heaviness is gone, don’t feel weighed down.

·        * Can feel things loosening up and moving instead of just sitting in my intestines.

·        * Feel overall better, more energy.

·        * Happy! It’s a happiness you get when your body is doing something it’s supposed to.

Also, several people have reported that it relieved their low back pain.  It seems that if there’s constipation or slow digestion, that build up puts pressure on the low back from the inside.

Here’s what I do in the treatment:

·        - Back massage first, Tui Na Acupressure style, to open one of the main meridians in the body to get the energy flowing, and it also prepares the body for the treatment.
        
 - After turning face up, I do some gentle rubbing/warming through the sheet.
        
 - Your abdomen is very modestly exposed.

        
 - First there is an abdominal massage with oil.  Sometimes I use essential oils on a case-by-case basis, or if you request them.  I tend to not use essential oils if someone’s digestion and constitution is very delicate, or if someone is to the point of considering surgery.  In those cases you have to be really careful.
        
  - Next I do some Cupping – either gliding cup, or static cups if you have chronic constipation or need something more intense.  This really gets things moving nicely!
        
 - Then I like to end with gentle abdominal massage again.

Most people report they get noticeable results over the next 2-3 days.  If someone really wants to improve problem digestion, I recommend they get this done at least 3-6 weeks in a row, or until you can maintain good digestion on your own.  The idea is to get your digestion moving efficiently on its own so you only need this as a general health maintenance tune-up once each season.“

How To Make an Essential Oil Salve or Cream

Essential Oil Salve

Essential Oil Cream

Making an Essential Oil Salve or Cream: Both of these recipes use heat to melt the ingredients, and both have a great soft yet firm consistency, so sometimes deciding which to make is based on what you have on hand. Here's the basics of what I do:
1. Sterilize your jar(s) and dry them in the oven on 200 for about 10 minutes to make sure all moisture is completely gone.

2. Get essential oils ready. How much to use depends on what you're making, but generally I use about 20-40 drops total in a 4oz jar. For small skin areas on an adult you can safely use up to about 28 drops of essential oil per 1oz of carrier base, but cut that in half or less if it's for your face or a child.

TIP: Remember not to mix oil and water or water-based products unless you are using an emulsifier and possibly a preservative, otherwise you'll get mold in about a week.

3. SALVE: uses 4-6 parts carrier oil to 1 part beeswax. This is about 1 cup carrier oil to 1oz beeswax. You can use any liquid carrier oil, or combine a few such as coconut, apricot, and sweet almond with a touch of argan added.

Place the beeswax in a glass/pyrex measuring cup and sit the cup in a pan of almost boiling water on the stove. Stir until melted, then add liquid carrier oil and continue to heat until it's all melted together.

Have your jar(s) ready, remove the melted oil from the heat and stir in essential oils. Immediately pour into the jar(s), put the lid on, and let it set overnight. If I'm in a hurry, sometimes I'll put this in the refrigerator for an hour, then let it come back to room temperature to see what the actual consistency is.

4. CREAM: I use Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter chips, and 2-4 liquid oils as my base. I don't use exact measurements, but look at it as taking the consistency of the Shea Butter and making it softer with liquid oils.

Common liquid oils I use are organic Olive, Rose Hip Seed, Avocado, and a small amount of Evening Primrose or Argan.

Place a large spoonful of Shea Butter in a pyrex measuring cup and sit the cup in a pan of almost boiling water on the stove. Add 1-2 Cocoa Butter chips (for firmness). Stir until melted. Remove from heat and add the liquid oils - about 1 TBSP each. Stir until well mixed.

There's not as much of a rush here as with the salve, because beeswax starts to set very quickly, but the shea butter takes quite a bit longer.

Have your jar(s) ready. Add the essential oils, stir well, and pour into the jar(s). Put the lids on and let it set. At room temperature this might take 1-2 days, so using the refrigerator for a few hours helps. Just let it sit out to room temperature for a while before using so you can see the true consistency.

TIP: Make notes on the amounts you are using. If you want the next batch to be firmer, either add more beeswax or shea/cocoa butter, or decrease the amount of liquid oil. If you want the next batch to be softer, decrease the beeswax or shea/cocoa butter and increase the amount of liquid oil.

Once the essential oils are added you can't really heat it up and change it without damaging the oils, so in the beginning play around with smaller amounts until you get the feel of it. Then it's easy and fun!

Learn tons of great information in my on-line essential oil course series - it's a great way to study here at our school in Alaska from anywhere in the world!

Hyponatremia and Massage

Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium)

Tyra Blanchard

Pathology

02/10/2015

The reason I chose the subject of hyponatremia is because of how close it to home, my mother-in-law suffered from this condition and I had a front row seat in experiencing the effects it can have on a person.

I found it extremely fascinating that people can deplete their systems of necessary sodium just by drinking too much water, taking prescription medications and participating in endurance sports.  I have found the following information to explain the condition of Hyponatremia, the causes and the treatments as well as observations of the elevated cases of Hyponatremia in the elderly.

Hyponatremia can occur in many ways, one being drinking too much water, this causes the body's water levels to become diluted causing the cells to swell. The swelling of the cells can cause mild to life threatening conditions (Mayo Clinic 2014). Other conditions that may cause hyponatremia are:

• certain medications
• diuretics
• antidepressants
• pain medications
• and a recreational drug called ecstasy.  

These medications can cause you to urinate and perspire more causing a drop in your sodium level.  As a result people that have heart, kidney, and liver problems can have a higher risk of fluids accumulating in their bodies which dilutes the sodium levels. The more common conditions that can cause hyponatremia is a person drinking too much water, excessive vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and hormonal imbalance (adrenal gland insufficiency) (Mayo 2014).  

A normal sodium level is between 135 and 145 mill equivalents per liter of sodium, hyponatremia occurs when the sodium level in your blood falls below 135 mEq/L. (Mayo 2014).

Sodium plays an important key role in your body, it is needed in order to maintain blood pressure.  Sodium is also needed to nourish muscles, nerves and other tissues of the body.  When a person depletes their bodies of sodium it causes the fluids outside the cells to drop and water moves into the cells to balance fluid levels.  A significant organ effected by this reaction is the brain, when effected it causes the person to be confused, have headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, irritability and many more conditions that can be as extreme as possible death (A.D.A.M. encyclopedia, Inc. 2013).

The prevalence of hyponatremia is 15-20% in elderly patients that reside in nursing homes.  Mild asymptomatic hyponatremia may influence gait and attention in the elderly resulting in a higher incidence of falls (Nzerue 2003). Mortality rates as high as 18-30% are reported for hyponatremia patients.  High mortality rates reflect the severity of underlying conditions and are not influenced by treatment of hyponatremia  (Hochman et al 1989).

During examination, a health care provider will perform a complete physical examination to help determine the cause if the patients symptoms.  To help determine the condition blood and urine tests will most likely be done.  There are 3 tests, both blood and urine that can help diagnose hyponatremia. 

1. The first is a comprehensive metabolic panel, including blood sodium, this test is conducted while the patient has fasted for 8 hours .  This test determines how your kidneys and liver are working as well as blood sugars, cholesterol, and calcium levels.  It also checks for your sodium, potassium, and chloride levels also known as electrolytes.  
2. The second test is called an osmolality blood test, this checks for your body's water balance.  An osmolality urine test is performed to check the body's water balance and urine concentration.  
3. The final test performed is a urine sodium test that determines how much fluid your  body has and to see if your kidneys are able to maintain and remove sodium from the urine.  It can also determine if there is a kidney disease (A.D.A.M 2013).

In conclusion I find it fascinating that in everyday life many take for granted how well the body functions even though it is put it through so many extremes.  The neurological effects of sodium depletion can be from minor symptoms such as dizziness, confusion or feeling faint to extreme effects such as seizures, swelling  of the brain, to brain damage and eventual death. 
Our bodies need sodium to perform a number of biological transactions.   It is important to keep a healthy balance of sodium in our bodies, too little or too much can cause us to not function properly.  In fact most Americans get too much sodium, most often people have other conditions that cause 1% of the population to have hyponatremia  (Angela Ogunjimi, 2011). 
Our bodies are in a constant battle to stay in homeostasis, with a low sodium level our bodies are not able to balance the fluids in order to stay in this state.  In order to maintain a healthy balance of sodium, we need to be conscious of what we put in our bodies as nourishment.  There are many people that drink a lot of water thinking that they are doing a good thing for their bodies when in fact, drinking too much water leads the body into a "waterlogged" state that can cause digestive problems, such as chronic diarrhea as the food intake is basically being washed away causing these patients to have to go to the bathroom soon after eating  (Your Acupuncture Specialist 9/7/11).

In Chinese medicine, this is called dampness, the condition in which your body is unable to metabolize water effectively.  In these instances the dampness is brought on by drinking too much water In Chinese medicine, dampness is almost always a digestive problem, in which your spleen is being taxed with too much water causing it to not function efficiently. 
Dampness can lead to many symptoms to include; diarrhea, bladder infections, yeast, poor energy, joint pain, headaches, and a feeling of heaviness.   In Chinese medicine the fat roll around your middle is considered to be a "damp" issue.   Dampness is a drag, it's moist and heavy,  like wet sand.  There are many ways that you can become too damp; eating and drinking too much, eating the wrong foods (greasy foods, rich foods, sweets (Your Acupuncture Specialist, 9/7/11). 

Massage can be a very beneficial for hyponatremia as it helps to reduce edema by increasing venous and lymphatic  flow.  Some strategies to reduce edema may be contraindicated in conditions such as CHF, but precautions can be taken to still be beneficial without harm. You must establish what type of edema you are dealing with.  To establish this you can do a test on the skin, if the skin doesn't rebound and becomes pitted (indentation remains after pressure is applied) NO MASSAGE! (http://www.learn-massage-therapy-online.com/contact.html).

References

Ogunjani, A (2011) The effects of low sodium levels. . Retrieved May 31. 2014

http://www.lifestrong.com

Skorecki K, Ausiello D. Disorders of sodium and water homeostasis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman’s Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 118. Retrieved May 31, 2014   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001431/

Mayo clinic staff (2014) diseases and conditions, Hyponatremia. Retrieved May 31,2014

http://www.mayoclinic.org/about-this-site/welcome

Acupuncture in the Park (Your Acupuncture Specialist, 9/07/2011)

http://www.learn-massage-therapy-online.com/contact.html

Massage for Female Infertility

Female Infertility

Causes (Western POV)

• Ovulation disorders, hormonal disorders
• Uterine or cervical deformities
• Pelvic adhesions
• Fallopian tube damage/blockage
• Thyroid disorders
• Unexplained
• Secondary Causes: too much exercise, injury, abnormal growths or tumors, and also eating disorders

Western Treatments 

• Pills to regulate hormones
• Surgery
• In vitro fertilization: fertilized egg(s) is surgically placed inside the uterus
• Egg donor
• Surrogate mother 
• These treatments can cost a minimum of $10,000

Causes (TCM)

• Major water element deficiency
• Weak jing or essence 
• Emotional blockages in relationship
• Stagnant qi

TCM Treatment Goals

• Nourishing conception vessel
• Regulating menstrual cycle
• Replenishing jing 
• Tonifying kidney qi
• Moving stagnant qi

TCM Treatments

• Herbs
• Acupuncture
• Moxibustion
• Massage
• Usually overall treatment consists of one or more of these for approx. 6-15 months

Massage

Benefits

• Improves circulation
• Breaks up adhesions by stimulating blood flow 
• Helps regulate hormones resulting in more regular menstrual cycles
• Can ease the pain of cramps during menstrual cycle
• Strengthens reproductive organs
• Helps reposition a tilted uterus
• Speeds up recovery of scar tissue
• Detoxifies the body
• Moves stagnant energy blockages

Contraindications

• Pregnancy
• During menstruation: can cause pain and discomfort

Techniques (pelvic and abdominal area)

• Myofacial release
• Round rubbing
• Light stretching
• Pulling or stripping of muscles
• Assisted breathing is beneficial also
• Massage is not limited to only these techniques
• Self abdominal massage

Cautions

• Firm, light-medium, slow and steady pressure (this area is sensitive on most people!)
• When round rubbing always go in clockwise direction (with the flow of digestion)
• Best time for this massage is after menstrual cycle until the ovulation phase (Day 6-14 of the ovulation cycle)

Locating Landmarks

• Uterus is located approximately between the navel and pubic bone (closer to the pubic bone)
• Ovaries are on both sides of the uterus approx. 3 inches left and right
• Make a triangle with your hands and place a little below your navel, where your pinky fingers rest is approx. where your ovaries are.
• The fallopian tubes link both the ovaries to the uterus

Resources

http://naturalhealthbag.com/fertility-massage-self-massage-techniques-uterus-ovary/

http://natural-fertility-info.com/fertility-massage

My Oriental Medicine Healing Experience

By Mary C., Student

When I had my first Oriental medicine healing experience, it was when I was very sick.  I had just run the 5k Mud Race that came to Anchorage.  My immune system had already been pretty weak prior to running it because of all the stress I had been under.  My asthma was acting up and I couldn’t breathe well, and I just felt bad overall.  So after I had done the mud race, I thought it was only going to be my body that hurt.  Two days after the race was over, I began to feel worse.  I couldn’t breathe well at all and I felt weak.  I started to get high fevers at night that became low grade during the day.  I felt like I was walking in a dream.  During the fevers at night, I would sweat so badly that I had to open the windows and have no sheets on me.

My teacher Cynthia was so sweet and asked if I’d like a treatment.  She used some essential oil blends and rubbed them into my lung meridian when I was supine, as well as other acupoints that I can’t recall.  During one moment when she hit a point, I felt like someone’s hand was resting on my lower belly.  It was incredibly weird but calming at the same time.  As if someone was there, helping my healing along.  Later I turned over into prone position and she pressed my Shu Points.  I fell asleep because I was so weak and tired.  Later on I woke up still feeling feverish, but almost like I was getting better already.  Cynthia gave me a special tincture that I had to take every day in water.  Later on I was given herbal pills from Lamar, our acupuncturist, and I made and appointment to get acupuncture done too.

For my acupuncture appointment I was given a “clearing” treatment and told to avoid caffeine for a while.  This made me sad, but I wanted to get better.  I made another acupuncture appointment and began taking the tincture and herbs that were given to me.  Within a few days I was already feeling quite amazing.  The fevers stopped completely and I felt like my lungs had cleared.  I could breathe again! There was also this new energized feeling in my body.  It seemed like I had more stamina.

After my second acupuncture treatment I was completely better and felt better than I had before I got sick.  It was quite amazing and whatever doubts I had before about Oriental medicine working, were gone.  I was a skeptic in some areas, but it seems each time I try these new things it opens my eyes even more.  I am so excited I get to practice everything I have learned to help heal others.

Note: The instructors and practitioners at Alaska Institute always encourage patients to see their doctor as needed for health emergencies.  There is much we have to offer in the case of non-emergencies, and we take an integrative and respectful approach to working in complement with a person’s conventional medical care.

Stretch Marks: Massage & Essential Oils

My massage class learned how to use essential oils & gliding cups to help erase stretch marks.  The essential oils soak in to soften the scar tissue and improve the skin, then the gliding cups bring healing circulation & Yin fluids to fill in the grooves.   

You should expect this to take between 1-6 months of consistent treatment, with a Very noticeable improvement if not complete healing of the skin.  It’s especially helpful to increase intake of water and Vitamin C during the treatments through fresh juicing, fresh parsley tea, or a quality supplement.

Here’s what we did:

Make the Essential Oil Cream.  There are quite a few oils and nice recipes that can be used. 

Here’s my blend: (You can learn how to make things like this in my on-line essential oils courses, see the link at the bottom.)

4oz Cream Base:  Shea butter, Cocoa butter, Avacado oil, Apricot oil, Calendula infused oil.

Essential Oils added to base:  Rose Hip Seed CO2 6d, Bulgarian Lavender 4d, Palmarosa 6d, Green Mandarin 8d, Rock Rose 3d, Green Tea 2d, Carrot 8d, Pink Grapefruit 8d.

Apply Moxa Balm (Chinese herbal ointment) to acupoints LU-9 (pictured) and SP-6 (not shown).  This helps tonify Metal and Earth elements which are both indicated.

Apply the Essential Oil Cream to the stretch marks and really work it into the skin, but only to the person’s comfort level.  It should be a little vigorous but not at all painful.

Use the gliding cup in short straight strokes going in different directions – up, down, across, diagonal.  Do this for about 5 minutes per area worked.  It takes about 15 minutes to do an entire abdomen by breaking it up into sections.  If the skin starts to get red or irritated, stop.

Use gentle massage to smooth out the skin area.

The cream can be applied daily.  The gliding cup can be done up to 3x/week.  This makes a great quick spot-treatment package as it only takes about 15 minutes and can easily be done on a lunch break or on the way home from work.  Results are seen in continuous gradual improvement and are often noticed to start immediately after the first treatment.

Learn tons of great information from my On-Line Essential Oils Course series. You can study here at our school in Alaska from anywhere in the world!