Juice Fasting: Day 2

Christmas Day - I can't believe my kids slept in (which means I also got to)! I'm very low key on the holiday, but apparently Santa stopped by with something small and fun for the kids to play with.

Last night the abdominal massage I did with Marjoram essential oil felt incredible. This morning I got up and did a little extra personal hygiene to go along with the fast: face mask with French green clay, rose hip seed oil, and water followed by a nice long body brushing, and then an essential oil blend of Rose Geranium and Combava in jojoba carrier oil immediately after my shower while still wet. All this with a fresh juice of carrots, apples, orange, lemon and lime for breakfast - what a way to start the day!

I've felt very clean and light all day. Morning yoga and tai chi was smooth and strong, like my muscles were enjoying going extra slow with my mind focused deeply inside.

Even though it is just barely above zero, I've felt a little on the cold side today so have kept most of the juices warm. More tomato with cayenne and flax seed oil, and instead of the leek/watercress broth today I've had plenty of my favorite liver cleansing "tea": 1-2 slices each of organic lemon and lime, a small dollup of maple syrup, covered in just boiled water.

My sister is doing great. I laughed yesterday because after the first juice she started talking about recipes I could cook after we are done. Today she got up early and has been very motivated to organize a lot of stuff. Wow - I'm doing that again too!

One of the biggest things I notice about fasting is that time slows down. It really seems like I always get an incredible amount of things done in a short period of time. I become very aware of how much time is normally spent cooking and eating food. (Passing thought - "wouldn't it be great to juice fast every day, or for a really long time?")

How long will I continue the fast? I'm not sure - this time I planned to feel and listen to my body rather than pre-determining a set amount of time. So far I feel great, clear, light, happy, and as far as hunger goes we've both been very satisfied from the juices. I'll probably go another 2-4 days and then ease lightly back into eating normal again. I like to end a fast by making a rice congee and eating just that for one day, then adding vegetables to it the next day.

Tonight I'll do another abdominal massage, this time with Coriander essential oil. The fast will continue pretty much the same as today. My body will feel hungry again when it's time to be done. Until then, I love juice fasting!!

Juice Fasting: Day 1

It's December 24th, 3 days past solstice, and time for my annual cleansing fast. My sister did this with me last year, and she wants to do it again - yeah! It's more fun with a friend.

Successful fasting takes preparation, intention, and getting into the mindset. I've been saving this time off for over a month, so I'm ready. My intention this time? Internal cleanliness and beauty - a gift to myself this winter season.

I went grocery shopping a few days ago to make sure I had lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to juice and make warm clear broths with. Plus over the last few days I've been eating lighter to prepare my body.

Today I woke up and had a large glass of water because I was thirsty. After running a few quick work related errands, I came home and made the first juice: 5 carrots, 3 green apples, 1/2 lemon, 1 small tangerine (all organic). Delicious!!

After drinking this I put on a special pot of broth that will sit warming all day, and I'll drink some whenever I feel the urge. Take 1 leek washed and cut into large chunks, the other 1/2 of the lemon from the carrot/apple juice, 1 handful fresh parsley, and 1 bunch fresh watercress. Put into a large pot (I used a 4-quart size), cover with water, and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Then turn off and ladle out the clear broth as desired. Reheat as necessary.

I started to incorporate this broth into fasting several years ago whan I read a great book called "French Women Don't Get Fat" by Mireille Guiliano. She basically said that if she noticed her clothes getting a little tight, she would immediately make a leek or watercress broth and drink it for a weekend, thus going back to a trim size where her clothes would fit well again. The broth is a diuretic, but also nourishing. I add parsley for the vitamin C and lemon for a little extra flavor. The leek is great for the lungs during fall/winter. I've recommended it to several clients who have had excess edema they needed to clear and everyone found it to be delicious.

After sipping a few cups of warm broth throughout the afternoon, I just made a second juice from 4 tomatoes, 1 carrot, 1/2 lemon, 3 small cloves garlic, and a chunk of cabbage. I lightly warmed this on the stove (remove from heat before it simmers), added a generous sprinkle of cayenne pepper and a squirt of flax seed oil. MMMMM....This is amazingly satisfying, warming, and tasty!

I'm happy, feel great, and have had an incredible urge to clean house all day. Tonight I'll keep drinking the leek broth and probably make one more juice in a couple of hours - carrot/apple again. I'll also do a special abdominal massage with essential oils before bed - for myself, I'm thinking Marjoram or Coriander oil, both of which will enhance my dream state.

Recipe: Creamy Dreamy Risotto

This recipe came about as I was playing with my new pressure cooker over this past summer. Pressure cooking is something I have never done until recently, but I was very interested in trying it because the pressure causes the energy of the food to go inwards and deep, all the way to the Jing level of your body. This is in contrast to cooking a soup, for example, which would expand the energy of the food outwards.

One of my favorite nutrition sources, Paul Pitchford, in his Healing With Whole Foods book, suggests that by eating pressure cooked food with intention and reaching such a deep energetic level one can work on healing both physical and emotional issues that are held deeply within the bodymind. One can also access this deep level to cultivate spiritual growth. Ok – I’m going to try this for a while and see what I think.

I have to say that so far just by taste alone I am very impressed with pressure cooking. Among several dishes I’ve made absolutely perfect black bean soup in just over 20 minutes, but this risotto is my favorite.

My sister says this is the one dish I make that she thinks about, wondering when I’m going to make it again. So many others that have tried it have asked me how to make it that I’d like to share the recipe. Beware – it’s super easy to make and can be addictive.

Ingredients:
8 organic tomatoes
1 organic lemon
2 cloves garlic
1 sprig fresh sage chopped (or ½ tsp. dried)
1 box or bag Italian Arborio rice (about 3 cups dry)
1 cup bleu cheese crumbles
2 tbs. olive oil
2 tbs. butter
sprinkle of quality salt
extra water

1. Rinse the rice and set aside.

2. Cut up the tomatoes and de-seed the lemons but keep the peel on. Peel the garlic cloves. Feed all of these through a juicer. If you have 3 cups of rice you will need about 7-8 cups of liquid, so add enough extra water to make this amount. Use 7 cups if your tomato juice is very thin, and 8 cups if the tomato juice has any thickness to it. If you’re not sure, use 8 cups. [If you don't have a juicer you can substitute a bottle of organic tomato juice with the juice of one lemon squeezed into it.]3. In the pressure cooker, heat the olive oil. When hot, add the sage and let it infuse the hot oil for a moment before adding the rice. Coat the rice and stir for about 1-2 minutes.

4. Add the juiced liquid and extra water, sprinkle of salt, stir and cover. Allow the pressure to build and cook on high setting for 7 minutes once the pressure phase has started. After 7 minutes remove from heat and allow the pressure to release.

5. Open the lid and stir the rice mixture. Add 2 tbs. butter and the bleu cheese sprinkles. Stir again and it’s ready to serve. Goes great with a salad and whole grain crunchy bread. (As the instructor of the Five Elements Nutrition Program at our school, I absolve you from any guilt for eating butter in this dish. Sometimes experiencing great happiness when you eat will neutralize a moderate amount of butter.)
Depending on serving size, this recipe serves between 6 and 8 people. Enjoy!

[Note: If you are going to buy a pressure cooker, look for one that is stainless steel. It costs more than aluminum but is worth it! I have a Fagor brand and am very happy with it. I have no financial interest in saying this.]

Overview of the Psoas Muscle

I had heard of the psoas muscle before since I had been taking Anatomy & Physiology for pre-nursing requisites in college. I don’t think I had ever given this particular muscle much thought except to memorize its name and location for an upcoming test. Now, as a Massage Therapist, all muscles have taken on a new and much more interesting meaning. Muscles are no longer just a list of names and locations to memorize but paint an eloquent picture of the human landscape. Every movement, no matter how small, and every emotion is influenced by our muscles and tension patterns held by them. One muscle that particularly relates to all aspects of one’s life is the psoas. I know that may sound a little bizarre to describe a muscle as affecting ‘all aspects of one’s life’, but the psoas is truly remarkable and responsible for many of our postural and emotional responses. Liz Koch’s The Psoas Book has also really opened up a new way of perceiving muscles for me and I give credit to her wonderful book for most of the information here.

There are technically two parts of the psoas muscle, the psoas minor and the psoas major. The psoas minor is found in less than 50% of the population and is considered a vanishing muscle left over from our evolution into bipedal humans. The psoas major is the main part of the muscle and I will refer to it as the psoas from here on. The psoas is approximately 16 inches long and directly links the ribcage with the legs. It originates superiorly from the vertebral bodies and intervertebral disks of the twelfth thoracic to the fifth lumbar, and from the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae. The psoas then inserts inferiorly with the iliacus muscle by way of a common tendon to the lesser trochanter of the femur. These two important hip flexors are collectively known as the iliopsoas.

Internal location of the iliopsoas and external corresponding structures. The red areas on the surface of the body indicate possible areas of pain/discomfort associated with the psoas.

The psoas is located at the deepest core of our structure, where our ‘gut feelings’ reside. Sometimes our first instincts begin here. The psoas is strongly innervated since it inserts directly behind the diaphragm along the lumbar spine. At the L1 vertebrae, the psoas and diaphragm junction at the celiac (solar) plexus, directly linking psoas function to our breathing and digestion. This relationship illustrates that a constricted psoas can adversely affect one’s breathing and digestion. This area holds a lot of personal power and energy, so it is important to understand how interconnected our bodies are physically and emotionally. The lumbar plexus is also embedded in the surface of the psoas, which directly supplies energy to animate the legs and strongly influences both sexual and anal functions.

Starting from the lumbar spine and crossing over the hip joint, the psoas directly affects range of motion of the pelvis and the legs. The psoas has many functions, with the most direct and obvious being its role as a hip flexor. It supports the free swing of the legs while walking and is very important in transferring weight though the trunk to the legs and the feet. Sturdy and balanced walking should originate from the core and not from more superficial muscles. Through the action of walking, the psoas also acts as a hydraulic pump, stimulating and pushing fluids in and out of cells. The psoas plays a big role in posture by acting like a guide-wire that stabilizes the spine. Rectus abdominis counterbalances the tension of the psoas. When this relationship is out of balance it often leads to the ‘chest-out-belly-in’ posture. The psoas also has an intimate relationship with the internal abdominal organs by acting as the psoatic shelf. The psoas creates a support base along the bottom and back of the pelvis, upon which the abdominal organs rest. Therefore, tension in the psoas affects the space and function of the internal organs.

Because the psoas is so integral to the makeup of our body it is important to understand how it affects us in everyday life. First it is worthy to note that the prime function of bones is to bear weight and act as a lever system, whereas muscles serve as the pulleys that move the bones. This is an important fact because as soon as muscles start being used to support weight and resist gravity they no longer serve their original purpose. Over time, this improper use can put stress on the bones changing their shape, effecting the articulations of joints and even decreasing blood circulation in surrounding tissues. The psoas is a core muscle and therefore sets the tone for other muscles in the body. The resting length and condition of the psoas influences the relationship of bones and therefore influences the range of motion and articulation of the joints. A shortened psoas can cause many postural problems limiting range of motion in spine and limiting movement of the pelvis and legs. This may be seen as a forward thrusting of the pelvis and can be caused by the psoas being continually contracted or misused, sometimes stemming from poor body mechanics learned at a young age. A shortened psoas can lead to exaggerated curves in the spine known as lordosis – excessive forward curvature of the lumbar spine (saddle back); kyphosis – excessive backward curvature of the thoracic spine (hunch back); and scoliosis – abnormal lateral curvature of spine (side-ways S curve).

A shortened or chronically constricted psoas can affect many aspects of a person’s life, physically and emotionally. A shortened psoas can lead to a chest-out posture where the ribcage is thrust forward. This posture emphasizes thoracic breathing instead of abdominal breathing and prevents the diaphragm from contracting fully. The limited range of motion of the diaphragm leads to decreased massaging/stimulation of the internal organs which subsequently can lead to impairment of nerves and blood circulation. When the psoas is shortened it decreases the space in the lower trunk of the body and can affect many other internal structures in the area. This includes the abdominal aorta, which runs next to the psoas and may affect circulation; pressure on the lumbar plexus and autonomic ganglia can affect adrenal and kidney function; and many menstrual cramps in women can be caused by a contracted psoas putting pressure on the organs. Having muscles supple and open in the pelvis allows for the free circulation of sensations. Without this, sexual dysfunction and loss of connection with the sexual organs may also result. Sexual energy can become blocked and restricted leading to inability to orgasm in women and even impotency in men.

Because the psoas lies at the core of our or body and is one of the main flexors, it is important to note its role in the fear reflex. The fear reflex is one of our most basic instincts that is integrally part of us with the purpose of protecting us from any stimulus that our body may perceive as harmful. This reflex signals all flexor muscles to contract and results in what is known as the fetal position, giving the body a form of defense and protection. Our instincts during the fear reflex give us an option to fight or flee (the famous fight-or-flight response), preparing us to take action or evade a stressful/dangerous situation. In today’s world it may not seem like we encounter this reflex all that often, but with the constant stimulation and stressors present in modern society we are exposed to much more than we are aware of. The constant barrage of stimuli that we are subjected to on a daily bases gives our bodies a certain level of stress and activates our nervous system and fight-or-flight response. How one handles such stress greatly depends on how one has been conditioned over their lifetime. Those that have learned to relax deeply and return to a more neutral functioning after the reflex has been activated will have a lot less tension held in their body. This could mean just letting yourself unwind at the end of the day or even meditating. This gives the nervous system and muscles a break and helps to bring your body back into a more balanced state. For many people it does not work this way and they do not, or can not, avoid the constant stimulation and stress, and therefore there is no refractory period from the fear reflex. In other words, there is no recovery time between the body’s reaction to one stressor before another one comes along. What happens here is that the fight-or-flight cycle is never finished so stress and disharmonies with in the body begin to build up. As the tension and stress accumulates in the body it begins to affect different aspects of one’s health, namely in the manifestation of anxiety. Anxiety in the body can be expressed as many different things form digestive issues, muscular pain or weakness, and even decreased immunity.

Since we are constantly dealing with so many stressors in daily life it is easy to see how this can negatively impact our bodies. Muscles hold physical and emotional tension so it is important to have an understanding and awareness of our bodies so that we can deal with stress appropriately. The psoas, being a major flexor and postural muscle, goes through a lot during a lifetime. Working with the psoas to help it release and elongate is a very intimate process in body awareness. At first you must become aware of your body and the subtle sensations within. The Constructive Rest Position is a great way to begin to understand and become more aware of the psoas and the core of your body. This position allows for passive release of the psoas by letting gravity do all the work. To take this position Liz Koch says to “lie on your back, bend your knees to about 90 degrees, and place your feet on the floor in line with your hip sockets, 12 to 16 inches from your buttocks. Be careful not to flatten or exaggerate the curves in either your lumbar or cervical spine.” This may be uncomfortable at first but relax and make sure to use no force and allow your body to rest naturally on the floor. Bring your awareness to your pelvis and notice what feels tight, restricted, or areas that are resisting the pull of gravity. After hold this position for a while you will notice your low back will release and sink further towards the ground. “This is a result of the psoas muscle releasing.” Make a conscious effort to stay in the moment and pay attention to the sensations of your hip sockets and low back. “Being in the moment forges new nerve pathways by letting go of old conditioning”, allowing us to better understand and communicate with our body. You can stay in this position as long as you like, usually about 10-20 minutes.

Constructive Rest Position



Once you become aware of the internal sensations and skeletal positions associated with releasing the psoas you can move on to more actively working the muscle. There are many positions to elongate and stretch the psoas, but the most important thing is appropriate body awareness so that the muscle is isolated while the rest of the body is relaxed. After releasing the psoas in the constructive rest position one can easily move into the active supine stretch. Continue lying in the constructive rest position. Begin by bringing your right thigh up toward the trunk of your body and gently hug your right knee. Be very aware to not move or tilt the pelvis while raising the right thigh and focus awareness to softening the hip joint. Now you are ready to stretch the left psoas. Slowly begin to extend the left leg out while keeping the pelvis still. The goal here is to isolate the movement of the leg from the pelvis. Focus your attention to the left hip socket and allow it to soften and release, feeling the psoas lengthen. Use no force and extend your left leg slowly into the stretch. Notice any sensations that you experience and STOP if anything is painful in the low back, and go back to the constructive rest position to help release the psoas again.
The active supine stretch is a gentle and easy way to begin working and elongating the psoas. Any variation of the lunge, or runners stretch, also focuses on stretching the psoas. Yoga also offers many great poses that work with lengthening the psoas, most notably pigeon pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana). For more information on specific stretches you can visit YogaJournal.com (http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/169) where Liz Koch has put together a nice summary on 10 poses beneficial for the psoas.
Releasing and stretching the psoas are both very important to the overall health of the body. By gaining better awareness of our bodies and being able to understand our bodily sensations we can start to change some of the negatively conditioned muscle patterns and practice proper body mechanics. To do this we must also strengthen our muscles. Before you begin to tone the psoas you must make sure that it is released. If the psoas is not released, your body will try to compensate incorporating the wrong muscle groups to perform the movement. To practice this next move for toning the psoas we will be using the same position as in the Active Supine Stretch (can also be done with the right leg planted at a 90 degree angle on the floor). Be sure to keep your pelvis stable so that the proper muscles are engaged. Once you are able to fully extend the left leg (or whichever side you are working on) you are ready to start toning the psoas and leg muscles. Begin by lifting the left leg about 6 inches up to the height of your hip socket. Slowly move the extended leg up, down, sideways left and right, and diagonally. Liz Koch says “When lifting your leg, think of the psoas muscle falling back along the spine and scooping the leg off of the floor.” This imagery will help isolate the appropriate muscle groups.

There are many different approaches for working with the psoas. They vary from indirect, such as the movement arts, to direct, such as manipulation in bodywork. The movement arts include such things as Jujitsu, Aikido, Tai Chi, and other martial arts. The stance and posture of Tai Chi utilizes gravity to one’s advantage. “In Tai Chi the body is placed in a position where the six outward rotators are eccentrically contracting with the abdominals and gluteals relaxed. This eccentric contraction of the six outward rotators counteracts the short resting length of the iliopsoas as well as gravity.” To sum it up, the use of the appropriate muscles and gravity are utilized to stretch the iliopsoas and associated hip flexors. Tai Chi posture and movement are great for the entire body and with regular practice and discipline can help stretch and tone muscles while opening joints and increasing range of motion. Yoga is another form of mindful body movement that can help to stretch and strengthen both body and mind. It is very important to be aware of your own body and own limitations during yoga. Never push yourself further than where you feel comfortable. This can be severely counterproductive and even lead to injury. Finding a good instructor who understands the appropriate approach to postures and can guide you through the correction of postures is essential. This will insure that you are using the correct muscle groups and learning a proper technique. All together, any of the movement arts that focus on mindful body movements will benefit not only the psoas but the entire body, mind, soul.

Bodywork for the psoas, and just bodywork in general, comes in many different styles and options. Finding the one that appeals and suits you is as important as finding an experienced practitioner that you trust. There are some practitioners that focus souly on the psoas and deeper core muscles and then there are those that work with the entire body. One form of bodywork that works by directly manipulating the psoas is Rolfing. Rolfing is a "holistic system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education that organized the whole body in gravity" (Wikipedia – Rolfing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolfing). Rolfing releases bound up and adhered fascia by directly manipulating the psoas and connective tissues around it. This form of therapy can be powerful and overwhelming for some and is not recommended for everyone. Others may find it exactly what they need. A less intrusive method that focuses more on refining awareness of one’s body and works to change muscle tension patterns is The Feldenkrais Method. Feldenkrais really emphasized developing the mind-body connection and awareness through movement as ways to learn one’s own body. These are only two of a vast array of bodywork options. Look into local practitioners in your area to find out what is available to you and what will work for you.

As you can see, the psoas is a very powerful muscle, responsible for much more than we give it credit for. Developing and attuning the body-mind connection is very important to understanding our own bodies, how they work, and what we can do to help achieve harmony with in. As Liz Koch says, “An understanding of the influences of the psoas muscle on skeletal balance, muscular tone, and the health of the breath, nerves and viscera, builds the foundation for comprehending the indispensable role the psoas plays in having not only a healthy physical life but also a healthy emotional life.”

Blindfolded Massage 09/10/10

At the beginning of our massage course the instructors had mentioned a blindfolded massage, I instantly felt a little nervous about it! But thought that it would be at a latter date and I would work through the anxiety. Then one day Michelle announced that the following class would be the day!! The anxiety had worn off but unfortunately physically I was not feeling well. I woke up with pain in my neck, shoulders and back all of which made me feel exhausted and sensitive. Because I was feeling so tired Carrie and I decided it would be best if I gave the first massage so that I could wake up a little bit. Beginning the massage was the easiest part. Being able to sit down was great because I didn't have to use my spacial awareness as much, I was grounded and the table was right in front of me! Going through the head and face felt good but there was some worry of poking an eye or finger in the mouth etc. Once it was time to stand up things got a little more complicated, for a couple of reasons....one being the use of oil, it was hard to gauge the amount that was coming out of the bottle until there was too much. Also the draping and wanting to be respectful of the hand placement. It was a lot of fun to mentally visualize the individual muscles that I was working. I was fortunate that I am familiar with Carrie and her body, I think that it made me more comfortable and also easier to know where her body parts were based on "landmarks". For example: for both draping and massaging her legs, I first found her knee and was able to judge where her hips were because of my familiarity of her body length. As far as making the 1 hour time limit I think that I was only about 5 minutes over. It was great not looking at the clock and thinking about how much time had passed or was left.

Receiving the massage felt pretty much the same, except with more giggling! It was fun and light hearted. I look forward to trying another blindfolded massage again after working in clinic for a while!

Highlights of TCM Examinations and Treatments

Over the last few months I have had a wonderful introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and many of the unique modalities used to bring the body back into health and harmony. Many of the examinations and treatments used in TCM are very different from what Western Medicine is used to. By using non-invasive procedures and knowledge of the five-element theory TCM can identify disharmonies and restore balance to the body.
A few of the diagnostic procedures and therapies new to me that we were able to explore and practice in class were: tongue and pulse diagnosis, moxibustion, cupping, and auricular therapy.

As far as I know, tongue examinations are not a common place practice in American healthcare. Until this class I had never cared or desired to inspect other people’s tongues. In TCM it is said that the appearance and health of ones tongue directly reflects what is going on inside the body. In other words, imbalances within the body that we cannot see will manifest on the tongue. What a fascinating concept! It does make a lot of sense if you stop and think about it since the tongue is the only internal organ that is easily accessible to look at. Once you start looking at tongues you realize how many different shapes, sizes, colors, textures, and coatings are possible, and they all mean something different. It takes practice and knowledge to become good at tongue diagnosis but it is a valuable skill to have. One peak at a person’s tongue can give you a lot of information. For example; an abnormally pale tongue indicates deficient blood or Qi; a red tongue that it much redder than normal indicates a heat condition in the body; scalloped edges from teeth along the sides indicates dampness in the body; pale tongue with depression at the root (back of tongue) indicates decreased Jing(essence) pointing to deficient Kidney Qi; thick mucus coating points to digestive issues. These are few of many possibilities. With a trained eye this form of examination can be very useful.

Another interesting examination used in TCM is that of the pulse. This is not what most people in the Western world would think of when it comes to checking ones pulse, the standard quantifiable beats per minute and systolic/diastolic pressures. Instead, this is in an in-depth analysis of the radial pulse. TCM has three different positions on each hand for taking the pulse with each corresponding to a different organ.There are two different positions for the pulse of the kidneys. The left side represents the Kidney yin, whereas the right side represents Kidney yang. There are also different depths at which a pulse can be read, either superficial, middle, or deep. Over time and with patience you can begin to feel the subtle differences in people’s pulses and decipher what they mean. A slower pulse is a sign of cold or insufficient Qi to cause movement, where as a rapid pulse is a sign of heat. An empty pulse which lacks strength and feels weak is a sign of deficient Qi or blood, where as a full pulse which feels strong and pounds hard is a sign of excess. There are many different classifications of pulse and to become good at pulse diagnosis takes many years of practice and experience. It is truly an art.

After the examinations are complete a treatment plan can be put together that can include a variety of modalities such as acupressure massage, moxibustion, cupping, gua sha, acupuncture, auricular therapy and Qi Gong. Three that were new and unheard of to me were moxibustion, cupping, and auricular therapy.

Moxa is a dried and sifted form of the mugwart plant that is burned during moxibustion treatment. Moxa smolders, releasing smoke and creating a lot of heat and is burned either directly on or above the skin. Moxibustion is used to bring warmth, blood, and qi to a specific area such as a meridian, acupoint, or body part. This treatment aims to clear damp, free the movement of Qi and blood, coursing Qi, dispersing cold, and warming what is cold. Moxa treatment is great for deficiency syndromes and is greatly tonifying. There are different methods of burning moxa. A more direct method involves small cones that stick to the skin and are great for specific acupressure points alone or along a meridian. Moxa-irons are small metal boxes with a handle. The moxa is burned in the box and then rubbed over a client’s lower back to tonify the kidneys. There are also moxa sticks which can be used just above the skin. Energy work along with moxibustion strengthens the treatment and achieves better results. Treatment durations and amount used vary depending on client feedback and desired effect. Contraindications and cautions include pregnancy, heart condition or circulation disorders, signs of heat (a burn, rash, inflammation), on the face and sensitive areas, over a tumor, over damaged ligaments and tendons (until inflammation has gone down), and on persons who have just overeaten, are very hungry, or intoxicated (large shifts in energy can cause a person to pass out). Moxa also helps to boost the body’s immune system (wei qi).

Cupping is a method of drawing the skin up into cups using some form of suction over specific acupoints or areas of tension. Traditionally, fire was used to create a vacuum inside of a glass cup which would draw the patient’s skin up into the cup creating a nice suction grip. This method is still used but to avoid the dangers that fire can pose an alternative way has been developed. Now it is not uncommon to see the use of plastic cups with a small detachable hand pump that is used to draw the skin up into the cup getting the same desired effect. The purpose of cupping is to help dispel stagnations and relieve areas of tension and is usually prescribed in cases of excess, such as knots and pain. It relieves congestion and inflammation while opening up pathways to provide the smooth flow of Qi and blood to the area while eliminating toxins. Cupping is used in the West and in China to help an array of disorders from respiratory disease (chronic cough, asthma), paralysis, gastrointestinal tract disorders, frozen shoulder, depression, and soft tissue pain just to name a few. Cupping is preformed over fleshy areas of the body using different sized cups for the desired area. Although cupping is painless it can and usually does leave a mark. The suction that is used draws blood and toxins to the surface which can leave a mark that looks like an unsightly bruise. The mark usually disappears within a couple of days depending on how bad the stagnation was in the area. People with a lot of stagnation and tension will experience more blood and darker blood coming to the surface at the cupping site than those who do not have as much tension. Cups can be left on for anywhere between 8-15 minutes depending how quickly blood comes to the surface or until the desired effect is reached. The major contraindications for cupping include: inflamed areas on the skin (or any rash, open wound, ect..), high fever, convoulsions and cramping, easy bleeding (bleeding disorders, blood thinners), and areas over the lower back and abdomen during pregnancy.

Auricular therapy is a type of reflexology that involves the outside auricle of the ear. Just like there is reflexology for the hands and feet, there is also one for the ear. There are over 200 points in there ear that correspond to internal and external body structures and organs. Through these points a practitioner can stimulate all organs and functions of the body to help the body move back into a balanced state. This type of therapy was developed in China thousands of years ago but in the last century has been elaborated upon by the French. It has shown great results for helping with pain and pain management, stress and emotional disorders, addiction, common illnesses, chronic conditions, and much more. Stimulation of these points can be done through a variety of methods including needling (acupuncture), electrical stimulation, magnets, or ear beads (acupressure). Using ear beads was the method that was shown in class. Ear beads are very tiny round balls that can be made of gold, silver, or a small seed and have a small piece of adhesive to hold it in place over a selected point. A point combination of 5-8 points is selected for treatment in one ear and the beads are left in place for up to a week. The client is shown where each of the beads has been placed and is instructed to stimulate them manually up to 3 times a day. Auricular therapy using ear beads can be used to treat or help almost any ailment, disease, or condition since it has relatively no side effects and contraindications. Soreness at the point location and some possible temporary side effects such as nausea and dizziness can occur due to shifts in energy and changes in the body but these are usually brief and rare. Those who are pregnant, have just under gone an organ transplant or are in remission from cancer should consult their physicians before opting for any additional therapies.

I have learned so much about TCM in the last few months and it has been a very rewarding experience. Not just the new and exciting treatments but an entire new way of looking at and thinking about health and homeostasis. I have only barely scratched the surface here with this highlight of a few interesting examination and treatment methods but the foundation on which this knowledge rests goes so much deeper. The five element theory, which all of these treatments and diagnoses are based on, is truly a beautiful and elaborate web of the human microsystem. I encourage anyone who has an interest in these modalities for personal or practical use, or even just pure curiosity, look further into it. There are so many choices and possibilities when it comes to health treatment options, do not think that you are limited to only a select few!

Blindfolded Massage

My classmate and I gave and received blindfolded massage last week. I found it to be a rich experience. I received first, and contrary to my usual trance, I worked hard to pay attention to the sensations.
Starting at the head in the usual pattern, it felt kind of tentative, and slightly off center, but as Trinity progressed she seemed to gain more confidence in herself. the rhythm was good, not a lot of fumbling and stumbling. She paced the massage well, and did a 1 hour pattern pretty close to on time.
When I was blindfolded, I was disoriented a bit at first. The blindfold was pressing against my contacts funny, and they kept feeling weird throughout the massage. Working on the head and face pattern was different, not used to not being able to see, but the hardest part was worrying about poking her in the eyes. I had to switch out oil bottles because the first one I had felt wrong, didn't glide right. It was a little awkward doing the pecs, first worrying about draping and exposure, and then I bonked her on the chin when I switched sides. I was informed that my arm and leg draping was good, did covered abdomen massage, and covered glute massage. I slipped off of the center of the back a bit during the back section, but once I got centered again it worked better.
When giving a blindfolded massage, you can tell where you are by the muscles themselves, and you can gauge your pressure easily. My only big issue was being unable to gauge how much oil I was getting from the bottle. Several times I had to squirt more onto my hands, and once or twice I had to wipe off a bunch. I think that if I had been using a pump bottle I might have done better on oil amounts, but I haven't practiced much with one in regular use.
I think that giving blindfolded massage can make you a better therapist, because you rely on your sense of touch more and you listen more for feedback from your client. Working in dim light is often very relaxing for the client, and I have occasionally caught myself working on someone with my eyes closed. Touch and hearing are really the only senses you need; I haven't figured out what help smell and taste give, unless you are using moxa or incense or scented candles.