Proof That Electroacupuncture Can Be Used To Lower Stress
Acupuncture Fremont is one of the oldest forms of treatment in Chinese medicine involving the use of hair-thin needles stuck into important acupoints in the body to help treat a wide range of health problems. While the benefits of acupuncture have been well known since in China since ancient times, the West is only now starting to comprehend how and why the age-old method works.
The alleviation of stress is just one among the many benefits of acupuncture, but precisely how or why inserting needles into the skin attains this was earlier unknown. The Journal of Endocrinology published a new study observing the method by which acupuncture can help alleviate stress in mice.
Georgetown University Medical Center researchers discovered that electronic acupuncture can slow down the release of hormones related to stress in the body, shielding the body from the effects of stress.
Lowering stress in mice
According to Dr. Ladan Eshkevari, a Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies associate professor, “a lot of acupuncture practitioners have noted that acupuncture can lower stress in people, but a dearth of proof exists of why or how this occurs,” ” At the molecular level, we’re beginning to understand what is occurring that can help explain the benefit of acupuncture to health.”
Electroacupuncture or electronic acupuncture is an acupuncture technique that transmits tiny electric signals into the needles. This procedure is at times favored over traditional acupuncture because the needles don’t need to be placed as precisely, since the electrical signal tends to reach a larger part of the body.
Electroacupuncture has the same advantages as traditional acupuncture, but is known to be especially effective for the management of pain.
Eshkevari, who is also an acupuncturist and physiologist commented, “Electroacupuncture is my treatment of choice because it guarantees that each animal is getting the same dose of treatment”.
Eshkevari produced a number of studies on mice to evaluate the impact of electroacupuncture on the amount of hormones and proteins released into the bloodstream due to stress.
Monitoring stress hormones
Researchers used mice for the study because their reaction to stress is akin to that of humans; when they’re exposed to cold temperatures for one hour each day, they tend to become extremely stressed. For a total of two weeks, they studied the mice after dividing them into four groups.
The first group received no stress triggers or electroacupuncture and was used as a control; the second group received no electroacupuncture and was stressed for an hour each day; the third group received “sham” acupuncture (placebo acupuncture) and was stressed; the fourth group was administered acupuncture to the “Zusanli” acupoint on the leg and was stressed.
When needles are inserted into the “Zusanli” or St36 acupuncture point, it can lead to relief of stress. This point is located in the same spot for both humans and mice: just below the knee down the leg.
The researchers then measured chemicals related to stress in the mice.
Stress causes the body to release a number of hormones into the bloodstream. The hypothalamus, adrenal gland, and pituitary gland are the organs responsible for these hormones release. Together they make up the HPA (hypothalamus pituitary adrenal) axis. The researchers also monitored peptide activity associated with “fight or flight” responses known as neuropeptide.
Mounting Evidence
Based on this analysis, researchers discovered, that “electroacupuncture obstructs the stress-induced, chronic elevations of the sympathetic neuropeptide pathway and the HPA axis hormones.” The mice receiving “sham” electroacupuncture showed higher levels of hormones same as the mice that were highly stressed.
Eshkevari said, “The growing body of proof indicates the protective effect of acupuncture against the stress response.” He added that more studies are required to determine whether acupuncture could work in lowering hormone levels in mice after they are exposed to the stress of cold temperatures, and if a similar conclusion can be made in humans.
According to Eshkevari, this study complements her work earlier reported that focused on neuropeptides alone. Eshkevari and her associates discovered the reduction of neuropeptide or NPY levels in the experimental group which was almost the same as the control group, while the mice that were not treated with Zusanli acupuncture and stressed showed high levels of NPY.
Six Alkanizing Foods To Combat Acidity And Decay
The standard American diet consists mainly of secret genetically modified organisms, conventionally manufactured dairy and meats, artificial sweeteners, and other acid-forming foods. It is indeed a deadly diet more so combined with a profusion of factors (such as pharmaceutical medications, psychological stress, and lack of rest). It’s not surprising that more and more people are being diagnosed with degenerative and chronic conditions or otherwise lethal conditions for which modern Western medicine does not have a cure for.
The ignorance or lack of understanding of the average consumer is one of the problems of this untenable way of life. In order to survive, the body needs to balance the pH levels of the blood at an alkaline level of 7.3. The body’s metabolic and digestive processes convert food into some sort of ash that’s either alkaline or acidic when a person consumes food to “burn” for fuel. According to modern biochemistry, it is not the food’s organic matter (whether the food itself is alkaline or acidic), but its inorganic matter (such as phosphorous, sulfur, potassium, magnesium, and calcium; that’s, how they dissolve in our bodies), that decides the alkalinity or acidity of this ashy excess.
Because of this, and due to the fact that in nature, all foods contain both alkaline and acid-forming elements, balance is either circumvented or attained as a direct impact of the foods we decide to consume. Among diabetics, “acidosis,” is a common diagnosis. Several foods that are acid-forming can negatively affect our health. This is because when the nutrients needed to preserve this marginally alkaline state fail to be obtained from food, the body will draw instead from its own vital tissues or bones – affecting its capacity to repair itself and cleanse itself off heavy metals, which thus makes a person more at risk to illness and fatigue. And there is a small margin for error. Even with just a pH level of 6.9, the result can still mean either death or a coma.
Obviously, the most important factor is balance. Consuming lots of alkalizing foods over time can lead to a number of complications, but their risk may be unlikely, given the present pitiful state of extremely addictive consumerist diet of today. To overcome the adverse impacts of such a diet, the following are six of the foods that are the most alkaline-forming that can be incorporated into your daily diet:
1. Cruciferous vegetables
These are vegetables that we all come to love made even more delectable with just a small number of homemade healthy sauces such as pesto. Select from Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, and the like.
2. Root vegetables
Due to these foods “yang” nature which in traditional Chinese medicine is considered a positive healing energy, root veggies are more likely to be higher in minerals than several other class of vegetables; so it goes without saying that you can’t get enough of them. These foods include rutabaga, horseradish, turnips, carrots, beets, and radishes. After steaming for around 15 minutes or so, they are ready to eat. Root veggies can help you feel both better grounded and satiated.
3. Garlic
Garlic is a true alkaline-forming medicinal food that lists at the top of a myriad of foods that promote overall health. Some of its benefits include its ability to combat disease, its detoxifying effects on the liver, and its immune and cardiovascular qualities that can help reduce blood pressure.
4. Leafy greens
Helping to improve vision and digestion, leafy greens can include, first and foremost, spinach then turnip greens, Swiss chard, and kale. They are famed for their richness in folate and vitamin K. Spinach is also rich in fiber, antioxidants, phytochemicals, minerals, and vitamins.
5. Lemons
Perhaps, the most alkalizing food of all is lemon. Lemons are a natural disinfectant, which means they can heal wounds and at the same time provide quick and potent relief for heartburn, flu, colds, coughs, and other virus-related conditions as well as therapy for hyperacidity. Lemon also helps spur detoxification and energizes the liver.
6. Capsicum/Cayenne peppers
Tropical peppers, such as cayenne is part of a group of foods that contain enzymes needed for endocrine function. Cayenne is one of the most alkalizing of foods. It is high in vitamin A and possesses anti-microbial qualities, which makes it one of the best foods to eat to combat free radicals that cause illness and stress.
So, there’s absolutely no risk in including these alkanizing foods into your diet. By simply applying the wise motherly advice to “eat your vegetables,” you are on your way to attaining good health.
Izumi “Zoe” Schutz, L.Ac., is a Licensed and Board Certified Acupuncturist in Austin, Texas.
Studies Support The Use Of Auriculotherapy, Auricular Acupuncture, And Acupuncture In The Treatment Of Addictions
Dr. Paul Nogier’s original work led to the discovery of what we now know as auriculotherapy. This type of treatment is not the same as ear acupuncture or auricular acupuncture. While auricular acupuncture uses needles stuck among a rigid number of so-called acupuncture points, auriculotherapy neither uses fixed points nor does it require the use of needles. The points used in auriculotherapy points are generated by the stimulation of three cervical ganglia and four cranial nerves. Those are clearly not acupoints.
In auriculotherapy, the practitioner makes use of a pen-shaped FDA class 11 medical device to:
1. Find the location of an auriculotherapy point
2. Evaluate the located point, and
3. Heal the point if it is deemed to be pathologic
Characterized as the identification and treatment of the ear’s neurological points by stimulation of micro-currents, auriculotherapy is a painless procedure in which each point is treated for 30 seconds using a small manual device shaped like a pen. Treatment involves both ears for ten minutes five days a week for about four years. Needles used in auricular acupuncture are inserted in the skin where they remain for 40 minutes to an hour or so.
Medical Studies Supporting Auriculotherapy and Acupuncture
Several studies have been done since the 70’s and 80’s to find out whether auriculotherapy and acupuncture was effective in the treatment of substance addiction. An online MEDLINE search revealed more than 9,770 studies were done that dealt with the use of all forms of acupuncture for SUD including smoking behavior, binge eating, stimulant abuse, heroin addiction, and alcoholism. Most of the findings were derived from the most palpable uses of acupuncture: in the relief of ailments and pain related to opiate addiction.
Numerous studies in 1977 done by Wen in favor of acupuncture revealed substantial alleviation of withdrawal symptoms within 15 minutes at the onset of treatment. A year after, during the interval, follow up treatment led by Schuckit showed that 51 of the subjects haven’t used drugs. Oieson and Kroening discovered in 1985 that the sharp decrease of narcotic withdrawal was a success, with 85 percent of the subjects withdrawing with minimum side effects within five days to a week. The literature recently shows numerous studies favoring auriculotherapy, auricular acupuncture, , or acupuncture that includes cocaine addiction, alcohol addiction, and smoking addiction using the five point NADA protocol established and approved by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association.
The comments from patients have been extremely positive. Some of these comments include among others: “Now actually sleeping,” “Headache is cured,” “No more violent mood swings,” “Feeling good from within,” “Feel calmer now,” “Feel less stress,” “Restored my natural energy,” “Lessened my craving for alcohol, “Even though I was clean I never once stopped craving drugs prior to acupuncture,” “I’ve stopped the craving since acupuncture,” “This was the quickest I kicked heroin,” and “A change in attitude.”
Drug court counselors state, “These people are becoming more balanced physically, mentally, and emotionally and for my patients, acupuncture in Walla Walla has led to amazing results.”
Clinical Trials Prove Auricular Acupuncture Can Help People Lose Weight
What if you could melt away the pounds, burn fat, and lessen your BMI or body mass index by merely activating a few acupuncture points on your ear? According to a published study in the British Medical Journal, that process of losing weight is possible and that simple.
While people have been performing auricular acupuncture for thousands of years, this research is of certain interest due to the fact that scientists may have pinpointed the exact mechanisms for weight loss.
Healing with Auricular Acupuncture
Ear acupuncture or auricular acupuncture works by stimulating some of the pressure points on the auricle to treat certain mental and physical maladies. Being an alternative form of treatment, auricular acupuncture is frequently utilized to address more than a hundred fifty conditions including the problems of obesity, mood disorders, and pain. In resolving nicotine and smoking addictions, its rate of success is about 75 to 80 percent. It has a similar high chance of success when it comes to weight loss.
Sixty years ago, after discovering that the back pain of a patient got cured when his ear got burned accidentally, French doctor and acupuncturist Paul Nogier published a chart of auricular acupuncture points he named Nogier’s map. He also published an ear map of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is still used today by modern acupressure practitioners and acupuncturists to activate pressure points in the outer ear. These healers use ear magnets, pellets, lasers, and manual stimulation to stimulate acupoints.
Your Auricle: A Great Way to Lose Weight
When it comes to losing weight, auricular acupuncture in Overland Park is clearly the way to go as gleaned by Korean researchers who proved whether constant stimulation of five acupoints was much better than constant stimulation of just one acupoint. They classified 90 obese individuals, who had a BMI of 24 and above into three groups:
Thirty of those individuals were given the Five-point treatment – This involved sticking acupuncture needles 2 mm deep into five points: the endocrine, hunger, stomach, spleen and shenmen points. For a week, the needles remained in the points using a surgical tape. A week after the same treatment was administered this time on the other ear which was continued alternately on each ear for eight weeks.
Thirty people were treated with the one-point therapy: one acupuncture needle was inserted in the hunger acupoint. The needle remained in place for a week and then relocated to the other ear a week after. Two weeks after treatment shifted to the other ear and so on and so forth for eight weeks.
Thirty people were treated with fake acupuncture: Upon insertion researchers removed immediately the needles while telling the subjects that the needles remained stuck in their ears with a surgical tape.
The subjects from each group followed a therapeutic diet and not a weight loss diet. During the eight weeks they were in treatment, they were advised to not do any exercise than normal.
At the onset, middle, and end phase of the trial, the subjects’ blood pressure, body fat, waist circumference, weight, and BMI were measured. Four weeks after, the outcomes were compelling and clear in favor of auricular acupuncture:
1. A 6.1 percent decrease in BMI for subjects given the Five -point treatment.
2. Subjects who were treated with the one-point therapy experienced a 5.7 percent decrease.
3. The group treated with sham acupuncture did not show a decrease in their weight, body fat, or BMI.
4. There was a decrease in body fat and waist circumference in the group given the Five-point treatment.
Regardless of type of treatment, the blood pressure of all the subjects remained the same.
At the end of the trial, the researchers stated: “In the short term, one-needle treatment at the hunger point and the five-needle acupuncture therapy widely used in clinics in Korea seemed to work well in lowering body weight.”
People can use auricular acupuncture without the need for needles. They can also heal themselves using just a gentle touch of their fingertips.
The Spleen’s Role In Western Medicine And TCM
TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medicine have long been considered as two divergent and dissimilar medicinal systems. Their paths to healing and physiology seem a bit different in viewpoints. Chinese medicine sees the body and the whole person, as an organic unified whole. Physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects are viewed as interdependent and interrelated. On the other hand, Western medicine segregates the organs and different systems of the body and dives deeper and deeper into the particles that make up matter.
In the Western mode of treatment, illness is resolved by isolating the problematic area and using drugs to counteract and change the specific problem. In TCM, illness is treated by determining what components of the whole are off balance and knowing the ensuing patterns of energy they generate. They are then addressed with herbal formulas and energetic therapies to bring the whole to stasis and to rectify the imbalance. Western medicine bases its treatments and theory from chemical derivations, microscopic analysis, and dissection. On the other hand, Chinese medicine evolved mainly through millennia of observation, not only of the human body, but its connection to the universe and nature.
Even though both medicinal systems have their own strategy, historical development and remedy based on a uniquely different viewpoint, it is interesting to see actual comparability between the two that can enable their differences to take on more complementary roles. It is Western medicine, to its merit, that’s aiding to close this gap, as its more refined technology is now able to substantiate what five millennia of TCM has known ever since. From this, we can come up with a common understanding of the two medicinal systems and not only understand natural alternative therapies to Western medications, but also to know how Chinese people resolve energy imbalances and Western “incurable” conditions that poorly respond to Western drugs.
The spleen, from a TCM perspective is where energy originates. This energy comes from fluid and food. The spleen is a very important organ system and it makes a good study to realize the differences and similarities between the two healing systems. Initially, it may seem that no correspondences exist at all, but upon closer look, we learn that it’s only perspective and terminology that mask their underlying similarities. However, when comparing them, we need to look beyond Western medicine’s function of spleen and also consider its various physiological functions in the body, since the body, in Chinese medicine, is viewed seen as an interrelated whole where processes of an organ actually happen on a cellular level all over the body. When you compare this with the Western concept of an organ, we should consider the spleen itself and its cellular constituents and several processes as well.
To study these similarities, we first need to understand the Western concept of the spleen and then compare with the Chinese concept. We will next discuss the TCM approaches to treatment for imbalances affecting the spleen. We probably can finally come to a more integrated method to healing and health founded on modern and traditional principles by thoroughly inspecting these apparent differences between contemporary Western medicines and traditional Chinese medicines.
The Spleen According to Western Medicine
I.
The spleen, from Western medicine viewpoint, is a part of the body’s lymphatic system, which is made up of nodes, lymph, lymph vessels, spleen, thymus gland, and tonsils. The main responsibility of the lymphatic system is to drain protein-filled fluid from the tissue spaces through blood capillaries. The fluid carries fats from the digestive tract to the blood to create lymphocytes and build up immunities. The lymph organs also are responsible for creating antibodies and white blood cells and for filtering lymph.
In Western medicine, the spleen provides various functions:
a. In the fetus, it is responsible for the production of red blood cells.
b. Houses and releases blood in case of hemorrhage or through spleen contraction.
c. Produces plasma cells, monocytes, and lymphocytes that, in turn create antibodies
d. Phagocytosis or destruction of old platelets, red blood cells, and bacteria and salvages remaining globulin and iron content and returns them to the blood
e. For defense
II. The Digestive Process
Since traditional Chinese medicine’s functions of the spleen include digestive functions and processes that happen throughout the body on a cellular level, we need to discuss these two aspects also in Western medicine. From the Western viewpoint of digestion, food is ingested in the abdomen and moved forward to the small intestines where food nutrients are absorbed and allocated via the circulatory system to all cells and tissues of the body. This then creates energy via biological oxidation of foods mainly in the cell mitochondria.
III. Functions of the Cells
In Western medicine, the components of the cells need to be identified in order to obtain an overall view of the body. Spread across the cell’s plasma are organelles known as mitochondria which are considered “the batteries of the cells” since they are the source of most of the chemical energy the cells use. The mitochondria play an important role in the string of energy-generating processes in the catabolism of carbohydrates known as the Krebs cycle. This cycle is responsible for the formation of the energy-bearing molecule called adenosine triphosphate or ATP.
This is how the Krebs cycle works: the catabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates transports energy to the ATP via an oxidation process and enzymes. This occurs in two locations, within the mitochondria and the cytoplasm. The former is way more important as it is responsible for ninety five percent of the ATP molecules due to breakdown of glucose and a hundred percent from breakdown of fatty acid. Hence, the energy derived from the catabolizing of food is captured and sent to the ATP molecule. The remainder of the energy is converted to heat that keeps our bodies warm. Energy is released for cellular purposes when ATP breaks down. All in all, the Krebs cycle generates heat and energy needed for the various body processes, and key to this process are the mitochondria.
III. Diseases of the Spleen in Western Medicine:
Western medicine has identified several diseases affecting the Spleen. They include all the different forms of anemia, AIDS, Hodgkin’s disease, splenomegaly, leukemia, and mononucleosis. Other forms of spleen-related diseases include impaired or weak immunity, lymph disorders, and insufficient production of red blood cells and/or an increase in white bloods cells.
The Spleen from the Viewpoint of TCM
In TCM, The spleen is viewed as a yin organ and a paired complex of the Earth element. Its complementary organ is the abdomen which is the yang organ. Both organs work together and complement each other’s functions. Since the spleen is where the energy of fluid and food is converted and is the deeper yin organ amongst the pair, it is the more vital and therefore, the one usually referred to.
The functions of the spleen according to TCM:
a. Governs the blood: The spleen is responsible for the circulation of blood in the vessels. Its secondary role is to provide and transport energy extracted from food to the heart to be combined with energy from the Kidney to create blood.
b. Controls the movements and transportation of fluids and food in the body: Food is converted into energy by the spleen and the extracted energy is then transported to various parts and organs of the body where blood and energy of the body are produced. The spleen, therefore, is considered as the nexus for the production of blood and energy in the entire body. It is also the organ that controls conversion, segregation, and transportation of fluids. It segregates the unusable and usable and from the ingested fluids which then are sent to their proper places. Therefore, it is greatly responsible for encouraging development and the nourishment of the body.
c. Opens into the mouth and its intelligence is gleaned in the lips: Chewing enables food to be properly digested. A healthy spleen would result in a keen sense of taste and can distinguish all of the five flavors. Moreover, a healthy spleen translates to lips that are rosy and moist.
d. Controls the four limbs, flesh, and muscles: The spleen conveys the blood and energy of the body to the legs, arms, flesh, and muscles. A healthy spleen generally results in enhanced muscular appearance, strength, and tone, particularly of the legs and arms.
e. Governs thought: The spleen controls our capacity for memorizing, concentration, focusing, studying, and thinking.
f. Elevates the qi: The spleen generates an elevating effect along the body’s midline and maintains the proper position of the internal organs preventing prolapse or sagging.
The TCM Signs of Spleen Dysfunction
The following are some indications of spleen dysfunction:
1. Flat taste in the mouth or poor appetite
2. Stomach pain, ache or distention eased by pressure or local warmth
3. Diarrhea or abnormal stool such as water
4. Post prandial stomach flatulence, exacerbated by stress
5. Pale lips and/or sallow complexion
6. Blood under the skin, mucus, vomit, or stool or chronic hemorrhage, not caused by trauma or blood heat evils
7. Weakness in the muscles or legs and arms
8. Puffy or emaciated appearance
9. Teeth marks on the margin of the tongue or swollen and pale tongue
These negative signs can be classified into energy patterns with each sign made up of specific symptoms and signs with each of them then resolved accordingly.
Complementary Healthcare
1000 Valley Forge Cir #105
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(484) 392-7023
https://www.kingofprussiahealth.com/
Qi Gong Tui Na Techniques To Harmonize Qi And Heal The Mind And Body
In English language, Tui Na means to push and grasp. It is an ancient Chinese healing method in Overland Park that has been used for over 3,000 years. Various modern forms of manipulation and massage techniques have their roots in Tui Na. This therapeutic system covers a number of types of treatment methods including Nei Gong, Internal Qi development to activate the Qi of a person for healing; Bone Setting, classical Chinese Orthopedics to align the joints; Acupressure, manual pressure on pressure points for internal disorders, and Soft Tissue Manipulation, to treat muscle sprains and joint injuries.
How Does Tui Na Differ From Other Forms Of Massage?
Qi Gong Tui Na transcends the hundreds of physical methods that set the joints, bones, and muscles. Practitioners of Qi Gong Tui Na boost their healing skills by continuously practicing different types of Qi Gong exercises. These exercises help boost their ability to control, focus, and send out body energy from their bodies. Besides that, those exercises can also enhance the sensitivity of the practitioner to sense disturbances affecting the Qi of your body. When these skills are combined, it gives the practitioner the ability to palpate, observe, diagnose, and treat energetic imbalances and injuries of the patient. Qi Gong Tui Na is a bit like acupuncture in that it can change the flow of Qi in your body. The secrets of Qi Gong Tui Na were traditionally handed down from teacher to apprentice by masters of Qi Gong who more often than not were also martial artists. It takes years of training to master the internal development of Qi. But when it’s mastered, the practitioner will have the ability emit Qi effectively out of his body and heal a person. Besides that, the variety of techniques meant the bolstering of internal strength to do such tasks as bone setting. Today, along with Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture, Qi Gong Tui Na is a major curriculum taught in Traditional Chinese Medical schools. Unfortunately, a significant part of the more esoteric training techniques have been lost by the Communists in their standardization of schooling during the Communist takeover in China.
How Does Qi Gong Tui Na Work?
According to Oriental Medicine, all forms of disease are the result of a blockage or imbalance in the movement of Qi in the body. This blockage or imbalance can appear in the form of mental symptoms, organ dysfunction, weakness, or pain. The body can enact its inherent healing powers when the flow of Qi is harmonized.
A master of Qi Gong Tui Na has the skill to control the discharge of vital energy Qi from his body and push his energy into his hands. When a Qi Gong Tui Na master touches a patient’s body, the patient can feel a dry warm hand that provides a relaxing effect. For serious illnesses, the Qi Gong Tui Na master may discharge his Qi into selected energy centers of the patient’s body to augment the patient’s healing abilities.
Some of the soft tissue methods like grasping and shaking can be quite intense. This is essential in order to break up stagnation in the tissues and to vigorously move the energy within the body. Certain Acupressure methods may be utilized to activate pressure points on the body to change the movement of Qi in the meridians or to free a pressure point that is obstructed. The methods of bone setting are rarely performed in the US since it requires very skilled hands to correctly align and adjust the bone.
The Qi Gong Tui Na techniques to harmonize Qi can help smooth the more subtle flow of energy within your body and relax both your body and mind. Although some of these techniques may be a bit distressing, in the end, they can leave you feeling stronger and more energized than ever before. Qi Gong Tui Na combined with a variety of manipulation therapies, can help with all kinds of internal disorders and physical injury. A Qi Gong Tui Na master’s diagnosis and healing powers can identify and treat several health problems through their energetic and manual techniques. Acute distress and persistent injuries that seemed to have stopped healing can be quickly resolved from this type of therapy.
The Healing Effects Of Qi Gong Shineng
Qi gong shineng is a multi-purpose discipline that has its roots in qi gong. Qi gong shineng is more than just simple body movements and exercises performed to strengthen the body and mind. This style of qi gong was developed in the 1980s by Heming Pang, a great qi gong professor and grandmaster. The grandmaster title is the greatest honor a practitioner of qi gong can attain. Qi gong shineng is a magnificent amalgamation of various disciplines including martial arts, modern medicine, TCM or traditional Chinese medicine in Austin, Buddhism, and Taoism, which makes it quite interesting to many. Today, there are more than 10 million people all around the world who practice Qi gong shineng. They experience the wonders of stronger mental and physical awareness and vigor. It’s so effective and yet so simple and fun that the number of people practicing this discipline is growing by the day. Similar to classical qi gong, Qi gong shineng also practices relaxing and gentle motions combined with focused and deep breathing that bring about a variety of health benefits for those who perform it.
Healing Qualities
While qi gong is widely known to help in the rejuvenation of the body, Shineng Qi gong offers more by combining spiritual energy or chi kung to the science of the body and mind. It is designed to connect the body with the natural environment. It espouses embracing one’s surroundings in order to be one with it. Qi gong is a perfect discipline to start with for those new to it.
These Are the Three stages of Qi Gong Shineng that can help heal the body:
Stage 1 is performing three basic movements. They focus on relaxed and gentle motions, meditation, position, and breathing. All these are designed to remove distractions from your mind and focus on tapping the power of Qi within you.
Stage 2 comprises of ten steps that which are intentionally designed to engage the mental and physical aspects of a person, thereby increasing the level of Qi that can be used.
Stage 3 utilizes motion, breathing pattern, and sound to tap and free up Qi to gain emotional and physical purification.
Techniques Used in Shineng Qi Gong
Shineng Qigong can be easily learned by beginners and is an essential form of Qi gong martial art. The outcomes can be quickly realized so long as the practitioner performs the exercise regularly. As with all other exercises, you’re required to do basic warm ups prior to starting and once you’re done, to cool down. While it is not totally an intense work out, performing these moves before and after exercise can help improve the flow of blood throughout your body. If properly done along with other simple Shineng Qi gong practices, the outcomes can be instantly felt and you’ll be more relaxed sooner than expected.
There are several qi-centered techniques, but the ones often used include focused meditation, head massage, posture, relaxation exercises, and breathing. The meditations utilized involve Qi pouring, lifting, pulling, and stretching exercises. The posture exercises needs to be properly observed and one should make it a point to follow carefully the instructions for all the parts of the body. We recommend attending qigong classes if you want to learn more proper exercises and movements.
The Strategic Applications of Acupressure
The ancient healing art of Acupressure utilizes the fingers to apply light, moderate, or hard pressure on key healing points, which sets off the natural self-healing abilities of the body. Developed in Asia more than five millennia ago, acupressure uses the sensitivity and power of the hand to effectively relieve stress-related ailments. It is an ideal preventive health care and/or self-help treatment to strengthen the immune system. Acupressure promotes vibrant health and spirituality, boosts circulation, and releases tension from the body.
Both Acupressure and Acupuncture in Overland Park utilize the same energy channels (meridians) and pressure points with acupuncture employing needles and Acupressure applying firm finger pressure to these channels and points. When stimulated, these acupressure points enhance the life force energy (known as chi) of the body, increase circulation of the blood, and release muscle tension to aid in healing. Acupressure is a form of traditional Chinese medicine therapy that can be used to tone back and facial muscles, detoxify the body to improve beauty and health, strengthen the sexual reproductive system, and alleviate pain.
The Applications of Acupressure
The Applications of Acupressure include maintaining good health, balancing the energy of the body, and the relieving of pain. Its healing touch leads to profound relaxation, enhances circulation, and reduces muscle tension. Acupressure Therapy helps relieve stress and by doing so promotes wellness and strengthens the body’s resistance to disease. It can help you learn pressure point formulas and self-care applications for problems and ailments such as emotional imbalances, trauma, learning disorders, addiction rehabilitation, mental stress, chronic muscle pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue.
Acupressure Can Be Successfully Applied For the Following Areas –
Emotional Pain and Trauma
The ancient healing art of Acupressure has long been used to relieve both emotional and physical pain. From life’s every day pressures to its most momentous trials, emotional stress can cause the body to shut down, keeping adverse feelings stuck that in turn leads to emotional imbalances and physical ailments. Acupressure uses a variety of methods to regain the smooth flow of chi or vital energy and relax muscle tension, making resolution possible.
Acupressure enables your tight muscles to loosen up. That tightness may have come from emotional trauma and stress which cause the body to contract its muscles and stiffen up, somewhat like an automatic protective mechanism, to protect your inner self. For example, when an anxious person treats you harshly or when something frightens you, your body’s reaction would be to tighten the shoulders and neck. This tension hinders energy to flow in your body resulting in a number of emotional and physical imbalances. If you’re incapable of dealing with these tensions and ensuing afflictions, it may cause emotional problems to stay buried deep in your mind and body only to resurface at a later time, when they’re forced to manifest due to some new stress. While most treatments can address the emotional and cognitive aspects of trauma, they seldom address the underlying physiological source. Acupressure is way better than those treatments due to the fact that it directly works with the body to alleviate muscle tension, physical ailments, as well as the emotional imbalances related to them.
Emotional imbalances and their associated physical symptoms are usually the reaction of the body to unresolved events and issues. A person, who has seen an abusive incident or a deadly car accident, can live with that memory that in turn, can manifest in psychosomatic ailments, insomnia, or recurring nightmares. They can linger for years if left untreated. For tension headache brought about by a domestic argument with, for example, your teenage child or conflict at work involving a fellow employee or your boss, can bring old memories or conflicts to the fore during or after an acupressure session. To follow up, you can explore the issues in therapy or use acupressure self-help techniques. Negative impacts can be lessened by becoming aware of old memories and bringing them out in the open.
One other instance of a life-altering event is divorce, which can lead to depression, worry, anxiety and other emotional problems, and also lead to irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, stomachaches, and other physical symptoms. These symptoms can be addressed with Acupressure.
Addiction
Compulsive behaviors are cumulative and tend to arise in cycles. Emotionally negative situations and bad choices can result in pain pressure, and muscular tensions. People tend to overeat, or smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or use drugs to escape tension and stress in their lives and to relieve themselves of bodily pain.
Since Acupressure heightens body awareness and relieves tension, stress, and pain, it has the ability to break the vicious cycle of addiction. Rather than merely palliating the affects of drugs, acupressure reinforces circulation, helping a person escape the clutches of addiction bringing him back to the present moment. There are specific pressure points for boosting will power; improving self-confidence, self-esteem, and morale; lessening cravings; and restoring stability – all essential for combating addictions.
Back Care Acupressure Therapy
This type of therapy works extremely well for alleviating muscle tension in all regions of your back. Vital points can be found on the upper back and on both sides of the spine. For self back cure, lay your body down on two tennis balls tied in a sock. Lots of individuals savor the release of tension affiliated with painful sciatica and lower back pain problems. Self-acupressure, Thai Massage, Shiatsu, or Acupressure performed by a qualified therapist to relieve back pain can also be an ideal complement to chiropractic therapy. By toning and relaxing the back muscles, Acupressure can make the spinal adjustments more effective and much easier, and can even make the results of chiropractic last longer. The truth is both chiropractic and acupressure therapies were originally performed together in ancient China.
Better Sex
Sexology practices in Ancient China often used acupressure points to bolster sexual energy in lovemaking. Acupressure to help boost lovemaking also enhances sexual pleasure, sexual endurance, libido, and fertility. Couples can increase sexual desire by stimulating acupressure points with the secrets of touch, kisses, and full body embraces. Some acupressure points can rectify certain sexual problems such as sexual frustration, infertility, impotence, premature ejaculation, and low sexual desire. You can read acupressure books to know where and why sexual energy gets inhibited and what pressure points to stimulate use to release that energy.
Beauty Treatment
Important acupressure points have been used by the Chinese for thousands of years as a way to enhance physical beauty. Acupressure beauty therapy treatment can be used to increase circulation and enhance muscle tone in the face. The Heavenly Appearance and Facial Beauty acupressure points tone connective tissue and facial muscles and enhance the health of the skin. This reduces the sight of wrinkles without the need for surgery or drugs. The connective tissue is weakened after years of stretching and pulling the skin, loosening the skin. Combined with curative facial exercises, applying finger pressure on the Heavenly Appearance acupoints relaxes the muscles and opens up congested areas. This releases toxins which are then removed from the body, which obviously positively affects your outward appearance. The flow of chi of energy is increased through the stimulation of the acupressure points, resulting in an improvement of how you look and how you feel.
Pet Acupressure Can Be A Wonderful Experience For Animals And Pets
If you spend a lot of time at a veterinary practice, you may want to consider supplemental and alternative modes of treatment that you can give your pet. The healing technique of veterinary acupressure is something you can easily learn and self-perform on your animals and pets at home.
For ages, the Chinese have been treating their pets and animals quite successfully with acupressure: they were known to treat falcons, eagles and other birds of prey as well as horses with this basic procedure.
Qi is the life energy that flows within our bodies. It assists, energizes, and nourishes our skin, muscles, joints, tissues, and organs.
Qi flows throughout the body via energy channels called meridians. These channels are believed to be thought lines that radiate throughout the entire body. In some anatomically defined parts of the body, the meridians go up to the surface of the body where they are known as acupressure points.
Acupressure points are labeled by numbers and letters based on the location and channel they happen to lie on. When an acupoint is stimulated, through needle insertion or manual pressure, the brain and nervous system secretes endorphins and activates immune functions that lead to the alleviation of pain.
One form of treatment anyone can consider for their pets is Pet acupressure. It is fairly easy to learn and because it is extremely non-invasive, it can be used safely on pets and animals.
The energy channels and acupoints in acupressure are similar to acupuncture, although the point stimulation therapy is quite different. In point stimulation therapy you only use controlled pressure, or your hands, and fingers to release energy.
In acupressure, anatomical structures or organs that are near the surface of the body cannot be inadvertently injured; the same cannot be said when performing acupuncture therapy.
Animals that respond well to acupressure experience effects that are incredibly amazing. They will oftentimes experience significant natural relief of their pain and a sense of profound relaxation. Some pet owners also believe that acupressure is able to help establish a unique form of communication between them and their pet.
More often than not the effect of the relaxation even goes beyond the animal, most pet owners also feel relaxed when they see their pets feeling alright. Acupressure can also be used on humans to help them stay calm and to relieve their stress.
It definitely is a powerful but gentle treatment and endorsed by some vets to support recovery and healing from surgery, accident, or injury.
People who start performing acupressure on their own animals and pets report that they can understand their pets even better. If one learns to apply and practice it, they can almost “sense” the movement of Qi, which in itself can be an intensely wonderful feeling. It definitely brings them much closer to their pet than anything else!
Interestingly, some pet owners say that their pets seem to be trying to communicate with them. Some actually believe that their pets seem to come to them and ask for another round of treatment!
If one practices acupressure on a regular basis, they will find that this kind of non-verbal communication, while powerful and subjective, can enable them to sense medical problems and imbalances in their early stages.
This is good since it can help the veterinarian diagnose and treat the illness at an early stage which then means a lot less medical intervention is needed to resolve the problem.
Dr. Marco Dibonaventura – Board Certified Acupuncturist and Herbalist in King of Prussia, PA
Helpful Tips In Feng Shui Gardening
In Chinese, “wind and water” refers to Feng Shui. It is a very popular Chinese art of placement that has been practiced for thousands of years. In Feng Shui, the manner in which energy circulates through a home or garden has a positive or negative effect on the owner of the place.
These days, according to modern Feng Shui, business success, fame, and marital bliss can be affected in one way or another if, for example, the furniture is correctly placed in the home and/or the landscape design of a garden has a balanced Feng Shui.
Feng Shui experts such as Deborah Gee, has made a video to help people use and tie together chi properly. Chi is the “life force” in the universe, environment and the body. This notion of chi is a core principle of Feng Shui. To properly manage and use chi in a garden, handling of three basic elements is required:
1. Greenery – In Feng Shui, this may refer to anything which is green around or the green grass.
2. Mountains – This represents energy and can be symbolically manifested in tall trees, shrubbery, and raised planting beds.
3. Water – In Feng Shui, water is represents prosperity and wealth and is symbolized as fountains, streams, or ponds as well as rivers of stones.
Balance is one of the most important that is taken into consideration by Feng Shui experts. The three fundamental elements of greenery, mountains, and water and should be placed close to each other. Near pathways is where sharp items should be placed.
Sharp objects direct sharp chi at people who pass by and interrupts the circulation flow of energy in their bodies, which then causes a lot of tension and stress. Meandering or circular pathways in your garden are more ideal; sharp objects and straight pathways produce a wave of rapidly moving chi that that can lead a feeling of discomfort in people who pass these pathways.
A common mistake that a lot of garden designers make is creating a flat garden. When a garden is flat, it stifles the flow of energy in the garden. A garden with different layers and levels leads to a smooth flow of chi flow in the garden. In addition, a garden with many curves can help boost the flow of chi.
In Feng Shui gardening, one other important aspect to consider is the importance of the different areas of the garden. These various areas can be associated with certain aspects of one’s life. For instance, a garden’s far left corner can be related to wealth. A garden’s center can be related to fame and reputation while the far right corner is connected to the love life or marriage of a person. Chi is drawn to bright colors; therefore, planting purple, blue or red, flowers in a Feng Shui garden landscape can help increase the flow of chi.
Eastern Healing Solutions, LLC
10875 Grandview St #2200
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 549-4322
http://www.overlandparkacupuncturist.com