Desert Wisdom: Sayings From The Desert Fathers - Translation & Art by Yushi Nomura

Besides being used to classify and categorize various natural phenomena, Five Phase theory also makes use of several relationships which describe how these phases influence and interact with one another.

The first of these relationships is called the Generating Cycle (sometimes also referred to as the Creation Cycle)

By observing Nature

• Wood generates Fire by providing the fuel to be burned
• Fire generates Earth by producing wood ash which then enriches the soil
• Earth generates Metal by supplying the raw ore to be further refined
• Metal generates Water by attracting surface condensation of moisture
• Water generates Wood by nourishing the tree roots, and the entire cycle repeats

Although intended to be taken more symbolic than literal, the inter-relationships in Nature that are described by the Generating Cycle have much clinical value when applied to the human body.

For example, when dealing with health conditions such as asthma, allergies, or sinus problems, Traditional Chinese Medicine often focuses on the Lung system. However, treatment may also include working on the digestive system (known as the Spleen-Pancreas system in TCM), particularly in cases involving a buildup of mucous and phlegm, which is regarded as a byproduct of weak digestion.

This clinically useful approach can be explained by the Generating Cycle. Strengthening the Spleen-Pancreas to have a beneficial effect on the Lungs is applying the principle of Earth generating Metal.

The concept of the Generating Cycle is not unique to Eastern science; in Western science, this idea can be thought of as a positive-feedback loop. A common example of this would be the high-pitched squeal of feedback from a PA system where a microphone picks up sound from a speaker, amplifies it back into the sound system, out through the speaker again, and back into the microphone in a continuously repeating cycle.

In Western medicine, the positive-feedback loop is responsible for many biological processes. However, these types of systems tend to become unstable and escalate out of control without a feedback inhibition mechanism; in Five Phase theory this is called the Restraining Cycle and will be discussed in Part 3.

KoKoDo Shiatsu (“finger pressure”) massage deals with sickness, often regarded as a type of violence occurring inside the body, while KoKoDo Jujutsu (“gentle, yielding technique”) is a self-defense art to protect against violence and aggression, which is viewed as a type of sickness on the outside.

Many of the concepts and training methods used in KoKoDo are similar for both Shiatsu and Jujutsu, including:

Non-aggression

In KoKoDo Jujutsu, the aim is to neutralize an assailant’s strength and aggression while at the same time avoid causing any unnecessary harm or injury. This is not accomplished through brute force against force, but rather by the efficient use of proper technique and non-resistance in order to cancel and neutralize the attack.

Restoring health is similar, in that a person’s body often tends to react negatively and fight against aggressive forces and stresses encountered in life, whether it be physical, emotional, or environmental. Shiatsu, along with other forms of Eastern medicine such as acupuncture and moxibustion, work to gently nurture and guide a person back into a healthier state of balance.

Relaxation

KoKoDo Jujutsu requires the complete abandonment of physical strength, relying instead on relaxation and the proper use and focus of the mind and body. On the other hand, these techniques actually create tension, fear, and stress in the assailant through the application of joint manipulations, throws, and pressure points, essentially “short circuiting” their body and neutralizing the attack.

In a similar but opposite way, KoKoDo Shiatsu identifies areas of tension and stress stored up within a person. By treating and releasing these areas of blockages of the meridian system, blood and energy circulation is improved and the natural healing process is enhanced, helping a person return to a state of calmness and wellbeing.

Awareness

Cultivating an awareness of one’s surroundings is an important aspect of training in KoKoDo Jujutsu; by recognizing potential threats or dangers before they escalate, appropriate action can be taken and conflict can often be avoided.

KoKoDo Shiatsu can also create an increased state of awareness for a person and allow them to become more in touch with their own body and surrounding environment. By recognizing early signs of imbalance, more positive changes in health can be made.

For more information about the art of KoKoDo, please visit Sadohana Dojo

Ueshiba Morihei – The Art of Peace

One of the unique aspects of Traditional Oriental Medicine is the concept that human beings are a microcosm of the universe. By careful observation of the relationships and interactions occurring in Nature, this knowledge can then be applied to the human body for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of health problems.

Based on this Eastern approach of observing natural phenomena, one of the most important theories in Traditional Japanese acupuncture and shiatsu is that of the “Five Phases of Transformation”, sometimes also referred to as the Five Elements.

Like the theory of Yin – Yang, or polar opposites, Five Phase theory was originally taken from ancient Chinese science and philosophy and was important in everyday life, from farming and agriculture to military strategy and the martial arts.

Five Phase theory demonstrates dynamic processes of transformation and change within Nature, with these phases being traditionally classified as Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.

For example, the Wood phase relates to centrifugal movement, similar to the sprouting new growth of plant life in the springtime. In addition, during this time of year the wind comes from the eastern part of China and the green and unripe fruits growing in the region have a sour taste. In Eastern medicine, the Liver corresponds to the Wood phase because of its quality of helping the blood circulation spread outwards throughout the body, especially that of supplying nourishment to the tendons and ligaments which control the movements of the muscles. Finally, a severe windstorm can cause massive destruction, similar to how the Liver’s associated emotion of anger and rage can easily become unrestrained.

Fire, with its image of flickering flames, is associated with the southern part of China and its hot tropical summer climate. In addition, extreme heat burns and scorches food, producing bitter flavours. The Heart corresponds to the Fire phase, as it regulates the circulation throughout the blood vessels and its associated emotion is mania and overexcitement, resembling a fire burning out of control.

The Earth phase has a stable quality to it and describes the central agricultural regions of China with their damp paddy fields, filled with rich and nourishing yellow mud, being harvested in the late summertime. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the digestive system of the Spleen-Pancreas is a central foundation to good health, and the sweet flavour of rice and other whole grains are nourishing for the muscles. A healthy and stable Earth phase results in someone who is “grounded” whereas an imbalance produces worry and overthinking.

Metal ore is found in the arid desert mountains of western China, with the autumn season being especially dry in the region. The Lungs are associated with this phase, the actions of inhalation and exhalation resembling that of bellows used in forging and metalwork. The skin is regarded as being a “third lung” supporting the respiratory system and the corresponding emotion is that of sadness and grief.

Water, the fifth and final phase, has the characteristics of dissolving and sinking and is associated with the cold, dark, ocean waters to the north, especially in the wintertime. In the body, the Water phase is regulated and kept in balance by the Kidneys, and the mineral-rich salty flavour of seaweed helps to nourish and strengthen the bones.

The above table summarizes some of the qualities associated with the Five Phases and demonstrates how a wide range of natural phenomena can be categorized.

However, the true value and purpose of the Five Phase theory is in observing how these systems influence and interact with each other throughout all of Nature. In turn, this knowledge can then be applied to the human body and is discussed in more detail in Part 2.

Fortunately, these practitioners are promoting a return to a more hands on approach for diagnosis and treatment, skills that have long been valued in the Eastern systems of healthcare.

Palpation, or examining by touch, is still 1 of the 4 main methods of diagnosis used in Traditional Japanese acupuncture (particularly the styles collectively known as Keiraku Chiryo, or Meridian Therapy).

As part of palpation diagnosis, areas of the body, especially the abdomen, back, and extremities, are examined during acupuncture and shiatsu treatment for various changes including:

• tenderness and pain
• tension and areas of hardness
• slackness and areas of weakness
• temperature differences
• skin moisture or dryness
• other palpatory findings

These changes often correspond to specific acupuncture points or meridian pathways, and provide guidance to the acupuncturist during treatments.

It is interesting to note that even for health conditions that are primarily emotional, such as anxiety or depression, the body will still manifest specific patterns that can be physically observed through the sense of touch.

As our society becomes more and more technologically based, Traditional Oriental Medicine wisely reminds us of the importance and value of human touch in our lives.

In Part 1, it was seen how all natural phenomena can be classified into opposite pairs of Yin & Yang, and Part 2 described how these opposite pairs can influence each other in sickness or health.

Another aspect of Yin – Yang is that of constant change – nothing in nature is truly static and unchanging but instead is always in a state of transformation from one extreme towards the other. When these changes occur within set boundaries, it produces stability and order rather than instability and chaos.

A common example of this would be the regulation of your body temperature. Although it normally appears to be stable, the temperature is in fact constantly increasing and decreasing within a small range, similar to how a thermostat controls a heater.

In Western medicine, this concept is known as homeostasis and is responsible for keeping all of your body’s systems in healthy balance between extremes, ranging from the oxygen – carbon dioxide levels of the respiratory system to the acid – base pH of the blood.

Diet, lifestyle, emotions – so many various factors can have an influence on a person’s health, and the more out of balance things become the greater the tendency to fluctuate between extremes of Yin & Yang in order to maintain equilibrium.

For instance, if someone suffers from fatigue they may tend to overuse artificial stimulants such as sugar, caffeine, or other drugs to regain their energy, often beginning the cycle of highs followed with the crashing lows. Another example would be a menopausal women suffering from hot flashes, as the extreme heat and night sweats is often followed by cold chills.

A large part of the focus of Eastern Medicine, whether through acupuncture, shiatsu massage, herbal medicine, or other treatment modalities, is to help regulate the various systems of the body and allow the person to return to a healthy state of balance.

Improving your health is an ongoing process of change, a constant journey of small positive steps.

Although this is one possible approach to preventive medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine tends to take a different view. In TCM, high cholesterol generally falls under the broad disease category known as “Phlegm” and is considered to be a type of toxin buildup in the body. This is usually a result of a poorly functioning digestive system along with improper diet.

Some of the most common foods that increase Phlegm include highly processed items such as white flour and refined sugar, along with animal products in general, and eggs and dairy in particular.

It is interesting to note that in people with allergies, these common trigger foods will often create “visible phlegm” that collects in the respiratory system and manifests as nasal congestion or even coughing up of phlegm and mucous. However, in the case of high cholesterol, TCM views this as a form of “invisible phlegm” which becomes trapped in the body and collects inside the blood vessels.

By minimizing these types of Phlegm-producing foods in our diet, significant changes can often be seen in cholesterol levels. In addition, by taking steps to strengthen the digestive system, further improvements to our health can be made.

Its opposite condition is known as “Blood Stagnation” (or “Blood Stasis”) and is a concept unique to Traditional Oriental Medicine with no direct equivalent in Western Medicine. Blood Stagnation can be thought of as Blood that is no longer able to function as Blood. It is not circulating properly within the body and instead will actually create problems and disease.

One simple example of this would be the case of trauma suffered from a sports injury. The purple discoloration from the bruising that occurs is blood that has leaked out from the blood vessels, and is no longer available for use by the body.

Blood Stagnation is commonly associated with an extremely wide range of symptoms, including:

• heart problems such as arteriosclerosis & hypertension
• pressure sensation in the chest
• shoulder & upper/mid back stiffness
• dry mouth
• rough & dry skin
• liver disease such as hepatitis
• chronic constipation
• sciatica & lower back pain
• varicose veins
• cold sensation in the body, especially the lower back, legs, & feet, sometimes accompanied by heat sensation in the upper part of the body & face

Many gynecological health problems are also often seen in cases of Blood Stasis, including:

• irregular menstrual periods
• painful periods (dysmenorrhea)
• ovarian cysts
• uterine fibroids
• infertility or miscarriage
• other hormone imbalances

Besides the various symptoms that usually accompany Blood Stagnation, other methods are also used to confirm the diagnosis. For example, when examining the abdomen during acupuncture treatment, oftentimes there will be tenderness to the touch, especially either under the ribcage area or in the lower abdomen.

There are many combinations of factors that can lead to Blood Stasis, including infections, trauma & accidents, chronic Liver problems, and irregular menstrual cycles.

Some people also tend to have an hereditary predisposition which leaves them more susceptible towards this condition.

Finally, emotional disturbances, especially repressed anger, is another common contributing issue that needs to be considered when treating Blood Stagnation.

Tips for Reducing Blood Stagnation

1. Take care of your injuries – Bumps, bruises, sprains, fractures, surgeries – these are all forms of trauma to the body. However, Blood Stasis can take many years to develop before manifesting as health problems, so it’s important not to neglect or inadequately treat injuries at the time they occur.
2. Moxibustion – a form of heat therapy using the burning leaf of the Mugwort plant, moxa is often recommended for home treatment and when used on certain acupuncture points, has a regulating effect on the body’s Blood circulation. In the case of trauma & injuries, it can be used to facilitate the healing process and helps to prevent Blood Stasis from developing in the injured areas.
3. Relax the back – in acupuncture & shiatsu, the area between the shoulder blades contains vital points that correspond to the Heart and Liver systems, two of the most important organs involved with regulating Blood circulation. This region, especially in situations of Blood Stagnation caused by emotional stress, tends to become tight and constricted if left untreated. As the area becomes more relaxed, accompanying symptoms will often improve as well.

A keen awareness of our environment, both internal and external, is also an important concept in Traditional Oriental Medicine. Because symptoms are viewed as being the result of imbalances in the body, becoming more aware of ourselves and what creates these imbalances in our lives can be useful for improving our health.

Various factors can affect our health, such as:

• type of work we do
• location & climate we live in
• seasonal weather changes throughout the year
• thoughts & emotions, especially those that tend to be repressed
• daily eating habits
• exercise type and frequency
• trauma & accidents

One suggestion for people suffering from chronic health problems is to keep a health journal. By tracking changes on a day to day basis, patterns can often be discovered, such as certain trigger factors that tend to make symptoms better or worse.

Positive changes can then be made based on these observations. For example, if a person’s back pain tends to become more noticeable towards the end of the work week, then perhaps certain postures or movements at their workplace can be improved such as repositioning their computer screen or adjusting what type of chair they use. For others, perhaps they notice their hay fever allergies improve when they have been eating less dairy products and so know to minimize or avoid this in their diet to help prevent flareups.

Sickness can often be a wake up call to become more aware of ourselves and our health, and even if we are in relatively good health, maintaining awareness in our lives can help us to stay that way.

The main use of Dates in Traditional Oriental Medicine is to strengthen and support the digestive system. Some of the symptoms commonly associated with weak digestion include fatigue & general weakness, poor absorption of nutrients, a reduced appetite, and a tendency towards loose bowels & diarrhea.

Adding Dates as part of one’s regular diet can help to improve digestion and increase the body’s ability to make better use of the other foods and nutrients that one eats.

Because some herbs can be difficult to digest, many of the herbal formulas used in Chinese Medicine contain Dates to assist with absorption of the medicinal ingredients while also helping to prevent any stomach upsets or other similar side effects.

When eating Dates on their own, a typical dosage would be about 3 – 10 per day. They may also be added to soups & stews.

If Chinese Dates are unavailable, other types of dates such as the Mediterranean varieties may be used instead. However, because these tend to be much sweeter than the Chinese ones, the dosage should be reduced accordingly.

“Blood Deficiency” is a concept unique to Traditional Chinese Medicine and can be thought of as a decreased ability of the Blood to provide the proper nourishment to the rest of the body.

Although somewhat similar in idea to anemia, Blood Deficiency encompasses a much broader range of symptoms, and Eastern Medicine relies on its own methods of diagnosis rather than blood tests to evaluate and treat this condition.

Some of the more common symptoms associated with Blood Deficiency include:

• fatigue & chronic tiredness
• pale complexion
• dry hair & skin
• brittle nails
• blurred vision & “floaters” in the eyes
• poor memory
• depression
• insomnia, especially difficulty in falling asleep

Other cases sometimes include symptoms such as:

• muscle spasms & cramps
• numbness in the limbs
• dizziness & vertigo

In addition, women may experience:

• scanty or irregular menstrual periods
• infertility or miscarriage

In Traditional Chinese Medicine physiology, the digestive system (often referred to as the Spleen-Pancreas system) is responsible for manufacturing the Blood, while the Liver system is the one that stores, distributes, and regulates the Blood flow throughout the entire body, so treatment of Blood Deficiency usually focuses on supporting both of these systems.

There are many different factors that can contribute to a Blood Deficient condition.

Improper diet is one common cause. Vegetarians are especially susceptible to this, and should make sure to add adequate amounts of Blood-nourishing foods to their diet.

Because of their connection to the Liver according to TCM theory, overuse of the tendons and the eyes is another common cause, and is frequently seen in athletes who over train their bodies or students who do a lot of computer work or reading.

Prolonged bleeding, especially menstrual or gastrointestinal bleeding disorders, may also lead to a Blood Deficient condition, but of course the underlying cause of the bleeding needs to be addressed first.

Tips for Nourishing the Blood

1. Add some berries – Gou Qi Zi, better known as the Goji berry, is one of the more famous Chinese herbs used for nourishing the Blood. However, other dark berries are also beneficial, including blueberries and blackberries.
2. Blackstrap molasses – rich in iron and other minerals, taking about 1 tablespoon a day on a regular basis can help to give the blood a boost.
3. Green protein – especially good for vegetarians and people who engage in a lot of physical activity, foods such as spirulina and chlorella can be important additions to the diet when dealing with Blood Deficiency. Chlorophyll, the substance that gives these foods their green colour, has often been referred to as “plant hemoglobin” for its close resemblance in composition to blood. In addition, the protein provides the building blocks necessary for helping to rebuild and strengthen the blood.

As a New Year begins, many of us tend to make resolutions for ourselves, whether it’s losing weight, getting in better shape, or improving our overall health.

Unfortunately, most resolutions – however good-intentioned they may begin – don’t seem to last for very long. Our modern society, with a focus on quick fixes, immediate results, and instant gratification, makes it easy to fall back into old habits and patterns.

In the East, a different approach to self-improvement is taken. In fact, much could actually be learned from the Japanese manufacturing field where they used a concept known as kaizen to become world leaders in the automotive and electronics industries.

Rather than looking for huge breakthroughs and dramatic progress, kaizen is an approach to improving overall quality by making small, continuous improvements in day-to-day tasks. Over a period of time, these small, seemingly insignificant changes add up and the entire production line and final end product achieves a much higher level of quality.

A similar method can also be applied to our own health resolutions and help us reach our goals:

1. Small changes – although dramatic changes may seem more exciting, it’s the daily mundane details that usually have the greatest impact on us. Going for a 15 minute walk at lunch hour or doing some deep breathing for 5 minutes before sleep may not seem like much, but it’s small changes like these that can add up throughout the day.

2. Continuous improvement – once we’ve added a few good habits and made them a regular part of our daily lives, we can always look for a few more to add, being aware that trying to start too many at once can be overwhelming.

3. Long-term commitment – because smaller changes don’t tend to be as noticeable, we need to give ourselves time to see the results. Health problems rarely happen overnight – they usually develop over a period of time, and the same is true of good health.

]]> http://www.ayacupuncture.com/blog/220/healthy-habits/feed/ 2 http://www.ayacupuncture.com/blog/78/stress-an-eastern-perspective/ http://www.ayacupuncture.com/blog/78/stress-an-eastern-perspective/#comments Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:07:58 +0000 Avery Yackel http://www.ayacupuncture.com/blog/?p=78 Although stress seems to be just an accepted part of everyday living in our modern society, it certainly is nothing new. In fact, one of the oldest Chinese medical textbooks, written over 2,000 years ago, was advising people on how to lower their stress levels so that they could live healthier and better lives.

In Eastern medicine, stress can be roughly categorized into 2 types – physical and emotional – although there is quite a bit of overlap between them because Traditional Oriental Medicine views the body, mind, and spirit as being inter-related to each other.

Physical stress can be caused by many factors, including overwork, not enough rest, environmental toxins, and simply pushing the body too much.

In terms of acupuncture theory, it is the Kidney system which is mostly affected by prolonged physical stress. In Eastern medicine, when talking about the Kidney meridian system, it relates not only to the urinary and reproductive organs, but also encompasses aspects of the entire endocrine system, including the adrenal glands.

Adrenal burnout is a relatively new medical term, but the symptoms are very similar to those classically described in Chinese medicine as “Kidney Deficiency“:

• chronic fatigue
• poor memory & concentration
• blood sugar imbalances
• lower back pain
• blood circulatory problems
• weight gain / loss
• hormonal imbalances

On the other hand, the second main type of stress – emotional stress – affects mostly the Liver meridian system, which in Eastern medicine includes not only the liver organ, but other related functions including blood circulation throughout the body, as well as the connective tissue and tendons.

Symptoms of this emotional stress on the Liver system can include things such as:

• anxiety & depression
• anger & irritability
• poor blood circulation
• menstrual problems
• headaches
• neck & shoulder pain
• digestive issues

Unfortunately, stress will always be a part of our lives, although efforts should be made to reduce it whenever possible. However, helping to regulate and strengthen the Liver and Kidney systems can be useful in allowing us to better cope with our stress and stay healthier.

Tips for dealing with Stress

1. Eat some seaweed – regularly adding moderate amounts of various seaweeds to your diet can be useful in strengthening the Kidney system. Some varieties commonly available include kelp, dulse, nori, and wakame, which can easily be added to soups and other recipes.
2. Breathe deep – besides being useful in calming down the mind when stressed, slow and deep abdominal breathing has other health benefits in regulating the Liver & Kidney systems. Focused breathing into the lower abdomen can help reduce neck and shoulder tension as well as improve overall blood circulation. One simple method that can easily be done at night when lying down in bed is to place both hands, one on top of the other, just slightly below the navel. Concentrate the mind on where the hands are places. On the inhale, imagine the sensation of a balloon gently inflating beneath the hands, and on the exhale, it should be a feeling of gently deflating. Let the inhalation last for approximately 4 – 6 seconds, and the exhalation for 6 – 8 seconds. Even just 5 or 10 minutes of daily breathing practice can have noticeable and beneficial results.

To add further to this concept is what can be described as the “see-saw” effect – when one side of something increases, the opposite side tends to decrease in the opposite direction.

In Eastern science, this was most clearly seen observing things in nature such as the sun and moon – as the sun came up in the morning, the moon lowered below the horizon, and mid-day was the brightest when the sun reached the highest point in the sky. The exact opposite then happened as the sun disappeared below the horizon and the moon came up and reached its peak at night.

Although it appears to be a simple concept, it has extremely important clinical value in acupuncture. One common example of this is in the treatment of migraine headaches. The acupuncture pathway usually corresponding to the headaches is called the Gallbladder meridian – this pathway starts at the eyes, travels through the temple area and the sides of the head, down the neck and the tops of the shoulders, and then down the body and legs, ending at the feet. In Traditional Oriental Medicine, it views migraine headaches as usually being caused by stagnant and congested circulation along this Gallbladder pathway.

Treatment is often focused on its opposite pair, which in this case is the Liver system. By working to strengthen the Liver, the see-saw effect is achieved: the Liver becomes stronger, in essence siphoning off the excess that had been trapped in the Gallbladder pathway. As both systems reach a better state of balance, the symptoms of the migraine headaches tend to improve as well.

Other health problems are viewed in a similar way – strengthening the weak areas of the body, and calming down the tense ones. As a healthier state of equilibrium is reached, the body is then better able to recover and heal itself.

What kinds of things in your life are creating imbalance in your health?

Fortunately, the Eastern medical approach can be very useful in the treatment of these kinds of injuries and pain, allowing us to recover faster and get back to our activities.

In order to better follow this approach, it’s useful to understand how Traditional Chinese Medicine views health and injury in terms of the acupuncture meridian system.

Because much of ancient China was an agricultural society, many of the concepts pertaining to this meridian system were traditionally described as being like a network of irrigation channels providing water and nutrients to the surrounding farmland.

In a similar way, the acupuncture meridians of the body can be thought of as an interconnected system of pathways bringing energy, blood, and nourishment to every area of the body, both internally to the organs and externally to the bones, tendons, muscles, connective tissue, and skin.

With injuries such as sprains, strains, fractures, or other similar trauma, these meridians can also get damaged, with their flow becoming impeded.

In Eastern medicine, physical traumatic injuries can usually be classified under the 2 general categories know as “Energy Stagnation” and “Blood Stasis“, although in real life, most injuries tend to have aspects of both.

Energy Stagnation refers to when the flow of energy through a meridian pathway becomes disturbed, similar to a river of water coming to a turbulent stretch of whitewater rapids. A common example of this would be when perhaps starting a new type of sports activity or exercise routine and then feeling sore and achy the next day. Pain of this type is usually a more generalized feeling and tends to move around. It typically responds well to some gentle stretching and movements to help encourage the flow of energy through the affected areas.

On the other hand, Blood Stasis is a more severe blockage of the meridians affecting the blood circulation in the local and surrounding regions, much like a river of water becoming dammed up and blocked. A common example of this would be spraining a joint or breaking a bone, where the pain is more focused into a fixed location. Swelling and bruising often occurs, and the pain is usually much more intense. In fact, Blood Stasis pain, in its most severe form, is classically described as feeling like being stabbed with a red-hot knife.

As mentioned, most injuries tend to involve blockages of both energy and blood, so treatment usually focuses on reducing inflammation and improving the circulation in the affected area, thereby allowing the body’s natural healing process to occur more efficiently.

Tips for healing and recovering from sports injuries

1. Heat or Cold? – Although using ice, especially in the first 24 – 48 hours of an injury, can be useful for dealing with the initial pain and swelling, in the Eastern medicine view it’s regarded as actually slowing down the long-term healing process. Muscles, tendons, and bones all rely on good energy and blood circulation to be healthy, and this is even more important when recovering from an injury. The Eastern approach is to use Heat for most types of injuries, and the treatment of choice is Moxibustion, a form of heat therapy using the leaf of the Mugwort plant. The heat from the burning Moxa, along with certain chemicals in the herb that get absorbed into the affected area, is useful in reducing pain and inflammation as well as promoting the healing process.
2. Rub it in – Traditional Oriental Medicine has a long history of using herbs, not just internally, but topically as well, especially when dealing with external traumatic injuries. Various herbal formulas, usually oil or alcohol based, applied several times a day to the site of the injury, can be quite helpful in reducing pain and swelling while also promoting circulation to the affected area.

Yin – Yang is actually a concept that comes from ancient Chinese science and philosophy and was an important part of their approach to viewing nature. Originally meaning “the shady side of the mountain” and “the sunny side of the mountain”, Yin and Yang came to symbolize opposing forces of Nature, such as:

• Moon & Sun
• Winter & Summer
• Darkness & Light
• Water & Fire

(It is interesting to note that much of Western science is also based on this concept, such as positive & negative terminals for electricity, north & south poles for magnetism, acids & bases for chemistry, etc.)

This Eastern way of categorizing everything in Nature as Yin and Yang was later introduced into their system of medicine, and is one of the main ways that both sickness and health is analyzed.

Although at first glance Yin – Yang theory appears to be a very simple and basic idea, it is one of the most important concepts in Traditional Oriental Medicine, including acupuncture and shiatsu treatments.

An example of using these opposite-quality pairings can be seen when treating someone experiencing pain:

• is the pain acute or chronic?
• is it at a fixed location or does it move around?
• is the pain sharp and piercing or more of a dull ache?
• does it improve with rest or with movement?
• is it better with heat or cold?

Because health problems are regarded as an imbalance in the body, treatment is intended to bring a person back into a healthy state of balance thereby allowing their body to heal itself. For acupuncture, this can be viewed as regulating the meridian energy pathways that flow throughout the body – some of them may be weak and need to be strengthened and nourished, while others are stagnant and blocked and need to flow better.

However, it’s also important to realize that everything we do in life can also be categorized in a similar way, and that nothing can truly be considered as neutral – it’s either creating balance or imbalance in our lives.

As you go about your daily routine this week, why not try to take some time just to observe how you respond to various things such as:

• the foods you eat or crave
• how much sleep you get
• the thoughts in your head
• your work environment
• the people you spend most of your time with
• your posture throughout the day
• exercise habits

Can you identify anything that’s helping to improve your health, or is there something contributing to the problem?

Eastern Medicine also places great emphasis on the Heart system and in fact describes it as being like the Emperor of the body – all of the other organ systems are there to work for and support the health of the Heart, as without healthy blood and energy circulation disease soon follows.

The Heart is vitally important in Traditional Oriental Medicine, not only for proper circulation but also for mental and emotional well-being. The Spirit, or Shen as it’s known in Chinese, is regarded as literally residing inside the physical heart.

Many everyday expressions in the English language also demonstrate this close connection between the Heart and Spirit:

• to express heart-felt appreciation for something
• to have a heart-to-heart talk with a friend
• to have your heart set on something
• to love someone with all of your heart
• to die of a broken heart

All of these expressions convey a deep sense of meaning that reaches into the inner core of a person.

The Heart system is also often traditionally described as being like Fire – just like the Sun provides warmth and energy for life here on Earth, the Heart also gives warmth and energy to the body to support life.

However, Fire can sometimes get out of control and when it does, things tend to overheat. The same thing can also happen in the body. When the Heart system becomes diseased and out of balance, it can “overheat” – resulting in physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, and a rapid or irregular heartbeat.

This Heat can also affect the mental aspect of the Heart and cause a disturbance of the Shen, or Spirit. In mild cases, this may cause problems including insomnia or vivid dreams that disturb the sleep. In more severe cases, it may manifest as mental illness, such as schizophrenia or the manic phase associated with bipolar disorder.

With such a wide range and important effect on the overall mental and physical health of a person, the Heart system truly is the Emperor of the body, and we should do everything we can to ensure its good health.

Some conditions often related to the Heart

• angina
• heart attack
• hypertension
• tachycardia
• arrhythmia
• palpitations
• anxiety
• insomnia
• agitation
• mental illness

Tips for keeping the Heart healthy

1. Calm your mind – various contemplative practices, including deep breathing exercises and meditation, can help to calm the Spirit. Modern society tends to bombard us with information and sensory overload from the outside, while on the inside, our own minds race with incessant chatter that never seems to stop. Taking just a few minutes every day to allow the mind to quietly settle down can have a positive effect on your overall health.
2. Work on your upper back – the back, especially the area starting at the top of the shoulders and extending down between the shoulder blades, is an extremely important region of the body in Traditional Chinese Medicine. There are vital acupuncture points here that connect directly with the Heart and affect the blood and energy circulation to the rest of the body. People suffering from heart problems almost always have rigid and inflexible upper backs and should work on relaxing and improving their flexibility.

Mint, or Bo He as it’s known in Chinese, is quite useful for the treatment of a sore throat. In Eastern Medicine, sore throats are usually viewed as Heat becoming trapped in the acupuncture meridians which travel through the throat area.

Treatment, whether through acupuncture or herbal medicine, is aimed at promoting the flow of energy in these meridians in order to release this stagnant Heat.

The pungent and cooling properties of mint, either alone or in combination with other medicinal herbs, can be helpful in relieving cases of sore throat, especially those brought on by a cold or flu.

To brew mint tea, use 1 – 2 Tablespoons of mint leaf and steep in 1 cup of hot water for about 5 minutes. Be sure not to cook it for too long, otherwise the volatile oils which contain most of the medicinal properties may evaporate. Several cups of the tea may be sipped throughout the day as needed.

So next time you are starting to feel a sore throat coming on, try mint tea to bring some relief.

Words quite familiar to most dieters. However, in Traditional Oriental Medicine, the approach to weight loss is quite different.

According to Eastern Medicine, the digestive system, referred to as the Spleen-Pancreas system, includes many other organs such as the stomach and intestines and has the 2 primary functions of “Transformation” and “Transportation“.

The Transformation function refers to the process of breaking down food, digesting it, and absorbing the nutrients – taking food and transforming it into usable energy for the body, a view quite similar to the Western understanding of the digestive system.

On the other hand, the Transportation function of the Spleen-Pancreas system is more unique to Traditional Chinese Medicine and refers to how fluids are kept in balance throughout the body. Under normal healthy conditions, fluids are extracted from food during the Transformation process and are then transported to the various parts of the body to be used as needed, with the rest being removed as waste.

However, when this Transformation function is weakened and no longer properly processing these fluids, some of the excess can get trapped in the body, creating a condition referred to as “Dampness” which can manifest in various ways, including being stored as excess body weight.

Treatment to help lose weight, whether through acupuncture, herbal medicine, or dietary and lifestyle changes, is based on a two-fold approach of strengthening the digestive system as well as helping to directly get rid of the excess Dampness being stored in the body.

Certain foods can assist the body in draining this Dampness and should be emphasized in the diet, while other foods actually contribute to the problem and should be minimized or avoided altogether.

Incorporating small positive changes into your lifestyle and diet can assist you in achieving lasting improvements in your health as well as maintaining a healthier weight for yourself.

Tips for assisting Weight Loss

1. Don’t skip meals – having irregular eating patterns or skipping meals entirely, especially breakfast, can weaken the digestive system and should be avoided. Eating smaller, more regular meals can actually assist with losing weight. A good rule of thumb that many people find useful is to eat before you’re extremely hungry, but stop before you are completely full. It was traditionally advised to only eat until you are 4/5 full.
2. Slow down and chew well – thoroughly chewing your food allows the digestive system to work more efficiently – you’ll end up eating less food but absorbing more nutrition.

Foods to Add (Strengthen the Spleen-Pancreas)

• whole grains, especially oats, rye, & amaranth
• legumes, especially adzuki, lentils, & mung
• vegetables, especially celery, lettuce, radish, kohlrabi, & turnip
• kelp & kombu seaweed

Foods to Avoid (Remove Dampness)

• refined sugar & flour
• artificial sweeteners
• animal products in general, but eggs & dairy in particular
• refined oils, including margarine & shortening

In a particular section of this acupuncture textbook, the Emperor was asking his court physician why people of their day weren’t living as long, compared to those of ancient China.

His doctor replied:

“These days, people have changed their way of life. They drink wine as though it were water, indulge excessively in destructive activities, and deplete their energy… Seeking emotional excitement and momentary pleasures, people disregard the natural rhythm and order of the universe. They fail to regulate their lifestyle and diet, and sleep improperly. So it is not surprising that they look old at fifty and die soon after.”

This description, written over 2,000 years ago, sounds much like our own current situation and the doctor’s advice seems just as relevant for today’s society:

“Previously, people led a calm and honest existence, detached from undue desire and ambition… They were active, but never depleted themselves. Because they lived simply, these individuals knew contentment, as reflected in their diet of basic but nourishing foods and attire that was appropriate to the season… Since they were happy with their position in life, they did not feel jealousy or greed. They had compassion for others and were helpful and honest… They treated others justly, regardless of their level of intelligence or social position… They avoided over-stressing their bodies and minds, and refrained from overindulgence of all kinds. They maintained well-being of body and mind; thus, it is not surprising that they lived over one hundred years.”

Living simply and in moderation – as we face the challenges of life, this advice seems even more important than ever. As more of us search for solutions to improving and maintaining our good health, the time-tested wisdom of Traditional Oriental Medicine is able to continue to lead us into healthier and more balanced lives.