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Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture literally means 'needle piercing," the practice of inserting very fine needles into the skin to stimulate specific anatomic points in the body (called acupoints or acupuncture points) for therapeutic purposes. Along with the usual method of puncturing the skin with the fine needles, the practitioners of acupuncture also use heat, pressure, friction, suction, or impulses of electromagnetic energy to stimulate the points. The acupoints (acupuncture points) are stimulated to balance the movement of energy (qi) in the body to restore health.
Acupuncture involves stimulating. In the past 40 years acupuncture has become a well-known, reasonably available treatment in developed and developing countries. Acupuncture is used to regulate or correct the flow of qi to restore health.
To really understand how acupuncture works, it is necessary to become familiar with the basics of Chinese philosophy. The philosophies of the Dao or Tao, yin and yang, the eight principles, the three treasures and the five elements are all fundamental to traditional Chinese acupuncture and its specific role in helping to maintain good health and a person's well-being.
What is Acupressure?
Acupressure is an ancient healing art developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body's life force energy to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses gentle but firm pressure.
Energy Work: The most potent form of energy work uses acupressure points. Energy (know as Chi or Qi) flows most freely when you touch, press, or hold the points in bodywork. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) these healing points are the gateways to the body's life energy force. This universal energy source is also the basis of the Martial Arts and Healing Arts. The flow of this vital healing energy governs blood circulation and the function and balance of the human body. Studying the location and how to touch these acupuncture points is key to transformational energy work and massage therapy.
Advantages of using acupressure include relieving pain, balancing the body and maintaining good health. The healing touch of acupressure reduces tension, increases circulation, and enables the body to relax deeply. By relieving stress, acupressure strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness.Several kinds of acupressure are taught at the Institute all using the same ancient trigger points. Varying rhythms, pressures, and techniques create different styles of acupressure. Shiatsu, for instance, the most well-known style of acupressure, can be quite vigorous, with firm pressure applied to each point for only three to five seconds, while the Jin Shin style of acupressure gently holds each point for a minute or more. We teach a variety of bodywork styles along with massage on tables and floor mats. Our graduates are encouraged to integrate hands-on techniques for enhancing and individualizing their sessions.
The History of Acupressure
Acupressure has been around in this world for an unknown number of years now. It is a science that has been existing in different parts of the world for many years, but as of today, it exists mainly in Asian countries like India, China, Japan, and Korea.
There is no specific place or country where it evolved. The techniques of acupressure differ not only from country to country, but also from city to city in a same country and in a same state. So there isn't one definite technique that is used by all people. Acupressure once was a very common science that everybody used to treat medical problems, but with the invasion of western medicine and fast working pills, a vast majority of the people switched from acupressure to allopathy. Today, very few people in the world use this science as a source of curing medical problems.
Needles? No!
Usually, when I talk about acupressure to people, they almost always associate it with needles. That is why, I thought of writing something about this misconception. Needles are used in acupuncture. The treatment of points in acupressure is done simply by the use of thumbs. The points are pressed, rather than being punctured. Based on my knowledge, I have to say that pressure is more effective that puncture. One, because there are no chances whatsoever of side effects. The use of needles can be harmful if they are not punctured correctly into the body. This chance of errors does not come into the picture with acupressure. Second, when the pressure is given with the use of thumbs, an exchange of energy occurs. So, for instance, if one person is pressing the points for someone, his energy is transferred into the patient's body, giving him/her a boost of energy flow. NOTE - This does not mean that the one doing the points is losing energy!
The Power of Pulse Reading
The most important concept of acupressure is pulse reading. A pulse as in acupressure is defined as a point in the arm that can be felt to determine the flow of energy in a meridian. Pulses are imaginary, just like the meridians. There are nine different pulses that are located in the lower arm area that connects to the wrist. Each pulse has two phases: superficial and deep. If the pulse is absent in the superficial phase, it can be found in the deep phase. Usually, if a pulse is absent in the superficial phase, it indicates that there is a problem in that particular meridian. Deep pulses are usually very hard to locate and if the deep pulse is also absent, the person is said to be in the most severe stage of the problem.
Pulse reading is done by feeling the pulse and following the rhythm, beat, speed, and the characteristic feeling of the pulse. Some pulses have a "spurt" like feeling, while some have a "drop" or a miss in the beat. Some feel like the movement of a snake. Some pulses move fast while others have a slower beat. These are just some of the many things that acupressurists look for when they read pulses. Suppose a person is suffering from a heart problem. The circulation pulse of this person would be found in the superficial phase and there would be a drop found in the pulse after every ten beats. This is just one example of the diagnostic techniques used in acupressure. Problems like arthritis, asthma, menstrual irregularity, indigestion, and many similar problems can be diagnosed by pulse reading. The doctor who taught acupressure and pulse reading to me can even diagnose cancer, and AIDS by just reading the nine pulses located on the arm.
Face Reading
Face reading is not a derivative of acupressure, but it helps in diagnosing a problem. Face reading in acupressure, again, is not spiritual or magical. It is backed up by scientific evidence and the WHO recognizes it. The human face can show many signs that indicate that the person has some health problem. Most of us are familiar with signs like blackness under the eyes, oily skin, pimples, lines on the forehead, and bulging eyes. Each of these indicates a specific health problem. Lines on the forehead indicate that the person is highly depressed; bulging eyes indicate hormonal problem (specifically thyroid); oily skin and pimples again indicated some hormonal imbalance. There are a lot of other signs that signify a specific health problem. Face reading cannot be used to determine the root cause, and since acupressurists are interested in the root cause, they have to do pulse reading to get to the main problem. So, in essence, face reading helps the acupressurist to at least guess the superficial problem at the first sight of the patient.
Ayurveda TIPS
Kichadi, Kitcheree, Kicharee
Kichadi
(no matter how you spell it) is traditionally used as a cleansing dish for the time when someone is preparing the body for purification with Pancha Karma. It may, however, be eaten at any time by anyone. The combination of rice and mung beans provides a complete protein and is easily digested. You will find many dishes that go by the name of kichadi; the spices that are used may vary according to season and taste, but the main ingredients of rice and beans remain the same. The following recipe is my personal favorite.
1 cup basmati rice
1 cup split mung bean (found at health food stores & Indian markets)
1 tsp. cumin seed
1 tsp. mustard seed
1 Tbsp. ghee (clarified butter)(may substitute oil)
1 tsp. turmeric
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
6 cups pure water Rinse the rice and the mung beans. If you use whole mung bean, you'll want to soak the beans before cooking. Split mung doesn't need to be soaked, but soaking will increase their alkalinity.Heat ghee, cumin and mustard seeds in saucepan over medium heat until the seeds begin to pop. Add the rice, turmeric, and cinnamon. Stir to coat. Add the split mung beans and the water. Reduce heat to maintain simmer. Simmer until beans are soft and rice is cooked. (25-35 minutes)You may chop up vegetables and add the to the kichadi about 15 minutes into its simmering process. Consider asparagus, green beans, or broccoli to offset the dampness of springtime.Many recipes for kichadi for specific ailments may be found in Ayurvedic cookbooks.
Do it Yourself Digestive Tea
For strengthening digestion and eliminating toxins from your system. Choose up to four of the following herbs/spices. Experiment with amounts to suit your taste. Grind them in a spice grinder (a coffee grinder will work, just limit its use to spices) and add about 1 tsp herbs to 1 cup hot water. Let this steep for 5-15 minutes and drink before or between meals. This is a usually a stimulating, spicy tea.
Basil
Black pepper
Cardamom
Cinnamon
Coriander
Cumin
Fennel
Ginger
Ghee for Longevity
Ghee is butter from which the milk-fat solids have been removed. It nourishes the body deeply, feeds the tissues on every level and strengthens the immune system. Ghee may be used in cooking or taken by itself. Two or three teaspoons during a 24-hour period works well to harmonize all the body's systems. How to Make Ghee Start with one pound (or more) of unsalted, organic butter. Place butter in a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat for about 20 minutes.The ghee is done when the milk-fat solids have sunk to the bottom. The ghee will become a deep golden color with no cloudiness. It will become quiet for a few moments when this happens and your kitchen may smell a little like buttered popcorn. If you continue to cook too long after this point, it will start to foam and then burn. Remove from heat and allow ghee to sit for a minute or two. Strain though a stainless steel strainer into a clean glass container. Ghee may be stored safely at room temperature, however it contaminates easily, so always use a clean utensil when dipping into the jar.Enjoy!
Stick out your tongue!
Why... The body is constantly sending us messages about what is happening with it. Yawns, sneezes, gas, sweat all carry a message from the physical body about its state of health. Your tongue is one messenger for the digestive system that lets you know what's happening in there.
Go ahead, take a look at your tongue!
What you'll see... Your tongue may be pink and clear, or you may have scallops, bumps, spots, cracks or a tongue coating. Each of these indicates that something is out of whack deeper in your body.
Scallops... These look like indentations of teeth along the edges of your tongue. These are signs of malabsorption. So, although you may be eating healthfully, your body is not able to fully utilize those nutrients.
Tongue coating... This signals that there are toxins being produced in your digestive system because your food is not being digested properly. This coating provides a home to bacteria, can cause plaque to build up on your teeth and contributes to bad breath. It can alert you to any eating habits that prevent you from fully using your foods' nutrient and the foods that are indigestible to your body.
What to do about your tongue... Check your tongue each morning to see if there are any of the above conditions. This will enable you to track changes in your body more easily and alert you to any potential imbalances that may be present. Rid your body of excessive coating each day by the following method:
Tongue cleaning... Each morning after brushing and flossing your teeth, you can finish the job of preventing both tooth decay and bad breath by cleaning your tongue. This is done with a plastic or metal tongue cleaner that is run down the length of the tongue to clean off any coating that has developed there over night. If you don't have a tongue cleaner, even dental floss will work.
Digestive teas... To strengthen your digestion and remove the underlying cause of excessive tongue coating you may drink teas that will strengthen your digestion and help your body to eliminate any toxins before they form. There are many teas available at your local healthy food stores, or you may make your own from the list of herbs and spices below. Remember to buy organic and fresh herbs whenever possible. Local herb shops, co-ops and other healthy food stores will be happy to help you out.
Do it Yourself Digestive Tea... For strengthening digestion and eliminating toxins from your system. Choose up to four of the following herbs/spices. Experiment with amounts to suit your taste. Grind them in a spice grinder (a coffee grinder will work, just limit its use to spices) and add about 1 tsp herbs to 1 cup hot water. Let this steep for 5-15 minutes and drink before or between meals. This is a usually a stimulating, spicy tea.
Basil
Black pepper
Cardamom
Cinnamon
Coriander
Cumin
Fennel
Ginger
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