New Year Resolutions

Who here makes resolutions for the new year? I do but not the ones that most people do. For example, last year I resolved too makes new friends and try to be a better friend to the few I have now.

How did that work out? I think I have one or two new friends but still rarely talk to the friends I had. Folks, I swear I do make an effort, per my 2007 resolution. How many times can you call someone or email someone before it just looks pathetic?

So this year, I have some resolutions:

1. Make new friends.
2. Make some changes in the business to help my body out.
3. Learn something new just for the hell of it. Maybe a new language?
4. Increase my Qi gong practice.

I will continue to take my Tui Na classes but I also have to step beyond work stuff. Learn too paint? Learn Japanese or Italian? Maybe French? Learn to weave baskets! Really, the possibilities are endless, I just have to get off my ass and DO IT! Maybe along the way, I will meet new friends!

My goals related to the business are going to be to put more effort into attracting more Asian Bodywork clients. That is my specialty after all so why not let the world know? I also have to be a bit more concrete with my boundaries. Why do I feel like I have to work extra to get everyone in? I need to take care of ME also so I can keep helping others so I have to learn to say no. It is getting easier actually so that might not be a hard thing to implement this year.

So besides contemplating my goals for the next year, my time has been consumed by our adorable Marley and Christmas and work and ....... that's about it.

January 1 I will head back to NYC after 3 months of absence! I think I have gone through a bit of withdrawal. There is no way I will be there for the New Year's Eve celebration, we will get up there while the city is still recovering. On the second we will see the acupuncturist finally! My body will be oh so happy after that. Time will not permit much else, maybe a bit of exploring. If anything, walking will entertain me. God, I love that city. Marley will be going to a pet sitters home for the night and having a bit of a sleep over with another dog and GASP a cat that likes to play with dogs! I am so exciting for him, I know he will have tons of fun! He will be missed for sure and we did discuss bringing him along, thinking the acupuncturist surely wouldn't mind a dog in the office??? LOL

Have a great New Years and be safe!

First Snow

Our first snow was last week but Blogger was being annoying and not letting me post pictures. I was under the pine trees, walking the dog and took these.




Speaking of the dog, Marley loved the snow. Eating it, laying in it, trying to catch it..... he was our little snow bunny. I wish I could have gotten some of him in the snow but I was nervous to drop the camera.

More of Marley

Marley grows! The second picture he is playing with his brother, who just got a hair cut!

Over all his training is going well. I would guess he is about 80% house broken. He had one accident on the floor this weekend. My biggest issue is getting him to walk on the lead better. He likes to be outside BUT he only likes to walk where he wants to walk. So much for me being the alpha. We will keep working on it though. We do at least 2 15 minute walks a day, most days more then that. I found without that walk time, his sleep isn't so sound at night and we prefer he sleeps all night long. He does that about 75% of the time to date.

So for a 4 month old puppy, I am happy with his progress. He also attends training class which isn't going well but only for the fact we don't continue to do the exercises. I really only want him to sit, come and stay on command but the class gets into all sorts of things. It is also very late and I am grumpy when we go. They just changed the class time so maybe it will go better. Unfortunately we are behind in our exercises though. Shrug.

My postings related to ABT and massage have been pretty non-existence I know. Marley is taking up the bulk of my free time and I haven't been on the pc much. Sorry!

Puppy update

Marley is growing a bit.... getting hairy! Last Sunday he had his first puppy cut at the groomers and he got to play with his brother Ozzy for a while.

Revealing the new website!

Calm Spirit Bodywork

There are still some things that need fixed but I think you will get the drift. I hope that everyone shares their opinions with me and if you see a typo, PLEASE tell me. :)

Off to play with Shiatsu dog.

New family member

We have a new addition to the family. A 12 week old Shih-Poo. That is half Shih Tzu and half Poodle. So I have a Shiatsu dog, sort of. :)

His name is Marley and he is a great puppy!

Good ole liniments

Back in early 2007, I began my exploration into making liniments with Chinese herbs. While my intent was to just use them on clients and my loved ones, I have found a demand for them.

My first batch was made in January, my second batch in June/July. I made a die da jiu (trauma liniment) and a tendon relaxing liniment. At first, if someone had a jar, I would sell it to them that way. Later, I bought some nice amber colored bottles with dropper's to make it easier. When the liniment is handy, it is also easier for clients to use it, rather then have to go to Kamwo and have it shipped. Good for everyone all around.



One positive comment from a man who hurt his knee and didn't know what to do. I suggested his wife lightly massage the trauma liniment into the knee and surrounding area a few times a day. She reported the swelling decreased within hours. I also suggested san huang san but his wife wasn't to interested. :)

More information on treating common injuries can be found in Tom Bisio's book A Tooth from the Tiger's Mouth as well as practical information on prevention, diet and exercise.

And just a small suggestion. After you buy the book, you will read of various products that are good to have on hand for when that injury does occur. Trust me, from experience I can tell you, have that stuff handy. Many things can take days to ship and by then your injury is worse. I highly suggest everyone have some trauma liminent and san huang san, just to name a few. If you are local to me, I can supply both those things. If you know me, you got my number. :)

Peace!

Pain in the neck ~ Part 2

I wrote Part 1 two months ago, click here to read about steps you can take to prevent headaches. Eventually if you are like so many of us, one creeps into your body. So you got a headache. What now? You grab the OTC med's and pop a few. But after awhile, you need more of those pills to ease the pain and after all the reports on the news about various side effects, who really wants to take that stuff?

One thing that has been suggested to me for headaches is magnesium. Be sure to check with your doctor before taking additional supplements though. Personally it has helped me in preventing headaches and I even take less then suggested. A herb called butterbur is known to help with migraine headaches. Always remember to do your research before taking herbs, especially long term. I am not an advocate on taking any single herb long term and rarely take any single herb to begin with. In Chinese Medicine, herbs are prescibed in formula's only.

Got it in the sinuses? Try a drop or two of ravensara essential oil on the sinus cavities and a cool cloth. Have a partner push gently on the following acupoints: Bladder 2, Stomach 3, and Large Intestine 20.

More to come in the next post. For ex. headaches that present in the front of the head, or the sides of the head..... this time I won't wait so long to write the next part. Promise.

One photo to please the masses

OK.... masses is a bit of an over statement. I believe there are 3 people who read my blog. :) THANK YOU 3 glorious people who find me either pathetic or amusing.

I had another glorious day in NYC this week. It was a tad ugly out at first but luckily no rain. Later in the day the sun did pop out. I was up there for an acupuncture appointment and my body was grateful. Before my appointment I was walking about uptown, checking out the Cathedral of St John the Divine. Amazing from the outside, I promise to go back when I have more time to take a tour.

On 110th Street, I saw this crazy guy staring down at me:

Has it really been this long?

I swear my thoughts were always on my blog. However, real life gets in the way. Things such as re-doing my living room. This meant 2 trips to Ikea's as well as countless trips to throw old things away. Out with the old, in with the new. Hours spend assembling tables and shelves, rearranging stuff, ect. Unfortunately I am not done, as I got sidetracked with a weekend spent in NYC.

More tui na studies! Hurray. It was amazing. Good food, one place I can remember called the Zen Palace. Don't go there if you are in a hurry though as we were late getting back to class and missed some piriformis work.

Here is a demonstration going on at Union Square. The place was packed and it was hard to get a good photo but I tried.




Sunday morning before class I sat in the park eating my bagel, watching all the dogs with their humans. Some crazy squirrel tried to eat my leg too! Once he realized I wasn't a nut, he left. Boy was he wrong. :)

All and all, things are moving along fine. I will be holding somewhat regular Tui Na clinics in order to get some practice in. I am hoping that I get a full schedule with that.

My website is coming along. I haven't been able to get with the designer till today for updates/changes but it should go live in no time.

Peace and love!

Favorite movie

If you read my profile, you will see that one of my favorite movies of all time is Whale Rider. Having just watched it again..... for like the 100th time.... I thought I would recommend it to my readers. It has nothing to do with Chinese medicine. It takes place in New Zealand. It is about a young girl who goes against tradition to become a leader. While many people haven't heard of this movie, it won many awards and by far is one of the best films I ever watched. One day I will get a copy of the book written by Witi Ihimaera.

Keisha Castle-Hughes plays Paikea and has to be the most mesmerizing character. The hardest of hearts will melt watching her on screen.

So rent it or better yet, just buy it. Trust me, you will want to watch it a few times.

Exciting changes coming

This is so exciting to me. I have been practicing massage and asian bodywork therapies for almost 7 years now and have worked in various situations. Sometimes an employee, other times as an Independent contractor. But in all these years, I never actually named my business. It was always just my name. Poo... how boring is that!

But one creative day a business name popped into my head and I LOVE it. I asked a few of my friends for suggestions and tweaked it a bit. Now, I will NOT reveal this until I get it safeguarded with the state but once I get the ok from the state (and by the way, its looking pretty much a sure win) I will tell everyone! I can't wait..... to me, it sort of feels like a new start. Anything can happen now. Watch out world. :)

The second new exciting change is a website. I have had 2 websites that I build for free. One with my DSL account, the other with my MAC account. I am not saying they are totally horrible but they shout out "non professional". So I broke the bank and found someone and he is currently working on some layouts to share with me. I also sent him my likes and dislikes and we will take it from there. Can you imagine designing something for someone you never met and know nothing about? I pity him.... he has no idea what is has gotten himself into. LOL

I have every intention on linking my site to my blog and then my blog will be less anonymous. Yikes.... you will know who I am. But then I can share this awesome new website with you and that makes me happy.

Happy days ahead!

Tui Na vs. Shiatsu

Tui Na defined by the AOBTA states the following:

"Tuina is a method of Chinese bodywork characterized by the smooth gliding or rolling movements of the hands and arms. Through Tui (push) and na (grasp), kneading, pressing, rolling, shaking, and stretching of the body, acupoints are opened and qi flow is realigned in the musculo-tendon meridians. Tuina techniques are used to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal and internal organ disorders by opening stagnant meridian channels and encouraging the flow of qi into deficient areas. Tuina utilizes TCM theory in assessing energetic and functional disorders. In addition, the use of external herbal medicines and therapeutic exercise is also included."

Shiatsu defined by the AOBTA states:

"The primary emphasis of Five Element Shiatsu is to identify a pattern of disharmony through use of the four pillars of examinations and to harmonize that pattern with an appropriate treatment plan. Hands-on techniques and preferences for assessment varies with the practitioner, depending on their individual background and training. The radial pulse usually provides the most critical and detailed information. Palpation of the back and/or abdomen and a detailed verbal history serve to confirm the assessment. Considerations of the client's lifestyle, emotional, and psychological factors are all considered important. Although this approach uses the paradigm of the five elements to tonify, sedate, or control patterns of disharmony, practitioners of this style also consider hot or cold and internal or external symptoms and signs."

Actually the AOBTA defines a few styles of Shiatsu so I am sharing Five Element with you. My studies included Zen shiatsu, and theories of TCM and 5 Element. Combining all I was taught, I should just call it The Therapist Shiatsu. :)

In my Shiastu training, we did learn many of the same hand techniques that I have learnt in my future studies in Tui Na. So I am finding it hard to define my sessions with clients. Some Shiatsu clients have noticed a slight difference in my work and really enjoy it but all I have done is included some of the protocol I am learning in Tui Na class. They ask me, what are you doing, Shiastu or Tui Na? Well, definitely both. They ask, is one better then the other? Hell no, they are both excellent modalities.

Now I am left wondering what to say the session is and I think Asian Bodywork is ok but still very extensive in possibilities. It has become obvious that it is impossible for me to say..... This session is shiatsu or this session is tui na.

Herbal Aid Kit

I don't often recommend products to my readers but today I make an exception. I was browsing Kamwo Pharmacy's website and found they put together a kit of their most useful Chinese herbal remedies.

Click here to take a look.

The kit is made up of items for cuts, burns, bruising, the common cold, the flu, viral infections, stomach issues and even a remedy for bad breath. It covers most typical illnesses families get yearly.

I actually have a few of these items in my own little kit but plan to add more. Possibly I will just buy the kit so that I can have them all handy and to share. The price is right, at $24.95. There is nothing worse then getting sick and not having something to take when you need it. And if you are like me, you do not live close to a Chinese Pharmacy.

Take a look, read the information. See if its for you. If you are interested, don't wait till its to late. Buy them while healthy, especially if you are prone to that yearly cold or flu. Flu season will be here before we realize it.

Blogging etiquette

Maybe some of you more advanced bloggers can help me here. What sort of rules apply when blogging?

For instance, I just found my blog linked to a questionable website. Actually it was my article on headaches and trust me, this site has nothing to do with health. Maybe this is more a web etiquette issue in general. I was a bit shocked when I saw where I was linked and wonder if I contact that site, will they remove me from their list?

So is it courteous to ask permission before linking or are we all so hard up for more traffic that we don't care?

Personally I have many external links listed but mainly to direct readers in the right direction. The links are relavent to the subject at hand.

Could be I am thinking to into this and should just let it go.

Give me some advice people! :)

Native American Powwow

Today I went to a local powwow to take in some music and good vibes. While there I got to thinking, what exactly does powow mean? One website I came across defines it this way: "powwow is the English spelling of the Algoquian word pauwau. The word pauwau means an elder, faithkeeper, healer, or chief. It has been speculated that to the observer, it appeared to be used to refer to a gathering, since the word was probably heard before such an individual was going to speak. Sometimes with certain speakers or messages, it is possible that an activity, like preparing food or singing, was appropriate. However, the word in the Native Algonquian language is more closely associated with the person rather than a celebration or gathering."

Regardless, it is good to see Native American customs still in practice. So on with some pictures.

Missing in action

I can't believe how much time has passed since I posted. My promised second part article on headaches is in the works but in the mean time, I will share some photo's from my recent trip to NYC. Last Saturday I spend part of the day, first getting acupuncture then exploring. In my totally relaxed (but a bit sore) state, I took the subway to Brooklyn in order to walk back into Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge.

Approaching the bridge from Brooklyn

Looking over at the Manhattan Bridge.

View of Downtown Manhattan.

A tower/flag shot.

What a pain in the neck!

Headaches often start out as tension in the neck muscles. There are various kinds of headaches though from sinus headaches, cluster headaches, hormone headaches and migraines. Most of these tips to helping control headaches are geared towards tension headaches.

It is estimated that 45 million Americans suffer from these various headaches, many chronically. Of those, 28 million have migraines. 60% of children suffer occasionally from headaches. The cost on the work force? $50 million in missed work days and doctor visits.

One definition of a headache states "pain in the head". Tension headaches often start out with a stiff neck, achy occiput region (the area right below your skull on the back of the neck) or even tension in the jaw. Everyone has different area's that might get tight and later cause a headache. The best thing we can do is prevent this tension from invading our bodies. Any form of bodywork that we received regularly can help immensely as well as doing yoga, qi gong and/or meditation. In my line of work, I have discovered that people with poor posture seem to be prone to headaches.

Preventing headaches is key. As a sufferer of both tension and migraine headaches, I speak from my own experience. As I mentioned above, getting regular bodywork is essential. Not only does this help your muscles relax, you are retraining your body on how it should move in a healthy way. You are learning to relax our shoulders, not walk about with them at your ears. How often a client has bodywork is up to each individual. I suggest a few sessions as close together as possible. Ex. once a week. After those sessions are complete, an evaluation is done to see the progress. Most clients then find they can space sessions further apart. Personally I like to go for my sessions once a month.

I mention yoga, meditation and qi gong again. Any of these techniques will stretch and relax the body and mind. When we learn to breath properly, our bodies benefit greatly. I have found that doing qi gong every day has made a world of difference in how I feel and the lack of headaches I get.

Often the spine is out of whack and needs a chiropractor. Talk to some local friends and search out a chiropractor in your area.

Chinese medicine can be a great tool also. Part of the treatments I receive involve bodywork (tui na), acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicines. Finding a qualified Licensed acupuncturist is getting easier and often is covered by insurance plans. To find a practitioner near you, click on the link to the left for the NCCAOM.

In the second part of this article, I will offer some easy at home things you can do to prevent headaches and to ease them once they have infringed on your life.

Kung Fu

Things have been a bit crazy these past few days, not leaving me much time for writing and responding to blogs so forgive me!

Somehow I came across this video that must have been taken at some martial arts competition. While it may be more artistic in form, it is still good.

Kung Fu

Then after looking some more I found this one.

Shaolin Monk Rain Demo

Enjoy!

~~blushing~~

I was given this award from my good friend Tracy and feel completely blessed by it.

"The Thoughtful Blogger Award is for those who answer blog comments, emails, and make their visitors feel at home on their blogs. For the people who take others’ feelings into consideration before speaking out and who are kind and courteous. This award is for those generous bloggers who think of others." - Tracy at Pink Purl

Thank you again for taking time to read my blog and comment it. I hope you and everyone else continue to receive enjoyment from this blog.

HUGS!

Gua sha update

Two days ago I did gua sha on a willing friend and posted the results here I also included some information on what gua sha is and how it is done.

Today I took an updated photo of my friends back to show how the redness does fade, sometimes rather quickly.

Not so bad looking today. :)

Stepping back in time.....

I came across this photo of me, my brother and sister. Time goes by so quickly and we loss sight of the innocence of our youth. Playing in the grass under a swing set. Running around half naked with not a care in the world. This was taken at my Grandparents home. They are both deceased now but I remember them always. We had such fun at Grandma's house..... like it was a magical place. But oh it was, trust me! Where else could you play with bubbles all day and sleep in a huge bed at night after a meal of Grandma's cooking?

So you want to try Shiatsu.....

or maybe another form of Asian Bodywork Therapy!

Awesome!

But where to find a qualified practitioner?

Let me help you out. American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia The AOBTA has a search engine to locate practitioners in your area.

Another great place to search qualified therapists is the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Lastly if you looking in the UK I suggest the Shiatsu Society

Gua Sha

Gua sha is an age old healing technique that some think of as 'folk' medicine. While typically preformed by an Acupuncturist or Asian Bodywork Therapist, this technique can be easily done at home with a family member.

Gua means to scrape and Sha is the reddish rash you will see in the pictures. Yes, it looks like torture but I assure you, it does not feel bad.

This technique is used when there is a restricted blood flow in an area. Most gua sha is done to the back, neck, shoulders and glutes. Typically there is pain in the area that has sha present. If you press your fingers into an area, quickly releasing them and white marks remain, sha is present. It can also be used to treat colds, flu and other internal conditions.

To do gua sha you will need a few tools. A lubricant (ex. Vick's vapor rub or a thick oil like peanut oil), a round edged tool (ex. coin, metal jar lid, spoon or a tool sold specifically for gua sha) and a towel.

Have your 'client' sit or lie comfortably. All muscles that will be scraped should be relaxed. Rub your lubricant on the skin and with the tool at a 30 degree's angle, make downward strokes. Use a comfortable pressure. Communication between both persons is essential. Stop if any pain arises. Continue with one area until the sha appears then move to the next area. If no rash appears, sha is not present.

When finished, wipe off access oil with towel and tell 'client' to keep the area covered. Many people feel immediate results so then need to be warned to still take it easy for the next day or so. Gua sha also should not be done to open skin, burns or serious injuries where there could be a bone break. For those interested in learning more, I will provide a link to a very good book on the subject at the end of the post.

The redness will fade sometimes within 24 hours but at the most 2-3 days. The longer it sticks around is an indication of poor blood circulation in the area.


It is hard to see properly but you will notice white finger marks near the left scapula, showing signs of sha being present.

This pictures shows the first line of scraping, bring sha to the surface then moving on.

Continuing to gua sha the back.


The back is complete. This client came for treatment related to chronic pain in the neck, shoulders and upper back.


Click here for information on Gua Sha. Arya Nielsen wrote a great book called "Gua Sha - a Traditional Technique for Modern Practice"

To purchase tools for gua sha, Lhasa OMS Medical Supplies has many varieties for sale.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is always best to seek a qualified medical professional. :)

Shiatsu..... dog or bodywork?

Shiatsu is becoming more and more common place in the United States but still when people hear it, I often get asked, “Isn’t that a dog?”

What is shiatsu then? Briefly put:

Shiatsu is based on principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Similar to Acupressure and using the same theories, Shiatsu can bring balance to the flow of Qi or energy. Over the centuries, Chinese health practitioners developed a system based on the premise that good health is dependent on the balanced flow of vitality in the body and in particular on the energy that flows through a specific system of channels or meridians.

Shiatsu can be very helpful for postural and muscular-skeletal problems and stress related conditions. Recipients report Shiatsu has helped with headaches, PMS, chronic pain and injuries. It has also been shown to promote improved sleep, relief of anxiety, and reduced muscle tension.

So what exactly happens during a Shiatsu session? To start, the client arrives in the office dressed in comfortable, stretchy clothes. No undressing necessary for this bodywork. A health screen will be filled out and we will begin by asking some questions. The client may be confused as to the reasoning behind the questions but that all comes to light soon enough. The pulse will be assessed, the tongue will be analyzed. All this leads to setting up a session for each specific individual. The assessment process is similar to being treated by an acupuncturist, as the principles are the same. But in Shiatsu, no needles are used, only finger pressure.

The session starts with the client on a padded mat, lying on the floor. Stretching the limbs, doing acupressure, mobilizing the body and increasing range of motion. All these things are done to improve the flow of Qi in the meridans. The therapist will use finger pressure, elbows, arms and even feet to get the desired effect. The work is done in a rhythmic way to induce relaxation, the setting very calming.

Adjunct therapies in Asian Bodywork are often used during a session, such as cupping, gua sha and moxibustion. Dietary advice may be offered in help in the healing process. Qi gong exercises are also a vital part of Asian Bodywork.

My next article will explore the how’s and why’s concerning cupping, gua sha and moxibustion.

Beauty everywhere - April 21, 2007

Even in NYC! I had a treatment with the acupuncturist again. Needless to say, I feel great!

So more on NYC, if you can bare it!



First time to Central Park! The picture above is one everyone has seen at one point in their life. It is the LARGE grassy, open area of the park where people will lay around to soak up the sun. Do you think it was a bit crowded today?

Here are some Spring time photo's I took at the Park:





And last but not least, this needs no explanation.....

Rainy day

Yesterday I spend the day in NYC. We had appointments with the acupuncturist..... ahhh! But what a contrast from the previous day. Sunday it was sunny and the sky was an amazing shade of blue. Monday it was nothing but rain.



We took the train up so the only photo's I have are from the train window. Once we were in the city, it was nothing but downpours. No photo ops there.



There are many pretty country sides that we pass through via the train between Lancaster and Philadelphia.



After a while though..... the train just goes on and on.



I will return to the City in about 4 weeks so many prayers for better weather.

All and all, it was worth it. My appointment was fabulous, as always. I can conquer the world for a few more weeks.

Great morning

What a great Sunday morning I had today. I went hiking around a bit at Pinchot Park with a friend and was able to get a few photo opportunities.

The sky was absolutely beautiful today.



Pinchot Park has countless walking trails, some nice and easy, other's very rocky.




All in all, it was a great break from the normal routine. Touching base with nature, breathing in clean air..... getting stagnant chi out of the lungs.

I hope everyone has a chance to get outside and enjoy the sunshine.

Liniments

Last week I begun to make another batch of Chinese liniments. I had to order more herbs from Kamwo and they arrived while I was gone. I was aware of what I ordered to some extent. I know what tu bie chong is. I know to look for it in case its ever in a herbal formula I have to take internally. But when I opened the little brown bag with the herbs in it and stuck my hand down to 'sift' through the herbs, imagine my disgust at touching a dead wingless cockroach! Not just one, might I add. 12 grams worth of the little buggers. Now they float around in a jar of vodka, surrounded by roots, branches, leaves, hunks of unknown things, ect.

I wish I could have had to stomach to take pictures before I dumped everything into the jar. Is is some sort of weirdness that makes me think a dead bug will come alive and crawl on me? I have seen to many horror movies and sci-fi specials in my life for sure.

Here you will see a picture of what is in the jars. Many of the herbs have settled to the bottom or are ground into a powder. I have started 2 separate liniments. The first is a trauma liniment or die da jui.



The second is a tendon relaxing liniment.




These liniments can be purchased ready for use from Kamwo in NYC. I personally find it fun to make them myself. In an earlier post I explained that the liniments soak for 6 months or longer for a better stronger liniment. These will go off into the closet to emerge at a later date.

Peace and love all!

Herbal Soaks

Here are a bunch of herbs that are added to a soak used to relieve muscle spasms, tightness, and restricted movement. It will decrease pain and help move stasis. Some of the herbs in this soak as dang gui, su mu, hong hua, bai zhi and ru xiang.

The herbs are either thrown into a pot of water OR for easy clean up, put into big tea bags.



This bag will be sewn up so that it can easily go into the trash when complete.

So what do you do with these 'soaks'??? Well, fill up your largest cooking pot with 3 gallons of water and throw in the herbs. Bring to boil and simmer for 30 - 40 minutes. You may add vinegar or alcohol after taking the pot off the stove. When it has cooled down enough to handle, throw an old, thick hand towel into the water, wring it out and place it on the area that needs attention. If its a foot/ankle/hand/wrist, you can just submerge those into the pot. Again, make sure its not to hot! You want to do this 15-20 minutes, 2-3 times a day for 5-7 days. This pot of cooked herbs can be covered and reused for up to 7 days. It doesn't need to be re-boiled again, just heat it to a comfortable temperature.

A little warning: this herbal concoction creates a dark water that can stain white material. I always use an old dark colored towel. If you are placing the towel on your neck or back or shoulder, make sure you either have an old shirt on or no shirt at all. When doing the back it is always very handy to have a partner assist you.

A second warning: don't use a hot soak on an area with inflammation or open sores. Anytime you wouldn't normally apply heat, these soaks may not be the best thing for you. There are soaks that are used with the water at a cooler temperature but for now lets stick with this to not confuse. :)

So while not everyone has a supply of Chinese herbs handy, I recommend going to Kamwo (see link on right side of blog) and ordering pre-made soaks.

Chinese Herbs

One of the most amazing things I have been taught in the recent months are the use of Chinese herbs on injuries. They can be used externally in liniments, poultices or soaks and also used internally. Since I am not a licensed herbalist, I will not get into internal herbs.

Liniments are basically made by adding specific herbs to alcohol and letting the mixture sit for months. Chinese herbs aren't always what most American's think of as herbs. They can be dried barks, roots, twigs, berries, fruits, and some of the most unusual would be bugs. One of the times I have ordered my herbs, using Chinese pin yin's to communicate, I accidentally got dried fish belly instead of a pepper seed. So the ingredients in Chinese formula's are often very amazing while some people probably would choose to not get into specifics!

The reasons to use herbs when treating injuries are vast. In acute injuries, Chinese herbs can be used to substitute ice. While we have been told to follow RICE when we get hurt (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), in Chinese sports medicine, using ice to treat inflammation can further inhibit healing because fluids and blood will congeal and be harder to break up later.

After inflammation is reduced, liniments and/or soaks can be used to continue healing. Even when treating chronic conditions, herbs can inhance healing along with acupressure and massage. What is convenient are these methods can easily be done at home on a regular basis.

Check back soon and I will get show you how to make a poultice.

Who is getting Asian Bodywork Therapies?

Today I had a massage therapy client ask me what type of people get ABT and for what sort of complaints? I haven't found a certain type of individual gets one type of bodywork versus another but I have found that a few clients who get ABT are receiving it for some of the same reasons.

First, they have received massage therapy in various forms (ex. Swedish, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, NMT) and still aren't satisfied with the results. Everyone can agree that it all feels GREAT to receive, I myself am a bit of a bodywork junkie, I like it ALL! But when you are dealing with a specific issue such as a frozen shoulder or headaches or tendonitis, you want that issue to be resolved. It would be foolish to say that one form of bodywork is better then another. Everyone resonates with forms and therapists based on their own needs. During treatments, the client may find that the results don't last long or even stop getting results. The reasons for this are so vast I won't begin to get into that today. These clients will search out different modalities for relief and some will try ABT.

Second, many clients are just attracted to Eastern culture and so will receive ABT and Acupuncture because it is second nature to them. They have studied the philosophy and agree with it. They want a bodywork session that is well rounded and will encompass their emotional, mental and physical being.

Third, some clients of ABT don't feel comfortable having skin on skin contact and prefer to have the session done while they remain dressed. This may also be due to skin conditions or allergies that don't allow for use of oils or lotions.

Last, I have had some clients come to me because they heard Shiatsu and Tui Na were really DEEP. That isn't always the case. When making an assessment prior to the session, the therapist may find the best treatment is a lighter touch. Any session can be tailored to meet specific needs so nothing needs to end up hurting in the end. Besides the thinking that it will be deep, many clients come for the stretching. During shiatsu, stretching is incorporated and my clients love how it will open up their joints in ways they can not do on their own.

To sum it up, everyone is getting ABT! So be cool and schedule your appointment today. For a therapist in your area, click here for a list of qualified therapists all over the country.

Insomnia

As many of you know, I have had my fair share of sleeping issues. I hear from so many people their horror stories, being up all night, tossing and turning all night, ect. and I feel for you all. So today I want to give some easy (or not so easy) suggestions to help us all get those much desired zzzz's.

One of the most common things you hear about are essential oils. Lavender Oil is one of the most popular essential oils to help the body relax and it is a safe oil. Sprinkle a few drops on your pillow before going to bed or rub a few drops into the bottom of your feet. A few other oils that may work well (because not everyone likes lavender) are chamomile, cedarwood, and valerian.

Here is one out of the book "Chinese System of Food Cures" by Henry Lu. He suggests crushing an onion and putting it in a jar. Inhale the vapors through the nose while in bed. Normally you fall asleep in 15 minutes.

In homeopathic medicine there are various options. Nux Vomica is effective for insomnia as a result of coffee, alcohol or drug abuse. Nux Vomica is also used when there is mental strain. If attacks of anxiety and fear drive you out of bed, try Arsenicum. Coffea is best used when the mind is overactive. Arnica is helpful if you have overextended yourself physically or mentally and now feel to tired to fall asleep. Lastly, Chamomilla is good for cases of extreme irritability, physical pains or addiction to sedatives.

Another thing we can do for ourselves or have a loved one do is acupressure. Two common points used for insomnia are Kidney 6 and Bladder 62. Massage and press these 2 points together on both sides to help the body relax and promote sleep. Holding Heart 7 for a minute on both sides as well as Pericardium 6 can help. Press and massage into the points to stimulate each point for about a minute or two.

Lastly, when these things don't help, it may be necessary to seek professional help. You may choose to see a MD but I would also suggest talking to a licensed acupuncturist/herbalist and you may also get relief from receiving bodywork. If you read past posts on this blog, you will see how getting acupuncture and taking herbs that were prescribed to me by a licensed professional has helped immensely. You do not need to suffer!

Sweet dreams!

My Shiatsu teacher

During the upcoming postings here, I will write about my recent Tui Na training. But my introduction into Asian Bodywork Therapies began in 2002 with a fabulous teacher, Barbra Esher at the Baltimore School of Massage. Barbra came up with the curriculm for the Asian Bodywork program and did much of the teaching. She is very accomplished in the field of ABT as well as being a licensed acupuncturist.

I came across this interview she did in FL during a open house for the new office for the NCCAOM. She does a wonderful job of explaining ABT and how it differs from western massage and acupuncture. She also highly suggests using the NCCAOM website to find a qualified practitioner in your area.

Click HERE to listen.

Old post from January 1, 2007

Wow. 2007. I remember as a child hearing my parents and grandparents... well, all OLD people.... talk about how fast the years go by. How foreign to me! The years were slow, it was taking forever to become 16 or 18 or 21.

Now the years go so fast I sometimes forget what year we are in. Sigh. I am old. I also had too much fun as a young person so the memory isn't as good as it should be.

Working in the Spa industry typically means working holidays. Yes folks, some spas are open on holidays but don't tell anyone. Yesterday I worked but thank the gods I am off today. New Years Day at the Spa means hung over people who probably should just stay in bed, not come to a spa feeling nauseous. But atlas, they want to be pampered. I send positive thoughts to my co-workers who had to work today. Hang in there guys/gals!

At the Spa we get guests who schedule a massage which by the details in the brochure and website, states it is a relaxing massage with long, slow, gentle strokes. Please note that we also have a deep tissue massage that, lo and behold, is deep in pressure. So when given an option, if you prefer to have someone dig into your muscles, schedule that deep tissue one. But these guests that want deep pressure when scheduling the relaxing massage (and not sure why..... didn't read the description? Trying to save a few bucks?) can be very demanding. "I like it DEEP! You can't hurt me." Well, yes we can but that is counterproductive, isn't it? Someone once stated to me that when you order a burger, do you get mad that you didn't get filet mignon?

But yesterday I had a gentleman who had that relaxing massage scheduled and wanted deep work. He was actually very polite about it, and listened as I explained what he had scheduled and what he is now asking for. But my karma needed a boast so I did work deeper on his back and neck, where it was truly needed. Many folks won't acknowledge you went beyond what you needed to do. This awesome guest did. He was very thankful that I did that for him. However, I did suggest that next time he schedule the deep tissue.

The moral of the story? Read the descriptions before you schedule. You can try to get one by and you might get a therapist capable of deeper work but maybe not.

Second moral? A lighter relaxing massage can do wonders for the soul. Relax the soul; the physical body will follow.

Yet another blog

Yes folks, this is my second blog. For various reasons, none that I will get into at the moment, I have had to trash my beloved blog. I hope that my faithful readers find their way to this one..... I will make it easy somehow.

Various posts will be copied here so forgive me if you have read them.