Showing posts with label holistic healing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holistic healing. Show all posts

Nutrition and your mood

So over the past few years of teaching anatomy and physiology to college students it became very apparent we eat like crap.  Like all of us... Every morning on the way to the school to teach I would get a coffee and some little snack at McDonald's.  (Not that I want to pick on McD's, actually like the food on occasion.  It reminds me to eat better by the way I feel afterwards).

I have always been interested in the nutritional aspects of health whether it was physical, chemical or emotional health.  I mean, chemical health is all the aspects of your hormones, neurotransmitters, and cell structures and abilities as they should work normally. Healthfully...

This brought me years ago to pro-biotics, when it was still considered 'witch craft' by some and just plain quackery by others.  I was into making Kombucha at home.  It went crazy and I couldn't give the stuff away because my 'scoby' had over produced and I had to get used wine bottles to get the stuff contained.  I also made home made sauerkraut, that was easy and fun, but still always seemed to make way more than I could use myself.  I did notice that I felt better with that in my diet.  I included Miso, and Natto (a fermented soybean delicacy... well I think it is... everyone else thinks its gross).

Now we are starting to broadly accept and understand that there is an entire 'biome' not only in us but on and around us.  We are like a little planet.  We have environments and areas of different species etc.  (check out this great NPR animation... https://youtu.be/5DTrENdWvvM )

That is the animation I use in my class when the computers work!

I recently went to a licensing seminar which was focused towards nurses and other practitioners such as dentists and medical doctors.  It was basic for what my understanding already was, including the 'fecal transplant procedure' which has not gone so well in human trials.  It basically is exactly what you think.  In a clinical setting, fecal material (poop) is taken from a 'healthy subject' and 'processed' then transplanted in a clinical setting (I assume this means sterile and all that) into the rectum of the more 'ill' person.  The idea is that the healthy person's biome or flora will populate the ill person's body and therefore make them healthier.  In fact this idea is not that uncommon... since kissing is really a symbolic reception of food from the mother... (you know you were not just breast fed until one day you jutted into steaks and stuff.  You needed pre-chewed food and the best way to do that was mouth to mouth... Later we see (mostly in movies, but there is some truth to it) a bowl of water passed around (Vikings) at a table to rinse their faces, drink, clear their noses etc... You can watch the series Vikings or you can watch the 13th Warrior and see it in action.  That too spread the biome from person to person enhancing them and keeping them similar and therefore healthy.  Lastly you can now see in some cases, especially those births that have doulas or midwives present, cesarean births will have vaginal fluids from the mother swabbed in the newborn's mouth, nose, eyes etc, as this populates the newborn with the mother's outer biome...

Anyway.  We find that the internal and external flora can have something to do with depression, anxiety and other mental illness.  It is assumed that since the biome can help make serotonin having the Vagus nerve and the enteric nervous system 'pick that up' or sense it helps us be more happy and calm.

https://www.longdom.org/scholarly/nutritional-psychology-journals-articles-ppts-list-3729.html
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/09/food-mental-health
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-psychiatry-your-brain-on-food-201511168626

Nutritionally speaking though, when we talk about mood, we also need to have a chance to look at the neurotransmitters and hormones that have to do with mood.  Basically; Serotonin, Dopamine, Nor epinephrine, Endorphins, and others that regulate and determine 'mood'.  Basically if you have no building blocks of these chemicals you cannot make them.

So here are the ones that make a difference based on articles and research I have read.
1. Magnesium (helps in neuron conduction and relaxation)
2. Vitamin D3.  (Helps with the production of melatonin for sleep as well as serotonin and dopamine)
3. Fish oils or other Omega 3-6-9 oils that help with nerves and the processing of many nutrients.
4. Calcium (this is used by the nerves and as a buffer for acids in the body)
5. Water... yea.  water... it is what EVERYTHING is mixed with and produced with..
6. Zinc (has to do also with the maintenance of cells an such)
 here is a link to an article about that.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5492454/

Basically, the above six care helpful in many other ways.  If you are taking any psychotropic drugs or medications prescribed for anxiety, depression or even bipolar disorder (for which I suggest you supplement Pellegrino water which has lithium in it.  A typical drug for bipolar disorder).

We have now added all of these to my and my families diet.  We are happy and healthy,,, at least we are getting there.  Turns out, taking the proper supplements can help you eventually get off many drugs or at least get them decreased over time with your counselor.

Good luck, and be healthy.
I just had to get this all off my mind.

Also do your stretches!

Dr. Sean

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032719333713

The non flu season, get ready...

No Flu Season.

So recently, there has been lots of talk about ‘Flu Season’.  People urging others to get the flu shot,
other people pleading with others not to.  What is a holistic practitioner to do? 
Typically flu ‘season’ is from October to May, with a peak in February.  
Like ‘Fire Season’ there is really no set dates it all of the sudden starts and stops. 
You can get the flu virus infection literally any time of the year. 
In fact, I got a doozy of the flu in August 2017!  I had to close the office for almost a week to recover,
but that is another story I will tell you later.
Influenza is a virus.  Antibiotics do not work on a virus. 
Influenza symptoms: Fever, dry cough, sneezing, fatigue, congestion... so what is the problem?
You usually die of a secondary infection, not the flu...
Why are we so scared of a little virus?  Check out the flu pandemic (Pan means worldwide) of 1918.
(Site:  http://www.history.com/topics/1918-flu-pandemic)   The Spanish Flu was brought to the US by
soldiers returning from WWI.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu
Remember, in 1918 (100 years ago) there was NO antibiotics, no antivirals, none of the common
chemical and technological conveniences we now have.  In fact, many people in the United States
had no indoor toilets, or electricity. (The light bulb was barely 40 years old). Some accounts state
up to 100 million people died of this flu outbreak. 
Today, even though the effectiveness of the flu shot is as low as 10% and possibly as good as 60%
they (‘they’ as in pharmaceutical companies, and health organizations) still keep saying it is not too
late nor too risky to get the flu shot. 
Let’s take a look at the numbers.  Just the math… New strains of shots are developed twice a year,
and sometimes they miss the mark on which strain would be active.  In 2016-17 the CDC stated that
the effectiveness was 42%. But what you didn’t know is that many people use natural or alternative
methods (complimentary methods like herbs, vitamins, and home remedies) as well as had the shot. 
How many of them are accounted for? None. Therefore the total effectiveness of the flu shot cannot
possibly be as high as stated. 
 The influenza virus is a living being. 
Therefore it has the ‘will’ to survive and adapt, hide or get around regardless of our efforts. 
you don’t believe that, just try and get rid of bed bugs, cockroaches, mice or even garden weeds. 
You can see how difficult it is. The vaccination you get has either been deactivated or killed but there
is still something out there that is at work…
In 2016-17 the CDC reported that 34% of adults 18 years old to 64 years old got the flu shot
(some reports show 42 %+/-) so let’s see what that actually means.
There are 325,719,178 +/- people in the United States (last census, accounting for growth etc. to 2017)
28% under the age of 18, 15% over the age of 65… that leaves 57% between the ages of 18-65. 
Accounting for about 186,659,951 people in that range… whew… (Almost done)… if 40%
(let’s be generous) got the shot. That is 74,400,000!
But wait… there’s more.  About 83% of people in the age group (18-65) take supplements…
n the other hand… There are about 2% of those that got the shot that have a serious problem with it…
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (basically get paralyzed)
(Site for reference
: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/guillain-barre-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20362793 ) that is about 7-14 MILLION people… WHAT????  Check the math… Don’t freak out yet. There are many ways you can get this condition, including just having the flu…   (Can we not win?) Only about 3% will die from GBS… well, too many indeed. That is, IF it is diagnosed and reported as GBS and not some other disease. 
Other bad reactions to the flu shot can be found ad-nauseum all over the web. 
But let’s take a step back. How can you not get the flu? Number one, stay away
from other people and all the things they touch, wash, don’t breathe, live in a bubble etc.… 
c’mon you see the trend? We are closing the door after the horse has escaped. 
Building resistance.  Remember that 83% that take vitamins and supplements? 
Get on that band wagon. There are far more benefits of maintaining a healthy body
than hoping the jab will do.  I do not encourage nor discourage people getting the flu shot.
I do not get it, never have. Yea, I have had the flu… but I was ok.  This past year,
it turns out 7 of the 8 people that got the flu and DIED had received the injection…! YIKES…
(here is the site:  https://healthfreedomidaho.org/7-of-the-8-individuals-who-died-of-flu-had-received-the-flu-shot)   and https://www.healthnutnews.com/8-die-of-flu-in-2-weeks-in-santa-barbara-7-had-their-flu-shot/
OK, so what else?  The CDC does not keep records on those that have died AND took the flu shot,
and most death certificates have no place nor ability to determine such cases.  Largely they are
written in as complications of the flu. (Pneumonia). 
But back to math… guhhhhh…   Deaths from the flu last year were about 36,000…
Seeing that 40% got the flu shot, you are looking at about 12,600 that died even though they
got the shot.  It is not a serious help. Commonly it is blamed on a different strain, co-morbidity etc. 
However, we have to look logically and not so emotionally nor ‘scientifically dogmatic’
(I put the math in for those people.) 
Taking all that into account, you will either get the flu or not, you will either die from it or not. 
It is funny to me that when people get the flu and have had the shot it is always stated that
‘at least it wasn’t as bad as if you didn’t get the shot’ how the hell do you know? 
Parallel universe travel!?
So, don’t get the flu!  Anything you can do to help, helps your odds.  So what can you do?  
In Acupuncture and Oriental medicine there are plenty of ways to fight it.  From exercises
(Qi Gong) to herbal stews, teas and patches to one of my favorites, CUPPING.
Cupping has been touted as ‘The Chinese Flu Shot’ but I hate using that term,
because it is not just China but all over the world that cupping is used.  Cupping before or
during a flu season helps you fight it off naturally, and if you do get it, it does make you feel better.
No side effects! 
Chiropractic for the flu?  Well, no. Any chiropractic treatment for the flu itself is just a dumb idea. 
Getting adjustments for general health is a great idea. It is a pretty well known among both
chiropractors and osteopaths that manipulations helped during the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic. 
Many cite really good results and even fewer deaths than allopaths. I don’t know how much of
it is myth and how much is truth. I cannot find any documentation, it has been mostly handed
down to osteopaths and chiropractors in story.
Getting adjustments does help the immune system as well as your own resilience to emotional,
mental, chemical and physical stress.  Here is one example of how chiropractic manipulations
of the spine can affect immunity.  https://www.danmurphydc.com/Rhodes_Flu.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4486990/.  
By making sure that the muscles are loose and the joints around the spine are in good moving
order, the body becomes more at ease and therefore better prepared to fight infection all by itself,
just like it was designed.
http://icpa4kids.org/Chiropractic-Research/studies-on-effects-of-spinal-manipulation-on-the-immune-response.html

Go ahead and take your vitamins.  I would suggest more Zinc (slows the reproduction of the virus)
(Site reference http://time.com/4779655/zinc-lozenges-cold/) If you look it up you will see that most
of the time Zinc is for colds.  Three is really not much difference to you or me, so go for it.
(Site reference:  https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm)
Wash your hands, cover your mouth, stay warm and dry, get good rest, eat good food, drink water. 
Stay away from things that reduce your immune response; stress, cold, over work, alcohol, and other
vices.  In other words, the best defense is a good offense. Stay well…
Also take plenty of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) and vitamin D3 (it helps with hormone, and immune
factors that your body builds and needs to fight infections) 
Physiology and practice guidelines for pneumatic cupping.  I do explain a bit about
how it works.
Here is a recap:  The cup is placed on the back usually, with an active infection you put more on
the upper back near the lung fields.   The suction pulls the skin up and causes a negative pressure
vacuum. This draws the skin up and fluids out of their places; veins, venuoles, arterioles,
capillaries, interstitial spaces, lymph spaces, and intercellular spaces.  
This fluid being brought into the ‘wrong’ place makes the body react with a response
of inflammation regulation, swelling, and new fluid flow into the area.
The flu is a respiratory dis ease process.  It affects the whole body but the lungs are
especially affected.  In acupuncture theory we say it is an invasion of cold wind or air into
the usually hot interior of the body.  When this happens.
Recently, there is new info on the measles outbreaks in both Western United States as well
as in the central Phillipines (Visaya).   Everyone wants to blame a few people who have not
been vaccinated when that is really not a correct stance. Remember when I mentioned that a
virus is a living being with a ‘will’ to survive?  Well it wants to continue on and will adapt where
and when it can. For example, in 1987 in Texas an outbreak of measles occurred in a vaccinated
community. Statistics showed 99 percent of that population was vaccinated for measles. 
Yet, NOT every non vaccinated person got the measles, and as many as 12% of the
students that were vaccinated came down with the measles. Of course, there is a waning
effect on all vaccines, but that cannot be determined and is not the reason for that and other
outbreaks.  There are many conditions to consider not only in a community of people but also
in individuals, the environment as well as the season. This year, 2019 there have been just over
80 cases of measles reported (remember the population of the United States is over 300 million)
With the current vaccination rates around only 70% of the population, that puts about 100 million
at risk, but only 80 or so cases have been reported.  Why? 
Well, one reason is the general vitality and health of the individuals, the cleanliness of communities
compared to ‘the past’ and other factors such as improving treatment (even though typical treatment
is to rest and wait it out…)
This outbreak was both a battle cry for both pro vaccine people that simply wanted more vaccinations.  (Often fueled by panic and well worded press releases from pharmaceutical bodies) as well as for the so called anti-vaxxers that claim all sorts of mishaps because of vaccinations. 

We also have to look at the history of disease to determine the communal anxiety surrounding them. 
The Flu was highlighted by the 1918 outbreak that did kill millions. Vaccines were not available then. 
Diets were relatively terrible and sanitation was an issue for many in the United States. Remember,
most people were still rather rural and horses still outnumbered cars.   Then there is measles, which
if you look back at the word ‘measles’ means pustule in old Dutch and eventually became
synonymous with Leprosy. Leprosy is a terribly disfiguring disease that caused many societies to
ban those infected to islands or areas away from the general public.  We still have a hint of that panic
in us today. Leprosy (also known as Hansen’s disease) https://www.cdc.gov/leprosy/index.html is
from a slow growing bacterium, not a virus.  It is highly contagious but much more treatable now. 
Only about 60 cases were even reported in the United States in 2015.  Again, it is largely due to better
hygiene, living conditions, diet and sanitation.  There is and has been no vaccine for Leprosy. 
There are many non-allopathic (that is the term for Western medicine doctors, allopath) treatments
for any ailment.  Some are complete hooey, and some are well known and even studied. However,
one you can make money on is by far more studied and ‘verified’ than any ‘folk remedy’ or wives tale. 
I would suggest using both.  It is fine to use a screw driver to put in a screw but easier if you use an
electric one or a drill with a screw driver bit. Right?  Use the best tool available, but don’t only rely
on that. There are far more risks in doing nothing than there are going to an allopath, getting a
medication and using the tried and true traditional remedies.  It is the result you are after not the
process.
In the end, you are the one responsible for your own health.  If there is an outbreak of something,
don’t go there. Stay healthy in the first place.  Get the shots if you want, but don’t assume anyone
else should or has and don’t assume that it worked if they did.  Having ‘blind faith’ is no more a cure
than doing nothing. Keep yourself healthy. That is the best start.
#virus
#fluseason
#flu
#flushot 
#influenza
#vaccine
#antivaxer
#getyourflushot
#fightflu
#influenza
#measles
#health



Cupping Therapy, what it does and how it works.


What Cupping is good for…Indications
(unfortunately, the diagrams are not getting on the blog, sorry about that.  I am working on it.  You can buy the book complete on Kindle…)
Chronic issues of pain, fatigue, or disability
Pain and fatigue are good signs that the body does not move as much as it should to enable movement of toxins, acids and nutrients to and from all areas of the body.  Cupping helps to kick start this and get those fluids moving.
History of prescription or recreational drug use. 
This is a great way to help other modalities when someone is in a detox state.  Those medications or drugs tend to hang in the subcutaneous fat and are difficult to remove.  Cupping can help them get the where they need to go to be excreted or detoxified by the liver.
Too much protein in the diet.
Proteins are difficult and take longer to digest.  They are however, nutritionally rich and can generally be refined into any of the main components we need; amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids.  Some proteins can remain in blood plasma and can make the blood (as a whole) thicker, more sludgy and less easily moved among the compartments.
Parasite or candida infection:
Some parasites and other infections slow the response of the body on purpose to make sure they (the infectious bug) live longer.  Some parasites can even wall off their area so that our normal immunity cannot get to it.   Cupping can help open up those areas to good blood and other fluids that will attract and activate your own immune system and cleaning mechanisms.
Exposure to environmental toxins, mold, pollen, chemicals etc.
The more chemical exposure, the longer treatment will take. The patient will also have to get out of the  environment that has the irritating chemicals.   Cupping can help the whole body process those irritating toxins and get some help for the liver, lungs and skin to work more efficiently.
Past traumatic events that tend to rear up now and again.
Yes, even PTSD can benefit.  You may have heard the term “The issues are in the tissues” which is the body’s way of segmenting and separating fluids for different reasons.  There is no reason to think that emotional/spiritual/consciousness issues do not react the same way.   Cupping can be a relaxing respite for them as well.  Breathing is essential in this type of treatment.
That feeling of being stagnant or ‘stuck’ in life, relationships, career etc…
Cupping can help you feel more fresh and light, giving you the edge on energy to start a good habit of health and wellbeing.  When the cups are on, you can also use meditative techniques to really contemplate your next action in life… etc.

Detoxification:
As a general treatment to help the body’s natural processes work a little better.  When we are talking about toxins, we don’t only mean the normal toxins that build up from normal metabolism: carbon dioxide, lactic acid, carbonic acid, cellular debris, and excess water from metabolism.  Remember, our bodies normally handle this all by themselves; cupping helps it move even more.
We can also help affect those that are doing any form of detoxification, from alcohol, drugs; even just ‘bad’ energy can be moved with cupping.  Sometimes we can get what used to be called a health care crisis, where you have flu like symptoms from having all the toxins get stirred up in the system all at once.

As an example, think of a bucket of dirty water.  If you let it sit long enough the dirt will all settle to the bottom and the water will seem rather clear and pure.  Obviously there is lots of muck deep down and once you stir it up there can be that feeling of sickness all over again.  Cupping can do that sometimes, but keep at it, drink plenty of water and help flush out the system.  There are some supplements and herbs that can help with this process as well.  (We can go over them later)
Concentrate the cup placement on the back around the areas that serve the kidneys and liver.  (See diagram).
Also, in later sessions we can do some abdominal gentle cupping and see how that fares for you.

Cellulite:  This, I would consider a more advanced treatment and should be done by someone with a little more training and with the Finnish soft cups.  Great to get the fluids moving in the cellulite areas.  The cellulite will disappear at least temporarily, as it is merely toxins stuck in fat tissue.  Once the toxins are released the tissue will appear more normal. This can take months to clear from the body and needs nutritional, chemical, physical, and consciousness care as well.  There are vacuum devices that cost thousands that can do the work as well, but cupping is easy and cheap.

Colds and flu:  One of the main traditional uses of cupping, commonly with a sauna and herbal teas and salves.   This can be a great way to help break a fever. It opens channels that heat will escape from really quickly.  Be careful not to let the client become chilled.  Cover all spots by wearing a shirt. Too much Qi release can be problematic.
This is one time the cups can be used on the chest, although lightly will get a good enough result to help with congestion and that feeling of being un-well.

Stiffness:   This is a great way to loosen the tissues and promote blood flow which will remove the lactic acid that causes the stiffness.  Helps to re-oxygenate the tissues and get fluids moving again bringing oxygen, nutrients and fluids and therefore loosening the stiffness.

Neck and shoulders:  We are generally talking about the shoulders and trapezius muscles that tend to get very tight with emotional and mental stress.  You know those, top of the shoulders and on the back.  This is the best place to put the cups so that they can do the most benefit.  Feel for the tight spots or most tender areas and set the cups on those with three or four pumps.  Then give that about five minutes and recheck.

Abdominal or Belly cupping:  Here we should use the flash cupping or gentle cupping in the areas as listed in the diagram.  Make sure and do the areas of complaint first as this will help the whole system become looser.  (See Diagram)  This can be useful for the following conditions: Bloating, gall bladder issues, liver enzymes elevated, liver issues, splenic or immune issues, stomach problems, sour stomach, constipation, irritable bowel.
Also, since it increases fluids in the local area, it can be useful for pelvic work when someone wants to become pregnant.  Treatment below the belly button and on the back is indicated to help increase heat to the uterus and surrounding tissues.  DO NOT  use on a pregnant person, though.

Knees and ankles:  For this use the smaller cups.  I have used this with  acupuncture with really good success.  Be mindful of the veiny areas. The  cups may not want to stick unless there is lots of effusion in those  areas.  And then be careful.  Use the flash cupping and then try some other parts on the calf or up in the thigh so that you can influence the most movement of fluid against gravity.  Continue this for about five minutes and recheck often to make sure the cups are staying where you want them, and that the fluids are moving.

Facial cupping:  This is a good technique for rehabilitation of the face and can help reduce some wrinkles.  Do this very carefully; only a little bit of a pump. You should use the smallest of the cups for this to be able to work.  This is a very ‘Yin’ area, so caution is advised.


Cupping details.
Does it hurt?  It can feel uncomfortable, especially if the tissue is over congested and tight, or if you are dehydrated.  Drink plenty of good water before and after a session.  Some people will feel ‘flu-y’ after a treatment.  The best thing to do in that case is simply drink plenty of water and keep the cupped area  warm and covered.  A lot of energy (Qi) is released when you have cupping.  The marks are considered open spots that leak lots of vital energy which, if you are already fighting off some bug or somewhat sick, you may feel the sick feeling more.  Most people feel a ‘freshness’ at the areas of cupping, which is a great sign that energy is coming back to the area.

How long will those marks last?  That depends on how deep the stagnation and how ‘healthy’ your system really is.  Usually the marks last a couple of days.  Sometimes, with deep set stagnation that is chronic, a yellowish mark may remain for a couple of weeks.  This is an indication that much more work needs to be done.

What should one do about the marks?  Marks  are a natural and  expected result of good cupping.  Keep them covered and warm, as the ‘opening’ of that area will release a lot of energy and heat.  You can be more susceptible to chills and further trouble if they are left uncovered, especially for the first day or so.  Also, since the marks are more ‘open’ than the rest of the skin, be mindful of what you put on your skin.  Natural and medicated oils will be more potent.
Drink water or eat before coming for the treatment. You will relax even more and avoid uncomfortable nausea and dizziness which occasionally occur.

After cupping it is common to feel coolness, or a light feeling.  Your energy will go up or down depending on how your body reacts to the cupping treatment.  Best plan is to schedule 4 or 5 treatments over a month period to cleanse the entire area and facilitate healing in the most efficient way for you.


All ‘scripts’ can be found on our blog:  https://thenaturalbodyworks.blogspot.com


Phone: 720- 325 9886
Address:  12539 N. Highway 83, Unit B
                Parker Colorado 80134

Here is the text for the Gall Bladder cleanse, you can also see it on my blog https://drseanthompson.wordpress.com/...

The information in these videos are for education only, there is no intent to diagnose, treat or render an opinion.  Any incidental diagrams, drawings, music, video, or other recording are used under the copyright fair use for education and or satire.  Use your own brain, go see a qualified provider if there is any question…
Not responsible for you, you are.
#chiropractor
#chiropractic
#acupuncture
#acupuncturist
#health
#backpain
#migraine
#holistic
#naturalbodyworks
#instachiropractor
#subluxation




January 2026, winter is here? Stiff, tired? I got you.

  I wanted to briefly share what I’m noticing right now, as it may help you better understand what your body is asking for. I’ve been notici...