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



Electric acupuncture pen for Small Intestine meridian (clearing out energies)

The electrical acupuncture meridian point stimulation pen for the small intestine meridian.

See the video here... Small intestine meridian, acupuncture pen.

The small intestine lies in the belly, surrounded by the large intestine.  Its main job (physiologically) is to separate the good from the bad.  Take the nutrients from food and get it to the blood stream.  it helps release mucus, and is the laboratory to break down all your foodstuffs with specific enzymes that help break fats, proteins and carbohydrates into useful chemicals we can use to support, repair and build our bodies.
In acupuncture theory, we use a little different understanding.  The small intestine IS the place we separate bad from good, like wheat from the chaff.  Here are the points.

1.      Small intestine. Has 19 points that begin on the ulnar side of the little finger(outer)  it ends at the where the jaw opens in front of the ear. 
a.      S1 Metal Point. at the ulnar side of the pinky finger nail.   Removes obstructions, opens openings.  Improves lactation, opens glands of breast. Cloudiness of the cornea, Clears eyes.
b.      S2. Water Point, When a loose fist is made, where the crease of the pinky ends on the fish skin. At proximal phalange.  Clears heat, for numbness , fever, headache and ringing in ears. Neck pain/stiffness. Also for eye.
c.      S3 Wood point, Master and toning point>  when a loose fist is made at the end of the crease that meets the metacarpal-phalangeal joint.  Neck stiffness, hearing trouble blurry vision, clears the mind.
d.      S4 on the ulnar edge of palm between base of 5th metacarpal and triquetrum bone. Distal crease!
e.      S5 FIRE point.  Near the end of the wrist crease of the ulnar side.  Between the styloid and triquetrum.   Good fir neck swelling, reduces distractibility.  Clears head for choices. Removes obstructions of the meridian.  NOT the intestine per se.
f.       S6 nourishing point.  On dorsum (back) of wrist.  On radial side of ulna…  Used for pain of shoulder, arm and lower back.  A good one.  Relaxes muscles, Brightens the eyes.
g.      S7 Command point for head and neck. Difficult to find.  It is in between 5 and 8 (NOT 6 and 8) and then 1” distal. You may find a tendon there… Good for neck stiffness, headache, Calms mind, Spasm pain of elbow and fingers.  Fevers…

h.      S8 EARTH point.  Sedation point … Where the funny bone is.  Inside on the medial epicondyle space. Good for pain in elbow and wrist/hand.  Removes obstructions and pain in the neck. 


Here is a link if you want to buy one of these. I got this acupuncture meridian pen, also called a laser pen even though there is no laser. Sometimes it is called an electrical meridian pen. It is ok for the price of somewhere between 10 and 30 dollars. I got some and have been using them for self treatment and now getting people to better understand how to use them. Here is a link for the pen to buy on Amazon. https://amzn.to/2XoiLin A continuation of the work with the electrical acupuncture meridian pen. Today I am going over the first few points on the hand and forearm for the Small Intestine Meridian. Use this to help you really feel the points and be able to locate them easier. The more you know HOW it feels the better you will be at locating and treating them. To answer a couple questions; it does not cure anything. It is a self treatment modality you may find beneficial for certain conditions as mentioned in the video, these are traditional uses of the points and not to be considered a cure, treatment, diagnosis or medial treatment. Use at your own risk and common sense. Dr. Sean at Natural BodyWorks in Parker Colorado is a chiropractor, acupuncturist and dry needle practitioner. He produces these videos to help patients and friends live better more comfortable lives. A little levity and education go a long way in his opinion. All information is original, and opinion of Dr. Sean Thompson for educational purposes only. Any background music or visuals are incidental and not copyrighted. Comments and questions are welcomed, and will be responded to as soon as possible. Dr. Sean runs The Natural BodyWorks in Parker Colorado, has been practicing for over 20 years and is available daily at his office. Thanks! Website: https://www.thenaturalbodyworks.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/thenaturalb... Facebook: https://facebook.com/Naturalbodyworks... Google+: https://www.plus.google.com/+seanthom... LinkedIn: Https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsesanthompson Pinterest; https://www.pinterest.com/thenaturalb... Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/naturalbodyworks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenaturalb... Discus: https://discus.com/by/rev_sean Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/thenatura... Email: frontdesk@thenaturalbodyworks.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. Support us? Share, subscribe, like, comment!

Meridian Acupuncture Pen Pericardium Points


Over the past few months I have been reviewing the meridian acupuncture electrical pen. Here is a copy of the notes I used to do this video. Basically, the script.


Here is a link to get this very pen~ !! (well, one just like it...)

1.      Pericardium, Paired with triple warmer, SanJiao, etc.  Protects and comforts the heart.  Protects from hurt heart/broken heart, anger from liver fear from kidney. Etc. Think of it like a mother or grandmother.   YIN. 9 points that begins at the 4th intercostal space, 1” lateral to nipple. Ends at the center tip of social finger.
a.      P9 Wood point, center of tip of middle finger.  Clears heat, restores consciousness. Palpitations, swelling of tongue. Heatstroke. Prick it to bleed.   Hot feeling in palm. . 
b.      P8 Fire point, on crease of palm, where middle finger sets in light fist (just below).  Chest and cardiac pain. Clears fire, calms mind. Infection of the hand, mental disorders, nausea. Bad breath… gas pains, epilepsy.
c.      P7. Earth point, middle of transverse crease of wrist, between tendons of palmaris longus and flexor carpi radials.  Clears heat, calms mind, good for stuffy chest, stomach ache. Irritability.  DIMINISHES NERVOUSNESS,
d.      P6 Powerful, Master point. L. 2” from center of wrist crease.  Opens chest, regulates heart blood and Qi.  Harmonizes stomach, clears mind.  Nausea vomiting, irritability… good for nausea.  THE main one for motion sickness and any NAUSEA.
e.      P5. Metal point. Meeting of 3 yin channels of hand, heart, pericarp and lung. 3”above crease.  Clears heat, opens chest, resolves heart phlegm, irritability.  Contracture of arm.
f.       P4/ 5” above crease. Regulates and cools blood, (reduces heat of the moment emotions) removes obstructions, opens and calms heart, stops pain, strengthens the mind.
g.      P3. Water point, on elbow crease on ulnar side of tendon bicep. Expels heat, cools blood, soothes, opens heart calm mind. Tremor of hand

Lung Meridian and the Electrical Acupuncture Pen


So here we are.  We have our new and fancy electrical acupuncture meridian pen and some time.  I have posted videos on YouTube.  Here is a link to follow along:   Lung Meridian.  I decided to take the pen and map out each point from the elbows down for the upper extremity and from the knee down for the lower.  I will also do many on certain conditions.  


Lung, Hand Tai YIN,   11 points that ends on the thumb, (medially, on palm side or towards mid line of body on thumb. ) Begins at the first inter-costal space, 6” lateral to Ren meridian.
a.    Lu 11, Wood point.  Also a Ghost point (good for mood).  Radial side of thumb, at nail… good for sore throat cough, asthma, fever. 
b.   Lu 10, Fire point, mid-point of thumb metacarpal, at fish skin area.  Good to clear lung heat.  Benefits throat.
c.    Lu9. Earth point. (GOOD EMO) Tonification point.  Lateral to radial artery on crease of wrist..  Resolves phlegm, regulates lung QI.  Tonifies. (Regret, spiritual emptiness, loss or longing.
d.   Lu8, Metal point 1” above 9 lat to artery.  Diffuses lung, cough asthma, chest and wrist pain,.
e.    Lu7, Master point.  . (EMO) Grief 1.5” above 9 straight back from styloid of radius. This one zigzags..  Disperse lung issue, wrist pain, and neck pain. WANDERING PAINS
f.     Lu 6. 5” below Lu 5 (transverse cubital crease, on radial side of tendon of biceps.  6 is good for lung Qi, pain in elbow and arm. Spasm
g.    Lu5. Water point.  SEDATION point.  Transverse cubital crease, on radial side of tendon of biceps.  Clear lung heat and helps expel phlegm.  Pain of elbow.  Has been used for afternoon fevers. Asthma.







Using a electro-meridian pen on your wrist.

I got this nifty and futuristic looking meridian acupuncture pen.  I liked it enough to buy a bunch of them and have people do work on themselves.  Here is one way I have found to use it.
Carpal Tunnel...Buy your pen NOW from Amazon

See the picture?  I have written numbers on my wrist which coordinate with the nerves we will discuss and treat here.
1. The Radial nerve, this nerve branches off the brachial plexus in the neck at about the 6th cervical vertebral space.  See below...
 Now, we also have to understand that the nerves to the hand come from the entire neck area (brachial plexus, cervical 4 through thoracic 1) but that when someone has a radial nerve or C5-6 nerve root problem we see it in the radial area.  Thumb...

2. the Median nerve... generally attributed to cervical 6 and 7, but you can really link back to the entire brachial plexus... if you really search through the roots, trunks, divisions, cords all the way to the major peripheral branches we are talking about here.

I have used some old x-rays I had to show you the number of the vertebrae and where the nerves branch from.



3. The Ulnar Nerve This one, on the pinky side of the hand comes from the lower part of the neck, C7 and T1 areas.  It is pretty definite in its origin unlike the other two above.  This nerve is easily pinched with trapezius or upper back and shoulder muscle tension.  It is also a common nerve to be affected with shoulder problems.

OK, so first we have to look at the wrist it self... The wrist is made up of an arch of bones called the carpal tunnel.  (Carpal refers to the wrist in anatomic terms).

Here is a cutaway view (rough diagram) of the carpal tunnel.

I took a picture of my left hand.  You will notice that in most anatomy books in the States you only see anatomy of the right side.  This is just convention.  You can see the left in any Gray's Anatomy book.  That is one of the reasons they are so cheap here.

The main points of the carpal tunnel are listed; the Flexor retinaculum, which is a tendon covering to help hold down all the tendons to the hand and fingers on the ventral/anterior side of the wrist (anatomical position).  It is where you would feel for a pulse.  (I did not draw in the arteries... )

The main bones of the tunnel.  These bones are movable and I will show you how in the video portion.
Notice the nerves, just about where I wrote the numbers on my wrist.  I will show you how to find them with the meridian acupuncture pen.

So now we know a bit about where everything is...
Here starts the problem.
I have been a chiropractor and acupuncturist for over 20 years, I have taught anatomy and physiology at the college level for over ten of them.   I have worked on plenty of people with nerve damage and pain in the hand and fingers and have rarely seen a true Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.  The anatomy can tell us why.  There is not much space in that tunnel and when you hold your wrist in a certain position for a long time, the joint can actually begin to change and the carpal tunnel can collapse or change enough to put pressure on the tendons and the nerve.

Now back to the pen.
I like it for what it is worth.  Which is not much.  It is a very basic electrical stimulation device, there is no way to change any of the parameters and I rarely feel any difference when I turn it up.  It has a display that goes from 1 to 9 and 0 being the off button.  You need a good grip on the thing and have moist skin for it to work.  You may get pinching or sensation in the treating hand (the hand you are holding it with,) that is because of poor contact.  Grip it tighter or move the depth of the probe.
But I figure, I have it, so might as well make some use of it.
I think it would be a good tool to find and stimulate peripheral nerves as well as motor-points in muscle.   It seems to have a pulse rate of about 2 Hz, but I don't know any of the carrier frequencies or micro amps etc.  It is a one AA battery which will get you a good 1.5 volts.  There is no step up transformer in it as far as I can tell, and I don't even know if that would even work.

Muscles of the hand:  well, this is a great item for that.  You can definitely stimulate them and get them to go.  There are really not many muscles in the hand anyway and they are so deep this pen just cannot really get to them.  The ones we can get are the thenar and hypothenar muscles.  They are on the thumb and pinky side of the palm respectively.

Muscles of the forearm and wrist.  Really you have to go up into the forearm as there are no real muscles you can get to in the distal wrist.  Lots of tendons and nerves.

So, what can it do?   The stim really does relax the muscle by pulsing it making it release stagnant blood and other fluids releasing the lactic acid and then allowing new blood and lymph to enter the area.  It burns up all the muscle fuel (ATP) and makes the body replace it.  It is a good idea to take some Calcium and Magnesium to help with the new needs of that muscle.

As for the nerve, it does appear to cause some anesthesia but this is just a numb feeling I have after using the unit.  There is no prolonged feeling of numbness, tingling or other paresthesia.
For the money I like it enough to promote it and suggest its use to patients.  It is a great tool for students who are learning nerve tracing and such so I would highly recommend it to chiropractic, acupuncture and advanced massage therapy students.  You can not only learn where the nerves are closest to the surface but what they feel like and their distribution.



Buy your pen NOW from Amazon
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The Sacrum and Ilium, a real pain in the butt.

The Sacro-iliac Joint. A real pain in the ass.

Above is an X-ray of a pretty much normal pelvis.  There are some basic misalignment issues and some arthritic changes there but let’s use it as our study example.
The main thing I want to focus on is the sacro iliac joint.  That is the connector of your pelvic bones to the base of the spine, the sacrum.  The sacrum is a pizza-piece shaped bone, pointing down.  At the bottom of the sacrum is the tail bone, called the coccyx.
Pelvic arch
I  also drew a diagram of a very basic pelvis to see how it kinda fits together.  The diagram above is that of an arch, like in a doorway made of stone.  Notice how similar the structure is to the pelvis and lower body.  The sides of the doorway are like the legs, the key stone at the top is like the sacrum.
When a misalignment occurs, and they can occur for many reasons, such as; muscle fatigue, injury (slow or fast like a fall or sitting in a position for a long time) or even emotional stress.   The entire orientation of each part changes to try and maintain balance in the system.  This causes compensations such as muscles tightening to help or splint the area, leg length changes to accommodate the shift in the direction of the pelvis or sacrum, or re-alignment of the entire spine up to the head to adapt to the problem.
Generally, when the sacrum becomes mis-aligned the pelvis rotates and shifts, or there may be a failure of the joint and you will have lots of pain.  This pain causes spasm of some muscles and total loss of tone in others.  This can make it hard or even impossible to get out of a chair or your car.
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The sacrum meets the pelvis bones at the sacro-iliac joint.  You can feel the bones of the ilium (top part of the pelvis) just below your belt line, on the back about 2″ from the center of the spine (that would be at about the sacrum).  When I am confirming the alignment of the pelvis as related to leg length, that is what I use.  One of the sides is likely to be tender to pressure.
OK, so what.
This is one of the main contributors of severe back pain.  It can mimic and even confuse the most experienced practitioner (Medical Doctor, Physical Therapist, or Massage therapist) into thinking it is a disc injury.  However, once you find this kind of mis-alignment and get it to move, the pain and spasm go away.  This would not happen with a disc.  (usually)…  The sacro-iliac joint is fibrous, it is tough, in some books it is called immovable.  But I assure you it moves!  It can shift and slide out of place, even a millimeter  can cause severe pain.  It tends to move slowly, and responds better to slower adjustments with pelvic blocks.
On the right side of the arch diagram you can see where there is an arrow pointing to the pelvic misalignment. That is where the pain most likely would be felt.  That space can be swollen or compressed.  The muscles up the back and around the rump will spasm to try and splint it in place.  It really has no idea if it is broken or not, just knows it is not where it should be and will try and stabilize it as best it can.
Typical symptoms of this kind of alignment problem is pain with movement, especially getting out of bed, changing positions in bed, getting out of a car, or in one, and a feel like it just may ‘give out’ on you with certain movements.  Generally it feels like a ‘tooth ache’ feel at the sacroiliac joint or sometimes like an ice pick is stuck between the bones.  This can give you shooting sharp pain.  Usually it does not go down the leg like in sciatica.  But it will be really focal and sharp.  The muscles around it, the rump, front of thigh, and even muscles on the side of the hip can tighten.  Also my favorite muscle the Psoas can spasm, giving you that bent over Quasimodo look.
So, how does it happen?  Well, commonly it is because of a lifting issue a couple days before the pain showed up.  It can be from sitting in an odd position like when you lie on the couch and watch a movie marathon or sat in a car for a long time on a road trip.  Occasionally it is from stepping off a curve wrong or a slip and fall.  Other ways it occurs, especially if the main part is the sacrum, could be from some congenital (an anomaly you were born with) malformation.  In the furthest esoteric reasons, it could be from emotional instability related to foundation issues like home, career, stability,  family etc…
That is why it is important to look at all of the areas of possible cause; physical, chemical, and emotional before starting to go into some treatment plan.  Although it is difficult to pin down an emotional relationship, it is always a good idea to use it as an object of contemplation when going after a cause.  Many times there are insights into the reasons which really do speed up the healing and normalizing process.
The therapies I use are pelvic blocking, heat, muscle stimulation and other chiropractic adjustments and realignment techniques.  I also prescribe and teach stretching and other self care tricks of the trade to keep you ‘in the saddle’ as it were.
I had this very misalignment over 30 years ago when I was taking Japanese Jujitsu.  I had done a terrible barrel roll fall and really messed up my back.  The instructors there told me to do some exercises which, unfortunately made it worse.   I went to my doctor (Medical doctor) and immediately they referred me for x-rays and within a week I was being scheduled for back surgery.  Terrified, but in pain,  I purposefully missed the appointment for the surgery and figured I would just be a cripple.  Someone told me to go to a chiropractor.  My father advised me not to because they were ‘quacks’ and would probably paralyze me.  Well, once I became so disabled I could not manage stairs or put a pair of underwear on without sitting on the floor, I went to the chiropractor.  I am not going to say there was any miracle, the treatment was painful at first and I was afraid.  I followed the recommendations at the time, (daily for like ten days, then three times a week for a couple months, then twice a week, eventually getting down to about once a month.)  I don’t use such schedules with my patients now (oh, did I mention I BECAME A CHIROPRACTOR!?)  I have found that with as little as four or five visits we can get the same result as 15 visits too close together.    It was the style at the time to have such an extensive treatment schedule, largely because my insurance paid.  LOL…
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Now I work on getting people out of pain, then getting them stable and show them how to care for it themselves so that they do not have to come in as often.  Since I started practice I have had to send about five patients to surgery, but that is by far the exception to the rule with proper diagnosis and care.
Now, I use acupuncture, dry needling, chiropractic alignments, and stretching to help it get back in place and stay there.  Most patients will need follow up care, depending on how well we did initially and how they care for their backs and what kind of activities they want to stick with.  As for me, once I stabilized and strengthened I was able to do anything, including be an EMT in a major metro area, scuba dive all over the world, hike, bike, take more martial arts, and do pretty much what ever I wanted.  I know that would have not been possible if I got surgery.  Many surgeries fail, causing lasting problems and disability.  The surgery can even kill you.  I did not want to take that chance, and I was fine.
This kind of treatment is not for everyone, sometimes surgery IS the best choice.  Sometimes all it takes is time and a little stretching, sometimes a swim will help reset it.  Many times, a change in life situations can make a big difference.   For me, I was really worried about what I wanted to do with my life at the time.  I was getting student loans up the wazoo and had no plan.  It was not for almost ten years I decided to become a chiropractor, it took another ten to do acupuncture training.
If you find yourself in this predicament, go see a reasonable chiropractor.  Preferably one that does not get you on too much of a schedule.  Contact me if you want more information.   See my website http://www.thenaturalbodyworks.com or check out my YouTube Channel… thenaturalbodyworks.  I can also be reached at my office by phone or text.  720- 325 then 9886 (don’t want a bunch of bots calling me)  I can advise you and help you where I can.


Hope this helped.
Dr. Sean H. Thompson, B.Sc., D.C., CCAP etc…

Arnica Salve for back and joint pain

So, as many of you that know me know, I do LOTS of other projects.  From rebuilding a Volkswagen to making herbal teas.  Well, here is the latest one.  I am making a balm/salve for muscles and joints.
The idea is to make something stronger and better than Tiger Balm and others like it.  I have been tinkering with it for a while.  Here is the first steps.  I had to make the base...
The most common base has either bees wax or petroleum.  I didn't want to use any animal products or petroleum (basically a by product of crude oil)... bleech!
I did some research and really tried many different things including almond oil, coconut oil, vegetable glycerin, different alcohols, and even trying to get some bees wax.  I felt badly that I was taking from bees needlessly and so looked all over for alternatives.
Here is what I found.  A really good wax called Candelila (which comes from a shrub) can be used in place of petroleum.  It is a very hard wax though and has to be cut with something to give it a better feel and smoother texture.  Also has to be somewhat easy to absorb into the skin without being irritating in any way.   I got a hold of some Shea Butter which has great properties, is very stable and quite nice for and on the skin.



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I had to experiment on what to do in regards to the amounts of each in the formula.  I was looking for a similar texture to Tiger Balm or Siddhalepa (one I found in Sri Lanka).
Here was the process:   I had to melt the candelila wax in a double boiler as to not burn the wax.  I used a hot plate and an old pot I had for herb preparations I made.
The first picture of the table has all the ingredients I was working with.  (I will post them in detail later) .  I have the oil/wax mixture in the small Plexiglas ramekins I got at the local 'chef' store.  I just had to keep mindful of which one was which.  Once they all melted together I set them aside to cool and set.  I had not added any of the active ingredients yet.
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As I was able to melt everything together I had to keep really good notes.  I was able to find a great ratio of wax to Shea Butter and have it all set for the next step.  Adding the chemicals and oils for the therapeutic effect.
So I had to come up with the labeling.  What a chore that was.  I was trying to get too much information on the little round 1.5" labels.  I ended up using Microsoft's Paint application and was able to design the logo (The Blue Faced Bear) and the vital information.   I found a printer that would get me the labels rather cheaply.  I will post them in the next installment.  But here is the new logo as well as a sample label.

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The ingredient ratios:  (this is from notes of 2/25/2019)
All are Essential Processed oils:  Mostly from CCS, LLC * (Consolidated Chemical and Solvents
Arnica 4 parts, 4 ounces or 8 tablespoons
Mentholatum* (Methyl Salicylate) 2 parts, 2 ounces or 4 tablespoons
Camphor 2 parts, 2 ounces or 4 tablespoons
Pinene* 1 part; 1 ounce or 2 tablespoons
clove oil 1 part... 1 ounce or 2 tablespoons
 (total of 10 parts for easy measuring) 

Wax (Candelita) 1 parts= 5 oz. (10 tablespoons)
Oil (Shea Butter) 3 parts =15 oz.  (30 tablespoons)

The first set was 30 finished items:
Tins, labels, tape to close each one, printed directions and small bag to hold it.  

Label details:  This is from Sellercentral.amazon.com 
  1. Drugs must be labeled in English with the following information:
    1. The title of the drug
    2. The “Drug Facts” panel
    3. The active ingredient(s)
    4. The purpose(s) of the drug
    5. The use(s) of the drug
    6. Any required warning(s)
    7. The directions for using the drug
    8. Any other information, as required for the specific product
    9. The inactive ingredients
  2. Drug must use the claim “FDA approved” appropriately
  3. Drug labels must not use the FDA logo
I will be altering some of the info and also putting in a piece of paper explaining more about the product.   Later I will be adding a couple different formulas to the mix.  The end plan is to have three.
I will make an initial batch of about 30 and give them away for people to try and to rate.
So there you go.
Another project.  Catch me for more later this month.

Dr. Sean

OK< New ideas: 
Blue Bear Salve:  (This is the Arnica) 4 parts arnica, 2 parts menthol, 2 parts camphor, 1 part pinene, 1 part clove oil.  
Red Rhino penetrating medicated oil (see Red Flower) 6 parts methyl salicylate, 3 parts cinnamon, Draco resin 1 part, (in Safflower oil)
Yellow Elephant?? (See Siddhalepa) (3 parts eucalyptus, 2 part citronella, 1 part cinnamon, 1 part pinene, 1 part camphor, 1 part menthol) 
Green Dragon, or Shark???  (Tiger Balm) (7 part Eucalyptus, 5 Part Cinnamon, 5 Part Clove, 10 Parts Camphor, 9 parts Menthol) 

Individual CHEMICALS Needed: 
Methyl Salicylate (Have about 900 ml)
Arnica Oil (Have about 100 ml) PRAAN
Camphor Oil (FROM A POWDER CCS)
Pinene (have about 900 ml) CCS
Clove oil (PRAAN)
Draco (Dragons Blood Resin)
Eucalyptus
Citronella (PRAAN)
Cinnamon (PRAAN
(almost all are available at Praan Naturals (https://www.praannaturals.com/downloads/default.asp)
Chemicals are available at (https://www.consolidated-chemical.com/)

BASES
Safflower Oil
Candelilla wax
Shea Butter

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.

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