Stagnation leads to inflammation

One of the more important things I have noticed over the last five years, is how many people are at jobs that cause them to be immobile for up to eight hours a day. Many people work on computers, at administrative and executive jobs. This kind of immobilization and stagnation definitely leads to inflammation in the body. I am seeing more and more people with low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, elbow, wrist and hand pain. The body was designed to move in order to optimize function. When people sit for a long period of time, breathing changes and metabolic activity slows down. They also experience excessive compression on specific areas of the muscular-skeletal system. Over a long period of time this contributes to their circulation becoming impaired. This compromise to circulation leads to a build up of metabolic waste which starts to create inflammation in cells of the body.

These acids which are part of the metabolic waste can interfere with nerve conduction. This interference leads to the individual being notified that there’s a problem because a symptom gets created. This symptom is usually pain. The pain is created from a cellular swelling and irritation in the region from an over-usage such as standing in prolonged positions. This is very significant because this situation can lead to a degeneration in the body. This may seem like a simple concept of ‘how pain is created’, but once again I am noticing clinically, over the last 4-5 years, that people are coming in with pain syndromes that are caused from an aspect of being too stagnant. People are no longer exercising or moving enough or even correctly. We lead busy lives forget or are unaware of what the body needs in order to move freely and optimally without pain.

Once again, it is essential to take breaks through out the day. Take a 20 min. walk or do some stretching or at the beginning or end of a day go to an exercise class. Walking, running, swimming, yoga and dancing are vital to lubrication, circulation and rejuvenation. When people come to me with pain that has been caused by stagnation, I use a combination of acupressure and heat to increase the circulation to the area. this gets the blood and lymph to mobilize out metabolic waste that has accummulated due to the irritation that was created in the area. I then apply acupuncture as a way to open the channels, balance the meridians, increase circulation to the area and through increased circulation eliminate inflammation.

The human body is not designed for immobilization, rigidity or being in stationery positions for long periods of time. This creates swelling, rigidness, fixated muscles ligaments and tendons and overall stagnation. The body is in a constant state of motion. Anytime we interfere with movement we are made aware of this through these symptoms.

Let’s get up and move move move.

Live and Be Well,

Edward

The Winter Solstice occurred today at 12:30 am EST. During this celebration of Light and Rebirth of the Sun, we are invited to plant seeds of intentions of what we would like to manifest in the coming solar year. It occurred to me that this season is an optimal time for CHANGE.
A patient asked me the other day if I see more stress in people creating illness due to the ‘time’ of year. I thought about this and realized that what I am seeing is that there is a significant amount of change occurring in the environment that is definitely causing stress in people and thereby, creating illness. By this I mean, marriages are being challenged with divorce and separation. Work environments are more stressful because of global economic reasons. People are over reacting to the ‘call for change’. Anxiety, fear, worry and depression are more prevalent. As a healer, Doctor and business owner, I am reminded over and over aain of the importance of remaining centered, stable and aware. The challenges are constant and when I resist or see other’s resist, physical, mental and emotional suffering occurs.
People including myself, must clean up our unfinished business of the past whether, fiscal, personal, or work related. It is important to handle and commit to new beginnings and remove oneself from the compulsion to continue old patterns. I see in my life and in patient’s lives, that if we do this many gifts of health, love and financial blessings will occur. This is not just an idea to me it is validated on a daily basis from working with hundreds of patients a month and being part of the call to change myself.
We can do it, together!!

Edward

There are many factors that contribute to a woman experiencing PMS symptoms on a monthly basis. Some of the primary factors are, stress, toxicity , medication use, poor diet, inactivity, history of endometriosis, fibroids,or ovarian cysts.  Any one of these factors can create an imbalance in the hormone system.  Symptoms can include indigestion, headaches, cramping, clotting, tender breast, fatigue, moodiness, excessive or scanty bleeding, back pain, and swelling.

In order to helps correct PMS symptoms, it is important to get some of the basic health choices in place. The first basic is to correct the diet, based on genetic, ethnic and blood type of the individual.  The proper dietary guidelines can have a tremendous impact not only on the overall health of a person but especially with the hormone system of a woman.

The Second basic, the right kind and amount of exercise is imperative. Chinese medicine states that if there is stagnation in the body it leads to inflammation. Many women are stationary with office jobs or do not exercise. Not enough movement can cause them to experience stagnation of their circulatory system. This stagnation  will contribute to PMS  in the pelvis. Third basic is reducing  stress. Stress creates many hormone imbalances due to hyper cortisol secretion of the adrenals. Another basic is proper sleep, which is essential to healing and balancing the body.

Acupuncture has the ability to reduce cortisol levels in the body. This allows for adrenals to rebuild which helps other hormone glands and organs such as thyroid, pancreas and ovaries function better. Acupuncture can reduce body toxicity issues whether it’s due to poor diet, medication or the environment. We use acupuncture and herbs to help the bowels, liver and kidneys to eliminate metabolic waste. This process restores vitality, energy, and functionality.

We then look to see if the woman needs any estrogen or progesterone support. The combination of acupuncture, diet and exercise, correct detox and herbology support for the hormone system is an extremely effective way at helping to balance the hormones. In a very short period of time her PMS symptoms can be and should be reduced and ultimately eliminated. This more holistic and complimentary approach is utilized in our clinic on a daily basis to help with Infertility issues, PMS, and Menopausal problems. We have treated 100’s of women using this kind of approach and  have successfully been able to help a remarkable amount of these women to transform their bodies to a healthier state of existence. This process helps her mentally, emotionally and  physically. The results from this kind of therapy are noticed usually within 90 days. I encourage all women who are experiencing PMS and haven’t considered using Acupuncture, Herbology, Diet and Exercise, to consider this approach and make their lives happier and healthier for themselves and their family.

LIVE & BE WELL,

Dr. Edward