Newsletter - Life is Better Without Pain

In 2006 in Canada, 26 million prescriptions for painkillers were issued, according to IMS Health Canada, representing sales of more than $800 million. – The Toronto Star, Oct 6, 2007 Shiatsu and the Treatment of Pain Is it possible to live life free of pain? Well, pain is a natural function of the body and can be a very positive force toward wellness. However, unmanaged and untreated pain can be a severe drain on your physical and mental well being. This can eventually lead to further health problems. We’ve all experienced some sort of pain – Physical pain such as a headache, numbness and arthritis. Emotional pain would include: anger, grief or worrying. Mental pain could be overwork or financial stress. One or a combination of these can lead to body function breaking down and leaving us susceptible to illness. Wouldn’t it be nice to take control of your body and rid yourself of pain? Wouldn’t you like to try something that is effective, safe, natural, relaxed and empowering? To reduce pain and stress it’s important to recognize that lifestyle and harmful patterns can not only cause but also aggravate pain. Someone to help pinpoint these patterns and guide you through the process can make all the difference. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pain is a blockage of Qi (vital energy) that runs through the channels of our body. For example, a bruise has blocked the flow of Qi. You can see it and feel it. On a deeper level, internal blockage or Qi Stagnation can cause low back pain, menstrual pain or headaches. The goal of the therapist is to unblock the Qi Stagnation. She does this by opening the channels to allow the smooth flow of Qi. A good therapist is adept at locating, relaxing and moving the stuck pain thereby restoring the natural balance in the body. Prevention: Part of treatment is looking at lifestyle and determining what is aggravating the pain. Your therapist will go over all aspects of your daily life and together you can determine the cause and prevent/diminish the pain. Shiatsu is very effective in the treatment of Pain and Stress. You will come out of treatments feeling relaxed, energized and relieved of pain. Breathe Through the Pain Breathing is natural, but is not done properly by many of us. Most of us breathe very shallow, into our chest and not our lungs. Proper breathing helps us reduce pain, stress and anger. It calms our nervous system, lowers our blood pressure and improves our concentration. In Shiatsu breath is important. Your shiatsu therapist can teach you to breathe through your Hara. The Hara is translated from Japanese meaning “belly”. Our energy, Ki is stored here. There is a saying, “that Ki is moved by the mind ... where the attention goes, Ki flows." It is located below the naval and towards the spine. Our Hara is our centre and is where we should breathe into. Upon inhalation, our breath moves from our nose, throat, lungs and then into the Hara. Our belly should expand. On exhalation the belly deflates and the breath moves in the opposite direction leaving through the nose. You can practice sitting or lying down with your hands on your navel so you can feel the expansions and contractions. As you become comfortable with Hara breathing, you can begin to focus on relaxing your body and releasing pain and tension. As you inhale, scan your body, as you exhale imagine the pain leaving with your breath. This Hara breathing is practical when you find yourself in a stressful situation where you need calm your mind or if you feel anger rise. Start with 10 deep breaths. You will feel more relaxed and able to think more clearly. Contact me if you have any question regarding Hara breathing. I teach my clients how to do it and encourage it during treatments. Remember – breathing purifies the body and strengthens the mind.