The Benefits of Shiatsu.

Shiatsu is beneficial for many reasons. It can be used as a tool to prevent illness by decreasing stress, relieving pain and gives the therapist a tool to "read" the body. In effect I have treated insomnia, chronic and acute pain, headaches and anxiety. Treatments are used to balance the body. For example, if you have a pounding headache, most of your energy is in the top half of your body. I will almost always work on your feet before your head. Why? To bring that energy down and ground you. During the treatment your breathing will slow and become deeper. This will have a very calming. Another example would be pain/stiffness in the hip. After the assessment I will determine which channel the pain/stiffness lie. Shiatsu is about balance. The area of pain could be considered jitsu - an excess of energy. Close by, there will be a kyo area - a deficiency. The treatment will entail moving the excess towards the deficient. Good pain will be felt. That "ah" feeling is the movement of energy. Pain is decreased and the body feels more balanced. Shiatsu is a full body treatment that includes Hara, the body's centre. Hara diagnosis allows me to have an energetic understanding as to what is happening in the body. Again, I look for jitsu and kyo areas. Hara diagnosis allows me to note: fatigue, neck pain, a busy mind, constipation or irritability. The shiatsu technique involves longer/deeper holding on kyo and shorter/dispersing pressure on jitsu. This results in balancing the body's energetics. The effect is felt immediately and even days afterwards.

Balance is key to our body wellness. We should not always be too happy, angry, sad and stressed for long periods of time. We should not suffer pain, headaches or even PMS. There is an imbalance. Shiatsu allows the body to balance and heal. Wellness is the goal.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006

It is slowly coming to fruition - Transitional Council of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) has been established. Therefore, in a few years the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) will become regulated. This is important as it is a means of protecting the Ontario public by assessing and determining the qualifications of those who practice TCM in Ontario. The CTCMPAO will regulate it's members as the Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, Optometrists, Massage Therapists and Physiotherapists do. I will keep you up to date on the progress of the TC-CTCMPAO.

Treating Headaches with Shiatsu

Shiatsu is very effective in treating headaches. Before treating, I want to know:

1. Where is it?
2. How long have you had it?
3. What does it feel like
4. What are the triggers? What makes it feel better?

It is important to treat the whole body and focus on channels where the headaches lie. Generally, shiatsu treatments include head, face, neck, back, arms and legs: grasping the muscles and applying acupressure on key points such as GB 20, LI 4 and LV 3. Organs (energetically speaking), involved usually include Liver, Bladder, and Stomach. They are usually imbalanced and it is the job of your therapist to bring harmony back to your body.

An assesment is necessary to determine the type of headache you experience and how to rid yourself of them for good.

Please contact me should you have and questions.

Cleansing with Tea

It's - Spring. Time for a cleanse, regrowth and change. The Liver is the Organ responsible for detoxifying the body. Toxins such as alcohol, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides (found in fruits and vegtables) accumulate over time and tax the Liver. It is important to rid the Liver of these toxins and help in its function. Part of my cleanse involves drinking this tea to cleanse my Liver, Blood, and Kidneys. It is composed of: Milk Thistle, Nettle, Chickweed, Barberry, Cornsilk and Red Clover. Signs of a congested Liver include: irritability, headaches, distention, skin problems and sluggishness. Before starting a Liver Cleanse or ingesting these or any herbs, always consult your physician.

2008 Yoga-thon for Schizophrenia

Sponsor Heather Douglas Help raise funds and awareness to make a difference in the lives of those affected by schizophrenia. She will be participating in a Yoga-thon for Schizophrenia, May 10, 2008. Feel free to click on the link and make a pledge.

Newsletter - The Basics of Stress Reduction

The Basics of Stress Reduction Exercise - Get into the habit of exercising at least 20 minutes everyday. Try yoga, brisk walks, tai chi, strength training or a new sport. The benefits of exercise reduce the risk of a wide range of medical disorders including heart disease, depression and arthritis. Exercising is important as we age. The number one reason why older adults need assisted living is lack of leg strength – difficulty getting out of a chair or walking up stairs. Weight loss, improve self-confidence and reducing stress are the rewards. Relaxation – Worry and stress are part of life. But they can be balanced and managed. Worry stresses the adrenal glands thus stimulating the sympathetic nervous system (fight and flight response). This in turn can lead to insomnia or disease in the long term. Learn deep breathing and relaxation techniques to quiet the mind. Try exercising daily. Help your body manage the stress response. It is one of the most important measures you can take to improve your health. Sleep– Shortchanging your sleep or living with insomnia can increase stress hormones like cortisol. This leads to weight gain, depression, difficulty concentrating, a weak immune system and damage to the cardiovascular system over time. If you wake up and do not feel rested, you are not getting enough sleep. Try going to sleep and waking up at the same time everyday. Avoid caffeine, ensure your bedroom is free of noise and light. If you are having problems, come in for some shiatsu treatments to discuss factors that are the cause of your insomnia.

Healthy Eating –Means eating whole foods and good carbs such as whole oats, brown rice, bright coloured or green leafy vegetables, raw nuts and berries. Avoid white breads, sugar and fruit juices. Instead of fried foods - steam or bake them. Try herbal teas and lemon water. The number of people diagnosed with diabetes is increasing dramatically. Part of the reason is that we are not feeding the body the proper fuel it needs to run.

Less Sugar – Our bodies are not designed to process refined sugar. Sugar suppresses the immune system, causes allergies, can lead to periodontal disease and diabetes. Avoid candy, cookies, sugar in tea, sweetened yogurt, jams. Instead try whole fruits, unsweetened yogurt and avoid artificial sweeteners (they come with their own set of problems). Use stevia or honey in small amounts to manage your sweet tooth. Read the food labels for hidden sugar. Good Fats – There is a difference between “good fats” and “bad fats”, as there is between “good carbs” and “bad carbs”. Good fat is healthy and is a necessary part of a balanced diet. It protects the organs, keeps you warm and helps to absorb nutrients. Trans fats are not beneficial as they raise blood cholesterol levels. Look for mono and polyunsaturated fats. These fats help lower blood cholesterol levels. Examples are olive, sunflower and flax seed oils, fish oils, coconuts, avocados, nuts and seeds. Dehydration - The human body can last weeks without food, but only days without water. Water maintains healthy cells, helps eliminate the by-products of the body's metabolism, regulates body temperature, aids digestion, prevents constipation and contributes to the skin's texture and appearance. Dehydration occurs when the water content of the body is too low. Symptoms include headaches, lethargy, mood changes, dry or cracked lips and dark-coloured urine. Insufficient water intake may increase the risk of kidney stones and, in women, urinary tract infections. Approximately six to eight glasses of a variety of fluids can be consumed each day. If you are physically active and are in a hot or humid weather consume more.

More Fiber – Increasing the amount of fiber in the diet helps treat constipation, hemorrhoids, cancer, IBS and lowers cholesterol. Soluble fiber - softens the feces by absorbing water and helps slow the rate of digestion and lower blood cholesterol and blood glucose. It is found legumes, fruits, vegetables and oats. Insoluble fiber - holds water very effectively thus contributing to an increase in stool weight. It is found in roughage foods with skin such as fruit.

Newsletter - Repetitive Strain Injury

One out of every 10 Canadian adults had a repetitive strain injury (RSI) serious enough to limit their normal activities in 2000/01. A study published in Health reports, shows that RSIs are affecting a growing number of adults. - Statistics Canada, The Daily, August, 2003 Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is term for a group of disorders caused by repeated movements that affect the muscles, tendons and nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most commonly known RSI. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) repetitive strain injury is defined as: Qi (energy) Stagnation. In other words, the energy in the affected area is not flowing properly and is “stuck”. When Qi is stuck - pain results. The job of the shiatsu therapist is to unblock the “stuckness” and promote the smooth flow of Qi. Shiatsu therapy is useful for stimulating blood flow and reducing the pain and tingling in the affected area. Channels (meridians) that run throughout the body carry Qi and blood. Shiatsu enables the smooth flow of Qi by stimulating specific meridians to obtain the desired result – reduced pain and numbness. A by-product of shiatsu is a relaxed and tranquil state. A calm the nervous system and allows the body to innately heal itself. You will feel fantastic after the treatment. WARNING SIGNS - The following signs and symptoms may indicate the onset of an RSI.• Recurring pain or discomfort in neck, shoulders, upper back, wrists or hands.• Tingling and/or numbness• Loss of grip strength, lack of endurance and/or weakness. • Muscles in the arms and shoulders feel hard and wiry • Pain or numbness while lying in bed. Goal for Shiatsu in treating RSI To relieve pain, tingling and resume regular activities. PREVENTION is key! Good posture and ergonomic working conditions help to prevent or halt the progress of RSI. Shiatsu, rest, stretches and strengthening exercises assist to reduce the symptoms associated to RSI. Listen to your body. BEFORE you begin to feel pain and fatigue – STOP Pay attention to posture. The shoulders and head should not be hunched forward. Problems may be aggravated by other actions: carrying children, knitting even using a knife on a cutting board can have an enormous impact. - Take regular breaks. - Invest in a headset. Do not tuck the telephone between your shoulder and ear. - When typing hold wrist straight rather than bent up, down, or to the side. - Improve strength and blood flow in the affected muscles by regular aerobic exercise - Get adequate sleep and drink plenty of water. - Relax muscles by using muscle-relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, qigong to reduce pain.