Mornings, PT, Druid Studies, Acupressure
Jan. 10th, 2008 11:18 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
helwenToday was clear, but yesterday the river dragons were at play, their breath rising out of the woods to the east, weaving and dancing slowly across the snow-covered field.
***
PT was somewhat grueling today. Backing off on the theraband, from red to yellow, I believe because we're introducing new directions in which to move the arm, so ROM is more important than any strength-building. I tried out a little tai chi while I was waiting for my paperwork at the end of the session, and it went okay, so I'm going to try adding that back into my daily routine.
***
Read another article at the Peakoildblues site, Water, Water, Nowhere. Shorter than yesterday's, written by a guest writer. He brings up an interesting point in regard to the prolonged drought conditions in the south, in that it affects electricity. Except for Texas, the rest of the country is divided into power grids that are all connected to each other AKA, the national power grid. When there's a high demand in one place, power can be sent over from another place. However power requires water, whether the power is created by nuclear, coal fired, gas fired, oil fired, and hydro power plants. About .5 gallon per kilowatt for most of them, .62 for nuclear. So a drought in the south can affect people in the north as well.
***
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
hengruh posted the list of studies for the AODA 2nd Degree Druid curriculum today. I'd forgotten how many essays there are... sigh. You'd think that with all the writing I do here, I wouldn't have a problem with more writing, but it isn't really one of my favorite things, if I'm not really psyched for it. Guess I'll have to work on that :D Probably the one I find not terribly interesting is the one on studying and writing about a Celtic peoples, but I'll poke around and see what I come up with... the Welsh are among my favorites, but finding anything on ancient cultures about them has always been a challenge. So much got wiped out what with Edward and his lot moving in. Think I'll save that one for later, seeing as I have plenty of other things to work on.
I'd forgotten about the helping others on their spiritual path bit (it's a pretty long list, actually).gwynt_y_storm has set things up so that everyone in the study group takes turns leading discussion on different topics, so that makes it easier for everyone to help each other. But I like the times outside of the organized study as well, when we're walking along (like on the barn 'tour' we did last month), just chatting about different things, asking and answering questions. Oddly, despite my lack of formal training, I've been doing that sort of thing since high school...
In fact though, I need to order my thoughts a bit on my topic for this coming Sunday. I'll be doing an overview on self-acupressure. Healing is one of the learning spirals in our druidic studies. Learning first aid and standard stuff is highly encouraged, but also study of alternative medicines. I picked up a couple of useful books in that regard recently, thanks in part to Sharon Astyk's list. But I have a preference for non-drug treatments/preventive medicine. That's why I like chi gong (there are many different practices), tai chi (it's both physical and energy exercise, and a moving meditation), reiki, and acupressure. Of course if you have a broken arm, you need someone who can set it properly, but for many ills, the alternatives work quite well.
Why is healing one of the spirals for druidry? Well, we are working to be more one with Nature, to have respect for Her. This means we should minimize our use of most modern drugs if possible (which it isn't always, I know), because those drugs eventually find their way into the ecosystem, and are one of the reasons our water is so unhealthy for us and every living thing. There are huge amounts of estrogen in the water these days, parabens too (shampoos and such), and other equally lovely chemicals. And the fewer artificial things we stick in our bodies, the better off we are as well. We are a part of Nature after all, so we should have more respect for our own bodies than I expect most of us do.
Natural healing methods are still useful even for people who have to be on a lot of medications. They can augment the effectiveness of the meds, or sometimes ameliorate the side effects. And they can feel good too :) I like doing at least some chi-lel qi gong daily, because I'm connected to the energy of the universe; it's very relaxing as well as helpful in the healing process.
Acupressure is like acupuncture, in that it uses the same points on the body. In fact, it pre-dates acupuncture. In the stressful world we live in today, it is one of the perfect systems for people -- it does a lot to relieve many types of stress, it's cheap, and you have control over your treatment.
You apply gentle pressure (there are a few exceptions) to the point, generally what would feel like the weight of a nickel or quarter on your skin. This is usually for 1-3 minutes at a time, 1-3 times per day. You don't want to apply too much pressure, because if you're touching each point daily, and especially if 3 times daily, you can actually make the points sore, almost feel bruised.
If you have chronic issues, then doing the correct points once a day is a good idea, for maintenance. If things are more serious, then up to three times. As you practice, you'll come to know what is right for you. The points you use are determined by what you are trying to attend to (cold, asthma, back pain, headaches, etc.). These points are along meridians, which are lines of energy going through your body.
Many points get used for more than one thing -- so, depending on what you're working on, you may get a two-fer ;) For instance, whether you have a cold, or are suffering from low energy, or a stomach ailment, you'd probably want to include Three Mile Point (St 36) in your treatment. This is one of the oddball points actually, because instead of applying a steady pressure, you rub your knuckles up and down over the point to stimulate it. St 36 is 4 finger widths below the kneecap and one finger width to the outside of the shinbone. If you're on the right spot a muscle should flex as you move your foot up and down. Basically, this point helps to stimulate the immune system.
My absolute favorite book is Acupressure's Potent Points: A Guide to Self-Care for Common Ailments, by Michael Reed Gach. He's written some other books as well, but this one book has served me and others quite well for many years. Likely a used copy can be gotten through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Bookfinder.com (this searches many booksellers). This book goes into appropriate use of acupressure, has both photos, text, and illustrations, includes suggestions on diet that may help with each condition, and also provides appropriate warnings.
That last bit is important because some spots aren't advised for all people, depending on the illness, or for instance if you are a pregnant woman. One of the most common spots many people learn for headaches is a spot in the skin between the thumb and forefinger for instance, and this is a forbidden spot for expecting mothers. Another is Bigger Stream (K3), which is "forbidden to be strongly stimulated after the third month of pregnancy". The brief overview description for K3 is "Relieves difficult labor, fatigue, swollen feet, and insomnia; restores the immune and reproductive systems". So, it can have a particular effect on the reproductive system, at the correct times.
I expect most people who read my journal know this, but just in case, I'd like to say here that just because something is natural, doesn't mean it is 100% safe. One must have respect for the appropriateness of natural medical treatments, whether it is massage, acupressure, reiki (or other energy work), or herbal.
Speaking of massage, one of the things I noted when I was in massage therapy school was that a number of the most useful points for working on headaches or back pain doing deep tissue work were the same ones for acupressure. Deep tissue is kind of the opposite of acupressure, at least as far as how it's applied, but if the muscle anchor all kinked up (yeah, that's a technical term :D) a single intense treatment can work pretty well. It's pretty cool how eastern and western methods can come together, through completely different methods.
I like teaching a lot of those points to other people though, because gentle is less traumatic to the body, and we have enough trauma in our lives these days, eh?
***
PT was somewhat grueling today. Backing off on the theraband, from red to yellow, I believe because we're introducing new directions in which to move the arm, so ROM is more important than any strength-building. I tried out a little tai chi while I was waiting for my paperwork at the end of the session, and it went okay, so I'm going to try adding that back into my daily routine.
***
Read another article at the Peakoildblues site, Water, Water, Nowhere. Shorter than yesterday's, written by a guest writer. He brings up an interesting point in regard to the prolonged drought conditions in the south, in that it affects electricity. Except for Texas, the rest of the country is divided into power grids that are all connected to each other AKA, the national power grid. When there's a high demand in one place, power can be sent over from another place. However power requires water, whether the power is created by nuclear, coal fired, gas fired, oil fired, and hydro power plants. About .5 gallon per kilowatt for most of them, .62 for nuclear. So a drought in the south can affect people in the north as well.
***
hengruh posted the list of studies for the AODA 2nd Degree Druid curriculum today. I'd forgotten how many essays there are... sigh. You'd think that with all the writing I do here, I wouldn't have a problem with more writing, but it isn't really one of my favorite things, if I'm not really psyched for it. Guess I'll have to work on that :D Probably the one I find not terribly interesting is the one on studying and writing about a Celtic peoples, but I'll poke around and see what I come up with... the Welsh are among my favorites, but finding anything on ancient cultures about them has always been a challenge. So much got wiped out what with Edward and his lot moving in. Think I'll save that one for later, seeing as I have plenty of other things to work on.I'd forgotten about the helping others on their spiritual path bit (it's a pretty long list, actually).
gwynt_y_storm has set things up so that everyone in the study group takes turns leading discussion on different topics, so that makes it easier for everyone to help each other. But I like the times outside of the organized study as well, when we're walking along (like on the barn 'tour' we did last month), just chatting about different things, asking and answering questions. Oddly, despite my lack of formal training, I've been doing that sort of thing since high school... In fact though, I need to order my thoughts a bit on my topic for this coming Sunday. I'll be doing an overview on self-acupressure. Healing is one of the learning spirals in our druidic studies. Learning first aid and standard stuff is highly encouraged, but also study of alternative medicines. I picked up a couple of useful books in that regard recently, thanks in part to Sharon Astyk's list. But I have a preference for non-drug treatments/preventive medicine. That's why I like chi gong (there are many different practices), tai chi (it's both physical and energy exercise, and a moving meditation), reiki, and acupressure. Of course if you have a broken arm, you need someone who can set it properly, but for many ills, the alternatives work quite well.
Why is healing one of the spirals for druidry? Well, we are working to be more one with Nature, to have respect for Her. This means we should minimize our use of most modern drugs if possible (which it isn't always, I know), because those drugs eventually find their way into the ecosystem, and are one of the reasons our water is so unhealthy for us and every living thing. There are huge amounts of estrogen in the water these days, parabens too (shampoos and such), and other equally lovely chemicals. And the fewer artificial things we stick in our bodies, the better off we are as well. We are a part of Nature after all, so we should have more respect for our own bodies than I expect most of us do.
Natural healing methods are still useful even for people who have to be on a lot of medications. They can augment the effectiveness of the meds, or sometimes ameliorate the side effects. And they can feel good too :) I like doing at least some chi-lel qi gong daily, because I'm connected to the energy of the universe; it's very relaxing as well as helpful in the healing process.
Acupressure is like acupuncture, in that it uses the same points on the body. In fact, it pre-dates acupuncture. In the stressful world we live in today, it is one of the perfect systems for people -- it does a lot to relieve many types of stress, it's cheap, and you have control over your treatment.
You apply gentle pressure (there are a few exceptions) to the point, generally what would feel like the weight of a nickel or quarter on your skin. This is usually for 1-3 minutes at a time, 1-3 times per day. You don't want to apply too much pressure, because if you're touching each point daily, and especially if 3 times daily, you can actually make the points sore, almost feel bruised.
If you have chronic issues, then doing the correct points once a day is a good idea, for maintenance. If things are more serious, then up to three times. As you practice, you'll come to know what is right for you. The points you use are determined by what you are trying to attend to (cold, asthma, back pain, headaches, etc.). These points are along meridians, which are lines of energy going through your body.
Many points get used for more than one thing -- so, depending on what you're working on, you may get a two-fer ;) For instance, whether you have a cold, or are suffering from low energy, or a stomach ailment, you'd probably want to include Three Mile Point (St 36) in your treatment. This is one of the oddball points actually, because instead of applying a steady pressure, you rub your knuckles up and down over the point to stimulate it. St 36 is 4 finger widths below the kneecap and one finger width to the outside of the shinbone. If you're on the right spot a muscle should flex as you move your foot up and down. Basically, this point helps to stimulate the immune system.
My absolute favorite book is Acupressure's Potent Points: A Guide to Self-Care for Common Ailments, by Michael Reed Gach. He's written some other books as well, but this one book has served me and others quite well for many years. Likely a used copy can be gotten through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Bookfinder.com (this searches many booksellers). This book goes into appropriate use of acupressure, has both photos, text, and illustrations, includes suggestions on diet that may help with each condition, and also provides appropriate warnings.
That last bit is important because some spots aren't advised for all people, depending on the illness, or for instance if you are a pregnant woman. One of the most common spots many people learn for headaches is a spot in the skin between the thumb and forefinger for instance, and this is a forbidden spot for expecting mothers. Another is Bigger Stream (K3), which is "forbidden to be strongly stimulated after the third month of pregnancy". The brief overview description for K3 is "Relieves difficult labor, fatigue, swollen feet, and insomnia; restores the immune and reproductive systems". So, it can have a particular effect on the reproductive system, at the correct times.
I expect most people who read my journal know this, but just in case, I'd like to say here that just because something is natural, doesn't mean it is 100% safe. One must have respect for the appropriateness of natural medical treatments, whether it is massage, acupressure, reiki (or other energy work), or herbal.
Speaking of massage, one of the things I noted when I was in massage therapy school was that a number of the most useful points for working on headaches or back pain doing deep tissue work were the same ones for acupressure. Deep tissue is kind of the opposite of acupressure, at least as far as how it's applied, but if the muscle anchor all kinked up (yeah, that's a technical term :D) a single intense treatment can work pretty well. It's pretty cool how eastern and western methods can come together, through completely different methods.
I like teaching a lot of those points to other people though, because gentle is less traumatic to the body, and we have enough trauma in our lives these days, eh?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-01-10 06:25 pm (UTC)Re: the second degree essays, remember you can find topics of interest to you to write about. For example, with the ancient Celts? You could write a paper discussing what we know about their spinning and weaving techniques. You can also challenge the requirement with a suggested alternative requiring equal effort and relevant to the air path.
Acupressure rocks. We've got the book you mentioned, as well as a couple of others. It can really help with mundane discomforts and ailments such as blocked sinuses, joint aches, and other things one could reasonably and safely self-treat.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-10 07:01 pm (UTC)There were these 'fake fur' shawls/coats that some of the early peoples wore -- I was playing with the technique last year when we're were thinking about sword sheaths (traditional style would have a strip of lamb's wool in it). I figured that if I used raw wool for the tufting that it would have the lanolin needed for keeping the steel clean. But it's a rather time-consuming process and I didn't really have the free time to commit to it. A 3" wide strip took about an hour to do 1"....
Just think though, using raw wool, you'd have a warm, rain-proof coat (if somewhat smelly...). Gently cleaned wool would still be pretty water resistant, and this is something of a luxury item in some ways (I mean, why not just throw a sheepskin on? Why bother weaving?). Plus, you could even get into dye stuffs if you have white wool.
Hmm..... thanks!
no subject
Date: 2008-01-11 04:14 am (UTC)Sounds to me like what my sheep-raising friends refer to as "grease wool" --- Susan would spin her yarn from wool that still had all of its lanolin, and then would knit sweaters out of it for working around the farm in the rain. Stinky but really warm and remarkably water-resistant.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-11 02:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-10 06:28 pm (UTC)Oakstone is set specifically to assist people in their studies as they move along the path, as you know. Sort of a teaching group really. I expect in good time it will spawn other groups/groves, the which will be most excellent. :)
I look forward to yours and Carw Gwynt's lectures! :)
no subject
Date: 2008-01-10 07:04 pm (UTC)Got a great idea from Oakmouse though, so I'm feeling a little more chipper.
Looking forward to Sunday!
no subject
Date: 2008-01-10 06:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-11 02:28 pm (UTC)Throw some rest, lemon zinger tea, emergen-c, etc. at it too. I've managed to avoid any serious illness so far this winter.... really, who has time for it?
I know, that sounds really silly, but I've simply decided that I don't have time for colds or flu, so I tell them to go away. Mind you, the allergies are still trying to kick my butt... I have pressure points for those, of course. Still have allergy meds and a couple of inhalers, but I don't use them every day... on good weeks 0-2 times/week :)
Best wishes with the fight!
no subject
Date: 2008-01-11 03:29 pm (UTC)*looks pitiful and waits for lunchtime to head to the drugstore for chemical rememdies...sigh*
I'm heading for tea, bed, Alka-Seltzer Cold & Flu, Z-Pac, honey, and kitties.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-11 04:43 pm (UTC)Sounds like you weren't able to notice it early enough -- they are sometimes quite sneaky! I sometimes think my allergies are helpful in that respect.... makes me pay attention on a daily basis.
Z-Pac?
Throw some Vitamin C at the darn thing too, if you can have it.
Hugs,
H
no subject
Date: 2008-01-11 02:25 am (UTC)I like Oakmouse's suggestion of an area of study for you. I am taking my time to decide on what direction my studies will take. I have almost decided to do tablet weaving for the 3rd spiral, and to study the Ceili De (Culldee) [a form of Celtic Christianity] because I had an introduction to it a couple of years ago and it sounded interesting. That's as far as I've gotten so far.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-11 02:49 pm (UTC)Massage can be safe for you, but not just any kind. Very little deep tissue, if any, and only if you're having a good week. Gentle/relaxation massage is all right, although I wouldn't recommend more than 1/2 an hour if you haven't had one recently. The major problem for folks with fibromyalgia is that massage can overstimulate the system, cause a sensory overload. One of my classmates had it, so we all learned quite a bit about it.
Lymphatic massage is absolutely great though, and perfectly safe. The Swedish/relaxation massage can be wonderful if it's gentle and slow enough. First time I worked on someone with fibromyalgia was before I went to MT school actually. I took a futon to an SCA event and was doing massages as part of my merchanting (one-time event, small town, no permits needed), and a lady who had it and was thinking about going home because she was having a rough day came over, explained her situation, and we gave it a try. We went for a 1/2 hour, then she said I could go for another 1/2 hour because it was gentle enough that she could relax. That was a totally rocking experience, being able to help her to function and enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Acupressure can be overdone by anyone, which is why I mentioned that the light pressure for the majority of the points is essential. Now, I don't have a lot of experience with using this with people with fibromyalgia, so once we've gone over things on Sunday, I'd suggest making up a program of treatment that you only use once a day, twice at the most. See how it feels, play with it. Maybe after a week try a day or two of three times a day for stuff you want to treat, and observe the differences.
I'm probably going to do less of the deep tissue work in the future, even once the right arm is back to normal, because I'd like to have working thumbs some years down the line. It definitely has its place in the massage therapy universe -- the smart carpenter has a wide variety of tools in his/her tool box ;)
***
Yeah, I like Oakmouse's suggestion too. Fits my life pretty well.
I think the tablet weaving would be cool, I hope it works for you. Hm, Ceili De... oh yeah, I've heard of that. Hey, maybe you'll find something in the Ceili De study that inspires some weaving designs, or the creation of some object (useful or otherwise) that have a woven element. You have the persistence, determination, and creativity to make beautiful things. Just my humble opinion, but I have great confidence in you.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-11 06:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-11 06:33 pm (UTC)Shiatsu is very similar to Acupressure, based on the same system, just Chinese instead of Japanese. However Shiatsu also includes some operator moves where the therapist moves the client's limbs while enacting an affect through a meridian. I don't know a lot about Shiatsu either, aside from what I've experienced when I used to see a Shiatsunan.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-11 06:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-11 06:36 pm (UTC)