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Internal Exercises for Health and Longevity

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) include’s many different modalities and forms of healing, they include Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Tuina (massage), Cupping, Tai Chi and Qi Qong (chi kung). A lot of these ancient healing arts are used separately or in combination when dealing with disease and disorder. The Chinese have been practicing TCM for well over 3,000 years, with some sources quoting closer to 5,000, but whatever the case may be any medicine that can stand that test of time and still be as useful today as it was all those many years ago must be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the healing of the human body.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi Chuan, or Taijiquan, is an ancient Chinese form of co-ordinated body movements focusing on the cultivation of internal energy ‘chi’ or ‘qi’. Its aim is to harmonise the mind, body, and spirit, promoting both mental and physical well-being through softness and relaxation. It is also applicable as an effective system of self-defense. When practiced correctly the movements (or Form) of tai chi appear rhythmical, effortless and in continuous flow.

With the practice of tai chi, the student becomes revitalised, relaxed, tolerant, self-confident and stronger and healthier in both mind and body. Unlike most forms of exercise and sport, tai-chi does not rely on strength, force, and speed, making it ideal for people of both sexes, strong or weak. Even with a small amount of practice, you will find beneficial effects on your health & fitness. The mind and body relax, helping to combat the stresses and strains of modern society. It gently tones and strengthens your muscles. It improves your balance and posture. It improves medical conditions, e.g. cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive disorders plus helps with arthritis. There have been many misconceptions about its practical use for self-defense, the art being often only regarded as a health & fitness exercise. This is a mistaken view. Each movement of the form has a logical practical combat application. If a posture cannot be used, the form is clearly incorrect

Internal Exercises

In modern industrial societies, where many people engaged in office work and lead very inactive lives, proper exercise is all the more important for good health. The importance of exercise for health has been recognized in Chinese culture since very early times. The Chinese say that all diseases can be contributed to a lack of exercise and a bad diet. Chinese culture refers to two types of exercise, one known as “external exercises”, the other as “internal exercises”. External exercises are aimed at developing muscles, sinews and the cardiovascular system. All Western-type sports, exercise classes and games can be classified as such. Internal exercises are aimed at developing Qi (internal energy) and massaging and tonifying the internal organs by a coordination of the slow rhythmical movements.

Qi Qong (chi kung)

Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention. The word Qigong (Chi Kung) is made up of two Chinese words. Qi is pronounced chee and is usually translated to mean the life force or vital energy that flows through all things in the universe.

The second word, Gong, pronounced gung, means accomplishment, or skill that is cultivated through steady practice. Together, Qigong (Chi Kung) means cultivating energy. It is a system practiced for health maintenance, healing, and increasing vitality.

Qigong is an integration of physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intentions. Qigong creates an awareness of and influences dimensions of our being that are not part of traditional exercise programs. Most exercises do not involve the meridian system used in acupuncture nor do they emphasize the importance of adding mind intent and breathing techniques to physical movements. When these dimensions are added, the benefits of exercise increase exponentially. Often called the Chinese version of Yoga, Qi Gong is now recognised as an effective and entirely natural means of stress management and quickly improves concentration, clarity of mind and physical vitality.

I teach Tai Chi and Qi Qong as well as meditation as part of my ZenDao Combatives class, they complement very well the physical combative self defence part of the class, adding the important Yin (soft) aspect to the positive Yang (hard) aspect thereby bringing about harmony and balance to the mind, body and spirit. This is my humblest opinion is the perfect system for personal self-development and self-defense.

Stress and anxiety are now very common ailments in today’s overly fast-moving world. There is a very large gap between what’s expected from you from society and what you really want to do and be. In today’s failing monetary system we have financial pressures, the like that we have never seen before in the past, and the various TV media, whose only interest is in making money and pushing political agendas, no matter what the cost, unfortunately, dictate and push today’s fast way of life where everything is a commodity and everything is disposable. The continual bombardment of our senses to make money and look after number one and to succeed at all costs creates an inner conflict planting the seeds of discontentment; this mindset is what leads to the rapidly rising suicide rates all over the world.  Panic and depression set in whenever a person cannot measure up to a perceived sense of worth and achievement. This illusion of happiness which a lot of people cannot achieve but continue to strive for does not come from within ourselves but rather is dictated to us by society through television and advertising, they want us all to look the same, its called fashion and behave in a certain way, as a form of control. If it were true that wealth could solve all the world’s problems then there surely is enough in the world to make this happen and there certainly would not be any stress at all. So the real truth about yourself should come within yourself and not from the box on the wall or some magazine, this is why Acupuncture, Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditation,  Qi Qong, and Herbal Medicine would all be good systems to get into in order to get in touch with and find the real inner self, where true happiness resides.

Chinese Medicine and Stress

So what can we do? The answer lies in the age-old wisdom that is “Chinese medicine”. When stress strikes, the body’s energy flow what the Chinese call “chi” (Qi) is impeded. Acupuncture is based on the concept of maintaining balance and harmony within the body by facilitating the flow of life energy in it. When chi/Qi (life energy) inside the body becomes stagnant and congested all kinds of mental and physical illness will follow. In order to restore chi distribution, fine painless needles are inserted into acupoints along the meridians (energy pathways) of the body. According to the science of acupuncture, there are more than 350 acupoints on the meridians of the body. Stress and depression are some of the most common factors involved in blocking this energy flow leading to most diseases including cancer. It’s always a good policy to have regular acupuncture treatments in order to keep you healthy and stress-free.

Restoring the Balance in the Mind

Constant stress causes the disruption of the body’s energy flow causing all sorts of disorders like high blood pressure, migraine headaches, neck and shoulder pain, palpitations, insomnia, IBS, thyroid problems, etc. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can and will restore this energy flow taking away the dreaded down feelings associated with the stress and depression. Prolonged chronic stress and depression unchecked for many years could lead to more serious diseases like cancer and heart disease and chronic insomnia. Much back and shoulder pain and stiffness can also be coming from stress because if the body’s energy is not flowing at its optimal then joint pain and stiffness can be the result. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can provide a safe and effective tool for stress and depression as well as all associated aches and pains like headaches. The Chinese herbal formula Xiao Yao Wan is an excellent formula for relieving stress when combined with regular acupuncture treatments. It will not, of course, change the circumstances of a person’s life but it will induce a deep and profound relaxation which gets to the very core of their being producing a very strong feeling of well-being lifting the panic and stressful feelings. The practitioner can help restore balance and thus protect health by identifying each individual’s unique energy profile to see where the weak spots are and where support is needed to restore balance. Acupuncture for stress can and will open a window of opportunity. As the heavy feelings of stress are relieved, a person feels more confidence in his/her ability to cope with the unpleasant aspects of his/her life situation and should then maybe be in a place to make the necessary changes. It’s very hard to make lifestyle changes while in the throes of a stressful downward spiral. Acupuncture is a very important and effective first step on the road to recovering from stress. But above all else acupuncture is a tried and tested natural form of medicine, free from the ghastly side effects associated with Western medicine and drugs.

Can Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) be used in the treatment of ovarian cysts? Yes, it can and quite successfully too. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are the main healing modalities at the forefront of combating this most common of ailments that can afflict many women sometime in their lives.  There are many types of ovarian cysts and it is important for your medical doctor to look at a cyst closely with an ultrasound examination in order to identify if it is fluid-filled, solid or mixed. The shape, size, and location are all important factors in determining if it can be left alone or if it should be removed or biopsied. Sometimes cysts can be related to endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In many cases, the underlying endometriosis and/or PCOS would also have been treated with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine as part of an overall effective treatment plan. The most common types of cysts are just fluid-filled follicles that did not rupture during ovulation to release the egg. Termed functional cysts, they usually go away within the menstrual cycle and cause no further problems. Sometimes they can be felt as twinges of pain or like a heavy ache in the abdomen. Occasionally a functional cyst can grow and then rupture causing intense abdominal pain until the body reabsorbs the fluid contents of the cyst. For women who have a tendency to develop these cysts often, then looking more closely at the underlying imbalance via TCM would be highly recommended. But many times the cyst can be of a solid persistent lump which may need much regular treatment to dissolve.

Chinese Medicine?

In Chinese medicine, we view a cyst as a collection of stagnant fluid and blood, which then consolidates and becomes obstructive. In traditional Chinese medicine, ovarian cysts are considered to be a product of three main pathological factors: phlegm, dampness, and blood stasis. Each of these factors takes time to develop. Phlegm and dampness are due to an imbalance of the Spleens energy. The Spleen is responsible for transforming the food that we eat into energy (Chi) and blood. When the Spleen’s own energy is deficient, it begins to lose its ability to produce sufficient amounts of Chi and blood. While usually not a life-threatening situation, it is nonetheless viewed as a disruption in the body’s healthy processes. Women who have cysts have a hormone imbalance and are not ovulating optimally this can be one of the causes of infertility. Acupuncture helps to bring balance to the endocrine system and hormones and can directly affect ovulation. There are many amazing acupuncture techniques to help improve blood flow to the reproductive organs and optimise ovulation. Chinese herbs in conjunction with acupuncture may be used to help dissolve painful cysts as well. Women who have a tendency to develop cysts may have a pattern of symptoms that go along with this condition. It is possible that there are issues with sluggish digestion and the body produces excess mucus and dampness. This inefficiency can lead to dampness accumulating in other areas of the body as well such as ovarian cysts. Herbs can be used to improve the digestion and drain any dampness that is causing the body to develop points of stagnation.

Testimony to the effectiveness of TCM

In my own clinics, I have recently and very successfully treated a young woman in her mid-twenties who was suffering very intensely with pain and cramp whenever she was in the mid-cycle of her period. She was suffering needlessly for quite a few years until she discovered acupuncture and now after a good few treatments, she is pain-free and her period is much improved, but apart from this she now also has much more energy as well and is sleeping better. She also regularly took the Chinese Herbal formula called Xia Yao Wan this herb moved the stagnant Qi (chi) energy that was being blocked causing the energy to dam up which in turn created the cyst.  Before she came to me she had an ultrasound test and it was discovered that her cyst was roughly the size of a golf ball, after about 6 treatments the pain began to subside, and after roughly another 6 treatments (12 in total) she decided to have another scan, to her amazement and that of her doctors the cyst had completely disappeared. This halted surgery or any invasive treatments that she may have had to undergo if the problem persisted or the pain intensity had increased. Its powerful testimonies like this that clearly gives acupuncture the edge over many healing modalities and forms of medicine, that at best only give relief or the offering of life-threatening surgery, Traditional Chinese Medicine, on the other hand, leaves no stone unturned to get to and treat the root cause of any and all diseases, only then can a complete and lasting cure ever be achieved. Over the years I have prevented much surgery and aggressive drug therapies, simply by applying the age-old natural wisdom that is Chinese medicine. 

Acupuncture is based on the principle of a bio-electrical energy flow that courses through the entire body in channels or meridians, this energy or Qi flow (pronounced chi) can be influenced by the insertion of very fine acupuncture needles at specific points along the channels. As most people would not be familiar with Eastern medical terminology like meridian therapy then wouldn’t it be great if you could actually see the channel’s energy via a computerised readout?  In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the subtle state of the energy in your meridians or channels directly reflects the internal health of your body. Being able to actually see the state of your subtle life force energy has the potential not only to enhance the diagnosis for the practitioner but to potentially prevent many problems long before they get a chance to actually manifest into some kind of physical disorder? The disease starts way back in the energy field long before it reaches the physical body. Acupuncture is great preventative medicine.

Acugraph is a system that electrically measures the levels of source energy in your acupuncture meridian channels. Acugraph utilises a small electronic pen-like probe that is placed on the skin at acupuncture points for a few seconds until the reading is electronically recorded. The results of the Acugraph exam gives you a digital computerised image or print out of the actual internal state of your body’s energy field in real-time.

First Impressions

Another great feature of the acugraph is after some treatment a patient can track their improvements by comparing print outs from previous acugraph examinations. The graphs usually show improvements.

The great thing about the art of Chinese Medicine is that you never stop learning or researching. In my opinion when the ancient knowledge of the pulse and tongue etc is combined with the electrical measurement of the acupuncture channels then a very objective diagnosis can be concluded.

History

During one of my many research escapades on the internet, I was amazed to find out that electrically measuring acupuncture channels was not a new thing. In 1951 an eminent Japanese doctor Dr.Yoshio Nakatani MD, Ph.D. developed a method of examining the meridian system of the body through electronic measurements. This technology today has been further refined into the Acugraph software.

Dr.Nakatani first developed the procedure of electronic evaluation of the meridian system by measuring skin conductance at special acupuncture points called yuan (source) points at the wrist and ankle. But it wasn’t until the mid-1980s, that the art of electronic evaluation for diagnostic purposes in acupuncture entered into high technology by incorporating computer enhanced evaluation. Nakatani created one of the most significant acupuncture diagnostic methods that have been re-created today with the introduction of the Acugraph. When one compares the findings of learned Asian masters of acupuncture using pulse and tongue diagnosis with the findings of acu-graphing, the meridians shown to be involved are identical. In my own experiments, I discovered significant accurate cross-references between electronic Acu-graphing and traditional tongue diagnoses. One of my patients had a very red tongue tip, this usually indicates a pattern of excessive heat causing heart imbalance, and when I electronically Acu-graphed the patient on the source acupuncture points it showed an excessive pericardium (heart-related) channel. This was indicated ón the graph examination results by a red bar with a high reading. So in this instance, modern science and ancient wisdom came together and confirmed the tongue diagnosis,

Acugraph Meridian Imaging

In Acugraphing the bio-electrical energy of the body the practitioner gets a clear image of the state of the energy confirming the tongue and pulse findings with all the other information from the initial consultation intake form. The Acugraph simply gives more information and the more info that can be gleaned from the patient via the initial consultation, then the more precise the diagnosis will be. Information is vital, this is why the TCM practitioner spends so much time on the initial consultation. In Chinese medicine, it is the experience and skill of the practitioner in formulating the information into a treatment that makes the real difference to the success of the treatment.

No gadget can ever replace the hands-on interactions between a TCM practitioner and patient. One piece of information alone can never give the full picture, however, after considering Nakatami’s unique contribution to acupuncture it would be a great shame not to include his great discovery in the form of an Acugraph examination for the benefit of all patients and practitioners alike. This is one of the reasons that I have decided to introduce this great technology to all of my clinics.

Adding Fluoride into drinking water is a uniquely American practice but for some unknown reason also a uniquely Irish one? Over 97% of Europe does not fluoridate its water. It was banned by the EU in 2006 due to a lack of toxicological data to show that it was safe for humans or the environment. It has been pumped into our water since 1964. So why are Ireland dragging their heels and way behind the rest of Europe on water safety? Ireland by its policy of water fluoridation currently contravenes thirteen EU Directives.

What Is Fluoride?

Fluoride is not safe. Most of the general public, dentists and doctors alike are unaware that the fluoride in our drinking water is a dangerous chemical waste product. Fluoride IS NOT an essential nutrient!. It is a CHEMICAL WASTE! This is the shocking TRUTH!. Chemical companies are delighted to get rid of their industrial waste by having it dumped into our water supply!! Even countries with high natural fluoride levels in their water are taking measures to remove it because of the associated health problems. Why are the Irish Government blindly following the old narrative, that fluoride is good for your teeth? while ignoring the growing insurmountable scientific evidence clearly showing serious damage to bones, tissue and the neurological system. Simply because government officials and dental leaders have put so much of their credibility on the line by defending fluoridation, that to back down now would be a disaster for them, because of the huge liabilities waiting in the wings if they admit that fluoridation will cause damage to people’s health.

The fluoride in your water is known as hydrofluorosilicic acid, it is a by-product of fertiliser, aluminium and steel, production. At one time industrial fluoride used to be released into the atmosphere via large smokestack chimneys. But now filters are in the chimneys to harvest this industrial waste. What country is stupid enough to buy it AND DUMP IT INTO THE WATER SUPPLY? have a guess which one? can you believe Ireland is doing this? Countries that have rejected water fluoridation, have experienced the very same decline in childhood dental decay as fluoridated countries, there simply is no evidence that it decreases tooth decay.  YOU are not being properly informed of what’s in your water and what the dangers are. As if this were not bad enough, fluoridation chemicals also deliver trace amounts of lead, arsenic, mercury, and other contaminants into your glass of tap water. Arsenic is a known human carcinogen for which there is no safe level. This one contaminant alone could be what’s increasing the cancer rates.

The Health Risk Factors

There are over twelve hundred peer-reviewed scientific articles that unequivocally demonstrate serious adverse health hazards by fluoride ingestion. Type into an internet search- “enviro.ie human toxicity”. Despite studies showing fluoride used topically in toothpaste could/ maybe help prevent tooth decay, the ingestion of it does not, and shockingly a lot is ingested through the mouth and gums, studies show that adults can absorb up to 0.5 mg of fluoride  per brushing. Fluoride is a neurotoxin, there are over 100 animal experiments showing that fluoride can damage the brain and impact learning and behavior and lower IQ by 7 points. Fluoride can make people docile. Fluoride affects thyroid function. Skeletal fluorosis (a fluoride-induced bone and joint disease that can mimic the symptoms of arthritis. In the USA the National Cancer Institute found a significantly higher rate of osteosarcoma (a bone cancer) in young men in fluoridated versus unfluoridated areas. Diseases associated with fluoride ingestion include neurological and cardiovascular disease, type ii diabetes, osteoporosis, hypercalcemia, sarcoidosis, skeletal muscular disorders, and periodontal disease. Is it just a coincidence that these diseases in Ireland are far above the global average? Because of their sole reliance on liquids for their food intake, young children are most susceptible to fluoride poisoning.  infants consuming formula made with fluoridated water have the highest exposure to fluoride, by bodyweight, in the population, this is unacceptable.  Check this link- http://fluoridealert.org/articles/50-reasons/  In part two next week of this article we will focus on the solutions and things you can do to start protecting yourself as soon as possible until this chemical/drug is removed from Irish water for good. A good start at this point in time would be to stop drinking tap water asap.

Endometriosis has become an increasingly common health condition worldwide. One American doctor has labeled it “the career woman’s disease” because there seems to be a strong correlation between endometriosis and the increased stress levels experienced by so many working women today. “Endometrial tissue occurs naturally in the endometrium – a layer of tissue lining the uterus. With endometriosis, however, this tissue “migrates” to other parts of the reproductive system, or outside of the reproductive organs altogether. The main clinical manifestation of endometriosis is a recurrent, generally cyclical, lower abdominal pain that gets progressively worse. Up to 50 percent of infertile women may have endometriosis, and some studies suggest that this estrogen-sensitive disease may also cause infertility.

Symptoms and Signs
Endometriosis can begin with unusual menstrual pain during the period,  the menstrual pain can become severe, spreading to the vagina, anus, hips, and inner side of the thigh. A “sinking” sensation in the anus, with abdominal pain and back soreness, can accompany the menstrual pain. Often, the pain can be severe enough to trigger bouts of nausea and vomiting, and the person can become desperate for relief. Usually, in these severe cases, most women will get referred to a gynecologist by her doctor. A pelvic examination, magnetic resonance imaging, and laparoscopy can or will confirm the diagnosis to be endometriosis. The gynecologist may suggest a hysterectomy, or hopefully, recommend Acupuncture and Chinese herbs for this condition. After a few months’ of weekly treatment with Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, endometriosis should be very well improved increasing energy and blood flow through the uterus, paving the way for pregnancy to take place. Because Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine are natural forms of therapy devoid of any side effects, the improvements can sometimes be slow-building over many months. If the disease improves slowly naturally following the body’s bio-rhythms’ then there is less likely that there will be any rebound affect after a course of treatment is complete. Usually its also good to do a maintenance course of treatment (say 6 treatments per year) after the Endometriosishas been resolved, just to keep the body’s energy flow at it’s optimal and to prevent the re-occurrence of the condition.

Surgery is often only a temporary measure, simply because endometriosis recurs in most women. Treatment with synthetic hormones will suppress the symptoms of endometriosis, but the disease itself is not cured, and symptoms will often return after discontinuing hormone therapy. Besides, the side effects of these drugs can be quite significant.

Stress

Endometriosis also happens to be exacerbated by stress, which can also cause the disease to flare up and worsen. Indeed stress is a major factor and precursor to most diseases. As the sufferer gets more stressed the disease will simply get worse. The pain can be absolutely paralyzing. This also wears down the person inducing depression, low mood, and stress which then can contribute to a weakened immune system. Endometriosis causes pain, pain then causes increased stress and that can only, in turn, weaken the immune system even more and this cycle goes on and on unless intervention in the form of Acupuncture is instigated.

Blood Stasis and Acupuncture

In Chinese medicine, the primary pattern, or mechanism, that causes endometriosis is Blood Stasis. Blood Stasis can be caused by emotional disturbance, chronic illness, and exposure to cold temperatures, surgery, and genital infections. When the Chinese pattern of disease is Blood Stasis, the objective of the treatment is to invigorate Blood and remove stasis, using both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Acupuncture along with the Chinese herbal formula Tong Jing Wan is most frequently used for dispersing Blood Stasis. In addition to Blood Stasis, there are often other disease-causing factors, which are part of the patterns of endometriosis. Cold, Heat, Deficiency, or Excess patterns are frequently part of the mix and are differentiated based on the clinical manifestations associated with each case of endometriosis. The timing, location, nature, and severity of pain are taken into account; along with associated symptoms. Scientific studies are suggesting that endometriosis is a neuro-immuno-endocrine related disease. Acupuncture can improve the functioning of the immune system, warm the womb and increase the flow of energy through the meridians, or energy pathways, in the body. Acupuncture can also stimulate the nervous system to release hormones and is very effective at relieving pain. For these reasons, acupuncture is a viable and effective treatment modality for dealing with endometriosis. The use of specific acupuncture points and herbal formulas for each pattern of endometriosis can produce dramatic improvements.