Intro to Acupressure online course

Update: April 2018
 "Intro to Acupressure" online course is now complete!
Thanks to all of you for your encouragement along
the way. 
  This 3 part course will introduce you to Acupressure, 
its background, origins and its applications.
  At the completion of the course you will have a usable
understanding of Acupressure as well as a knowledge of 
some of the conditions that are appropriate for self health
treatment with Acupressure.
With an investment of $80.00 you will start your
Acupressure journey.  .....I just had an inspiration!
For visitors to this blog I will offer this intro course
for $20.00! (WOW!... that felt good!)
To receive the "Intro to Acupressure" online course
contact me at brucefayers@yahoo.com to arrange
payment and to give me the date you would like to
start this course.
  After successful completion of the intro course you
may even wish to continue your Acupressure learning
with the advanced courses.
Bruce

What is Acupressure:



Acupressure was developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago. It uses the fingers to gradually apply pressure to key healing points. Acupressure was developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago. it uses the fingers to gradually apply pressure to key healing points. Acupuncture and acupressure use  the same pressure points and meridians to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. Acupressure releases muscular tension and promotes better circulation. It is effective in pain relief and detoxifying the body. Please join me for the Acupressure Workshop. Click on the above Acupressure Workshop tab for details.

Huangqin (Chinese Herbal Medicine)

Huangqin, 黃芩 (Scutellaria radix)
The medical functions of huang qin include: huang qin’s ingredient baicalin can promote secretion of bile. Alkaloids of huang qin possesses antihistamine effect; baicalein has anti-toxin effect, inhibits permeability of capillaries and anti acetylcholine and anti anaphylaxis effects, it also inhibits acute asthma attack and allergenic eczema; prevents atherosclerosis; ingredient wogonin has anti hepatitis B virus effects. In modern medicine, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of wogonin have been widely used in clinical treatment of inflammatory diseases, including atopic dermatitis, hyperlipemia, and atherosclerosis. It has been reported that wogonin has the potential for therapeutic use in the treatment of atherosclerosis and restenosis based upon its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and antiproliferative activities.
(Source: Dictionary of Chinese herbs; Molecular Pharmacology Vol. 60, Issue 3, 507-513, September 2001.)

Siberian Ginseng

Siberian ginseng is a hardy, tolerant herb that grows in coniferous mountain forests as undergrowth. Siberian ginseng is not a ginseng. It belongs to the plant species known as Eleutherococcus Stenticosus. Its active chemical ingredient is eleutherosides, not ginsenosides which is found in ginseng roots. Siberian ginseng shares many qualities with Chinese and American ginseng. It acts as an adaptogen, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune tonic. It can also help with sore muscles and dark under eye circles. Siberian ginseng contains many essential nutrients including sodium, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium and vitamins A, B3, B12, C and E.  In folk medicine it is referred to as the root of life.

A Series on Ginseng

Ginseng is the most widely used and most respected herb in the Orient. It is a short, perennial plant that grows on the slopes of ravines and shady, well drained mountainous hardwood forests.  It has five compound leaves on a single stalk with a gray bloom that turns into a cluster of crimson fruit from which the ginseng seed is extracted. The Chinese have been using the ginseng root for over 5000 years. The name means "Man Plant". Its' botanical name is Panax derived from the Greek for All Healing or Cure All. There is a variety of ginseng native to the North Americans continent that was used by the native peoples for healing. In this series we will cover the properties of ginseng.

Introduction to Chinese Herbal Medicine

Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) use herbs derived from plant, animal, and mineral substances. Plant derived herbs are the most common, such as ginseng and ginger. Minerals and animal parts such as oyster shells, deer antlers and bear gall bladder are also used in China.

Herbs have four basic qualities and properties: nature, taste, affinity, and primary action.
An herb's nature is described as cooling or heating, moistening, relaxing or energizing. The herb's taste is categorized by five tastes. These are sour, bitter, sweet, bland, spicy, and salty.  Affinity is the connection the herb has to a particular organ network. Primary action refers to the effect of an herb to move, restrain, expel or strengthen.

The Effects of Acupunture on Stress.

We have accepted stress as a normal part of our lives and spend countless dollars and hours on books, tapes, DVD's and workshop to help us overcome stress. Stress weakens our immune systems making our bodies more susceptible to illnesses and diseases. It is estimated that 80% of all illnesses are brought on by stress. Acupuncture has been shown to induce a relaxation response and strengthens the immune system by reducing the negative effects of stress on our body.

Stress activates our survival system, increases the heart rate and lung function and reduces movement of our large intestine and increases blood pressure. This puts our bodies into a constant state of flight-or-fight. When stress persists over an extended period of time, our sympathetic nervous system remains constantly stimulated and becomes depleted. The constant state of stress produces an unbalanced nervous system which can produce a variety of health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, depression, high cholesterol, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerated colitis. Our risk of infections, colds and flu increases. Stress increases the production of cortisol which suppresses our immune system. Cortisol acts as an immunosuppressant by reducing the number of white blood cells which produce antibodies and destroy viruses, bacteria and tumor cells.

Acupuncture works to reverse the effects of stress by suppressing the sympathetic nervous system and activating the parasympathetic nervous system.  The sympathetic nervous system controls our body when we are stressed and the parasympathetic nervous system controls our body when we are relaxed and calm. Acupuncture changes the messages being sent from our nervous system to our endocrine system and immune system.

Simply put: the metal acupuncture needle is a conductor of energy. Acupuncture points are surrounded by a greater concentration of nerve endings than in other areas of the body. The nervous system uses energy to send messages. Acupuncture conducts and adjusts the flow of energy.