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

"Living with Pain" is this Your Only Option?

The American Chronic Pain Association estimates that 86 million Americans are "living with pain". Using the phase "living with pain" and not "suffering from pain" creates the impression that this is an acceptable "lifestyle". As an acupuncturist and practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine my approach is wellness not an acceptance of "un-wellness."
The following is an excerpt from a report by the American Pain Society:

How effective is the medical profession in meeting the need for pain relief?

Almost all chronic pain sufferers have gone to a doctor for relief of their pain at one time or another. Almost 4 of every 10 are not currently doing so, since they think either there is nothing more a doctor can do or in one way or another their pain is under control or they can deal with it themselves.

This is not the case with those having very severe pain; over 7 of every 10 are currently going to a doctor for pain relief. In addition, significant numbers of those with very severe pain are significantly more likely to require emergency room visits, hospitalization and even psychological counseling or therapy to treat their pain.

A significant proportion (over one-fourth) of all chronic pain sufferers wait for at least 6 months before going to a doctor for relief of their pain because they underestimate the seriousness of it and think they can tough it out.

Chronic pain sufferers are having difficulty in finding doctors who can effectively treat their pain, since almost one half have changed doctors since their pain began; almost a fourth have made at least 3 changes. The primary reasons for a change are the doctor not taking their pain seriously enough, the doctor’s unwillingness to treat it aggressively, the doctor’s lack of knowledge about pain and the fact they still had too much pain. This level of frustration is significantly higher among those with very severe pain where the majority have changed doctors at least once and almost of every 3 have done it 3 or more times. Their primary reason for changing was still having too much pain after treatment.

Doctors are not a major barrier when a patient asks for a medicine they saw or heard about; in the majority of instances the doctor prescribes it. Similarly, in the majority of instances when a sufferer has been referred to a program or clinic for relief, in the great majority of referrals their managed care or workman’s comp program permitted access.

Mountain Biking and Neck Pain.

One of the most common problems I see in my cycling patients is neck pain. This usually relates to a prolonged time spent in an extended position. The constant compression of any joint over a long period will lead to muscle fatigue and chronic muscle pain. A prolonged position will also result in cumulative tensile stress on joint capsules and ligaments. This can produce long term structural changes to joint arthrokinematics. Cervical extension with shoulders in a depressed position increases neural tension. Cervical extension with shoulders in a depressed position increases neural tension. This can result in ulnar or median neuropathy. The symptoms are pain, numbness or tingling. Acupuncture offers relief from the pain.

(reference: Sean Fyfe/Sports Injury Bulletin)

What is Acupuncture.

The intent of acupuncture therapy is to promote health and alleviate pain and suffering. An acupuncturist views health and sickness as concepts of "vital energy," "energetic balance" and "energetic imbalance." The acupuncturist assesses the flow and distribution of this "vital energy" within its pathways, known as "meridians and channels".  The acupuncturist is able to influence health by stimulating key areas along these "meridians" called "acupoints", with fine, slender needles.  The procedure adjusts the "vital energy" so the proper amount of energy reaches the proper place at the proper time. This helps your body heal itself.

Acupuncture is just one form of therapy used within a coherent system of healing known as Oriental Medicine which includes herbology, physical therapy, dietetics and special exercises (such as Tai Chi and Qi Gong).   This is a complete medical system unto itself.  Acupuncture evolved from principles and philosophies unique to Oriental thinking and Oriental Medicine over thousands of years.

The Origins of Acupunture.

The oldest known book on Chinese medicine is the "Neiching", also known as "The Yellow Emperor's classic of internal medicine". It is written in the form of a dialogue between the Yellow Emperor "Huang Ti" and "Chi Po" a Taoist teacher and physician. It is believed that the Yellow Emperor lived around 2700 B.C. The book indicates that acupuncture was widely practiced in China much before the time it was written.

During archaeological excavations in China, various types of gold and silver acupuncture needles were found in the tomb of Prince Liu Sheng who died around 200 B.C. This confirms that these different types of needles were in use over two thousand years ago.

Acupuncture originated in the cold north-west parts of China where herbs and other medical remedies were scarce. Acupuncture spread from there to other parts of the world through travelling physicians, scholars and pilgrims.

One of these was a famous Chinese physician called Pien Chueh who lived around 400 B.C. While visiting the province of Quo with some of his students, he arrived at a town there the people seemed very sad since their beloved prince had suddenly become unconscious. His doctors had been unable to revive him and it seemed that he was going to die.

Hearing that Pien Chueh was a great physician, the people asked him if there was anything he could do to help their prince. Pien Chueh agreed to examine the prince. Arrangements were made and he was received by the king, who willingly allowed him to examine the unconscious prince.

Pein Chueh made a thorough examination of the prince and arrived at a diagnosis. He treated the prince with acupuncture who soon regained consciousness. Pein Chueh continued to treat the prince with acupuncture, heat treatment (moxibuxtion) and various herbs till the prince recovered completely. It is said that the king rewarded him richly and directed the physicians in his Court to learn acupuncture and thus the practice of acupuncture spread.