Acupuncture and Shiatsu Therapy, Toronto ON Canada

For some, February can be tough. It's cold, dark and some of us feel depressed. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), depression is closely associated with the Heart, which houses the mind. The Heart-Mind connection is also referred to as Shen -- our Spirit.

When there is an imbalance with our Shen we may experience: depression, loss of memory, anxiety, feelings of confusion or irrational behaviour. On a physical level there may be palpitations, difficulty with speech, insomnia or a pale face.

TCM distinguishes four types of disharmonies of the Heart. Deficiencies of Yin, Yang, Qi and Blood. Each with different signs and symptoms. With TCM and Acupuncture we determine the root of these disharmonies, bring balance and ease the symptoms of the body and mind.

In our modern age of hyper-mental activity and lack of sleep, the Heart is easily injured. Poor diet, irregular sleep patterns, emotional and physical stress play a role in upsetting the Heart-Mind connection. It is common knowledge that balance in all aspect of our lives is important. Take the time to quiet your mind. Breathe slowly; eat with calm and before sleeping clear your mind, thereby calming your Shen. This can be acheived through mediation, affirmations or positive imaging. If this is new to you or unsure please contact me and I would love to help.

Acupuncture points commonly used for treating HT disharmonies: BL15, HT 7 and P6. These points calm the Heart and Shen. They can be used to treat anxiety, palpitations and/or insomnia.

In TCM certain foods are recommended for Heart harmony: Reishi Mushroom, Chia seeds, Chamomile Tea, and blue-green algae. Decrease the intake of spicy, fatty and refined foods. Also, alcohol, coffee and tobacco can injure the Heart. Habits such as late-night eating and large meals agitate the mind and should be avoided.

If you are experiencing any of the above signs and symptoms, contact me and determine if Acupuncture is right for you.

Contact your MD if your require immediate attention

Let’s get right to the point. Yes, Shiatsu can help with chronic pain and fatigue. First I’ll discuss chronic pain and fatigue then discuss how shiatsu can help. Chronic pain is pain that has lasted for over 6 months. It can cause inactivity, weakness and inflexibility of the muscles. The body cannot circulate blood and dispose of toxic waste effectively. Cancer, fibromyalgia and arthritis, spinal injuries, headaches, and nerve damage can cause chronic pain. This differs from the acute pain that results from immediate trauma or a condition that warns the body that something is awry. In effect there is no function for chronic pain; it has long served its purpose for warning.

Pain is perceived differently by each individual. Factors that can influence perception include: emotional and mental attitudes, previous experiences, and developmental predispositions. It can be frustrating for those who suffer from chronic pain where there is no physical explanation. Their pain is real and it important for the therapist to recognize this. Fatigue can be a result of chronic pain or vice versa. Usually fatigue and chronic pain are felt together. Poor diet/lifestyle, medication, excess mental stress and illness are contributing factors. Fatigue can be felt physically through headaches, malaise and insomnia. Also psychologically through poor memory, fogginess, anxiety, frustration and depression. These symptoms can make it difficult for people to live their daily life normally. They can also lead to dependencies on medication or even on people.
 
Shiatsu addresses both the physical and psychologically aspects of chronic pain and fatigue. In the traditional sense, shiatsu brings the body into balance. Pain is the blockage of Ki (vital energy) and shiatsu moves this blockage so Ki can circulate uninhibited. When Ki circulates it enables the body to perform all its necessary functions for good health. 

From a Western perspective, shiatsu treats the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) which controls the body's internal state. It is responsible for unconscious activities such as: digestion, heart rate, respiration, etc. The PNS promotes the calming and relaxing the body and mind. When the PNS is stimulated healing begins. This is an important aspect in the treatment of chronic pain and fatigue.

My shiatsu treatments always involve your participation in treatment planning. Together we discuss the location of pain, triggers, what aggravates or relieves it. We go over your daily routines: sleep, diet, work habits, etc., and make changes. Energy can improve significantly and can be immediate. Shiatsu treatments plus lifestyle changes - the results can be amazing! Please feel free to contact me anytime. I would love to hear from you.

It is that time of year – Cold and Flu season. Some people dread fall and winter because they are prone to illness. Why are some people more susceptible? Can you do anything to help prevent them? What is the difference between the Cold and the Flu?

Otherwise known as the Common Cold it is highly contagious. It affects the upper respiratory system; therefore you feel symptoms of an itchy throat, runny nose, sneezing etc. Most medications available help ease the symptoms which can last from one to two weeks. With the Flu or Influenza, symptoms of chills, fever, muscle pains, general weakness and sore throat are felt.

Usually, influenza is transmitted from one infected person to another by coughing or sneezing. It can also spread via saliva and nasal secretions. Caution when touching door handles, taps in washrooms and keyboards. You can come in contact with the virus, touch your nose and now you have become infected. Prevention is key to avoid catching these viruses. Ensure that you wash your hands thoroughly and that if you need to sneeze, contain it as not to spread it to others. It is also important to keep your body strong as possible so it can fight the virus more readily.

In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Colds and Flu’s are described as invasions of Pathogens described as Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat. These Pathogens pass through the skin and pores. When the body is weak or stressed, the Pathogen can easily invade. If it is a mild Pathogen the symptoms can be mild. Contrary, if the Pathogen is strong, it can overpower the body’s defences, even if you are not feeling compromised. Wind – Cold symptoms can be describe as a sudden onset of symptoms: a feeling of cold and a dislike of Wind, scratchy throat, runny nose with clear nasal discharge, headaches (back of the skull and contracts) and sore aching limbs. Wind – Heat describes a person with fever, cough with yellow discharge, swollen tonsils, increased thirst and severe headache (whole head). There are techniques that enable me the expel the Pathogens and strengthen the body's resistance. 

Generally, treatment is best given in the initial stages of illness or if you are feeling susceptible because others around you are falling ill. Acupuncture and Shiatsu is a great way to strengthen the body and can relieve you of some of the symptoms that you may be feeling.

Remember rest is always important, keep warm and cover your neck and back with a scarf. If ever in doubt, see your MD.

Please contact me with any questions that you may have.