Healing Highly Sensitive Body in Chicagoland

Holiday is fun but can be very stressful. The stresses are basically adrenal stress and dietary stress. Adrenal stress is from playing too much and not sleeping enough. Our body has an internal rhythm that follows the sun rise and sun down. If our activity messes up this rhythm by sleeping too late, the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal system could be stressed. The symptoms of a stressed adrenal system include sleeping problem (hard to fall asleep and wake up at middle of the night), fatigue, hypoglycemic, irritable and focus issue during the day. Not sleeping enough also weakens our liver detox and digestive functions. Toxin accumulation may lead to a variety of high inflammatory symptoms such as skin break out, allergies and ingestion etc.

Dietary stress is from having too much bad food such as cookie, cake, ice cream and candy or simply eating too much. Too much sugar intake causes hyper activity and Candida over growth in the gut. Candida is a special type of yeast that grows in our digestive system. Over growth of Candida produces extra toxins in the body and leads to high inflammation. The common symptoms include sleeping problem, indigestion, focus problem in school, breaking down easily etc.

To get kids in shape after holidays, parents have to do two things: 1) control sugar intake and 2) follow the regular schedule such as eat at the right time and sleep early at night. Some children in the beginning of the low sugar diet may have to go through a sugar withdrew for a few days. For most of cases, life will go back to normal after two weeks. If the symptoms do not get better in two weeks, it could be a Candida outbreak. Special Candida therapy may be needed to help the kid return to the healthy balance.

Dr. Harry Hong's comprehensive program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicago area and have an Out-of-Town program as well.

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According to Dr. Elaine Aron, the author of the national bestseller, Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), about 15-20% of the population may have the trait of high sensitivity. Being an HSP your nervous system is more sensitive to your surroundings. Your brain reacts deeper to the signals sent by your sense organs. You are easily over stimulated, stressed out and overwhelmed by stresses others think nothing of.

Are you a Highly Sensitive Person?

According to Dr. Elaine Aron, you are probably a Highly Sensitive Person if you:

• Are easily overwhelmed by such things as bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, or sirens nearby
• Become stressed when you have a lot to do in a short amount of time
• Need to withdraw after a busy day, into a place where you can have privacy and relief from the situation
• Notice or enjoy delicate or fine scents, tastes, sounds, or works of art
• Have a rich and complex inner life
• When you were a child, your parents or teachers see you as a sensitive or shy kid  

Is your child a Highly Sensitive Child?

Your child is probably a Highly Sensitive Child if he/she:

• Complains about scratchy clothing, seams in socks, or labels against his/her skin
• Is sensitive to sound, smells and texture
• Learns better from a gentle correction than strong punishment
• Is hard to get to sleep after an exciting day
• Doesn't do well with big changes
• Notices the distress of others
• Is a perfectionist
• Performs best when strangers aren't present
• Feels things deeply  

What is the Highly Sensitive Body?

Psychological aspect of the Highly Sensitive Person has been well studied. However, physiological aspect of this trait has not been mentioned and yet discussed. What are their common health concerns? Is there any special need for this group of people when they get sick? The following discussion is trying to address how to help the common health concerns for the Highly Sensitive Person.

To further study the physiological aspect of the Highly Sensitive Person, a new term, Highly Sensitive Body (HSB) is being introduced here. Highly Sensitive Body is a model system to study physiological changes of the Highly Sensitive Person and the unique health concerns for the special population. There is clearly a physiological correlation between the Highly Sensitive Person and the health concerns they may have. We specialize in dealing with the Highly Sensitive Body and provide special help for the Highly Sensitive Person with a Highly Sensitive Body.

After industrial revolution especially after the War World II, more and more environmental toxins from petroleum product have showed up. In the meantime, our society has become a money-driven, over-worked, over-stimulated, stressful society. The toxin and stress eventually pushed our body into a situation that many doctors have never seen in human history. The high toxin accumulation and stressed healing ability trigger hypersensitivity of the immune system. More and more allergies and auto-immune diseases have showed up in the past years. The new pattern of diseases such as the Five As (Asthma, Allergy, Autism, ADHD and autoimmune), as well as fatigue, insomnia, digestive, hormonal and emotional problems are the result of the toxins, malfunction of the immune system and stressed healing ability.

Because of its sensitive nature, the Highly Sensitive Body may experience a lot of difficulties in dealing with toxins and stresses. The physiological changes in the HSB include the following areas:

• Sensitive to emotions: according to ancient Chinese medicine, emotions are processed through specific energetic pathways called meridians. A strong emotional impact can cause meridian blockage, which further leads to physiological problems. For an HSB, emotions have a deeper impact to the body and easily cause blockage of the meridian. Thus HSB may experience more energetic blockages and imbalance in their lives.
• Sensitive to electromagnetic frequencies and radiation: HSB is easily overwhelmed by its surroundings. The stress is not only from people and events, but also from basic energetic frequencies and harmful energies around us. The over-usage of electronic equipments, computer, cell phone and TV creates stresses to the body greatly. Meanwhile underground radiation such as radon radiation also gives the body stresses. These electromagnetic frequency and radiation often cause switches in our energetic polarity system. Polarity switch is deadly for HSB because it creates a chaotic energy communications and makes the stress more damaging to the body.
• Tendency to have malfunction of the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal system: HSB is sensitive to many factors. Almost everything bothers them and triggers adrenal stresses. Long-term stresses cause malfunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal system, which is the cause for insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and depression and leads to hypersensitivity of the immune system. Adrenal malfunction is the major difficulty to gain back the healing ability.
• Easy to develop and hard to manage allergy and sensitivities: HSB develops allergy and sensitivities easily. Those who have allergy and sensitivities often complain that the reaction does not happen every time they expose to certain substance. This is because HSB responds to allergens and stressors much deeper than non-HSB does. The outcome of allergy reaction is also more complicated. When the stressor stresses HSB the first time, the immune system remembers not only the stressor itself but also the time, event, body conditions and surroundings together with it. Next time when the exposure occurs, if everything else is different, no reaction will happen. We call these factors the combination factors. This type of immune memory is called stationary memory. For HSB, sensitivities are harder to detect and the combination factors are often required in desensitization process.
• Tendency to develop energy conflicts inside the body: Most sensitivities that we are talking about here are not the typical “allergies” called by conventional western medicine, in which antibodies are shown. Our concept of allergies is the beginning stage of allergic reactions stemming from immune attacks on the energy level rather than on the biochemical level. During this beginning stage there are autoimmune responses, but there is no antibody production yet. If this condition is untreated for a period of time, antibodies can develop. By then the condition is deeper and harder to be treated. This beginning stage of “energy-level allergic reactions” can happen not only to food and environmental factors, but also to nutrients, enzymes, pathogens, hormones and neurotransmitters. This type of reactions lead to blockages of metabolic and detoxification pathways and in turn contribute to development of the chaotic stage of HSB.
• Different responses to medication and therapies: HSB often responds to treatment differently from non-HSB. If the statistics shows that the therapy works for 80% of the population, the Highly Sensitive Body always belongs to the 20% who are not responding to the therapy or has bad reactions to it. Because of the sensitive nature, their treatment has to be very individualized, such as low dose, with precision and perfect in timing. Otherwise their response would be either not optimal or adverse. HSB’s condition also changes frequently. Thus the treatment protocol has to follow the change all the time. 

Who May Have Highly Sensitive Body?

If you are a Highly Sensitive Person, you have a Highly Sensitive Body. Those who have Highly Sensitive Body may have the following health concerns:

• Insomnia, stress and fatigue
• Hypoglycemic and mood swing when hungry
• Anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder
• Chronic migraine and tension headaches
• Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue
• Server menopausal symptoms and PMS
• Food, environmental and chemical sensitivities
• Autoimmune diseases such as colitis, lupus, arthritis etc
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome and indigestion
• Eczema, hives and dermatitis
• Frequent sinus and ear infection, colds and flu, asthma
• Autistic Spectrum and AD(H)D 

Does Your Child have a Highly Sensitive Body?

Your child may have a Highly Sensitive Body if they have the following conditions:

• Insomnia or fatigue during the day
• Emotional, anxious, irritable or breakdown especially when hungry
• Obsessive and compulsive behaviors
• Food, environmental and chemical sensitivities
• Stomachache, indigestion, diarrhea or constipation
• Picky eating and specific food craving
• Eczema, hives and dermatitis
• Frequent sinus and ear infection, colds and flu, asthma
• Autistic Spectrum and AD(H)D

If you or your child have a Highly Sensitive Body and have any of the above conditions, the Individualized/Informational Body-Mind Therapy (iBMT) is right for you. IBMT is developed by Dr. Harry Hong with his long-time experience of helping those highly sensitive patients. The program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicago and have a Out-of-Town program as well.


Dr. Harry Hong's comprehensive program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicago area and have an Out-of-Town program as well. For more information, please visit www.highlysensitivebody.com.

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Diagnostic Issues
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases. Most common among the symptoms are abdominal pain, a feeling of intestinal distention or bloating, and either diarrhea or constipation. Patients may have symptoms with stress and an increased sensitivity to bowel distention. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the condition described as IBS by allopathic medicine can be classified into several diagnostic categories.

The physiological model of TCM is different from that of allopathic medicine. The illness is a result of disturbance or imbalance of Yin-Yang in the Zang-Fu organ system or the Channel system (Meridians), which are the two principal systems that regulate the functions of body and mind. The unique diagnosis in TCM is the differentiation of the clinical symptom-complexes, which represent specific pathological conditions that can be adjusted or reversed to physiological conditions by TCM therapeutic techniques such as medicinal herbs, acupuncture and Qi Gong, etc.

The disharmony of the Spleen and Liver system is the most common reason causing the symptoms described in IBS. According to the theory of the Five Phases, Liver (Wood) controls Spleen (Earth). Liver is the organ system that regulates the flow of Qi as well as stores the soul, a part of the spirit, or mental activity. It also controls the secretion of bile. The smooth flow of Qi regulates emotional activities as well as ensures that the digestive processes, which are regulated by Spleen, operate normally. The disharmony of the Spleen and Liver system causes irregular function of spleen and stomach and in turn result in diarrhea or constipation with abdominal pain due to emotional strain or stress, feeling of oppression in the chest and hypochondrium, reddened tongue with thin coating, taut pulse.

The deficiency of the Spleen is another common reason for IBS. Spleen controls digestion and works with stomach coordinately. The Spleen maintains the upward movement of Qi while the stomach sends digested food downward. The deficiency of the Spleen Qi results in persistent loose stools containing undigested food, frequent defecation after intake of greasy food, anorexia, feeling of oppression in the epigastric region, lassitude, pale tongue with white coating, thready and weak pulse.

In addition, IBS is also caused by the disturbance of other organ systems such as the deficiency of the kidney and by other pathogenic factors such as damp heat. The differentiation of symptom-complexes for IBS is to recognize the signature symptoms for each organ system as well as the symptoms for IBS. Proper diagnosis of the condition should be made thorough analyzing the complete history of the patients and all presenting symptoms, followed by checking the tongue and taking pulse.

Treatment

The treatment of IBS is a combination of a series of TCM therapies, which is specific to each patient and to each of the diagnostic categories, the symptom-complexes.

Chinese herbal medicine is the most common therapy for IBS. For the disharmony of the Spleen and Liver, the principle of treatment will be strengthening the function of the Spleen, subduing the Liver, and regulating the flow of Qi, the vital energy. The prescription will be based on specific symptoms of each patient as well as the experience of each practitioner. Decoction of Atractylodis macrocephalae and Paeoniae in combination with other herbs is commonly used. For the deficiency of the Spleen, the principle of treatment is to reinforce vital energy of the spleen. The prescription is usually the decoction of Codonopsis, Poria, and Atractylodis with modifications. Patent formula is also available for both cases. Bensoussan et al (JAMA 1998; 280:1585-89) reported that Chinese herbal medicine significantly improved the symptoms of IBS using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Three groups of patients were tested, individualized Chinese herbal formulation group, standard Chinese herbal formulation group and placebo group. Significant improvement was observed for active treatment groups in symptom scores. Interestingly, on follow-up (14 weeks) only the individualized Chinese herbal formulation group maintained improvement.

Acupuncture is another common therapeutic access to the body through meridians. The stimuli by needle and electricity through acupuncture points on the surface of the body adjust the disharmony in Zang-Fu organ system and Channel system. Tianshu (St 25) and Zusanli (St 36) in combination with other points in the Liver and Spleen Meridians are commonly used. Each acupuncturist may have different combinations and different acupuncture techniques based on their experience and specific symptoms of each IBS patient. Sometimes ear acupuncture is also used to enhance therapeutic efficacy.

Busy lifestyle in the modern society is believed to be one of the causes for IBS and other related illness. The regularity of lifestyle, such as eating and sleeping, is important for IBS patients in addition to the herbal and acupuncture treatment. Regular physical exercise or other calm activities are also necessary. Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese technique to actively promote circulation of Qi in the body and adjust the body inner clock to the natural clock. Tai Ji Quan is another popular exercise in Chinese society, which combines Qi Gong and physical exercise and allows people to practice regularly to relax and adjust the conflict among the organ systems caused by the modern lifestyle. Both Qi Gong and Tai Ji Quan can be very good self-help techniques for TBS.

Diet is considered an important influence of health and illness in TCM. Food is believed to be part of the medicine. Everything a person eats will contribute to the complete treatment plan for the illness. Food can be classified into different groups according to their nature and taste. Fatty and greasy foods, alcohol, or sweets can produce Dampness and Heat, while spicy food also produces Heat. IBS patients should avoid those food items in their diet, especially for those patients diagnosed with the disharmony of Liver and Spleen. On the other hand, diet is believed to complement the nature of each human body, such as the Yin-Yang nature. Consult a TCM practitioner for more information about the diet of each specific case.

Dr. Harry Hong's comprehensive program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicago area and have an Out-of-Town program as well.

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Antibiotics are effective towards bacteria infections. However, over-use of antibiotics becomes a major factor causing yeast overgrowth in the body. It suggests that for server cases antibiotics should still be prescribed, while for milder cases some alternatives should be considered. What is considered to be an alternative to antibiotics?

First of all, preventative approach should be mentioned. Many infections are caused by weak immune functions and stressed healing abilities. Addressing the root issue becomes the major preventative therapy for infections. For example, frequent sinus and ear infections are often caused by virus, allergies and intestinal problems. Many urinary track infections start with yeast overgrowth. In both cases bacterial infection is the consequences of other factors. Without solving the root issue, antibiotics only ease the symptoms and cause more allergies and intestinal issues. Frequent use of antibiotics creates a vicious circle leading to yeast overgrowth and more sinus, ear and urinary track infection in the future.

In the beginning of an infection, alternative approach has to be used as early as possible. If the infection becomes too bad, antibiotics are unavoidable. Here are some natural alternatives to antibiotics:

Herbal remedies are very useful to fight for bacteria and virus. In the beginning of a respiratory or urinary track infection, herbal remedies are very effective to stop the symptoms and prevent further bacterial infection. Common herbs include Aloe Vera, Burdock root, Cat’s claw, Cayenne, Cranberry, Echinacea, Garlic, Golden Seal, Green Tea, Juniper berry, Licorice, Oregano leaf, Pau d’ Arco, Red clover etc. Most of the herbs are available over the counter. Traditional Chinese medicine also provides strong herbal formulas for bacteria and viral infections. But you have to find a specialist to prescribe those herbs.

Homeopathic remedies are another alternative to antibiotics. Homeopathic remedies induce the body’s own ability to fight pathogens. Most of modern homeopathic remedies such as the Rescue Remedy come in a form of formula and are available over the counter. You can combine herbal and homeopathic remedies to increase their efficacy.

Digestive enzymes are often used to treat infections, especially protease. High dosage of protease in an empty stomach helps the immune system to fight for the infection. Many nutritional supplements come in a form of formula containing herbs, vitamins and protease. You can find them in any health food store. In the mean time, reducing stress of the body, drinking more water, sleeping more and eating less sugar and rich foods also are also necessary to help the body fight infection. 

Dr. Harry Hong's comprehensive program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicago area and have an Out-of-Town program as well.

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Menopause is defined as the point at which menstruation ceases, and it is usually confirmed when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months in the absence of any other obvious biological or physiological cause. Natural menopause occurs as part of the aging process and the estimates of the mean age at menopause range from 48 to 52 years. However a woman may notice the changes of menopause far before it comes. The World Health Organization defines perimenopause at the 2-8 years preceding menopause and 1 year after final menses. During perimenopause, lots of women experience various symptoms, which include menstrual irregularities, vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes), sleep disturbances, and psychological/behavioral changes (depression).

Estrogen therapy used to be the most commonly used treatment in the U.S. for menopausal symptoms. However, for some women, such as those with estrogen-sensitive breast cancers, estrogen therapy is contraindicated. Other women, concerned about the unresolved question of the relationship between estrogen therapy and breast cancer, or annoyed by the inconvenience of artificially maintained menses or other adverse effects of the estrogen therapy, choose not to take estrogen. There is little else that Western medicine currently has to offer these women. Many of them experiment on their own with vitamins and herbal remedies that they hear of by word-of-mouth.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs have a long history of use in the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Chinese medicine provides a unique theory in understanding female’s hormone regulation. According to Chinese theory, human body consists of two opposite energy forces, Yin and Yang energy. A healthy person usually has a balanced Yin-Yang energy force. If your Yin-Yang energy is not balanced, your self-healing system is down and you may get sick. Yin-Yang energy forces also regulate female menstruation cycle. It is the Yin energy in dominant during the two weeks before ovulation, while Yang energy gradually become dominant in the two weeks after ovulation. Since Yin energy is the basic energy force for women’s body, it is not unusual to see Yin energy deficiency during the week before period comes. According to Chinese medicine, menopause is a natural process of Kidney energy deficiency, especially the Kidney Yin energy. Therefore, it is even more difficult for menopause women to balance Yin-Yang energy during their menstruation cycle. Yin energy deficiency results in excess Yang energy, which produces Heat (toxic material) in the body. The pathogenic Heat inside the body block energy movement in organ systems and cause a variety of symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, irritation, pain and depression.

Chinese approach to menopausal symptoms is to balance Yin and Yang and help your body pass through this natural process peacefully. Acupuncture improves energy movement and stimulates self-healing system of the body, while Chinese herbs provide specific Yin or Yang energy to your body and lead the body to a healthy balance. Both therapies use natural method to balance your hormone level and reduce menopausal symptoms. Drs. Wu and Zhou of China treated 300 cases of menopausal women with acupuncture alone. Of the 300 women treated, 153 were cured, 84 markedly improved, 54 improved and 9 ineffective (Wu and Zhou, 1998).

With Chinese herbal therapy, specific herbal formulas are used during different period of time within your menstruation cycle to balance your hormone specifically. With Chinese Yin-Yang theory we are able to balance women’s body with herbal formula for a variety of hormone-related illnesses such as menopausal syndrome, PMS and infertility. A number of classical Chinese formulas such as Xiao Yao Wan have also been widely used for menopause and PMS around the world. A specific formula for each individual patient, usually prescribed by a Chinese doctor, would be even better to balance your energy and reach harmony in your body and mind.

In addition to hot flashes, osteoporosis is another major concern for menopausal women. Osteoporosis is caused by an imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation, which results in bone loss and fractures. Hormone imbalance is the main reason for osteoporosis in menopausal women. According to Chinese medicine, osteoporosis is also a Kidney problem. Therefore, the Kidney energy herbs also help to improve osteoporosis for menopausal women. Dr. Yamaguchi and colleagues from Japan reported that Cistanche salsa, a common Chinese Kidney energy herb, was an anti-osteoporotic agent. The extract of this herb significantly suppressed the bone weight loss in ovariectomized mice, a postmenopausal osteoporosis model (Yamaguchi et al, 1999). Drs. Yu and colleagues from China studied another Chinese herb, Epimedium leptorrhizum stearn. The in vitro study showed that this herb inhibited the osteoclastic resorption of bone while the in vivo investigation demonstrated that Epimedium had similar effect as estradiol to increase mineral content and promote bone formation (Yu et al, 1999). These studies indicate that some Chinese herbs are of potential use in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.

Reference:

Wu L and Zhou X. 300 cases of menopausal syndrome treated by acupuncture. J Trad Chin Med 1998; 18 (4):259-262.

Yamaguchi K, Shinohara C, Kojima S, Sodeoka M, Tsuji T. (2E,6R-8-hydroxy-2,6-dimethyl-2-octenoic acid, a novel anti-osteoporotic monoterpene, isolated from Cistanche salsa. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 1999; 63 (4):731-735.

Yu S, Chen K, Li S, Zhang K. In vitro and in vivo studies of the effect of a Chinese herb medicine on osteoclastic bone resorption. Chin J Dent Res 1999; 2:7-11.

Dr. Harry Hong's comprehensive program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicago area and have an Out-of-Town program as well.

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Side Effect of Prescription Blood Pressure Drugs

Many of the drugs are very effective to lower blood pressure because they are efficient inhibitors in certain pathways in the body. These drugs work by blocking or inhibiting natural processes in the body with an unnatural way. This seems to be one of the reasons why their negative effects can build up to become life-threatening problems over time. They completely block certain pathways, which may be necessary for normal functioning of the body. There are different types of the prescription blood pressure drugs. Most of them have known short-term side effects on heart and possible long-term effects on heart, brain and kidney (see Table for details).

Traditional Chinese Medicine

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), high blood pressure is classified into different subtypes based on the overall condition of the patient. High blood pressure is a result of disturbance or imbalance of Yin-Yang within the Organ system or Meridian system, which are the two principal systems that regulate the functions of the body and mind. The disharmony of the Liver system is the most common reason causing high blood pressure. Either deficiency of the Liver Yin energy or excess of the Yang energy can cause irregular Qi flow and Blood stasis, and accumulate Heat inside the Liver system. Both the Qi stagnation and Heat accumulation may result in high blood pressure. The Liver type of high blood pressure may show mild to severe headache, agitation or insomnia in conjunction with dry mouth and willing to drink ice cold water, reddened tongue with thin coating, and taut pulse. Deficiency of the Kidney Yin energy is another common reason to cause high blood pressure. Kidney deficiency may result in the Liver disharmony and trigger high blood pressure. The Kidney type of high blood pressure shows mild headache, dizziness or insomnia and is commonly in conjunction with weakness of lower back, low energy, dark and red tongue, deep and weak pulse.

Common Herbs for High Blood Pressure

Chinese herbal medicine is a common therapy for high blood pressure. Chinese herbs have been used to balance the body for thousands of years. The principle of treatment for high blood pressure is to clear the Liver Heat and gain more Kidney Yin energy. The prescription is based on specific pattern of each patient. The following herbs are commonly used in the formula to lower blood pressure:

Eucommia ulmoides comes from the bark of a tall rubber tree and looks like dried snakeskin. Throughout the centuries, it has been given to people with blood pressure difficulties and related heart problems with great deal of success. Since early 50s, numerous clinical trials have been conducted in China and in the US using Eucommia to treat high blood pressure. Most of these trials showed promising results. According to Chinese theory Eucommia works by not just lowering blood pressure, but balancing it and adapting your body’s needs. As opposed to the Western view of "overkill", the same amount of Eucommia will work just as well for someone with slightly high blood pressure as it will for someone with severe problem.

Uncaria rhynchophylla is a common climbing vine with little hooks. The plant has been used for hundreds of years by people with stress, anxiety and fever. Research studies indicate that it contains powerful nutrients that work on both the heart and the brain. It opens up blood vessels to allow blood to flow more freely throughout the body and prevents clogging, pooling and pressure build-up. Uncaria also increases the respiratory rate, so that more oxygen could be delivered by the blood to the organs that needed it the most, like the heart, brain and kidneys. Uncaria has multiple sites of action. In other words, it not only relaxed blood vessels and normalized blood pressure, but also balanced heart rate and cholesterol, two key causes of blood vessel stiffening. Overall, Uncaria lowered blood pressure by an average of 33%.

Apocynum venetum not only grows in China but also across the continent of Europe, especially in Italy. Physicians around the world have found that the leaves of this plant have multiple benefits for people with blood pressure problems. Apocynum helps the body get rid of extra fluid in your body. Unlike harsh diuretic proscription drugs, it acts along with the body to pass this excess fluid naturally. Apocynum also increase the amount of HDL ("good") cholesterol in the blood. Your body needs HDL to counter the LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) that can cause your blood vessels to thicken, harden and build up pressure.

Cassia obtusifolia, known as sicklepod, grows throughout China and also in the Southeastern United States. Cassia contains some powerful nutrients that can counteract the adverse effects of blood pressure problems in more than 85% of those who use it. It also balances cholesterol. According to ancient Chinese literature, Cassia can solve eye problems. Chinese doctors noticed that Cassia could help maintain healthy blood pressure in the eyes and also could improve the eye’s sensitivity to light and alleviate the soreness of red, swollen eyes in people with high blood pressure. In fact, when translated directly into English, the Chinese word for Cassia means "seeds of realized brightness."

Chinese herbal medicine is the core therapy to balance your body and lower blood pressure. It significantly reduces the symptoms caused by high blood pressure and helps the body to heal. Chinese herbs also balance your cholesterol level and prevent heart disease. The duration of Chinese herbal treatment is usually 2-3 months and also depends on individual patient's response to the herbs. Chinese herbal medicine can be an effective natural therapy for mild and moderate hypertension. It also helps server hypertension patients and works as a complementary therapy to pharmaceutical drugs to lower blood pressure and reduces the side effects of the drugs.

Other Chinese Therapies for High Blood Pressure

Acupuncture is another popular complementary therapy to lower blood pressure. Acupuncture stimulates your body to produce endorphin and monoamine, which lead the body to a deep relaxation. Sometimes a single acupuncture treatment can lower blood pressure by 10-20 mmHg. Ear acupuncture (auriculotherapy) also shows promising results in reducing the symptoms caused by high blood pressure. Certain acupuncture points along your ear have specific effects to balance your body and lower blood pressure.

Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese technique to actively promote circulation of Qi in the body and adjust the body inner clock to the natural clock. It is a Chinese way to control and cultivate the energy of your body and also serves as relaxation technique to lower blood pressure. The tense lifestyle in the modern society is possibly one of the reasons causing high blood pressure for some people. A regular Qi Gong exercise helps your body to adapt the tense lifestyle and also balance your blood pressure. Many high blood pressure patients found benefits from the ancient Chinese technique and would like to continue to practice Qi Gong for the rest of their lives.

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 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has become the most common diagnosis given to children in the United States. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) suggests that 10% of boys and 5% of girls in grade school suffer from the disorder. Production of the stimulant methylphenidate (Ritalin) increased seven times from 1991 to 1998. Meanwhile, the drug is being given to younger and younger children. Data from some States indicate that between 1991 and 1995, prescriptions of stimulants for children under the age of 5 increased by 78% for boys and 107% for girls (Donovan DM, 2000). This pattern of early drug treatment leads many Americans to concern the side effect of the drugs to young children. Many people have started to ask for alternative approach to ADHD.

The first step towards an effective alternative for ADHD is to understand that ADHD is a so-called only-in-America phenomenon. With 5% of the world population, the United States consumes 90% of its Ritalin. In most other countries the problem is handled very differently. For example, the Chinese believe that some of the symptoms from ADHD are a good description of the way preschool children often behave. The behavior can be changed at the age of six or seven when they go to school. For those children with difficulties to change behavior in school, more tests for ADHD are performed. Allergy desensitization and Chinese herbal medicine are often the first choice for ADHD children because of the safe nature of the therapies. Food elimination as well as allergy desensitization therapy has shown remarkable results towards ADHD (Nambudripad DS, 1999; Cutler E, 2003). Meanwhile, there have been numerous clinical trials using Chinese herbs alone to help ADHD children. Most of the trials reported encouraging results.

Allergy Desensitization

There have been enormous clinical data suggested that a percentage of ADD/ADHD cases is related to food and environmental allergies. Because of the environmental toxins, many ADHD children also have compromised immune system. Possible autoimmune response against their nervous system and neurotransmitters has been detected using special electrodermal technique (See Brain Allergy or ADHD for details). Food and environmental allergies as well as immune response to nutrients such as vitamins and amino acids result in malfunction of the nervous system and deficiency of neurotransmitters. Revolutionary BioSET technique, including detoxification of neurotoxins, food allergy management, Enzyme therapy and allergy desensitization technique, has been used and shown remarkable results in helping ADHD (Cutler E, 2003). BioSET and other similar techniques dealing with toxins and immune system are always used in the early stage of the treatment. Once the immune system is more stabilized, other supporting therapies such as Chinese herbal medicine and nutritional supplement will be more successful to build up the deficiency of the body.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, ADHD is caused by the deficiency of Kidney Yin energy. Chinese herbal formulas with Yin energy tonic herbs are often used. Commonly used herbs include Rehmannia root, Anemarrhena root, Phellodendron bark, Polygala root, Acori graminei root and Dioscorea opposita. Zhang and colleagues (1987) treated 326 children from the age of 4 to 16 with a Chinese herbal formula, Jing Ling Extract. Herbal extract was given to the children twice a day for 3 months. They reported that 31.9% case was cured (disappearance of all clinical symptoms, significant improvement in school records, negative coordinate movement test, and no recurrence for 6 months). Including improved cases, the effectiveness rates were 94.8 percent. Zhang (1989) also tested a similar formula, Jing Ling Pill, in a separate open trial with 557 children (454 male and 103 female) from the age of 4 to 16. The pills were given twice a day for up to 6 months. They found 144 cases (25.8%) were cured and the effectiveness rates were 92.8 percent.

In another randomly assigned open trial, Zhang and Huang (1990) compared a Chinese herbal formula (80 subjects) with methylphenidates 5-15 mg b.i.d. (20 subjects) for 1 to 3 months. Twenty-three of 80 herbal formula cases were cured (disappearance of all clinical symptoms and no recurrence for 6 months) compared with 6 of 20 taking methylphenidate. Including improved cases, the effectiveness rates were 86 percent versus 90 percent, respectively. Although the groups did not differ in the effectiveness rates, lower side effects and greater IQ rise in the herbal group were observed.

Wang and colleagues (1995) found an effectiveness rate of 94 percent, including reduction of hyperactivity, improved attention, and improved academics from the herbal Tiaoshen Liquor. Sun and colleagues (1994) did another open trial in 66 hyperkinetic children with another herbal formula, Yizhi syrup. They reported an effectiveness rate of 85 percent, including significant improvement in behavior, school records, and soft neurological signs.

Chinese herbs are commonly used in a formula, rarely used as a single herb, to increase the therapeutic effects of the herb and reduce side effects. No systematic research data using single herbs for ADHD could be found, but the above trials with herbal formula are very encouraging and worth large controlled trials in this country.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has become a complementary therapy for ADHD children. With laser acupuncture Loo (1998), in unpublished preliminary pre-post single-blind data from students in grades K to 3, found improvements in Conners 10-item scores by teachers (n=7) from 17.0 to 12.0 and in analogous parent scores (n=6) from 23.1 to 15.5.

Ear acupuncture has also shown promising results for ADHD. Auricular acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago. The complete microsystem and somatotopic maps have developed over the recent 50 years. The ear may be used alone or in combination with body acupuncture to solve medical illnesses through the stimulation of points with needles, electricity, laser, or other devices. Since the ear points can be successfully stimulated with non-invasive devices, it works well with children. Dr. Neil Sonenklar (personal communications) of Virginia Commonwealth University placed acupuncture beads on an active point on the child's ear. Seven children participated in the study. The bead was massaged for 30 seconds three times daily and the parents charted the child's behavior. Results from three of the seven participants showed significant improvement and a forth was observed as improving behavior although the chart did not indicate the change.

Although no published systematic data in acupuncture for ADHD could be found, above listed and other recent clinical research on auricular acupuncture for ADHD has shown promising results (Soliman N. 1999). More clinical studies on auricular acupuncture are needed in the future. As matter of fact, NIH has funded at least one study on laser acupuncture treatment for ADHD since 1993. More specific study, Dr. Sonenklar says, would likely use different points on each child rather than the same point as was done.

Based on clinical research, BioSET technique, Chinese herbs and acupuncture can be used as an alternative therapy to treat ADHD. A comprehensive program including BioSET, Chinese herbs, auricular acupuncture and nutritional supplementation such as amino acid therapy may likely serve as a primary treatment for mild ADHD cases and as an adjunct therapy for severe cases to possibly lower the dosage of medication needed and reduce the side effects.

Literatures

Cutler E. The Food Allergy Cure, Three Rivers Press, 2003

Donovan DM. An alternative approach to ADHD. Harv Ment Health Lett. 2000; 16(11):5-7

Loo M. Laser acupuncture treatment of ADHD. Preliminary personal communication re NIMH grant, 1998

Nambudripad DS. Say Good-Bye to ADD and ADHD, Delta Publishing Company, 1999

Soliman N, Frank BL, Nakazawa H, Averil, A, Jodorkovsky R. Acupuncture reflex systems of the ear, scalp, and hand. Comp. Ther. Phys. Med. Reh. 1999; 10(3):547-54

Sonenklar N. Acupuncture for ADHD. Rnews.com and CNN.com

Sun Y, Wang Y, Qu X, Wang J, Fang J, Zhang L. Clinical observations and treatment of hyperkinesia in children by traditional Chinese medicine. J Tradit Chin Med 1994; 14:105-9

Wang LH, Li CS, Li GZ. Clinical and experimental studies on Tiaoshen Liquor for infantile hyperkinetic syndrome. Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 1995; 15:337-40

Zhang H and Huang J. Preliminary study of traditional Chinese medicine treatment of minimal brain dysfunction: analysis of 100 cases. Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (Chinese J Modern Developments in Traditional medicine) 1990; 10:278-9

Zhang YH. et al. Clinical studies of 326 cases of ADHD children with Chinese herbal medicine. Proc. Beijing Coll. Traditional Chin. Med. 1987; 10(3):27

Zhang YH. Clinical analyses on Jing Ling Extract for 557 Cases of ADHD children. Chin. Med. Pharm. Res. 1998; (3):24

Dr. Harry Hong's comprehensive program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicago area and have a Out-of-Town program as well.

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Sara is an 11 years old girl who came to my office with a major complaint of stomachache and mood swing. Her mother was very frustrated about her daughter’s condition. Sara is a nice, smart girl and doing very well in school academically. But she was super sensitive and was very nervous about things around her. She often complainted stomachache after meal and she easily got irritated and angry for small things. Most of those mood swings happened in the early morning or after school. Meanwhile, Sara was a picky eater. There were only a few things she liked in her diet and she didn’t even want to smell meat, chicken or fish. She often missed lunch in school because she was not comfortable to eat with other children around. But her excuse was that she didn’t like the smells of other people’s food.

I have seen many similar cases like Sara, boys and girls. By no means, they are normal kids. They may have different complaints such as stomachache, asthma, emotions, sleep problems, focus issues, obsessive and compulsive behaviors. But they all share a common trait: very sensitive and nervous. Little change in life stresses them a lot. They are not doing very in new environment such as new school, new teacher, new schedule and exams. They complain about scratchy clothing and are sensitive to sound, smells and texture. They feel things deeply and learn better from gentle correction than strong punishment. I always call these kids Highly Sensitive Kids and their body as Highly Sensitive Body.

David is a 12 years old boy with a main concern of headache, focusing issue and compulsive behavior. He is a smart kid but not doing well in school. According to him, school was too boring and he had a hard time to concentrate on the projects that he didn’t like. He had headaches many times a week, which might play a role in his compulsive and aggressive behavior in school. He also had constipation and sleep problems.

Sara and David’s symptoms are totally different and they are completely different types of children as well. But they share some critical common bases: both of them have a Highly Sensitive Body. They are sensitive to emotions, stresses, food and environmental factors. Both of them like to eat sugary food and dairy products that causes intestinal Candida and Leaky Gut conditions. Their toxin levels are high, which causes hyper sensitive immune responses. Both Sara’s stomachache and David’s headache are results of food intolerance and allergies. But they have deeper issues like sensitive immune system, toxic digestive system, emotional blockages and weakened adrenal function.

It turns out that Sara is intolerance to dairy and wheat products that cause her stomachache. Because of her weak adrenal system she can not handle sugar well either, which leads to frequent hypoglycemic reactions during the day, especially in the morning and after school. Hypoglycemia is the reason that she is easily irritated and mad and angry. I asked Sara to make dietary and lifestyle changes in the beginning and used herbal and homeopathic remedy to balance and detoxify her body. Her stomachache and mood swing went away quickly within a few weeks. We used another three months to detoxify her digestive system and rebuild the leaky gut. She started to tolerant some dairy and wheat products without causing any stomachaches. But she knows that she needs always be careful about those foods that may cause her problems.

David’s major issue is sugar, dairy and egg. After cutting off those foods, his headaches went away quickly. He later experimented a few times. Every time he ate egg, he got a headache next day. We also worked on his digestive system for a few months, and detoxified his nervous system. His concentration got better in school and compulsive behavior disappeared.

In both cases I used the same strategy and the same therapies although the specific remedies were different for each case. I used an Electrodermal Testing device to identify the meridian balance and what remedies balance the imbalanced meridian. I used the same device to identify the food sensitivities they have. This is an easy and inexpensive way to identify sensitivities comparing to skin allergy testing and blood drawing. The remedies I used were homeopathic remedies, herbs and digestive enzymes. I also used Immune System Reprogramming technique to help them desensitize food allergies. I used flower essences for their emotional blockages as well.

Many children’s chronic illnesses can be treated the same way with the same approach. Conditions such as asthma, eczema, autistic spectrum and irritable bowel syndrome are successfully treated with the above non-invasive natural therapies. For most of the time the therapies may not give you a quick fix and may need a few months or a couple of years. But the nature of the therapy is to address the self-healing system. Once the system is recovered, the body will balance its own and the healing will resolve all remaining problems. For more information about the therapies, please visit www.highlysensitivebody.com. 

Dr. Harry Hong's comprehensive program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicago area and have a Out-of-Town program as well.

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Spring and fall are allergy season. Common allergens for seasonal allergies are pollens, dusts, molds, pesticides etc. Common symptoms include sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, running nose, cough, headaches, ear and sinus inflammation. Taking anti-histamine medication may help to ease the symptoms but not resolve the root issue. Most of the seasonal allergies are triggered by IgE immune response, which is a malfunction of the immune system. Allergy information can be inherited from the parents and also developed through later years of life. Many factors can cause sensitive immune system and make allergy symptoms worse. Toxin build up in the body and weakened adrenal system are two major factors. Some baseline food allergies also play a role in many seasonal allergy cases.

Seasonal allergy not only causes inconvenience in life but increases stresses as well. Most importantly, allergies are symptoms on the surface. They often represent deeper issues in the immune system. Most allergy patients also easily catch colds/flu, tonsillitis, sinus infection, bronchitis etc. Some of them may even develop autoimmune diseases in the future. To prevent mild seasonal allergies, living in a healthy lifestyle is a must. Busy lifestyle stresses adrenal system. Unhealthy foods such as dairy, sugar and white flours may result in food intolerance and intestinal toxic condition. Stress and toxins are two major factors for allergies. Therefore, healthy eating, exercise, enough sleep are the basis to prevent seasonal allergies. For those who suffer from server allergies, finding a holistic practitioner who specializes in helping allergy and sensitive body is your best chance to recovery. Treating allergies involves balancing, detoxifying, regenerating the body. The timing of each therapy is important as well. With the systematic approach, allergy information can be successfully removed from your system and your children in the future may not carry the information and suffer from the allergies any more.

Dr. Harry Hong's comprehensive program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicago area and have a Out-of-Town program as well. For more information, please visit www.highlysensitivebody.com.

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