How To Experience Longevity And Vitality in Five Basic Steps
" what your future will be but this I do know - you will always
have happiness if you seek and find how to serve."
- Dr. Albert Schweitzer
A person once said that we can survive on charm in front of an audience for about 15 minutes, and then we better know something.
In this article I want to share some valuable knowledge with you.
If I can show you five basic steps that will assist you to experience longevity and vitality, would you be interested?
Be careful with your response - a lifetime commitment is required!
The model of the five basic steps is based on the Five Elements as developed within Traditional Chinese Medicine.
First, I'll give you a quick overview of how this system is interpreted.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient system of health care, which views the human metabolism as a hologram in balance
and harmony with its environment - an integration of the whole, rather than a segregation of body-mind-spirit. A symptom is
considered a signal of disharmony, and a clue to what the root cause of the dis-ease might be.
Western Medicine has a tendency to separate and isolate, and the focus of treatment is often that the symptom is the ailment,
rather than part of a pattern or syndrome. Primary treatment is accomplished through medications and surgery, with the potential
for side effects and complications. Until recently, there has been little mainstream emphasis on lifestyle considerations, and it
is based on reaction rather than prevention.
In ancient China, a first class physician was one who could not only cure disease but also prevent disease. Only a second-class
physician had to wait until his patients became ill so that he could then treat them when there were well-developed symptoms and
signs. - Yellow Emperors Classic on Internal Medicine, CA 475 BC
In my Acupuncture & TCM practice I have always focused on Integrated Medicine based on the fact that both Eastern (TCM) and Western
have their strengths and weaknesses. By belief is validated that Dr. Andrew Weil, author of "Spontaneous Healing"
and "8 Weeks to Optimum Health" teaches an integrated Medicine course to MD's at the University of Arizona. It's not
about who is right and who is wrong - it's about what method empowers people to obtain their optimum health,
coincidental with their chosen purpose in life.
Acupuncture is the primary TCM method of activating our bodies innate healing or Vital Life Force, which is called Qi (Chee).
A blockage, deficiency or excess in the flow of Qi within our body will create a disharmony that often manifests in the physical
as an ailment. For example, a blockage (stagnation) of Liver Qi can result in menstrual cramps, migraines, blurred vision or muscle
cramps; and rebellious Qi (flowing backwards) may cause insomnia, nausea, prolapse, dizziness, asthma or diarrhea depending on which
organ energy is involved.
Our environment consists of elements and if we are living in harmony with it, our metabolism is affected by the interaction and
seasonal changes of the elements. For example, the Cold-Dampness of winter can activate a symphony of syndromes, and the Dry-Heat
of summer has its own myriad of symptoms. An Acupuncture treatment on a seasonal basis empowers our bodies to adapt to the changes.
I recommend a seasonal "balancing tune-up" to all my patients who are seriously dedicated to maintaining good health through
prevention.
TCM recognizes the five primary elements as Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. If balanced, the interaction of the elements brings
harmony and everything is in order. In TCM physiology, each of the elements is associated with a set of Zhang Fu (organs),
an emotion, a color, a season, a time of day, phase of life and various other more subtle aspects such as taste and direction.
Each element has a creative (sheng) and control (ko) function. Similar to the Qi action mentioned above, disharmony of function or
interaction causes a ripple effect amongst the elements like a pebble dropped into a calm pool. Have you ever experienced a ride on
those infamous square tires in sub-zero temperatures, Billy?
In the course of TCM diagnosis and treatment, interaction of these five elements on the creative cycle is one consideration. We view
a deficiency in an element from a parent-child aspect. If the parent is deficient, it is unable to nourish the child. For example,
Water nourishes Wood, and if Water is deficient the Wood can become brittle, losing flexibility. Since our tendons and sinews are
nourished by the Liver/Gallbladder (Wood), we can become physically rigid. As the emotion of Wood is anger, go figure what happens
to our outlook on life. Arthritis and cancer line up waiting for this disharmony.
Wood controls and supports Earth. When this lack of support acts upon Earth's organs of nourishment (stomach/spleen-pancreas),
a pattern of over-eating or dysfunction can occur that develops into Adult Onset Diabetes or other dis-ease. This continues like
Ben Franklin's little rhyme "For the want of a nail---"!
In Chinese medicine a state of good health is often described as a harmonious landscape.
I have connected the Five Basic Steps to
the Five Elements by focusing on the primary action that will help keep each in the most harmonious condition, therefore having an
integrated affect on the metabolism. The program, optimally used in conjunction with regular acupuncture treatments, is a lifelong
dedication to your good health. It will accelerate the three great physicians known as Nature, Time and Patience. The "instant fix
to our ails" we have been conditioned to expect is a myth.
I recommend that you ask your primary Health Care Professional to
support you in your endeavor, regardless of their modality. If they give you a look like your chimney doesn't reach the roof, find
a new one!
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Five Basic Steps/Five Elements
Relationship
Wood. (Liver/Gallbladder)
- We nourish wood with exercise. Walking is great because all we require
is a good pair of shoes and protection from the natural elements. Tai
Qi is excellent. Exercise stimulates our cardiovascular system, which
in turn, allows our blood to keep our muscles from wasting away. We
also reduce our stress level.
Fire. (Heart/Small Intestine)
- The emotion associated is Joy. If you haven't read, "Laughter
is the Best Medicine" lately, do it! Think only positive thoughts.
Our mind can only focus on one thought at a time, so if we think positive,
we crowd out negative. This supports the small intestine's function
of sorting the pure (nutrients) from the impure (waste) and assists
it in its role of heart support.
Earth. (Spleen-Pancreas/Stomach).
- One of the few things we have control of in our life is what goes
in our mouth, the gateway to our metabolism. "We are what we eat",
or just as important - what we avoid. As Ben Franklin quipped "More
people have died from eating than ever starved to death!" I recommend
keeping a diet journal for a few weeks. It makes us more conscious
of how, what and when we eat and it can be very helpful in isolating
allergens or sensitivities. A brand new car may be perfect in all its
parts but is useless without fuel. Eat low on the food chain, focusing
on a rainbow diet of fresh fruit and vegetables. Fill any gaps with
wise supplementation.
Metal. (Lung/Large Intestine)
- Breathing is good! If our oxygen supply is cut off, our minutes are
numbered. The average person only uses 20% of their lung capacity on
a regular basis. If our respiration is shallow, the Heavenly Qi we
inhale is inadequate and our body becomes malnourished and toxic. The
latter invites the onset of degenerative dis-ease. Research has shown
that if our blood is properly oxygenated, peristalsis in the colon
is increased, which improves elimination. This allows us to know that
people are off track if they tell us we are full of "--it" Be
cautious with this one. Increase your breathing capacity on a gradual
basis or have a Health Professional coach you on basic Qi Gong breathing,
Pranic breathing or Earth breathing.
Water. (Kidney/Urinary Bladder)
- Drink pure water. Its osmotic effect in our body draws impurities
off the intestinal walls, and gives our Intracellular Fluid purity.
To calculate your metabolic requirement, divide your body weight (pounds)
in half and this gives you the volume in ounces that you require on
a daily basis Gradually increase intake and even then, until your body
adapts to the new volume, you will have a whole new sense of geography!
Ensure that you are flushing toxic impurities and unwanted bacteria
out of you system. Reduce or avoid diuretics such as alcohol and caffeine.
We learn early that water is an excellent conductor. Our Qi is electro-magnetic
in nature, so by hydrating ourselves properly, our healing energy is
able to circulate more efficiently. A lack of water leads to dehydration.
Would you rather be a grape or a raison?
Acupuncture is the catalyst that will activate the Five Steps and visualization
reinforces the effectiveness.
Positive change is good but do it gradually - remember the Law of Cause
and Effect. Our thoughts are energy and energy follows intent.
If you adopt these steps into your lifestyle, you will feel a difference
in vitality, and longevity will follow. Good Health and
God Bless.
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