Jun 4 2021
Cultivating Success With Holistic Therapy
Choosing the right practitioner makes all the difference.
Choose a practitioner with whom you are comfortable to talk with so that you can be partners in your healing process. A great practitioner has diagnostic abilities, vision, intention and technique. All practitioners are not identical, nor are their treatment styles, diagnostic abilities, personalities, training, history and strengths/weaknesses. Practices that have a factory or gym like atmosphere often give care that is diluted. Choose a therapy practice that offers privacy so that you can freely acknowledge your progress and discuss your concerns. Your therapist is ideally focused upon you throughout your treatment. It can be profoundly helpful to have someone who listens and strategizes with you.
Gaining Perspective: Bumps in the road are normal and to be expected.
It is common for people to begin therapy with high hopes and after a few sessions become disillusioned because their chronic issues have not disappeared. Chronic pain, albeit emotional or physical, can wear away at our perspective and judgement. It is easy to lose ourselves in confusion. A seasoned therapist who has seen thousands of patients can help to ground, encourage establishing realistic goals and help you to explore your options.
Some therapies enhance each other
For example acupuncture and Rolfing. Acupuncture can open up the energetic system by removing blockages which can sometimes be the underlying issue with structural and neurologic problems. A structural acupuncture approach can make the soft tissue manipulation of Rolfing more fluid and accessible. It is best to talk to your practitioners and ask for their advice. It is their business to be able to advise you what the best treatment strategy is.
Pursuing holistic therapies involves the cultivation of a practice.
When you commit to a therapy you are investing in a process that works best when you actively participate. Rather than opting for medication or surgery you are devoting time and resources to explore a noninvasive alternative option. Holistic therapies at their best yield self discovery and growth. Whatever type of therapy you choose has the potential to be transformational. You might get much more than you bargained for.
An underlying belief that supports holistic therapies is that our bodies and minds can be influenced psychologically, physically and energetically through noninvasive healing experiences. By choosing psychotherapy, body work, movement or an energetically based therapy you are investing in your own innate ability to recover and heal.
Mar 11 2021
Treating Depression Through Acupuncture
Prior to the COVID-19, an estimated 17.3 million adults in the USA have had at least one major depressive episode. Since the onset of the pandemic, this mental health challenge has tripled, according to an article published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA). Depression has become one of the most common illnesses in our culture. When feelings of hopelessness, despair and disconnection set in it can be difficult to function.
In the west, traditional approaches to mental health problems include psychotherapy and psychopharmacology. While these approaches can be very helpful, they often miss the relationship between our physical body, mental function and emotional health.
Five Element Acupuncture is a powerful tool that can help you to manage and overcome depression. In our intake, we are interested in your past, what it was like for you growing up, how your life has progressed and how you are doing now. We explore the important junctions in your life and your hopes and dreams for the future. Concurrently, we evaluate how your physical body is functioning and learn about your overall constitution.
Mar 11 2021
Anxiety & Acupuncture
Before to the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety disorders affected over 40 million adults in the USA. (National Institute of Mental Health) Today, the stresses we face are extraordinary. We have feelings of fear, concerns about our personal safety and uncertainty regarding our future. The number of people who are struggling with anxiety since the pandemic began has skyrocketed.
Stress that accompanies a crisis can be overwhelming and exhausting. When a person is faced with chronic challenges, the experience of overload can lead to physical and psychological depletion. Mental health issues often follow.
It is not uncommon for people who suffer from an anxiety disorder to also have depression. Traditional treatment options include psychotherapy and medication. Acupuncture is one of the approaches that is being included by mainstream medical offices. Acupuncture is gaining recognition as a noninvasive and potent way to treat not only physical but mental illnesses as well.
A growing body of research supports the effectiveness of acupuncture in managing anxiety problems. Five Element Acupuncture works to restore the health of the physical body and also the mind and spirit. The initial session takes an in depth look at your history, your experiences growing up, your relationships, hopes, dreams and challenges. Anxiety is a symptom that comes into play within the context of a person’s life. Emotional challenges and trauma can become deeply rooted in the physical body.
Jan 22 2021
Hou Li Tai Chi and The Year of the Metal Ox
Hou Li Tai Chi and Frome Physical Therapy are pleased to announce our virtual Chinese New Year celebration on Saturday, February 13, 2021 from 4:30PM to 5:30 PM. You are welcome to join us for tea, snacks, entertainment and practice. There will be a brief meditation, Gongfu tea ceremony, Tai Chi demonstration and surprise guests performing music, Chinese folk dance and story. Please let us know if you would like to attend.
February 12, 2021 marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year. According to the Chinese Zodiac, this is the Year of the Metal Ox. Metal symbolizes values, respect, ethics, perfection, the autumn and the harvest. The Ox is associated with an honest nature, diligence and dependability. He achieves his goals with both strength, determination and stubbornness. While these traits are admirable, the Ox is not always the best communicator.
Based upon the character of the Metal Ox, it is advisable to choose your goals carefully, reflecting the greater good. Share your ideals with others and work together to overcome life’s many obstacles. Together, much can be accomplished.
Since 1984 Frome Physical Therapy has offered complimentary healing arts including Rolfing, acupuncture and now Craniosacral Therapy.
FPT has given birth to the Hou Li Tai Chi school, in Loch Arbour, NJ (Asbury Park) and now also online. Our school is now in it’s fourth year. Hou Li means vitality.
The practice of Tai Chi and Qigong appear to be simple however it demands balance, strength and flexibility and more. It takes years of study to do it well and can be practiced daily to cultivate physical, emotional and spiritual health. You will find yourself feeling more open and more relaxed after each practice. Tai Chi and Qigong challenge the body in ways that conventional exercise does not. It is slow and meticulous in its detail. As the student memorizes each movement, he is engaged mentally to refine the form.
David has studied Tai Chi for many years at The Society for Nanlaoshu in NYC. The literal translation of Nanlaoshu is “hard to grow old”. One can practice Tai Chi and Qigong into old age. The practice cultivates your strength, flexibility, immunity and vitality.
Our classes have been held in the studio, in the park and on the beach. Currently, our advanced Tai Chi and Chigong meets on Friday morning (virtually or outdoors) and our Qigong for all levels meets virtually on Wednesday mornings. In the spring, we will offer a beginners Tai Chi and Chigong that will meet outdoors. We welcome new students. To learn more, visit www.houlitaichi.org.
Sep 7 2021
Acupuncture for Childbirth Preparation
Acupuncture is a powerful tool to help manage many of the problems women face during pregnancy. Exhaustion, depression, digestive issues, constipation, hemorrhoids, headaches, heartburn, insomnia, low back pain, nausea and stress related symptoms are successfully treated within the scope of acupuncture. It can also be helpful as an adjunctive therapy for gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory infections, UTI’s and more.
Weekly acupuncture during the last four weeks of pregnancy focuses on the preparation of a woman’s body for natural childbirth.
The goals of treatment include:
Studies have shown that pre-birth acupuncture significantly lowers the incidence of medical interventions including C-sections, epidurals and episiotomies. Women who have pre-birth acupuncture have shorter labors with less discomfort.
Acupressure can be utilized to support a woman during labor. Prior to labor the acupuncturist instructs the woman’s partner or labor coach on how to administer acupressure to specific points that will help to facilitate the childbirth process. For some childbirth pairs, we mark the most important points on the women’s body so they are easily accessed when needed.
For childbirth support during labour, I recommend using two or three points together. I’ll share the name of each point and a little about the spirit of each point. Please note: Some of these points are contraindicated during pregnancy.
Acupressure for Reinforcing Labor
SP6 The United Crossing of Three Yins – This is an earth point. Here, the spleen, kidney and liver channels meet and the nourishing force of Qi joins with vitality and strength (earth, water, wood.) This meeting point joins these great resources.
LI4 Union Valley – This is a metal point. Valleys are lush with resources and this point helps clear the body of what is no longer needed, and does so with great vitality, helping the energy to flow.
Acupressure During Labor
GB21 Well of the Shoulder – Baby Descending Point. Wood. Helps us to shoulder life’s burdens, to stand upright and remain balanced. Fresh water gives us inspiration and reserves to shoulder our responsibilities.
BL32 The Second Sacral Bone Notch – This is a water point – water always reaches its destination, it is both soft and strong. In addition to helping babies find their way into the world, it reduces pain during contraction, facilitates dilation.
Maintaining Stamina During Labor
KD1 Bubbling Spring – Also a water point. Bubbles up from the ground with great vitality. The source of vision which comes from growth. This spring taps into knowledge, tranquility, wisdom, creativity and courage.
ST36 To Walk in the Great Strength of Stillness – Earth point. Storehouse for putting things into action and moving with extra strength when things are difficult.
Pregnancy and childbirth are a treasured and sacred journey. Both acupuncture and acupressure are wonderful tools that can provide support for the transition.