Acupressure Point - Shen Men

Hi All,

Hope you're well today.  Things are going well here in Phoenix, AZ.  We're having 90 degree days regularly now.  Spring training for Major League Baseball is just about over and soon the water will be warm enough for swimming (at least for us desert dwellers).

Part of my reflexology training included auriculotherapy, or reflexology thru the ear.  Like foot or hand reflexology; in auriculotherapy you can address health concerns in the body by working various points in the ear.

As I was looking around on the internet the other day, I came across a video about Shen Men - a point on the ear.  The video showed how you can gently massage Shen Men for a couple minutes a day, and how that can contribute to stimulating good health.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTRpU4w2VCs#t=41

I'm including a link to the You Tube video.  It's a good little how to video that shows very simply how you can work Shen Men.

The point marked in the upper portion of the ear is the Shen Men point.

Shen Men is a point that comes from Chinese medicine and translated means "Heavenly Gate."  In most auriculotherapy protocols, Shen Men is used.  It's known to be related to the heart.  It's good as a relaxation point and can assist in pain relief, reducing inflammation and addiction.  As the video shows, it's good for overall health.

Simply holding the ear in front and back and gently massaging Shen Men with your thumb can assist with energy and good health.  Try it for a couple minutes once or twice a day and see if you notice a difference.  You may want to try it for a week or more.  Do it while watching tv or sitting or whenever your hands are free - or while quietly relaxing.

Hope this is helpful for you.  It should be good - give it a try.  Acupressure and Auriculotherapy can be very powerful and helpful means of stimulating healing in the body.  If you'd like more info about how I can assist you with Auriculotherapy, contact me.  I'm happy to give you more info and treatment also.

Take care and have a great week. 

Peace,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink
Massage and Holistic Therapist

www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

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Stress Kills - How Are You Dealing With Stress?

Hi All,

How are you all doing today? I've been thinking lately about how stress or managing stress fits into an holistic lifestyle.

It occurred to me that among a lot of health conscious people, there's a lot of emphasis placed on eating right, (sometimes all organic or a vegan diet).  Exercise is also a big focal point as well.  Both are important, of course.  However, I wondered how many times do people put a lot of effort into all of that and yet neglect their own mental, emotional, and spiritual health? 

Dealing with stress is key for good health and a healthy lifestyle.   I've talked to many people who are very health conscious about meditation.  So many times, the response it, "I've tried, but I can't do it."  We live in a fast paced society and most everyone works hard, has a lot going on all the time, and can have a hard time relaxing the body and mind.  Many people worry about the future or spend a lot of time reflecting on regrets or events of the past.  All of these can lead to stress...and a lot of it.  We all get caught up in these occasionally; so what are some practical things we can do?

First - take time to relax and/or meditate every day.  My grandmother knew the power of meditation, but she didn't call it that.  When I'd help her on the farm as a kid, we would "take a rest" after lunch for 30 minutes, every day.  We would also do a devotional reading.  Both are good for de-stressing the body and feeding the spirit.  A period of meditation every day is good for you on every level.

Reducing Stress...It's all a balancing act.

 There's many ways to meditate.  Find one and practice.  It's as easy as reclining in a comfortable position and relaxing the body.  Start with a few deep breaths and then relax into a nice easy rhythmic breathing...monitor your breath and relax.  Bring your conscious mind back to the present and continue to relax and watch your breath.  I know, sounds easy, right?  It takes practice, but will pay major dividends, so don't give up.  With practice, you will get better at it and it will get easier.

Add a little mindfulness into your day.  Be present.  Don't worry or think too much about the future or the past.  Keep coming back to present moment...enjoy whatever you're doing.  Whether you're at work or washing the dishes.  It doesn't matter - come back to now....and be grateful for wherever you're at or whatever you're doing.  Remember the saying, "it's all an inside job."  

How about feeding your soul?  Do you have a church or spiritual community?  Do you have not only a weekly practice, but how about a daily spiritual practice?  Like Grandma - the daily spiritual practice is a great way to keep you feeling good and will feed your spirit as well; great for keeping things in perspective and keeping the stress level down.

Of course eating well and exercise are both great for stress busting as well.  Here's a twist though.  Sometimes we may fall short of our goals.  We may not eat as well as we'd like or meet our exercise goals.  Don't beat yourself up.  Do your best and if you fall short, be happy with what you're doing and move on.  You'll do a little better tomorrow.

My Holistic Nutrition teacher in school would talk about nutrition and noticed how everyone would get excited and wanted to really make big changes.  He'd tell us if you can't eat organic locally grown produce, don't beat yourself up, just eat good non organic local.  It that wasn't available, eat non-local.  If not that, eat what you have...and be grateful and bless the food.  Be happy you have something to eat.  Same with exercise - set goals and work hard, but boost yourself up - if you don't meet your goals always, don't beat yourself up.  Do what you can and be happy about it.

It sounds a little simple and easy right?  There's a lot to be said for eating right, regular exercise, and proper rest.  It's good to have fun, get out into nature, spend time with pets and friends, and so many more things that help also.  But remember - an holistic lifestyle is taking care of the whole person.  Taking care of our internal self is just as important as taking care of the physical body.  It all works together.

Have a great day.  Be kind to the people around you today.  That's good for all of us.  Enjoy.

Peace,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink, LMT
web: www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HolisticTherapySolutions

Epsom Salt Baths - Great Health Benefits

Hi All,

It's been a pretty decent week here in Phoenix, the massage and holistic biz is going well and keeping me busy.  As an holistic therapist, I often recommend clients take Epsom salt baths after they get a massage or energy work or other holistic therapies, along with drinking plenty of water and other things.  I think most people believe that it's a healthy thing and helps draw out toxins from the body, but how many of us are really familiar with the benefits of an Epsom Salt bath?  So what are the benefits of an Epsom Salt bath?

You can get Epsom Salts at drug stores and most supermarkets.  They're very inexpensive.

First of all, Epsom Salts are high in Magnesium and Sulfates.  If you have a magnesium deficiency, soaking in a bath containing Epsom salts can give you a boost in that area.  The body absorbs these thru the skin, where it goes into the bloodstream.  At the same time, the Epsom Salts help to pull salt and harmful toxins out of the body.

Magnesium is very important to the body.  It helps to regulate 325 enzymes in the body.  It helps to improve muscle and nerve function.  It also helps improve blood flow and oxygenation of the blood.

The Sulphates are important too.  They help to keep your joints healthy.  They also are good for healthy skin and nerve tissue.

Epsom Salts can also assist with relief from various chronic health issues like; improved heart and circulatory problems, gout, improve the bodies ability to use insulin, pain and stress relief, can also ease regularity of migraine headaches.  It also helps the body absorb nutrients and helps relieve stress.

Of course there are always contraindications.  Women who are pregnant shouldn't take Epsom Salt baths.  If you're dehydrated or have burns or open wounds you shouldn't use Epsom Salts in your bath either.

So remember; the next time your massage or holistic therapist recommends using epsom salts, there's very good reasons for it.  Enjoy the bath.

Have a great day.

Peace,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink, LMT
web: www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HolisticTherapySolutions

New Home for Holistic Therapy Solutions

Hi All,

I hope things are going well for you - wherever you're reading this.  It's been an interesting month.  I've been busy with artwork and had a busy month with the holistic therapy biz.  I've been enjoying the nice weather and family and friends as well.  The month hasn't been without it's hiccups though.

In the middle of the month, I found myself looking for a new place to run Holistic Therapy Solutions out of.  I was renting a room and I was assured I would have 24/7 access to the room.  However - at the prodding of another tenant, a policy was put in place that severely restricted my access to serving clients in the evenings and on Saturdays.  Of course, I needed to move the business again.

Front door - Inner Power Hypnotherapy - my new business home.

 

The first person that came to mind was a friend of mine - Ray Kopakowski.  He's a clinical hypnotherapist. One of his specialties is working with professional and amateur athletes, to help them with performance enhancement.  He also is owner of Inner Power Hypnotherapy located on 19th Ave, just north of Camelback, in Phoenix.  Sure enough - he had a room available and I moved in the end of February.

Reception/Waiting area.

 It's a nice place and a good location.  It's convenient to downtown and major freeways.  The light rail runs right up 19th Ave and down Camelback.  Of course, it's in Northwest Phoenix, but quickly accessible to the East side of town...even Scottsdale.

My therapy room - ready to work.

 If you need a good massage, craniosacral therapy, reflexology, reiki, or hypnotherapy - give me a call, text, or email and we'll get you an appointment set up, right away.  I'm here to serve - and once again - have a business home where I can do that.  Of course, I still do out calls if you'd rather I bring the table to you.

So, sometimes life is an interesting ride.  Lots of fun, mixed in good work, and even some surprises - not all welcome surprises.  But, I know it always works out for my best and highest good.  Of course there's always a lesson in all of it.  Sometimes its just an opportunity to have faith...faith in God, faith in the process, and know it'll work out.  Today I'm very grateful - I'm blessed in so many many ways...and grateful for the opportunity to find, what I'm expecting will be the home of Holistic Therapy Solutions, for a good long while.

Have a great week everyone.

Peace,

Tom

Web:  www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com
Follow on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/HolisticTherapySolutions