Acupressure Point - GB 20

Hi All,

Hope you're all doing well.  I know many folks out there have had a pretty severe winter.  Hopefully Spring is going well for you.  It's pretty nice here in Phoenix, AZ....getting warm quickly.

I came across a little graphic and write up on facebook about an acupressure point - GB-20.  The write up talked about how applying pressure to GB-20 can be very helpful to your health.  When I saw this it brought a smile to my face.  I used to study Okinawan Kempo years ago and learned a very different use for GB-20.

Graphic showing the location GB-20, just below the Occiput (or base of the skull).

According to traditional Chinese medicine, you have several energy meridians.  These meridians have points along them, that are numbered.  These points are landmarks to be worked on with needles, like in acupuncture.  They can also be worked on with fingers, as you would in acupressure.  GB-20 is the 20th point along the Gallbladder Meridian (see illustrations).  It's at the base of the skull, approximately 4 finger widths apart.  There's a GB-20 on each side of the spine.  The meridians run down both the left and right side of the body - so there's two of each point.

GB-20 is also referred to as the "gates of consciousness."  Working these points can have some very profound health benefits.  You may find relief from headaches, tension, sinuses, neck pain, irritability and depression.  Working GB-20 is said to help harmonize the immune system and regulate circulation to the brain, and more.  I would think it's such a vital point because of it's location.

Graphic showing the Gallbladder Meridian.

How do you "work" GB-20?  Reach up and hold the top of your head, interlacing your fingers.  Your thumbs will point down.  Put your thumbs into GB-20, apply pressure and hold for 3-5 minutes while breathing deeply and slowly.  Do this 2-3 times daily. 

This is an excellent, easy way to practice self-care and hopefully find some very profound results.  Of course there are many points that you can work that help with many, many issues in the body.  There are books, classes, and info on-line as well, detailing acupressure and how to work with GB-20 and other points.  Check it out.

I hope you found this to be helpful.  Have a great day and enjoy.  Let's be kind to one another and help make this world just a little bit better.

Peace,

Tom

Web: www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HolisticTherapySolutions

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

follow on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/HolisticTherapySolutions

Prepping to Teach Intro to Chi Enegy

Hi All,

I haven't been blogging much lately because I've been building my holistic therapy business and preparing for a class I'm teaching on Sunday here in Phoenix.  The class is "A Practical Introduction to Chi Energy."  I know, I've blogged about it before, but I'm really excited.

It started around the idea of brushing your energy meridians to allow the Chi (life force energy), flow unrestricted throughout your body.  As I started thinking about curriculum and developing structured ideas for the class, that simple idea expanded into, what is Chi, how do we cultivate it in our bodies, info about the meridians, what is the Circadian clock?

All these ideas are interconnected and leads to more info and more questions...and more info.  As I write the blog today, I'm still tweaking the slides, researching and preparing.

Artwork for my Facebook invitation for the class

So what are ways in which we can cultivate and keep healthy Chi in our body?  Incorporating Healthy Diet, Exercise, Healthy Breathing, Good Posture, and Limiting Stress in our lives.  It sounds simple enough right?  In reality, it is.  There's simple things we can do in each area to make improvements.

We all have a pretty good idea of what a healthy diet or good posture is, as well as the other suggestions for developing/cultivating healthy Chi.  Traditional Chinese Medicine also has guidance on these topics as well.  For example, Tai Chi and Qi Gong are great exercises for people of all ages.  You can find simple and easy breathing exercises to practice.  We should strive to eat a nutrient dense diet, but if you're eating a burger, don't feel guilty, bless the food and enjoy every bite - and continue to pursue a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Five Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine informational chart

I've learned so much recently while putting this class together and am excited to share that knowledge this coming Sunday, from 10am - 4:30.

The class will be held at:
Beyond Today Co.
11223 N. 28th Drive, Suite F101
Phoenix, AZ 85029

For more info, see my website - www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

Hope to see you there.  Have a great Valentines day - share love with everyone, not just a special person.

Peace,

Tom

Holistic Therapy Solutions' Upcoming Events

Hi All,

Hope you had a good weekend and that your week is off to an excellent start.  Things are going good here.  Time just keeps flying by....it's hard to comprehend how fast the weeks go by.

Today I want to share some of the things going on at Holistic Therapy Solutions (HTS).  HTS is the company name for my holistic therapy/massage business.  As my clientele is growing, I'm putting together some other offerings that may be just what you're looking for.

Logos for Holistic Therapy Solutions and my artwork business

Tom K's Wednesday Meditation Group

I facilitate a meditation group every Wednesday from 1:30-3:00.  We chat a little about how our meditating is coming along and provide support and ideas.  I also try to bring something interesting to share and that we can try out.  It may be a guided meditation or a different meditation technique that we can all try as a group.  It's a lot of fun and I hope you'll try it out.

Hand Reflexology Map showing reflex points on the palmar side of the hand

The Hand Class - offering 7 CEUs.

This Sunday (24 November), I'll be teaching half of the Hand Class.  It's a 7 hour class that's all about working the hands therapeutically.  Rod Lyman is teaching the acupressure points of the hand and how to work them.  I'll be teaching hand reflexology.  Both acupressure and reflexology can be very powerful and effective ways to help assist healing....and it feels good for your client as well.  Come be a part of this fun and enlightening day - get your hands worked on and learn how to work on others as well.  This class is good for both the experienced therapist and the lay person alike.  All are welcome.

Beyond Today Holistic Fair

I rent at and run my business out of Beyond Today Co in north central Phoenix (see web link below).  We're hosting our monthly holistic fair at Beyond Today Co on the 7th of December.  It's just in time for the holidays.  You can relieve the holiday stress by recieving some of the therapeautic or intuitive offerings availalble.  You'll also have opportunities to treat yourself or shop for a variety gifts from the vendors that will be on site.  It'll be a great time and we hope you'll join us.

Of course I'm still available for Massage, Reflexology, Cranial sacral therapy, Reiki, and Hypnotherapy sessions.

In the future I'll be offering more classes at Beyond Today Co.  I'm planning to offer more reflexology classes.  Some of these will be geared toward professional and at home health care givers.  I'm also putting together an intro to Chinese 5 element theory and energy meridians class.  I'll be advertising these as they're scheduled.

As we enter the most joyful and sometimes most stressful time of the year.  I hope you'll make time to take care of yourself and be good to yourself.  Take a class, meditate (maybe be part of our group), or get a massage or other soothing, relaxing and healing therapy.  If you take good care of yourself, you'll be better for those around you.
Have a great week and do something nice for someone, just because you can.

Peace,

Tom

Beyond Today Co. - http://www.beyond2day.com/

Holistic Therapy Solutions - http://holistictherapysolutions.weebly.com/

See Beyond Today Co and Holistic Therapy Solutions on Facebook also.