From the Office of Joel Penner, O.M.D., L.Ac.
Issue #8 November, 2003WHAT'S NEW FROM JOEL
Hi everyone. It has been a while since I sent out the last newsletter. For those of you who look forward to them, I apologize. Stacey left at the end of last year to have a baby and start her own acupuncture practice in the Topanga area. She, the baby and her practice are all doing well. If any of you would like to contact her for acupuncture, her phone number is 310-455-3060.
Since Stacey is not here, I am doing all of the office work in addition to the treatments. I’m not complaining, just making excuses for not getting out the news letter.
Also, I am happy to say that my band is doing very well. Many of you who are on my e-mail list have been getting regular updates. If you are interested in being on the e-mail list, please let me know, either by phone or e-mail. If you want to be taken off the list, also, please let me know.
I hope you have all been well. This has been a very stressful year for most of us, with the war and the economy. Stress is the trigger for virtually all disease and should be handled right away in order to prevent consequences. Stress can be handled in a number of ways.
Diet is important, but don’t let your diet stress you out! Yes, it helps to eat healthy food, we all know that, but it is, in my opinion, more important to enjoy your food than to force yourself to eat something you don’t like simply because someone tells you it is good for you. I’m not saying to cram junk food down your throat because you enjoy it. That is not enjoyment, it is addiction. If you want to lose weight, and feel better, eat less of the good foods you enjoy. Treat yourself occasionally, but don’t overdo it.
Exercise is also a wonderful way to reduce stress. Again, I caution you, don’t overdo it and chose a type of exercise you enjoy. If you think running, for example, will be a great form of exercise for you, but you hate doing it, don't! Find something you enjoy. It helps to exercise with someone. Nice long walks around the neighborhood can be just the thing.
Meditation and deep breathing are also great to reduce stress and I recommend them, especially the deep breathing. Many people, however, get too serious about meditation. They feel the need to sit in the lotus posture for hours, until their necks and backs are sore and aching. Again, I say, don’t do that. Meditation and deep breathing are easily done in combination with your walks, for instance. Never do it for too long. Certainly sitting in the lotus position and calming your mind is great, but don’t do it for too long. Enjoy it!
Acupuncture is another wonderful method of stress relief and I know many of you come in on a regular basis for that very reason. If, however, needles freak you out, try massage. Massage is terrific stress relief. I will be happy to refer you to some excellent massage therapists. If the needles don’t bother you, acupuncture is, in my opinion, one of the most complete forms of stress reduction there is, of course, I am prejudiced.
I guess you get my point, (no pun intended) whatever you do to relieve stress, enjoy it. Go listen to music or go dancing. Do it on a regular basis and you will be surprised how healthy you will start to feel.
Emotion and Disease
Chinese Medicine basically teaches that negative emotions are the underlying causes of all disease. What about epidemic diseases, flues, bacterial infections etc.? Aren’t those diseases out of the realm of negative emotions? No, they are not! Negative emotions lower the body’s innate ability to fight off invasion from without. When we are fraught with fear, anger, resentment, anxiety and worry etc., chemicals are released into the system which literally do damage to the cells and compromise the body’s immune system.
Chinese Medicine has researched this subject for thousands of years and has described the relationship of various emotions to specific organ systems. Here is a brief synopsis of particular emotions and their related organs.
Heart - Small Intestines:
Injures the HT/SI: Heals the HT/SI:
Lack of love or joy, Love
Melancholy, Joy
Terror
Euphoria
Anxiety
Spleen/Pancreas - Stomach
Injures the SP/ST: Heals the SP/ST:
Over-thinking/Over-analysis Meditation
Obsession (No thinking)
Worry
Lungs - Large Intestines
Injures the LU/LI: Heals the LU/LI:
Excess Grief Acceptance
Excess Sorrow Surrender
KIdneys - Urinary Bladder
Injures the KI/UB: Heals the KI/UB:
Fear Courage
Terror Will power
Liver - Gall Bladder
Injures the LV/GB: Heals the LV/GB:
Frustration Healthy aggression
Anger (making things happen)
Resentment
Depression
We all know that once we are in a negative state, it is extremely difficult to get out of it. It is, however, possible. The trick is not to fight the feelings. That does no good because we are still focused on those feelings. It is like saying “don’t think about a white bear”, of course, all we can think about is a white bear. The trick is to shift our focus to something else, something that brings us happiness and joy. It takes awareness, a true desire to be change how we feel and practice.
First, we need to be aware that we are in a negative state. Most of us are in that state so much that we aren’t even aware of it, but if we make a conscious decision to become aware of it, eventually we see it. “Aha, I'm being negative.”
Then comes the serious desire to change it. “I know that these negative feelings are doing me harm. I want to change them and be well.”
Next comes the practice. “My boss is such an idiot. Why does he/she say such mean things to me. I don't deserve this kind of treatment. I can’t send him/her positive, loving thoughts, I’m way to angry so I’m going to think about something that brings me joy. I just finished my first novel and sold it to a publisher for a $600,000. advance. I’m on my way to Europe with my wife/husband and I am feeling just great.” All of a sudden you are not thinking about your boss anymore. You are having a great time and those toxic emotions are gone.
You may say “well this is just fantasizing, its not true, it’s not reality.” Well thoughts about “smackin’ your boss upside the head” are also a fantasy. You know you are not going to do it, but this fantasy just reinforces your negative feelings and does more harm to you. The trip to Europe is a positive fantasy which eliminates toxic emotion and actually brings feelings of joy to you. The feelings are real! No matter what causes them, the emotions are actual and they cause changes in your body. Why not create positive feelings and get well.
All it takes is Awareness, a Desire to Change, and Practice.Herb Classes
I am considering presenting a series of talks on Chinese Herbal Medicine for my patients and other interested people. These talks would present an understanding of Chinese herbs, how they work and how you can learn to use them at home. Projected classes at this time are:
Treating Colds and Flus at Home with Chinese Herbs,
Herbs For Women’s Heath
Herbs for Physical Injury
Chinese Herbs for Treating Immune System Disorders.
In order for me to do this, I need your feedback. Are you at all interested in participating? Please let me know, by phone or e-mail. The classes would be held on Sunday afternoons once a month. They would be free to all of my patients. Non-patients would have to pay a $10.00 fee per class. I would need a minimum of ten people per class in order to do it. Please let me know.
Herbal Tinctures
Many herbs and traditional formulas are now available in tincture form. This is especially beneficial for children and others who have difficulty swallowing capsules. They are potent and very effective. The cost per bottle is similar to the capsules, however the bottles tend to last longer so they may actually be a little less expensive.
$40.00 TUNE-UP
Most of you who have been receiving “American Dragon” regularly, know that as the seasons change, the energies of the planet and of the human body change. They re-adjust to compensate for the coming climate changes and the activities associated with them. During these changes, people are more susceptible to disease entities entering the body and for that reason we recommend a seasonal tune-up to smooth out the readjustment period. For healthy people, this rebalancing treatment should be done four times a year, at the change of seasons, to prevent the colds and flus which may occur at these times.
In the past we have attempted to coincide our issues of “American Dragon” with these seasonal changes. Unfortunately it has been difficult and we often miss the optimum time for the tune up. Because of this, we are offering a standing invitation for a $40.00 “seasonal tune up” to each of you. Just give us a call within two weeks of the seasonal changes (around March 21, June 20, September 23, and December 20) and we will be happy to see you and do your tune up.This will allow us to do the newsletter at various times during the year when we have interesting things to. report.
The next seasonal change is around December 21st (the Winter solstice). Please take advantage of this and stay healthy.
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