Tapping Into Possibilities

Pain, Pain, Go Away or My Two Cents on Migraines

By Leave a Comment

I could not help but write about migraines since everyone and their mother is talking about migraines this week.

Heads up, this will be a two parter, since my goal is 300 words or less so you don’t fall asleep.

I do not like man made toxins, whoops, I mean medications.

If you haven’t figured me out already, I do everything in my power to avoid prescription and OTC medications. In my book, a side effect is a bad effect.

My philosophy is to try the things that can’t hurt you first and  make educated decisions. For instance, I’d try Omega 3 fatty acids, niacin and vitamin D and lifestyle changes (eat real food, lose weight) before starting a statin drug.

But back to migraines…..I no longer take “medication”. Yes, I admit in my foolish youth I did what the doctor said.

All western medicine solutions like beta blockers, imitrex or nerve injections have side effects. Triptan prescriptions like Imitrex increase risk of heart attack and stroke. Beta blockers cause fatigue and weight gain and only mask the pain.

Whether I’ve learned to manage them or those tempermental hormones have balanced themselves, I’m one of the lucky ones.

But they didn’t just magically go away. I tried different things, lots of things. I educated myself.

I believe that if you can find the cause of your migraines (or anything), you can eliminate them. If you take drugs for the symptoms you will be on the drugs for the rest of your life.

The most common causes: magnesium deficiency, hormonal imbalances of estrogen and progesterone, food allergies or sensitivities and chemical sensitivities.

For me, eliminating caffeine was the first step plus improving my magnesium levels, reducing stress and using massage to reduce the stress and tension in my neck and shoulders.

Next post……

Age Related Joy

By Leave a Comment

We turn not older with years but newer every day. Emily Dickinson

I think I can honestly say I am comfortable in my own skin. I can appreciate where I have been, where I am and I am excited about where I am going.

If you haven’t guessed, I had a Milestone birthday earlier this month. While not all milestones are happy, they are significant, literally, a stone acting like a marker or a milepost along the road of life.

While the crow’s feet and sun spots may hint at which decade I’ve just left, I am happy about exactly where I am. But I must note, that I place a priority on finding balance in my life and figuring out how to stay healthy.

Western society has put such a premium on youth and beauty and fixing stuff on the outside that we have neglected what goes on inside. Ageing, in fact, is really the weakening of the immune system by diet, stress, drugs, chemical toxins, etc. which then makes us susceptible to disease.

For some fun or a wake up call go to www.realage.com and take the test to see how old you are biologically as opposed to chronologically.

In Japan, ageing (and they have a specific word for it, Shibui) is  considered “the revelation of beauty, the time when the inherent radiance becomes visible” (Beauty by John O’Donohue, p 185). I rather like the idea that rather than being over the hill, I’m just hitting my stride.

So rather than wasting this time worrying about Age Related Macular Degeneration and the like, I’m embracing this time with Age Related Joy and faithfully taking my Vitamin D, CoQ10, B1 and Omega 3’s.

Your Personal Alarm Clock

By Leave a Comment

Most of us still use a clock to wake up whether it’s your cell phone, a clock radio or an old fashioned alarm clock. Sometimes we jump out of bed before it even goes off, sometimes we rise as soon as it goes off, sometimes we hit the snooze button once, twice, multiple times and sometimes we just ignore it, or at least try to for as long as possible.

Think of pain as your personal alarm clock. Pain is telling you to wake up, pay attention, smell the roses or, more likely, take the trash out. Pain can be physical, emotional, mental.  It can be that painful knee or that pain in the neck, whoever it might be. What’s causing your pain? Your husband? Your job? Your lower back?

Whether it’s a “nudge from God” or not, pain is that big neon sign warning you that something has to change.

What ever your pain, an incredible Rx for pain with no side effects is Qi Gong (pronounced chee gung).

Qi Gong is an ancient (dating back to at least 300 BC) Chinese practice of aligning breath, movement and mindfulness. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses Qi Gong both preventively and curatively for a wide range of ailments from stress, arthritis, back pain, balance. Qi Gong is also an important component in martial arts training.

Qi Gong activates the parasympathetic nervous system and tells tight muscles to relax. It’s the inflammatory response that causes pain and movement improves blood flow which calms the inflammatory response.

For a demo check out this you tube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-EA86oKkPs

Qi Gong somehow seems to magically improve one’s immune response and ability to heal and recover.

Pain is the root of knowledge Simone Weil, French Philsopher, 1910-1943

Do You Believe in Magic?

By Leave a Comment

As I approach a milestone birthday I believe more than ever that you are never too old to play, to laugh. With laughter and play (and that includes music and dancing) we find liberation and joy and, yes, healing. In my book that’s magic. The more you can find a way to laugh and smile in the face of stresses, even big ones, there is the possibility of turning them in to an adventure or at least a valuable journey.

When you are playing or laughing you are able to forget about who you think you are and to explore who you really are.

Rigidity and control are the antithesis of joy and magic. Embrace spontaneity and play.

Me? I’m going to head to the backyard with my own 46” pink, green and silver Hula Hoop, hope the neighbors aren’t watching, listen to a little rock n’ roll and have a little fun.

If you want magic in your life, you have to make room for some fun and play.

I’ll tell you about the magic, it’ll free your soul from the 1965 classic Do you believe in magic? by the Lovin’ Spoonful

Are You Fully Present?

By Leave a Comment

I am in a fog walking the dog this morning. Head down, making mental lists of things to do, barely conscious of putting one foot in front of the other and oblivious to whether the dog had done her business. Mind you, it is a perfect, gorgeous, clear blue sky, spring day and I’m thinking about credit card bills and whether to go to the bank or the grocery store first.

As I brush by a hedge overhanging the sidewalk I am jolted out of my monkey mind. The scent of the honeysuckle is startling, so sweet. It makes me stop in my tracks and not just to engage my sense of smell but also to make me observe the riot of delicate yellow and white blossoms. And I am reminded, once again, of two things both of which are easy to forget in the hustle and bustle of life: the importance of stillness and the importance of beauty.

There is a sacredness to everything you perceive when you are present. The more you live in the Now the more you sense the simple yet profound Joy of Being and the sacredness of ALL life. Echkart Tolle

My Nose is Running

By Leave a Comment

As I am walking the dog on this very chilly, crisp morning with the temps hovering in the 30’s, I’m wishing I’d worn a parka instead of a fleece and my nose is running. Cold and flu season are here I’m thinking it’s time to up my daily dose of Vitamin D3. My Carlsons D drops are my medicine cabinet staple. I consider Vitamin D3 the most important component in our cold and flu prevention strategies. Read more in the articles section about Vitamin D and Flu Season. Now it’s time to get out that Neti Pot.

Stress. What Stress?

By Leave a Comment

Today is the early decision deadline for my senior. Stress wears many different masks and is often hard to recognize. In the scheme of things college application stress is small compared to food poisoning stress or pollution but all stress counts and accumulates and is the cause of 80% of all disease. Stomach churning, headache, a little irritable. I’m talking about me not my high school senior. So what did I do? Cleansing breathes. Yogi Stress Relief Tea, Young Living oil of Lavender and Release on my feet and a brief meditation. I feel lighter, more clearheaded, calmer. What’s important here is learning to recognize the signs both big and little of stress from frequent headaches, to teeth grinding, to increased use of sugar or alcohol or just plain grumpiness and having a toolbox full of tools to relieve the stress. If I had to name the most valuable tool, it’s daily meditation. If  meditation confuses you, scares you or think you just don’t have enough time, I’d be happy to give you a few tips.