The Thinking Brain vs. The Nervous System
Hello everybody,
I hope this finds you well. I’d love to hear what folks are up to during this time of quarantine.
In between small business webinars and time on the computer doing the business side of things, I am studying Sound Healing. Some of you have experienced a few minutes of my work with tuning forks during acupuncture sessions. I have gotten really good feedback from using the forks so I wanted to learn more. I figured this was a good time to do it.
One system that I am studying is called Vibrational Fascia Release Technique. Through it, I now have a couple of new attachments to the forks that will allow me to work directly on acupuncture points, trigger points and tight tissue areas. I am also studying Vibrational Chrono Therapy, a system developed by a retired naval sonar specialist. With this system we work to re-set the brain and bodies vibrational rhythm (think circadian rhythm and beyond). I look forward to using these techniques where appropriate when we are back in the clinic.
In the meantime, I hope that you are managing your health well. I have been talking to friends and a few patients and I have noticed a theme.
The thinking brain versus the nervous system.
While many of us are trying hard to maintain a positive outlook and practice gratitude during this time (and always), there is, reasonably, still underlying anxiety and tension in our bodies.
The thinking brain may be saying "This is temporary," "I’m grateful for my home and my health". Awesome, but the nervous system is likely to still be feeling the impact of all that we hear on the news and in our communities. We feel the changes in our lives including the lack of personal contact with and hugs from our friends. We also miss our sessions with body workers, and no one is sure exactly when we will be back together again.
Here are some reminders and suggestions of things we can do to help to regulate our nervous systems:
Exercise. We have to move our bodies to get things unstuck. Daily walks, online exercise classes, or just put on some music and dance!
Earthing or Grounding. Go outside barefoot in the grass or sit on your cement patio barefoot. If this is not a topic that we have discussed or that you have heard before give me a call or look it up. One site that discusses the concept is Grounded.com (note: there is no need to buy anything, the earth is right out your door).
Here is something new for you! Check out the YouTube channel of our very own Dana Durand, Massage Therapist. She has posted a number of self and at home massage techniques. I’ve used some of her suggestions for the knots in my shoulders due to the time in front of the computer. They have really helped. For those of you who don’t know Dana, she and her team of massage therapists work out of Hands on Health and are wonderful practitioners. Click here to go to her YouTube channel.
Lastly, as I mentioned in my newsletter on March 16th, this is a great time to do or to develop a practice of meditation, yoga, tai chi or Qi Gong. There are endless resources for these techniques. You can check out the resources page of my website for some Qi Gong and meditation resources that I practice. The Small Universe Meditation is great one that once you’ve learned it you can use it anywhere, anytime.
In addition, Oprah and Deepak Chopra have developed a current 21 day Meditation Experience. I started doing it this week. I listen to it first thing in the morning before I even get out of bed. I find it helpful.
I have loved hearing from many of you in response to these emails. I am using my Square account to send them out. Oddly, it is sometimes hard to know when I get a response, who it is from and to reply back to you. I get a response from Square rather than directly from you.
If you would like to reply to this email or otherwise send me a note, please do so at Moquinnlac@gmail.com. It will be easier all around. If you’d like to call, I have forwarded the office phone to my cell during business hours. I’ll turn call forwarding off in the evenings and on weekends so you can leave a voicemail anytime. The number is 301-294-6134.
All the best and be well,