Self-Care Tools to Strengthen your Immune System

Acupressure

Why Is Acupressure So Effective Now?
Often described as "acupuncture without needles", acupressure promotes balance, renewed energy, rejuvenation, and wellness by accessing and addressing the vital energies of the body.  Self-care acupressure is especially suited to address the needs created by the Covid 19 crisis.  Even though the need for connection and human touch are hard wired into our nervous systems, we must distance ourselves from those we love at a time when we desperately need support.  This Acupressure technique will help you provide for yourself a deep sense of connection through holding the acupressure points.  Using a gentle but significant connection, you will learn to use acupressure to address stress reactions in the body using touch.

About Acupressure

Acupressure supports the body's own balancing and healing processes. All parts of a human being, and nature itself, are interconnected and dependent on each other. Teachings about this perspective can be traced back thousands of years. The Chinese mapped predictable energy pathways (meridians) throughout the body nearly 4000 years ago, and have been using them as a health reference ever since. Ancient teachings from India inform us about major energy centers in the body (chakras). These traditions address the vital energies of the body, to facilitate balance, rejuvenation, and wellness. When we are more balanced, all the systems in the body are able to function optimally.  We are able to handle stress in ways that reduce the impact on all systems and all levels of our being.  Acupressure brings the profound healing potential of these ancient teachings into the contemporary treatment room. The experience of receiving this work is authentic and empowering. 

What is an Online Acupressure for Self-Care Session Like?

An on-line Self-Care Seva Acupressure can take an hour to an hour and a half.  Lorie does a short evaluation to determine what your needs are and how she can best help.  Information provided to you  includes a brief explanation of the history and theory of Chinese Medicine, point locations, and the protocol for a session addressing your needs  The type and amount of pressure you use will be calibrated to the perfect depth as you learn more about what your body needs and wants.  Most of the protocols are based on the Seva Stress Release which was developed to address acute stress reactions after the trauma of 9/11   Points addressing the Immune System are also included.

This gentle but effective Acupressure can address many common physical symptoms, including back pain, headache pain, insomnia, food cravings, respiratory, digestive and systemic problems as well as colds, flu, allergies, healing from injuries and promoting wellness.  Many of the previous symptoms and  health conditions can be the result of or exacerbated by Stress reactions.  Stress is one of the main focuses of much of the acupressure protocols.

About Soul Lightening Acupressure

Lorie utilizes and teaches Soul Lightening Acupressure. It is based upon the same ancient principles as the art of acupuncture, except that it uses the softer form of curved finger pressure on the points. Many of the points used are on the extraordinary meridians, the meridians which are the first to develop after conception. They are deeper pathways of energy than the 12 meridians associated with the organs that are often used for acupuncture. Recipients of this work often report feeling nurtured and supported.  This is so important during these stressful times of Covid 19 and social distancing.  Our bodies and psyches need nurturing and touch for our survival.  The Seva Stress Release is a way to provide both for ourselves and can be used to help our loved ones.

HeartMath

 

Stress Reduction and HeartMath

Stress has become an all too familiar household word. “It's just stress” is a phrase often used to dismiss an emotional outburst, forgetfulness, headache, pain, or illness. From a body-mind perspective, emotions are the main ingredient in the experience of stress; indeed, it is emotions—feelings such as anxiety, irritation, frustration, lack of control, overwhelm, hopelessness—that individuals experience when they describe themselves as “stressed.” HeartMath research indicates that emotions, even more than thoughts, activate and drive the body's physical changes that correlate with the stress response. Thus, the key to optimal health and vitality is directly related to our ability to self-regulate our emotional experience. Simply stated, the emotions we often label as “negative” do, in fact, disrupt optimal physiological and mental functions. Conversely, the emotions we often refer to as “positive” facilitate a wide range of physiological functions, renew our energy, and optimize the body's natural regenerative processes.

How Does HeartMath Work?

Stress is ever present. Stress reduction comes with reducing our response to the stress.  HeartMath trains one to intentionally generate heart rate rhythmic patterns (heart rate variability or HRV) with positive emotions. These techniques help create a permanent shift in the physiologic and emotional response to stress. The changes in HRV are monitored and give the user feedback on how their practice is changing their body's response to stress.

Personalized Instruction

During these times of uncertainty, it is now more important than ever to take self-care more seriously.  In 2019, we thought of these lifestyle changes as something to do to avoid problems in the future.  Now,  in 2020,  they may be life- saving changes we need to implement  NOW!

In addition to social distancing, wearing a mask, and washing our hands, we all know some things we can do to help protect ourselves.  Our underlying level of health has a huge impact on your body’s response if you are exposed to the Corona virus.  At this time, many chronic illnesses including heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, asthma are considered risk factors for the more serious outcomes for Covid - 19 infection.  These diseases are all hugely impacted by lifestyle and dietary choices.  These healthy lifestyle and diet choices also help support a healthy immune system, which is our main level of defense against viral infections.

You know the drill:  drink plenty of water, eat right brightly colored fruits and vegetables dark greens, beets, berries, eggplant, zucchini, seeds, nuts, beans, mushrooms, onion and garlic are all reported to support optimal immune function.  Manage stress, get good rest…  many of us have known these simple steps for years, but have not been able to implement them. Get help prioritizing the most important steps for you to take.  Learn tools to increase your ability to achieve these steps that will keep you happier and healthier through these difficult, trying times.

Lorie will help you determine where your efforts in the past have fallen short and how to have more successful outcomes with future efforts. Based on recommended safety measures and levels of comfort, sessions are scheduled in person or on-line to cover medical and personal history, attitudes, belief systems, likes and dislikes in order to formulate a plan.  With more than 40 years of experience in fitness, health care, and Oriental Medicine, Lorie provides on-line instruction in Health and Wellness, HeartMath Biofeedback, and Self-Care Acupressure.

For more information call InnerWorks at (316) 946-0990 or Contact Us online.