Rolfing journal

Blog is back up! (so is email on my laptop, not certain about iPad yet, haven't used it).

Where to start? Let's start w/ the Rolfing journal since you've missed comments for sessions 3,4, &5.

Session 3: I'm taller. True. Amanda worked on lengthening the sides during that session. I got up to look in the mirror after she worked on the L side and it was so smooth. The right side (not worked on yet) had that little roll of fat that some of us have when in bathing suits and it looked "scrunched up". Very COOL. And, no more pain in the sides when I do things like turn to reach for my seat belt. Discomfort level: basically nil (disclaimer: I can only speak for myself on discomfort levels).

Session 4: the legs, ow. But to have untangled calves, quads, and hamstrings is worth it.

Session 5: the core, loved it! And, this would be a great session for women who are having fertility challenges as I could feel the RenMai and ChongMai channels opening, filling, getting warm. COOL again! Amanda and I are always talking about how TCM and Rolfing would go so well together. I strongly advise this treatment to all women who need their bellies opened, centered, untwisted and will recommend it to my fertility patients. No waking up w/ crooked hips since this session. Discomfort level for me was nil.

I'll catch you up on any TCM/Acupuncture updates in next writing.

Denver Acupuncture - contact advisory

The e-mail address drmlucas@acupuncturewoman.com is migrating to another server and not operational for a few days. In the interim, please us energymedicinewoman@yahoo.com or call 303-947-6224 to reach Dr. Lucas.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

The Chinese Medicine Practitioner does NOT need a machine to make a diagnosis

Here is an article from Acupuncture Today about a computerized method of diagnosis that prints out a bunch of pretty charts for patients/clients.

You know what? The practitioner needs to be skilled in Pulse Diagnosis by hand (in my humble opinion). Sure, people like colorful graphs. But they also like someone who can take their pulses, DRAW how they look, and then explain them in plain English. Additionally, these machines do not tell the person how the qi is working between channels or why it is not flowing properly. This is told by putting your hands/fingers on the patient and feeling the qi person-to-person.

Link to the article: http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=32452

Afraid of acupuncture needles?

No need to be! These are NOT syringes. Practitioners of Chinese Medicine/Acupuncture have a wide variety of needle gauges from which to choose. I use 38 to 42 gauge ... very very thin, even flexible, that's how thin. Plus, there are different theories about needling. I take the very gentle, non-painful approach while others may believe that it "has to hurt" in order to be effective. No, it doesn't. Having a theoretical perspective like that keeps people away from acupuncture. Albeit that is the "traditional" Asian way, it doesn't have to be done in a manner that is rough on the person. Heck, I wouldn't want to receive acupuncture if it hurt - so I choose gentle practitioners who are well trained in pulse diagnosis so that they have a similar treatment perspective to mine. Remember, the good diagnosis is key to successful treatment. If a practitioner is just doing "prescription Chinese Medicine", that is, the person has a headache so they do "prescribed" points, that may not work so well. Because YOU are an individual and you deserve individualized - and gentle - treatment.

Rolfing journal: session 2

Today was session 2: the feet - our base. Intense! Some of the work offers some discomfort - intense therapeutic sensations, let's say. Amanda and I have an agreement about not going above an 8 on the intensity scale. I said "8" maybe four times today so the work is therapeutic and (I think) tolerable. I wouldn't use the words "hurt" or "pain". Pain is a sensation over which we have little control and may not understand why it is occurring. The Rolfing sensations are "therapeutically intense". :o) During the sessions I am usually thinking about the acupuncture points or channels that are being treated. When Amanda worked on Kidney 1 (Yongquan, Rushing Spring) I could feel a real opening up toward my lower belly (our Mingmen Fire). I thought about what the Masters have said about Kidney 1 - when you put heat on K1 the qi will rise up to the digestion like it did when you were prepubescent. Who wouldn't want to have all of that young, vibrant energy again? So my feet were better in touch with the Earth after the session, posture better, AND Mingmen Fire refreshed (i.e., body centered). Back feeling good.

Should I start wearing a white coat when I do acupuncture treatments?

According to this study, patients are more comfortable w/ a practitioner who wears a white coat. What?!?! I thought that the white coat raised blood pressure. Read on ...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21721926

Fertility issues? Do not give up!

Treating couples who are struggling through fertility challenges is one of my specialties. In fact, sometimes using Chinese Medicine is a better start than doing allopathic medicine procedures. Stats show that only about 37% of women who undergo IVF have a successful pregnancy .... I don't mean to boast but my successful pregnancy rate using Chinese Medicine is higher than that. And, the treatments are healthier and better for both mother and child (the Dad too often needs treatment).

Here is an article with more information:

http://www.chinesemedicinetimes.com/section/463/1/the_treatment_of_premature_ovarian_failure_using_traditional_chinese_medicineh

Rolfing journal Day 1

Wow! I went in w/ a stiff, crooked back and came out feeling great. Intense work, no doubt, but I am so looking forward to the entire process. My skin reacted because the Lung and LI channels were worked on (according to Chinese Medicine those channels run the skin and immune system therefore if blocked you may have allergies, skin issues, breathing probs etc.).

It's fun for me to experience the Rolfing work while thinking about Chinese Medicine and how all of this makes sense. A non-Chinese Med practitioner wouldn't be able to think the same way about the results or sensations so I am lucky in that way. The body is an amazing energetic form. And Amanda Rach is so skilled w/ this work.

Chronic back pain? Acupuncture works!

Denver Acupuncture Expert

‎128 pages demonstrating that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of back pain. But you'll notice, results get better over a 2 year period. Dealing with our aging aches and pain takes work on our part; not a magic pill. And remember, the magic pills often carry negative side effects with them!
http://www.hta.ac.uk/fullmono/​mon932.pdf

Richard Lucas: The Girl Who'd Lost Her Violin

This is a very funny yet sweet story that includes childhood memories. My brother Richard is an excellent writer and teller of stories.

Richard Lucas: The Girl Who'd Lost Her Violin