Tuesday, 1 May 2018

Learn to trust the process of life to always bring you what you need.” YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE ~ Louise Hay

If we see our body as a whole planet of energy transfers and populations (specialised cells that make up the organs and multitudes of biological circuitry, such as endocrine hormone releases and bacteria populations) then we begin to see that we are the governors of a huge enterprise that is tied up with every energetic emission of thought and action, of Yin and Yang, and we are doing this without training. 
Suppose that we do not need manuals because the miracle of life flowing through the body and the body moving gracefully through its environment of life is enough, and we are just the life forms, present here to animate the life process, where the species is doing what it is biologically programmed to do, without fault. 
Suppose,  differently that the elegance and grace of life becomes 'derailed' through stress, harmful thoughts, overwhelm, obsessive/addictive/negative/inappropriate reactions to outer stimuli as we experience a contrast to perfection.  When we live in the polar opposite to a beautiful life, then is a deepening chasm which drags the down the whole enterprise of body mind and soul.  When one part struggles, it affects the whole. Its much like the planet we live in, where what happens in one place has effect on others and gradually if unchecked causes overall unbalance. It is time to iron out the wrinkles of what is causing the symbiotic inner conflict /outer reality, that plays out in the mind body soul and which has  magnified itself  onto the external screen of the world and planetary body.
'Sugar' in all its processed forms is poison to the body, as is Alcohol, but we are addicted to it, it has been drip fed to humans for centuries, and it is part of the experience of life as we know it today. It is sweetener that has soothed the ego's unsettled fear-motivated living and become a substitute for sweet simplified living. We did not evolve up through the sweet simplified living path, we devolved down convoluted paths and have allowed ourselves to be bombarded with enough outer stimuli to confuse and vex our inner systems, and 'sugar' is, literally and metaphorically, that which sweetens the bitter pill. Eons ago, we, human kind began to replace our sense of being spiritually elite and beautiful,  with doubt and mistrust in our  connection to the finer 'spiritual essences' that dance with us as we join in and walk through the physical environment of life.  Where once we could commune with all things, including God, now so clogged with doubt, our bodies, minds and souls are switched to 'off', and our bodies are running on thin fuel, and sugar. 
Getting back on track, spiritually, mentally and physically, is like taking back control of your own personal planet, mind body soul, and completing and updating your own etheric intranet and internet systems,  lets life bring you Beauty and, as yet incomprehensible, experiences bigger and better than we experience today.   
Michaela. 


The following is taken from:




We now know that feelings that aren’t digested turn into a heavy congestive residue.  Emotions that become stagnant also collect in different areas of the body causing the digestive system to falter as well as the surrounding organs. Most of our undigested issues, emotions and other stresses and anxieties are known to collect in the abdominal area. This lower region the body can become very toxic when it is forced to hold onto feelings and issues because we’re afraid of dealing with them.


—scientists have proven we have one hundred million sensory (feeling) receptors outside the body but on the inside we have ONE HUNDRED BILLION sensory receptors constantly picking up thoughts, feelings and memories inside your cells.  Your body is one big energetic system—traumas, addictions, depression etc., are all memories recorded inside your cells. 
 Thinking on the billions of sensory receptors inside the body, I traced one of the longest nerves in the body called the ‘vagus nerve’, which runs from the lower part of the brain, down the base of the spine, branching out its nerve fibers to the heart, respiratory, stomach and intestinal tract.  What relation does the vagus nerve have with hormone-sensitive cells?

Another cause of IBS could be Candida Albicans.  The intestinal tract contains small amounts of this yeast but sometimes antibiotics, birth control pills and a high carbohydrate diet can cause an overgrowth of this yeast, causing a condition called candidiasis.  Candidiasis has been linked to allergies, migraines, vaginitis, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, asthma and many more ailments.

Perfectionists need to loosen their standards, leave the past and move into unfamiliar ground—they need to let go of their fear and move into the unknown.  They have to stop manipulating others and their world where they feel they’re in control.  They need to practice gratitude to help them relax and be happy with life as it is.   Once they know what beliefs and behaviors keep them stuck, they have a greater sense of adventure, trust and enjoyment.  They let go of fear and self-doubt and with motivation regain a zest for life.  
  “A Meditation for Perfectionists
 Okay, I give up.  I’m ready to stop running the entire world.  I’d like to rest.  Please (please please) help me stop being responsible for everything.  Please help to relax and be happy with life as it is.  And, by the way, thanks for all the wonderful love and relationships I have” . Daphne Rose Kingma

https://ravenstarshealingroom.wordpress.com/2013/02/17/metaphysical-causes-of-irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/

METAPHYSICAL CAUSES OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)

*It’s only been recently discovered by Dr. Habba, that gallbladder problems could mimic the causes of IBS.  People who experience violent diarrhea immediately after or during a meal, (especially fatty foods) may be suffering from Habba Syndrome caused by an ‘irritable’ gallbladder.
Metaphysically, little annoyances, emotions or attitudes can irritate and create an imbalance in the gallbladder.  People affected most are those who don’t like changes, especially to their daily habits and those who are overly stressed by tests and exams.  You could say their great anxiety ‘wrenches’ their bowels.
The liver is the organ that produces bile salts when you eat (bile salts help to digest fat) but when the gallbladder’s upset it doesn’t process bile well, causing the body to work feverishly to dilute the bile by adding water in the intestinal tract – the reaction – violent trots.
Manic depressive people (bi-polar) could characterize this….another article to look at in the near future. 11/29/2013
Dr. Habba has his own website but to be honest, About.com makes it easier to understand.
“The most common gastrointestinal disorder is IBS. Though it can affect just about anybody, the most common sufferers are between the ages of fifteen, and forty-five, with females being affected more than males.  There are many symptoms within the complex of IBS.  Not all patients have every symptom.  Sometimes there is intermittent difficulty in swallowing.  Acid can refux back up the esophagus from the stomach and cause heartburn, which is an acid taste or or an actual chemical burn.  The acid irritation may cause esophageal spasms and produce chest pain that can closely mimic cardiac pain.  This is labeled gastroesophageal reflux or GER.  Waves of nausea sometimes appear out of nowhere.  They can last for hours or for only a few seconds but in frequent, repetitive waves.  Gas and bloating are among the most common complains but just as high on the patient’s list is frequent constipation alternating with diarrhea”.  WHAT YOUR DOCTOR MAY NOT TELL YOU ABOUT FIBROMYALGIA ~ R. Paul St. Amand, M.D., and Claudia Craig Marek 
 Diana is a client and good friend of mine, who suffers from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) .  When I asked her to describe how IBS felt physically….the first thing she said was “a constant squeezing cramping, nauseous feeling….like being on a ship rolling in the heavy seas”…then as she thought about it some more, asked me to imagine recovering from a bad case of the stomach flu, where you’re feeling better but still have cramps, loose bowels and ache all over.  Well, between the rolling waves and flu-like symptoms I was nauseously starting to get the picture.  She said “imagine those nauseous achy, cramping feelings always there, all the time as you try to carry on a normal life and pretend to everyone else, everything’s just fine.  IBS limits your life, I can’t remember the last time I went to the movies; you can’t go to certain restaurants because you can’t eat certain foods; traveling long distances is difficult and wherever you go there has to be a toilet nearby.”   Diana also has had headaches, backaches, and acid reflux with her IBS.
“This [irritable bowel syndrome] creates severe abdominal pain, gas, constipation and/or diarrhea.  This condition is not so much a problem with the intestines as with the nerves causing the muscles to contract and spasm.  Anxiety and emotional stress are undoubtedly a major cause, as are depression and feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and inadequacy.
 As a child you may have learned to clench your abdomen when under stress, and this is still a natural reflex, causing the muscles to spasm. Alternatively, this is where you hold hidden fears and concerns, creating a distortion of the muscles.  There may be intense fear, a lack of confidence, or the nervousness that arises confronting unknown situations.  Relationships, also affect the colon, especially issues to do with intimacy and security.” YOUR BODY SPEAKS YOUR MIND ~ Deb Shapiro

THE GI TRACT
 Looking for answers to understand the body/mind connection of IBS, I began the search of gaining insight into what could possibly cause the whole digestive system to go totally off whack.  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder where the nerves that control the muscles of the GI tract become overly active and sensitive.  The Gastrointestinal tract, also known as the alimentary system, begins at the mouth, then down the throat, esophagus, stomach and small and large intestines.  What this is telling us is that the action and movement of GI tract begins its journey at the mouth—where we ingest food and drink and—other people’s values, thoughts, beliefs, criticisms and judgments.   All these processes have to be churned, chewed, broken down and swallowed before entering the throat, the esophagus and then the stomach. 
 “Through the throat we ‘swallow’ our reality.  Difficulties in this area can therefore be associated with resistance or reluctance to accept our reality and take it in.  Food is what nourishes us and keeps us alive; it is a symbol of the nourishment in our world is often used to replace such qualities.  Yet how often were we told as children to ‘eat our words’, and thus to swallow our feelings?  As Serge King writes in Imagineering for Health,
 We tend to associate food with ideas, as evidenced by such expressions as ‘food for thought’, ‘do you expect me to swallow that?’, ‘you’re feeding me a bunch of baloney’, that idea is unpalatable’, and ‘he was force-fed with the wrong ideas’, The throat, then, and the glands and organs in and around it, can swell up and get sore as a repressed response to ideas that are unacceptable”.  Deb Shapiro THE BODYMIND WORKBOOK 
Louise Hay in her book YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE says… “THE THROAT represents our ability to “speak up” for ourselves, to “ask for what we want,” to say “I am,” etc. When we have throat problems, it usually means we do not feel we have the right to do these things.  We feel inadequate to stand up for ourselves”.

When we have problems with accepting, welcoming or refusing something given, the throat and the esophagus literally ‘choke up’; this could be related to the food you were given, the information you’re receiving from the people around you or the thoughts/emotions/beliefs you’re feeling.  Your emotions are greatly influenced by the feedback coming from your own body and from the world around you. 
 “In general, the throat is a symbol of what we swallow and what we can express.  It is tied to creativity.  Throat problems in any area can reflect unexpressed anger, stifled creativity, and obstinate stubbornness (a refusal to change or even be a little flexible).  It can also reflect a continual speaking with criticism, venom, and/or anger.  It can reflect an angry attitude of “when is it my turn?”
 Problems in the throat area should be examined in relation to the specific area.  The larynx, for example, is the voice box, but it also aids in swallowing.  If this is the problem area, are we having trouble swallowing what is being expressed to us?  Are we stifling and swallowing our words when we should be speaking out?  Are we expressing ourselves inappropriately? Are we afraid to speak up? Are others doing the speaking for you?  Do you not feel free to speak of your desires, wishes, etc.”? THE HEALER’S MANUAL ~ Ted Andrews
 The highly acidic stomach blends and predigests all that we’ve swallowed (food, thoughts, criticisms, emotions) and ejects them into the duodenum.  In the duodenum there’s a dramatic change in atmosphere from the strong hydrochloric acid secreted by the cells of the stomach—there’s mucus everywhere! The duodenum is the place where both bile from the gallbladder and hormones from the pancreas enter the gastrointestinal tract.   Specialized hormones secreted from the pancreas and gallbladder help to change the acid from the stomach to a more alkaline solution—if they didn’t, the acid from the stomach would literally burn through the duodenum and the intestines. 
 “All stomach disorders are the manifestation of a failure or refusal to “stomach” a person or situation that you fear or cannot tolerate.  You resist new ideas, especially those of others. It is also difficult for you to deal with someone or something that contradicts your plans, habits, or ways of doing things. You criticize easily (inwardly) and this prevents you from letting go.  Your Body’s Telling You: Love Yourself! Lise Bourbeau
 The intestines are the largest internal organs of the human body; the small intestine measures at least twenty-one feet in length, the large intestine, approximately five feet in length.
 “The intestinal mucous membrane (particularly in the small intestine) is characterized by its numerous coils, which increase the surface in contact with the chyme (food reduced to a pulp by the stomach), optimizing the absorption of nutrients.  In the small intestine, there is constant movement: the chyme is re-mixed up to sixteen times a minute.  The intestine molts.  The cells on its inner surface are renewed every two days.  It is a hypersensitive transmitter-receiver of emotions: a hundred million neurons link it to the brain—a super connection. That is why  you “feel it in your gut”.  Understanding the Messages of YOUR BODY, How to Interpret Physical and Emotional Signals to Achieve Optimal Health ~ Jean-Pierre Barral D.O.
 The lower section of the GI tract is the large intestine (colon and rectum), which is made up of 4 sections—the ascending colon, which joins the small intestines, the transverse colon, the descending colon, and the sigmoid colon which is s-shaped.  The colon is actually coiled in a single large loop beginning at the lower right side of the abdomen, passing upward and crossing under the liver and stomach to the left side, and then leading downward to the rectum.  When the colon isn’t working the way it should, waste in the large intestine backs up, becomes toxic and releases the toxins into the bloodstream—physically it’s a feeling of being bloated, stuffed, constipated or generally down in the dumps.
LARGE INTESTINE 
Imbalance: crying spells, confusion, irritation, frustration, stagnation and anger. Thinking  you can’t do anything right, wanting to run away and hide from the world. Feeling that you are too different and that no one understands you. Difficulty seeing other people’s point of view. Dogmatically defending your position in arguments. Extremely sensitive, thin-skinned. The Secret Language of Your Body ~ By Inna Segal 
 “THE COLON represents our ability to let go, to release that which we no longer need.  The body, being in the perfect rhythm and flow of life, needs a balance of intake, assimilation and elimination.  It is only our fears that block the releasing of the old.
Even if constipated people are not actually stingy, they usually do not trust that there will ever be enough.  They hold on to old relationships that give them pain.  They are afraid to throw out clothes that have been in the closet for years because they might need them some day.  They stay in sitting jobs, or never give themselves pleasure, because they must save for that rainy day.  We do not rummage in last night’s garbage to find today’s meal.  Learn to trust the process of life to always bring you what you need.” YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE ~ Louise Hay
 A healthy gastrointestinal tract can metabolize or eliminate many pollutants that come into your body, but if you suffer constipation, accumulated toxins can become stored in your system and as you eat more chemically based foods, (processed foods) they begin to interact with those that are already there.  Colon cancer is on the rise and its main cause is from accumulated toxic waste.
 We now know that feelings that aren’t digested turn into a heavy congestive residue.  Emotions that become stagnant also collect in different areas of the body causing the digestive system to falter as well as the surrounding organs. Most of our undigested issues, emotions and other stresses and anxieties are known to collect in the abdominal area. This lower region the body can become very toxic when it is forced to hold onto feelings and issues because we’re afraid of dealing with them.
 Many people with IBS know something’s gone haywire in their bodies—something’s not working the way it should—or they’re reacting to foods in ways they shouldn’t react.  Usually and in most cases, the problem is not what you think the problem is.   The problem in most cases isn’t on the outside, it’s on the inside—scientists have proven we have one hundred million sensory (feeling) receptors outside the body but on the inside we have ONE HUNDRED BILLION sensory receptors constantly picking up thoughts, feelings and memories inside your cells.  Your body is one big energetic system—traumas, addictions, depression etc., are all memories recorded inside your cells. 
 Thinking on the billions of sensory receptors inside the body, I traced one of the longest nerves in the body called the ‘vagus nerve’, which runs from the lower part of the brain, down the base of the spine, branching out its nerve fibers to the heart, respiratory, stomach and intestinal tract.  What relation does the vagus nerve have with hormone-sensitive cells?
 IBS AND THE VAGUS NERVE
 “…the most fundamentally important ele­ments in the parasympathetic nervous system, the vagus nerve, which is the most complex of all of our nerves. In Latin, Vagus means “wander­ing”. It is termed so because from its origin in the brain stem it spreads nerve fibers to the throat and upper body, and through these nerve fib­ers signals wander to and fro between the body and the brain. In short, the vagus nerve connects the brain to everything from the tongue, pharynx, vocal chords, lungs, heart, stomach and intestines to different glands that produce enzymes and hormones, influencing digestion, me­tabolism, and much more.
 The vagus nerve’s considerable influence on your lungs and heart and the connection to your brain is quite interesting. This trinity, brain-heart-lungs, rules your body and governs your mind. The key to managing your state of mind and stress level lies in being able to activate the calming parasympathetic pathways of your nervous system on command. Typi­cally, the will cannot control this part of the nervous system, but if you hold your breath for a brief moment and then slowly exhale, the vagus nerve is stimulated bringing peace to your body and mind.”
 The vagus nerve, part of the parasympathetic nervous system has a major importance in the process of our digestion.  Not only does it travel from brain to gut—it also travels from gut to brain—a two-way communication system.  When the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are balanced, we easily and effortlessly adapt to the many changes and sensations experienced inside and outside the body. But when the sympathetic nervous system over-reacts, or is in distress, the vagus nerve becomes overly sensitive gravely affecting our whole digestive system or GI tract.
 “The vagus nerve can be activated in many ways—with pressure, electrical charge, by drugs, and by physiological processes, such as eating defecating, or motion sickness. Activation of the vagus nerve can make you faint—by switching on part of the brain that lower blood pressure and slow your heart rate. This is called a vaso-vagal attack. Sudden pressure on the vagus nerve, where it winds around the great artery in the neck, the carotid artery, or where it originates in the belly, can also make you feel faint.  Other activation of the vagus nerve can make you vomit. This is why if you are punched in the abdomen, you feel faint and nauseous. The vagus nerve has a lot to do with the gut—with the stomach, with digestion, with the liver. It is the great nerve cable that mediates those sensations that we associate with ‘gut reactions’. Its role in digestion was one clue that pointed to the vagus nerve as a route by which cytokines in the belly could signal the brain. ” The Balance Within: The Science Connecting Health With Emotion ~ Esther M. Stemberg, M.D.
 Vagus nerve can misbehave or be more sensitive in some people http://www.doctorslounge.com/neurology/forums/backup/topic-20664.html

IS IBS A NEUROLOGICAL CONDITION
 “Because of rich connections to the autonomic nervous system, the digestive organs are common sites of psychosomatic illnesses. Many IBS sufferers have some type of psychiatric disorder: their IBS becomes more severe under stress.  Crohn’s disease has also been linked to emotional distress.  Some panic attack sufferers also report bowel disorders, with intestinal triggers starting in the sympathetic nervous system.  Other illnesses, too, such as cancer, adult-onset (type 2) diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis are being studied for psychosomatic relationships.
 Experts such as Michael Gershon, MD, propose that the stomach actually contains a second brain, rich with neurotransmitters of its own, which triggers IBS.  Gershon says IBS is an example of the gut working in isolation, though he recognizes the brain-gut axis such as when “butterflies in the stomach: occur as a result of the brain sending a message of anxiety to the gut, which sends messages back to the brain that it’s unhappy.” Cyndi Dale ~ The Subtle Body – An Encyclopedia of your Energetic Anatomy
 Patients with IBS, have been tested and shown to have increased colon muscle activity…a breeding ground of uncertainty, insecurity and anxiety.  (Anxiety is usually caused from a stressful event but can also occur without provocation.) When IBS sufferers were asked what they thought brought it on psychologically, change was number one on the list, of the many that followed, came loss of sleep, worry, self-doubt, unexpected losses, indecisiveness, confusion, fear, conflict, anger, ordinary life pressures and a feeling of helplessness. 
 IBS sufferers often have a tendency to suppress their feelings and their own creative abilities.  Feeling insecure they’re afraid of taking risks and will do everything to ignore or run away from problems—running away has many connotations—it could mean physically moving from place to place; sleeping all the time; getting sick; or constantly keeping oneself busy. 
 The human body is made up of a complex network of energy fields that work together as one unique powerful system affecting us spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically.  Everything that affects the body affects the mind and everything that affects the mind, affects the body.  Many health ailments that crop up later in our lives usually have to do with painful memory patterns programmed in our cells that make our bodies tense and in an up-tight survival mode—unable to stay in the present our minds jump back and forth between the past and the future, forcing adrenaline to start racing through our bodies.  Under this intense stress, our bodies release ten times the amount of cortisol and adrenaline.  Digestive problems such as diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, gas or indigestion are usually part of the symptoms.  Our minds too are like virtual hurricanes, spinning out of control.   
 When the nerves of the sympathetic nervous system become excited, they alert the inner portion of the adrenal glands to send out large quantities of adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinehrine) into the bloodstream.  Both these hormones create the classic “fight or flight” response, with rapid blood sugar release, increased muscle tension, improved mental alertness and slower digestion.
 “Symptoms of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems out of control (also known as Dysautonomia) “can include frequent, vague but disturbing aches and pains, faintness (or even actual fainting spells) fatigue and inertia, severe anxiety attacks, rapid heartbeat, (tachy-cardia), hypotension, (low blood pressure), poor exercise tolerance, gastrointestinal symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome, sweating, dizziness, blurred vision, numbness and tingling, anxiety and (quite understandably) depression.  Other symptoms include enhanced pain sensitivity, disturbed sleep and brain fog. Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia ~ Mary J Shomon
 IBS MISDIAGNOSIS
 It’s no wonder doctors have a hard time assessing IBS within the abdominal organs.  Many IBS patients have been through rigorous testings: ultrasounds, endoscopies, colonoscopies, specialists, food allergists, etc…all in an attempt to find and get rid of something that isn’t even there.  From the quote above, we learn that many people with Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia are known to suffer IBS symptoms.  In fact, in many cases the cause of IBS is Chronic Fatigue or Fibromyalgia. 
 “Contraction and relaxation of [the] intestinal wall muscles are what propel raw materials on their way to the next digestive station to face the action of various hormones and enzymes.  Quite likely the many intestinal glands share in the general problem of fibromyalgia and, along with the muscles prove inadequate for an ideal digestive sequence.  Constipation and diarrhea are like changing traffic signals for the stop and go prompting of the digestive and eliminative processes.  As you would imagine, this causes serious malfunction in the entire gastrointestinal tract, certainly enough to produce all the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome”. WHAT YOUR DOCTOR MAY NOT TELL YOU ABOUT FIBROMYALGIA ~ R. Paul St. Amand, M.D., and Claudia Craig Marek 
 Another misdiagnosis with IBS is endometriosis.  Endometriosis is a female condition where the lining of the uterus, known as endometrial lining grows outside of the uterus in the abdomen and pelvic area.  
 “….many recent studies have highlighted the need to consider endometriosis during the evaluation of unexplained digestive complaints such as IBS.  They note that because endometrial tissue can sometime attach itself to the bowel, certain symptoms that are usually present in IBS – such as abdominal pain, distension and people with IBS. 
 In light of the misdiagnosis and mistreatment of their illness, the women in our study reflect on the ways in which they had made sense of their own experiences.  Many of them began to question their own perceptions of the pain and symptoms because they had been told many times that’s ‘Nothing is wrong.’ …..The women in our study often felt let down by their doctors, they had turned to them for help and had placed their trust in them and yet they did not receive what they needed.  In most cases, it had taken several years to get a correct diagnosis, even though some of the women had sought opinions from different doctors and had visited hospitals many times”. The Daily Telegraph: Ibs Dancey and Backhouse
 Another cause of IBS could be Candida Albicans.  The intestinal tract contains small amounts of this yeast but sometimes antibiotics, birth control pills and a high carbohydrate diet can cause an overgrowth of this yeast, causing a condition called candidiasis.  Candidiasis has been linked to allergies, migraines, vaginitis, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, asthma and many more ailments.

HEALING IBS
 When Diana first came to see me, she mentioned feeling weary, worn-out and nervously stressed.  She’d had a tough week with her IBS as well as finding herself caught up, emotionally in family matters that couldn’t be avoided. Diana also told me she’d had this dull and throbbing headache for at least three days now. 
 As we know, IBS can have a tremendous strain on the body’s reserves, hindering its own natural defenses and affecting its metabolism and weakening the immune system.   Usually when we’re upset or overly irritated about something, the whole digestive system doesn’t work as it should.  Food entering the intestines isn’t always broken down completely, and as a result it reaches the large intestines in a highly undigested state.  When this happens, billions of hungry bacteria attack and break-down the food causing flatulence and gas build-up that in some cases becomes almost intolerable.    As well, the lymph system and blood circulation are reduced, making it more difficult for the body to absorb necessary vitamins and minerals to keep it healthy.
 Usually when a person comes to see me, the first thing I do is look at their overall level of energy.  When I shake their hand is it cold/hot or clammy.  Just that touch can give a healer subtle perceptions of the different energy flows in the body.  I also look at them physically, their stance, how they support themselves…are they standing upright or are they slouched.  I also look at their eyes, hair and especially their skin, which is one of the greatest indicators of a person’s health.  Then, as they relax, I just let them talk, asking questions here and there, like when their ailment started.  I don’t assume at this point, allowing the client to lead as I just sit quietly writing down their symptoms or mentally recording them in my mind.  After getting a clearer picture of what’s happening now, I ask if any of this could be related to illnesses from the past. 
 When Diana and I first met, she looked spacey and anxious; her adrenaline looked racey her eyes blood shot…something I’ve noticed when a person’s creative center is blocked.  Also pressure behind the eyes can cause the eyes delicate capillaries to leak blood…with IBS, this could be from gas buildup in the digestive tract.  Mental constipation is another possibility.
 When we were done with the preliminaries I did a body scan of Diana’s energy…her whole body felt emotionally wired, erratic.  Her throat and stomach area were on fire; her abdominal area felt congested, tense, bloated and hot to the touch.  There seemed to be a see-saw of emotions that Diana was working hard at stifling and suppressing…the problem with this is at some point and time they will find a way out and when they do they’re like a wild beast on the loose.  When this happens, constipation and diarrhea can take turns in rapid shifts and as a consequence make us feel totally exhausted. 
 Diana also suffered from severe heartburn.  I’ve categorized heartburn with that of the perfectionist.  Heartburn can happen from an attack on our self esteem, a feeling of being trapped, competitiveness, a hostile environment, or anxious and overwhelmed by responsibilities.  Chronic anxiety and worry is closely associated with IBS and ulcers and is associated with perfectionism.  Perfectionists are very hard on themselves and others, demanding the best at all times.  They find fault in almost everything they do—they find fault in their appearance, their homes, relationships, children, clothes, cars—they can frustrate us to no end with their insistence that everything has to be perfect. 
 Perfectionists need to loosen their standards, leave the past and move into unfamiliar ground—they need to let go of their fear and move into the unknown.  They have to stop manipulating others and their world where they feel they’re in control.  They need to practice gratitude to help them relax and be happy with life as it is.   Once they know what beliefs and behaviors keep them stuck, they have a greater sense of adventure, trust and enjoyment.  They let go of fear and self-doubt and with motivation regain a zest for life.  
  “A Meditation for Perfectionists
 Okay, I give up.  I’m ready to stop running the entire world.  I’d like to rest.  Please (please please) help me stop being responsible for everything.  Please help to relax and be happy with life as it is.  And, by the way, thanks for all the wonderful love and relationships I have” . Daphne Rose Kingma
 The body is a remarkable healing machine…at times it can be thrown off course but we can, through diligence and awareness bring it back to balance. 
 After her Reiki treatment, Diana was much more relaxed with a much happier expression on her face.  We talked about her coming back and looking at other treatments.  In the clinic where I was working, several Alternative therapies were available including a naturopathic doctor whom I introduced Diana to.  The naturopathic doctor spoke to Diana, explaining to her that most IBS patients have high levels of cortisol in their blood and overworked adrenals.  She talked to Diana about breath awareness and self-awareness to slow her restless system down.  She spoke of meditation, of going within and finding the peaceful depths of her being…there Diana will find strength and balance, enabling her to transform old habits of restlessness and tension into new patterns. Both Diana and I were nodding our heads in agreement…we’d just been talking about that earlier.
 I think most people will agree with me that traditional ways of treating ailments aren’t working us very well.  The body itself consists of four levels of healing…spirit, mental, emotional and physical.  All 4 need to be implemented to help us heal and integrate them in our lives.  If we skip or neglect one, the body won’t be properly balanced.
 “Although you likely view your illness as an enemy, you should let it become your ally.” Making it an ally by doing the hard internal work of sorting through the emotional and psychological components of your illness will, when combined with the treatments for the physical factors involved, result in lasting recovery”. Dr. Teitelbaum
 It was suggested Diana have a stool analysis to see how her digestion and intestines were working.  A stool analysis will also indicate how much residual fats and vegetable fibers are in her feces and if perhaps she needed a digestive enzyme to help her.  The naturopath suggested an organic greens concentrate as a drink each day, which not only provided her body with full natural nutrients, it contains large amounts of chlorophyll which is an easy way to assimilate magnesium in the body.  Vitamin B6 was suggested for Diana’s immune and nervous system…and its ability as an aid for digesting fat and proteins.  Also B6 is essential in the production of prostaglandin, which is necessary for normal thymus function.  For her problems with sleep possibly as little as 5 mg of melatonin would help to rebalance her sleep/wake cycles. 
 Diana was also told to ‘move her body’, the naturpath explained that the lymphatic system of the body has no pump of its own, it relies on body movement to transport lymphathic cells throughout the body, as well as release toxins.  Rhythmic bouncing like jumping rope is one quick way to increase lymph flow…another way is Donna Eden’s lymphathic flush and three thump exercises,  which are provided as videos.
 Donna Eden Lymphathic Flush https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45tLuqMrup0
 Mary Sullivan Lymphatic Brushing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5PMosLe8lg

Another thing Diana was told was to ‘bulk up’ her diet.  The naturopath told her, if you’re eating the typical ‘western diet’ then you’re probably consuming a lot of processed foods.  A diet with lots of roughage and fiber like fruits and vegetables will help to get the recommended 25 grams of fiber a day.  If bloating is a problem with some ‘gassy’ foods, try soaking them overnight before cooking, this seems to help.
 Other good sources of dietary fiber are whole-grain breads, pastas, brown rice, beans and bran.  But she was warned, go slowly, introducing fiber could make your symptoms worse which will improve within two of three weeks if you stick to it.    Unfortunately some people with IBS are gluten intolerant…if Diana thought this may be the case, she could cut gluten out of her diet for a few days to see whether her symptoms improve. 
 We talked about triggers to IBS, like artificial sweeteners, sugar, lactose, coffee, eggs and more. 
 And as we already knew, Diana needed to find ways to naturally reduce her stress and anxiety.  As she said, we’re working on it.
  
BREATHING MEDITATION
 Breathing meditations help to soften the belly muscles by allowing the breath to move the diaphragm down which allows the lower organs to move outward.   When we breath into the feelings and sensations within our abdominal area, we experience different feelings and sensations in our stomach and intestines such as rumbling, gurgling, churning, pulsing, tingling and warmth.
 Belly breathing helps alleviate symptoms of constipation and indigestion because it releases incredible amounts of blocked energy—congestion will dissipate, digestion will improve and the whole abdominal area will feel positive energy returning.  When awareness flows in we immediately experience a sense of relaxation and a lighter, freer flow of energy because we’re listening to our bodies more closely than we ever did before.  We’re aware of our presence, our form and our communication with our body and our immediate surroundings.   Belly breathing helps to relieve the stresses we hold onto in different parts of our bodies—even in the upper back and shoulders.
 Breathing into the feelings and sensations we experience within our intestines will help to awaken the consciousness within the abdominal area.  With practice we’ll experience a whole range of feelings and sensations such as rumbling, churning, bubbling, pulsing, tingling, warmth. The healing intelligence within our bodies will help to alleviate the symptoms of constipation and digestive disorders such as IBS and crohn’s disease.  Congestion will dissipate, digestion will improve and the whole abdominal area will begin to feel more and more alive. Breathing deeply and fully into the abdomen helps to relieve the many stresses we hold in different parts of our bodies.
 “Breathing into the abdomen or other parts of our bodies can bring anxiety and other unsettling feelings up to the surface. Many of these feelings and issues have been held in the body for years.  The unpleasant feelings will dissipate as we continue to breathe into them. These feelings need to be digested so that we can develop a greater awareness and become more present in our bodies.
 Our rigid body armor will begin to dissolve whenever we breathe into the tension that we holding within any part of our body. We can further this process by breathing into nay subsequent feelings that emerge.  The frozen emotions will become more fluid and this will make it easier for us to process them. Consistent daily practice will enable us to dissolve the stresses, process our emotions and clear stagnant energies before they start to harm our bodies. Processing the stresses and emotions stimulates our minds creative and adaptive problem solving capabilities. Our minds will begin to operate more efficiently so that we can become more highly functional and that will open up a whole new range of possibilities”. Emergence: Heal your body and mind Ben Oofana
  
Great links
 A great site with a form too http://www.healingwell.com/ibs/
 5 simple steps to heal IBS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_S8YX6PY6s

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