Kidneys, The Root of Life

Everyone knows that the kidney is an essential organ necessary for life. Most people in the west think of the kidney as a powerful filter that cleanses the blood and produces urine. But few people realize how central the kidney is in our overall health, psychology and longevity.
The Kidney as defined by Chinese medicine is not the same as that of Western anatomy and physiology. although it encompasses the actions of the renal kidney, it has a much broader definition in the Oriental healing arts. The Kidneys is a complex organ system that includes much more that the renal function with which it is more than the renal function which it is associated with in the West.
To the Chinese, the kidney provides the energetic foundation foundation of our life. It stores and generates the fundamental life energy of the body and is consideratd to be the power source of our entire being. Like the root of a plant, the kidney is the deepest source of life human being, and our life depends upon the primal power contained in the kidney.
There are many who consider the kidney to be the fundamental system of life, especially when one's life is seen in terms of broad functions and its entire span. According to Chinese medicine and philosophy and health science, the kidney determines the power and length of one's life.
The Kidneys store Essence
Although many important functions are under the control of the kidneys, no function is of more importance thatn its role as the great reservoir of Qi for the entire body. This Qi that is stored in the Kidneys is refined and concentrated and is thus called Essence, or Jing. This jing, which is stored in the kidneys, can be released to any organ or to the whole system upon demand, All of the tissues of the body contain some jing. The solid organs, in particular, all contain significant amounts of jing, but the kidneys are the primary storage reservoir for the entire body.
After birth, energy that is not utilized, or stored in the internal organs is sent to the Kidneys for storage. this back-up energy, known as postnatal essence, is used when the naturally stressful occurences of life tax the organic systems and require more energy for adaptaion than is immedetlty available. the Daoist have always taught, with greta emphasis, that the secret to a long and healthy life is to accumulate an abundance of jing in the kidneys and to avoid its dissipation. this is accomplished by avoiding excessive and abusive activitiesin our lifestyle, by avoiding sressful situations and emotional excess as much as possible, by breathing and excersing in such a manner as to accumulate energy and directing that energy to the kidneys, and by eating foods and consuming tonic herbs and nourish the kidneys and build jing.

Acupuncture: Ancient Medicine, for a New Millenium

WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT WORKS
Unknown to many, Traditional Oriental Medicine is a major health care system for over one quarter of the world's population. Cited as an effective system of health care by National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), acupuncture is becoming a serious alternative or compliment to conventional pain management and medical treatments. Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical procedures in the world,originating in China more than 3000 years ago.
Oriental medicine is an effective, low cost medical treatment that works in harmony with the body's natural ability to heal. Diagnosis in Oriental medicine involves the classical procedures of observing, listening, questioning and palpation, including feeling the pulse quality. Treatment focuses on the well-being of the entire person, not simply on the physical complaints and symptoms.
According to the theories of traditional Oriental medicine, all the disorders or diseases are from which people suffer can be related to an imbalance in one's Qi, or vital force, energy. Oriental medicine's aim to improve the patients health both physically and spiritually by re-balancing the body's own healing mechanisms.
Over 2000 acupuncture points on the human body connect with 14 pathways, all meridians. Chinese medicine practitioners believe these meridians conduct energy, or Qi, between the surface of the body and internal organs. Qi regulates spiritual, emotional, mental and physical balance. When qi flow is disrupted, through poor health habits or other circumstances, pain and or disease can result. acupuncture acts to keep the normal flow of this energy unblocked. acupuncture is the insertion of hair-thin needles, disposable one time only used, metal needles through the skin in the acupuncture points on the body's meridians. Acupuncture needles are solid, usually made from stainless steel and extremely flexible. Inserted a few millimeters into the skin, the small diameter and contour shape of the acupuncture needles allows it to be inserted easily and painlessly. Acupuncture needles can also be stimulated with pressure, heat, friction or electromagnetic impulses to further activate a person's Qi.
The intent of acupuncture is to stimulate the body, release energy blocks, and re-establish normal equilibrium, thereby facilitating the body's natural ability to heal itself. In the past 40 years, Chinese medicine and Western, alliopathic medicine, studies have suggested the the insertion of needles at these acupuncture points helps release some chemical neurotransmitters in the body, including endorphins. Endorphins are the body's own, extremely powerful, natural pain killers which relieve pain and bring about a sense of well-being. Clinical studies of acupuncture show treatments for a wide range of illnesses, and have also led to acupuncture's acceptance beyond pain management to include immune enhancement and increase energy and well-being. A study from the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center using a scanning technique called SPECT ( single photoon emission computed tomography) found that acupuncture increases blood flow to the thalamus of the brain, an area that relays pain and other sensory messages.
Oriental medicine's effect are gentle and free of side effects of many drugs used for the same conditions. As a form of primary health care, Oriental medicine addresses a broad range of conditions that western medicine finds difficult to treat such as stress, depression, addiction, chronic pain, allergies, migraines and low back pain. In addition to treating primary health complaints, the benefits of Oriental medicine include but not limited to, pain relief immune enhancement and increased energy and well-being,
Commonly treated Disorders, but not limited too, The United Nation's World Health Organization (WHO) have issued a list of over 30 diseases that lend themselves to treatment by Acupuncture, Homeopatics and Herbals medicine,

Neurological and Muscular-skeletal Disorders
Headache and Migraines
Trigeminal neuralgia
facial palsy (early stage within 3-6 mos)
Paresis following a stroke
Peripheral neuropathies
Menier's disease
Nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting)
cervicobrachial syndrome (frozen shoulder)
Sciatica
Lower back pain
Osteo arthritis

Respiratory system
acute Sinusitis
acute Rhinitis
Common colds
acute tonsillitis
Acute bronchitis
Bronchial asthma

Disorders of the Eye
Acute conjunctivitis
Central retinitis
Myopia (in children)
Cataract ( without complications)

Disorders of the Mouth
tooth aches, post extraction pain
Gingivitis
acute and chronic pharyngitis (bad breath)

Gastrointestinal Disorders
Hiccough
acute and chronic gastritis
Gastric hyperacidity
chronic duodenal ulcer (pain relief)
Acute and chronic colitis
Constipation
Diarrhea

Dr. Catherine Coudray Lic AP. Dipl. AC. Offers a variety of treatment modalities , besides Acupuncture a non-needle Acupuncture procedure is available, we also have Bio-feedback, Homeopatics and include Herbal formulas in concert with Nutritional and lifestyle coaching, visit our home website , www.catherinecoudray.com or call our office @ 321-303-5240 we accept most insurance policies, let us assist you in your journey to better your health.

The Art and Skill of the Heart

Within Classical Chinese Medicine,the radiant and luminous nature of consciousness is described as Shen. Sometimes translated as "spirit" or "spirits" Heart/Mind, guiding all activities of the body and consciousness. In the nei Jing Su Wen ( one of the most influential classics of Chinese Medicine) this is decribed as "The Heart holds the office of lord and sovereign. the radiance of the Shen stems from it. " because of this Chinese Medicine is concerned, at its most profound level, with developing clarity within the Heart as a method of maintaining health and fulfilling natural potential. This is described as " The Art & Skill of the Heart".

Health within Classical Chinese Medicine is described as a dynamic balance of opposites. Yin and Yang must be in harmony as manifested by a balance of Qi and blood, Jing ( essence,potential, and external, Excess and Deficient, Moist and Dry, and so on... This is vibrant state that expresses the harmony of mind, body, emotion and spirit with the Dao(Tao). When internal harmony is joined with the external harmony of universe the Shen becomes radiant and virtue shines out from within the individual.
When there is sickness or lack of health it is difficult to live in a full filling mannet. According to Classical theory most health problems result from internal reaction to environmental, emotional or " conduct of life" factors.

" It is a fact that the ten Thousands Beings ( or things) provoke in a person an indefinite series of reactions. The incapacity to master the attractions and repulsions that are born in contact with a Being ( or thing) produce the transformations and alterations that the beings bring about a person.
a person transformed by a beings (or things) loses this celestial disposition and he is filled with human lusts. The rebellious Heart, false and deceitful, revolts: the disturbed conduct and becomes dissolute and generates a disorder".

This internal reaction or " indefinite series of reactions" creates a pattern of imbalance within the body that eventually results in a specific health problems. A traditional metaphor used to describe this is that of a weed. the initial internal reactions are seen as the seeds of a weed that will send down roots, developing a pattern of imbalance. If this continues then the weed will push through the surface, sending out the leaves of unhappiness and poor health.
In order to help people reach the goal of feeling healthy and fulfilled, Classical Oriental Medicine addresses each stage of this process. herbal formulas, homeopathic, acupuncture, massage, and awareness-based approaches to nutrition, exercise, work and recreation are used to balance the patterns that are underlying the main health problems and directly address the presenting health issues.
However, the most important stage is that of the internal reaction. Patterns of imbalance and specific symptoms can only rise in dependence of reactions. if a reaction is transformed then there is no seed that can grow into a weed.
There are many misconceptions about the reaction as a stage of health. one idea is that as these reactions are within us it must be our fault that there is a health issue. This is clearly not the case, as the reactions are below our normal level of consciousness and active within all of us. Furthermore, they are rooted in a physical and energetic response- such as the body's response to pollen with allergies.
However it is possible to gradually become aware of when this process is taking place, and use practices to transform the energy of that reaction into clarity, skill and vitality. this is in essence the Art and Skill of the Heart: to develop clarity of the Heart in upper body that is rooted in the vitality and energy of the Ming Men and Dan Tien of the lower body. this is the deepest level of health care and the core of Classical Chinese Medicine.

Dr. Catherine Coudray Lic AP Dipl. AC
www.catherinecoudray.com
321-303-5240