Understanding Energy Medicine and BodyTalk

We are energy beings and we have the ability to tap into our energy reserves and direct them for healing. We have more power to heal our own bodies than we realize. The healing energy modality that works for you….is the one that works for you. That statement sounds very Zen, like meditating on the sound of one hand clapping, but it is profoundly true. Don’t leave energy techniques out of your arsenal as you address any disease.

For anyone who doubts the energetic power of the mind-body relationship for physical and emotional healing, look into the research on acupuncture, heartmath, biofeedback and non local prayer groups. Also, there many books written by physicians detailing the miraculous healing of patients they had sent home to die.

As part of my personal healing protocol for cancer, I work with a BodyTalk practitioner. BodyTalk is a complimentary energy medicine technique. To me, the power (energy) of the mind, body and spirit to heal is obvious. Through bio-energetic processes, the body heals itself every day by healing cuts, knitting bones, replicating cells, etc. The premise of energy medicine is that the body's energy is focused on maintaining life.

Energy is also known as Chi, Ki, Qi, Prana, Force and it is all around us manifesting all living things – birds, flowers, trees and people. We live in a world of energy that we can connect with through various energy healing modalities to heal ourselves and others.

Science has proven that all materials in the physical world are, fundamentally, manifestations of various forms of energy. Everything in the universe is made up of different vibrant frequencies of energy vibrating. At the quantum level, solid objects are made up of vibrational energy fields.

Throughout history ancient people observed and recognized different energy fields and created methods to direct their power for healing and wellness. Fengshui is an ancient Chinese art of harmonizing the energy of people and environment. They believe by harnessing the energy in the environment one can create optimal conditions for living and increases the possibility of success in business ventures, careers, relationship with people, as well as health and wellness.

In the ancient world, Egyptians used cosmic energy through the pyramids for many purposes such as healing, the formation of rains for crops, etc. Every culture has a history of shamans, or energy healers, who were able to heal people through laying on of hands, or could energetically divine where to dig for water wells, or could heal emotional problems through dreams and meditation.

David Feinstein, Ph.D., and Donna Eden in their excellent article, Six Pillars of Energy Medicine: Clinical Strengths of a Complementary Paradigm, tell us the role of energy medicine in the therapeutic process: “six properties of energy medicine give it strengths that could augment conventional health care models. These include the ways energy medicine 1) can address biological processes at their energetic foundations (reach), 2) regulates biological processes with precision, speed, and flexibility (efficiency), 3) fosters healing and prevents illness with interventions that can be readily, economically, and non-invasively applied (practicality), 4) includes methods that can be utilized on an at-home, self-help basis, fostering a stronger patient and practitioner partnership in the healing process (patient empowerment), 5) adopts non-linear concepts consistent with distant healing, the healing impact of prayer, and the role of intention in healing (quantum compatibility), and 6) strengthens the integration of body, mind, and spirit, leading not only to a focus on healing, but to achieving greater well-being, peace, and passion for life (holistic orientation).”

All healings are self-healing and our bodies are endowed with extraordinary abilities to heal. Since we are energy it is possible for us to perform self-healing and to effect healing of others, even over distances.

There are many types of energy healing modalities. Here are descriptions of ten common modalities listed on the website, lotus-happiness.com: Quantum Touch ®, EFT, Reiki, Restorative Touch™, Brennan Healing Science®, Healing Touch, Pranic Healing, ThetaHealing®, Longevitology, The Wonder Method. It is recommended that you research any modality you choose to try and that you follow your inner knowing and personal guidance when choosing a modality or practitioner with which to work. I am doing nonlocal healing sessions with a BodyTalk practitioner in California on Facetime. We met at a past life seminar, a few years ago, and had an instant energetic connection so it is easy for me to work with her. 

What is BodyTalk Therapy? It is based upon the proven principles of energetic medicine, and is a holistic approach to healing that integrates the practices of kinesiology, yoga, psychology, Western Medicine, Ayurveda (traditional healing modalities of India), and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The aim is to enhance and stimulate the body’s natural abilities to reach true physical, emotional and spiritual health. 

The Bodytalk practitioner’ working belief is that a natural state of communication exists between the atoms, cells and all internal systems within the body. These communication lines can become crossed and compromised as a result of every day stress. Ultimately, this decreases overall individual wellbeing. Bodytalk realigns these areas of communication to stimulate and reactivate the body's natural self-healing capability.

Techniques employed to realign the areas of communication in your body include:

1.     Direct communication – with the body via the use of muscle testing (a technique often used in Kinesiology) allowing the body to diagnose itself. 

2.     Breathwork – (based on yogic philosophy) breathwork ensures that the brain, heart and immune system become fully engaged in the session to ensure lasting results. 

3.     Tapping - most often used upon the head gets the body focused on healing. Trigger points on the body are tapped encouraging the brain to focus on their links and repairs.

4.     The Cortices technique –correct imbalances between the left and right halves of the brain, for improved efficiency and overall health. 

5.     Switching - the brain occasionally goes into a ‘switching mode’ as the result of stress, which compromises normal brain function. The practitioner employs the Switching technique to restore normal brain function. 

6.     Hydration – is used to correct the body’s ability utilize all available water thereby improving the efficiency of all body processes.

7.     Body Chemistry technique – corrects immune system imbalances and heightens its ability to recognize ingrained bacteria, viruses and parasites to restore health without pharmacological medication. 

8.     Reciprocals technique – recreates the integrity of the body’s structures. 

Bodytalk has been used to treat and alleviate the symptoms of:

·       Headaches, Migraines 

·       Back, Neck, Joint pain, Arthritis & stiffness 

·       Fibromyalgia, Chronic fatigue 

·       Chronic viral, bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections 

·       Food, chemical, environmental allergies 

·       Digestive disorders & IBS 

·       Constipation, Bladder problems (bed-wetting) 

·       Hormonal disorders, Period pain and P.M.T 

·       Abnormal Blood sugar levels, Food cravings 

·       Fears, phobias 

·       Emotional trauma, Addictions, Eating disorders 

·       Children’s disorders such as Hyperactivity, Sleep problems, infections, Learning disabilities, Dyslexia and Behavioral problems 

The goal of BodyTalk is to rebalance and re-aligning the communication between the body’s cells and systems to facilitate optimal functioning once again.

The key Principles of BodyTalk Therapy are three key principles are: 1. The body is inherently wise and, as such, fully capable of healing itself, 2. Stress hinders optimal functioning and disrupts the natural healing process, 3. The cells and systems within the body communicate constantly. The body has the capacity to effectively heal itself.  However, the constant stressors, such as pollution, the plethora of toxins in our environment and food, the frenetic pace of society, and emotional and physical trauma take a tremendous toll on our physical, psychological, and spiritual health and wellbeing.  These stressors cause a breakdown in functioning and communication within the body compromising its natural ability to heal.

Australian healthcare practitioner Dr. John Veltheim developed the BodyTalk System in the mid-1990s.  Dr. Veltheim trained in both chiropractic and Chinese medicine, as well as, Reiki, bioenergetics, sports medicine, philosophy, and applied kinesiology. 

Over the twenty years, this system has been taught to countless practitioners world-wide.

Many individuals report immediate responses such as:

·       Reduction in overall stress

·       Increased feeling of calm

·       Release of tension

·       Reduction in a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms that were present prior to treatment

·       Greater mental clarity

·       Increased energy levels

·       Improved ability to focus

·       Improved cognitive functioning

·       Better circulation

·       Greater overall body functioning

·       Reduction in pain

·       Reduced recovery time due to faster healing

·       Less anxiety

·       Enhanced spiritual awareness

·       Easier pregnancy and delivery

·       Improved sleep

BodyTalk therapy can be a very effective for treatment for the suffering caused by unresolved trauma and PTSD.  Unresolved psychological trauma can be devastating. When left untreated, the trauma remains stored in the body both physically and emotionally. The individual remains in survival mode and is vulnerable to situations, emotions, and memories that trigger the unresolved trauma.  This creates chaos in the individual’s life. These symptoms may be subtle (e.g. chronic muscle tension or a general feeling of dread) or obvious (e.g. flashbacks or nightmares related to the trauma).  It is important to receive effective treatment as soon as possible following a traumatic event.

http://www.lotus-happiness.com/10-types-energy-healing-modalities/

https://www.bodytalksystem.com/learn/bodytalk/

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nV6QFgd2XI4

Feinstein, D., & Eden, D. (2008). Six pillars of energy medicine: Clinical strengths of a complementary paradigm. Alternative Therapies, 14(1), 44-54.

https://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/body_talk_therapy

Bromelain, a multi-purpose enzyme

Good health starts with good, healthy food. The old saying tells us the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The synergy between the interactive nutrients in foods creates nutritional power. But sometimes the food contains an essential nutrient so special and effective, it is viewed as having healing qualities. Bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme found in pineapple, is such a nutrient.

Pineapple is a native South American fruit that was spread by the local Indians throughout South and Central Americas and into the West Indies. It was brought to Spain in 1493 when Columbus discovered Americas’. During the 15th and 16th centuries, pineapple was spread to the rest of the world by European sailors. Pineapple is essential to traditional Hawaiian folk medicine.

Dr. Edward Group, DC and NP, explains that bromelain is a protein-digesting (proteolytic) enzyme complex found in the fruit and, in higher concentrations, in the stem of the pineapple (Ananas comosus). It is able to hydrolyze or break down a wide variety of protein types in a range of both acid and alkaline environments.

It breaks down protein, which is a benefit considering that as a proteolytic enzyme, bromelain assists the body’s digestive process in reducing very large, complex protein molecules into smaller peptide units or individual amino acids. These smaller components are essential in the production of muscle, neurotransmitters, and other protein-based molecules in the body.

The enzyme bromelain is known to reduce swelling in the sinuses and nose. It is used as a treatment for hay fever, ulcers, removing dead and damaged tissue after a burn, preventing edema (the collection of water) in the lungs and for cancer prevention. It contains chemicals which hamper tumor cell growth. Bromelain is supportive of a muscle function, slows blood clotting, improves the absorption of antibiotics and helps the body get rid of fat.

Some individuals use bromelain to prevent muscle soreness, for osteoarthritis, to reduce pain and improve knee function. Bromelain is a great natural replacement to harmful anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin. Bromelain has been used to treat:

• Allergies
• Arthritis and joint pain
• Asthma
• Autoimmune diseases
• ACL tears

• Cancer
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Sinus infections
• Sprained ankles
• Tendonitis 

Ways to add bromelain into your diet

1. Eat the fiber-rich core of a juicy, ripe pineapple as well as the flesh. Pineapple flesh is also good but doesn’t contain the high bromelain content of the core.
2. Juice the core of the pineapple or toss it into a smoothie along with vegetables like cucumber. 
3. Drink fresh pineapple juice is an effective remedy against inflammatory diseases. It is suggested 4 ounces of pineapple a day to helps prevent digestive issues, while 8 ounces treats illnesses such as constipation, ulcerative colitis, or inflammatory bowel disease.
4. Taking a natural bromelain supplement, or proteolytic enzyme with bromelain, is effective for treating some specific inflammatory or chronic disease. Take the supplement with meals to improve digestion, however take it on an empty stomach for all other health conditions.

Bromelain aids in digesting proteins, helping the body absorb nutrients more efficiently, and healing the gastrointestinal tract. A recent study, of individuals prescribed bromelain for post-operative pain, swelling and redness, reported “significantly lower” pain compared to the control group taking a generic pain killer. Be careful when eating extra pineapple or taking a bromelain supplement when taking blood thinners because bromelain helps prevent blood clots.

The Evidenced-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine journal reported a study showing that bromelain reduces allergic sensitization, and that allergic airway disease was markedly decreased. The research suggests that bromelain helps to modulate, or strengthen, the immune system.

The University of Cologne, Germany, researchers recently took 12 patients who had already had sinus surgery and treated them with bromelain for 3 months. While surgery for sinusitis can often be ineffective for treating sinusitis, the addition of bromelain led to these benefits: Total symptom scores improved, Total rhinoscopy scores improved, Overall quality of life was enhanced, and No adverse effects were reported.

The Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine journal reviewed research on 42 patients with osteoarthritis, degenerative spine, or painful joint conditions. The patients were given 650 mg capsules of bromelain 2 – 3 times each day on an empty stomach. The study found that pain decreased close to 60% for acute situations, while pain decreased than 50% for chronic disorders.

Some studies have shown that bromelain is extremely useful after surgery and physical injuries by reducing swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain. It can reduce the soft tissue inflammation from tendinitis, sprains and strains, and minor muscle injuries. Studies demonstrate reduced inflammation after dental, nasal, and foot surgeries. Bromelain has been used to treat sinus and nasal swelling following ear, nose, and throat surgery or trauma.

Test tube and animal studies display evidence that suggests bromelain can kill some viruses and bacteria. However, more research and human studies, are needed to see whether it works in human trials. Preliminary research suggests it has anti-tumor properties and may increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy, however, more research is needed.

Traditionally, bromelain has been topically applied to reduce swelling and discomfort associated with insect bites and stings. It has been used in alternative medicine to promote cardiovascular health, and to treat hemorrhoids and vein conditions. Several studies reveal that bromelain helps reduce coughing and lessens mucus resulting from sinusitis.

Research studies reveal that bromelain helps balance stomach acidity, as well as small intestine alkalinity. Research also suggests that it may be natural remedy for IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). A lab study demonstrated this enzyme may help eliminate harmful organisms causing diarrhea. Several studies have suggested that bromelain may stop blood platelets from clotting which can have a natural positive effect heart health.

Precautions: Bromelain breaks down blood clots and may increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery-stop taking bromelain at least 2 weeks before surgery. Individuals who are allergic to latex, wheat, celery, papain, carrot, fennel, cypress pollen, or grass pollen may also be allergic to bromelain. Pregnant women and people with bleeding disorders, high blood pressure, and liver or kidney disease should not take bromelain supplements. Supplementation is generally recommended for no longer than 8 to 10 consecutive days--side effects are generally mild and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive menstrual bleeding. Bromelain may increase the number of antibiotics absorbed by the body.

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/bromelain/

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/bromelain

https://examine.com/supplements/bromelain/

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-895-BROMELAIN.aspx?activeIngredientId=895&activeIngredientName=BROMELAIN

https://draxe.com/6-unbelievable-health-benefits-bromelain/

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/pineapple.html