My Past Journey with Helium

On this page I have links to the various articles I have written for Helium, an internet writing site.

As I am unable to take many medicines, I am exploring the use of acupressure points and foot/hand reflexology. It takes practice and an awareness of your body. Results are not instantaneous.  Here is the link to the acupressure article.

These points are for helping with stress

Acupressure to a specific point stops the pain signals from being sent to the brain by way of the spinal cord. The dissolving of tensions helps the body to function in a more balanced manner. The immune system is not depleted and the body resists illnesses better.  This tension seems to concentrate in the area of the acupressure points. The muscle contracts due to the release of lactic acid. When a specific point is pressed the fibers of the muscle relaxes; blood is able to flow more freely, toxins are released, increased circulation brings more oxygen to that area.

Some specific points for releasing stress and tension, taken from the book by Michael Reed Gach (Facebook Page) called Acupressure’s Potent Points. Use the diagram attached to this article so you can find the locations.

• Gates of Consciousness (GB 20): It is below the base of the skull, in the hollow between the two large vertical neck muscles. 2-3 inches apart, It is for release of frustration, and irritation, plus much more.
• Heavenly Pillar (B 10): It is located one finger width below the base of the skull and 1/2 inch out from the spine on both sides. This point is to release stress, eyestrain, stiff neck and more.
• Shoulder Well (GB 21): This is not to be used by pregnant women. It is found on the highest point of the shoulder muscle midway between the outer tip of the shoulder and the spine. Used for relief of frustration, shoulder tension, nervousness
• Heavenly Rejuvenation (TW 15): This is located on the shoulders mid-way between the base of the neck and the outside of the shoulder, 1/2 inch below the shoulder. Pressure here can relieve tension, still necks, and is good for resistance to colds and flu.
• Third Eye (GV 24.5): The point located directly between your eyebrows; in the indentation where the forehead meets the nose. This is especially for spiritual and emotional imbalances.
• Letting Go (Lu 1): Use four fingers width from the armpit and move inward on finger width. Here you can release chest pressure, emotional tension.
• Sea of Tranquility (CV 17): Feel the center; three thumb widths up from the base of the breastbone (sternum). Relief from nervousness, anxiety, insomnia
• Center of Power (CV 12):  Find relief from frustration, emotional stress, indigestion and more. Do not use heavy pressure if experiencing a serious illness. Hold this point for two minutes or less and it is best to do on a basically empty stomach.

Below is an excerpt from my article on reflexology regarding sinusitis.

Chronic sinusitis or post nasal drip is not a comfortable condition to deal with. It has been found though, through the use of reflexology of both the hands and the feet, relief can be found from this problem. The patient can choose to go to a person who practices reflexology, but it is also possible to learn to do it yourself. Note that reflexology is not a cure, but a means of controlling the symptoms. Make sure you drink a large glass of water before starting your procedure. Drinking water on a regular basis is a good practice for all.

Reflexology points on the feet

First, look at the feet for the correct reflexology points. The area to seek is located on the backside of all the toes, opposite the toenail, excluding the big toe. The right foot corresponds to the right sinuses and the left foot to the left sinuses.

My journey on Helium is an ongoing one, one in which I am learning and growing in knowledge as well as ability.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Calming Motion of Waves….

I just did a lengthy article about the benefits of Qigong for health on Helium. It is being looked at more deeply by sources other than alternative medicine as a non invasive, non medication form of keep good health.

By incorporating the breathing and relaxation practices of Qigong, you are developing preventative as well as therapeutic measures to cleanse your mind force energy and change your attitude toward life. The body has its own natural defenses toward disease, but it has to be maintained and kept strong. The immune system is weakened through stress and bad diet, bad habits. Qigong tries to undo the damage and restore what was lost. One good result is lower blood pressure through the use of breathing to control stress.

It is a bit long, but I try to show several moves, both stationary and non-stationary to go along with my dissertation!

Standing posture:
A common standing posture is as follows. Position your feet; a little more than shoulder width apart and bend your knees slightly. Make sure the knees do not extend beyond the tip of your toes. Tilt your pelvis under just a bit. Keeping your shoulders relaxed, bring your hands out in front about heart height, rounded, as if you are holding a large beach ball. Your elbows will be lower than your hands. Your head is straight and relaxed, not tilting forward or backward.

I hope you may get something out of it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anxiety is a major problem in many people’s lives today. I wrote this article on anxiety and how to decrease the symptoms of anxiety.

1. Deep breaths: When you feel the tightness start, take several slow, deep breaths. Breathe in through your mouth and out through your nose. Keep doing this until you feel yourself start to relax.

2. Stay away from caffeine: Caffeine is a stimulant. It is found not only in coffee and tea, but also in many sodas, chocolate and other sources. Read the labels of products you buy.

3. Exercise: Exercise is an important part of eliminating anxiety. It increases the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain. It does not have to be a cardio workout. Walking is great exercise…….

7. Positive thinking: When you feel a negative thought starting, try to immediately replace it with a positive one. Some people have a favorite thought, of special person, happening or place they enjoyed being. This positive thought can stop the negative cycle from even starting.

Along a similar line, How to Calm the Mind.  One might think, I feel this should be a definite part of my life! They would be right!

Steps to take

•  Spend time doing something you love
It could be reading, listening to your favorite music, or gardening.
•  Find quiet time alone
Each day, there should be some time set aside for reflection, relaxation, yoga
•  Use positive language
Be aware of you language. Do you speak and think positively? You may have to change your choice of vocabulary.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Patiently seeking its prey

An excerpt from my article on Helium about the Little Blue Heron:

A fun fact about the Little Blue Heron is that the middle toe has ‘teeth’ along one side and they are used as a comb to scratch the top and sides of its head as well as its upper neck, and throat.

Hunting for food

Watching the heron as it hunts for its food is a lesson in patience. They move slowly, trying not to create ripples. Often they will stand totally still for long periods if they are aware their prey is present, but not in the open. When the prey moves out, the heron moves swiftly to make its catch.

—–

One amazing fact is that the juvenile herons are completely white their first year. Because of this, they are able to live in close proximity with the Snowy Egrets. This relationship not only gives the juveniles protection against predators, but also has proved to be beneficial to their success when fishing.

Conservation regarding the Little Blue Heron

Because the heron does not have showy plumage, it has escaped decline from those who hunt feathers for the millinery trade. The most serious threat is from habitat loss and human-caused changes in the water management.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Image credit to: http://www.scoi.com/anklanat.htm

My first venture into writing a medically based article.

I am fascinated by the structure of the human body and how it all functions together as one unit… most of the time. Here is an excerpt from my article on The Anatomy of the Human Ankle.

The Orthopod article, states:

“The ankle joint is formed by the connection of three bones. The ankle bone is called the talus. The top of the talus fits inside a socket that is formed by the lower end of the tibia (shinbone) and the fibula (the small bone of the lower leg). The bottom of the talus sits on the heel bone, called the calcaneus.”

“The talus works like an inside the socket to allow your foot to move up (dorsiflexion) and down (plantarflexion).”

They compare the ankle joint to a technique used by craftsmen and woodworkers when they are creating a strong structure: a mortise and tenon joint. This is a woodworking process where the wood is joined, by alternate, interlocking wedge shapes to create a stable joining between two separate sections of wood.

The ankle bone is the talus. It fits inside a socket that is formed by the lower end of the tibia or shinbone and the fibula, the smaller bone of the lower leg. That is the mortise connection. The bottom of the talus sits on the calcaneus or heel bone.

If all of this were just sitting freely in place, it would not be a very stable connection. The wood mortise and tenon joint uses glue, and the joint is solid but non-moving. The ankle is a very flexible joint, so the body uses ligaments and tendons to keep it in place and make it stable.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Green Heron Hunting

Now for an excerpt from my article The Benefits of Bird Watching:

There is great concern that the youth of our day is getting separated from nature. They no longer have prolonged experiences in nature. Author Richard Louv, wrote a book Last Child in the Woods, in which he called this lack of interaction with nature by our youth a Nature-deficit Disorder. He co-founded The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) to encourage and support those who work to reconnect children with nature. Birding is just such an activity to encourage this interaction.

Physical and Mental Benefits of Bird Watching

The following list was found on fledgingbirders.org

•   exercising observation skills—both visual and auditory

•   increased ability to focus on tasks

•   improving communication skills

•   behavioral and impulse control

•   bolstering self-esteem and confidence

•   provides relaxation and stress relief opportunities

•   positive peer socialization activities

•   reinforcing various academic concepts