Fire Cupping demonstration

A demonstration fire-cupping was given today at my practice in Bloemendaal. It is a very effective and powerfull treatment to help the body release excess. Effective against a cold/flue, muscle strain, shoulder-neck pain. It reduces pain and relaxes the body. In my practice I combine to with TuiNa and acupuncture.

Sports- injury? Do not use ice!

A common method to treat sports injury is RICE:

R = rest
I  = ice
C = compression
E = elevation

However, few physiotherapist and all practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medice say "RICE is not nice"
Why? The aim of any treatment should be to reduce/eliminate pain and to promote the healing proces.The R.I.C.E. method works counterproductive as far as the healing proces is concerned.

R: What is needed for an injury to heal is blood. The white bloodcells clean up dead tissue and prevent possible infection. Rest does not improve the blood flow. A little movement, without causing pain,helps the healing proces.
I.: The first priority is to get the swelling down. Ice is very effective to get the swelling down and it stops the pain, since the injured part feels numb. The reason why it feels numb is because the bloodcirculation in the injured area has stopped. When the aim is to reduce the pain, it is very effective. When the aim is to support the healing proces, ice slows the healing proces down. It ultimately causes stagnation, which in itself is the definition of pain. One of the main principles of Chinese Medicine is: Tõng ze bu tóng, bu tõng ze tóng -Without free flow there is pain, when there is free flow there is no pain-.
C: Compression limits the swelling.It does however limit the blood flow in the area, depending on how tight the compression is applied.
E: 'Elevation involves simply raising the injured part above the level of the heart to let the force of gravity aid in draining excess fluid. This method is also employed in Chinese sports medicine' ( Tom Bisio, A tooth from the tiger's mouth). 

In the video interview with Gary Reini, a profesional trainer who works with many professional teams, Mr. Reini says: "RICE is wrong. RICE is not nice! Ice actually causes a back flow of the lymphatic fluid into the interstitial space and actually creates more congestion, not less" 

Cursus Acupressuur bij de bevalling

Op 12 februari ga ik van start met de cursus Acupressuur bij de Bevalling in de praktijk in Bloemendaal. Leer met uw partner praktische tips op basis van Chinese Geneeskunde om de bevalling te verlichten.

Natural pregnancy and birth

 * De voertaal op deze blog is Engels. Kijk voor algemene informatie op mijn nederlandse site www.qiquest.nl *

Being pregnant can be a very exiting period for you and your partner.  Acupuncture combined with tuina-massage can help relief a number of pregnancy related symptoms such as:
* nausea,
* insomnia,
* backache
* swollen ankles
* preparing for a natural birth
* getting back on your feet

Preparing for a natural birth can start in week 36 through having weekly treatments. When the birth needs to be induced acupuncture can be very effective in week 42. During the birth itself your partner can help with the use of acupressure to give relief and assist the natural process. A short introduction in acupressure during birth for you and your partner is given by Qi Quest.
After the birth acupuncture and tuina helps to get back on your feet.

Power of the mind!

A bit of Yoda wisdom from Star Wars.
The power of intention: You do or you do not, there is no try!