Tuesday, February 28, 2023

                        Blog# 132 Inner Peace Supports Superior Health

 

Worry, fear and anger create tension in the body; our muscles may over-contract, we may develop abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, our blood pressure may spike, we may develop headaches and we may develop respiratory symptoms of a “cold”.  Other health problems may also arise due to mental and emotional imbalance.  At this challenging time for our country and the world, it is important to stay mentally centered and to care for our physical health.  

 

Several approaches to support and improve physical and mental health include 1. optimal nutrition consisting of whole, organically grown, unprocessed foods, sufficient pure water, and vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements, as needed.  

2. Regular exercise that includes stretching and balancing, like Yoga, Tai Chi and Qi Gong, muscle strengthening, such as lifting free weights, using exercise machines and band work, and aerobics, such as walking swimming, biking and tennis. Daily weight-bearing exercise is also vital.  3. Sufficient, excellent quality sleep, which depends on a balanced diet, with little or no food consumed close to bedtime, freedom from computer, phone, and other screens at least two hours before bedtime, and relaxing, calming stimuli at night, soon before sleep.  4. Care of the musculoskeletal frame through Chiropractic, Massage, and appropriate exercises, such as strengthening and stretching activities mentioned above.  5. Mental disciplines and supports, such as Meditation, Self-Hypnosis, cultivating a thankful attitude, inspirational reading and more.  6. Finally, helping to balance the electrical (energetic) system through activities such as spending time in natural settings, such as woodlands, prairies, and beaches, cultivating the breath and increasing the lung vital capacity, and grounding or earthing, especially by walking barefoot or lying on the ground.  

 

Peace Pilgrim, one of my personal heroes, experienced excellent health, and did not even have a “cold” once she reached a state of lasting inner peace.  Her inspirational life including activities such as walking coast to coast many times for world peace, giving countless talks and presentations at churches and universities, as well as interviews on local and national radio and television.  She walked until given shelter, fasted until offered food, observed a vegetarian diet for ethical and health reasons, and inspired many people during her decades as “Peace Pilgrim”.  We could benefit from her message and life in this world today.  She began walking in the 1950’s during the repressive McCarthy era, and was especially concerned about preventing the nuclear destruction of our planet’s life forms and cultures.  The link to the Peace Pilgrim website is Peace Pilgrim

There, you can find books, DVD’s, CD’s and more covering her life and works.  Two full length documentary films were made about her, and there are even recordings and films of several of her talks at various venues.  I hope you take the time to enjoy these.  Our world needs this wisdom, especially now.

 

This blog’s offer: contact me if you want support for your health and general well-being.  I offer several services, including Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Nutritional advice, Hypnosis, Self-Hypnosis, Flower Essence Therapy, and Qi Gong instruction. 

 

 

Sunday, January 29, 2023

                           Blog #131 Living a Long Healthy Life

 

Some people would like to live as long as possible, in reasonably good health.  Others would want to be independent as long as possible.  And other people regard work and making a worthwhile contribution in the world as important reasons to continue living.  Many of us don’t even want to live past 100.  But this blog’s information should still be valuable. Below are descriptions of three supercentenarians, who either died recently or are still alive.  They share certain commonalities.  

 

Maria Branya Morera, just prior to her 116th birthday, says that, in addition to good genes and good luck, an important factor in longevity is avoiding toxic people.  Maria also credits “order, tranquility, good connection with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, no worries, no regrets, and lots of positivity” for her long life.  She has lived in a nursing home in Spain for the past 22 years, and keeps in touch with thousands of followers through her twitter account with a little help from her daughter.  She survived Covid-19 without any health issues, although many around her died.

 

Lucile Randon, from France, was the world’s oldest person until she passed away in January of this year (2023).  She joined a sisterhood of Catholic Nuns at age 41, and felt strongly that working as long as you can is an important factor in longevity.  She worked as a teacher or gave assistance to the poor and ailing until she was 108. Lucile enjoyed chocolate and wine, both in moderation, and lived in a nursing home toward the end of her life.  Like Maria Branya Morera, she survived Covid without problems.

 

Shlomo Sulayman, a supercentenarian from Israel, lived a simple life, walking long distances and going to the synagogue daily, and eating three simple, small meals.  Dinner was a salad and egg.  He was a well-known religious scholar, to whom many came for advice, and his mind was sharp until the very end of his life.  He lived independently in his home after his wife died at age 94.  When he was confined to his home at the onset of the pandemic, his health declined rapidly and he died at the age of 117, in October 2020.  

 

The first thing that occurs to me about these three people is that they led simple, consistent, meaningful lives.  They also had ongoing connections with family, friends, and/or community, did things in moderation, and stayed active.  Likely they had good genetics.  

 

I have kept this short and sweet.  Their stories speak for themselves.  I wish you a happy, healthy, fulfilling year ahead.

 

This blog’s offer:  contact me if you want to talk and share about people you know who have lived long lives.  I wish you a happy, healthy 2023.

 

 

 

Saturday, December 31, 2022

                                                         

                  Blog 130 Start 2023 with a Healthy Microbiome

 

Flourishing, stable and wholesome gastrointestinal flora help insure the health of all the body’s systems, including musculoskeletal, circulatory, neurological, digestive, reproductive, detoxification, immune system and more.   Some people take supplemental probiotics to support their intestinal flora, and some consume cultured or fermented foods that are rich sources of healthy bacteria.  Both these are good approaches to achieving better gastrointestinal and overall health.  Even better, and longer lasting approaches are lifestyles that support sound digestion and homeostasis.  

 

Certain lifestyle choices and foods will stress the mind and body and make the digestive system less hospitable to healthy bacteria.  Smoking tobacco, significant prescription medication or recreational drug use, moderate to heavy alcohol consumption, insufficient sleep, involvement in highly stressful relationships or work situations, a sedentary lifestyle, excessive screen time, breathing polluted air, drinking contaminated water, and eating processed and other unhealthy foods all will not support a healthy microbiome.  Instead, other opportunistic microorganisms that usually are present in small amounts and are kept under control by a healthy immune system and beneficial microbiome, may proliferate and eventually cause problems.  Mild health problems may include excessive gas, gastric reflux, sleep disturbance, and irritable bowel syndrome.  More severe problems may include migraine headaches, depression, food allergies, autoimmune problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, and various opportunistic infections, some of which, like Salmonella and Clostridium difficile can be serious or even life-threatening.  

 

A diet full of fresh, preferably organically grown fruit and vegetables, with organic seeds and nuts, wild caught fish, and grass-fed meats (if you are an omnivore rather than vegetarian or vegan) will help support a healthy microbiome even without probiotic supplements or cultured and fermented foods.  Vegetarian and vegan diets also can support a healthy microbiome.  A healthy diet supplies prebiotic nutrition upon which beneficial intestinal flora can thrive.  If you decide to use a probioticsupplement, I suggest you choose one that is kept in the refrigerated section of the store.  Some of these supplements have many types of bacteria, but look for supplements that contain at least these three: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus bulgaricus.  

 

My personal three favorite fermented foods are yogurt, sauerkraut and miso, so I will cover these three.


Yogurt and Kefir can be good sources of healthy probiotics.  Full fat and organically produced milk is preferable, and milk from grass-fed animals is best.  It is important that there are no sweeteners or foods other than dairy and culture present in store bought yogurt or kefir.  Fresh fruit and sweeteners, such as maple syrup or raw honey can be added just before eating.  You also can make yogurt at home with a special yogurt kit or even just high quality milk, a culture, and a warming element.  You can cut and paste the link below in your browser for instructions regarding homemade yogurt.

 

The EASY Way to Make Homemade Yogurt (with fewer dishes!)

 

Sauerkraut and Kimchi are also relatively easy to make at home, and are less expensive than store-bought versions.  They are, in my opinion, the most wholesome of all the fermented foods, and consist of just vegetables, usually at least cabbage, plus salt.  Sometimes a culture is added.  Kimchi recipes also include one or more spicy ingredients, such as garlic, ginger, radish and hot red pepper.  If you purchase these products at a store, make sure that they are in the refrigerated section and are preferably organic and stored in glass containers.  Below is a link with instructions for making homemade fermented vegetables (sauerkraut).

 

HOW TO MAKE SAUERKRAUT AT HOME!  

 

Another excellent fermented food is miso, traditionally a Japanese soy, salt and koji (fermented grain) dish, which also sometimes contains alternate beans or grains.  Because so many soybeans are GMO products, it is important to select only organically grown soybeans and other ingredients to make miso.  Normally, the process takes several months to years, but the excellent article below presents several options, including a way to make miso in several days.  Miso is high in protein and in plenty of other nutrients, including friendly bacteria.  For those who cannot consume much salt, this particular fermented food may not be for you.  To learn more about making miso, from the perspective of a top British chef, just cut and paste the first link below into your browser to read an excellent article with clear instructions.  If the miso making process seems overwhelming, remember that there are several good quality brands of organic miso that you can purchase at the store.  My favorite brand, which is hard to find, and usually must be purchased directly from the family who makes it traditionally, is South River brand.  If you are interested in South River brand miso, the best miso I have ever tasted, you can learn about the company through the link below, which supplies lots of information, including three videos.  

How to make miso

https://www.southrivermiso.com/store/pg/133-Our-Story-Videos.html

There are several other fermented foods which could be covered, such as apple cider vinegar, natto – fermented soybeans – and Kumbucha tea, but I will let you research those by yourself.  

This blog’s offer:  print out this blog and bring it in with you for your January or February 2023 appointment and request a free sample taste of South River brand miso.  Wishing you a happy, healthy, prosperous 2023.

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

             Blog #129 Yoga Music Thai Bodywork Reiki and Karen Lum

 

During Thanksgiving time, I want to  share with you a gifted woman, who has helped people, including myself, enjoy healing, support, and light-heartedness during this pandemic time.  She is my neighbor, fortunately for me, and stepping inside her home or treatment space you will find lush plants, glowing crystals and other stones, Tibetan singing bowls, soft music, fragrant incense and more.  I wholeheartedly recommend you contact her for an inspiring, relaxing healing session.  Below are two websites where you can learn more about Karen and contact her:

 

https://www.satnamyogachicago.com/karen-lum

 

https://lucidyoginii.com   

 

Additionally, Karen teaches Yoga classes, both in person and via Zoom.  I can vouch for her healthy and positive lifestyle as well as her positive spirit and attitude.  Consider taking classes or purchasing a healing session with her for yourself or someone else.  Karen also practices Tai Chi, including various forms, such as Tai Chi Sword techniques.  

 

Over a year ago, I wrote about Karen in one of my blogs – Blog #115, entitled Music Heals.  I am also including that blog below.

 

                                       Blog #115 Music Heals

 

In addition to regular exercise, nutritious food, sufficient sleep, a calm mind, a happy or content attitude, musculoskeletal stability, medicinal herbs, pure water, clean air, positive relationships, meaning and purpose in life, and closeness to the natural world, there are many other elements that can support and improve health.  

 

Those of you who are musicians or simply music lovers have likely have felt your spine tingle at times while you listened to music that particularly moved you.  On these occasions, the body attunes to powerful musical vibrations and channels that energy up the spine.  That energy can also travel to other areas of the body.  Various keys of music correspond to and stimulate or calm specific endocrine glands.  The note G, or music played in the key of G, for example, resonates with the thyroid gland. If you click on the lines below, you can hear Mozart’s “A Little Night Music, composed in G major.  Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik - Concertgebouw Kamerorkest - Live C

Another excellent example of music in various keys resonating with specific areas and endocrine glands in the body is an eight part composition by Kay Gardiner, “A Rainbow Path”.  She coordinates color along with key in this unique composition. 

 

Some people use sound and music as a principle of healing for themselves and others.  Some examples are gong journeys and baths, crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, and singing and toning.  A person’s intent can send sound energy into or out of the body, as well as direct it to or from areas of weakness or excess.  Sometimes, sound can affect a person’s energy in an undesirable way.  That occurred recently, when I was apparently placed in a state of imbalance by someone who heals with gongs and other instruments.  The morning after that gong session, my blood pressure plummeted, I became extremely fatigued and my appetite was completely gone.  About a week later, still fatigued, my left leg became weak and could barely support me.  I walked with pain and difficulty, had to push up with my hands to stand from a chair or bed, and considered relying on a cane until I could address the problem successfully.  Neither acupuncture nor massage helped.  

 

Fortunately, I have a neighbor who heals with sound.  I had a session with her, thinking that sound healing might be especially appropriate, given the circumstances under which I was injured.  The first hour with my neighbor was pleasant and I did not notice much difference.  The second session, about a week later, was very different.  Toward the end of the hour, she directed sound from one of her singing bowls down my left leg.  I felt strong tingling energy move from my knee to my foot.  My leg felt stronger when I stood up, and by the end of the day, the pain and instability were gone.  Now, about two months later, my left knee and leg feel better than they have in at least a year, and probably much longer.  I can once again stand up from a chair without pushing with my hands, can climb and descend stairs without using a railing, and can walk quickly without discomfort.  My left knee and leg are not perfect, since I suffered a serious injury many years ago, which eventually necessitated surgery.  However, the results from my neighbor’s music healing session have been so strong that I want to share that experience, as well as provide information about her.  She also does Thai bodywork, Reiki healing and teaches yoga.  

 

This month’s offer:  contact me if you want further information about my neighbor and how to reach her if you might want a session.  Also, if you ask, I am willing to share with you more information about how and why the session with the first healer likely harmed me.  Happy Holidays to you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, October 24, 2022

                                          Blog #128 Chiropractic Supports Your Health


                 Blog #128 Chiropractic Supports Your health

 

Since October is Chiropractic Month, I thought it would be appropriate to address chiropractic adjusting. Chiropractic adjusting can benefit you in many ways.  When gentle, or combined with at least a little massage, chiropractic adjustments help improve blood circulation locally and elsewhere in the body.  When spinal vertebrae and other joint articulations are mobilized appropriately, the resulting improved blood circulation brings more red blood cells to better oxygenate the area and more white blood cells to attend to the body’s defense.  With proper adjusting and improved circulation, muscles and also internal organs function more comfortably and effectively.  Since lymphatic circulation is also improved by chiropractic adjusting, local debris, such as the waste products of cellular metabolism, is more efficiently carried away from the area and brought to organs such as the spleen, kidneys, lungs and large intestine for elimination from the body.  Additionally, chiropractic adjustments help the nervous system function optimally.  When vertebrae or other joint articulations are subluxated (misaligned) due to injury, poor posture, muscle spasm, or other causes, the local nerves can sometimes be impinged upon and irritated. This impingement and/or irritation can compromise nerve function and result in muscle discomfort or weakness and even sometimes in diminished organ function.  Cranial adjustments, that is, adjustments of the skull, can improve sinus function, reduce headache severity and frequency, and greatly alleviate TMJ (jaw) problems.  And there’s more:  gentle chiropractic adjusting helps your body and mind relax.  All of the above benefits add up to a healthier immune system, with less colds and other ailments, especially if chiropractic treatment is received regularly.  And, of course, since chiropractic adjusting alleviates pain and accelerates the healing of injuries, it helps people function better and enjoy life more.

 

I first learned about chiropractic when I was in my mid-teens, after my mother injured her low back during a Grand Canyon mule tour.  The resulting pain forced her to resign from her secretarial job.  Neither orthopedic physicians nor physical therapists could help her.  After almost a year of suffering, a woman from her previous job told her about a man who had fixed her painful neck, which had been in spasm and turned toward one shoulder, in only a few visits. This woman had consulted M.D.’s and physical therapists to no avail for several months.  Dr. Klingenna, the chiropractor, worked out of the basement of his home.  The first time he saw my mother, he did a little massage on her back and tractioned her low back by pulling on her ankles.  The second visit, he repeated this procedure, but for a longer time, and added ultrasound therapy.  At the third appointment, he once again had my mother lay on his table and this time he followed the above procedures with chiropractic spinal adjustments.  After that treatment, she remained pain free for over two years.  Since her job had hired temporary employees to fill her spot, she was able to reclaim her position.  From then on, every two to three years my mother developed low back pain and returned to Dr. Klingenna for several treatments.  After I graduated from chiropractic school, I adjusted my mother at those times.

This month’s offer:  call me to set up an appointment for a chiropractic adjustment to reduce discomfort and improve your health.  Seasonal transitions, that is, the times around the equinoxes and solstices, are excellent opportunities for treatment.

 

 

 

Thursday, September 29, 2022

                      Blog 127 Diagnostic Devices to Have at Home

 

In these times when we are uncertain about health and may feel stressed and confused, it can be helpful to have regular information about some basic health indicators.  In a previous blog, I already have covered blood oxygen level.  This was in Blog # 122.  You can review that blog by going to my website, EWagnerHolisticHealth.Org, clicking the tab that says “blog” and locating Blog # 122 by scrolling down.  Or you may have saved that blog from emails you received several months ago.  

Two other fairly inexpensive diagnostic pieces of equipment, besides the blood oxygen monitor, that would be beneficial to have at home are a thermometer and a blood pressure monitor.  It is valuable to know the temperature of your body.  Normal temperature ranges from 97.0 F (36.1C) and about 99.0 F (37.2C).  A lower body temperature, hypothermia, may be due to several causes, including being outside in very cold weather, hypothyroidism or other endocrine imbalances, neurological illness, such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease, infection in the elderly or very depleted, and some prescription medications, such as anti-psychotic drugs and drugs that protect the heart in cases of serious cardiac compromise.  An elevated body temperature can be due to inflammation due to conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, bacterial or viral infection, sun or heat stroke, some cancerous tumors, certain prescription drugs, such as antibiotics and those used to treat high blood pressure, some shots, such the DPT pneumococcal inoculations.  Some of these factors can be addressed fairly quickly and some may be very complex and require much medical expertise to diagnose and, hopefully, alleviate.  If you are looking for a new thermometer, the link below may be helpful.  You may need to cut and paste the links to your browser.

9 Best Thermometers For Kids & Adults Of 2022 - Forbes Health

 

Blood pressure readings can give valuable information about physical health and mental state.  They can also give input about which herbs, foods, activities, stresses and lifestyles are beneficial and which may be harmful.  For example, licorice root may sometimes elevate blood pressure, as may lack of sleep, rage, restricted breathing, or inhaling toxic substances, such as paint or pesticide.  The two values in a blood pressure reading are systolic and diastolic pressures.  Systolic indicates pressure exerted against the arterial wall when the heart is contracting, and diastolic indicates the pressure of blood against the arterial walls while the heart rests between contractions.  Normal blood pressure for an adult ranges from about 90/60 to 130/80, with values close to the center of the range usually being preferable.  Until about a decade ago, pressure in the range up to 140/90 was considered normal, though that reading was considered to be high normal, and therefore borderline hypertension.  Keeping blood pressure in the normal range is likely to result in prolonging kidney, heart, brain and vascular health, and improving overall well-being.  Generally, it is recommended that blood pressure be taken on three separate occasions, and if it is elevated each time, then it is advisable to work on lowering the pressure through life-style changes and possibly with herbs from a holistic doctor or with a medical prescription from your allopathic physician.  I would recommend purchasing a monitor, if you can afford one, and checking your blood pressure daily.  You may find that you can recognize how you feel when your pressure is low or elevated and you also may learn about what foods, situations, states of mind, and lifestyle choices you need to avoid or adopt.  Below is a link that may help you select a good blood pressure monitor.  Wrist monitors are also an option, and I personally prefer these.

 

https://www.verywellhealth.com/best-blood-pressure-monitors-4158050

 

Finally, below is a link to an excellent discussion of these three types of health readings.  The speaker, Dr. John Campbell, is an excellent, open-minded man with a daily presence on YouTube.  

Every home diagno stic devices - YouTube

 

This blog’s offer:  feel free to contact me with questions about these three types of equipment and  the indicators you can obtain from them.

 

 

Sunday, August 28, 2022

                                    Blog #126  Healthful Sleep

 

Years ago, I learned about a sleep position developed in China centuries ago.  One of my teachers showed his class this, and over the years my respect has increased for this sleep position and for the people who developed it.  This position, which I will refer to as OQS (Optimal Qi Flow) is simple, yet detailed and its explanation can range from superficial to profound.  I will aim for the middle ground.  If you are unable to sleep on your right side due to an injury or other health issue, then OQF is not for you.  Most people will be able to sleep this way, and over time, they will get used to it and even come to regard it as an excellent way to obtain restful sleep.  

 

The sleeper lies on the right side, with or without a pillow under the head.  If they have a pillow, it should be small and fairly flat.  The right hand cups the right ear, thumb behind the ear and the rest of the fingers in front.  The open palm gently supports the head.  This position takes some weight off the right shoulder.  The bottom leg is fairly straight, but the knee is slightly bent.  The left leg, which is placed on top of the right, is bent considerably more.  If possible, the left foot is tucked into the bend of the right knee.  The left arm rests on the torso, with two possible positions for the hand.  Either the open palm is placed just below the navel – that is, between the navel and the pelvic area – or a very loose fist rests on the outer left thigh.  Ideally, breathing is through the nose.  The mind can welcome positive, protective thoughts and inspiration, or it can be empty, whatever is most natural and restful for the sleeper.  If the person shifts position, that is fine, but because of the beneficial aspects of OQF, they may grow to naturally maintain this position for much or all of the night.  

 

Many Acupuncture meridians run along and through the body.  OQF works with two of these channels – the Gall Bladder channel (a Yang channel) and the Conception Vessel (CV) extraordinary channel (Yin channel).  The extremely Yang Gall Bladder (GB) channel runs on the right and left sides of the body (it is bilateral) and circles the ear, runs along side of the head and parts of the face, runs to the upper trapezius (uppermost back), moves down the side of the body, travels slightly to the front of the body, including some middle and lower areas on the ribcage, then on to the anterior pelvic bone, that is, the iliac bone.  Then the GB channel continues downward, to the hip and gluteal area, the lateral thigh, down the lateral leg to the ankle and foot, ending at the lateral aspect of the fourth toe, at the toenail.  Gall Bladder (Yang) and Liver (Yin) channels are paired, with each performing many functions, including the GB’s receiving and removing stress (and bile) away from the liver (LV).  An over-active, fatty or toxic liver is notorious for interfering with sleep.  Among the LV’s many functions are helping feel and release the emotions and their related hormones and other chemicals, especially from the emotions of anger and frustration.  Keeping energy (Qi) flow smooth and regular helps relieve digestive, musculoskeletal and emotional stress and induces physical relaxation.  This is especially true for GB Qi flow.  The CV channel can help move Yang Qi down from the top of the head, where energy is most Yang and active and stress-inducing into the lower body, which is more Yin.  It also can help move Yin energy from the lower body into the upper body, especially the head, the most Yang area, and this action is not always helpful.  The Conception Vessel begins in the perineum and travels upward, past the pelvic area and stays in the body’s midline.  It ends just below the lower lip.  There is only one CV, located on the body’s frontal midline.  The CV is paired with the Governing Vessel (GV), which starts at the tip of the tailbone (coccyx), runs up the spine, traverses the scalp, and ends at the gum just below the upper lip.  This channel is very Yang.  A healthy Qi flow through these two channels helps contribute to fertility, calmness, vitality and overall good health.  One of the possible OQF left hand positions is located on the CV, just below the navel.  The other option is on the lateral thigh, where the GB meridian travels.  The front of the body, including the palms is Yin and the back of the body, including the back of the hands is Yang in nature.

 

Now for a little more explanation.  Cupping the hand around the ear helps stabilize Qi flow in the head, thus minimizing stuck Qi and consequently also reducing the likelihood of headaches, insomnia and nightmares.  An added benefit is less crow’s feet.  Lying on the right side versus the left helps take pressure off the heart, stomach and pancreas, allowing them to function more optimally.  The liver is the largest and most vascular internal organ in the body, containing the most blood; therefore it is warmer than the rest of the body.  Lying on the left side positions the liver on top, where it presses on and warms/inflames the smaller stomach, pancreas and heart, all located to the left of the liver.  While using OQS, positioning the palm of the left hand below the umbilicus will tend to be more centering, calming and soothing, connecting Yin to Yin (front of the body).  When the hand held in a loose fist is placed on the lateral thigh, where the GB channel runs, this will tend to disperse tension in the digestive system, musculoskeletal system, and even the emotions.  When the hand is in a loose fist, the Yang aspect (back) of the hand connects to the extremely Yang Gall Bladder channel.  Regarding the legs – when the left foot is tucked behind the right knee, this helps stimulate Qi flow in the right leg, and especially helps prevent congestion of energy and blood at the right knee, which is lower and therefore more likely to experience pressure congestion than are the left leg and knee.  Sleeping with the left knee bent reduces tension in the left leg, as well as in the pelvis and spine.  Much more could be written about this sleep position, but I hope this small amount of information helps you begin to understand how complex the body’s energy system is and how much we can influence our quality of sleep in this way.  

 

People with heart problems, such as pericarditis and congestive heart failure, and people with gastric ulcers, gastric reflux, pancreatitis and diabetes often benefit from this sleeping position.  Of course, this is not recommended for people with injuries to the right shoulder and hip, and sometimes injuries to the right knee.  I suggest you try OQS and draw your own conclusions.  I noticed a difference after the first night.  My chest felt cooler and my sleep was sounder.  I often, but not always, choose to sleep this way.

 

This blog’s offer:  feel free to call me free of charge with questions about this OQS sleep position, Yin and Yang, and other related topics.  I also often help people with sleep problems, and there will be a charge for help in these cases, which may require several treatments, dietary guidance, or other suggestions and therapies.