What is Social Anxiety?

Anxiety

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), is also known as social phobia. It is a long-term overwhelming fear of social situations. It’s not uncommon. Those affected usually first experience it in their teens. Worrying about social situations is common. Someone with social anxiety worries before, during, and after social situations. It is more than shyness, it’s a fear that affects self-confidence, everyday activities, relationships, work, and even school.

The symptoms include significant fear and anxiety around social situations, sweating, stumbling over words, and speaking quickly. They may also experience palpitations, trembling, and feelings of embarrassment.

Acupuncture is useful in dealing with anxiety. Hypnotherapy, NLP, and Timeline Therapy are also useful for dealing with anxiety. NLP can be used to anchor positive emotional states that are useful in social situations. Skills from NLP, like mirroring and matching, can help build rapport, making communication easier.

Moxibustion

What is Moxibustion?

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy that involves burning dried mugwort, a spongy herb also known as moxa, near the skin to stimulate acupuncture points. The moxa can be compressed into sticks, cones, or placed directly on the skin (known as direct moxibustion), or placed on top of an acupuncture needle (known as indirect moxibustion).

Moxibustion is used to promote healing, relieve pain, and improve overall health by stimulating the flow of qi (pronounced "chee"), which is believed to be the body's vital energy. It is often used in conjunction with acupuncture and other traditional Chinese medicine therapies. Moxibustion has also been studied in modern Western medicine, and some research suggests it may be helpful in treating conditions such as menstrual pain, arthritis, and digestive disorders.

Answers to some Frequently asked questions about moxibustion

answers to frequently asked questions about moxibustion

Here are some frequently asked questions about moxibustion, along with their answers:

Q: What is moxibustion used for? A: Moxibustion is used to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, arthritis, digestive disorders, menstrual pain, and fertility issues. It is also used to boost the immune system and improve overall health.

Q: How is moxibustion performed? A: Moxibustion can be performed using various techniques, including direct, indirect, and warm needle moxibustion. In direct moxibustion, a small cone or ball of moxa is placed directly on the skin and burned until it is extinguished. In indirect moxibustion, the moxa is burned near the skin, but not in direct contact with it. Warm needle moxibustion involves placing a small amount of moxa on the handle of an acupuncture needle and lighting it.

Q: Is moxibustion safe? A: Moxibustion is generally considered safe when performed by a qualified practitioner. However, it is not recommended for people with certain conditions, such as pregnancy, fever, or skin conditions, and it should not be used on open wounds or areas of the body that are inflamed or swollen. Additionally, people who are sensitive to smoke or have respiratory problems should avoid moxibustion.

Q: Does moxibustion hurt? A: Moxibustion is generally painless, although some people may experience a mild sensation of warmth or tingling during the treatment.

Q: How often should I have moxibustion? A: The frequency of moxibustion treatments will depend on your individual needs and the condition being treated. Your practitioner can recommend a treatment plan based on your specific needs.

Q: Can I do moxibustion at home? A: Moxibustion should only be performed by a qualified practitioner who has received training in this technique. Attempting to do moxibustion at home without proper training could be dangerous and is not recommended.

Q: How do I find a qualified moxibustion practitioner? A: To find a qualified moxibustion practitioner, look for licensed acupuncturists or traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in your area who have training and experience in this technique. You can also ask for recommendations from your doctor or from friends or family members who have had moxibustion.

Frozen Shoulder

There are many types of shoulder injuries. Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is what happens when your shoulder capsule thickens, making your shoulder stiff, tight, and hard to move. The shoulder then forms bands of tissue called adhesions. The end result? Pain and an inability to move your shoulder over time. This can make it hard to do tasks like reaching overhead or reaching behind you.

Acupuncture is a safe and effective way of treating frozen shoulder. Acupuncture needles are inserted around the shoulder area (front and back), upper arms, elbow, hand and in any relevant myofascial trigger points. It helps to reduce inflammation, pain and shoulder stiffness. Acupuncture and moxibustion, along with appropriate exercises I will demonstrate, help to increase range of motion and mobility by increasing blood flow to the area.

The Effectiveness of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Frozen Shoulder is discussed in the Journal of Evidence based and complimentary medicine. The Effectiveness of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Frozen Shoulder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (hindawi.com)

Harvest Festival Healing

Harvest Festival is a time when the crops have been gathered and people come together to celebrate the bountiful time. In terms of Chinese Medicine this time could be regarded as the time of the Earth element. It is a time when the harvesting of grains and fruits is taking place.

Above is an image representing the Shen cycle. This is a generative cycle. Each element feeds into the next.

The Chinese character for Earth is tu. The top horizontal line is the surface soil and the lower line earth below that. The vertical line represents plants that grow in the soil that are produced by the Earth.

Try out my free healing. To call it in just state your intention to receive the Harvest Festival Healing from Geoff. Use the picture to imagine a field full of corn. The corn is ripe and ready for eating.

Friends

My friend posing by a canal boat

I went for a walk by the canal with a friend of mine. We are both walk leaders for a meetup group called "Manchester Hiking." It was a sunny day and a pleasant stroll by the canal allowed us to have time to relax and unwind. Casual conversation with my friend allowed me to feel at ease. The pace of the walk changed with our mood. It started with a slow pace when we strolled through Dunham Park where there was wildlife to see and photograph. The deer are quite tame on the whole and they can come quite close to you. It increased as we moved onto the canal. We had a chance to sit by Lymm Damn and chat while we ate. Sharing problems allows us to feel heard. In Chinese Medicine the Fire element is what allows us to open up to other people and form relationships. We should open up appropriately. We shouldn't share the same personal information with the Postman as we would with a close friend.

Deer in Dunham Park

Damp

Chinese Medicine regards Damp as being like a soggy/muddy field. The sort of place that would be the perfect place to grow rice. In this country the moors are a similar environment. Heather grows and the moorlands and it suits grouse. One place I visit regularly that brings this to easily to mind is Derwent Edge in the Peak District (see pictures above).

Damp is characteristically sticky and difficult to get rid of. It is heavy and it slows thing down. It tends to settle in the lower parts of the body. It can refer to damp weather. Dampness can refer to living conditions, . such as a moldy bathroom or living on a canal boat or close to a river. Other factors that can cause damp include wearing damp clothes, sitting or working in damp conditions.

Grouse live on Moorland which is damp

Clothes can get damp when out walking

On Howden Edge

Fear and the Water Element

Fear is an emotion that is related to the Water Element in Chinese Medicine. The related channels are Kidney and Bladder. A normal amount of fear is good in that it stops us walking off cliffs or putting our hands in the fire. When fear is in excess we may feel anxiety and suffer from phobias. It can stop us from leading a normal productive life. We may see danger everywhere. It could be of an advantage in risk analysis. When fear is deficient we take crazy risks. These might involve driving at high speeds and being involved in extreme sports. It may manifest as adrenaline seeking behaviour and the failure to assess risks. We can overcome our fears by taking well thought out risks. This could involve scrambling in the mountains in fair weather.

Scrambling up Sharp Edge in the Lake District

Sharp Edge

Scrambling up to Crib Goch