EUREKA MOMENT

I usually get my inspiration moments whilst standing in the shower - must be the hot water affecting the brain! This time it occurred whilst treating a patient who had a working knowledge of homeopathy. I was treating her with acupressure and whilst sedating her CON 17 acupoint (for her tension), suddenly told her that this was the 'Aconite' point. Aconite is a remedy that is used when you are anxious, restless or frightened and mimics the action of CON 17. It got me thinking that most, if not all, of the main acupoints must have a homeopathic 'equivalent'. Knowledge of these two would make a wonderful self help duo. So, in the new year, and when I have completed the Light Touch Reflextherapy book (not long to go), I shall write a booklet on this subject which will be aimed at the lay person. I shall probably self publish.

Back in the 1980's one of the many zany ideas around then was to inject the tincture of a homeopathic remedy into an acupoint that, presumably, resonated at a similar frequency. It was called 'Homeopuncture' . I think it soon lost favour as it didn't seem to work - my idea has nothing to do with this.

Before I get correspondence on this matter - yes I know that the UK spelling is 'homoeopathy' and the USA spelling is 'homeopathy'. It is, though, a matter of choice and the American spelling is more accepted. Have a great Christmas and New Year. JRC

Be careful what you wish for!!!

I have just heard that the surgery on my grotty neck is on 22 December. I have to make my way down to Edinburgh the day before. A taxi has already been booked for the 6 hour journey back to Skye on Christmas Eve - there is no other way of getting home. It has taken 6 months since having the consultation with the neurosurgeon - I am not in the least bothered that it will be around Christmas. This will give me a couple of months recovery time before starting my Spring 2012 teaching schedule in March and April.

It may seem strange that someone like me who has practice complementary medicine and physiotherapy for over 40 years should be so pleased by the prospect of surgery. The simple answer is that I have tried every type of conservative treatment known to man and the arthritic changes in the neck are so bad now that surgery is the only answer. I shall, of course, be taking my arnica with me Next blog very soon but thought I'd better get this one of my chest. As I write this we are being buffeted with storm force winds and snow is blizzards forecast for the next couple of day. Fingers cross the bad weather eases up by Christmas. JRC

Powerful Points - CON 17 - Dan Zhong

Continuing the powerful points theme of a few weeks ago - today is about CON 17 (Ren or CV 17). It is situated at the centre of the chest level with the 4th intercostal space, between the nipples. Some traditional texts say it is forbidden to needle but as long as the needle is inserted no longer that 0.5 cm using a transverse direction - there is usually no problem regards vital organ puncture. Never use a perpendicular approach. It is a major point is treating many heart conditions such as chest constriction, pain and heaviness in the region, palpitation, arrhythmia, wheezing and coughing.

The main use of this point - especially using acupressure is that it calms the mind and spirit and is extensively used in panic attacks, anxiety, grief, sadness, insomnia and hysteria. It is considered to be the anterior aspect of the Heart chakra and, as such, is the most central point in the body. Together with Extra 1 (Yintang) it represents one of the two most powerful points on the body for calming the mind and may be used in many emotional and psychosomatic conditions. As a chakra point its 'partners' that may be used with it so as to give an all round treatment are the Solar Plexus chakra at Con 14, the Intercostal chakra at SP 21 and the Ear chakra at TE 17. All these points may be used in self help as part of a meditation programme or with a client. Check it out

The remarkable EAR

As well as being important when it comes to both hearing and balance, the ear has the most remarkable energy medicine attributes. Acupuncturists have known for a couple of millenia that it is possible to treat very many medical conditions through the ear (auriculotherapy). The body as a whole may be reflected in the ear as the classical inverted foetus. In the past 30 years certain points withing the body of the outer ear have been used in the treatment of many different types of sensitivities, allergic responses, cravings and desires. Examples include helping clients to stop smoking or to try and lose weight by helping the craving to nicotine and food. It is said that there is a direct link between the ear and the hypothalamus, which is the area of the brain that is involved with desires and cravings. This mostly uses electro-acupuncture, although it is possible to help cravings by placing tiny press stud needles in the ear.

The outer ear is, of course, also used in acupressure and body work. One of the ways that clients may begin to reduce their hypertension (high blood pressure) is by literally pulling the ear. I know it sounds crazy, but it works fantastically. They must be relaxed in a chair or lying down. Get them to GENTLY but firmly to pull down on the lobe (pinna) for about two minutes, three times a day. This procedure may be done independently or as part of a meditation session. It will take several days/ a few weeks to reduce the hypertension, but having taught this technique for several years, I can thoroughly recommend it as a 'natural' way of doing this. Have fun - JRC

Loose joints

I'm sure you have all come across clients and patients with loose or 'double' jointedness. I treated an ex army man this week for the second time who had very lax knee ligaments. He was able to hyperextend several cms. from the norm and he had very elastic cruciate ligaments. He'd been having knee pain for several years - the joint was never swollen but it was always 'pressurised'. When I had originally seen hi back in the summer, the predisposing cause of the knee pain was an old ankle sprain that hadn't resolved and even though he had been much improved since then he was still getting some discomfort.

Many years ago I was a practising homoeopath and used to give Nat. Mur. to help strengthen joints - the reason behind this is that loose joints are often associated with salt craving or a life long love affair with too much salt in the diet. Over a period of time the connective tissue become stretched. I asked him to take Nat. Mur. 6 (homoeopathic sodium chloride) for a couple of months. I would bet my mortgage that after this time his knee joints will be tighter and not prone to injury. Have a new look at all those peripheral joint problems with this peculiarity - it may be a solution!

Time moves on!

Oh dear, is it that time already? No I don't mean the hour, but the YEAR! I am just 14 weeks away from my 65th birthday and I am just about to request a Pension Forecast - scary or what! In one way I shall be pleased to retire, but in another I shall not. As the last blog stated I am stopping clinical work at the end of 2011 but intend to carry on teaching and writing until I drop!! At least I won't have any more procrastination excuses about not getting on with the books or with preparing workshops. My retired friends tell me that they don't know how they had time to work, as they don't seem to have a moment's spare time in retirement.

The people I feel most sorry for will be my patients. Here on Skye there isn't exactly a plethora of practitioners for them to see after December. We shall be letting all and sundry know from this week, so we are expecting quite a lot of emotional blackmail and backlash. I joined one of the caring professions all those years ago because I thought I could make a difference - I think that, by and large, I have achieved this - although you always think that you could have done more. I am finally thinking of me and my health and welfare. My cervical spondylosis is now so bad that it takes 2-3 days to recover from a day's clinical work. This means, that if I work 2 or 3 days a week, I am never out of pain (in its many guises) and debility. So please think of me over the next few weeks as I tell each patient the good (bad for them) news. So long from a wet and windy Skye. JRC

Autumn update

How was your Summer? We didn't have the very hot temperatures they experienced in the south of the UK - so that's OK. I shall try and be more diligent in blog writing - I have decided to retire from clinical work at Christmas so will have much more time after that (pigs may fly). Even though I had my consultation with the neurosurgeon back in mid June, the estimated surgery date is the end of March 2012. I could, though, be offered a last minute cancellation at Christmas or New Year - so here's hoping.

Several months ago I was asked to give a 3 day workshop on using acupressure in treating musculo-skeletal conditions in Lincoln. I was assured that there was a lot of interest and I could expect 12-14 people. I confidently booked the trains and hotels. Last week I was told that as funding was not forthcoming there were only 4 attending (and only 3 paying). I am not a greedy person and teach for the love of it, certainly not for financial gain, but I would have lost money. I draw the line at that. It seems to me that many practitioners depend on funding for courses, as money is obviously tight these days. I cannot recoup the train fare - so I have put it down to one of life's experiences.

Contrast that with a 5 day workshop next month in Solihull. This pro rata costs more money and I have no local delegates. Folks are travelling from Rumania, New York, Scotland and many distant regions of the UK. Although I award CPD, they will not be able get funding. When I first qualified as an acupuncturist I couldn't get enough training and education. I travelled everywhere just to learn new methods and techniques. It probably cost a fortune and I had to go without other things. You cannot put a price on education - it is priceless. Even though a course may seemingly cost a small fortune (after travel and accommodation are added), what you learn could be life changing! I pride myself that I offer exhaustive training and I know that scores of delegates have had their practices transformed by what they have learnt. Of course it is a big gamble going on any course - it may be rubbish!! I'll write again soon - JRC

UPDATE

Wow- is it really 6 weeks since the last blog - how time flies. I just want to give you all an update than have another break but then do a regular blog from September. So what has happened since the last posting?

• I am half way through writing the 'Light Touch Reflextherapy' book but looking for a publisher - so may self publish. It should take me another 3/4 months to complete it.
• The A1 size poster to accompany the book (and for workshops) is now with the printers and they will be available at the end of August. I shall do a mail shot and advertising then.
• I have 3 practical workshops in the autumn in Solihull. Response is slow so they may not happen - money is tight in the UK. Next year I am going to Tuscany in April and hope to go the the west coast of the USA in May.
• My wife and I have decided not to take on any more new patients as from mid August - then cut down the clinical workload to 2 days a week. This is mostly due to my deteriorating neck problem.
• I saw a consultant neurosurgeon in Edinburgh last month and I need to have more spinal surgery - this time a spinal decompression and fusion. If I go privately I could have it done next month but if I can hold out I will reach the top of the NHS waiting list in January 2012.
• We are proud parents once more!!! We took on 2 more ducklings 2 days ago. They are too young to go in with the rest of the ducks so they are in their special 'ark' for a few weeks.
• I have travelled to Derbyshire a couple of times lately to see my 89 year old mum who had a stroke in February - she is now in a nursing home. She still cannot swallow or talk too well but at least she's alive! I shall be there again this weekend following a couple of days in London. One of the London highlights is going to the O2 arena to see Placido Domingo and Angela Gheorghiu in concert.
• I'll be back in September but please contact me by email

Core Values and Procedures

Apart from discussing the awful weather we are having in the Highlands (it has rained every day for the past 3 weeks and it is cold - longest day only 3 weeks away) with patients, the topic of conversation is the latest report into bad nursing procedures. There have been graphic reports of how patients in hospital and nursing homes have been neglected, uncared for and sometimes abused by the nursing profession. I have certainly seen from first hand experience some of this a few years ago, so it came as no surprise. I suppose you can say that there is good and bad in every trade and profession and you will always get some people who are more conscientious that others at their job.

The nursing one though goes a bit deeper in that we expect that each and every nurse is caring, after all, isn't that why they enter the profession in the first place. The public expects that every nurse has the Florence Nightingale image. The topic is complicated but one theory of mine is that because nursing is now a degree course i.e. academic, the actual nitty gritty of cleanliness, caring, talking to patients, respecting them as human beings has somehow been lost in the pursuit of academia. Thirty years ago nursing training consisted 25% theory and 75% practice - I know, I did it! Now it is completely the other way around. The excuse of 'not enough staff on the ward to give an adequate service' simply won't wash. I have personally seen cases of neglected patients whilst extended coffee breaks are being taken!

I wonder if there is something similar occurring in my profession of physiotherapy? No I don't mean lack of care particularly, but, again because junior physios have all been to university and spend much more time in theory and less in practical aspects than was the case years ago, that they have lost the practical empathetic nature that was apparent 20 years ago. they don't get involved, they don't get their hands 'dirty' and actually TOUCH their patients. Again the excuse is 'lack of time'. The answer to this lame excuse is that they are round and bounce!!! One can achieve more with a patient or client in 15 minutes by treating them with hands-on procedures that one can ever do by simply teaching a formula of exercises or attaching them to the latest electrotherapy machine. Let me know what you think - JRC

Update

How can it be the middle of May already? Unlike most of the UK, we have had constant rain for several days. Everything is very green and wet (and long) but there is nothing that can be done. Taking a break from important acupoints to give you an update.

Workshops:- I am taking a break this Spring and Summer so I can finish the LTR book and try and get a publisher for it. But this Autumn may be busy. I am off to Birmingham next month to look at a conference centre which, as well as being conveniently positioned to main line railway stations, motorways and Birmingham airport, it is only 15 minutes away from my son's home. If it is any good it could become well used over the next few years. I have also been asked to give workshops in Edinburgh, Lincoln, Italy (Tuscany) and possibly Canada. Details on the web site when I know them.

Posters:- To accompany the LTR book I am in the process of drawing an A1 poster. This should sell well with reflexologists and those who attend my workshops and will represent an 'aide -de-memoir' when treating their clients with this form of reflexology. Later in the year I am hoping to produce a poster on 'Chakrapuncture'. This will accompany the orange book on acupuncture.

Chakrapuncture:- There is now a new web site called chakrapuncture.org that has been brilliantly done by Michel Hamilton of France. Considering that English is not his first language he has made a wonderful effort. It goes into detail about the relationship of the chakras to acupuncture, based on my orange book and is soon to include software that will detail the many relationships of the major and minor chakras. He has also managed to get a publisher for this French translation of the book and finally has got permission from North Atlantic Books. WELL DONE MICHEL!!!

More anon - JRC

Powerful Points - CON 6

Conception (Ren Mai, CV or Con) 6 [Qi Hai] is situated 1.5 cun (two fingers) directly below the umbilicus. It is called the Sea of Energy and, as such, may be tonified (stimulated) to increase general energy depletion in the body. This may be achieved by moxa, needle or pressure techniques. It may be used to treat such conditions and symptoms as chronic tiredness, chronic fatigue syndrome, and weakened immunity. It is also extensively used in treating many abdominal, urological and gynaecological conditions including abdominal distension and pain, bloating and irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, dysmenorrhoea, uterine collapse, frequent urination, sexual dysfunction and impotence.

Con 6 is also considered to be the anterior Sacral Chakra. It is extensively used in yoga and meditation as the focal point in 'hara' breathing. It is linked with the Throat chakra at Con 22 and these two points may be energy balanced with fingers, hands or magnets. By placing the hands on these two points, a terrific sense of well being and relaxation may be achieved not only by the therapist on the client but also as a self help procedure.

Update

Sorry about lack of blogs lately but it is my 'silly' season of being away from home giving workshops and attending conferences as well as being very busy clinically and with writing. The ACPEM conference at the Ammerdown Centre went well - it left me drained but it was all worth it. I had the pleasure of meeting up with John Iams and his son Erick from San Diego, California. John gave us a day seminar on his work with Primal Reflexes and certainly gave more than 200% of what was asked of him. Check out his work - it is some of the fastest hands on work in pain relief that I have met. It was a real coup for ACPEM as we managed to prise him away from the USA for the first time in his life! He needed to buy his first passport at the age of 65! There were also presentations on Fascial release, Feldenkrais and Research into touch therapy. We are back at the same venue next year when we hope to engage some top international speakers - watch this space.

I gave another LTR workshop near Glasgow three weeks ago. It went very well but has convinced me that to do justice to the subject I need to make it a 3 day event instead of 2. I am well into Chapter 3 of the book on Light Touch Reflextherapy and am trying to get a poster off the ground to go with the book and the workshops. I am also doing another poster on Chakrapuncture - to accompany any workshops on that topic and to go with the orange book. I'll carry on with powerful acupoints next blog. Stay well - JRC

Powerful Points - Yintang

This point is situated midway between the eyebrows on the anterior midline (at the glabella). The point is often called Gov 24.5 as it lies on the Governor channel. What were our forefathers thinking of when they did not make it a Governor meridian acupoint? It is one of the most powerful and versatile points on the body! The point is used extensively in clearing the mind, easing pain and treating conditions of the ear, nose and eyes and is much used in hormonal imbalance. Symptoms and conditions include anxiety, insomnia, depression, frontal headache, lethargy, hormonal imbalance and many disorders that affect the eyes, nose and ears.

Yintang is usually referred to as the anterior aspect of the Brow (Ajna) chakra and, as such, may be used in isolation or with other acupoints in the tretament of many endocrine imbalances due to its effect on the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. It is also a point used with those who are easily affected by adverse or perverse radiation (sick building syndrome or the individual reacting to power lines, computer screens etc.). The point is also extensively used in yoga, meditation and many of the Eastern arts.

One of the most effective ways of using this point is in conjunction with Gov 16 (at the base of the skull). Gov 16 is said to be the posterior aspect of the Brow chakra. It may be used as self help or with patients as a wonderful duo of points in the treatment of anxiety, stress, headache and migraine and for clearing the mind. Try it - it's wonderful! More soon.

Powerful Points - Gov 20

Governor (Gov) (GV) (Du Mai) 20 is situated on the dorsal midline at the apex of the head. It is exactly half way between the middle of the eyebrows and the base of the skull, and in a direct line between the fronts of both ears. It is considered to be the most 'Yang' point on the body and has many different functions and uses - mostly in bodywork but occasionally using acupuncture or moxa.

It helps to clear the mind and is a great 'calming' point if it is slightly stretched between the fingers (not massaged). Other symptoms and conditions include apoplexy, dizziness, headache, migraine, anxiety, stage fright, vertigo, hypertension, blurred vision and mental agitation. When this point is massaged or used with moxa (burning herb) it is very useful for improving energy and circulation to the opposite end of the Governor channel i.e. haemorrhoids.

Its main property, though, is that it is the physical acupoint of the Crown (Sarasrara) chakra. It colloquially called the Thousand Petalled Lotus and is where a person is connected to their spiritual selves via the aura that houses the subtle bodies. It is therefore extensively used in many forms of yoga, mediation, Eastern arts and chakra balancing and healing.

Be very careful not to 'over treat' this point as the client can easily become 'spaced out' and feel faint. It is great in self help acupressure in anxiety and mental agitation.

Powerful points - GOV 14

Governor (Du Mai or Gov) 14 is located between the spinous processes of C7 and T1 in the mid line. The point lies at the centre of a parallelogram of forces with one axis being the spine and the other being the horizontal line shoulder to shoulder. The area is therefore prone to much physical tension and stress. This very powerful acupoint is at the intersection of five different meridians (some are deep channels) so is influential in many energy imbalances.

Symptoms of imbalance include pain and stiffness of the neck, cervical spondylosis, trapezius spasm, fibromyalgia, colds, cough and sore throat, wheezing, palpitations, poor memory, poor concentration, tinnitus, headache, migraine and hypertension.

This point is also the posterior aspect of the Throat (Vishuddha) Chakra and is used in conjunction with the anterior aspect at Con 22. It may be use therefore with constipation, shyness, inability to express feelings and emotions and respiratory conditions.

Prior to using the point with bodywork, acupressure or acupuncture I always feel it is a good idea to 'clear the area' by giving the client/patient some deep massage around the region, especially into the trapezius muscle. I also do some localised fascial release work around the point, combining it with energy balancing the point to bilateral LI 15 at the shoulders and GOV 4 in the lumbar spine. Please warn the client they could feel 'banjaxed' after the session as a great deal of accumulated stress can be released. One may also use this point as part of a self help procedure. Feedback please. - JRC

Powerful acupoints - Gov 2

Governor (Gov) 2 - located on the mid line between the sacrum and coccyx. It is considered to be the alternative point to Gov 1 which, due to its location by the anus, is not normally used. In some ways it could be the most important point on the body as it could be used in every chronic condition of the spine, kidneys, bladder, any 'bone' condition and any hereditary or congenital condition. It is said to be the body's main 'earthing' or grounding point. In Ayurvedic medicine it is considered to be the Base (Muladhara) chakra. A strong Base chakra will keep us on the ground with regards to our mental and emotional attitudes.

The point is used as a focal point in qigong and tai chi and is much used in meditation and yoga. It is a great point for clearing the mind as well as stabilizing the emotions as there is a direct link with the Crown chakra at Gov 20 on top of the head. The Base chakra is also associated with the adrenal medulla and cortex, the former being responsible for the production of adrenaline and the latter cortisone. In everyday practice it is used in spinal conditions as well as chronic forms of arthritis. I shall describe how to use Gov 2 with massage in treating chronic low back pain.

With the patient lying prone on the couch, slowly introduce the middle finger to Gov 2 after seeking permission from the patient to do so! I always do some preparatory massage to the lower spinal region beforehand so treating Gov 2 is part and parcel of the whole treatment. Locate the point with the pad of the middle finger and proceed to 'work the point' in a clockwise motion for approximately half a minute. You are attempting to build up the energy around the point and it will not happen in less time. You often need over two minutes. When you are confident that you have created a warm glow around the point, try just holding the point with the middle finger whilst placing the left hand over the lumbar spine. Within a couple of minutes you should experience a 'one-ness' between your hands when the whole area should glow and feel much more relaxed. As with all bodywork, the action of your hands should be augmented with the action of your mind by having Focus and Intention at all times (see earlier postings on this topic). If you find that you are not experiencing any obvious changes in the tissues, try massaging the Key point for the Base chakra - LR 8 until the energies emerge. LR 8 is situated at the very medial aspect of the knee joint - it will be acutely tender if treatment is needed.

Gov 2 may also be used in conjunction with many other points on the body when dealing with chronic, long lasting conditions. Next time - Gov 14

Powerful acupoints - Introduction

I thought I would do a series of postings on the use of powerful energy reflex and acupoints (I personally feel that these two are synonymous) that will help the body worker, physiotherapist, reflex therapist etc. augment their work.

Firstly what do we mean by powerful points. I guess you can define them as being points with the following attributes:-

1. They are used often in everyday therapy
2. They have several uses and may be used to effect more than one system i.e. musculo-skeletal, organic, emotional etc.
3. Although they may be augmented with using other points, they are generally 'stand alone' points.
4. In my latest book on 'A Concise book of Acupoints' I have given each of these powerful points a 5* rating.
5. They may be used with pressure, massage, needle, moxa, magnets, colour or any other way to effect their energetic potential.
6. They are generally utilized as major and minor chakra points, although there are some exceptions

We shall kick off in the next blog by describing GOV 2.

I am now diving for cover as we are about to experience storm force winds for the next 24 hours.

Gratification

Almost the end of the interminably long month of January - Spring is just around the corner!! I always was a 'half full' as opposed to 'half empty' man. In the Highlands and Islands today we are now back to the seasonable norm - wet and windy. The ice and snow was sooo unusual, we hope that it is the end of that stuff until next year.

When I first started on the road of being a professional therapist, one of the first things that was imprinted on my brain by one of my mentors was that of not worrying about money!! He told me that if my heart was pure and if I treated my patients with honesty and humility then I would never go short. Although there have been times in my life, mostly due to being unable to work because of illness, that finances have been very low, I have never lost sight of the ethos of giving for the sake of giving and not just for reward. Of course we all need to live and to survive, but one should never, ever work in any type of medicine just for monetary gain.

I don't write this blog or answer questions on the 'All Experts' web site for personal gain. I certainly do not write books and articles for personal gain - unless you are a J.K. Rowling there is no money in being an author. I am pleased to do it. I gain satisfaction and gratification from colleagues writing and telephoning to thank me for the pleasure they have had in reading my replies to their questions or by reading my books. This is worth more to me than any financial reward. Similarly it has always given me a buzz to see practitioners express their innate gifts during workshops that I run.

On the subject of books - I am now writing the Light Touch Reflextherapy book and well into the second chapter. It is to be a short and user friendly tome to augment the workshop and to help the thousands of therapists who work with foot reflexes in seeing their art in a different way. My first workshop of the calendar year is near Glasgow on 19-20 March on this topic.
All the best - JRC

New Year Grumpy

As it is very early in the new year, I thought I would get off my chest a few 'grumps' and pet hates, mostly linked to television viewing- let me know if any of you agree with me. I could be that I am just a grumpy old man and am the only person in the world who thinks like this - I doubt it though.

1. Like most people I like to watch sport on the TV. If I miss it live, I like to watch edited highlights or replays. Why do the TV companies insist in playing mind numbing pop music to accompany the replays - music wasn't played in the original, so why add it afterwards??
2. It seems to me that at the commencement of most drama, travel, documentary or serial the viewer is subject to snatches of what is about to unfold over the following hour or so -WHY? I realise that it is to whet our appetites, but often it is just the best bits that are shown, so it is a waste of time watching the programme as you have already seen it!
3. Similarly, at the end of the show, next week's highlights are shown!! Is there no suspense any more? Why are we treated as morons and having the memory of a goldfish?
4. Humour has gone downhill in amazing leaps and bounds over the last decade. I can just about put up with canned laughter, but humour has descended to the lavatorial to such an extent that it has now become the norm. Nothing is 'subtle' anymore in situation comedy. Having served in the armed forces for several years I became used to the so called 'barrack room' humour, but I don't want it pushed down my throat via the television.
5. Of course we are all supposed to tow the line when it comes to being politically correct (PC), but when did we start to call actresses actors? Aren't they proud of being female? I have the honour of being Chairman of a national committee. I am NOT a Chair PERSON, and I am certainly not a CHAIR - that is for sitting on!! PC gone mad!

Let me know if some of these strike a chord. - Happy New Year - JRC

Happy New Year

Unless you follow the Chinese calendar, I guess you have just celebrated the new year. As you know, I live in Scotland, where New Year (or Hogmanay) is celebrated with much more enthusiasm than Christmas. To me, though, it is just another day. It seems to me that for some, it just an excuse to get drunk, knowing that they have a couple of days off afterwards in which to recover. Some 'hands on' self help advice below for those of you who have embibed more than you should have done.

Two acupoints spring to mind in overcoming some of the symptoms of hangover, namely headache and nausea. These two points should also help with dehydration, although there is NO substitute for drinking at least three litres of pure water during each day for three days.

Liver 3 (LR 3) is to be found in the web between the great toe and 2nd toe and is said to be the Source point of the liver, and, as such affects the organ better than any other point. It will help with headache, stress, liverishness and the general feeling of malaise that whisky often gives. Stomach 36 (ST 36) is found at the lateral aspect of the tibial tubercle within the tibialis anterior muscle. It is the great point for nausea and sickness, as well as helping the body recover its energy equilibrium. It probably represents the best point on the body in enabling recovery from illness (even self inflicted). Do NOT press or massage these points too hard, it will not help any more!

I don't expect that any of my readers will need this advice (perish the thought) but could be good advice to off your clients. Many thanks for looking at my blog over 2010 and look forward to welcoming you in 2011. JRC