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.