Through my own therapeutic journey and nearly 12 years of clinical bodywork practice, I have found that inner disharmony of the digestive system is a leading cause in physiological and psychological distress. Within the diagnostic lens of Chinese Medicine and Massage and Bodywork, my passion lies within the discovery of root causes.
The ancient Taoists realized that the body’s Qi, (life force energy) circulates in the nervous system, blood vessels, connective tissues, lymph, bones and cells. The ancients identified a bidirectional relationship between emotions and the organs, and developed a treatment strategy to clear blockages and toxins within the organs, channels and vessels.
The results, a clear mind, a clear body and resilience against dis-ease.
Affecting posture, emotions, respiration, digestion, and energy metabolism, various hormones and neurotransmitters relay information from the gut to the brain via the most remarkable line of communication, the vagus nerve. Here lies the masterful irrigation for our inner garden. This is the intersection of the psyche and soma, mind and body.
The solar plexus or celiac plexus is the largest gathering of your “gut brain” located just above the navel and below the diaphragm. When our bodies physically cave into the pathogenic factors of life (stress, diet, environment, posture, negative emotions etc.) the capacity for exchange is constricted, like a kink in the garden hose. Disturbances in the connective tissue (knots) result in the gradual obstruction of energy circulation and can cause stasis, pain and limited capacity for blood and oxygen exchange.
How we tend to our inner gardens determine the health of our bodies most vital functions.
The research on gut and brain health is now finding that the microbiome of the gastrointestinal system is directly related to mental health. Energy, clarity, mood, memory and focus are all caveats of a well functioning gut.
While there are many ways to address imbalances within the gut-brain axis, there is only one simple fact. What we eat determines our health. Want to learn more? Sign up for my Free step-by-step guide: Great Gut’s, Great Mind’s.
While addressing what we eat is paramount, other modalities are used to promote detox and vagal nerve regulation. Abdominal detox massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing for the repair of our natural microbiome and the detox+elimination function. Abdominal acupuncture and herbal medicine are notably recognized for treating gastrointestinal symptoms, mental health and more.
A clear, functioning gut is a clear, functioning mind!
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