During the Covid-19 pandemic, more people were coping with its consequences by staying inside more, contributing to depression, anxiety and many other issues. Drug overdoses have skyrocketed at an alarming rate. This is a very complicated issue, with no apparent simple solution. I feel that our American culture is deeply broken, as so many people look to outside means to find mental stimulation and personal happiness. Abuse of drugs, alcohol, the internet and social media are determining factors in the health and well-being of our population. Fentanyl abuse is now more in the media and political spotlight as many see this as a major healthcare issue.
There has been a near 30% rise from the same period of time, a year earlier and a near-doubling over the past five years. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that from May 2020 to April 2021, more than 100,000 people have died from drug overdoses in the US. The CDC report another 107,375 deaths in 2022.
Fentanyl is synthetic opioid and accounted for the majority of those drug overdose deaths being about 64,000. Fentanyl is often used as a painkiller, being 50-100 times more potent than morphine. A mere 2 milligrams can be deadly. Often Fentanyl is cut in with counterfeit Oxycontin, Percocet or other drugs.
Fentanyl comes into the use as chemicals ingredients of the drug, coming in from China, India or Mexico for production by drug cartels in Mexico and then later smuggled into the US.
The current White House administration put $4 billion in funding from the Covid-19 relief package, toward reducing overdose deaths, including increasing services for substance use disorder and mental health. Hopefully, resources will be put towards addressing the root factors of drug abuse, and not just treating the symptoms.
I teach classes, seminars, and private instruction focusing on methods of wellness from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tai Chi, Qigong, acupressure and exercises from martial arts for fitness and improved health. 407-234-0119.
If you follow the news these days, it seems like people are dropping dead left and right. Violence, shootings, suicides, drug overdoses, cardiac arrest and a host of other health-related issues have seemingly increased dramatically over the last few years. I encourage you to do your own diligent research, if these issues are of importance to you.
Do you know how to perform CPR?
Do you know how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver for a person who is choking?
Can you help someone who is bleeding profusely?
What do you do if someone is having a seizure?
Do you consider yourself to have the sufficient mental and physical fortitude to step up when the call comes?
Trauma, when experienced personally or through others in our presence, has the tendency to show us the true reality of our character. Will you be part of the bystander effect, where a group does nothing to help, or the Good Samaritan, where one reacts selflessly in the face of danger? As the saying goes, “when seconds matter, help is minutes away.
In our extremely polarized society of today, people are often shamed, shunned or ostracized for not caring enough about others’ health. But are any of us capable of preserving another’s life in their time of need? First responders? Hopefully. The average person, NO. Most people cannot even save themselves in a life-threatening situation, let alone another in drastic circumstances. If we choose to pontificate on how much we care about others, maybe we should actually learn how to save a life. More accurate would be to hopefully “preserve” or “prolong” a life, as we are mere humans and cannot save anyone or any living thing from their inevitable demise. We can only offer to do our best.
Far below is a graphic for understanding the basic steps of CPR. GO LEARN HOW TO DO IT!
I am additionally offering here some priceless tools to help revive someone if they become unconscious. Acupressure (no needles) and its parent of acupuncture (needles) from Traditional Chinese medicine, has been around for a few thousand years. There are specific techniques that can be used to help resuscitate in addition to CPR training. If you are in need of more information or instruction beyond what is available here on applying these techniques, contact me or other qualified experts in this field.
These are techniques that I was taught over 40 years ago from my martial arts masters and Traditional Chines Medicine teachers to help with stress, headaches and especially LOSS of CONSCIOUSNESS. If you are concerned about the legitimacy or efficacy of these types of techniques, I encourage you to do some of your own research as I have for many years. I have actually used these techniques to help revive others either from over-exertion, illness or trauma, more times than I can remember; maybe 50-100 times. Most often acupoints 1-10 work quite well for feinting and dizziness, and where 11-18 are used progressively for loss of consciousness, lack of breath and weak or nonexistent pulse. Striking of the perineum, also know as the huiyin point, conception vessel-1, or CV-1, is quite invasive and used only for the most dire of circumstances. Kidney-1 (KI-1) is just below the ball on the bottom of the foot, as is often used instead of CV-1.
It is no coincidence that most of these acupoints are the same ones used to strike and disable a physical attacker.
Copy, print, or share this image – it might come in handy!
Copy, print, or share this image – it might come in handy!
Auriculotherapy is another method of acupuncture and/or acupressure, where the qi or energy meridians are accessed from the inner and outer portions of the ear (auricle). Acupuncture needles are often used for treatments but there are also small seeds or steel pellets can be adhered to the skin to provide longer lasting stimulation usually lasting a few days. For some issues of pain, relief can be experienced within minutes from the start of the procedures. There are usually no complications nor side-effects while patients are subjected to very little or no discomfort.
I have had auricular therapy in the past from my TCM doctor at the time. I learned some of the techniques from her at the time and have since learned even more from other TCM doctors as well as qigong and martial arts masters, enabling me to provide my own successful treatments for backache, headaches, and seasonal allergies.
Almost 13 years ago the U.S. Air Force begin training physicians deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan on how to use these methods. These techniques are quite easy and quick for most people to learn. The doctors would apply small and fine needles to wounded service members and local patients for pain relief.
At the time, the term “battlefield acupuncture” was used, even though these techniques have been in use probably for hundreds of years and not necessarily to soldiers nor on the battlefield. This battlefield acupuncture was not purposely designed to replace conventional medical care for war-related injuries, but rather to help in pain relief and possibly eliminate the need for pain medications for acute and chronic pain.
Other TCM doctors are using auricular therapy for various issues or other benefits such as studies on the use of auriculotherapy with distance runners to increase performance.
I have found some information to be somewhat critical of auricular therapy (and TCM in general as well). Usually, it is the same issues with Western medicine having lack of scientific data or a desire not to deviate from the allopathic medical model. If these methods have existed in other cultures for hundreds, if not thousands of years, maybe there is something there to be studied further.
Traditional Chinese Medicine offers an amazing amount of knowledge, methods and alternative options to manage trauma, chronic pain and many other issues, beyond using surgery, opiates and anti-inflammatories.
I teach classes, seminars, and private instruction focusing on methods of wellness from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tai Chi, Qigong, acupressure and exercises from martial arts for fitness and improved health. 407-234-0119.
The human brain functions as an expansive network of roughly 86 to 90 billion neurons. This network contains two distinct modes of the awake brain, to engage in thought processes. The first mode of the brain is the task positive network (TPN) or focused mode (Dal Lin et al., 2015). Focused mode is engaged when we are actively paying attention, in the present moment, or concentrating upon tasks using short-term memory, as the brain processes information deemed as very important, interesting, or even sometimes dangerous. For example, if you are engaged in an interesting movie, you may not notice time passing by because your thoughts are focused on what is happening in the movie. If one’s life was to be threatened by a venomous snake, they might become extremely focused upon not moving too quickly, while also keeping their focus on the movement of that snake. Playing a musical instrument, riding a bike, taking a test, or using a knife while cooking are other examples of using this first mode of the brain – focused mode. We often enjoying being in this mode, in spite of not spending the majority of our time here. However, too much time in focus mode left unchecked, can often lead to stress and relative psychological and physiological disorders.
Lin, Carlo & Poretto, Anna & Scodro, Marta & Marra, Martina & Iliceto, Sabino & Tona, Francesco. (2015). Coronary microvascular and endothelial function regulation: Crossroads of psychoneuroendocrine immunitary signals and quantum physics [Part C]. Journal of Integrative Cardiology. 1. 10.15761/JIC.1000137.
The second mode of the brain is called the default mode network (DMN), the turbid mind or sometimes it is referred to as the “monkey mind”. In this mode we occupy 50-80 percent of our time with this wandering attention, juggling about 150 undone tasks at any particular time. When we perform mundane tasks, such as getting dressed, taking a shower, brushing our teeth, driving to work, or maybe jogging around the block, our mind is often wandering elsewhere. Our brain is not really focusing much on the physical task at hand but rather thinking of other issues or events elsewhere. We sometimes refer to this as multitasking. Our mind is constantly wandering in and out of the past, present, and future. Becoming and staying focused on specific tasks is a large challenge for the human brain.
Humans have a neural predisposition for our mind to wander. Research studies have shown that the more time we spend in the default mode of wandering thoughts, the greater our risk of psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, attention deficiency, dementia, and many others. We constantly toggle between the wandering and focus modes all day long. A major challenge for us, is not to focus solely on negative aspects. We have a tendency to get complacent with the positive aspects within our lives, and then start to focus on more negative thoughts (negativity bias) of safety, survival and imperfections in ourselves and those around us. If we are mainly focused upon negative thoughts, our brain will continue to evolve mostly around these as a means to bring us peace, comfort, and happiness, in spite of being rooted in stressful thoughts. However, we can deliberately control our mind-wandering. When the brain utilizes a particular neural network, it can become stronger. If we spend a certain amount of time practicing on focusing our thoughts on the present moment, this action may become a habit. People can change how they behave and how they think, as a method to decrease harmful mind-wandering. In the clinical setting, this is called cognitive behavioral therapy and can be quite helpful for managing anxiety, depression, and other disorders.
Our personal happiness has very much to do with having good health, adequate nutrition, positive social interactions, and other resources often not that of wealth, fame, or celebrity. Happiness comes from within an individual, as an inner state of awareness. We can cultivate our happiness. One way is to form a habit to practice deliberate mental exercises. Simple behavior tasks can take about 21 days of repletion to become a habit, whereas more complex or difficult behavior adjustments may take 66-88 days to master, depending upon the individual and their particular circumstances (Morris, 2022).
Tai chi, qigong and yoga are all methods that specifically focus upon mindfulness and the switching from the default network mode (DNM) to that of the task positive (focused) mode.
References:
Dal Lin, C., Poretto, A., Scodro, M., Perazzolo Marra, M., Iliceto, S., & Tona, F. (2015). Coronary microvascular and endothelial function regulation: Crossroads of psychoneuroendocrine immunitary signals and quantum physics [Part C]. Journal of Integrative Cardiology, 1(5). https://doi.org/10.15761/jic.1000137
I write often about topics that affect our health and well-being. Additionally, I teach and offer lecture about qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga. I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:
Various theories exist as to how energy and thought manifest in physical form within and around the human body. These concepts seem new to Western culture, although other cultures have accepted their existence at least for many generations if not, thousands of years. Some modern personality theories have a close relationship with ancient philosophies (some may call these religions) of Taoism, Buddhism and Hinduism that have existed and been studied for thousands of years. There seems to me to be quite some overlap and maybe even borrowing from the ancients. Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs also reflects similarities to the 7 chakras found in Buddhism and Hinduism. The 7 chakras or energy centers are thought to hold mental as well as physical aspects of human development. For example, the 1st chakra is the root chakra, similar to Maslow’s basic needs of safety, survival, and primal instincts. The 7th chakra, also called the crown, corresponds to understanding, transcendence and enlightenment, similar to the where Maslow’s self-actualization where an individual struggles with morality and ethics. Again, these are familiar concepts and goals within other Eastern practices of philosophy and/or religion. Whether discussing chakras, dan tiens, energy meridians or the hierarchy of needs, all are intrinsically connect to our thoughts affecting our bodies, as well as our bodies affecting our thoughts.
Chakras
Coming from traditional Indian medicine, there exist 7 energy centers within the human body. These points are considered the focal points for the reception and transmission of energies. Some believe believe the chakras interact with the body’s ductless endocrine glands and lymphatic system by feeding in positive energies and disposing of unwanted negative energies. Each chakra in your spinal column is believed to influence or direct bodily functions near its region of the spine.
Dan Tiens
There are 3 Dan Tien, or energy centers within the human body. The upper Dan Tien is located between the eyebrows and is associated with higher awareness. The middle Dan Tien is located near the center of the chest and effects he immune system by stimulating the heart and lungs. The lower Dan Tien is located just below the naval and effects the storage of energy in the kidneys.
Energy Meridians
There are 12 main medians and 8 other special meridians within the human body. Meridians are similar to electrical wires or nerves. They run from the top of the head to the tips of the toes and finger. Each meridian is associated with an internal organ. When there is a lack of flow or blockage within the meridians, health problems can arise. Through proper diet, exercises and life style, it is possible to keep the chi flowing through the meridians.
_____________
Be more active, eat healthier, sleep better, stress less these are the key components to maintaining a strong immune system.
I am currently offering lectures and classes for group, small group & private instruction in Wekiva, Longwood and Winter Park.Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo
I try to pursue a healthy and nutritional diet, with salmon as a source of protein, fats and other vitamins. I do eat salmon 1-2 days per week. Choosing to purchase hormone-free, antibiotic-free salmon from either my local grocer (Publix) or Costco which both claim to sell these types of fish. I recently reviewed an article regarding salmon, that seems very relative to today’s current public debates over what is considered healthy or not. Or how, big corporations have become demonized (sometimes rightfully so) for promoting food or healthcare products with questionable health benefits. I have previously known about most of these issues that the article brought up, but thought it would be good information to share to a wider audience. We only have so many options for our food products, so we need to be even more diligent in reading labels and doing the research on foods in question.
The article I chose to review is entitled “Salmon – The way they live, the food they eat, and the effect on us” by Douglas Frantz and his wife Catherine Collins. Both authors seem to have strong journalism credentials where Frantz was a managing editor at the Los Angeles Times and where he shared a Pulitzer Prize as a foreign correspondent at the New York Times. Later he was chief investigator for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and an assistant secretary of state in the Obama administration. Collins was a reporter and foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune and also a contributor to the New York Times and Los Angeles Times. She later became a private investigator where she specialized in international financial fraud. I could not find any personal reasons or information as to why these two chose to investigate the salmon industry.
The article attempts to bring some light onto the discussion of how salmon consumption has been promoted by doctors and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its health benefits. The authors state that there often exists false marketing of salmon, as being a certified-natural product, organic, sustainable, and naturally raised. The USDA has no approve definition of what exactly is organic salmon. Sustainability comes into question when we learn that salmon are carnivores that feed on other fish. In order to farm salmon on a large commercial scale, salmon need their diet supplemented from other sources that require more acquisition of proteins from larvae, algae or bacteria. Natural is questionable as the ground fish feed used to sustain the salmon, contains chemicals and antibiotics. Salmon are farmed in crowded cages for years that have parasites within them.1
Salmon comes to the US mostly from far away. A whopping 90% of our salmon is farmed Atlantic salmon, raised then and then flown in from Chile, Canada, Norway, and Scotland. The remaining 10% is mostly wild-caught Pacific salmon commercially harvested from Alaska. Alaska is one of the few places that wild salmon are still fished commercially.1
I think that Frantz and Collins offered a fairly neutral stance as far as presenting the information. One can debate this as being more or less sensationalized depending upon your viewpoint on this particular issue. I did not get the feeling of sensationalism however it is quite sobering to hear that farmed salmon have their own health risks of disease, parasites, and predators. In 2020 the government of Norway reported that 52 million fish died before harvest and in 2019 the figure was 53 million. The government of Scotland reported the mortality rate for farmed salmon quadrupled between 2002 and 2019. And in 2019, Newfoundland had more salmon died in cages than were harvested.1
The authors do report that there are some positive tentative actions being done to hopefully move to change the salmon industry to being more reputable in regard to natural, organic, and sustainable. This would include a contest of some sort, by a collaboration of governments, academic researchers, nutritionists and the private sector, with the goal of enticing fish feed companies to develop alternatives to the existing feed products.1 This issue of how to feed the salmon that will eventually feed humans seems to be a major issue in regard to sustainability, and at what cost?
This article does give many insights at how far the salmon industry has veered off from years back where salmon were not farm raised with chemicals and antibiotics. Going back to the late 1700’s and the Industrial Revolution, the decline in salmon consumption was due to waste being dumped directly into rivers and streams. By the mid-1800’s, the salmon population was reduced further by commercial fishing. Additionally, construction of dams and mills destroyed fish habitats and blocked salmon rivers.1 The authors do not come off as experts in the field of nutrition but rather as experts in investigative reporting as noted in their background information.
There is is good and bad in everything (yin and yang) and it is our individual responsibility to research what food or healthcare products with questionable health benefits, we consume or use.
United Martial Arts Association 