Where does the body end and the mind begin? Where does the mind end and the body begin? Recently, the physical sciences are proving what ancient mystics have been saying for thousands of years. Namely, there is no point where the mind and body separate and become two distinct entities. Science and the mystics say the two components of mind and body are two aspects of one indivisible being. Our bodies are the physical material while our mind is the non-physical, formless substance.
Here, usually arises the subject of God or creator. For this blog I would like to stay with the smaller, but equally important subject of our human experience as it relates to health, life, illness and suffering. Medical science is founded on biology and chemistry – the material aspect of ourselves, which can be more easily measured, seen, touched and many believe “proved.” Physics uses math to explain non-physical realities such as gravity, light, waves, movement, inertia, and so forth.
At first blush, these two sciences appear to oppose each other. However, the Chinese symbols for yin and yang remind us that opposites complement and support each other. These two different branches of science are merging together to bring us to a larger and more expansive view of our human reality. There is no point where the mind (non-physical) and the body (physical) separate — they are a continuum of each other.
Where the point gets confused is in the doctor’s or practitioner’s clinic. Patients suffering from pain, debility and confusion feel they are experiencing something separate from themselves and they have sought out the doctor or practitioner to help them “get rid of it!” Telling a patient that their stomach pain or elbow tendonitis is in their head easily makes the patient defensive and resistant. The doctor or practitioner, wanting to help, often offers substances (food, herbs, supplements, drugs, etc.) to change or aid in the process of “getting rid of it.”
Yet, even with elbow tendonitis, Chinese medical physicians have observed for thousand of years that two people doing the same task will not have the same effects. So, how can typing (alone) be the sole cause of the tendonitis as an example?
What do you think? This is such a vast and exciting subject that is open for discussion. The more we talk and open our minds the closer we are to approaching a truth that can benefit us all.
Allen Arnette, DC, LAc
Doctor of Chiropractic
Licensed Acupuncturist
Healing Tip of the Week
Modern research and ancient wisdom confirm that regular deep breathing bestows many benefits. From the level of your navel draw a deep breath through the nose to fill up the lungs to just under the collarbones. Hold. Release the breath at the same rate you drew in the breath. Repeat three times. Try it throughout the day to increase stamina and focus.
At the Advanced Wellness Center, providing the latest information about alternative therapies is just one of the ways we partner with you in the pursuit of good health. We promise to share a wide range of interesting health-related topics from weight loss and sports injury rehabilitation, to the use of acupuncture and Oriental medicine in the treatment of allergies, as well as current research about the benefits of massage. We look forward to reading your feedback.
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At the Advanced Wellness Center, we are committed to keeping the information current on this site and look forward to sharing our insights with you via this blog.
Mark deDubovay, DC
Doctor of Chiropractic
Certified Traditional Naturopath
Healing Tip of the Week
As our economy struggles to move past the collapse of the financial markets, it is important to take note of the effects this extra stress places on your body. Remember to take some slow, deep breaths to relax during stressful times and let the tension flow out of your neck and shoulders.
The weather is heating up and with it the approach of bathing suit season. As an advocate and teacher of healthy weight loss, I anticipate the questions about fad diets and quick tricks. Instead of tricks, I teach my clients how to have a healthy relationship with food and a balanced diet. If you’ve been trying to lose weight with little or no success, here are a few things that might be stopping you:
- Have you cut way back on your caloric intake and not experienced weight loss? Not eating does not necessarily make you lose weight. In fact, it will actually cause your body to gain fat.
- Do you drink enough water? Proper hydration is a great way to shed pounds.
- Are you focusing on losing weight to be healthy? Switch your thinking; a healthy body will want to be a healthy weight, so focus on your nutrition and exercise. Weight loss will follow.
- Do you snack throughout the day? The little things add up, a candy here, a soda there a couple of chips or a handful of popcorn all carry calories that will deter you from your health goals.
Many of my clients feel like they’ve done everything possible to maintain a healthy weight, but nothing seems to work. If this is true for you, you may have a food allergy. Knowing which foods your body negatively responds to will get you on the right track to optimal health.
Keep in mind that you need both diet and exercise to reach your optimal weight. With this savvy you’ll be ready for summer in no time — all you need now is your sunscreen!
Rebecca Rebmann, CTN
Board Certified Traditional Naturopath
Healing Tip of the Week
Sometimes it’s not what you eat – it’s what you drink. Reducing your soda and alcohol intake can have a great impact on your overall health. When you look at a glass of soda or a cocktail, just picture a giant candy bar, that’s exactly what your stomach sees. These drinks have as much sugar as some of their candy counterparts.
