Victoria’s Read

Summer is a time when we shake off winters grasp and venture out into the sun.  With that comes pollen and dust exposure, tired muscles and digestive upsets from all the fun. The good news is there are acupressure points to help ease the discomforts.

Allergies often take the shine off of summer and there are a few points to help with symptoms. LI4 (in the web of the hand) is a main point for congestive issues and it also helps with constipation if your summer diet doesn’t agree with you. A good point to dispel heat and congestion is GV10 (on the spine in-line with the tips of the shoulder blades). Have someone tap this point for 3-5min. and you should notice that breathing eases and burning sensations decrease. For sneezing, tapping on BL2 (inside end of eyebrows near eye sockets) will help calm sneezing, relieve sinus headaches and helps clear heat.

Heat is a common issue and the above points that dissipate heat will help along with placing feet on a cool hard surface. In cases where heat is very uncomfortable an ice cube under each foot on KD1 (in the notch just between the ball of the foot and the arch on the center line) will help cool and calm the body.

Indigestion from cook outs, picnics or fast-food are also common complaints. Some points that will help are: CV16 (on the notch on the bottom of the breast bone), it will help calm and strengthen the stomach and loosen the chest. If diarrhea strikes SP6 (on the inside of the ankle three fingers above the ankle bone) will help calm the urges and are perfectly accessible while you sit and contemplate what you may have eaten. This point (SP6) is an avoid point for those pregnant.

Water, stay hydrated and make sure your urine output is roughly equal to your water intake daily. It should be clear and slightly yellow. A good rule for water intake according to the International Sports Medicine Institute is ½ ounce per pound of body weight if you’re not active (that’s ten eight-ounce glasses if you weigh 160 pounds) and 2/3 ounce per pound if you’re athletic (13 to 14 glasses a day, at the same weight). This far exceeds the 8 glasses commonly reported in the press! Also according to the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, your body takes time to respond to dehydration. There is lag between water loss and thirst. In hot weather, this means that when you body “feels” thirsty, you are actually 16-18 ounces “down” at that point. Enjoy summer, stay well, stay strong… you deserve it.

Interested in these therapies and ways to help yourself? 
E-mail us at info@ohanawellness.ca  or visit us online at www.OhanaWellness.ca.

©Darren Renaud  Natural Health Practitioner