OCTOBER 18, 2011 CHANGE=FEAR= DISEASE

"The key to change ... is to let go of fear."

Change can be challenging. Change is fearful for most of us. Change could mean a new dwelling, a new relationship, new work, or letting go of an old relationship. It could mean positive changes in your overall health. Change is good. Some individuals are incapable of changing. Here is somthing to keep in mind: Only you can change. You cannot expect others in your life to change. If you have expectations of others changing, you most likely-- if not definitely will be disappointed.

The aim of any treatment for an individual is CHANGE. It is changing the body's ability to deal with pressure. The pressure is usually caused by the wrong dietary lifestyle and other stresses. I want to help the individual achieve a state of health and vitality so the body can deal with the symptoms instead of attacking the symptoms. Disagreement or conflict can manifest as arthritis symptoms. Dr. Sarno wrote a great book outlining back pain and what I call psychological disharmony.

For instance if you look at life with a tense, intensive and/or defensive attitude, you are feeding disease-- especially arthritis . You can reduce bone on bone pain by reducing friction in your life.

Improving the emotional/psychosocial aspects of your life is a tremendous help when you find yourself combating a disease. This is not saying that conventional drugs, herbs and supplements will not work for your arthritis. They all will work, but you will be much better if you change your attitude towards life. You also need to change your dietary lifestyle from acidic to alkaline.

Do you get a cup of coffee as soon as you wake up? If you do you must change that! You need to consume protein first and then if you wish, the cup of coffee (without sugar). Eat more fresh vegetables and fruit and fewer processed foods. Drinking a cup of water with fresh lemon squeezed into it will help reduce the acidity in your body. Citrus fruits, in spite of their citric acid appear to have an alkaline reaction in the body. Eat leafy green vegetables, too.

There are many herbs used for arthritis. Many herbalists use white willow bark, ginger, tumeric and boswellia. I use these too, but I have found other herbal formulas as well. I have started to use the following mixtures of herbal teas for arthritis. I find them to be effective for my patients as well as for myself.

I combine Celery seed, black cohosh, meadowsweet and yarrow together. I sometimes add white willow bark to reduce inflammation. Last night I did not sleep well due to lower back pain. As you have read, much of our healing happens during sleep. I had to get up and make a cup of passion flower tea with 5 drops of valerian to fall asleep.

Examine your psychosocial lifestyle (addictions, meditation, self esteem, anger and resentments).

Make necessary lifestyle changes--dietary, exercise and psychosocial--to support a healthier life.

GRATITUDE NOT ATTITUDE

Photograph: White willow tree

Until tomorrow...