I’ve been talking the last few weeks about our Healthy Back Challenge and today I am so excited to kick this off with you. Over the next 5 days I will be sharing valuable information with you through a daily email. Each day we will provide some tips and exercises to help you live a life free from back aches and pains. For Day #1 let’s talk about how miraculous the human spine is. God designed an elegantly balanced system and foundational support of the entire body. The spine balances our neck, chest, lower back and pelvis to keep our neck, body and legs in alignment. Every move we make engages the spine. So What Causes Back Pain? The spine is a stack of 33 vertebrae connected and cushioned by cartilage and connective tissue and like other joints in the body, they can experience inflammation and pain. Pain in the back can be caused by long-term impact of injury, poor posture, inactivity, too much sitting or certain diseases. 80% of the population suffers from some type of chronic back pain. Two-thirds of adults age 40+ show disc deterioration and by age 60, 90 percent are affected. Back aches and pain can result from muscle strain, weakness, lack of exercise, injury or straining the back from too much of the wrong kind of activities. The good news is with proper care, toning and conditioning improving back aches and pain is possible! As we go through this Challenge, I would love for you to think about why you decided to join. How would less back pain affect your quality of life? What activities do you love to do or would love to get back to doing? Knowing our “why” is what motivates us to stay committed and consistent. I’m sharing common every day causes of back pain in today’s video.
“Each page of my life seems to be a different life altogether. Each day seems to be as if I am beginning again; and, yet, it all seems to overlap and piece together at the same time.”
These genes multiply to trillions upon trillions as organs grow and humans develop.
Genes: 65% are the same as a banana, 75% are the same as a fruit fly, 80% are the same as a mouse, 99% are the same as a chimpanzee. We are human, not animal. We have a percent that is only human, setting us apart from all life forms.
96% of all elements in the body are Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen. 4 % are all the other elements. All are important blocks to our body.
What does this have to do with stress and anxiety? Before our birth (constitution), our conception day, while we are in the womb, our birth, place of birth, and after birth (condition) play a part in our daily lives. Stress and anxiety can be from imbalances of elements, trauma, circumstances, food, environment, and more.
Everything that occurs in our lives is embedded in our fascia; imprints of trauma in life never go away, but it can be turned around/changed.
Join us as we take on this huge subject, break it down into intricate parts, and tune into bio individuality.
Live Stream, Rumble, each Thursday at 10 am. It will be recorded as well. WE will be in the series of stress and anxiety for the next 6 weeks or more. Series episodes will include: nutritional influences in connection to emotional eating, dehydration, maternal caregivers and general caregivers, navigating relationships, and physical manifestations such as allergic reactions, panic attacks, and mood disorders.
WE go live at NOON CST to introduce our new wellness series. Jacalyn Poyner. These are recorded. Watch for the each week, maybe twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“What if, instead of spending our energy trying to fix the symptoms, we went to the root of the problem? The reality is that our emotions are a byproduct of the way we think. What’s good about this news is that we can change our thinking.”
As I read that quote from a bible devotional, and thought of what that means, I began to get back to the meaning of my callings in Life. I had lost a little bit of the passion that grew this business this past year. I had been so busy taking care of the business as it has blossomed, that I lost a tiny portion of the initial seed that sprouted. (I am a gardener and I cannot help but speak in gardening terms).
Scripture is bringing me back to that seed core. This statement is bringing me back to that intention for each and every interaction, from clients to marketing, that I have invested into this amazing work: “God, help me break the cycle of my out-of-control thoughts. I want Your truths to invade every decision, every emotion, every thought I have. Amen.”
I am sharing these words from a fellow practitioner because I have done the same work for the same time frame, and still going strong today. Please take time to consider the options you have when you feel there are none. There are always options.
quoted from Andrea Beaman:
The work I do is essential to the health of my clients and for the world at large. First and foremost, I’m in the business of preventative healthcare and natural healing, and I’ve been doing this work for over two decades. I provide preventative and healing methods for a wide variety of diseases and conditions. Some examples include:
Heart Disease (over 15 million deaths per year!) Cancer Prevention Brain Health/Alzheimer’s Digestion Liver Detox/Cleansing Kidney Support Bone Health Thyroid Disease
My job as a wellness practitioner is to understand the illness, including Covid-19, from an alternative and preventative perspective and provide natural ways to rebalance the body and heal using diet, lifestyle, and consciousness.
This knowledge is essential for a variety of reasons, many of which became abundantly clear during this coronavirus outbreak:
*People on lockdown couldn’t get out to visit a doctor, go for a blood test, or even get access to a hospital as many were overwhelmed with Covid-19 cases. *For a wide variety of Covid-19 symptoms (poor immunity, dry cough, sore throat, loss of taste, and smell) people have access to medicine in their kitchen and don’t even know it. *Beyond Covid-19, people are struggling with many other conditions and need support and guidance on how to manage them from home.
As a health coach and wellness practitioner, I provide service to clients. I care for their needs as they seek support for a variety of symptoms related to Covid-19 and other conditions.
My service is essential to the health and well being of people during this crisis and beyond.
Doctors and healthcare workers are doing work that is essential. People preparing food are doing work that is essential. Grocery store workers are doing work that is essential. Delivery services are doing work that is essential. Police and fire departments are doing work that is essential. Transportation workers are doing work that is essential.
Those people are getting paid for their service without any shame attached to it.
The work that preventative and alternative healthcare workers like myself and you, and many other wellness practitioners, do is also essential.
We are providing a service to PREVENT and HEAL and take the burden OFF an overwhelmed healthcare system.
As we’ve clearly witnessed, our healthcare system CANNOT handle the amount of stress that this virus presented to society as a whole.
So, whether it’s this virus or the next disease that overtakes the population, wellness practitioners of all kinds are providing essential service to help people make it through with their health, their life, and their sanity, intact. There is no shame in that.
I encourage you too, to get back to doing this essential work – you are needed in the world now more than ever.
I want you all to be thinking of this. I have taught the following class, with the following outline many times. Please make sure you read after the outline for a supply list that I highly recommend you put together; I have had one my entire life, and it is well worth the effort. Each year, I make sure all things are still in good condition and have not expired. Each year my kids were schooling, they were required to read a new survival or first aid book to keep it all current in their heads. It is vital that we all know how to help ourselves and others at any given time.
How to Make Herbal Liniment by Jethro Kloss July 1, 2010/
Click here the image above to learn more
in Remedies & Recipes /by Kimberly Gallagher
Rosemary Gladstar’s book the Family Herbal: A Guide to Living Life with Energy, Health, and Vitality
this recipe is one of our family favorites and we are very excited to have this opportunity to talk with her and share her herbal wisdom with all of you. She describes this remedy, Jethro Kloss’s Liniment, as “a very old, very strong recipe & useful for reducing inflammation of the muscles, cleansing wounds, and soothing insect bites.” This liniment was first concocted by a famous old herbalist named Dr. Jethro Kloss, hence its name. The herbs in this liniment by Jethro Kloss have antiseptic, warming, stimulating, and anti-inflammatory properties. They will also help increase circulation in areas where muscles are sore. We haven’t made a liniment in a while, and wanted to update our supply, since we definitely find that it is a great addition to our herbal family medicine chest. I used our liniment a lot for sore back muscles during my first pregnancy and found this one by Jethro Kloss to be very effective, and it is very simple to make. Herbal Liniment by Jethro Kloss What you’ll need… 1 ounce echinacea powder 1 ounce organically grown goldenseal powder (I do want to emphasize the organically grown part of this description. This plant is endangered in the wild from over-harvesting, so be sure and get it from a healthy, cultivated source. If you can ‘t find that, Rosemary suggests substituting chaparral or Oregon grape root) 1 ounce myrrh powder 1/4 ounce cayenne powder 1 pint rubbing alcohol Need organic herbs or supplies? Get them here! Ok, start by weighing out the powders and putting them in a pint jar. Pour the rubbing alcohol over the powders, leaving a good 2-inch margin above the herbs. Stir and put a lid on the jar. Place the mixture in a warm location and let it sit for 4 weeks. (2 weeks is also fine). Strain and rebottle.
Label the bottle clearly FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY (rubbing alcohol should not be taken internally). We’ve found that bottling our liniments in a spray bottle is very handy. It’s easy to spray it onto areas with sore muscles or onto wounds that need cleaning.
Enjoy this wonderful addition to your family medicine chest from Jethro Kloss. About the Author – Kimberly Gallagher Kimberly Gallagher, M.Ed., CCH is author of the Herb Fairies book series and creator of the Wildcraft! board game. She is also co-founder of LearningHerbs. Kimberly is passionate about sustainable living, cultural transformation, healthy cooking, parenting, and storytelling. Read more about Kimberly »
You have support from my fellow COMMUNITY OF HEALTH EXPERTS
I want you to have all you can have to get through this time of uncertainty, gain strength, and become empowered. The following article is from my fellow experts. YES, we are all experts when we share what we know and serve a need.
March 19, 2020
During times of crisis, it’s more important than ever to understand how to take care of ourselves on every level: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. These aspects of primary food – all that nourishes you off your plate – become crucial elements of day to day life when navigating the unknown.
There’s so much we don’t know right now, and that’s enough to keep us living in fear. But we do know some things, such as how important it is to be feeding our bodies well; getting adequate sleep; practicing breathwork; and keeping our social connections (even if they’re virtual). All of these things keep us grounded in the present, give us opportunities to think on our greater purpose and learn from what it means to take a step back from normal life.
Knowing and practicing what will keep us feel safe, contained, and as anxiety-free as possible, is bio-individual. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to coping through times of extreme stress, so we’ve gathered free resources from some incredible experts in the IIN community, including Visiting Teachers, conference speakers, and more, to help you in whatever way you need right now.
How to support yourself physically Food
Eating nourishing, immune-supporting foods is important no matter what you may be going through. The obesity epidemic and lifestyle-related diseases are still contributing to hundreds of thousands of deaths every year.
David L. Katz, MD, MPH, board-certified specialist in preventive medicine and public health, speaks on The Upgrade podcast with Mark Bittman, New York Times bestselling author, about food science and the diets that can actually contribute to greater health. Dr. David Katz is also a guest on the Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg podcast, discussing why being healthy isn’t a fad, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Frank Lipman, MD, integrative and functional medicine pioneer, founder of the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in New York City and Chief Medical Officer of The Well, has always approached food as medicine and considers the refrigerator your “edible medicine cabinet.” Check out his article on 30 ways to boost immunity right now, which includes way more than just food to support your health and immune system.
Exercise Moving in a way that’s right for you and your body is key, especially during times of stress. When your body is in a constant state of stress, your cortisol levels are going to be higher. High intensity exercise can certainly have a cathartic and endorphin-producing effect, but sometimes it can have a compounding effect on stress, keeping your cortisol high. Ultimately, it’s up to you to determine what movement feels right and how it makes you feel, which should be calmer and more focused.
Patricia Moreno, the trailblazing founder of spiritual fitness and a speaker at our most recent IIN Live, is hosting free virtual workouts in addition to free conversations to connect with people all over the world.
Melissa Wood, founder of Melissa Wood Health and recent IINConversation guest, is hosting daily live workouts and partnering with others in the wellness space for free live meditations on Instagram.
Sleep Sleep is crucial for your immune system to function properly. It’s when your body can properly assimilate and detox what you’ve consumed during the day and re-charge for the next. Lack of sleep impacts your hormones, your gut, your brain – there’s literally no system in the body that goes unharmed. If you could call this a silver lining, being forced to slow down and stay inside can do wonders for your sleep and your health. Frank Lipman, MD, offers lots of content around sleep, as does Mark Hyman, MD.
How to support yourself emotionally
As humans, we crave physical contact and a sense of closeness. “Social distancing,” while very important to implement for the health and safety of the greater public, is already proving detrimental to our emotional health. It’s imperative that we find ways to satisfy these cravings for connection while also adhering to guidelines that keep us physically healthy.
The Well, the New York City-based wellness club founded by IIN grad Sarrah Hollock, wrote this powerful piece about normalizing our feelings of loneliness, nervousness, and fear, and how to maximize feelings of connectedness during this difficult time.
Lissa Rankin, MD, physician, speaker, and founder of the Whole Health Medicine Institute, has been sharing her thoughts on her blog and on her Facebook about how she’s working through these difficult times.
How to support yourself mentally Learning how to manage stress will be a challenge for us all right now, but it’s doable if we take each day as it comes.
Andrew Weil, MD, integrative medicine pioneer, focuses on a holistic body, mind, and spirit approach to health and wellbeing. Breathwork has been proven to relieve stress and anxiety, and Dr. Weil shares these three breathing exercises that you can return to every day, night, or whenever you need.
Deepak Chopra, MD, the world leader in mind-body medicine, shares his take on what is happening around the globe and offers a glimpse into how we can find ways to be happy. He also has many video resources on his site such as tips for managing stress, the health benefits of meditation, and 7 days to peaceful sleep.
Speaking of meditation, this practice can greatly support your mental health during trying times, relieving stress and anxiety, and even helping manage depression and pain. Robyn Youkilis, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, speaker, and gut health expert, shares meditations with her audience on Instagram, oftentimes with her young daughter, showing you that yes, it can be done with children!
How to support yourself spiritually
Spirituality can mean anything you want it to; it doesn’t have to be religious. Spirituality is the celebration of being connected to one another and everything around us. The practice of spirituality can be grounding and help provide a sense of meaning and belonging. It’s exactly what we need right now.
IIN is always here to support you We’re dedicated to helping our community thrive, no matter the circumstance. Everyone’s priorities look different right now and that’s OK. You may be caring for an older relative or loved one; you have children at home to look after and keep busy; you have clients who need your guidance; you’re navigating unchartered territory to keep your small business running. Maybe you’re doing all of these things, while also trying to maintain calm and healthy yourself. It’s not easy, so don’t be too hard on yourself as you take each day as it comes.
Our content on the blog has always been free because we believe knowledge is power. Knowledge is also health, wisdom, strength, and support. Here are some further resources to look to, and know that we will continue to provide meaningful content to continue coming back to:
NOTE: If you choose to use this time that you have to sign on to take courses with IIN, please shine that love back to me as your referral, and use this link to sign up so that they know what alumni sent you, and so that I know I have a fellow coach to add to my team of connections.
As referenced in Guido’s Week 6 class, here are the recommendations he discussed concerning COVID-19 (Coronavirus): Immune Support NOTES:
We know very little about this virus, its seasonality, and its transmission. It does seem to be more contagious than the flu, and does affect those over age 60 with heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes more significantly. There is no evidence that any of the classic herbs we use for cold and flu “treat” the virus. Instead of treatment, we have been focusing on good hygiene and prevention by strengthening immune function.
PLEASE take care of yourself: good food, good hydration, and most importantly GOOD sleep. If stress around all of this is an issue, consider adaptogens like American ginseng (if available organic) or Eleuthero (“Siberian” ginseng). IF you suspect infection (dry cough and fever are the most common symptoms, with little nasal congestion), CALL your doctor/Emergency room and ask for directions on how to proceed.
Astragalus and medicinal mushrooms, esp. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum/tsugae/oregonensis). Relatively high amounts: 1 tsp. Astragalus tincture 2x/d, 7-12 g Astragalus total in caps/powder/decoction daily. 2 mL mushroom extract and/or blends, or 3-4 g mushroom extract powder, or 4-5 g mushrooms decocted daily.
2. Lung support herbs include Pleurisy root (Asclepias tuberosa), Licorice root (caution w/ high blood pressure), Mullein leaf, Elecampane root, Balloon Flower root (Platycodon grandiflorum), Usnea spp.
3. Warming aromatic diaphoretics are theoretically a good idea: Ginger, Angelica, Lomatium, Ligusticum (Osha – caution – endangered)
4. CONSIDER AVOIDING Elderberry for those at greater risk to reduce the risk of over-stimulation of an immune reaction. Elderberry lectins, not present in other berries, ramp up immune function and inflammatory cytokine production, which is THEORETICALLY a concern as the cause of death is connected to sepsis and cytokine storm in vulnerable folks (See this paper from China as reference).
Treatment NOTE: Needs to be in consultation / coordination with the healthcare establishment. DO NOT “go it alone” on this one, especially with higher-risk populations. The virus can cause symptoms to progress into a danger zone quickly. Don’t delay asking for support. Key Symptoms are dry cough and fever, though this can vary. CALL your healthcare provider(s). FOLLOW their directions.
1. One formula (Shuang Huang Lian) is receiving attention for herbal TREATMENT of the virus, but keep in mind it is often used as an injection. It is Baikal Skullcap root (Scutellaria baikalensis), Forsythia fruit, and Honeysuckle flower (Lonicera japonica). We know nothing about other herbs for treatment. Get help, and once you have a plan, consider options
2, 3 and 4 listed above if practical and safe to do so.
Hand & Surface Sanitizer (2 options)
NOTE: Hand washing with regular soap and water for 20-30 seconds is BEST. Sanitizers are an OK alternative, and also a way to clean doorknobs, surfaces, etc.
Option #1 – Alcohol-based (basic recipe) • 2 parts Alcohol (*see below) • 1 part Aloe Vera gel • 5-10 drops your choice of essential oil per ounce of sanitizer (optional, to improve odor). Dispense into squirt bottles. Squirt a pea-sized amount on your hands, rub in, and allow to dry. *Key consideration: The alcohol you use can be rubbing (isopropyl) or “regular” (ethyl, or ethanol), but must be at least 90% (180 proof). Concentrations are listed on the bottle (eg. at the drugstore, rubbing alcohol should say “91% isopropyl alcohol”). Don’t use 60% isopropyl or anything lower than 90%. Alcohol-based sanitizers need to be at least 60-70% alcohol.
Option #2 – Alcohol-free (Thymox) FDA/EPA have approved “Thymox” (a solution of 0.25% thymol) as a coronaviruseffective disinfectant. We can recreate a 0.25% thymol solution using these ingredients: • Water, 29 mL (about 1 fluid ounce). Using distilled water is best, but any clean, fresh water will do. • Gum Arabic, a dispersant, 300 mg • Benchmark Thyme essential oil, 0.8 mL (Consistently high thymol concentration, which is assayed. See this link for more information and additional distributors.) Add the essential oil to the Gum Arabic and mix thoroughly. Add the paste to the water and shake well. Pour into a spray bottle and dispense by spraying. Rub into the hands and allow to dry.
