If you have a circulatory issues, blood flow problem like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or Swollen ankles here is what some of the research is saying can help: Complementary and Alternative Medicine, physical exercise and balancing blood sugar, qigong movements, yoga, integrative manual therapy synchronizers, craniosacral or cranial therapy, manual lymph drainage, osteopathic manual medicine, acupressure and more.

1  Explore Complementary Medicine for Circulation Issues, Heart Attacks, and Strokes
 
Once a stroke has happened there are dietary factors, exercises, acupuncture, Qigong, Integrative Manual Therapy, Reiki, Yoga and more CAM options to consider. Every 45 seconds a person in the US has a stroke. It is the third leading cause of death in Western society, affecting 700,000 Americans and killing150,000 people a year. There are lots of ways to decrease your risk factors for a stroke. Cost can be a significant factor in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches. One 1996 study found, "a combined treatment with acupuncture, Shiatsu and lifestyle adjustment may be highly cost effective for patients with advanced angina pectoris (heart dysfunction)."
 
--Acupunct Electrother Res (1996) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9051166

Physically Exercise and Balance Blood Sugar
 
A recent article on 5 Best Things noted the benefits of physical exercises, balancing blood sugar, and acupressure points.
 
—More Health Research on 5 Best Things https://5bestthings.com/author/kimberly/
 
A further study noted the effect of low blood sugar on working memory. "During hypoglycaemia [low blood sugar], memory activation task performance was associated with increased activity in the frontal lobe regions [thinking brain], superior parietal lobe and thalamus [feeling brain], and decreased activity in the temporal lobe regions [sensing and hearing brain]. Working memory activation statistically significantly increased blood flow in the striatum during hypoglycaemia. Altered performance was associated with significantly increased blood flow in the striatum, a part of the basal ganglia implicated in regulating motor functions, memory, language and emotion."
 
—Diabetologia (2017)  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29188338

3  Qigong Reduces the Need for Medications and the Heart's Electrical Activity
 
Qigong researchers are doing studies using sophisticated blood flow and cranial imaging equipment such as a Doppler sonography, EEG and near_infrared spectroscopy. What they are finding is that this Chinese meditation exercise appears able to change blood flow in the head.
 
—Neurol Res (2001) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11474806
 
In a study on the use of Qigong in combination with medications, researchers found the hands-on and energetic techniques of qigong to be beneficial in reducing cardiovascular problems and strokes. They noted, "the therapeutic role of qigong exercises combined with drugs is reported for three medical conditions that require drug therapy for health maintenance: hypertension, respiratory disease, and cancer. In these studies, drugs were administered to all patients who were divided into two groups, a group that practiced qigong exercises and a control group that did not. Taken together, these studies suggest that practicing qigong exercises may favorably affect many functions of the body, permit reduction of the dosage of drugs required for health maintenance, and provide greater health benefits than the use of drug therapy alone. For hypertensive patients, combining qigong practice with drug therapy resulted in reduced incidence of stroke and mortality and reduced the dosage of drugs required for blood pressure maintenance.
 
—J Altern Complement Med (1999) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10471019
 
Another study suggested, "Qigong exercise could significantly decrease the abnormal electrical activity in the heart and improve blood flow to the coronary artery (the arteries that supply the heart muscle). It can also decrease heart dysfunction after a heart attack."
 
--Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi (1992) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1392492

Daily 17 min Qi Gong practice with Mingtong Gu

4  Yoga and Acupuncture Effect on Blood Chemistry
 
Chemists looked at the blood chemistry in hatha yoga practitioners by evaluating their breathing response to hypercapnia (too much carbon dioxide in the blood) and arterial blood gases during ujjai respiration (yogic breathing) of once per minute for an hour. The average adult take 12 to 18 breaths per minute, which is a big difference from one breath per minute. The results suggest that professional hatha yoga practitioners have less sensitivity to high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood because their practice has allowed them to adapt to "low arterial pH and high levels of CO2 for long periods."
 
—Jpn J Physiol (2002) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12230808
 
Another study looked at the effect of acupuncture on calcium levels, researchers concluded, "Electro-acupuncture could regulate the content of Ca2+ in the ischemic area of the brain, inhibit Ca2+ overload, so as to protect neurons from ischemic injury."
 
—Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi (2002) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0254627217300523
 
Stroke is an example of ischemic injury, where a part of the brain does not get the oxygen that it needs to function and some of the brain cells die.
​

5  Muscle Function, Yoga, and Circulation
 
Stress, muscle spasm in the vascular wall and peripheral blood pressure all affect the risk for strokes, heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems. A number of complementary and alternative medicine approaches have been shown to be beneficial in decreasing the risk of cardiovascular incidence.
 
In a 2004 study, the Berg Balance Scale and Timed Movement Battery tested improvements with yoga, leading researchers to conclude, "the results suggest that yoga may be beneficial to people who have had a stroke."
 
—Phys Ther (2004) https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article/84/1/33/2805327
 
A course in yoga and meditation was given to 33 people with and without coronary artery disease for an hour and a half, three times a week for 6 weeks. The participants were encouraged to continue practicing at home. Researchers found, a significant reductions in blood pressure, heart rate, and Body Mass Index (BMI) in the total group with yoga.
 
—Clin Cardiol (2006) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17007170
 
Another yoga related study looked at the short-term impact of a comprehensive but brief lifestyle intervention, based on yoga. The subjects had history of hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity, psychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety, 'stress'), gastrointestinal problems (non ulcer dyspepsia, duodenal ulcers, irritable bowel disease, Crohn's disease, chronic constipation) and thyroid disorders (hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism) or were healthy without any of these conditions ... The intervention consisted of Asanas, Pranayama, relaxation techniques, group support, individualized advice, and lectures and films on philosophy of yoga, the place of yoga in daily life, meditation, stress management, nutrition, and knowledge about the illness.
 
"Among the diseased subjects significant improvement was seen in the anxiety levels of patients of hypertension, coronary artery disease, obesity, cervical spondylitis and those with psychiatric disorders. The observations suggest that a short educational program for lifestyle modification and stress management leads to remarkable reduction in the anxiety scores within a period of 10 days."
 
—Indian J Physiol Pharmacol (2006) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16850902
 
Another study found that Yoga lifestyle intervention slows or stops the progression of damage to the heart blood vessels in people with severe coronary artery disease. It also improves symptoms, what the person is able to do and some of the risk factors important in preventing another circulation related event.
 
—J Assoc Physicians India (2000) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11273502

6  Acupuncture Helps People Avoid Complications of Stroke
 
In China stroke is the second most common cause of death in cities and the third in rural areas. World wide it is a major cause of disability.
 
Acupuncture for stroke has been used in China for hundreds of years and is increasingly practiced in Western countries, with beneficial effects. Noting that more acupuncture research is need, scientists in China found that fewer people died or needed to be institutionalized, as a result of the stroke. They said, "when acupuncture was compared with sham acupuncture or open control, there was a borderline significant trend towards fewer patients being dead or dependent in the acupuncture group after three months or more."
 
—Zhang, S. H., M. Liu, et al. (2005). "Acupuncture for acute stroke." Cochrane Database Syst Rev(2): CD003317 from http://stroke.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/36/10/2327.
 
Another acupuncture study found that pain caused by a lack of blood flow to an area, can be decreased by acupuncture. Researchers noted, clinical experience and controlled studies confirmed the efficacy of acupuncture in various pain syndromes, including tension headache, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, posttraumatic pain. They suggest favorable effects in the rehabilitation of peripheral facial nerve palsy, Bell’s Palsy and stroke. "There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture to expand its use into conventional medicine and to encourage further studies of its pathophysiology and clinical value." 2. Jellinger, K. A. (2000). "[Principles and application of acupuncture in neurology]." Wien Med Wochenschr 150(13_14): 278_85.
 
A functional MRI study, found acupuncture affects several parts of the brain, including the "left superior frontal gyrus, anterior cingulate gyrus, and dorsomedial nucleus of thalamus."3 Yoo, S. S., E. K. Teh, et al. (2004). "Modulation of cerebellar activities by acupuncture stimulation: evidence from fMRI study." Neuroimage 22(2): 932-40.
 
The thalamus is the part of the brain where we most experience pain and other sensations. The data suggested that the cerebellum (part of our sense of balance) serves as an important area activated during treatment of certain acupuncture (PC6) points.

​7  Manual Therapy and Heart Rehabilitation
 
While a third study noted, the addition of manual therapy as an early rehabilitation measures after coronary artery bypass surgery "eliminates postoperative anginal [heart] attacks in 70% cases, reestablishes balance of cellular and plasma components of hemostasis, enhances fibrinolytic activity. The addition of manual therapy in the rehabilitation complex is recommended early after bypass surgery."
 
—Ter Arkh (2000) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11201824
 
8  Manual Therapy and Energy Work as an Adjunct in Stroke Rehabilitation
 
In a study looking at the use of Reiki in stroke rehabilitation programs, researchers found that the biggest benefit of the Reiki came in the form of mood and energy improvements.

— J Altern Complement Med (2002) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12614528
 
In a study looking at manual therapy, researchers found, "treating the patients with drugs in combination with manual therapy resulted in improved circulation in the vertebral artery bed, lower clinical signs of vertebrobasilar insufficiency."
 
—Kardiologiia (1991)  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1753586
 
Some of the signs of problems with the vertebrobasilar arteries, a pair of blood vessels running up the neck into the head, is dizziness, headaches and trouble concentrating.
 
Another further study looked at Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) and found it "causes vessel narrowing followed by increased blood flow in the arterioles, capillaries and venulae of the skin as well as in peripheral arteries and an increased lymph flow in lymphatic collectors."
 
—Z Lymphol (1989) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2672666
 
Lymph drainage techniques are often very gentle, soothing hands-on techniques that increase the flow and detoxification of the lymphatic fluid. There are lymph vessels throughout the body with the highest concentration around the neck, armpits and fronts of the hips. A dysfunction of the lymph vessels is what contributes to swelling in the arms of the person who has had surgery for breast cancer. Normalizing the flow in the delicate lymph vessles can significantly inprove drainage and decrease swelling.

9  Reflex Points for Vascular Function, IMT & Strokes
 
In 1973, Kamenetskii did a study looking at the value of therapies using reflex points to improve vascular tone after a stroke.
 
—Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult (1973) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4747487
 
Integrative Manual Therapy practitioners use reflex point for clinical treatment and for self-care programs with clients with cardiovascular dysfunctions. These reflex points have names like "Synchronizers" (Giammatteo, T., & Weiselfish-Giammatteo, S. (1997). Integrative manual therapy for the autonomic nervous system and related disorders: utilizing advanced strain and counterstrain technique. Berkeley, Calif.: North Atlantic Books) "Hypothalamus Regulation Mechanisms", and "Reference Points". They are used to improve cranial circulation and decrease muscle spasm during the course of the treatment of people with strokes, post heart attacks, migraines and other cardiovascular conditions.
 
One Integrative Manual Therapy course focuses on improving function of the muscles and systems of the body in someone with a stroke. Another training program focuses on normalizing blood flow in the head and addresses the neurological dysfunction caused by the stroke.
 
In a case report on the use of Integrative Manual Therapy with a 78 year old man with high blood pressure and a recent stroke, the clinician noted, "prior to therapy, the patient presented with slurred speech, decreased comprehension, and loss of balance in walking. The patient's main goal was to be discharged from the hospital. The man was treated with several Cranial Therapy techniques. After the treatment was completed, the patient presented with significant improvements in speech and comprehension and an improvement in balance during walking. The patient was discharged from the hospital the very next morning."
 
—Dillon, D. A. (2003) The Benefits of Integrative Manual Therapy on Speech Impairment and Balance Secondary to Stroke, from www.centerimt.com/e_journal/articles/ej00063.htm
 
The therapist continued, "To be released from the hospital, he has to be able to answer questions clearly without slurring his speech as well as be able to show he is no longer confused in his thinking, and be able to walk without balance problems."
 
In another case of a baby who had a stroke, the parents reported, "Andy had a stroke just prior to his birth. We were told he might never sit up unassisted, walk, run, or speak. We sought out therapists to help Andy. When he was 9 months old, we brought him to The Center for Integrative Manual Therapy and Diagnostics (CenterIMT). We visited for 2 days, about 8 hours of therapy. The following day Andy began to crawl for the first time. Subsequent trips have given him the abilities to walk, jump, run and speak. He was originally diagnosed as a hemiplegic (limited use of his entire left side). Throughout CenterIMT and follow_ups with his incredible occupational and physical therapy team at home, Andy has shown significant abilities with his left hand and fingers. He has increased mobility overall, and cognitively has begun to read and write at the age 4."
 
Another therapist reports, "I made mom stay up late Sunday night, so I could work on her before bed. I used the nervous system reflex techniques (LEVO). She had very remarkable results. Her neck and shoulder pain is gone. But the big change was her blood pressure which has dropped from a very consistent 180/80 to 140/78. She is much more comfortable now. Most of her health problems surfaced after an auto accident with a neck injury. Her medical diagnosis is unexplained vasospasm of the vertebrobasilar artery in the neck." 

Integrative Manual Therapy Synchronisers for Circulation and Cardiovascular Issues. Call or Email for a free 20-30 minute consultation on their use or to explore your health goals for 2018.

Acupressure for BaiHui or GV 20 at the Crown Chakra

"Acupressure for Bai Hui consists simply of resting our middle fingers lightly on the point, as support for bringing our mental attention to rest gently there."
 
—Acupressure Treasures: Bai Hui - Hundred Convergences (2017) https://www.thoughtco.com/acupressure-treasures-bai-hui-hundred-convergences-3182275
  
Another research study indicated that stimulating the Baihui point improves function in people after a stroke, acting to protect the brain and nervous system (neuroprotector).
 
"Acupuncture stimulation at the Baihui acupoint for 4 weeks increased dopamine levels in the brain tissue of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rats and of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injured rats. The acupuncture stimulation also reduced brain atrophy [shrinkage] after cerebral infarct [stroke], suggesting that acupuncture stimulation at the Baihui acupoint acts as neuroprotector."
 
—Am J Chin Med (2007) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17963318

​Request a Free Report on Circulation and Complementary Medicine.

Email Kimberly Burnham at [email protected]

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​Acupuncture Alleviates the Pain of Fibromyalgia by Kimberly Burnham [Read More on SivanaSpirit]

Palpating and Improving Circulation with Manual Therapy by Kimberly Burnham, PhD (Integrative Medicine)

            Trauma, compression, atherosclerosis can all contribute to decreased abdominal blood flow, which can contribute to back pain, radiating shoulder pain, dysmenorrhea [menstrual dysfunction], cysts, hematomas [pooled blood] and cancers of the abdominal organs. Circulation problems related to trauma are especially common among athletes. (Holt, J. 2004)
            Hypovascularized sites or areas of compromised blood flow are particularly common in the celiac artery. Stenosis of the celiac artery, a branch off of the aorta (the main artery leaving the heart), is found in up to 24 percent of the general population. Many of these people have no symptoms. (Park, 2001)
            The most common cause of celiac axis stenosis or a narrowing of the celiac artery is external compression on the artery, according to Park, 2001 in "Celiac axis stenosis: incidence and etiologies in asymptomatic individuals." Atherosclerosis is the second most common cause. Often the compression is caused by the median arcuate ligament, a ligament that comes off of the respiratory abdominal diaphragm. Because the ligament is attached to the diaphragm, the tension on the celiac artery can be release on inhalation or breath in. The arcuate ligament starts as a thickening of the connective tissue of the psoas muscle at the lumbar spine and hip. The medial arcuate ligament goes from either side of the first lumbar vertebrae to the respiratory abdominal diaphragm. A compression in this area can lead to decreased blood flow and back pain.
            Massage and manual therapy is often used to decrease pain and tension in the area of the low back, spine, hip muscles, including psoas and the respiratory abdominal diaphragm. Breathing exercises can also help decrease tensions in this area. The most common symptoms of decreased blood flow in the abdomen is back pain and abdominal pain right after eating. Vomiting is another common symptom.
            Caution is wise when treating the abdomen as the most common reason for find an asymptomatic stenosis or narrowing of the celiac artery is a scan or diagnostic procedure for some kind of abdominal cancer, liver, stomach, gallbladder, or pancreas. The literature is not clear about whether the lack of blood flow proceeded or in any way influenced the development of the cancer.
            Manual therapists use palpation to feel for areas of tissue density, temperature changes and rhythms reflective of circulation. They can use this diagnostic information to treat the soft tissue area of dysfunction. Advanced Strain and Counterstrain (Wheeler, L. 2004 in Massage Therapy Journal) and Myofascial Release (Weiselfish-Giammatteo, S., J. B. Kain, et al. 2005. Integrative manual therapy for the connective tissue system : myofascial release) are two ways to decrease tensions and normalize circulation through the tissue.
            In 2000, Arutiunian in "Effects of manual therapy on pain reflex syndromes and various hemocoagulation parameters in patients with ischemic heart disease after surgical treatment", recommended manual therapy after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS). The researchers concluded, "the addition of manual therapy to the complex of rehabilitation measures in coronary patients early after CABS eliminates postoperative anginal attacks in 70% cases." A year earlier, researchers noted, "pressure on acupoints can significantly influence the cardiovascular system" (Sudmeirer, 1999). A placebo controlled study using a color doppler sonograph, found that reflexology, positively influenced blood flow in the kidneys. Researchers found a "significant decrease of the resistive index during foot reflexology in the verum group indicates a decrease of flow resistance in renal vessels and an increase of renal blood flow."
            A 2006 study on vascular surgery concluded, "low back pain was improved by merely performing treatment for the vascular system and might provide support for the presence of vascular backache." (Takeyachi and Yabuki, 2006). Another study recommended manual therapy as part of an intensive rehabilitation program. They concluded, "intensive rehabilitation in combined treatment is shown to improve external respiration function, central hemodynamics, tissue blood flow, sleep, appetite, healing of bedsores, and to enhance cough reflex." (Kachesov, Kartavenko, et al. 2004).
 
—Originally published at Burnham, K. (2008). "Palpating and Improving Circulation with Manual Therapy." Health and Goodness.  healthandgoodness.com/Therapies/imt_circulation.html.

  A few weeks before I attended the 2015 Parliament of the World's Religions, I received an email from the Parliament of Religions about grant money for increasing social media presence.
   "The Parliament is thankful to all those who applied for grants. It was yet another indicator about the vibrancy of the interfaith movement. We learned a great deal. Some organizations which applied actually had larger budgets than the Parliament itself. After reading and evaluating all the applications we settled on 5 organizations which have good plans to grow, were of smaller budget but active. We decided to award them each with the following: 1) A technical consulting grant to train their leadership and volunteers in enhancing their social media outreach. 2) Partial salary for an intern or staff to enhance their social media."
    I also get a weekly email from Jewish Jobs and see how many organizations are trying to build their social media presence.
    What are things that an interfaith organization or a religious community can do to increase the engagement of the people who are part of their organization, communicate with the larger community, and further peace and understanding in the world around them? Here are some ideas and a check list of questions to get you started.
 
MISSION and REACH
 
   Determine what your social media goals are and who they want to reach.
 
What is your message?
Who do you want to talk to?
Do you want to use social media in fundraising?
What are the top 10 keywords that you want to be found for or known for?
 
BIO—USING WORDS TO PAINT A PICTURE
 
    Once you know what you want to say and how to communicate with people you have to decide where you want to share with them and how you want to engage in the communication process.
 
Where do you want to send the traffic you get from social media sites like Twitter and Facebook?
What do you want them to do when they get there?
How will you use the bios and profiles to foster community, attract new participants, and engage current families or alumni?
 
MEDIA CHOICES
 
   Think about the type of media you want to share and which social media sites feature words, images and videos.
 
Do you have an article or essays that you want to put on a popular blog?
Do you have images that would bring people to your website from Instagram, Pintrest, WeHeartIt and other primarily visual sites?
Do you have videos of teachings, lectures or conference presentations that would be great on YouTube, Vimeo, attached to LinkedIn, SlideShare, and more?
Do you have multimedia capability on your website?
Are you focused on a certain age group? Is your community more of a Facebook community or a Snapchat community?
 
SET UP
 
    Set up bios and profiles on social media.  On Twitter you have 140 characters to share your message. Facebook, GooglePlus and Pinterest have several sections with larger word counts of space for you to share your message, mission, and links back to your website. LinkedIn has virtually unlimited space to share your message. If members of your leadership or the organization itself have a book or anthology on Amazon, there is nearly 4000 words worth of space for sharing your message on an Amazon author's page and book page.
 
    Do you have a well edited version of your organizations mission written out in different lengths?
    Do you have a book?
 
BLOGGING and GUEST BLOGS
 
   Blogs, online magazine, and news services of course have 500 to ... words worth of space.
 
Do you have a blog or can you do guest blogs on related sites?
Who in your organization will write the blogs?
Who will upload, post them and share them on social media?
Are there other institutions, universities, or other organizations that would want to share on your site, while you share on their site?
Will you blog about community events, life cycles events, and local news?
 
FREQUENCY
 
   Frequency of posts can also be a consideration.
How often can you post on one site?
Will you post the same or different content on several different sites?
 
LEADERSHIP
 
    For a monthly $300 plus depending on frequency, the Creating Calm Network will:
 
1. Do initial set up of social media accounts.
 
2. Post daily content on six to fifteen different social media sites, including:
Facebook
GooglePlus
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
WeHeartIt
LinkedIn
YouTube
About Me
Snapchat
Periscope
LinkedIn blog
Tumblr blog
Issuu
Slideshare
Behance
Amazon
 
3. Create content for blogs and cover events for your organization.
 
4. Create connections for your organization online as well as in the local community through set up of events at bookstores, food stores and other faith groups.

5. One option is to buy a few months of services and then continue to maintain the social media profiles and blogs in-house or yourself. We make it easy for you to continue once the framework has been set up and started.
 
BOOK PUBLISHING PROJECTS
 
    Is there a Book in your organizations future?
    We can also lead a project to create an anthology for your organization including, working with members on their essay, editing, and then talking the completed Word document through the publishing process and making the print book and eBook available on Amazon. Follow up on the published book includes launching it and posting on social media for three months after completion.

​Contact Kimberly Burnham at [email protected] or 860-221-8510
​

​Exercise Tip: Go outside in the morning light and look around at things that are moving in time: swaying trees, cars, people, flying birds, waving flags. Feel for the beating of your heart or the rhythm of your breathing. Do you feel yourself in sync with the universe?

People complain about being slaves to time—being on time. There is a clock inside each of us—our brains, our bodies, right down to our cells—that is syncing up every moment to the world around us. Our cells and brain notices the words we use and the way the light changes as the sun circles the sky.

"If we’re having lunch, you and I will unconsciously pick up our forks more or less at the same time. There’s a great study about two people playing the game WhackAMole. Even though they were competing against each other, their movements fell into synch, even at the expense of losing points. They would unconsciously work toward this synchrony. If I watch a video of two people talking, I will be able to tell, unconsciously, how friendly they are, based on the extent to which their movements fall into synch with each other," said Alan Burdick, speaking about his book, Why Time Flies: A Mostly Scientific Investigation.

In movies where it seems that a child is mimicking the actions of an adult the actors are actually doing the opposite because it is easier for the adult to mimic what the child is doing than to ask a five year old to adjust the flow and rhythm of how they move, even if the scene is portrayed that way.

Try this: pair up with someone, stand facing each other, and take turns following the other person's hand movements. How hard is it? Do you get better over time?

Many rhythms in the body, known as circadian rhythms or circa (about) dian (a day) regulate our physiology on a 24 hours cycle. The most prominent cycle is the sleep-wake cycle. When these rhythms are disrupted the ability to sleeping deeply and waking up rest and ready to go, suffers. In a 2016 article researchers noted, "Circadian rhythms modulate many physiologic processes and behaviors. Circadian disruption [in rats] induced by constant light exposure has been discovered to produce pathophysiologic [disease] consequences after brain injury. Our results showed that 14 days of constant light exposure after TBI significantly worsened the sensorimotor [sensation and muscle movement] and cognitive deficits, which were associated with decreased body weight, impaired water and food intake, increased cortical lesion volume, and decreased neuronal survival [further brain damage]. Our novel findings suggest that light exposure should be decreased and circadian rhythm reestablished in hospitalized TBI patients." (Li, D., S. Ma, et al. (2016). "Environmental Circadian Disruption Worsens Neurologic Impairment and Inhibits Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Adult Rats After Traumatic Brain Injury." Cell Mol Neurobiol 36(7): 1045-1055. 

Our relationship to time can be balanced by paying attention to the kind and amount of light we are exposed to. Sunlight in the morning and no screens for at least the 30-60 minutes before we plan to go to sleep are a key to sleeping better.

Request a Free PDF copy of the full article via email

Burnham, Kimberly (2017 03 01). "Balancing the Brain and Being On Time." ABI Magazine, Acquired Brain Injury https://abimagazine.wordpress.com/.

Email Kimberly Burnham at [email protected]

Mention your top 8 health goals for 2018 for a free report on how you can feel better with easy self-care exercises.
​
[Full Article]
https://issuu.com/debbiest.jean/docs/arm_spring_issue_volume1-issue2

Connect with Kimberly Burnham on Social Media or Email for a Free Report on Brain Health Exercises, Mention your top 8 Health Goals for 2018.

​Christian Online Book Club Grows Out Of Life's Situations http://religioninsights.org/articles/christian-online-book-club-grows-out-lifes-situations

B'shvat, The New Year of Trees From Aleph
​Rededicate ourselves to caring for our living planet as a place of holiness. Tu BiShvat, the New Year of the Trees (coming up on January 25), is a natural opportunity to link our deep ecological values with the life of the spirit. Here are some resources from Aleph to add meaning to your Tu BiShvat:

• Rededication (pdf) – a new liturgical poem for Tu BiShvat by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat
• Blessing for Tu BiShvat (pdf) – a prayer from the original Tu BiShvat haggadah, offered by Rabbi David Seidenberg at NeoHasid.org
• One page flowchart haggadah (pdf) – a one-page printable flowchart haggadah, offered by Rabbi David Seidenberg at NeoHasid.org
• A digital haggadah for Tu BiShvat (slideshow / powerpoint) – a new digital haggadah for Tu BiShvat, intended for projection on a screen (to save trees!)  Liturgy, poems, prayers, video, and more. That same haggadah is available online via slideshare.

May our celebrations of Tu BiShvat bring us closer to healing our living planet and connecting us with the One Who enlivens and sustains us all.

Music and Trees: What Do Tree Rings Sound Like When Played Like A Record?

"Become a Cyborg!" Neil Harbisson, who listens to color. He spoke at Ted Talks.