Acupuncture - Cupping - Scraping

Had a unique appointment last night. We were going to go with the "Pattern 3" treatment consisting of the deep insertion of the needles in my hips, and back...prefferably to the bone. But, upon my curiousity...as we had been talking about cupping and scraping my back and shoulder area...we decided to go on with that.

Gua sha involves scraping the skin with smooth, pressured strokes. Doctors apply a lubricant to the skin and use a smooth edged tool to scrape the skin. My doctor used a piece of buffalo horn to scrape long stroke on my upper shoulders {trap areas}, middle back and lower back.


“Gua Sha is an East Asian healing technique. Gua means to scrape or rub. Sha is a ‘reddish, elevated, millet-like skin rash’ (aka petechiae).
Sha is the term used to describe Blood stasis in the subcutaneous tissue before and after it is raised as petechiae. Gua Sha is onetechnique that intentionally raises Sha rash or petechiae.
In Vietnam the technique is called Cao Yio, in Indonesia: Kerik, in Laos: Khoud Lam.
Gua Sha is used whenever a patient has pain whether associated with an acute or chronic disorder. . There may be aching, tenderness and/or aknotty feeling in the muscles.
Palpation reveals Sha when normal finger pressure on a patient’s skin causes blanching that is slow to fade. In addition to resolvingmusculo skeletal pain, Gua Sha is used to treat as well as prevent common cold, flu, bronchitis, asthma, as well as any chronic disorderinvolving pain, congestion of Qi and Blood.”

How cupping works
Acupuncturists use cupping for specific problems in the flow of qi. Cupping disperses and moves qi by exerting suction and pressure. Cupping is used when the qi is blocked at certain points, or when qi needs to be drawn to the surface of the body from deep within. For instance, cupping is used to treat lung infections and colds, because it is believed that the suction disperses and energizes the qi that has become blocked and stagnated in the lungs. Cups can also pull out "wind-cold" that in Chinese medicine is believed to cause lung infections.
Modern cups are made of strong glass. The cup is placed directly on the skin to create vacuum by using pumps to achieve the proper suction. Often, the skin inside the cup visibly rises. Cupping is generally a painless procedure.

Scraping first then the cupping....
A lubricant with cayenne pepper and Other "stuff" is put on the skin, you are scraped with the buffalo horn, glass cups are suctioned to you, creates a heat...blood draws to the surface, the cups taken off, your skin pricked with a needle, cups re-suctioned to that area...blood and toxins drawn out.

I feel better than I have in years....I'm NOT STIFF at all in the morning, hip is remarkedly better, shoulders {traps} are considerably less tight....can't remember my last headache!!! I'm DOING this again!!! I'm sold on it!!!

Chiropractor ~ Acupuncture ~ Horseback riding

Hey, haven't posted in awhile....I'm really ready for winter to be over and I can start riding my horses again. My workout buddy is gone on vacation for the next two weeks....ironically she is my new riding buddy....I'm anxious for the riding season to be upon us so I can get these horse into shape!
Had the best acupuncture "session" yet...he's really relieving the pain in my hip and it seems more centered and not so forward. I can actually lift my leg up without so much pain. He mentioned he'd like to "get me well enough" to get on the treadmill. { Little does he know I've been lifting a few times a week} Ummm...maybe I'm not giving him enough credit...he probably knows my how tight my muscles have been.
The doctor basically "prescribed" Yoga, for me and I like it. I really don't count that as calorie burning exercise. I categorize it as beneficial to my well being.
I guess the process of me being the best me I can be is gonna' take a little longer than I thought.
Until later....

For the love of Horses

No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.
~ Winston Churchill


In my opinion, a horse is the animal to have. Eleven-hundred pounds of raw muscle, power, grace, and sweat between your legs - it's something you just can't get from a pet hamster

Mazatlan, Mexico and my hubby

Just wanted to post a photo of my hubby...what a hottie.

We just got done with a 14 mile "hike" and were headed up the small mountain to the lighthouse in Mazatlan, Mexico. Well, it's more than a hill and not quite a mountain..lol. It was HOT that day!

Joss our 10 year old Weimaraner

Sad Jossee....this is what I see when I leave in the morning.

"stop yanking your ears down girl" you make ME sad.

Chiropractor and Acupuncture

It's the bright spot in my day! It's been a good week and half since I've been ~ I'm interested in hearing from others who have had success with acupuncture!

Top 3 Master Women

My very good friend, Teri..in the middle...

Me on the right

My first show...not too bad

Oh the things I would change though!

Pictures from the past, I'm the middle "shortie" on the right

Too bad there's not a height class and a weight class.

I never really knew I was THAT short.

Snowmobiling, coughs, and contacts

My husband left on another snowmobiling trip...not sure when he'll be back. Usually, I go crazy cleaning the house while he's gone. Most often, the first night he leaves I have a difficult time sleeping....and it happened again last night....didn't get much sleep at all. I try not to anticipate it...{having a difficult time sleeping} but it happened none-the-less. Well, it's cold....I've got to get wood for the woodburner...and keep those stalls clean for the horses! I'm tired of winter!
My cough is still lingering...
Unfortunately, I wear contacts and just ordered two pairs of glasses. One really pretty pair and one pair that will darken so I can wear them outside in the summer, giving my eyes a break from the contacts. I was just fitted with a different brand of soft lens....I don't think I'm happy with them at all!!!

My son's 21st Birthday today!!

I'm so proud of him! Joining the ARMY and excelling in it! Tim just got back from California from training. He says he's got alot of photos to show me....I can't wait to hear all his stories!

What sort of Journal is this?

It's was supposed to be a little bit more about me, but as you can see the dogs are a very big part of my life. I actually see and spend more time with them than my daughter or my husband and definately...they are with me more than my horses.
Looks like I should dedicate this Blog to Corona, what on earth did I do with my time before she came in our lives.

Corona adores running!!

Speeds of 25 and up!

Corona the Showdown

Corona vs. Me ...would Ceasar be proud???

Ok...this might seem a little boring to the "non-dog" person....but if you are truly a dog-lover, you'll understand. I actually go thru this little scenario almost every morning. When just 3 short years ago...I didn't have this little "stinker" in my life and life was a bit easier. She's not even MY dog! Well......I LOVE HER!!!.....I thinks that's obvious. She's my daughter's dog, Corona...loves us all. But she knows who gets up and let's them out, feeds them, and provides them with some exercise and fun! Now, Chad does contribute SOME and Tiana does as well.....but we are all very aware that this ONE LITTLE DOG...NEEDS to run.....it is essential to her mental well being!

Jossee and Corona {our 20 mile bike ride}

Our 20 mile bike ride! {Not much if you are a human...but if you are a dog...it's quite a hike}If I had my way about it...we'd live in a warmer climate and bike all the time. I use something called a Springer dog walker, to enable the dogs to be harness to the frame of my bike. I also use prong collars with leashes attached and loosely held in my hands, while I hold onto the bike handles. Ummm...we've only crashed twice and it was JOSSEE'S fault. She has not been known for her intelligence. What she lacks in that department she makes up for with her BIG heart. Corona KNOWS right and left...and I say "whoa" to stop at stop signs. We've been doing this for 2.5 years and Jossee is still clueless. Well, on Jossee's behalf....Corona and I were focused on going straight and Joss...went right...and the back tire hit a slick spot. { It was November in Illinois and we were riding thru the grass } WE HAD to EXERCISE THAT DAY....as we humans were having a large party and the canines needed to be calm and TIRED.

4 Pounds off!

Oh...I'm so happy! I've lost a few pounds...hopefully ALL bodyfat and not muscle. I've been off the weight lifting for about 2 weeks now. It's very discouraging, as I was on a roll and very motivated...ready to get in the best shape of my life. But I'm not gonna' let it get me down, because I have alot of confidence in the chiropractor/acupuncturist I'm seeing...he's helped me more in 4 visits than some have with a year of visits.

This "cold" is lingering....how very frustrating to feel exhausted and not have exercised. Feeling drained after cleaning a horse stall.....pitiful!!!

Tell ya', what feels good though.....drinking a protein drink made with ice and skim milk...it could pass for ice cream to me right now. I do feel it has been key to shedding a couple excess pounds.

Corona's Close up...

Yeah...you could say she's the center of our household. Shhh....but don't tell our 10 year old Weimaraner...it would hurt her feelings.

The dogs love to run around and "help" me feed horses in the morning. I DON'T enjoy it when it's muddy out though...they must stay inside.

This dog knows she's getting her photo taken.....

Just say, "Give me the belly" and Corona will hit this position!

Harpole's Heartland Lodge

http://www.heartlandlodge.com/illinois-vacation-getaways.html

This is the bed and breakfast that we go to in May for the May Paso Fino Ride! It's a wonderful place, very cozy and they feed you very well! Oh...it's worth going just for the comfy beds! Truly luxurious sheets and comforters to jump in after a long day in the saddle. Treat yourself to a suite with a whirlpool jacuzzi in it to really pamper ones body after hours of riding! There's not much better in life to me!

Cross Fit....will I ever JUMP IN???

I'm very intrigued by Crossfit and would love to join them in the ranks of the athletes they have there.

I would LOVE to construct a workout area like theirs in my barn! Click on "Cross Fit..." in the title and be directed to their homepage! Check it out.

Corona our American Staffordshire Terrier!

Doesn't she look like a LION or a BLACK PANTHER?? I absolutely love this dog. It's amazing how much one "little" dog can add to your life. Corona is so intelligent and high energy...she's contagious! Yes...she's on the leather furniture! At approx. 55lbs this little girl thinks she's much smaller than what she is. I have plans of teaching her weight pulling...she's 3 years old now...it's never too late to learn. She loves to work...in fact Corona and our Weim, Jossee adore biking with me.

Hardwood Floors

Ok....I just wanted to post a photo of my husband's work....I'm so proud of him. His custom hardwood floor work is absolutely stunning....and if I may brag....he is very sought after in our county and surrounding areas!

Sickness...

How very frustrating, seems as though when you are making attempts to get your life in order...the Devil has other plans. Friday and Saturday night I ran a fever...God only knows how high it was. I swear I was delirious...seeing shadows in my house and it was night time!!! Called in sick on Monday, I was just drained from coughing and the fever....
I could have called in today as well and thought nothing of it....I feel exhausted. To say the least, I haven't worked out.
Ok....it's a drop in the bucket compared to the rest of your life....but still incredibly frustrating.