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105. Sinus Congestion "Stuffy Head"

Chronic sinus congestion can be indicative of chronic dysbiosis (abnormal intestinal flora and increased intestinal hyper-permeability) in both the small intestine and more importantly in the sinuses themselves. New research has linked a chronic fungal infection with chronic sinus infections. Many people with chronic sinus congestion have had numerous courses of antibiotics to treat the infection, with no success. This can also contribute the dysbiosis in the small intestine. Another possible cause of sinus congestion is a need for hydrochloric acid (HCL).


Lifestyle Support
Please see handout here on the Dysbiosis diet.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

21. Benefits of Regular Aerobic Exercise

The benefits of regular aerobic exercise are enormous.

1. Your lungs operate more efficiently

2. Your blood vessels become enlarged, making them more flexible thus reducing the resistance to blood flow

3. You significantly increase the oxygen supply, causing optimum oxygenation of your red blood cells

4. The tissues of your body get supplied with more oxygen

5. It does wonders for your heart

6. It helps eat, digest and eliminate waste better by increasing the flow of lymphatic fluid around the body

7. When you exercise your body produces naturally occurring substances called endorphins. Endorphins help improve mood, relieves depression and helps you deal with stress better and helps you sleep better.

8. It will change your resting basal metabolic rate, so that when you are not exercising you burn up more calories.

It is beyond the scope of this blog to give you exact, personalized information on the type, duration, frequency and intensity of a prescribed exercise program.

Please consult with your clinician for ways to introduce exercise into your routine.



Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Dr. John Thie Does Touch for Health Demonstration

Dr. John Thie (Founder of Touch for Health) does a

Touch for Health balance in

Durham, North Carolina, July 2005

50 Reasons to Exercise

129. Blood in the Stool

Blood in the stool can be an indication of serious pathology. A black stool is usually a result of bleeding in the upper GI tract. The cause could be an ulcer, Crohn's disease, colitis, or cancer, iron, bismuth, charcoal or a heavy meat diet. A red stool is usually the result of bleeding from the lower GI tract (hemorrhoid, fissures, colitis, cancer) or even beets.

If you are in doubt as to the cause of the bleeding, please refer to a gastroenterologist for further work-up and evaluation.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

What is a Meridian and the Meridian Cycle

What is a Meridian?
Acupressure vessels, or meridians, are located throughout the body. They contain a free-flowing, colorless, non-cellular liquid which may b partly actuated by the heart. These meridians have been measure and mapped by modern technological methods. With practice, they can also be felt. There are specific acupunure points along the meridians. These points are electro-magnetic.

We name meridians but the left function wth which they seem to associate. In most case, Thie name is similar to the name of a gros organe we're familiar with, yet muscle indication of energy blockage doesn't mean theres' damage to the organ named. We cannot say that a weak muscle means a weak organ -- we cab only note that a portion of he meridian energy flow indicates blockage or contraction.

The Chineses physician can detect imbalances in meridians by feeling the pulses, but this is a sensitive touch, and it may take 10 - 20 years to develop proficiency with it. Touch for Health uses muscle testing to detect these same imbalances, taking advantage of the body's own wisdom to let us know what's going on.

The Meridian Cycle
Meridians are classified yin or yang on the basis of the direction in which they flow on the surface of the body. Meridians interconnect deep within the torso, but we work with the part that is on the surface and is accessible touch techniques. Yang energy flows from the sun, and yang meridians run from the fingers to the face or from the face to the feet. Yin energy, from the earth, flows from the feet to the torsos and from the torso along the inside (yinside) of the arms to the fingertips.

Since the meridian flow is actually one continuous, unbroken flow, the energy flows in one definite direction, and from one meridian to another in a well determined order. Since there is no beginning or end to this flow, we represent the order of the meridian wheel.

As we glaring this wheel following he meridian lines, and flow follows this order on the body:
      From torso to fingertip (along inside of arm - yin)
      From fingertip to face (along outside / back of arm - yang)
      From face to feet (along outside of the leg - yang)
      From feet to torso (along the inside of the leg - yin)

We go through this four-step process three times to cover the twelve major meridians. Running the meridian with the hand can be a quick energizing massage. Complete the massage by running the central and governing meridians, which run directly up the back and front of he body to the upper and lower lip.

When this energy flow is unrestricted, the body harmonizes the flow to optimize body functioning. Sometimes, though, the life we lead and the abuses we heap upon out bodies cause stress, and sometimes the stress is so intense or so constant that, in effect, it "overloads" the circuit. The "circuit breaker" pops, and need to be reset before energy can flow properly. Our indications of whether this has occurred is the muscle test. If a muscle tests weak, we know we have to go to certain spots on the body and press or hold to reset the body and restore proper flow. The restoration of flow is immediately indicated by a strengthening of the muscle.


Reference:  Thie, J.F. (1973). Touch for Health. Pasadena, CA. T.H. Enterprises.

Well Water

The quality of much of the ground water in this country is questionable. Runoff pollution from field and roads can cause significant levels of organic and inorganic chemical such as pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, arsenic and other heavy metals in well water.

Unfortunately many people with well water do not routinely test their water quality and fail to use adequate filtration methods. Studies have linked these pollutants with an increased risk of birth defects, mental disorders, cancer and many other health problem. Bacterial contamination can occur if the well has not been properly sealed.

It is the recommendation to test your well water for organic and inorganic contaminants at least once a year. Depending on the result it is best to filter your well water before consuming it. A good, high quality water filtration system is a sound and healthy investment. Methods such as reverse osmosis, distillation, charcoal filtration and deionization are acceptable methods of water treatment.



Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

128. Irritable Bowel or Mucus Colitis

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS and mucous colitis are common conditions that present with a combination of any of the following symptoms: abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, hyper secretion of the colonic mucus, flatulence, nausea or anorexia, and varying degrees of anxiety and depression. Many other conditions make mimic the symptoms of IBS and should be ruled out. The causes of IBS are not completely clear, but physiological, psychological and dietary factors have been linked to this condition.

Please consult your physician if you have any questions regarding IBS.



Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.