The Body Doesn't Lie (35 page)

    
• Hot baths

    
• Oregano-leaf “tea”

    
• Almond milk (no dairy)

Self-Healing Trigger Points:

Start with back-body leg and foot points, going from J to K to L to M, N, and O to reduce heat; continue on to points F and G to help the gut and large intestine, which are dehydrated and overworked; then do C and D to let go of sadness and grief and open up the heart; continue on to front-body points L and M for releasing the liver and stomach; and finally do G (heart protector) and B to calm the mind.

Other Remedies:

    
• Don’t mix different alcohols (and alternate with water)

    
• Stick to champagne or wine, or look for spirits made from nonreactive sources (such as rye vodka or almond tequila; always order spirits on the rocks, to increase water intake)

    
• Vitamin B complex (take 1 at night before bed)

    
• Vitamin C (take 1 at night before bed)

    
• Nux vomica 30c (stops nausea; take 1 before bed and 1 in the morning)

    
• Calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C blend (e.g., Calma-C; take 1 at night before bed)

    
• Coconut water or Smart water (to rehydrate and replenish electrolytes)

    
• Bananas (good source of potassium; also a natural antacid because they’re high in magnesium, which can also help relax blood vessels to ease throbbing headaches)

    
• Almond butter, manuka honey, and banana sandwich on rye, topped with goji berries

    
• Probiotic mints (to kill mouth bacteria, for fresher morning breath!)

Self-Healing Trigger Points:

Start by first releasing back-body points A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, then M, N, and O. Continue with front-body points A, B, and C, and finish with top-of-foot points M and N.

Other Remedies:

    
• Realignment of vertebral spine (by chiropractor to encourage bloodflow)

    
• Orthotics in shoes (flat feet or heels all day can cause headaches)

    
• Allergy testing for food sensitivities—common for those with headaches: wheat, chocolate, milk/dairy, sulfites, sugar, citrus fruits (especially oranges and tangerines; grapefruit is better), fermented foods, vinegar, alcohol, MSG, chicken, cheese and sour cream, peanut butter, pork, and fresh-baked yeast products

    
• Chamomile colonic or coffee enema (if also constipated)

    
• CoQ10 coenzyme, 30 mg twice daily (for increased oxygenation)

    
• Calcium/magnesium before bed

    
• Blood test for anemia or vitamin B
₆
deficiency

    
• Well-balanced diet supplemented by daily multivitamin and 1,000 mg vitamin C, with 1,000 mg fish oil twice daily

    
• Lavender oil (3 drops rubbed on temples or used on a cold compress on the forehead or back of neck at night)

    
• Peppermint oil (morning)

    
• Eucalyptus (good for sinus headache)

    
• Rosemary oil (if headache was caused by mucus and sinus infection)

    
• Arnica (if headache was caused by a bump on the head, to reduce trauma and speed healing)

    
• Belladonna (for fever-related headache)

    
• Pulsatilla tablets (for overwork, neuralgia)

    
• Sepia (for menstrual headache)

    
• Nux vomica (for headache with irritability, anger, or overwork)

    
• Natrum mur (all of the above, and migraines, especially when face is pale)

Self-Healing Trigger Points:

Start by first releasing back-body points C, D, E, F, H, I, J, K, and L. Continue with front-body points E, F, H, I, J, K, L, and M.

Other Remedies:

    
• Alternate hot and cold on pain (start with ice for 20 minutes, then hot bath for 20 minutes, with extra Epsom salts (2 to 3 packages); then ice pack for 20; then heating pad for 20; then ice pack—always end with cold!)

    
• If Epsom salts bath is in the morning, add peppermint oil or lavender oil (for calming energy); if in the evening, add lavender and chamomile (to help with sleep)

    
• Lower back massage (or lower back acupuncture or cranial sacral work)

    
• Lower back stabilizer

    
• Kinesiology tape over painful area (lifts the layer of skin/tissue over the sore muscles, to allow for increased oxygen and bloodflow to the area)

    
• Release meditations

    
• No alcohol!

    
• If acute, ask your doctor about anti-inflammatory medication to manage the pain

    
• If chronic, tell your doctor and your gynecologist about the pain during your annual exams (if standard tests are fine, but pain persists, consider having an ultrasound to rule out any other issues)

Self-Healing Trigger Points:

Focus on back-body points C, G, and F, then I, J, K, L, M, N, and O. Move on to front-body points B, C, D, G, H, I, M, and N.

Other Remedies:

    
• Jasmine (relaxing)

    
• Sandalwood (relaxing)

    
• Lower back massage (or lower back acupuncture or cranial sacral work)

    
• Rose mixed with lavender and few drops of ylang-ylang

    
• Black pepper with lavender

    
• Frankincense (1 drop in sweet almond oil)

    
• Patchouli

    
• Kegel exercises (all day long!)

    
• Pelvic tilt exercises (Tibetan pose #2)

Self-Healing Trigger Points:

You’ll want to work on front-body points E, F, G, H, K, and M combined with back-body points C, D, E, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, and O.
Note:
Working on back-point K, on the
inside
of the ankle, helps release the deep inner muscles of the pelvis, which affect the sacroiliac area and the uterus; working at that same point, on the
outside
of the ankle, helps release any swelling of the outer gluteal muscles and the ovaries. (Note: Back K will also help men with their prostrate.)

Other Remedies:

    
• Use menstruation as a time of reflection on the completely intertwined nature of physical and emotional pain (also, celebrate this monthly reminder of your ability to give birth!)

    
• Increased protein (every meal, especially nuts, seeds, eggs, fish, and lean meats)

    
• Avoidance of sugar

    
• More hugs, love, and patience from loved ones (even “warning” your husband or boyfriend of your cycle, so they can understand and help)

    
• Avoidance of phosphates, coffee, and caffeinated drinks (which affect calcium absorption)

    
• Vitamin D

    
• Adequate fat in diet (low- or no-fat diet can increase mood swings; increase omega-3s to counter inflammation)

    
• Nutrient-rich diet—full of antioxidants to boost immune system

    
• Ample whole grains (brown rice, millet, oatmeal, quinoa, buckwheat) to balance hormones

    
• Arnica (pain relief, anti-inflammatory)

    
• Rhus tox (pain relief, anti-inflammatory)

    
• Get to know your cycle by tracking your periods in your calendar (helpful not only for you—especially when you want to get pregnant—but also good info to share with your doctor)

Self-Healing Trigger Points:

Start by first releasing back-body points A, B, C, D, M, N, and O. Continue with front-body points A, B, C, and D.

Other Remedies:

    
• Alternate hot and cold on pain (start with ice for 20 minutes, then hot bath for 20 minutes, with extra Epsom salts (2 to 3 packages); then ice pack for 20; then heating pad for 20; then ice pack—always end with cold!)

    
• If Epsom salts bath is in the morning, add peppermint oil or lavender oil (for calming energy); if in the evening, add lavender and chamomile (to help with sleep)

    
• Hot shower, holding 1.5 pound weight straight down, in the hand on the side with the pain

    
• Epsom salts baths

    
• Kinesiology tape over painful area (lifts the layer of skin/tissue over the sore muscles, to allow for increased oxygen and bloodflow to the area)

    
• Ensure that air conditioning is not too cold

    
• Release meditations

    
• No alcohol!

    
• If acute, ask your doctor about anti-inflammatory medication to manage the pain

    
• If chronic, check with your doctor or endocrinologist about thyroid testing (if blood tests are fine, consider having an ultrasound on the thyroid/parathyroid to rule out any other issues)

    
• Oregano-leaf “tea” (boil oregano leaves in water)

    
• Thyme oil / thyme tea (alternate oregano and thyme tea, 2 to 3 cups of each per day)

    
• Warm water with lemon (6 to 8 cups per day)

    
• Olive oil spray

    
• Bee pollen

    
• Manuka honey

    
• Balsam fir oil

    
• Thieves Oil (a Young Living product; massage on your chest in the bath, dilute it in the water, wear it on your skin in a steam room, or combine with sweet almond oil or grapeseed oil for a massage treatment)

    
• Marjoram oil bath (helpful with shivers and body aches)

    
• Lavender bath (to help you sleep, which is always the best remedy)

    
• Rosemary or peppermint (in the morning, as they are both stimulants)

    
• Fresh royal jelly (a little spoonful under the tongue)

Self-Healing Trigger Points:

Back-body point M on the middle and toward the outside of the toe will help in combination with the back-body points N to O.

Other Remedies:

    
• Pay close attention to odd symptoms—if you have any of these, see a doctor (preferably an endocrinologist) right away for a thyroid/ parathyroid checkup:

    
• Neck pain, sore throat, or change in your voice (“losing” your voice)

    
• Sensitivity to cold, shivering, cold at night

    
• Fatigue (even if you’ve slept twelve hours)

    
• Jaw pain

    
• Gray tone in face

    
• Pain, tingling sensation around mouth and lips

    
• Dizziness, disorientation (feels like jetlag or exhaustion)

    
• Increased bowel movements

    
• Snappy, anxious, quick to anger

    
• A little dry, hard, yellow skin patch under your big toe and close to the ball of the foot

    
• Flaky nails, hair loss

    
• Palpitations, depression (especially during menstruation)

Self-Healing Trigger Points:

The points that really help with jet lag are front-body points A, B, C, D, G, and L and M. Massage each for ten seconds five times each while you’re on the plane. If you can’t sleep at night in your changed time zone, do that same collection of points and continue with back-body points F and G and N and O.

Other Remedies:

    
• Empty hotel fridge and fill it with items from the local health food store (one in every town)

    
• Get a full supply of fruit, goat’s-milk yogurt, and other healthy snacks

    
• Bring your own pillow ( I never travel without my TempurPedic pillow!)

    
• Redo Reflect exercises

    
• Maintain openness to adventure (every journey opens another door—enjoy it instead of dreading it)

    
• Opt for manual pat-down instead of machine scan at airport

    
• Request gluten-free meals or fruit platters on plane (see additional food suggestions, below)

    
• Use any time when you cannot sleep to write lists or notes, listen to music

    
• Resynchronize bedtime to local time

    
• Take a walk as soon as you arrive

    
• Water with lemon constantly (on plane, as soon as you land, in restaurants)

    
• Peppermint or green tea

    
• Multivitamins and/or vitamin C and omega-3s

    
• Dry brushing (especially if you never get a chance at home!)

    
• Request egg whites for face mask

    
• Hot bath with Epsom salts (15 to 20 minutes)

    
• Arnica

    
• Cocculus

    
• Nux vomica

    
• Melatonin

    
• Immune-defense spray, oregano oil/olive oil spray

    
• Bach rescue remedy spray

    
• Peppermint oil (three to four drops applied to the chest when you wake up)