‘Tis the Season…

As a Naturopath, Counsellor, Life-Coach and Remedial Therapist I’ve a unique opportunity to address our wellbeing from a holistic perspective. In this special summer edition article I’m focusing on aligning our heart and gut brains and how this can help to enhance our wellbeing in general and more specifically with addressing musculoskeletal issues. As a ‘holistic’ practitioner, as well as acknowledging our modern scientific perspectives, I also love tuning into the ancient wisdom of the east. In Traditional Oriental Medicine, summer corresponds to the element of ‘fire’, which  relates to both the heart and intestines. Let’s discuss this in some more detail.

Mind-Body Connection

Modern, western ‘neuroscience’ tells us that we have three brains. Our ‘enteric’ brain is also called, in more simple terms, our ‘gut’ brain. Essentially, we may say that this is primarily concerned with self-preservation. Our cardiac brain, also known as our heart brain is more passionate about how we can contribute to the world. In simple terms, our cephalic or head brain should be more concerned with  thinking of ways of creating harmony between our gut and heart brains. From a modern, western ‘neuroscience’ perspective we need to get our head, heart and gut brains aligned. However, all too often, for various reasons these three different brains are on different tangents.

It seems that each of our three brains have a different mind. It’s like each brain is sort-of programmed in a different way. Each has different perspectives, hence experiences, memories and ways of functioning. In simple terms, the gut brain is concerned with how the world can support it and the heart is more about how it can support the world. And the head brain is so caught up with distractions. Hence, all too often, the three different brains are in conflict, pushing and pulling in different directions.

Our Gut-Brain

In my 30 years as a Naturopath I’ve found that so many people have gut issues. In clinic, most days I see cases with the likes of abdominal pain, with upset stomach, heartburn, IBS, diarrhea, constipation and so on. Interestingly, so many overeat yet are undernourished. Typically gut issues are seen as complex, yet we may also simplify them. Remember, essentially, our gut is a long tube. We may say, in simple terms, that we’re basically a a channel, a conduit or pipeline between heaven and earth. Whilst we breathe in the heavens, we’re also dependent on the sustenance from the earth. So often, we need to enhance our gut brain communication.

The Engine Room

I’ve often referred the digestive system as the engine room. As well as the physical aspects, such as infections, altered gut microbiome, and so on, we may need to also look at mind and emotional aspects as well. We may see the various components of the digestive system as the necessary parts for the car engine to work well. Also, we may see it as the circuit board of a computer. Basically, we need it well attuned to get a clear image on the screen.

One aspect I look at is ‘sensitivities’ and how our gut function affects our blood, then joints, and so on. From this, there can be a ‘vicious cycle’ with many cause and effect symptoms. In simplicity, we may say that poor digestion makes poor blood. This in turn can adversely affect our immune system. As an example, we may look at how our secretions of bile from the gallbladder into the duodenum can affect our digestion. Also, of high importance is the critical gastrointestinal mucosa. Whilst, typically most practitioners just focus on the physical aspects, such as to help our mucosa, reduce harmful bacteria, reduce gut inflammation, with increasing  short chain fatty acid production, and so on, I’m suggesting there’s also many other important considerations.

Our Heart Brain

Summer is the climax of the year. This is especially the time to listen more to our heart. Our heart receives it’s inspiration from the heavens. It’s guided by ‘spirit’. In Traditional Oriental Medicine it’s called ‘shen’. When someone has great ‘shen’ we may see it reflected in their eyes, in their facial complexion and we can experience it from their genuine warmth and generosity. Our heart ideally functions very spontaneously. It’s like, in heartbeat, anything could happen next.  Known as the ’emperor’ in Traditional Oriental Medicine, our heart has the wisdom to guide us in the best direction.

Summer is the season of the heart. Being the highlight of the year, this is especially the time to follow our heart. Our heart is our gateway to experiencing the joy of life. However, all too often the heart is not supported by the gut and head brains. By the time our heart is suffering, there’s been far too many disharmonies throughout our body and mind connection.

According to the wisdom of Traditional Oriental Medicine, the level of joy that we experience is dependent on how well our heart is supported in its mission. Ask yourself, how much joy do you have in your life? We need to think of ways of integrating our gut and heart.

Musculoskeletal Correlations

It’s known in Traditional Oriental Medicine that different organs have specific muscle correlations. If we’re experiencing disharmony in any organ or system, then we’re more likely to also experience tension in those related muscle groups. Moreso than just the muscle, also the related fascia, tendons, ligaments,  nerves, circulation, skin and so on. In other words, or body is like an interconnected web of experiences. As any one part of us is affected, so too are other related aspects. We may experience this as some restriction of movement, maybe poor posture, maybe discomfort or pain. 

The wisdom of Traditional Oriental Medicine, looks at specific ‘acupoints’ along ‘meridians’ as like ‘telephone numbers’ to help different aspects of our mind and body to reconnect. These ‘acupoints’ which are often located at specific locations on muscles may also be activated with specific pressure, stretches, and so on. The idea is that by skillfully applying specific techniques on these ‘acupoints’ it may be possible to assist with enhanced mind-body integration.     

So many people suffer symptoms of joint pain, muscle tenderness, stiffness, restricted range of motion, poor posture and so on. From a ‘holistic’ perspective we need to get our gut realigned to serve our heart better. As we nourish our heart through good digestion we can enjoy an increased level of passion, joy,  and feel more ‘spirited’. In general terms, we may say that ‘spirit’ is similar to ‘chi’. Essentially, it’s what lifts us up, moves us and makes us alive.   

Your Next Step

Find out more, about how aligning mind-body with head, gut and head brain integration can help you. There’s many options available. A suggested first step is to complete a simple assessment. As a private consultation, we can formulate a step by step path to help you with enhancing your wellbeing and enjoying greater musculoskeletal integrity. 

Or to learn more book for the upcoming 1 day ‘Summer Solstice Seminar’ – click here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/revelations-tickets-748354918707