Nancy Zidonis's Blog, page 2

Use Acupressure and Massage for Low Back Soreness

By: Denise Theobald, CSCM and Nancy Zidonis & Amy Snow, TgAAI

Whether your dog is a competitive athlete or your household best friend, when they experience Low Back Soreness (LBS), we all want to relieve the discomfort as quickly as possible.

Acupressure and massage are two effective healing modalities that work extremely well together in providing pain relief and strengthening the compromised area to help avoid future injuries. Read more to see how they work together!

Common Indicators of Low Back Soreness Include:

•   Resistance to touch or brushing along the lower back

•   Difficulty climbing or descending stairs

•   Difficulty lying down or getting up

•   Uneven gait

 

Acupressure Point Work Techniques

Begin Point Work using the direct-thumb technique. Place the ball of your thumb on the acupoint at a 45 to 90-degree angle to your dog’s body. Or, anchor your middle finger on top of your pointer finger  and apply gentle pressure. When you feel resistance, let up on the point slightly and then lightly apply pressure again.

Keep both hands on the dog. One hand does the Point Work while the other feels the reactions such as muscle twitches, yawning, shaking, stretching, and other energy releases. The hand not performing Point Work rests comfortably on the dog.

Breathe out while moving into the acupoint; breathe in when letting up on the point. Stay on the point for a slow count to 20. If the dog seems uncomfortable with a particular acupoint, move on and try it again at the next session.

 

 

Massage/Trigger Point Therapy

To relieve tight muscles created by trigger points – small microscopic contractions in a muscle or tissue – direct trigger point therapy is beneficial.

Trigger points can be deactivated in the same way you would approach an acupressure point; however, with a trigger point, it is more common that you find raised tissue or a nodule as opposed to a dip or valley in the tissue.  Gently engaging the tip of your finger into a specific “knot” or tight band of tissue will release the constriction on a microscopic level releasing the muscle in which it is housed.

Common areas to apply trigger point therapy for Low Back Soreness are on the paraspinal muscles, located just lateral to the spine on both sides in the lumbar region.

Gentle positional release and compression technique slowly moving the ends of the muscle together to release contracted muscles.

When muscles are in a contracted state due to “fascial binding,” we can apply a technique called finger or palmar compression to slowly spread tissue.  This allows blood and oxygen into the structures while opening blood vessels to allow waste and by products out of the tissue.  As a result, the muscle relaxes allowing for more specific trigger point work. The animal is more willing and able to accept the specific nature of this touch and form of therapy if done slowly, gracefully, and intuitively.

During compression, hold the sides of the lumbar back with the pads of your fingers or entire palm, depending on the size of the dog. Hold for 10-20 seconds.  As the tissue softens and spreads, you’ll find that your fingers slowly sink in. Then add a gentle pumping movement with your fingers; this will continue the release of the tissue.

A full intake, history, and exam are key in uncovering the origin of Low Back Soreness. Massage and acupressure are distinct therapeutic modalities that can address LBS effectively. Both modalities are backed by solid scientific and clinical proof of their value – learn to integrate their respective benefits and provide the best health to your animals.

 

Canine Acupressure for Motion Sickness

ROAD TRIP: Canine Acupressure for Motion Sickness,  Amy Snow & Nancy Zidonis

With Labor Day in the USA coming up in a few days, we thought we would give you some help if you’re taking your puppy or adult dog on the road with you.

Puppies commonly suffer from motion sickness, but older dogs can have their moments too. It can turn road trip into an unpleasant and miserable ordeal for all concerned, not to mention being a dangerous distraction for the driver.

Those of us who have had the experience of a carsick dog might apply any number of descriptive and colourful phrases to the situation. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, regurgitation is considered ‘rebellious stomach chi.’ Stomach chi supports the stomach’s ability to function properly and Stomach chi is supposed to flow downwards, not upwards. If it goes in the wrong direction and the dog vomits, it’s being ‘rebellious’ and is not a lot of fun for the dog, driver, or anyone else in the car for that matter!

Acupressure – applying pressure to certain specific points on your dog’s body – can enable you to help him balance the flow of energy through his body, so the stomach chi flows in the correct downward direction.

Acupressure Motion Sickness Session

You can give a motion sickness/nausea acupressure session whenever you suspect that traveling with your dog might be a bit of a rocky ride for him. It’s best to offer this session about an hour before actually getting in the car.

Remember to hold the acupoints shown in the chart on both the right and left sides of his body – bilaterally.

Acupressure & Kidney Feline Disorder

By Amy Snow & Nancy Zidonis, Founders of TgAAI

    The difficulty with feline kidney disorder is, when it becomes clinically recognizable and/or a blood test shows evidence of kidney dysfunction, we are dealing with a condition that requires constant management at best.  Cats can live a full, active life for years with Feline Chronic Renal Failure (Feline CRF) – it is not a “sudden-death” sentence.  There are many ways to help your cat and improve his quality of life.  Consult your holistic veterinarian for appropriate diet and other treatments for your cat since each cat has his own individual needs. You can augment this treatment by offering your cat Acupressure Treatments that support and strengthen his kidney function.

Indicators of Kidney Disorder

From a western medicine perspective, a cat experiencing kidney disease may exhibit the following signs: poor appetite, extreme thirst, weight loss, dehydration, vomiting, or frequent urination.

From a TCM perspective, indications of kidney imbalance include all of the above mentioned signs as in western medicine as well as: shallow respiration (more exhalation than inhalation) or wheezing; loose or loss of teeth; profuse, clear urination; dull coat or sticky-looking fur; premature graying of the face; fragile bones; loss of hearing or other ear problems; plus, slow healing of an injury; and lethargy.

Kidney Function

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the kidneys are referred to as the “Root of Life.”  They store the original “essence” of the body and are responsible for growth, reproduction, and physical development. The kidneys are the foundation of yin and yang chi in the human and feline body.  Thus, any insult to or dysfunction of the kidneys is seen as critical.

Acupressure Session

The following Acupressure Session is specifically for optimal functioning of the kidneys.  It can be used for both perfectly healthy cats to help prevent kidney issues and for cats whose kidney function is already compromised.  By offering your cat this session, you are giving him a gift of life, enjoy this session together.

Equine Acupressure Session to Enhance Endurance

HORSES ON THE GO!   By:  Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute

There are a few more good months of good riding in the northern hemisphere – time to be on the GO!

You don’t have to be an endurance rider to provide this acupressure session for your horse. These acupoints offer your horse an extra ‘umph’ while building muscles and enhancing flexibility.  These acupoints were selected specifically to support healthy chi and blood circulation plus nourish the horses joints, tendons and ligaments.

ALL equine athlete will benefit from these Acupoints for Endurance acupressure session.  Be your horse’s best friend and enjoy this session together.

 ©Tallgrass Publishers, Inc

AMAZING ACUPOINT #6:

Classical Acupoint – Shan Gen, Base of the Mountain, Appetite Point

Does your cat or dog belong to Finicky Eaters Anonymous (FEA)? Does your dog or cat turn up his nose at anything you put in front of him? There’s an acupoint for that!

Loss of Appetite

First, high quality food plus the dog or cat’s ability to metabolize nutrients plays an important role in his health and longevity. There are times when your dog or cat won’t eat what you provide for no apparent reason. If the animal doesn’t eat for over 24 hours, it’s wise to have your holistic veterinarian give your pet a thorough check up. Cats are small and can lose weight very quickly so a vet check is essential. Dogs are usually motivated eaters, so not eating can be an indicator of pain or illness.

If your pet is experiencing vomiting or diarrhea emergency care is indicated. Vomiting and/or diarrhea can quickly cause severe dehydration. There are many reasons your dog or cat refuses to eat ranging from illness to stress. Ruling out illness, injury, poisoning, or identifying disruptive stress which is causing your cat to be anxious is always the first step. Follow your holistic veterinarian’s recommendations.

When your animal buddy seems whimsical about what he eats or doesn’t eat and there’s no underlying medical problem, offering different varieties of food to see what appeals to him is the next step. Often when recovering from illness, medical procedures, or dealing with a chronic medical condition lose their interest in food. Many animals respond to stressful situations by not eating. And, aging issues can lead to a loss of appetite.

Acupressure Can Help

Once you know all is well and your dog or cat is just being picky especially if he or she has a history of being a bit picky you can help resolve his resistance to eating with a little acupressure.  Even if there’s a medical issue and you have consulted your holistic veterinarian, taking an integrative approach by combining acupressure with your veterinarian’s recommendations can restore your cat’s appetite more readily.

Shan Gen, Base of the Mountain

The Classical Acupoint, Shan Gen, is used to specifically encourage an animal’s desire to eat when they are reluctant to take the first bite.

Location

Shan Gen is located slightly back from your cat’s nose toward his eyes on the center line for both dogs and cats. It’s a noninvasive acupoint and has the added value of most animals finding it relaxing.

Technique

Start at the edge of the nose and gently rub back toward your dog or cat’s eyes using the soft tip of your pointer finger. Repeat rubbing that spot for a slow count to 20. Repeat this procedure as often as you and your pet enjoy doing it.

 

 

 

 

 

*WATCH FOR “PICKY EATER” ARTICLE IN ANIMAL WELLNESS / FELINE WELLNESS MAGAZINE, PAGES 92-93, AUG-SEPT 2015 ISSUE – Free Acupressure Session Chart with more acupoints for the picky eater. *

Amazing Acupressure #5

Located between the sternum and the 1st rib 3 cun lateral to the ventral midline.

Kidney 27, Shu-Fu, Shu Mansion / Conveying Place / Elegant Mansion

Transport House/ Transporting Point

Kidney 27 (Ki 27) is a fascinating and amazing acupressure point because different acupressure disciplines ascribe different energetic attributes to it.  Even the English translation of its name varies more widely than with most other acupoints. One text may say Ki 27 isn’t commonly used and another say it’s used extensively. Some texts list functions as only local in nature, while others list many local and distal energetic actions. This is why it’s good to take a closer look at Ki 27 and decide for yourself how and when to make it part of your acupressure session.

Acupoint Classification:

Ki 27 is considered the Association point for all Association points. This suggests that it plays an important role in gathering and distributing chi. This acupoint is the place or residence where chi is gathered. Shu refers to transporting, conveying, or distributing. By combining these ideas Ki 27 is the place where chi of the zang-fu organs gathers and governs by distributing chi.

The fu in the name of Ki 27 is said to refer to yang organs. This seems to mean that this point is known to distribute or convey chi to the yang organs.

Energetics:

Ki 27 regulates the Lungs and the descending of Lung chi, tonifies pre-natal Source chi, stimulates the Kidney’s reception and rooting of Lung chi, tonifies Kidney yang chi, relaxes the chest, redirects and subdues rebellions Lung and Stomach chi, transforms phlegm, tonifies and aligns the total energy system.

Functions / Actions / Indicators:

Kidney 27 is used to resolve asthma and other respiratory illnesses, coughing, breathlessness, chest pain, phlegm, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and abdominal distention. It opens into the lung, strengthens the immune system issues, enables healing, and dispels anxiety and forgetfulness.

Location: Cat and Dog: Ki 27 is found between the sternum and the 1st rib 2 cun lateral to the ventral midline.

 

In a Japanese form of acupressure, Jin Shin Jytsu, Ki 27 is most often called “Elegant Mansion” and it’s said to be the point where “all that is, was, and will ever be”  of the being collects. This is why it’s used in hospice situations – Ki 27 can stimulate chi to either pass or revive, thus providing the animal the possibility of continuing to live if the body is able or the ability to gently move on if it is not. If, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ki 27 is where chi collects and is dispersed, plus it supports rooting the breath then using it in hospice situations makes sense.

 

AN SHEN, PEACEFUL SPIRIT, AMAZING ACUPRESSURE POINT SERIES #4:

CLASSICAL POINT – AN SHEN, PEACEFUL SPIRIT, Amy Snow and Nancy Zidonis

Classical acupressure points are taken from Traditional Chinese Medicine literature. These acupoints may or may not be located on the 12 major Meridians or 2 Extraordinary Vessels. Classical points have their own Chinese “pinyin” name and their own functions and energetics.

An Shen, Peaceful Spirit, is especially powerful and commonly used for dogs and cats. This Classical point is not associated with a channel or any of the 365 transpositional acupoints.  It’s a rare dog that doesn’t enjoy a good rub behind his ear – that’s exactly where An Shen is located. Quite a few cats are given to enjoying a rub on An Shen and even make an effort to rub up against you right on the exact point.

Benefits

An Shen is a calming point and thus resolves shen (i.e., the spirit of the animal) disturbances. It is known to help dispel anxiety, fear, grief, and timidity. An Shen can be used for behavioral issues such as obsessive-compulsive disorders, aggression, and lack of focus for training.

The Classical An Shen point is also used to address physical issues such as seizure disorders (Internal Liver Wind), hearing loss, nose bleeding, nasal congestion, facial swelling or paralysis, and stiffness of the head and neck.

Location

The location of the An Shen point is the same for dogs and cats:  on the back side of the animal’s ear midway between the base of the ear (Triple Heater 17) and Gall Bladder 20 which is located in the depression created below the occiput and the wings of the atlas.

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Amazing Acupressure Point Series

Amazing Acupressure Point Series:

Stomach 36, Zu San Li, Leg Three Miles*

Stomach 36 (St 36) is the acupoint any practitioner could say is the key point of all the 365 classical acupressure/acupuncture points on the body. It’s the go-to point for such a wide-range health issues that it can almost be included in every session. Professors in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) schools are heard to say, “When in doubt, use Stomach 36 and Large Intestine 4.” We begin this series of Amazing Acupressure Points with St 36, go on with Large Intestine 4 and many more powerful acupoints.

Acupoint Classifications

In TCM there are classifications of points that describe their location and function. St 36 has an impressive list of ways in which it is classified. It’s the He Sea Point on the Stomach Meridian, which is the last acupoint point where chi collects before flowing into the ocean of the body. It’s the Master Point for the gastrointestinal tract and thus affects the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients. As the Earth Point (or Earth-on-Earth Point) on the Stomach Meridian it’s considered an extremely powerful transporting point in the Five-Element Theory construct. St 36 is the Command Point of the Abdomen. Another name for this point is “The Sea of Water and Grain Point” because of the Stomach’s role in being the origin of fluids and the food source for the body. And, last but not least, St 36 is a powerful Tonification Point for chi, blood, and Wei chi (Protective chi).

Functions

Depending on which text you refer, the functions attributed to St 36 could be endless. Here are just a few functions: regulates and tonifies Spleen; regulates and strengthens Stomach chi and yin in the middle and lower Jiao (middle and lower sections of the trunk); tonifies Ying chi (nutrient chi), reduces stomach stagnation; redirects rebellious chi (chi going up, e.g., vomiting, burping); dispels dampness from the Lungs; regulates and moistens Large Intestines; tonifies Kidney yang and source chi; regulates and tonifies chi and blood; dispels Wind and Cold pathogenic factors; clears Heat; restores collapsed yang…. Need we go on!

Benefits

Because of its location below the stifle, St 36, when stimulated, benefits the stifle because it brings more chi and blood to that area, hence, St 36 can be used for any stifle injury, arthritic changes, or other bone, tendon, or ligament problems surrounding the stifle. Common use of St 36 include: colic, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, weight loss, mucus or blood in the stool/manure, muscle weakness, abdominal distension or pain, poor appetite, dehydration, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, restlessness, edema, shock, fatigued extremities, lethargy, grounding, dizziness, hypertension, shortness of breath, seizures, blood deficiency, jaundice, immune system disorders, etc. Believe it or not, St 36 has even more benefits then the ones listed.

Locations

Equine: Craniolateral aspect of the pelvic limb – One half cun (0.5) lateral to the tibial crest on the lateral side of the tibia.

Canine: Craniolateral aspect of the pelvic limb – One finger-breadth lateral to the tibial crest in the lateral portion of the tibial muscle 3 cun below St 35.

Feline: Craniolateral aspect of the pelvic limb – One finger-breadth lateral to the tibial crest in the lateral portion of the tibial muscle 3 cun below St 35.

*NOTE: In some texts the Chinese name Zu San Li is translated into English as “Foot Three Mile,” “Foot Three Miles,” or “Leg Three Mile.”

Animal Acupressure Spring Maintenance Session

Amy Snow & Nancy Zidonis, Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute

Glorious spring is here with all its exuberant energy. Trees are leafing out. Grass is turning green. And, everyone wants to get out and move their bodies – especially your dogs. Time to get ready for the warmer weather filled with activity – agility trials, Flyball, Frisbee, running on the beach, hiking trails, swimming, and having fun.

Just like any weekend warrior, your dog needs to get in shape, so start slowly and build up. Protect their muscles, tendons, and ligaments now so you can have more fun as spring and summer progress. Don’t risk an early season injury; it would really spoil things for both of you.

By adding an acupressure session to your loving and grooming routine every three to four days plus combining it with slow and steady physical training, you two will be ready for lots of fun. The acupressure points selected for the Spring Maintenance Acupressure Session chart are specifically for muscle building, tendon and ligament strengthening, and good blood circulation.

Remember to stimulate these points on both sides of your dog. Use the soft part of your thumb or pointer finger on smaller dogs to stimulate the points. Gently press each acupressure point for a slow count of 30 before moving on to the next point.

Tis the season to get out and play and this acupressure session will help your dog play with you with less danger of getting hurt before the fun even starts. Enjoy your spring and summer together!

Amazing Acupressure Point Series # 3: The Four Gates & Animal Acupressure

Large Intestine 4 , He Gu, Joining Valley & Liver 3, Tai Chong, Great Thoroughfare

By Amy Snow and Nancy Zidonis, Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute

“The Four Gates” is the most commonly used four-acupoint combination when stimulated bilaterally. The combination of Large Intestine 4 (LI 4) and Liver 3 (Liv 3) are known to enhance the circulation of chi, blood, and body fluids throughout the entire animal’s body. LI 4 moves vital substances in the upper, or front, portion of the body while Liv 3 is responsible for moving vital substances in the lower, or back, portion of the body. Together they are extraordinary movers!

Acupoint Classifications

Both LI 4 and Liv 3 are Yuan-Source points in their own right. As Source points, they direct powerful Original chi, or Source chi, to the Large Intestine and Liver organ systems. LI 4 is also a Master point for the face, mouth, nose, jaw and neck. Because LI 4 is such a powerful point, it is contra-indicated during pregnancy.  The Liver organ system is responsible for the harmonious flow of chi and making sure there’s the right amount of chi and blood for all activities of the body.

Benefits

The Four Gates is the power-house of circulation. When stimulated this combination dispels stagnations anywhere in the body. If vital substances are not flowing smoothly and harmoniously use The Four Gates. Indicators include: constipation, nausea, irregular estrus cycle, headaches, anxiety, frustration, erratic behavior, cold extremities, weak limbs, poor healing of injuries, tumors, metabolic disorders and other forms of stagnation. In other words, if chi, blood, shen (spirit), and body fluids are disrupted and not flowing properly, use The Four Gates.

Locations

Equine: LI 4 is found distal and medial to the head of the medial splint bone.

Liv 3 located on craniomedial aspect of the cannon bone at the level of the head of the medial splint bone.

Canine: LI 4 is located between the first (dewclaw) and 2nd metacarpal bones on the medial side of the 2nd metacarpal.

Liv 3 is found between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones at the junction of the metatarsophalangeal joint.

Feline: Same location as Canine above.