Inspirations

The Healing Power of Acupuncture

The Healing Power of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a healing modality that has been around for centuries with sound scientific evidence.  It is safe and in many cases, works when other options have not.

The type of acupuncture that I use is called auricular acupuncture.  This means acupuncture in the ear.
It is common for a patient to ask "Doc, how can you make my back feel better by poking a needle in my ear?"   Well,  you see, it works like this,  your ear is a microsystem of the body.  Points on the ear correlate with different areas of the body.  It stimulates the meridian, or energy system, releasing energy blockages.  In addition acupuncture releases endorphins in the brain, encouraging the brain to fight pain naturally.

I am fortunate enough to be part of a pain management team at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas where we use holistic health practices to help people with chronic and acute pain.  My part of this program is acupuncture, meditation and therapeutic yoga.  I create a protocol for each patient to fit their particular needs.  The outcome has been excellent. 

Among my family and close friends I am lovingly referred to as the witch doctor, or teased about that voodoo stuff I use. I take it as a compliment.  And, you know what?  It works, and it works well without all the nasty side effects that long term use of opiates can cause.  

If you struggle with pain, anxiety or depression, I can help you, please contact me at gentlemoonessentials@gmail.com.  Together, we will find a solution. 

Yoga An Essential For Balanced Living For Everyone

Yoga is a powerful tool for healing the body, mind and spirit.   It is a multi-layer discipline that grows with time and dedication to the practice.  My journey with yoga began in 2005.  I had visited my physician for a wellness exam and discovered that I had an abnormal bone density level.  I had struggled with scoliosis for years, and just sitting on the floor would leave me feeling crippled for days.  She prescribed Vitamin-D and Calcium and told me that my body would thank me if I would do weight bearing exercises every day.  I asked her how long I needed to do this, and she smiled and said every day for the rest of your life.  I asked her if yoga counted, and she told me that there was nothing better than yoga for what I needed.  I began to explore my options, and joined a yoga studio close to my home.

My yoga training has included Indian as well as Korean traditions of yoga. Both bring a very rich perspective.  What began as a practice dedicated to my physical well-being has unfolded into a mental, emotional and spiritual practice that is a basic foundation of my life.  Through meditation I learned to quiet my mind and let go of negative self talk.  Through the asanas, or postures, I have gained core strength and flexibility.  Understanding the chakra system has taught me the connection of my mental and emotion health with my physical health.  The spiritual aspect of yoga has taught me Fire, the passion to do what I need to do, even when I don't feel like it in order to reach my highest good.  It has taught me Self-Study, the ability to pay attention to what is going on within myself mentally, emotionally and physically and to take total responsibility for my life.  Most important, the practice of yoga has taught me Love of Self,  and that unless I can love and accept myself as I am, I do not have the capacity to love and accept others.

As a pain management specialist for Memorial Hermann's Pain Recovery Center, I have seen miracles happen with therapeutic, gentle yoga.  I have watched people who thought they were doomed to a life of chronic pain and misery release their fear, stretch their muscles, gain physical strength, and find renewed hope.  I teach my patients that each day, if they do just a little, a little will turn into a little more and pretty soon they will be amazed at their own progress.  Sometimes what is  is not our fault, is indeed our problem an what we have to deal with. We don't have to compete with others, we just have to take care of ourselves.

Whether you struggle with chronic pain or not, yoga can make a wonderful difference in many areas of your life.

Namaste~
Rhonda

                                                               

                                                                Gentle Moon Essentials
                                                                What We Are All About!

Good Morning!  I would like to share with you how Gentle Moon Essentials came to be and where we hope to go.  Helping people feel better is what makes my heart sing.  I will be teaching holistic health practices on my website gentlemoonessentials.com.   We will discuss the benefits of yoga,  essential oils, gentle moon products, acupuncture and more.  We will be offering workshops and even drum circles from time to time.

 I have been  a practicing counselor for many years, treating people with addictions, depression, anxiety and more.  I have enjoyed the experience and have learned a tremendous amount from my clients.

Several years ago it became apparent to me that in the treatment field we tend to over diagnose and over medicate people.  Not that there is never a need for allopathic medicine, because indeed there is and I would be irresponsible if I made that claim.  However, some times the "cure" is worse than the presenting problem and that needs to be honestly looked at.

In 2003 I decided to continue my education in order to bring the knowledge and practice of holistic health practices to my clients.  In 2010, at the age of 50, I completed a PhD in Metaphysics from the American Institute of Holistic Theology, focusing on Holistic Health.  Through this process I brought healing modalities such as yoga, meditation, nutrition, and breath work to the intensive outpatient program I was running at the time.  The acceptance and outcome was excellent.

A little over a year ago, I was invited to be part of the pain management team at Memorial Hermann's Pain Recovery Center.  I was asked to teach therapeutic yoga, meditation and administer acupuncture to the patients struggling with both chronic and acute pain. In this position, I have seen miracles happen!  Although the cause of the pain does not always go away, people who come into the program angry, bitter and in pain,  learn to cope, find courage and learn  skills to give them relief.

I have used essential oils in my life and with my family for many years and know and respect their power if used correctly.  My mother, who suffers with chronic pain from osteoarthritis has found a great deal of relief from using coconut oil and lavender oil by applying it to her joints and muscles.  In my counseling practice I have diffused essential oils, helping my clients relax and become focused on their therapy.

A young member of our extended family was diagnosed at the age of two with a vicious and aggressive form of childhood cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma.  Her family and the community have come together and worked tirelessly on her recovery.  She is now four years old and the medical team has released her from treatment as chemotherapy and radiation are no longer working.  She is now in hospice care.  While talking with her mother a couple of months ago, Raelyn's mom told me that she is in a great deal of pain, and they just did not know what to do next.   If you are interested in Raelyn's story and  would like to help please visit her Facebook page Save Raelyn.  Many of you who know me, have followed her story and offered hope, encouragement and love.  And for that, we thank you.

In order to bring some comfort to Raelyn, I went home and began thinking about what I could offer her, and others who are dealing with the effects of cancer treatment as well as those people  dealing with pain.   I began by creating Tender Touch Lotion.  I used a combination of lotion made with all natural ingredients and 100 percent pure essential oils.  I put together anti-inflammatory oils such as lavender, chamomile, blue tansy and tangerine, then I added an analgesic oil sweet birch.   It worked! From there came soaps,  sprays, dream pillows,  and massage bars.

These products are not made in a factory somewhere, they are made with love and intention in my kitchen.  We have now overflowed into the dining room and my back bedroom.  The drums in my drum closet have graciously, but with a sigh and rolling of the eyes, moved over to make room for the supplies.

I have had some wonderful friends pitch in and help, and the acceptance of the products has been overwhelmingly positive.  I would like to thank Karen Bean, Deanda Thoman, and Claudia Price who have spent days in my kitchen stirring and pouring soap,  filling and labeling lotion bottles and making this a joyful process for all of us.  I would also like to thank my crazy, sweet talented friend Linda Lambert for making our website which will be live very soon.

I hope you will join us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest,  visit our website and come to a workshop or community drum circle from time to time.   Thank you from the bottom of my heart!  Love and Blessings~ Rhonda

Paradigm Shift
An Excerpt from "Insprations For the Awakening Soul"

One of the most difficult teachings in scripture for people to understand is when we are encouraged by Jesus to turn the other cheek. We are left with thoughts such as “Do I just stand there and let someone beat me up?” “Do I live with no boundaries?” “Do we just let others overtake us?”

In his wonderful book Sermon on the Mount, Emmet Fox explains that the instruction about turning the other cheek refers to changing one’s thought when faced with error, changing from the error to the Truth- and as a rule, it works like magic. If someone is behaving badly, instead of thinking about how bad they are, immediately switch your attention from the human to the Divine. Concentrate upon God, or upon the Real Spiritual Self of the person in question. You will find if you really do this that his or her behavior will immediately change. This is the secret to handling difficult people, and Jesus understood it thoroughly.

Now, let’s take this idea a step further to the understanding “Where our thoughts go, energy flows.” Sometimes we get stuck in a certain way of thinking. This is called a paradigm. Paradigms of thought can control our life! For instance, if I constantly think “I don’t want to get hurt.” I will be focusing on being hurt. I will be fearful and distrustful of others. Therefore, I will set up all kinds of walls and defenses that keep me from experiencing intimacy, joy, and open, honest communication. If instead I think, “I deserve to be happy and have good relationships in my life,” I will be more open and I will be able to see the good in others and in myself. I will have more appropriate boundaries because I see the good in myself. I attract into my life what I see in myself.

Likewise, if I focus on “I don’t want to relapse” or “I don’t want to use drugs” I am focusing on relapse and relapse is more likely to happen. Instead, if I shift the paradigm to “I want to be healthy and I want to feel good.” My attention will move to healthier ways of living.

Today and everyday, focus on what you do want, and not on what you don’t want. Remember, where your thoughts go, energy flows!

Rhonda S. McBride, PhD, LCDC