The Disability Tribune is pleased to have Dr. Sandy Wong stop by today to tell us about BodyTalk, Reiki, and Tapas Accupressure.

Anxiety and chronic pain plague so many people of all ages in our modern, fast-paced society. We know that stress has a profound effect on our body’s ability to heal and function at an optimal level. Every experience and every choice in our life contributes to our current — and future — state of health. However, most of us are unaware of all of the factors triggering our dis-ease. Oftentimes, the medical doctors provide a general diagnosis without any specific cause. And most people want to avoid medication or surgery if possible. They may seek alternative ways to get relief and healing. It can seem overwhelming to know how to prioritize what to do to regain a sense of well-being.

I have found simple, safe, and non-invasive ways to provide comprehensive care. By integrating ancient healing techniques and philosophy with contemporary principles of quantum mechanics and epigenetics, it is possible to uncover the unique physical, mental, emotional and environmental factors that have led up to a person’s current state of health. I have seen the efficacy of these approaches on myself, my family, friends and clients.

Our complementary practices — BodyTalk, Reiki, Coaching, Tapas Acupressure Technique & Physical Movement — enable people to live more fully, with freedom and joy. We’ve learned that three critical change levers can help to sustain health: reframing our perspectives, rebalancing our energy flow and re-energizing our bodymind. Each of the practices may be used on its own, in combination, or as a complementary approach to more traditional, familiar ways.

Let’s take a look at a couple of experiences:

Anxious Nancy

Nancy, a bright, accomplished training consultant in her early 40’s wanted help with a series of issues. She was diagnosed with “General Anxiety Disorder”. However, she stopped the medication she was given, because it had side effects and did not help. Her complaints included chronic anxiety causing insomnia for years, stomach discomfort when feeling anxious, pain in lower back, hips and knees, and regular flare ups of dermatitis on palms and fingers. She just started a new job that required a lot of traveling, and she was afraid that she would not have the stamina to do well. She was also concerned, because she had a history of not getting along with coworkers.

Different techniques were used in working with Nancy.

• Through BodyTalk, Nancy came to understand that her anxiety and her defensive, aggressive, “in your face” behaviors were related to past experiences of competition with brothers, criticisms from father, fear of failure in college, constant need to prove herself, and a belief that she will be in control if she is quicker and better than others.

• Her emotional angst about her father favoring sons and a past, mercurial relationship with a co-worker was reduced significantly through Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT).

• Reiki was used to help her reduce anxiety, facilitate calm, relieve pain and increase energy.

• Nancy was coached on conflict management skills. We role played various scenarios to gain insight into the impact of her assumptions, reactions and behaviors.

• She learned to relax her body, still her mind and gain focus & clarity through movement exercises, including meditation and yoga.

At the end of 7 sessions, Nancy said she was experiencing very little anxiety, just normal work stress that she was able to handle. This was no longer causing tension or discomfort in her stomach. She was now able to fall asleep without sleep aids, and if she woke up during the night, she was able to get back to sleep. The pain in her lower back, hips and knees were gone. Dermatitis flareups had diminished, and when her hands itched occasionally, she just used some hand cream to reduce the itching.

Pain, Be Gone

A young man in his 20’s wanted to alleviate excruciating pain in his feet, especially his left foot. He had been off work, on disability for two months, with a diagnosis of multiple inflamed nerves in his feet. After an MRI and other tests, it was still inconclusive as to what was causing the problem. The man had tried a series of 3 Cortisone shots, but after each one, his feet felt numb, swollen, and the pain returned a few days after the shots. He was interested in trying something that might help him avoid surgery, his doctor’s next recommendation.

At his first BodyTalk session, he had to lie down most of the time and could not stand on the left foot or walk without crutches. Even a sheet over his left foot caused pain. With each subsequent session, his foot continued to improve, decreasing in pain each time while extending the length of time he could walk with comfort. After 6 sessions, he was able to return to work without having surgery, and felt he was “basically back to normal”. He had gained insight into some of the things that were causing him stress and was feeling more centered. His sessions focused on optimizing circulation in his legs and feet, balancing Kidney Qi deficiency, releasing anger and fear from various parts of his body, identifying and balancing him to specific stresses at work and an overwhelming feeling of responsibility for others. His overall stress was reduced, and his sleep also improved.

Sandi Wong, PH.D. is a certified Advanced BodyTalk Practitioner, Reiki Master/Teacher, Tapas Acupressure Technique® Trainer and an Executive Coach. She has 30+ years of training and coaching experience. Sandi obtained her graduate degrees from Stanford University. Learn more at www.en-tegrate.com or via phone at (650) 867-6821.

Photo courtesy of EnTegrate