Various tools and techniques to help deal with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) can be very helpful especially when they come from readers such as yourself As a community we’re all in this together and so suggestions to implement the energy science principles can be helpful for all of us working toward eliminating IC from our lives Here are some suggestions about tools, herbs, and practical dietary solutions that can be helpful
The Contigo travel mug with tea infuser makes it easier to carry CCF(cumin coriander fennel) tea on the road CCF tea is important in the IC bladder pain syndrome because the primary energy patterns involved are Pitta(hot) and Vata(mobile) Both imbalances are helped by CCF which has the qualities of cold and stable It also builds agni which is always abnormally low in the syndrome So sipping on CCF tea on a regular basis can be like the proverbial “drip on the forehead” Using the travel mug is a nice way to keep the seeds in the hot water and let them steep into the tea as you travel
Adding a spearmint or basil(cold) leaf to your CCF tea basket can additionally augment the cooling effect of the tea
The acacia herb comes from the resin of the acacia tree of which there are many varieties growing in many hot parts of the world Typically when herbs come from hot climates they carry the cold quality because Nature provides those living in those climates foods that help them maintain their health in such climates Aloe is another example of such a plant
Acacia powder acts like psyllium husk in that it can help with diarrhea and constipation In small dosing it can absorb the hot Pitta quality and stop diarrhea that occurs in IBS and inflammatory bowel disease In larger doses both can help with constipation
Some of our readers have asked about diet assistance in order to implement the suggestions that I make on the blog I’m a proponent of making the nutritional changes within your existing diet rather than creating new recipes This can take some time but it’s worth it in the end I’ll be putting together an energy science nutritional class in the near future Let me know if you want to sign up at drbilldean@gmail.com
It’s estimated that 60-70% of people with the interstitial cystitis will resolve the problem spontaneously The percentage probably goes higher for those who do simple nutritional work as explained at icdiet.com and foodsheal.com So we are left with about 20% of the IC population who will go on to chronic disease who will display more than one of the disease labels of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) This 20% represents the true chronic disease population...
read moreWhen we enter a new way of doing healing it’s good for us to educate ourselves about how the new discipline does its healing I have emphasized in this blog that we can’t bring our matter science preconceived notions along with us when we begin looking at the energy science way of healing It just doesn’t work So we need to be prepared to leave behind out old baggage and be prepared to enter a new way of healing The Ayurvedic detoxification procedure is called panchakarma(PK) which means the 5 actions The five actions...
read moreThe incidence of low back pain(LBP) in the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) is estimated to be higher than over the general population Presently there are new anatomical observations about the mechanical carriage of the spine that suggests that there has become an too much thoracic curvature due to our sedentary culture and furniture that doesn’t support the back While these anatomical observations and reasons are probably true they don’t explain why...
read moreA perfect snack should be nutritious and digest easily even in those with poor digestive strength(agni) This can be really important for those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) because poor agni is always the case Fresh fruit fits this category and is the primo snack food, hands down It beats anything in the middle of the grocery store The Universal Fruits Energetically we are not created equally Some are PV others PK while others VK(unusual) so we...
read moreIn the past we have likened the mindbody to an energy battery that can become drained in many different ways One of the more common ways is chronic disease such as the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia) When there is constant daily discomfort for long periods of time there will be a high chance that an energy drain can occur In the world of psychology this can lead to more often than not decision fatigue This is a situation where after several decisions “pile...
read moreGrains are an interesting food group energetically but the one use of grains that is universally safe for all energy constitutional makeups is sprouted grains In the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) grains vary in terms of the types that can be used For example, Pitta Vata can use cooked oats, rice, and pancakes all the time whereas PK would use these in moderation Typically it’s recommended to avoid yeasted bread products so flatbreads become the best way...
read moreIt’s one thing to watch what you eat when you have the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia) but what you use as foods and how to buy them economically is another aspect of food preparation With our busy lives, these temptations seem so much easier and affordable than cooking. Between our never-ending to-do lists, demanding jobs, children’s busy schedules, and perhaps less-than-stellar skills in the kitchen, cooking seems to slide down to the bottom of our list of...
read moreIrritable bowel syndrome(IBS) is a common condition in those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, GERD, fibromyalgia) and falls into 3 categories: symptoms with constipation, diarrhea, and those with both This is not surprising since all disease except trauma begins in the GIT according to the energy science model of Ayurveda So how does constipation occur from the view of the energy science? In general Vata due to the elements of Space and Air presents when imbalanced as gas Gas or...
read moreThe energy science of Ayurveda uses the VPK(Vata Pitta Kapha) paradigm as a way of talking about the mindbody as a biologic energy field In the energy field model of the energy science health is enjoyed when there is free flow of this biologic energy throughout the physiology and dis-ease is recognized when there is abnormal flow of this biologic energy In this model energy is called prana Prana is a general term for the biologic energy but VPK are types of biologic energy In other energy models prana is called chi, qi, ru, or ruha ...
read moreThe qualities that bring about the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) vary according to which of the VPK energy patterns are involved Each of the energy patterns has qualities Vata has cold light mobile dry rough subtle clear; Pitta hot light spreading sharp/penetrating liquid oily; and for Kapha heavy slow/dull cool slimy/smooth liquid dense soft hard static cloudy/sticky In the energy science these qualities are universal, that is, they make up all of our...
read moreCastor oil is cooling when applied externally on the skin and we have talked about this in previous posts as a means of helping deal with the hot quality in the pelvis causing the symptoms of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromylagia) When using castor with lower abdominal marmas over time this can prove effective in dealing with pelvic pain
Of course in energy science work it’s not just one thing that you do that helps with this chronic pain complex but a multiplicity of therapies(nutrition, day in balance, herbs etc) and the use of marma along with medicinal oils can be very helpful Castor oil packs have been used for a long time in the symptomatic relief of the lower abdominal pain of IC It makes sense that castor’s effect would be through the route of marma since the lower abdominal application of the castor would have little to do with its apparent internal effects of pain relief
Therapeutic Application of Tea Tree and CastorThe energy science often uses an essential oil along with an oil like castor which can deliver positive effects to the involved tissues through the influence of marma points Adding 12 drops of pure tea tree oil to 30cc(1 oz) of castor oil(use a 1 oz dropper bottle)makes a 2% solution that can have therapeutic effects when delivered through marma point of the lower abdomen
The arrows in the accompanying diagram point to specific marmas in the infraumbilical(below the belly button) area A point midway between the belly button and pubic bone is not as well as a point just above the pubic bone There are also paired points, two midway on a line between the belly button and the pelvic bone lateral to the pubic bone, and two lateral to the midline pubic bone point
The application of the above oil is done to these specific points, massaging two points at a time in any combination The points can be massaged for 3minutes and then move onto another pair of points All totaled should take about 9 minutes You can also use castor on the rest of the abdomen Many find application of heat helpful after the castor application
As has been discussed the medicinal effects of castor are well known in the energy science It’s unique in that it has a physiologic cooling effect when applied externally but when taken internally it has the opposite heating effect producing increased gut motility Of course this cooling effect can be beneficial for those who have IC which is caused by the hot and mobile qualities
The tea tree is indiginous to Australia and the leaves are rich in melaleuca oil which is composed of several different aromatic terpenes that cause a very penetrating effect of the oil into deep tissues This then makes it an excellent choice for marma therapy where the penetrating effect of the oil can bring about therapeutic effects to the the organs that are represented on the skin Tea tree oil is balancing to all 3 energy patterns and therefore can be very helpful in IC particularly the hot quality of Pitta
It’s estimated that 60-70% of people with the interstitial cystitis will resolve the problem spontaneously The percentage probably goes higher for those who do simple nutritional work as explained at icdiet.com and foodsheal.com So we are left with about 20% of the IC population who will go on to chronic disease who will display more than one of the disease labels of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) This 20% represents the true chronic disease population...
read moreWhen we enter a new way of doing healing it’s good for us to educate ourselves about how the new discipline does its healing I have emphasized in this blog that we can’t bring our matter science preconceived notions along with us when we begin looking at the energy science way of healing It just doesn’t work So we need to be prepared to leave behind out old baggage and be prepared to enter a new way of healing The Ayurvedic detoxification procedure is called panchakarma(PK) which means the 5 actions The five actions...
read moreThe incidence of low back pain(LBP) in the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) is estimated to be higher than over the general population Presently there are new anatomical observations about the mechanical carriage of the spine that suggests that there has become an too much thoracic curvature due to our sedentary culture and furniture that doesn’t support the back While these anatomical observations and reasons are probably true they don’t explain why...
read moreA perfect snack should be nutritious and digest easily even in those with poor digestive strength(agni) This can be really important for those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) because poor agni is always the case Fresh fruit fits this category and is the primo snack food, hands down It beats anything in the middle of the grocery store The Universal Fruits Energetically we are not created equally Some are PV others PK while others VK(unusual) so we...
read moreIn the past we have likened the mindbody to an energy battery that can become drained in many different ways One of the more common ways is chronic disease such as the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia) When there is constant daily discomfort for long periods of time there will be a high chance that an energy drain can occur In the world of psychology this can lead to more often than not decision fatigue This is a situation where after several decisions “pile...
read moreGrains are an interesting food group energetically but the one use of grains that is universally safe for all energy constitutional makeups is sprouted grains In the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) grains vary in terms of the types that can be used For example, Pitta Vata can use cooked oats, rice, and pancakes all the time whereas PK would use these in moderation Typically it’s recommended to avoid yeasted bread products so flatbreads become the best way...
read moreIt’s one thing to watch what you eat when you have the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia) but what you use as foods and how to buy them economically is another aspect of food preparation With our busy lives, these temptations seem so much easier and affordable than cooking. Between our never-ending to-do lists, demanding jobs, children’s busy schedules, and perhaps less-than-stellar skills in the kitchen, cooking seems to slide down to the bottom of our list of...
read moreIrritable bowel syndrome(IBS) is a common condition in those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, GERD, fibromyalgia) and falls into 3 categories: symptoms with constipation, diarrhea, and those with both This is not surprising since all disease except trauma begins in the GIT according to the energy science model of Ayurveda So how does constipation occur from the view of the energy science? In general Vata due to the elements of Space and Air presents when imbalanced as gas Gas or...
read moreThe energy science of Ayurveda uses the VPK(Vata Pitta Kapha) paradigm as a way of talking about the mindbody as a biologic energy field In the energy field model of the energy science health is enjoyed when there is free flow of this biologic energy throughout the physiology and dis-ease is recognized when there is abnormal flow of this biologic energy In this model energy is called prana Prana is a general term for the biologic energy but VPK are types of biologic energy In other energy models prana is called chi, qi, ru, or ruha ...
read moreThe qualities that bring about the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) vary according to which of the VPK energy patterns are involved Each of the energy patterns has qualities Vata has cold light mobile dry rough subtle clear; Pitta hot light spreading sharp/penetrating liquid oily; and for Kapha heavy slow/dull cool slimy/smooth liquid dense soft hard static cloudy/sticky In the energy science these qualities are universal, that is, they make up all of our...
read more
Biorhythms of sleep have become well recognized patterns and research has shown that they are intimately associated with health and the prevention of disease For example, people who work night shifts are more prone to health problems But the energy science of Ayurveda also gives us a biorhythm of eating which if adhered to improves the entire digestive process and supports this important concept of agni that I’ve talked about in the past
The biorhythm research has continually confirmed what the energy science gives us as guidance about eating and rest As a matter of fact most contemporary research continues to support what the energy science talks about regarding prevention of progressive disease If we are plagued with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) then we certainly don’t want to get worse
Since we are part of Nature(if you don’t agree then show me how you remove yourself from Her) we will naturally flow with Her rhythms I just alluded to the health problems that occur when we don’t go to bed with Nature and wake up with Her So it is with our eating biorhythm cycle
If we don’t take our biggest meal when Nature is doing so then our digestion suffers Our agni or digestive power is maximal at between 11a and 2p Even if our agni is suboptimal the point is that it will be as good as it can be around the noon hour This is completely compatible with what our ancestors knew before we became accustomed to “city life” where schedules for a healthy lifestyle are abandoned
The energy science says that eating our biggest meal of the day at noon time is optimal for health and encourages the best chance for us to digest well What does “biggest” mean? What you can comfortably hold in your 2 hands represents two-thirds of your stomach capacity and Ayurveda’s guideline is that more than 2 handfuls overdistends the stomach capacity and risks the chance to form ama or undigested unprocessed food If ama is formed due to poor agni it can escape from the GIT(gastrointestinal tract) and will spread to peripheral tissues where it can interfere with function
Eating out can be a major problem There are several reasons for this Things are done by restaurants that aren’t conducive for good digestion The most common infraction is ice water Many of the entrees served in public eateries are popular but are not necessarily good for us(chocolate coffee ice cream) Many restaurants nowadays are serving incompatible food combinations The most common one is fruit with other foods
But probably the most damaging of all with our “restaurant fetish” is that it typically interferes with healthy biorhythms of eating Typically eating our biggest meal of the day turns out to be done at 7p or beyond which in the end is ama promoting Not only is it our biggest meal of the day but it’s associated with all of the other ama promoting eating habits foisted on us because we’re at the restaurant
So what can we d0?
1 Make a pact with yourself to eat your biggest meal at noon
2 Minimize eating out…will be healthier and enhance the pocketbook If you have to eat out try to stay away from night time meals, avoid ice, eat according to your energy constitutional makeup(see foodsheal.com), and avoid incompatible food combinations
3 Breakfast is optional If hungry try fruit It should NOT be the biggest meal of the day
It’s estimated that 60-70% of people with the interstitial cystitis will resolve the problem spontaneously The percentage probably goes higher for those who do simple nutritional work as explained at icdiet.com and foodsheal.com So we are left with about 20% of the IC population who will go on to chronic disease who will display more than one of the disease labels of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) This 20% represents the true chronic disease population...
read moreWhen we enter a new way of doing healing it’s good for us to educate ourselves about how the new discipline does its healing I have emphasized in this blog that we can’t bring our matter science preconceived notions along with us when we begin looking at the energy science way of healing It just doesn’t work So we need to be prepared to leave behind out old baggage and be prepared to enter a new way of healing The Ayurvedic detoxification procedure is called panchakarma(PK) which means the 5 actions The five actions...
read moreThe incidence of low back pain(LBP) in the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) is estimated to be higher than over the general population Presently there are new anatomical observations about the mechanical carriage of the spine that suggests that there has become an too much thoracic curvature due to our sedentary culture and furniture that doesn’t support the back While these anatomical observations and reasons are probably true they don’t explain why...
read moreA perfect snack should be nutritious and digest easily even in those with poor digestive strength(agni) This can be really important for those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) because poor agni is always the case Fresh fruit fits this category and is the primo snack food, hands down It beats anything in the middle of the grocery store The Universal Fruits Energetically we are not created equally Some are PV others PK while others VK(unusual) so we...
read moreIn the past we have likened the mindbody to an energy battery that can become drained in many different ways One of the more common ways is chronic disease such as the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia) When there is constant daily discomfort for long periods of time there will be a high chance that an energy drain can occur In the world of psychology this can lead to more often than not decision fatigue This is a situation where after several decisions “pile...
read moreGrains are an interesting food group energetically but the one use of grains that is universally safe for all energy constitutional makeups is sprouted grains In the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) grains vary in terms of the types that can be used For example, Pitta Vata can use cooked oats, rice, and pancakes all the time whereas PK would use these in moderation Typically it’s recommended to avoid yeasted bread products so flatbreads become the best way...
read moreIt’s one thing to watch what you eat when you have the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia) but what you use as foods and how to buy them economically is another aspect of food preparation With our busy lives, these temptations seem so much easier and affordable than cooking. Between our never-ending to-do lists, demanding jobs, children’s busy schedules, and perhaps less-than-stellar skills in the kitchen, cooking seems to slide down to the bottom of our list of...
read moreIrritable bowel syndrome(IBS) is a common condition in those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, GERD, fibromyalgia) and falls into 3 categories: symptoms with constipation, diarrhea, and those with both This is not surprising since all disease except trauma begins in the GIT according to the energy science model of Ayurveda So how does constipation occur from the view of the energy science? In general Vata due to the elements of Space and Air presents when imbalanced as gas Gas or...
read moreThe energy science of Ayurveda uses the VPK(Vata Pitta Kapha) paradigm as a way of talking about the mindbody as a biologic energy field In the energy field model of the energy science health is enjoyed when there is free flow of this biologic energy throughout the physiology and dis-ease is recognized when there is abnormal flow of this biologic energy In this model energy is called prana Prana is a general term for the biologic energy but VPK are types of biologic energy In other energy models prana is called chi, qi, ru, or ruha ...
read moreThe qualities that bring about the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) vary according to which of the VPK energy patterns are involved Each of the energy patterns has qualities Vata has cold light mobile dry rough subtle clear; Pitta hot light spreading sharp/penetrating liquid oily; and for Kapha heavy slow/dull cool slimy/smooth liquid dense soft hard static cloudy/sticky In the energy science these qualities are universal, that is, they make up all of our...
read more
Numbing out is the inability to focus on the sensory experience that is bothering us Sure we notice the pain and inconveniences that “crimp our plans” but that’s as far as it goes
Whether we know it or not numbing out is in our life experience The reason I can say this with such assurance is that we all do it to some degree or another Now one might claim that it’s impossible to numb out when pain is in your face day after day and that is indeed true so we should define numbing out
Reasons for numb out are several 1 Often we don’t have the tools to be more present with whatever is bothering us 2 At times it’s inconvenient to bother or it’s the same thing day after day so why bother 3 It’s quick and easy to numb out 4 We get rewarded because of the pleasure that comes from numbing out
When we become students of whatever is bothering us we bring our full attention and in so doing intention to the issue at hand This is the crux of not numbing out By stopping the numbing out process we bring intention into the equation and voila healing occurs
Common examples of numbing out
Addictions of any kind…food(aka “comfort foods”), alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs
Not managing stress and anxiety so we numb out unconsciously
Stress and anxiety produce flightiness which is a form or “run away” which is the heart of the numbing out process
Circles not together…essentially denial of the problems at hand
Social media….great way to avoid dealing with a problem
1 Journal
Be aware of insights that come about the issue and solutions that will help the problem
2 Meditate on the problem at hand
Be willing to sit, think, and talk about the issue that you want to correct
Spiritual practices sometimes help uncover the unconscious processes such as fear,stress, and anxiety
Grounded minds produce composure to sit
3 The above process allows us to observe something that comes up and not be overwhelmed by it
It’s estimated that 60-70% of people with the interstitial cystitis will resolve the problem spontaneously The percentage probably goes higher for those who do simple nutritional work as explained at icdiet.com and foodsheal.com So we are left with about 20% of the IC population who will go on to chronic disease who will display more than one of the disease labels of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) This 20% represents the true chronic disease population...
read moreWhen we enter a new way of doing healing it’s good for us to educate ourselves about how the new discipline does its healing I have emphasized in this blog that we can’t bring our matter science preconceived notions along with us when we begin looking at the energy science way of healing It just doesn’t work So we need to be prepared to leave behind out old baggage and be prepared to enter a new way of healing The Ayurvedic detoxification procedure is called panchakarma(PK) which means the 5 actions The five actions...
read moreThe incidence of low back pain(LBP) in the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) is estimated to be higher than over the general population Presently there are new anatomical observations about the mechanical carriage of the spine that suggests that there has become an too much thoracic curvature due to our sedentary culture and furniture that doesn’t support the back While these anatomical observations and reasons are probably true they don’t explain why...
read moreA perfect snack should be nutritious and digest easily even in those with poor digestive strength(agni) This can be really important for those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) because poor agni is always the case Fresh fruit fits this category and is the primo snack food, hands down It beats anything in the middle of the grocery store The Universal Fruits Energetically we are not created equally Some are PV others PK while others VK(unusual) so we...
read moreIn the past we have likened the mindbody to an energy battery that can become drained in many different ways One of the more common ways is chronic disease such as the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia) When there is constant daily discomfort for long periods of time there will be a high chance that an energy drain can occur In the world of psychology this can lead to more often than not decision fatigue This is a situation where after several decisions “pile...
read moreGrains are an interesting food group energetically but the one use of grains that is universally safe for all energy constitutional makeups is sprouted grains In the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) grains vary in terms of the types that can be used For example, Pitta Vata can use cooked oats, rice, and pancakes all the time whereas PK would use these in moderation Typically it’s recommended to avoid yeasted bread products so flatbreads become the best way...
read moreIt’s one thing to watch what you eat when you have the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia) but what you use as foods and how to buy them economically is another aspect of food preparation With our busy lives, these temptations seem so much easier and affordable than cooking. Between our never-ending to-do lists, demanding jobs, children’s busy schedules, and perhaps less-than-stellar skills in the kitchen, cooking seems to slide down to the bottom of our list of...
read moreIrritable bowel syndrome(IBS) is a common condition in those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, GERD, fibromyalgia) and falls into 3 categories: symptoms with constipation, diarrhea, and those with both This is not surprising since all disease except trauma begins in the GIT according to the energy science model of Ayurveda So how does constipation occur from the view of the energy science? In general Vata due to the elements of Space and Air presents when imbalanced as gas Gas or...
read moreThe energy science of Ayurveda uses the VPK(Vata Pitta Kapha) paradigm as a way of talking about the mindbody as a biologic energy field In the energy field model of the energy science health is enjoyed when there is free flow of this biologic energy throughout the physiology and dis-ease is recognized when there is abnormal flow of this biologic energy In this model energy is called prana Prana is a general term for the biologic energy but VPK are types of biologic energy In other energy models prana is called chi, qi, ru, or ruha ...
read moreThe qualities that bring about the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) vary according to which of the VPK energy patterns are involved Each of the energy patterns has qualities Vata has cold light mobile dry rough subtle clear; Pitta hot light spreading sharp/penetrating liquid oily; and for Kapha heavy slow/dull cool slimy/smooth liquid dense soft hard static cloudy/sticky In the energy science these qualities are universal, that is, they make up all of our...
read moreThere is nothing like a good night’s rest and when that doesn’t happen it’s a source of deteriorating health 
Chronic disease such as the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystititis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) is often associated with sleep problems More than 25% of the US population have sleep disturbances and 10% have chronic insomnia Although not specifically studied with the IC syndrome, sleep disturbances occur in people with diabetes, depression, obesity, and those with cardiovascular disease
It’s not too difficult to understand why sleep disturbances would occur with the syndrome of IC Getting up at night in order to pacify a bladder that wants to urinate is understandable but other situations such as rectal spasm or vaginal symptoms may also play a role in altering the sleep pattern And of course the ramifications of chronic fatigue from sleep deprivation begin to show when continued problems of interrupted sleep occur
So what can be done to help with sleep disturbance that can support pharmaceuticals that are prescribed?
There are many effective sleep pharmaceuticals to use but they have the potential of sleep hangover so there are some natural sleep aids that can help As ususal with energy science work it’s not just one thing that is done to help with a problem so use many of the below suggestions to help solve the problem
Moderate exercise This helps tax the body so that it wants rest at night Nothing like making the body tired Pranayama can be a very effective way to exercise if you have difficulty with walking, running, or accessing equipment
Eating cherries or drinking cherry juice This fruit is a natural source of melatonin and tryptophan so drinking cherry juice around bedtime makes complete sense Researchers at LSU used tart cherry juice and found an increase of 90minutes of sleep a night
Prepare for sleep If a sleep disturbance occurs one of the first things is to look at what time you’re going to bed and what time you’re waking up In general bedtime should be around 10pm and wakeup around 7am So if your planned bedtime is 10p begin getting ready for bed around 930p taking a warm calming tub bath and massaging the head and feet with bhringaraj oil that relaxes the nervous system Listening to calming music, pleasant reading and NOT watching TV are good things to do for sleep preparation
Interrupted sleep Some recommend that if you’re having trouble waking up in the middle of the night and cannot get back to sleep that you stay up if you have given yourself an adequate chance to go back to sleep When you stay up and begin the day at 3am and do that for three days in a row, it will be impossible for you not to have a good night’s sleep This is especially if you avoid naps during the day The body requires sleep and deprivation for 17 days leads to death so forcing sleep deprivation can become a solution
Nutmeg and milk The herb nutmeg is an excellent sleep aid and coupled with a soothing cup of warm milk will help take the edge off and allow you to go into slumberlands Other herbal therapies There are a number of herbs that can act synergistically with one another in order to cumulatively give you better rest along with dealing with other physiologic problems Rasayans as well as tagar, valerian, brahmi, shankapushpi, jatamamsi, and vidari are excellent at calming the nervous system and promoting better sleep
Chamomile tea This herb also has a sedating effect to the nervous system and can be effective as a sleep aid
So Hum There may be times when you want to fall asleep but the mind is just too agitated for one reason or another to let the body relax Instead of counting sheep or listening to the mind’s endless chatter you can use So Hum breathing So Hum is a mantra that mimics the sound of the breath So on inhalation and Hum on exhalation When you use this mantra you can calm the nervous system and bring on sleep much more easily
It’s estimated that 60-70% of people with the interstitial cystitis will resolve the problem spontaneously The percentage probably goes higher for those who do simple nutritional work as explained at icdiet.com and foodsheal.com So we are left with about 20% of the IC population who will go on to chronic disease who will display more than one of the disease labels of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) This 20% represents the true chronic disease population...
read moreWhen we enter a new way of doing healing it’s good for us to educate ourselves about how the new discipline does its healing I have emphasized in this blog that we can’t bring our matter science preconceived notions along with us when we begin looking at the energy science way of healing It just doesn’t work So we need to be prepared to leave behind out old baggage and be prepared to enter a new way of healing The Ayurvedic detoxification procedure is called panchakarma(PK) which means the 5 actions The five actions...
read moreThe incidence of low back pain(LBP) in the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) is estimated to be higher than over the general population Presently there are new anatomical observations about the mechanical carriage of the spine that suggests that there has become an too much thoracic curvature due to our sedentary culture and furniture that doesn’t support the back While these anatomical observations and reasons are probably true they don’t explain why...
read moreA perfect snack should be nutritious and digest easily even in those with poor digestive strength(agni) This can be really important for those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) because poor agni is always the case Fresh fruit fits this category and is the primo snack food, hands down It beats anything in the middle of the grocery store The Universal Fruits Energetically we are not created equally Some are PV others PK while others VK(unusual) so we...
read moreIn the past we have likened the mindbody to an energy battery that can become drained in many different ways One of the more common ways is chronic disease such as the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia) When there is constant daily discomfort for long periods of time there will be a high chance that an energy drain can occur In the world of psychology this can lead to more often than not decision fatigue This is a situation where after several decisions “pile...
read moreGrains are an interesting food group energetically but the one use of grains that is universally safe for all energy constitutional makeups is sprouted grains In the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) grains vary in terms of the types that can be used For example, Pitta Vata can use cooked oats, rice, and pancakes all the time whereas PK would use these in moderation Typically it’s recommended to avoid yeasted bread products so flatbreads become the best way...
read moreIt’s one thing to watch what you eat when you have the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia) but what you use as foods and how to buy them economically is another aspect of food preparation With our busy lives, these temptations seem so much easier and affordable than cooking. Between our never-ending to-do lists, demanding jobs, children’s busy schedules, and perhaps less-than-stellar skills in the kitchen, cooking seems to slide down to the bottom of our list of...
read moreIrritable bowel syndrome(IBS) is a common condition in those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, GERD, fibromyalgia) and falls into 3 categories: symptoms with constipation, diarrhea, and those with both This is not surprising since all disease except trauma begins in the GIT according to the energy science model of Ayurveda So how does constipation occur from the view of the energy science? In general Vata due to the elements of Space and Air presents when imbalanced as gas Gas or...
read moreThe energy science of Ayurveda uses the VPK(Vata Pitta Kapha) paradigm as a way of talking about the mindbody as a biologic energy field In the energy field model of the energy science health is enjoyed when there is free flow of this biologic energy throughout the physiology and dis-ease is recognized when there is abnormal flow of this biologic energy In this model energy is called prana Prana is a general term for the biologic energy but VPK are types of biologic energy In other energy models prana is called chi, qi, ru, or ruha ...
read moreThe qualities that bring about the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) vary according to which of the VPK energy patterns are involved Each of the energy patterns has qualities Vata has cold light mobile dry rough subtle clear; Pitta hot light spreading sharp/penetrating liquid oily; and for Kapha heavy slow/dull cool slimy/smooth liquid dense soft hard static cloudy/sticky In the energy science these qualities are universal, that is, they make up all of our...
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In energy science work it’s not just one thing that you do to heal the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) but a multiplicity of “things” And most of the time(80%) it’s lifestyle behavior patterns not herbs and supplements that are the “things” that will make a difference This particularly plays out in digestive issues where attention to details pays big dividends
This approach to disease brings clarity both emotionally and mentally so that better decision making is done as you move along in the process So let’s take a look at some important choices that the energy science recommends to improve digestion
1 Biggest meal of the day at noon The digestive system is most ready for the experience between 11a and 2p Conversely at the same time at night between 11p and 2a one should be in bed or there is a great chance that you’ll be “raiding the fridge” particularly if Pitta is high and the digestion is too hot
2 No snacking Snacking confuses the GI tract So eating the main meals at predetermined times every 4 hours is very important If you snack you will never know true hunger Due to its simple sugars that can be digested quickly fruit makes a perfect snack food
3 Only eat if real hunger exists The way to tell if there is true hunger is to drink some water and see if you’re still hungry If your hunger goes away then it’s false hunger However the best way to lock into true hunger is to eat at specific times of the day, eat the biggest meal of the day at noon, and don’t snack
4 Ice is not nice Ice cools the GI tract down and agni The enzyme systems work best at 98.6F and so when ice is used during meals it affects your digestion and creates ama which is undigested, unprocessed food Ama is root of all disease so you can see that simply avoiding is a major step to improving your digestion
5 Pay attention to what you’re doing and chew food thoroughly There is good experimental evidence to show that when you pay attention to the eating process you digest better There are estimates as to how many “chews” should be used for each mouthful of food and I think that a reasonable number is 20 This guideline is also useful for food prepartation paying attention to the food being prepared
6 Take your time eating Setting down your fork and chewing food, appreciating the taste, textures, and the completeness of chewing the food
7 Make a deal to sit while eating Sitting in your car while driving doesn’t count here! Even if it’s a grape make a deal with yourself that you’ll sit down to eat the grape to create a habit
8 Don’t eat when emotional upset Having mental and emotional turbulence prevents you from being able to focus on the process of eating at hand
9 Moderate exercise Make a point to do some form of exercise every day This improves agni and supports quality digestion and prevents ama formation The use of pranayama and in particular kapalabhati(KB) is an excellent way to improve agni and get exercise It may not seem like much but doing 5 minutes of KB is like running a half a mile
10 Use churans with meals At foodsheal.com under nutritional tools there is a listing of churans which are collections of spices that can be used during cooking or sprinkling on food before eating In the energy science each meal should have all 6 tastes Churans can be instrumental in providing these tastes in order to help improve digestion
It’s estimated that 60-70% of people with the interstitial cystitis will resolve the problem spontaneously The percentage probably goes higher for those who do simple nutritional work as explained at icdiet.com and foodsheal.com So we are left with about 20% of the IC population who will go on to chronic disease who will display more than one of the disease labels of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) This 20% represents the true chronic disease population...
read moreWhen we enter a new way of doing healing it’s good for us to educate ourselves about how the new discipline does its healing I have emphasized in this blog that we can’t bring our matter science preconceived notions along with us when we begin looking at the energy science way of healing It just doesn’t work So we need to be prepared to leave behind out old baggage and be prepared to enter a new way of healing The Ayurvedic detoxification procedure is called panchakarma(PK) which means the 5 actions The five actions...
read moreThe incidence of low back pain(LBP) in the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) is estimated to be higher than over the general population Presently there are new anatomical observations about the mechanical carriage of the spine that suggests that there has become an too much thoracic curvature due to our sedentary culture and furniture that doesn’t support the back While these anatomical observations and reasons are probably true they don’t explain why...
read moreA perfect snack should be nutritious and digest easily even in those with poor digestive strength(agni) This can be really important for those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) because poor agni is always the case Fresh fruit fits this category and is the primo snack food, hands down It beats anything in the middle of the grocery store The Universal Fruits Energetically we are not created equally Some are PV others PK while others VK(unusual) so we...
read moreIn the past we have likened the mindbody to an energy battery that can become drained in many different ways One of the more common ways is chronic disease such as the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia) When there is constant daily discomfort for long periods of time there will be a high chance that an energy drain can occur In the world of psychology this can lead to more often than not decision fatigue This is a situation where after several decisions “pile...
read moreGrains are an interesting food group energetically but the one use of grains that is universally safe for all energy constitutional makeups is sprouted grains In the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) grains vary in terms of the types that can be used For example, Pitta Vata can use cooked oats, rice, and pancakes all the time whereas PK would use these in moderation Typically it’s recommended to avoid yeasted bread products so flatbreads become the best way...
read moreIt’s one thing to watch what you eat when you have the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, fibromyalgia) but what you use as foods and how to buy them economically is another aspect of food preparation With our busy lives, these temptations seem so much easier and affordable than cooking. Between our never-ending to-do lists, demanding jobs, children’s busy schedules, and perhaps less-than-stellar skills in the kitchen, cooking seems to slide down to the bottom of our list of...
read moreIrritable bowel syndrome(IBS) is a common condition in those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, GERD, fibromyalgia) and falls into 3 categories: symptoms with constipation, diarrhea, and those with both This is not surprising since all disease except trauma begins in the GIT according to the energy science model of Ayurveda So how does constipation occur from the view of the energy science? In general Vata due to the elements of Space and Air presents when imbalanced as gas Gas or...
read moreThe energy science of Ayurveda uses the VPK(Vata Pitta Kapha) paradigm as a way of talking about the mindbody as a biologic energy field In the energy field model of the energy science health is enjoyed when there is free flow of this biologic energy throughout the physiology and dis-ease is recognized when there is abnormal flow of this biologic energy In this model energy is called prana Prana is a general term for the biologic energy but VPK are types of biologic energy In other energy models prana is called chi, qi, ru, or ruha ...
read moreThe qualities that bring about the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) vary according to which of the VPK energy patterns are involved Each of the energy patterns has qualities Vata has cold light mobile dry rough subtle clear; Pitta hot light spreading sharp/penetrating liquid oily; and for Kapha heavy slow/dull cool slimy/smooth liquid dense soft hard static cloudy/sticky In the energy science these qualities are universal, that is, they make up all of our...
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