Dawit Healing

In my never ending search to educate people about health and well being, I look at illnesses and see what is the root cause. Usually it is a lifestyle issue. And once people are a little more educated about what they are doing that is actually making their condition worst, they can consciously choose to do the right thing. Hernias, Diverticulums, Hemorrhoids and Prolapses are different names given to what seems to me as the same condition. The different names correlate to different parts of the body or internal vs. external disorders, but ultimately they all entail a collapse occurring. These conditions are often caused by a pre-existing weakness which is prone to collapse with too much internal pressure in that area. That’s why I always tell people NOT TO PUSH

when having bowel movements or urinating. Pushing will open up your inguinal rings and umbilcus or push out hemorrhoids. Excessive sneezing, coughing and even laughing will cause too much internal pressure in the lower abdomen. Of course lifting heavy objects will also cause hernias to occur. It’s interesting to note that certain parts of the body are prone to herniation. The most common areas of hernations are cervical vertebrae 7, lumbar vertebrae 4 and 5, sacrum 1, inguinal area, umbilicus, and hiatus.

Hiatal hernias are also caused by excessive pressure to the abdomen. Again, be careful of pushing and straining during bowel movements. Excessive vomiting will put too much pressure in your upper digestive tract, so if you are suffering from a condition like bulimia, please seek care. Overeating may also be a culprit with hiatal hernias. The main symptom of hiatal hernias are heartburn and regurgitation which will be exacerbated by a bad diet and stress. Stress management and easy to digest foods in your diet will help with a hiatal hernia. Smaller meals are better than bigger meals. Avoid too much spicy and greasy/deep fried foods. Avoid lying down after eating and don’t eat and drink at the same time. Alcohol, coffee and citrus drinks can irritate the esophageal lining so avoid those as well.

Hemorrhoids are often caused by constipation and too much pushing when having a bowel movement. If you have constipation, please include fiber and green leafy vegetables in your diet. Learn to breath in and out when having a bowel movement instead of just breathing out. Breathing out is the breath associated with pushing when having a bowel movement. However, did you know that breathing in will also help with your bowel movement. In fact, breathing in will promote easier bowel movements and it doesn’t cause too much pressure on the rectum therefore avoiding hemorrhoids.  Doing kegel exercises, especially after bowel movements, will strengthen the pelvic floor and help hemorrhoids.   And please don’t engage in anal sex if you have hemorrhoids. This will only exacerbate the condition. We can see how women often times develop hemorrhoids when going through labor. WHY? Because of all the pushing they do. That’s why lamaz class is important for pregnant women. They can then avoid prolapses and hemorrhoids when breathing properly during labor.

Prolapses are again caused by too much internal pressure on the abdomen. Uterine, intestinal, vaginal and bladder prolapses can occur in women during labor. Again proper breathing is important when going through labor. I will be offering courses in Hypno-Birthing. The combination of relaxation and proper breathing will ensure an easier labor.

Diverticulums when infected become diverticulitis. Diverticulums are often found on the colon although they can also be found on other organs like the bladder. A pre-existing weakness can make an area prone to a diverticulum, but again, excessive pushing will make it worst. Eating fiber, drinking plenty of water and exercise are key. And don’t hold your bowel movements or your urine. When you have to go, please go.

Lumbar and Cervical herniations are often caused by injuries and trauma.   These vertebrae’s are more prone to hernation because they have more mobility than the thoracic vertebrae.  However, wear and tear with age can cause the discs to become weakened eventually collapsing. Discs are jelly like and as we get older our bodies become more dry. The flexability and fluidity of discs will decrease. Proper nutrition with hydration will help keep the integrity of the discs. Proper body mechanics is also very important.  In Chinese Medicine, we use certain herbs to strengthen the bones and tendons which will also help keep the disc in place. Used in combination with Acupuncture Therapy and Tai Chi Exercise or Qi Gong Exercise, it’s definitely possible to avoid surgery.  Massage, Chiropratic and Physical Therapy can all be useful as well.

This article is mostly about lifestyle tips, but the use of Acupuncture Therapy, Chinese Herbs and Massage/Reflexology can be quite beneficial. However, in some cases surgery is needed, but for the most part lifestyle changes can help significantly. Surgery should always be the last option. The most important thing to remember is to avoid too much pressure on the abdomen. YOU MUST AVOID EXCESSIVE PUSHING. Don’t force things, rather learn to breath in and out and you will notice the difference in how you feel.

Finally, I do want to touch on one more thing.  Exposure to cold can be very damaging.  In Chinese Medicine, whenever something is not holding things in place, we say that cold could have invaded the channels and therefore not allowing the tissue to stay in place.  Qi has a warm nature to it and since one of the functions of qi is to hold things in place, we can see how cold can damage the qi.  I have seen how men can experience more issues with inguinal hernias in the winter.  Wearing thermal underwear (long johns) will be very helpful for this condition during the winter season.   Swimming in cold water or sitting in cold/damp can make the situation worst as well.  Acupuncture Therapy along with herbs and life style change can help with this condition if things have not totally collapsed.  Otherwise surgery will correct the condition.  The underlying cold in the channel should be addressed to avoid recurrence of the hernia.  Unfortunately, many men can have pain post surgery and if that is the case, please call the office to schedule an appointment so that we can help you heal.

Filed under: Articles on August 26th, 2008