Skin Care Solution

© 2005 by Joseph Ben Hil-Meyer Research, Inc.

 

Bruce Berkowsky, N.M.D., M.H., NCTMB

The thyroid gland, a small structure normally weighing only one ounce, has a disproportionately immense influence on the human organism. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is so prevalent in this era that symptoms of nearly every chronic disease are, to varying degrees, linked to abnormal thyroid activity.

Located in front of the trachea, just below the larynx on either side, the thyroid gland produces several hormones, including thyroxin (T3) and triiodothryonine (T4) which help to regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates, mobilization of fats and synthesis of proteins. Calcitonin, another hormone secreted by the thyroid gland, helps to regulate calcium and phosphate levels and is required for uptake of calcium by the bones. Hypothyroid women are frequently found to have inadequate levels of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): a thyroid-modulated hormone that initiates maturation of the egg cells in the ovaries. The developing egg cells, in turn, produce estrogen. Hypothyroidism often plays a role in infertility, menstrual disorders and in some cases may be the cause of menopausal hot flashes.

Hypothyroidism and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) are closely related disorders. Notably, hypothyroidism may also play a significant role in diabetes (high blood sugar). Also, over time hypothyroidism may cause the adrenal glands to shrink.

Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include: anxiety; nervousness; depression (including post-partum depression); irritability; suspiciousness; anger; introversion; low energy levels; chronic fatigue; hypersensitivity; chilliness; cold hands and/or feet; fluid retention; slow wound healing; mental dullness and failing memory; insomnia; weakened immune system; puffy face and eyelids; devitalized hair, skin and nails; heart palpitations; digestive weakness; poor appetite; constipation; inability to tan; loss of bone mass; muscle soreness; neuralgia; joint pain.

Supporting the Thyroid Gland Using Vital Chi Skin-Brushing System

and Alternate Hot and Cold Shower

 

The Vital Chi Skin-Brushing System

Vital Chi Skin-Brushing can sustain or reestablish the skin’s functional integrity and youthful glow. The skin is as major an organ as the heart, lungs and kidneys. Its primary functions include: respiration, excretion, blood and lymph circulation, immunity and the conduction of chi. Thus, Vital Chi Skin-Brushing is a particularly powerful therapy which can positively impact the entire body.

Variations of skin-brushing have been practiced for thousands of years. My Vital Chi Skin-Brushing System, which required hundreds of hours of research and experimentation to develop, evolved from my training and teaching experience in anatomy and physiology and various bodywork disciplines as well as the Oriental healing arts. I designed this system to support blood- and lymph circulation, the immune system, the movement of chi along the acupuncture channels, all the major physiological functions of the skin as well as to enhance skin beauty and encourage the breakdown of cellulite. Yet, my system is quick, concise and user-friendly.

INTRODUCTION: The Skin’s Vital Functions

Primary Benefits of the Vital Chi Skin-Brushing System:

Assists Exfoliation:

The outermost layer of skin cells which serve to protect the underlying skin layers are not living cells, thus, they are continuously shed and replaced via the multiplication and upward movement of living skin cells. The most obvious mechanical effect of skin-brushing is the detachment of dead skin cells.

Excites Physiological Functions:

Proper skin-brushing supports lymphatic drainage of the skin. Lymph acts as a go-between medium for the transfer of vital materials from the blood to the cells, and for cellular debris away from the intercellular environment into the blood. The drainage of intercellular lymph is one of the most crucial of all bodily functions.

Skin-brushing excites and tonifies the muscles and nerves of the skin, thus, it improves blood circulation in the veins and capillaries. This helps explain the skin-flush and feeling of warmth that skin-brushing imparts.

The skin is impregnated with nerve end-fibers which play an indispensable role in nervous system activity. This is why skin-brushing decreases muscular tension and otherwise has a remarkable relaxing effect.

Strengthens Chi Flow:

Chi, a Chinese term (referred to in traditional naturopathy and homeopathy as vital force), is the fundamental energy which sustains life and is present in the vibratory, biological processes of every cell. Unimpeded chi-flow is essential to the prevention of disease. Since the chi meridians course through the skin, they are readily accessible to the ministrations of skin-brushing.

Benefits Mature Skin:

Decreased sweat- and oil gland functions are features of aging. Proper skin-brushing stimulates both the sweat and oil glands and tonifies the skin-pores, and in this way, contributes to the restoration of moist, supple skin.

Promotes Skin Beauty:

Skin-brushing makes a strong impression upon the dermis, the layer of dense connective tissue which lies beneath the epidermis. When the dermis ages, its connective tissue fibers reduce, rigidify and lose resilience, causing the skin’s support muscles to lose tone and volume and the skin to dehydrate and collapse into sags, wrinkles and lines.

Cellulite is a structural disturbance of fat tissue. Cellulite formation is related, in part, to local vein and lymph congestion. Proper skin-brushing can help to alleviate this condition.

The Alternate Hot/Cold Shower

The Alternate Hot/Cold Shower procedure is one I suggest most commonly as an overall tonic treatment to revitalize circulatory, endocrine, immune, lymphatic, nerve and skin functions. When employed three to four times weekly, this shower (preceded by the Vital Chi Skin-Brushing routine) can be wonderfully restorative.

The hot shower is applied first for 2- to 3-minutes; then, instantly, before the sedative reaction of prolonged heat can take place, a 15- to 20-seconds short, cold shower, is taken (while hand-rubbing the skin throughout this cold-water shower to increase circulation). Next, a second hot shower is used (as above), and the body responds with new vigor to the tonic-stimulant effect of the hot water. Always finish with cold water to ensure that the important warming reaction takes place. This procedure is referred to as contrast treatment during which the heat magnifies the stimulating effect of the cold, and vice versa, providing a powerful gymnastics workout for the blood and lymph systems.

Remember, the greater the temperature differences between hot and cold applications, the greater the effect. Importantly, for maximum personal benefit, the contrast between the two temperature extremes should be to the limits of comfortable tolerance. Otherwise, one’s system can be overtaxed. Be conscious of your relative state of vitality on a given day and adjust the temperature of the water and duration of each shower phase accordingly.

Two to three alternations between hot and cold water are used. Excess (more than three) alternations may be depleting and defeat the treatment’s purpose.

Important Note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant as a prescription. Each person is unique and advised to seek the advice of a qualified health-care practitioner to determine relevance in a given case. Cancer patients are advised to consult on oncologist before beginning a skin-brushing regimen.

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Tags: Alternate, Brushing, Cold, Function, Protocol, Rejuvenate, Shower, Skin, System, Thyroid, Vital