The human body memorizes every trauma. These recordings include memories of trauma, resulting from either physical, emotional, or psychological insult or injury. The memories are stored in connective tissue. 

Through injury, stress, improper or insufficient stretching, nutritional imbalances, and/or over-exercising, many people develop muscle conditions called: fibrotic tissue, fibrotic adhesions, calcification, trigger points, sensory-motor amnesia, and Chi blockages.  Muscles that were once soft and flexible are contracted or hard; resulting in muscle pain, decreased range of motion, reduced joint space, impinged nerves, and a shortening of the body.

The GC 4 Health Laser Deep Tissue Body Work, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, Spinal Decompression, Pinning and Isolating with Articulation and Acupuncture techniques will help erase trigger points, break up fibrotic tissue and calcification, increase joint space, increase range of motion, free impinged nerves, reduce lymph related swelling, change tissue holding patterns, and lengthen the body.  As the treatment progresses the nerves and Chi are released from the pressure that is causing the continual transmission of the pain signal to the memory centre of the brain.

FIBROTIC TISSUE (Cross-Linking of Tissue)

When sugar molecules in the blood and in the cells chemically bond to proteins and to DNA, it is called nonenzymatic glycosylation. Over time, the sugar moieties bound to the glycated proteins are chemically modified to become molecular structures called Advanced Glycation Endproducts (A.G.E.s). Some of the A.G.E.s form covalent crosslinks with adjacent protein strands; this crosslinking stiffens tissues which were formerly flexible or elastic. 

A.G.E.s contribute collagen cross-linking which promotes fibrotic tissue, fibrotic adhesions, fibrotic organs, and collagen fibers in the artery walls of blood vessels to stiffen.  Crosslinking occurs in collagen when it is incubated with glucose and/or A.G.E.S; free lysine accelerates the crosslinking markedly.

When enzymes attach glucose to collagen, there is a reason for it and a purpose. Nonenzymatic attachment, on the other hand, is a random and unnatural process.

It is apparent that being low on enzymes and mineral imbalances have a distinct role in nonenzymatic attachment. In addition, when we are low on enzymes, free radicals lead to chaotic collagen cross linking.

Toxic heavy metals especially aluminum, lead, molybdenum, and cadmium are copper antagonists. A copper deficiency causes early and advanced Glycation End Products.

As collagen binds to injured tissues to protect the muscles from further damage it inhibits the body’s unlinking enzymes from performing their function of restoration and healing creating an adverse effect on blood circulation and lymph drainage in damaged tissue.

This biochemical gluing of tissue is a contributing factor to premature aging.

The result of collagen crosslinking may be thickened arteries, stiff joints, pain, nerve damage, feeble muscles, fibrotic muscle tissue and fibrotic adhesions, and fibrotic failing organs.

The GC 4 Health Deep Tissue Manipulation and Class IV Laser protocol provides a way to break up collagen cross-linking and restore natural length and flexibility in the tissue. The result is a complete approach to healing.

Pharmaceutical companies are looking for medicines to break AGE bonds. The best antidotes are:

• eat less sugar

• drink pristine water with Shilajit

• balance the bodies pH

• consume proper carbohydrates

• consume ample amounts of live (enzyme rich) plant based foods.

• take pure Shilajit

• take Sulfina Metal Detox

• join our super foods program

CALCIFICATION

When muscles are overused we get microscopic muscle tears from the repeated stress. Add a residue of lactic acid, carbon dioxide, and acid rain (acidic waters) to the scar tissue (from drinking water loaded with carbonic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, low lactate threshold, and skipping post exercise activities and that flush out lactic acid and carbon dioxide) and these acids burn holes in the microscopic muscle tears. The body then uses tissue calcium to patch the holes; the scar tissue calcifies.

A low lactate threshold means we produce lactate at low exercise intensity. If our lactate threshold (LT) is reached at low exercise intensity, it often means that we do not have adequate concentrations of the enzymes necessary to oxidize pyruvate at high rates. This will cause a build up of lactic acid in the muscle tissue, which contributes to calcification.

Calcified muscles are the consequence of repeated overuse, microscopic muscle tears, scarring, high levels of lactate acid, acidic water;  mineral imbalances, mineral deficiencies, mineral antagonists, toxins, pH imbalance, vitamin, and enzyme deficiency.

There is a silent and undiagnosed pandemic of the Industrial Age; almost everyone has some form of Systemic Sclera, Sclera Derma, Limited Scleroderma plus CREST, (collagen crosslinking tissue together and calcium deposits throughout the body). These disorders are polymorphic and heterogenic systemic disorders with inflammation, fibrosis, and vascular damage. It is hardening the skin, muscles, organs, and arteries of those who are casualties of the Industrial Revolution.

Sensory Motor Amnesia (SMA)

A mystery surrounds certain kinds of pain conditions. These are conditions of so-called undiagnosable pain -- pain that appears mysteriously, one day, pain that moves from place to place, pain that comes and goes.

The term, Sensory-Motor Amnesia, refers to states of muscular activity that we no longer sense because they have become so habitual. We are no longer aware of the action of holding tense. That's the amnesia. People are also often "amnesic" about the injury that led to their tension habit -- until asked to recall injuries they have had in their lives. Suddenly, the connection between their pain,, an old injury and/or over-use becomes clear.

Muscles that develop sensory motor amnesia (SMA) are constantly in a state of increased tension (stress) or spasm. SMA may develop from muscle over-use, after injury (as persistent guarding-reaction behavior) or after long-term physical or emotional stress (nervous tension). Muscles can become calcified and/or fibrotic in the SMA position (they feel like hardened concrete or gristle).

Hip pain may have its origins in a most surprising incident: an ankle sprain.

Imagine that you've sprained your ankle. What do you do in the weeks that follow, to avoid the pain?

You shift your weight to the other leg, don't you? You limp. Your whole posture and movement pattern shift. More than that, you want to put your attention on your life, not on your ankle, so you put the shift "on automatic".

Where's the weight? On the good leg. Which hip muscles have to work overtime and extra hard to take the extra burden? Those of the good leg. Which muscles get tired and sore?

Would you say that three to six weeks is enough time for a new movement habit to form?

Muscles with a tension habit are the first to tighten under stress and the last to relax. Thirty years later, which muscles have gotten chronically tight and sore?

By that time, you have forgotten all about the original injury and are completely unaware that at one point you tightened yourself up -- and are still holding yourself tight. You've got a "bad hip"? Maybe not. Maybe what you have is Sensory-Motor Amnesia and an overworked hip joint.

What about knees? Your back? Your neck? Think of the variety of possible injuries (whiplash, anyone?) and you have a possible explanation for chronic muscular tension and pain anywhere in the body. To that, add the various ways you condition yourself to hold muscles tight (e.g., overuse injuries, improper athletic training, poor work habits).

The Quandary of Sensory-Motor Amnesia

One of the most troublesome aspects of Sensory-Motor Amnesia is that one is left with a sense of trouble (pain and/or stiffness) someplace in the body, but with no sense of the muscular action that is causing it. The sense of how certain muscles work to cause certain movements, or of the muscular action that has distorted ones posture or limited movement, is diminished or lost, leaving one with the sense of predicament but with no sense of responsibility or of a way out.

Unleashing the Muscular System

The way of out Sensory-Motor Amnesia unleash impinged nerves and/or to reeducate the muscles, in particular, to retrain the muscles; reduce fibrotic adhesions, free muscular adhesions, break up calcification, and erase underlying trauma recording. Muscular control comes from releasing the impinged nerves, joints, and trauma.

If this has happened to you, you may be interested in the possibility of freeing yourself from your own tension.

GC 4 Health use the hypothesis that calcified tissue, fibrotic tissue, fibrotic adhesions, and SMA in the joint capsules and surrounding supportive tissues can be altered by the use of specific manipulative, traction, deep tissue massage, acupuncture, and stretching techniques in conjunction with Class IV Laser Treatments.

GC 4 Health has proven the validity of it’s protocol as a procedure useful in treating musculoskeletal disorders when restriction of the joint, joint capsule, and surrounding musculature has taken place as a result of SMA and the formation of fibrous adhesions and calcification. The result of altering SMA, adhesions, and calcification is increased mobility of the motor unit caused by an increase in flexibility of the supportive tissue.

The GC 4 Health technique is rendered via specific short-level arm deep tissue manipulations, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, and Class IV Laser; typically combined with traditional modalities such, far infrared thermal massage, e-stimulation (Interferential, Premodulated, and Medium Frequency [Russian]) traction, decompression, and passive/active rehabilitation.

GC 4 Health Protocol uses patented and copyrighted techniques that release soft tissue at the deepest level, erasing and unlocking trauma memories; they free the unhealthy binding of tissue and allow the muscles and bones to return to balanced relationships.

The GC Life Center 4 Health will help you restore your health and vitality. We can quickly show you how to Eliminate Pain, Depression, Allergies, and Fatigue.  Our Professional Wellness Care Services and Affordable Natural Safe Products...

GC 4 Health…

…goes beyond standard techniques of strengthening and stretching to end muscular spasticity. Instead of emphasizing strengthening exercises, we emphasize release and control, which enables a person to control (and release) muscular tension; instead of using old stretching techniques, we use Active Isolated Stretching and when necessary, we release the joint or impinged nerve, which give them greater -- and rather longer lasting -- freedom of movement equal to or greater than that provide by stretching alone.

The actual process involves a learn-by-doing process involving various movements: decompression-laser therapy-and-sensation-based techniques that make it easier to feel muscular activity.

Clinical somatic education addresses physical problems for which people typically see a chiropractor or that they chalk up to "aging". Most of the time, these problems are not medical problems; they are conditioning problems involving patterns of muscular strain coupled with a decrease in awareness and control of the muscular system, as described earlier.

By understanding the mechanism by which insidious pain and stiffness appear, much of the mystery and "inevitability" of aging can be seen with new understanding. The next step is to test that understanding in practice because, as logical as something may sound, experience makes the point in the only terms that matter.

pH Balancing

If our pH is highly acidic, our bodies first line of defense is to use calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and bicarbonate; as we run low on this precious electrolytes calcium is then inordinately leached from bone mass.

Due to impaired blood flow in muscles with SMA, muscles tend to load up with lactic acid. The body utilizes tissue calcium to neutralize the lactic acid. The result is a calcium build up in the soft tissues and demineralization of the bones (osteoporosis). Muscles can become calcified in the SMA position (they feel like hardened concrete).

If the pH deviates too far to the acid side or too far to the alkaline side, cells become poisoned by their own toxic waste and die.

Just as acid rain can destroy a forest and alkaline wastes can pollute a lake, an imbalanced pH continuously corrodes all body tissue, slowly eating into the 60,000 miles of our veins and arteries like corrosives eating into marble.

If left unchecked, an imbalanced pH will interrupt all cellular activities and functions, from the beating of your heart to the neural firing of your brain.

Although it may generally go unnoticed and undetected for years, an imbalanced pH can lead to the progression of most, if not all, degenerative diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes, as well as the never ending frustration of excessive systemic weight gain.

No other single indicator than the body's pH is encountered as often in assessing health and disease. When the pH is highly acidic or varies radically, the person is not in the optimum state of health. The pH of your body is something you must not ignore if you wish to maintain perfect health, regain lost immunity, or maintain proper weight.

The acidity or alkalinity of our cells and fluids govern what metabolic activities can take place and how effectively they function. If pH is too acid, then our body's chemical reactions and electrical responses are too fast. Consequently, we can wear out or "burn up." On the other hand, if pH is too alkaline, then our chemical and electrical processes are too slow and we have autointoxication or self-poisoning. Thus, we have a "sluggish liver," sluggish bowel," and "congested lymphatics." 

A habitually acid pH can directly cause immediate weight gain by triggering a condition known as insulin sensitivity which causes erratic insulin production by the body. see more

Muscle Overload

Our muscles never work in isolation; they function in groups often termed force couples that must be balanced in all three planes of motion. If one muscle develops SMA, it dominates the force couple and disrupts the natural movement of other muscles (and the joint). The short, tight, overworked muscles intercept the nervous system signal from the weakened, inhibited muscles.

As a result of wearing shoes, walking on flat concrete, being overweight, and being acidic the calf muscles tend to adhere to the fibula and the tibia over time.  Calf muscle adhesions are released through Class IV Laser Treatment and a unique unwinding of the locked and hardened fibrous strands. It is necessary to "break up" these fibrotic adhesions and fibrotic muscle tissue to increase blood circulation and promote healing.

Calf muscles with SMA, scar tissue or adhesions have a dramatic decreased blood and lymph flow, which over time can lead to Pitting Edema, Lymphedema, Ischemia, Lipedema, Functional Peripheral Vascular Diseases, or Chronic Venous Insufficiency. Few physicians or therapists are prepared to diagnose, treat and help manage these conditions. All of these conditions can be reduced or eliminated with the GC for Health Protocol.

Trigger Point Theory

Simply stated, this theory states that in a persons attempt to adapt to the environment, hypertonic muscles may develop.

Prolonged hypertonicity of these muscles may result in trigger points forming in the muscles.

These trigger points result in the clinical presentation of a Myofascial Pain Syndrome.

These trigger points may also cause a reflex arc to be set up with the spinal cord. The nociceptive afferent bombardment of the spinal cord from these trigger points causes interference with the nervous system at the level of the interneuron.

This interference may spillover into the internuncial pool causing problems in other areas of the body. As well as the perception of pain in an area removed from the trigger points (referred pain).

The spinal cord will send efferent impulses back to the hypertonic muscles sustaining the muscle in that condition. This situation results in increased neural activity disrupting the nervous system.

Trigger Points

Over the decades of observing thousands of patients Travell and other researchers have compiled maps of the most common Trigger Points and the areas to which they refer pain. For instance, TP's in the neck's scalene muscles can irritate nerves that send pain, tingling or numbness down the arm of the same side. Trigger points in the levator scapulae muscle are most often the cause of a stiff neck.

The referred pain from TP's, which usually fail to follow normal neural pathways, may travel a considerable distance. For example, pressing on a TP in the calf of the lower leg (the soleus muscle) can reproduce a patient's nagging pain and tenderness in the lower back, directly over the sacroiliac joint. Trigger points in the abdomen, pelvic area and legs also are responsible for several common low back pains. (By inactivating the trigger points bothering John F. Kennedy's back and then preventing their reoccurrence Travell played a significant role in the unfolding of American political history.)

Over-loading the lower leg muscles with extra body weight, wearing high heel shoes (also shortens the soleus muscle), stiff-soled shoes, or repetitive sports movements can generate and perpetuate Trigger Points; resulting in compensations and the development of lower back pain, which can affect the adrenals, bladder and kidneys.

The soleus muscle is sometimes called the body's second heart (the peripheral heart, the sural [tricipital] pump, the soleal musculovenous pump) because of its importance in helping pump peripheral blood up from the feet and legs against gravity. 

The soleus muscle specifically plays an important role in standing; if not for its constant pull, the body would fall forward. Also, in upright posture, it is responsible for pumping venous blood back to the heart from the feet and legs.

Because of the force of gravity, the soleus muscles must be strong enough and pliable enough to serve their purpose.  If soleus muscles are too weak, overworked, locked in SMA, or have developed TP's the blood flowing back to the heart is reduced. The soleus pump sleeps when we do, which contributes to pooling of blood and lymph in the lower legs and to circulatory insufficiency in the calf muscles. This is one reason that calf cramps often occur when we lie down, or when we first arise from sleep. When the soleus is locked in SMA and/or there are TP's in the soleus muscle, this problem becomes more common.

 

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition similar to coronary artery disease and carotid artery disease. In PAD, fatty deposits build up in the inner linings of the artery walls. These blockages restrict blood circulation, mainly in arteries leading to the kidneys, stomach, arms, legs and feet. In its early stages a common symptom is cramping or fatigue in the legs and buttocks during activity. Such cramping subsides when the person stands still. This is called "intermittent claudication." People with PAD often have fatty buildup in the arteries of the heart and brain. Because of this association, the risk of cardiovascular death or having a stroke is six times greater than if they do not have PAD.

Functional peripheral vascular diseases (FPVD) don't have an organic cause. They don't involve defects in blood vessels' structure. They're usually short-term effects related to "spasm" that may come and go.  However, over-worked soleus muscles with SMA can cause intractable FPVD.

Organic peripheral vascular diseases are caused by structural changes in the blood vessels, such as inflammation and tissue damage.

Patients with recent acute coronary syndrome, recent stroke, or established peripheral arterial disease are at increased risk of thrombotic events.

View an interactive Peripheral Vascular Disease. You will need a Flash player to view the animation on your computer. If the animation does not play, you may need to download and install the latest version of the free Flash plug-in.

CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY (CVI)
 
Arteries bring oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Veins return oxygen-poor blood back to your heart. When your leg veins cannot pump enough blood back to your heart, you have chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). CVI is also sometimes called chronic venous disease, or CVD. You have three kinds of veins, superficial veins, which lie close to the skin, and deep veins, which lie in groups of muscles. Deep veins lead to the vena cava, your body's largest vein, which runs directly to your heart. Perforating veins connect the superficial to the deep veins.
The blood in your leg veins must go against gravity to return to your heart. Your leg muscles squeeze the deep veins of your legs and feet to help move blood back to your heart. One-way flaps called valves in your veins keep blood flowing in the right direction. When your leg muscles relax, the valves inside your veins close. This prevents blood from flowing backward. The entire process of sending blood back to the heart is called the venous pump.

When your calf muscles are supple and you walk your leg muscles squeeze, the venous pump works well. But when you sit or stand, especially for a long time, or the calf muscles are fibrotic, tight, or in SMA the blood in your leg veins can pool and increase blood pressure. Deep veins and perforating veins are usually able to withstand short periods of increased pressures. However, increased blood pressure for extended periods of time can stretch vein walls because they are flexible. Over time, in susceptible individuals (highly acidic), this can weaken the walls of the veins and damage the vein valves, causing CVI.

What are the symptoms?

If you have CVI, your ankles may swell and your calves may feel tight. Your legs may also feel heavy, tired, restless, or achy. You may feel pain while walking or shortly after stopping.
CVI may be associated with varicose veins. CVI can also cause problems with leg swelling (Lymphedema)  because of the pressure of the blood pooling in the veins. Your lymphatic system may also produce more of a fluid called lymph to compensate for CVI. Your leg tissues may then absorb some of this fluid, which can increase the tendency for your legs to swell and develop Lymphedema.

What causes CVI?

Long-term blood pressure that is higher than normal inside your leg veins causes CVI. Other causes of CVI include: soleus muscles that are weak or unused, overworked, fibrotic or in a state of increased tension stress or spasm (SMA); deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and phlebitis, both of which cause elevated pressure in your veins by obstructing the free flow of blood through the veins. A sedentary lifestyle also minimizes the pump action of calf muscles on venous return, causing higher venous pressure.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency can be a type of Functional Peripheral Vascular Disease in the calf muscles.

Fascia is a fibrous tissue network located between the skin and the underlying structure of muscle and bone. If your lower legs are larger than normal, fascial tissues bind the muscles. The increased pressure will compress the arteries, veins, and lymphatics that course through the contracting tissue. The pulling can cause Lymphedema, Ischemia, Energy-Deficient Contractures and Trigger Points, and sets off the adverse Neurological Ramifications. Being over weight is also a strong risk factor for plantar fasciitis. 

Prolonged wearing of high heeled shoes will adaptively shorten the gastrocnemius and soleus, the two muscles of the calf. When the soleus is shortened it loses its elasticity, it cannot freely facilitate the venous pump process.

Stiff soled shoes, habitual physical activity, and being over weight play a major role in a poorly functioning soleus muscles.

Trigger Points is the lower leg can result in compensations and the development of lower back pain, which can affect the adrenals, bladder and kidneys. (These trigger point in the lower leg are over the acupuncture meridians for the adrenals, bladder and kidneys.) Unhealthy calves mean unhealthy people.

Other challenges in the condition involve pain if the limb is very swollen and restricted in its range of motion. Flavonoids promote venous strength and integrity.

Lymphedema is the medical term for swelling of body parts, especially the extremities, caused by excess lymph fluid. There are two types: Primary Lymphedema occurs when the lymphatic system is injured or obstructed. Primary Lymphedema in the calf is characterized by structural problems with venous pump (compressed arteries, veins, and lymphatics that course through the soleus). The vessels may pump sluggishly or there may be insufficient numbers of vessels, or both. Primary Lymphedema can also be triggered by a case of secondary Lymphedema. Secondary Lymphedema is often caused by surgery, traumatic destruction of lymphatic vessels, and removal of lymph nodes for cancer screening, radiation, chemotherapy (less destructive than radiation) and a tropical parasitic disease spread by mosquito bite called filariasis. These interventions destabilize the healthy movement of lymph from body tissues through the lymph nodes back to the circulatory system of the blood and the heart.

The Soleus, Adrenal, Thyroid, Endocrine System, and Lymphatic  Connection...

The human body is a complicated mechanism. When one system, organ, muscle, or joint is compromised or disabled in some way it has a domino effect and compromises many other organs and body systems. Symptoms of disease are generally not limited to one area of the body being weakened; but many areas of the body.

Adrenal Glands

The adrenal glands are responsible for handling stress, giving energy, strengthening the immune system, burning fat, and many other important things. Adrenal insufficiency symptoms include: weakness, fatigue, lack of libido, allergies, dark circles under the eyes, muscle and joint pain, dizziness, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, food and salt cravings, poor sleep, dry skin, fibrocystic breasts, lines of dark pigment in nails, difficulty recuperating from stresses like colds or jet lag, no stamina for confrontation, brain fog, tendency to startle easily, lowered immune function, anxiety, depression, and premature aging, too much body fat (can't burn body fat) and lose our passion in relationships.

Our adrenal glands are situated right above each kidney (in the lower back). Their job is to produce and release, when appropriate, certain regulatory hormones, and chemical messengers. Therefore, SMA and Trigger Points in the soleus and other lower leg muscles affect the kidneys, bladder, and the adrenals.

We can erase or inactivate trigger points with deep tissue massage and our Class IV Laser. We also highly recommend Natural Adaptogenic Herbs that help strengthen the adrenal glands: Siberian Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, and Suma.

Adrenal Test

Take two blood pressure readings one while lying down and one while standing. Rest for five minutes in lying down position before taking the reading. Then stand up, wait two minutes, and then take the blood pressure. If the systolic blood pressure (high number) is lower or stays the same after standing or you feel dizzy or light headed, you could have low adrenal gland function. Normal adrenal function will elevate your systolic blood pressure 6 to 8 points on the standing reading.

Thyroid Gland
Adrenal function and thyroid function go hand in hand.

The job of the thyroid gland is to make a hormone called thyroxine. Too little thyroxine from an under-active gland causes an illness with a low metabolic rate. This causes tiredness, weight gain, swelling, and slowness of speech and thinking. Calcitonin (thyrocalcitonin) is another hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. Calcitonin helps regulate calcium in the bones and in the bloodstream. Thyroid disease can cause abnormal blood calcium levels. The thyroid gland also plays quite an extensive role in hormone balance and bone density.

Hormone related problems are often associated with thyroid disorders. Adequate thyroid gland function is necessary for the production of progesterone. When the adrenals are weak or stressed, progesterone is converted into adrenal hormones. The thyroid and progesterone both help normalize pituitary function, the master gland of all the endocrine glands. When progesterone is converted to adrenal hormones the thyroid gets twice the load for the pituitary. Since the thyroid is involved with regulating metabolism, when the adrenals are weak or stressed the thyroid tries to whip them into shape, putting more load on the thyroid. The thyroid will then decrease production to try to conserve both thyroid and adrenal energy.

Therefore, when the soleus is locked in SMA and there are TP's in the soleus muscles it stresses the adrenals, which puts an overload on the thyroid.  This can cause a number of other conditions, such as allergies, skin problems, fatigue, nervousness, gaining or losing weight, brittle nails, dry skin, gastrointestinal problems (constipation), infertility, mental sluggishness, low immune function, depression, and intolerance to cold. Carpal tunnel syndrome has also been associated with thyroid deficiency.

Other associated symptoms of hyperparathyroidism are the development of gastric ulcers and pancreatitis. High levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia) can be dangerous to a number of organs, including the lining of the stomach and the pancreas, causing both of these organs to become inflamed and painful (ulcers and acute pancreatitis).

The endocrine system is made up of the endocrine glands that secrete hormones. Although there are eight major endocrine glands scattered throughout the body, they are still considered to be one system because they have similar functions, similar mechanisms of influence, and many important interrelationships.

Stress and transitional hormone times such as menopause have a tremendous effect on the endocrine system's ability to maintain balance. The glands that are involved mostly with hormone balance are the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals, thyroid and of course the ovaries. The pituitary is the master gland of the endocrine system, which takes orders from the hypothalamus, to regulate the secretion of hormones from all the other glands.

A cooked diet not only is enzyme deficient, but it causes the endocrinal glands to be overworked and the development of diseases. It has been shown that pituitary, pancreas, and other organs can enlarge, become exhausted, and be susceptible to disease when deficient in enzymes. If we are low in enzymes the body must replace enzymes from with in itself, stealing enzymes from all parts of the body—which in the end causes exhaustion, premature aging, and a low energy system.

There is also a connection between the strength of our immune systems and our enzyme level. Enzymes act as scavengers in the body; they latch onto foreign substances and reduce them into a disposable form. Enzymes also prevent arteries from clogging up and joints from being gummed up.

There is a definite correlation between the amount of enzymes an individual possesses and the amount of energy that they have. Enzymes are a true yardstick of vitality.

Lymphatic System

Within us all there is a silent system working to keep us healthy -- the lymph system. Without proper lymph flow, our bodies can swell, swamping our cells with stagnant fluid.

The lymph system's impact is so far reaching that many don't even realize that minor aches and pains, low energy, or susceptibility to colds and flu may be due to a sluggish lymph system and a compromised immune system.

Lymphatic drainage is also very helpful for those who are suffering from a lack of energy, a sluggish immune system or sports injuries.

Studies have shown that when the body is deprived of oxygen it will loose its ability to fight off toxic build up in the lymph system. Our lymphatic system is the system that is in charge of cleansing our system. It is basically the sewer system of the body. We have about 4 times as much lymph fluid as we do blood! So how does this system work?

Muscle contraction is like a pump that moves lymph fluid towards the heart to be put back into circulation. Lymph fluid is full of white blood cells that help destroy any bacteria or germs that may be floating around in the lymph fluid. The pump for the lymph system is actually the muscles and the act of breathing, deep breathing (when your muscles contract, they squeeze the lymph fluid in and out). This helps to circulate the fluid and get excess waste out of the muscles. Breathing is the main mechanism for really getting the lymph fluid moving. That is why cardiovascular exercise like walking or jogging is an excellent way to keep this fluid moving. When you exercise the lymph fluid really gets moving and eliminates waste from all the system, helping waste to get to the liver and kidneys for processing out of your system. Exercise is also important because the movements of the muscles stimulate the flow of the lymph into the capillaries