Wednesday, July 20, 2005
The large intestine
The approximately 1.5 meters long large intestine or colon is responsible for absorption of minerals, chemicals, nutrients and water from the digested food, and excretion of solid waste material. Similarly to other parts of the digestive tract, the walls of the large intestine are muscular, and contract to move material along its length. Unlike the small intestine, the large intestine does not produce digestive enzymes. The pH in the colon varies between 5.5 and 7 (neutral or slightly acidic). Chemical digestion is completed in the small intestine before the chyme reaches the large intestine. Substances which have not been absorbed in the small intestine enter the large intestine in the form of liquid and fiber. As the chyme moves through the large intestine, the remaining nutrients are absorbed and water is removed, while the chyme is mixed with mucus and bacteria, and becomes feces.
The large intestine consists of the colon, rectum, and anal canal. The colon consists of ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid portions. The ascending colon extends from the cecum upward, along the right abdominal wall, to the under surface of the right lobe of the liver, where it bends abruptly forward and to the left (this bend is called the right colic flexure). This is where the transverse colon, the longest part of the colon starts. It passes across the abdomen with a downward convexity, curves sharply beneath the lower end of the spleen (this curve is the left colic or splenic flexure) into the descending colon. The descending colon passes downward along the left abdominal wall to the pelvic region (the lower part of the abdomen located between the hip bones). The colon then forms an approximately 40 cm long loop, the sigmoid colon, which normally lies within the pelvis. The remaining materials from the digested food move from the colon into the rectum. The rectum is a short (about 12 cm long) muscular tube, that acts as a temporary storage facility for feces.
It then bends sharply backward into the anal canal.
The last 2 to 3 cm of the digestive tract is the anal canal, which continues from the rectum and opens to the outside at the anus. The anus is the opening where stool exits the body through a ring of muscles, the anal sphincter. The sphincter keeps the anus closed as stool collects in the rectum. Eventually the pressure on the rectum wall causes the anal sphincter to relax, allowing stool to pass out of the body through the anus.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
The small intestine
The jejunum is the 2-8 meters long central division of the small intestine, where most of the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. The pH in the jejunum is usually between 7 and 8, which is neutral or slightly alkaline.
The ileum is the final section of the small intestine. It is about 4 meters long. This is where the remaining nutrients are absorbed before moving into the large intestine. The pH in the ileum, similarly to the the jejunum is 7-8 (neutral or slightly alkaline).
For best absorption of nutrients the small intestinal walls are covered with fingerlike vascular projections, called villi. Each villus has additional cell membrane extensions, called microvilli. The villi and microvilli together increase intestinal absorptive surface area providing exceptionally efficient absorption of nutrients.
The liver, gallbladder, and pancreas are accessory organs of the digestive system that are closely associated with the small intestine. The lining of the small intestine secretes a hormone called secretin, which stimulates the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes. The duodenum receives secretions from the pancreas and liver via the pancreatic and common bile ducts. Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. When food enters the duodenum, the gallbladder contracts and discharges the bile into the common bile duct, that carries it to the small intestine, where it helps with digestion. The gallbladder and the ducts that carry bile and other digestive enzymes from the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas to the small intestine are called the biliary system.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
The stomach
The stomach stores, dissolves, and partially digests the contents of a meal, then delivers this partially digested food to the small intestine. Simple sugars and alcohol are absorbed directly through the stomach wall.
Food enters the stomach from the esophagus via the cardiac sphincter which prevents food from passing back to the esophagus.
The stomach consists of layers of muscles and nerves. These strong muscles contract and move and mix the contents of the stomach, mashing the food into a wet pulp.
Gastric glands on the epithelium of the stomach lumen secrete gastric acid (also called hydrochloric acid), which contains acids, mucus and enzymes. The gastric acid causes the stomach contents to have a pH of around 1 to 3. During a meal, the rate of hydrochloric acid production increases markedly. Seeing, smelling, tasting, and chewing food sends information through the vagus nerve to the gastric glands, causing them to increase acid production. On average, the stomach produces 2 liters of gastric acid daily. The gastric acid kills most of the bacteria in the food and stimulates hunger. The highly acidic environment in the stomach causes food proteins (large molecules, one of the three types of nutrients used as energy sources by the body) to lose their characteristic folded structure and break down to their components so they can be easily absorbed later in the intestines. The main enzyme in the stomach that functions to break proteins into smaller pieces is called pepsin. So that pepsin doesn't digest the cell that makes it, it is synthesized and secreted in an inactive form called pepsinogen.
Other glands on the epithelium of the stomach secrete mucus, a viscous, slippery fluid, that lubricates and protects the stomach from self-digestion.
The muscular action of the stomach and the digestive action of the gastric acid convert food in the stomach into a semiliquid mixture called chyme, which passes from the stomach into the small intestine.
Monday, May 30, 2005
The esophagus
The approximately 25 cm long esophagus begins as an extention of the pharynx, courses down the neck next to the trachea (windpipe) and penetrates the diaphragm (the principal muscle of the respiratory system that separates the abdominal and thoracic cavities) to connect with the stomach in the abdominal cavity.
The esophagus propels food toward the stomach by powerful waves of muscle contractions passing through its walls. This motion of the muscles is called peristalsis.
The upper third of the esophagus consists of striated muscle, while the lower two-thirds consist of smooth muscle.
The esophagus, being the first conduit of the digestive system after the mouth, is often exposed to rough and abrasive food parts, as well as extreme temperature. Its surface must therefore be resistant of trauma. For its protection the inner wall of the esophagus is lined with stratified squamous epithelium. The epithelium is a primary membranous tissue composed of one or more layers of cells forming the covering of most internal and external surfaces of the body and its organs. Squamous epithelial cells are flat and often overlapping, they compose the outer layer of skin and line certain internal cavities of body organs.
The esophagus is bounded by physiologic sphincters: the upper and lower esophageal sphincters. The upper sphincter, located next to the larynx, contains a muscle which pulls the larynx forward when swallowing, in order to rout the food into the esophagus instead of the larynx. The lower esophageal sphincter, also known as cardiac sphincter, is the muscle that surrounds the esophagus just as it enters the stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter relaxes before the esophagus contracts, and allows food to pass through to the stomach. After food passes into the stomach, the sphincter constricts to prevent the contents from regurgitating into the esophagus.
Normally, the upper and lower sphincters are closed except during swallowing, which prevents constant entry of air from the oral cavity or reflux of stomach contents. When the bottom muscles weaken, the cardiac sphincter does not close properly, allowing stomach contents and stomach acid to reflux back into the esophagus, causes a burning sensation in the chest or throat. This is a common disorder called heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
The mouth
Monday, May 23, 2005
The digestive system (overview)
Sunday, May 15, 2005
The feet - as reflexology sees them
The medial side of the foot is the great toe side or the inside of the foot.
The lateral side of the foot is the little toe side or the outside of the foot.
The dorsal surface or dorsum of the foot is the top of the foot.
The plantar surface of the foot is the bottom or sole of the foot.
There are three transverse zones on each foot, divided by three lines: the shoulder line, the waist line and the pelvic girdle.
Since the feet are the mirror of the entire body, a reflexologist will also look at the shape, size and color of the feet, since all these signs might reflect on the state of different body parts and organs. All these guidelines are very important for a successful treatment.
Hereinafter I'm going to give an overview of the structure and function of the digestive system, and show how reflexology can help digestive disorders.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
About the feet
The average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day, which adds up to about 115,000 miles over a lifetime. That's enough to go around the circumference of the earth four times. An average day of walking brings a force equal to several hundred tons to bear on the feet.
The foot contains 26 bones (1/4 of all the bones in the human body), 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles and numerous tendons to hold the bones in place and to move in a variety of ways, and a network of blood vessels, nerves, skin, and soft tissue. In addition, each foot has about 125,000 sweat glands which excrete as much as a half a pint of moisture each day.
The human foot consists of:
- Seven thick, short, tarsal bones which compose the heel and back of the instep.
- Five parallel metatarsal bones that form the front of the instep. They spread toward the front of the foot to form the ball of the foot.
- Fourteen smaller phalanges that make up the toes (the large toe has two, each smaller toe has three).
- Tough bands of tissue (ligaments) that connect the bones and hold them in place.
- The tarsal and metatarsal bones that form the two arches of the foot.
- A thick layer of fatty tissue under the sole, which helps the arches absorb the pressure and shocks of walking, running and jumping.
The components of the feet work together to provide the body with support, balance, and mobility, sharing the tremendous pressures of daily living. When the different parts of the feet are out of alignment, so is the rest of the body.
That is why it is so important to take good care of our feet.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
More about reflexology
A regular treatment takes approximately 30-40 minutes. The frequency of treatments and the length of a series depends on the condition of the person being treated. After a treatment it is common for the client to feel energized or sleepy, hot or shivery, and experience certain reactions as the body begins its healing process and elimination of toxins: runny nose, frequent visits to the bathroom, perspiration, slight and temporary rash on the skin, deep sleep or difficulty sleeping.
A series of regular professional treatments can balance and normalize body functions, and may be a great help and solution for pains, migraines, back problems, sinusitis, digestive problems, hormonal imbalance, circulatory problems, tension and stress. Reflexology never makes a condition worse, however, in some special cases it is not advisable to treat certain areas (a well trained reflexologist will recognize these situations).
Reflexology can also be successfully combined with other alternative healing techniques, such as Chinese medicine or massage therapy. Even non-professionally, it's a great tool for relaxation for family and friends.
Reflexology, however, is not an ultimate and omnipotent medicine, and in some cases other healing methods, either holistic or conventional, are necessary.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
What is reflexology?
Reflexology as a healing technique dates back to ancient times. Evidence of its use has been found in Egypt (in hieroglyphics found in an ancient tomb), China and India. It was rediscovered and further developed in Europe and the United States in the early 20th century. In 1913 at a Boston hospital Dr. William H. Fitzgerald started using reflexology, instead of administering medication, for pain relief (he called it zone therapy) . Soon he noticed that this method of applying pressure to certain "zones" on the feet, corresponding to various body parts and thus easing pain and pressure, not only relieved the pain, but in many cases treated the actual cause as well. In the early 1930's Eunice D. Ingham, a physical therapist, started to develop her own foot reflex theory, based on Dr. Fitzgerald's zone theory. She discovered that the reflexes on the feet were an exact mirror image of the organs and parts of the body, and she was the first one to actually map the feet. Today this map and the original Ingham method is used by reflexologists all around the world.
Monday, May 02, 2005
What is holistic medicine?
Holistic medicine is holistic, because it looks at the whole person and the surrounding world as one entity; it is alternative, because it offers a different, non-conventional, non-invasive way of healing; it is complementary, because it can be used alongside other healing methods or medication; and it is natural, because instead of drugs, pills, injections and surgeries, it uses more gentle, non-pharmaceutical and non-invasive natural tools and techniques. Holistic medicine does not only treat the symptom, but relates to the whole human being. Holistic healers, just like medical doctors, are professionally trained. Holistic healing, therefore, when done properly, is not at all quackery (as some people unfamiliar with it at times mistakenly think), but a very powerful way of healing. It has the ability to cure both acute illnesses (those of abrupt onset and rapidly progressing symptoms) as well as chronic conditions (those of indefinite duration). It is important to realize, that in some cases conventional treatment (such as antibiotics or immediate surgery) is also or even exclusively needed.
Although many holistic healing methods have ancient roots (while other holistic techniques are relatively new), the field as a whole seems to be only recently rediscovered in western society. During the past 30 years more and more hospitals and clinics have begun to practice holistic medicine all around the world. The simple and most obvious reason to this revelation is that in our days the world is smaller and more open than ever, making it possible for many ideas to freely wonder between countries and cultures. On the other hand, in our global and mechanized world people are quite detached from nature, from their roots in the universe, and sometimes even from each other. People know very well how to use all different kinds of machines, but often they forget how to use the most basic and most important elements of existence: the earth, the light, the water, the plants and animals, the surrounding energies. Unduly little attention is being paid to our bodies and souls. Therefore, now more than ever we all need to reconnect to the natural gifts that were given to us, we all need healing, pampering, love, kindness, sometimes even just a human touch. These are some of the things that holistic medicine has to offer.
Methods of holistic healing (not a complete list):
Aromatherapy
Chinese medicine
Chiropractic
Healing
Herbiology
Homeopathy
Kinesiology
Massage therapy
Nutrition
Reflexology
Shiatsu
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Anatomy links
http://www.innerbody.com/
http://www.bartleby.com/107/
http://www.instantanatomy.net/
http://www.netanatomy.com/
http://www.anatomy-resources.com/
http://www.msjensen.gen.umn.edu/webanatomy/
http://www.rad.washington.edu/anatomy/
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/dreamanatomy/
http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article29.html
http://www.gwc.maricopa.edu/home_pages/crimando/jctuts5.htm
http://www.bcm.edu/oto/studs/anat.html
The following links are great but just a bit too long so I had to break them up.
You'll need to type in the last words. It's really simple. Sorry about this.
http://www.vh.org/adult/provider/anatomy/HumanAnatomy/
CrossSectionAtlas.html
http://splweb.bwh.harvard.edu:8000/pages/papers/AnatomyBrowser/
current
And here is something Torah-related:
http://www.thewatchman.net/body.html
Also, not on the web but an amazing, deep and helpful book:
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov: Anatomy of the soul
Translated by Chaim Kramer
Publisher:Breslov Research Institute
Reflexology links
Am I like Yahoo or what?! :-)
http://www.reflexology.org/
http://www.icr-reflexology.org/
http://www.reflexology-research.com/
http://www.healingfeats.com/reflexol.htm
http://www.reflexology-usa.net/
http://www.reflexology-usa.org/
http://www.reflexology.net/home.htm
http://www.foot-reflexologist.com/
http://www.reflexeurope.org/
http://www.britreflex.co.uk/
http://www.aor.org.uk/
http://www.reflexology-uk.co.uk/
http://reflexology.org.au/www/
http://www.reflexologycanada.ca/
http://aboutreflexology.com/
http://innerself.com/Health/discovering_reflexology.htm
http://www.naturalhealers.com/qa/reflexology.shtml
http://dmoz.org/Health/Alternative/Reflexology/
http://homepage.tinet.ie/~footman/ - check this out!!! booklist!!!
The story
The truth is that I was always interested in healing. But in high school I was not too serious and I certainly didn't study enough to get into medical school. Besides, I was never really fond of "conventional medicine" and I wouldn't want to give people shots or take their blood.
Therefore reflexology and massage therapy sounded like it was just what I was looking for!
When I finally went to Shelem Institute, Holistic Studies and Complementary Medicine Center, Jerusalem (www.shelem.com) to interview with their ever so amazing administrative principal, Dr. Miri Hoffman and to sign up for the course, I still wasn't quite sure what I was jumping into.
Only later on, as my teachers, Dr. Eldad Nakar (reflexology theory - also founder and professional principal of the school), Miriam Elia (reflexology practice) Flora Shemesh (massage therapy) and Yuval Van-Son (anatomy and physiology) shared more and more of their knowledge with us I started to realize what a great, powerful and special tool I was about to get. Yet the "real thing" started when I finished school and had the opportunity to work with (or rather learn from I should say) the great healer, Dr. Ruth Levy.
Interested in the results of all this? Read this blog or come test me (ladies only, please)!