Stress Relief – Week 4

Things seem to be holding steady for Week 4. I haven’t altered my protocol but haven’t experienced new symptoms either.
I did start practicing on my son before bed. He’d had a cough for a few weeks, the result of starting preschool, I think. So I decided to try the cough protocol on him. He tolerated it for a few minutes. But I didn’t get beyond applying pressure to the area above the eye brow before he batted my hand away. Then I tried point 0. I only worked one side of his face at a time because he was leaning on me and I couldn’t access both sides without making him sit up. His arms are often moving as we’re rocking as are his legs. But as soon as I rested my finger on his temple, his arms fell almost immediately. He was noticeably calmer almost instantly. On another night, he picked up my hand and lead it to his temple. Point 0 seems to be effective and he seems to like the effect. His coughing has also decreased.

Stress Relief – Week 3

Week 3 was stable. Physical symptoms from previous weeks have leveled off and no new symptoms have revealed themselves. My son and I rode the bike to school only one day during week 3. I tried a new route, focused on my breath, making sure to breathe -- I think I was holding my breath during the difficult parts of our previous rides -- and the ride was still challenging but manageable. I experienced some stress as my son continues to adjust to his new schedule at school. But I have noticed having a brighter outlook and a little more patience than before.
My read through of MF’s has added a small step to my protocol. On page 196 (chapter 5), she suggests starting every session with point 0 especially when tired or weak. Previously, I had been ending with point 0. Now I start and end on this spot.
Also, I read about point 124 in chapter 5. Point 124 is part of my stress relief protocol and the only point that has been consistently painful. Point 124 on the left side of the face (the side that has hurt) corresponds to the spleen. I found this interesting because I got a massage from a Reiki master in July and the spleen was the one deficient spot she mentioned. I plan to have some blood work done soon and will ask them to check my iron levels.
During the course of the week, more of the points on my forehead were somewhat painful when stimulated. This brought to mind the Principle of the Opposite Effect mentioned on page 15. I’m not sure I understand this principle very well. But I think MF is suggesting that we focus on painful spots, working them until they no longer hurt. And that we spend very little time on spots that do not hurt. So the pain should almost guide us. She says that overworking points that do not hurt could bring about a worsening of symptoms. This made me think of my “healing crisis” of week 2. I wrote that during week 1 many of the points on my forehead felt really good to stimulate, so good that, although my sessions were short, I may have overdone it. If anyone has a better understanding of this principle, please comment.
I enjoy reading about new points on the blog but without a visual at hand, the information doesn’t really sink in. Goal for the week: leave one of MF's charts near the computer for quick reference while reading.