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​If you are in the 40 to 60 something age category (as I am), have you noticed that a number of friends or acquaintances of similar age have complained of shoulder joint pain and stiffness? I used to assume that this was the result of normal wear and tear as we age, and sometimes that is the case. Often tho, I run into people who have shoulder pain and stiffness who cannot recall having had a memorable recent injury. Idiopathic (ie: unknown cause) frozen shoulder usually starts out with a dull or achy pain in only one shoulder, with pain that may extend to the shoulder muscles that wrap around the front of the arm that ultimately leads to long term limited mobility of that joint.  It’s a painful and frustrating disorder because there isn’t really a known cure, and it nearly always “unfreezes” on its own within 6 months to 2 years, although injections to surgery are often recommended by western medicine. 

Idiopathic frozen shoulder (called “50 year old shoulder” in Eastern Medicine)  happens much more often in women than in men, usually between the age of 40 and 60yrs old…… coincidentally around the time hormone production really wanes… specifically estrogen.

When estrogen production decreases significantly, the flexibility of our connective tissue is affected. We may see it visibly as crepey looking skin, but make no mistake…. Your joints are being affected too….. In this case, specifically the shoulder capsule.

Learning what I’ve learned over the last many years, I’ve chosen not to go down this path by doing the following things:
💪Regular full motion exercise (lots of shoulder work)
💪Yoga (faith based for me)
💪Supporting my hormones fully thru perimenopause (early stage) and menopause. I use Progessence Plus (on my forearms and on the carotid artery points on my neck nightly, and I also alternate between PD 80/20 and Femigen (one capsule a day works for me). According to my labwork, tho I am in menopause, my estrogen and progesterone levels have been maintained at healthy levels to keep my body functioning well. (I highly recommend hormone/thyroid labwork on at least a yearly basis if you are wanting physical confirmation of what’s working and what’s not working for you!… if you do not have a way to get this done, please message me and I can help you.)

We are all built very differently, and are at different stages in our lives. If you support your hormones with a Young Living product(s)….. Tell me, what have you found that works for you, and how do you use it?
xoxo~ liz

#sharingiscaring
#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisknowledge
#caringforyourselfsoyoucancareforothers
#ThanksYL

🎶🎶 Sleeeeep in heavenly peace……🎶 🎶

Roughly 1/3 of the US population has at least occasional problems either falling asleep or staying asleep, and over time, sleeplessness will become a tremendous health problem if not addressed properly. (emphasis on the properly!)

There are more than 2 handfuls of common reasons why people have trouble sleeping (way more than I can cover here today). 

What’s concerning are the number of people who ultimately turn to prescription medication to help get a “good night’s ” sleep. We have been conditioned to believe that if a doctor writes a prescription, the benefits surely outweigh the risks. While this is sometimes true, it’s not always the case. “Sleeping pills” are what we call ‘fast movers’ in pharmacy…. ie: they are a popular item. 

Not so fast….  let’s take a look at a few lesser known truths about some common (Ambien, Klonopin, Lunesta, Restoril, Xanax, Sonata) prescription sleep aids:
😴None of these are approved by the FDA for long term use, yet people are on them for years.
The sleep achieved using any of these is not natural, refreshing, or restorative. The sleep you get  is an artificial sleep and your body recognizes the difference. Our body does its repairing and recovering during “natural sleep”, and that doesn’t happen to any appreciable degree when using the above medications. (In addition, by their very definition, they are an additional toxin the body must now work extra hard to clean out.)
😴All of the above prescription meds also block the body from being able to produce melatonin (the very hormone that helps us sleep). This is one of the reasons this group of prescription medications become addictive…. because your body produces less and less melatonin the longer you are on them.
😴Melatonin “deficiency” is a bigger problem than just not being able to sleep without a pill…. normal melatonin levels are necessary for immune function, having energy throughout the day, having healthy breast tissue, effective brain function, supports healthy cardiovascular function, improved GUT (yes!) health, eye health, and pancreas function (Just to name a few! 😍) 
😴Additionally, several of these prescription sleep aids also deplete a body’s stores of Calcium and Vitamin D over time (which will ultimately affect your bones and about 400 other necessary functions in the body) 😬

I am thankful that we have natural choices instead of that which is advertised as  ‘simple’ solutions in nearly every form of mainstream media you see. 
My favorite Young Living products that help me have a restful restorative night’s sleep are RutaVala (on the base of the big toe and in the belly button! and Immupro …. it’s back 🙌). I also love Frankincense and Peace & Calming!)
What’s your “go to” for a good night’s sleep? 
xoxo~ liz

#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisagoodnightssleep
#ThanksYL
#Godgaveuswhatweneedinthegarden