A Discussion of how Holistic therapies such as acupuncture, believed to
enhance physiological homeostasis, is of value to a space faring population .
By Amanda Shayle MAcS MPCHM Cert Nat Sci
Our Cellular Network
• Some key concepts• 1. Input• 2. Intercellular communication• 3. Information processing and interpretation– Cells behaving badly
Implications, Theories and Evidence
• Achieving homeostasis• PH • Importance of diet• Minerals – example of affects of adrenaline and
other neurotransmitters• Preserving life
• Strategies using TCM concepts and reasons behind these…….
Epigenetics in Context
• Cell ageing• Cell plasticity – including brain tissue – and its
effects on gene expression• Bone Density• Fertility • Evolutionary potential
pelvis sizestress
FOOD IS MEDICINE
• Traditional Chinese Medicine diet • Food has specific qualities affecting health• Postively Negatively• Herbal medicine as vegetable soup
Mediating Factors
Our Body under threat
• Duration of exposure• Mechanisms of Toxicity• Chemical Interactions– Functional– Chemical– Dispositional– Receptor-mediated
Good information v Bad information
• Trojan horse concept• Endocrine disrupting exogenous factors• The chemical mix
– Phthalates– pesticides
Dose Response
EnvironmentalConcentration
Exposure:I nhalationSkin Absorption, ingestion
Exposure DoseAbsorption, excretion,Distribution
Internal DoseTarget organ
or tissue
Factors affecting mid to long term exposure in Space
• Cosmic Radiation• Gravity• Nutritional deficiency• Effects of chronic medication• Endocrine disrupting factors
Gil Hedley Anatomist & Somanaut
Somanaut: Like the astronaut who navigates outer space, the somanaut is dedicated to exploring the inner space of human form.
Gil Hedley
21
Connective Tissue and Fascia
• Traditional anatomy has tended to dissect out the fascia
• We see muscles, organs, nerves, vessels but not the tissue that binds it together
• Adipose tissue, fluffy and loosely connected – an endocrine organ
• Protective layer connected to skin• Tensegrity – structure of cells held under
tension and its affect on function and shape
Fascia
• Concept of an Onion Tree
• Models are functional simplification• Our relationship with skin• Levels of fascia• Acupuncture and its effect on fascia
Qualities of fascia and its relevance to Cosmetic Acupuncture
• Skin is:• Sensual/perceptive• Colourful• Always changing• Self healing• Flexible• In service to the whole• A construct
FASCIA AS A CONDUCTIVE MEDIUMAcupuncture as an electrical inducer and modulator of the signalling cascadealso
TouchHeatPressureSound/Vibration/WaveLightLigands
III. The Meridian Theory
• Ordered water as a liquid continuum allowing for coherent signal transmission in the body.
• Brain consciousness via nervous system and body consciousness via a liquid crystalline structure of water molecules on collagen fibre.
• First postulated by physicist Dr May Wan Ho (Open University) et al in 1998.
Water in the Organism
• Body = mostly water and collagen• Water + collagen = an ideal medium for
intercommunication between the approx. 70-100 trillion cells in the adult body.
Water arranges itself in an ‘ordered fashion along-side collagen fibre.
Meridians = pathways of highly ordered water promoting proton-jump conduction.
Proton-Jump Conduction
• Protons jump along the liquid crystalline continuum
• Much faster than nerve conduction• Much faster than electrical conduction• Amplifies tiniest electrical signal to illicit major
physiological responses• Enables immediate signal transduction to
distal parts of the body
Quantum Coherence
• Water molecules vibrate coherently.• In their coherence they amplify signals rather than
swamping them out.
Chi = positive electric current carried by proton-jump conduction along hydrogen bonds of highly ordered water.
Conclusion
‘Meridian Transduction’ the science of quantum coherent signal transduction in organisms characterized by the presence of liquid crystalline meridian pathways.
Kirsten Dhar
TCM – an opportunityAcupuncture v Western medicine
• Acupuncture • Microsystems Acupuncture
• Herbal Medicine• Tai Chi an Qi Gong
Chronic v AcuteProphylactic v responseCore knowledgeSafetyCost effective
Needles? But not as we know it…
A wide range of options exist for space explorers
Options include laser and electro stimulation
An example protocol to create homeostasis
Tonify yin points:Kid 3Sp 6Sp 9Sp 10Also Kid 27 and Lu 1 if requiredReduce/Sedate Yang pointsBL 60GB 39GB 34
Balance/Sedate/Tonify St 36 for constitution
Also St 44 (and St 40 for damp heatIf required use Du 20 to clear off excessUse LI 4 energy to face, pain relief
Evidence Base
• Established clinically for use in nausea• Used widely in prisons• NICE guidelines for back pain• German study for osteoarthrosis of the knee• VAS Research (Vascular Autonomic Signal -
Nogier)