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Many cultures and people around the world believe that the body has a finite amount of life source. Whether you call it energy, qi, or prana, this is the life source that supplies your mind and body with the necessary fuel from birth until death. Each person is born with a supply of life source, or jing as they call it in Chinese Medicine, but what exactly determines how much you are granted in this lifetime? What factors decrease it? Where does it come from and how do you get more it in order to live a long and healthy life?
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In traditional Chinese medicine, we abide by the five element theory; that everything inside and outside of the body can be categorized into one of the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. When you are born, factors including your upbringing, lifestyle, and genetics help shape your physical, mental, and emotional characteristics. These characteristics form your body's constitution, which can also be categorized into one of the five natural elements.
Cosmetic Acupuncture combines the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine with the modern approach of facial care to create a beauty treatment like no other. Unlike typical serums, foundations, or creams, Acupuncture is the truest form of anti-aging; it works from the inside out to firm muscles, plump up the skin, brighten the complexion, and smooth fine lines and wrinkles for a more youthful appearance.
When people think of Acupuncture, they may think of pain management or sports medicine, or maybe even Kim Kardashian's acupuncture facials. But the truth is that Acupuncture treats much more than that. When someone asks me what sort of things the patients I treat come to me for, the only concise answer I can think of is "Everything!"
I've been putting off writing this article for a long time, mostly because it's such a currently controversial topic. But I've done quite a bit of research and contemplating on the subject and feel as though it would be beneficial to put my ideas down on paper to better understand it myself, and hopefully educate a few others. This is also my official warning that this article is entirely opinion based. The facts that I state are true, but in the end, the bias undeniably comes from my personal opinion.
So maybe you've noticed your neck is a little more stiff than usual, there is a slight pounding at the back of your head, you feel like you could sleep forever, or you've begun to feel a slight tickle in the back of your throat. Whatever the first clue is, you've just realized you're on the verge of getting a cold. It happens...we're human. There's nothing worse than that moment you know you're getting sick. But have no fear! This is where Traditional Chinese Medicine comes in.
Chronic fatigue or bruise easily? Bloating and indigestion? Overthinking and craving sweets? If you said yes to any of these horribly common ailments, then you might have what we, Chinese medicine geeks, like to call Spleen Qi Deficiency.
The ancient Chinese doctors believed that the tongue was an integral tool in observing the health of the entire body. Various maps have been created to depict where on the tongue particular organ systems or body parts represent. An Acupuncturist has been trained to analyze these different areas of the tongue and observe its quality, color, and texture, to be able to understand various health conditions and overall energetic harmony.
According to the Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic (one of the oldest textbooks of Traditional Chinese Medicine written over 4,000 years ago), Acupuncture and its related therapies are a great tool for preventing illnesses before they even happen.
It seems to be the season you either love or hate, but like it or not, winter is upon us. The Winter Solstice marks the day with the longest night and the shortest day of the year. At least the days can only get longer and lighter from here!
Winter is the most yin time of the year. This means it's time to be more introverted and retrospective. Slow down and observe what is happening in nature and inside of you. The energy is cold, dark, quiet, and pulls inward to conserve strength for the springtime. |
AuthorThe musings, ideas, and educational health tips of a Traditional Chinese Medicine fanatic. Archives
March 2017
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