julieheals

I'm back! So let's talk about our hearts

 

 

After a 5 year hiatus, I'm back! Its been a very busy 5 years, with 2 young children and a busy acupuncture practice. And you know, a global pandemic. I honestly did not have the time or energy to sit down and write. But I'm feeling a shift, and thought I had some useful things to say. Which hopefully you will find interesting...

As other acupuncturists can attest, sometimes we see similar patterns presenting in different patients at the same time. For example, sometimes we treat lots of insomnia or colds and flus, but sometimes its more specific, like everyone comes in with right shoulder pain, or lymphedema (both recently true for me).  I always find it interesting when there is a commonality amongst patients. This week it is anxiety with a heaviness in their chest and/or frequent sighing. While this certainly is an unpleasant symptom, it gives me the chance to use of my favorite acupuncture points-- Ren 17. This point is called Shanzhong, or Chest Center. Not only is this point useful for the anxiety and breathing related issues listed above, it is also able to help clear phlegm congestion, so its doubly useful this time of year with cold, flus and Covid lingering.  This point is connected with the pericardium, so I'm finding it interesting that so many people are in need of this point recently. The Pericardium protects the heart. Perhaps as we resurface out the global pandemic, and all of the fear and anxiety that comes with that, we need a little extra protection for our hearts.

 

Photo from A Manual of Acupuncture by Peter Deadman

AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE

Auricular (ear) acupuncture is a system of acupuncture that uses the stimulation of points on the ear to promote health and wellness. The ear is a microsystem of the body, which means that it represents the greater body as a whole. As you can see in the image above, each body part or area has a corresponding location on the ear. As each point is stimulated with an acupuncture needle, the qi of that organ or area can be affected.  Sometimes we use magnets, seeds, or tacks instead of needles--these are wonderful in that they can stay on for several days, allowing the results to last longer.

Auricular acupuncture is terrific in treating aches and pains, stress, anxiety, and can help break addictions. It is also extremely helpful for sleep disturbances, gynecological concerns, fertility, and weight loss. Often I use auricular points along with a full body treatment, but they certainly can be a stand-alone treatment. Auricular acupuncture is quite effective--you should discuss it with your acupuncturist!

AND DON'T FORGET TO BREATHE….

As this new years begins we can breathe in health, wellness, and abundance, and let go of what doesn't serve us anymore. Yoga, meditation, acupuncture can all help us to breathe a little better. With full inhalations we can spread Qi to all of our organs to ensure healthy movement of qi. It is grounding and centering to take a good deep breathe. And really, who would't benefit from that!

ALLER-QI

Itchy eyes, sneezing, sinus congestion--the tell-tale signs of allergies. Luckily Chinese medicine treats seasonal allergies very well by using a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and possibly dietary changes.

There is a type of Qi called Wei Qi. It travels on the outside of the body, and works sort of like an immune system, in that it protects the body from pathogens. If the Wei Qi is abundant and strong, the body will be protected and symptoms will not appear. If the Wei Qi is weak, allergens and irritants can invade the body, causing symptoms to arise.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine can build up the Wei Qi so the body is less reactive to the environment, which causes allergy symptoms to decrease. As treatments continue, the Wei Qi becomes abundant and allergies disappear.

CROUP THERAPY

(Above: Acupuncture points on the Lung channel, Blue Poppy's Lung Qi Jr., and ClearLungs chest rub)

As other acupuncturists know, it is so rewarding and re-affirming when you give a treatment that has profound (and immediate!) results. This happened to me just the other day. My little peanut Sofie was sick with croup. This cough is very distinct as it sounds like a seal barking. It gets quite scary, though, at night, when it's difficult to catch a breath. After one relatively sleepless night, I decided to break out the pins. So, knowing I would probably only get one pin in before she protested, I decided I would use Lung 9 (Taiyuan; English translation = Great Abyss). Using just in-and-out needling, her cough completely transformed. She no longer sounded like a seal! She continued to have a mild cough for another day, but her recovery was really speedy. 

Along with the acupuncture, I also gave Sofie herbs (pictured above: Lung Qi Jr and ClearLungs, used topically). She had soup, tea, and lots of rest.  I would whole-heartedly recommend this to any parent when their kid gets croup. 

 

ODE TO A POINT: KIDNEY 3 (TAI XI)

(image from AcupunctureAmerica.com)

Kidney 3, Tai Xi (Great Stream), is located on the medial aspect of the ankle, just by the achilles tendon.  This point has many uses clinically-- it nourishes the kidney yin, clears heat, anchors the qi, and strengthens the spine. As we age our kidney yin, yang, and essence decline, so this point is very useful in combating that aging process.  If our yin is nourished and our qi is anchored, we will remain soft, supple, strong, and grounded. In fact, I had a teacher in acupuncture school who would nap with pins in these points, just to 'recharge the battery."

SPRING WIND

(Chinese character FENG, meaning wind)

Wind is a funny thing--you can't see it, but you certainly feel it. According to five element theory in Chinese medicine, Spring is the season of wind. While this may sound esoteric, every spring I am reminded of this as I see patients with wind pathologies.  

One of the most profound examples is bell's palsy. With this ailment, wind has entered the channels of the face, and is causing the temporary paralysis. After a bit of probing, I can usually isolate a single event where the patient was bombarded by wind.  To name a few, I've heard of camping in a windstorm and sticking one's head out the window of a moving car. After this 'wind event' there is facial tingling, numbness, and eventually paralysis.  The good news is that acupuncture treats this very well. With my most recent bell's palsy patient, we've had three session so far, and the paralysis is mostly gone. 

Wind is an inevitable part of spring. So please do yourself a favor--protect yourself from wind. Wear a scarf if it's windy outside!

SPRING FEVER: SOFIE'S FIRST ACUPUNCTURE

  

Sofie had her first very high fever the other night. She was hot, irritable, and listless. And like most moms, I wanted to make her misery go away quickly. So I decided it was time for her first acupuncture! I only needled one point (Du14, Dazhui, for those who are curious), just a real quick in-and-out with a very small pin. Her reaction was both of surprise (hey ma, what are you doing?!?!) and a few tears. But then about an hour later, the fever broke! She started sweating and was immediately cooler to the touch. It was pretty amazing to witness how quickly a child responds to acupuncture. Since then Sofie is happily on the road to recovery. She's back to being her sweet and sassy self, and is elated to be back at the playground.

ODE TO A POINT: LARGE INTESTINE 4 (HEGU)

Large Intestine 4 (Hegu, Joining Valley) is one of the most well-known acupuncture points.  And for good reason! It is one of the most widely used points, treating many ailments.  This point is called the 'command point for the face, nose, mouth, and jaw,' so it is excellent in treating any problems in these areas.  It is a wonderful headache remedy. Large Instestine 4 can also build up the immune system, so it is often used for seasonal allergies and asthma.  In combination with a point on the foot, Large Intestine 4 circulates the Qi and Blood of the whole body.  This means that it can break up stagnation and alleviate pain.  So if you're having pain anywhere in your body, don't be surprised if this point is used in your acupuncture session.  Who knew one little point on the hand could do so many things!

ON PINS AND NEEDLES

So what to expect at your first acupuncture session? It may seem daunting or a bit scary, but I promise you it doesn't hurt, and it is actually quite relaxing. Let's demystify it a bit, so you won't be intimidated. After reviewing your medical history, you'll be asked about your sleep, energy, appetite, and yes, even your bowel movements.  And then the acupuncturist will feel your pulses and look at your tongue (I'll post more about that later).  Once we've established your Chinese medical diagnosis, we choose acupuncture points to treat the disharmony. The amount of points will vary depending on your issues and the type of medicine the acupuncturist practices.  Once the pins are in, you'll lay in a tranquil room for 15-30 minutes, again depending on your issues.  Once the pins are removed, you should feel peaceful, relaxed, perhaps energized, perhaps sleepy.  It's best to not rush to the gym or have a job interview right after.  Give yourself a bit of time to enjoy the tranquility.

See? No big whoop. Call your acupuncturist and set up an appointment.