Preventive
Medicine and Acupuncture
"To treat disease that has already
developed is comparable to the behavior of those persons who begin
to dig a well after they have become thirsty, and of those who begin
to cast weapons after they have already engaged in battle. Would
these actions not be too late? - Huangdi
Neijing
Preventive medicine is defined as the part of
medicine engaged with preventing disease rather than curing it. From
the very beginning, Oriental medicine has had a bias toward keeping
patients healthy rather than treating disease.
Years before
an affliction can be detected with MRI’s and lab tests, biochemical
and energetic imbalances exist in the body. These imbalances may
present as pain, sleep disturbances, mood changes, abnormal
digestion, headaches, and menstrual irregularities.
Through
the process of evaluating subtle physical signs as well as the
emotional condition of a person, practitioners of acupuncture and
Oriental medicine can detect health problems in their earliest
stages, before a person becomes gravely ill.
Once the nature
of an imbalance has been determined, a customized program can be
created for you. Your treatment may include acupuncture, herbal
therapy and tui na, as well as food, exercise and lifestyle
suggestions.
Seasonal acupuncture treatments just four
times a year serve to tonify the inner organ systems and correct
minor annoyances before they become serious problems.
Call
now to see how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you stay
healthy this fall!
History
Note: Ancient Physicians
"The sages of antiquity did not
treat those who were already sick; they instructed those who were
not yet sick…- Huangdi Neijing
It is recorded that
the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang (259 BC-210 BC), who is
credited for the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors and Horses,
established a health care system in which physicians could only
accept payment or donations from patrons who were kept healthy and,
vice versa, were not paid when someone fell ill.
This system
remained in effect for centuries. The people of each village would
provide shelter, food, clothing and money to the local physician for
maintaining the health of the community. Physicians risked
punishment or execution when someone died and were required to wear
a mark for their failure. You could essentially see a physician’s
track record before you chose to use their services!
In 1680
missionaries in China wrote, “Chinese physicians were flogged after
treating members of the imperial family unsuccessfully. When
subsequently summoned to treat another relative, the physicians
performed better and were released, but they were ordered to wear a
small chain around their necks as a warning.”
Stepping
into Wellness
One of the
many ways that walking can promote health and wellness is by putting
gentle pressure on Yongquan (Bubbling Spring), an acupuncture
point on the sole of the foot. In Oriental health theory, this is
the starting point of the Kidney meridian and stimulation of this
energizing point can promote clarity of the mind and stabilize
emotions.
Yongquan is located in the depression on the
sole of the foot at the junction of the anterior third and the
posterior two thirds of the sole. The acupuncture point,
Yongquan, has been found to benefit high blood pressure,
stress, insomnia, headaches, sexual potency, and kidney function.
To stimulate Yongquan while walking, let your heel
tap the ground gently, then feel your weight transfer fully to the
ball and toes of your foot. Focus on breathing into your lower
abdomen, keep your shoulders relaxed and allow your arms to swing
freely.
Yongquan tapping and ball rolling: Use your
fists to strike your Yongquan about 100 times on each foot.
Or, gently roll a tennis ball under your foot while relaxing on the
couch.
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In
This Issue
- Preventive Medicine and Acupuncture
- History Note: Ancient Physicians
- Stepping into Wellness
- Health in the Fall
Health
in the Fall
"One
should retire with the sunset and arise with the dawn. Just as the
weather in autumn turns harsh, so does the emotional climate. It is
therefore important to remain calm and peaceful, refraining from
depression so that one can make the transition to winter smoothly.
This is the time to gather one’s spirit and energy, be more focused,
and not allow desires to run wild. One must keep the lung energy
full, clean and quiet. This means practicing breathing exercises to
enhance lung Qi" - Huangdi Neijing Suwen
Fall
corresponds to the lungs, skin, and large intestine. The lungs and
large intestine are in charge of respiration, digestion, and
elimination. Common symptoms associated with lung and large
intestine imbalances are respiratory problems such as asthma,
shortness of breath, frequent colds, and sinus infections, as well
as constipation and skin problems. The body is particularly
susceptible to wind and cold during the fall. Dryness can cause
symptoms of coughing, dry nose, sore throat, dry skin, dry hair and
scalp, dry mouth and cracked lips, and hard and dry stools. Adding
more nourishing yin foods to your diet can promote body fluid,
soothe the lungs and protect you from dryness. Eating with
the seasonIn the fall, eat fewer cold, uncooked foods —
such as salads — and more warm, cooked foods. Switch from salads to
soups and steamed vegetables such as winter squash, winter peas,
broccoli, sweet potatoes, and yams. Incorporate yellow and red foods
into your meals. Start your day with hot oatmeal. |
