Whole-self well-being is, in part, the result of a harmonious flow of energy between our physical and mental selves. When this flow is thrown out of balance for any reason, the body and mind react to one another rather than act cooperatively. Ongoing stress, sadness, anxiety, excitement, and fear can overwhelm the mind, causing traumatic energy to be channeled into the body. The body then responds by taking steps to dispel the energy that has burdened it and expressing it by means of physical symptoms such as illness, fatigue, or disease. Indeed, it is this stress response that is the cause of many serious health issues not necessarily the stress itself. In some cases, these symptoms can simply be allowed to run their natural course and recovery will come about naturally. In most instances, however, health and wellness can only be restored by a dual course of treatment that acknowledges both the physical manifestations and the underlying emotional causes.
In Chinese medicine, intense emotions are held in the body's organs. For example, the Lungs hang onto Grief, Anger is housed in the Liver, Worry is held in the Stomach, and the Kidneys harbor Fear. Particular illnesses and symptoms represent the body's attempts to clear emotional energy. Coughs or bronchitis can signify that the physical self is clearing away grief while that feeling of butterflies in your tummy or a loss of appetite may indicate that you are going through a period of anxiety.
When you feel ill or imbalanced, treating your whole self rather than treating the physical self alone can empower you to determine the root cause of sickness. Since you understand that your physical symptoms may be an expression of emotional discomfort, you can establish a balanced treatment regimen to ensure that you quickly recover your good health.
Acupuncture can help treat a variety of illnesses and bring balance back to your physical and emotional self. Acupuncture points are selected based on their position on a meridian or based on their specific function. Some points combine location and function which means a skilled acupuncturist can sometimes use fewer points for a powerful treatment. Acupuncturists can also select points based on what Organ is showing signs of being out of balance. For example, if you are experiencing anxiety and digestive problems it would make sense to balance the Stomach and Spleen meridians as well the Heart.
Acupuncture is increasingly being recommended by physicians as part of an integrative approach to healthcare- it is now realized that health is not just physical. Good health and wellbeing encompasses all aspect of the human experience- physical, mental and spiritual. Acupuncture bridges all three.
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