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 season
In 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.
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