acupuncture and hands-on healing
One thing I love about acupuncture is how it meets you where you are on each day, meaning each session is a unique response to your current needs and concerns - the time of day, the time of year, the quality of your energy and your mood. The work is very much alive in time and space. In the time you spend on the table, we create the conditions for healing, setting up the dominoes so that the healing process continues long after your session has ended.
Upright Qi.
Upright qi is a key concept in Chinese medicine. It can be taken quite literally - when we are healthy, we are upright, somewhat like a tree. Our posture is upright, as if we are supported by the earth, and we have the energy to grow and change. Our minds and thoughts are also upright - when challenged, we are able to access what is correct.
When the wind blows, we sway to adjust to it, but we don’t fall over easily. However, when health is compromised, Upright Qi often takes a hit. This can show up in the posture and in a relative loss of vitality. Treatment with Chinese medicine aims to restore the sturdiness of one’s Upright Qi,
Acupuncture and bodywork awaken healing potential held deep in the body
Sometimes, it is s0 simple!
While acupuncture carries an air of mystery, it is at times very simple, almost common sense. Have you ever had a massage and wished the therapist could get a bit deeper? Acupuncture can do exactly that. Locating and releasing a knot can free up circulation and create a ripple effect through the whole body, clearing away pain and freeing up of movement.
And sometimes, it is more complex.
Acupuncture points and meridians are portals to deeper systems, and acupuncture is a powerful tool for awakening the body’s intelligence and ability to self-regulate. The body often gets stuck in a survival state, healing just enough to keep going, but falling short of a complete return to wellness. Acupuncture gives the body a nudge to continue the healing process. It sends clear messages, bringing extra attention to areas that need it, so as to reach a more complete resolution of the condition.
bodywork and acupressure
Touch can be the most healing medicine. Focused, hands-on bodywork deepens the effects of acupuncture and is especially helpful when the whole system needs a re-boot, such as when there is a level of exhaustion or a restless, tired-but-wired state of being. When health is particularly fragile, a needle can be too stimulating. Hands-on treatment uses acupuncture meridians and points and is employed alongside or in lieu of needles for a deeply calming and restorative effect.
cupping, moxa, and beyond
Chinese medicine offers a vast toolbox of healing methods beyond acupuncture. Sometimes, cups are the best way to relieve pain and get circulation flowing again. Moxa, the use of the herb mugwort to warm points and meridians, can make all the difference when cold is a primary cause of illness. And finally, there is the ever important factor of self-care. The principles of Chinese medicine help identify the most effective self-care practices. Once a course of treatment is underway, making changes in diet and lifestyle is often easier and more appealing. There’s nothing like feeling better to motivate creating and keeping healthy habits.
