Happy Winter Solstice and Holiday Season.Today will be the shortest day and longest night, for us in the Northern Hemisphere. As nature begins to go down and in, we are naturally inclined to do so as well (as soon as the holiday season is over, wink).
Acupuncture is more than meets the eye. It encourages the body into balance and is not only useful in treating physical ailments. Because your body is not separate from your mind and spirit, treatment effects all of you. Read this guest blog written by our Fields of Qi, Spring 2023 intern Sherry Yu
Gallbladder 21 is found on the topmost part of the trapezius muscle and is often used to relax the muscle to effectively treat headaches, neck & shoulder pain and stress. As this point helps the body to relax downward, it can be used to help with delayed or prolonged labor. On a deeper level, it can also help one shoulder the challenges of life.
Powerfully moving Acupoints are located on the tips of our fingers and toes, all can be used to restore consciousness. Middle Rushing In (Zhong Chong) aka Heart Protector 9, is one such point. In addition to having a “waking up” effect, it eases pain & stiffness on the tongue, treats the inability to speak and night-time crying in young children (the heart meridian enters the tongue).
The NADA 5 Needle Protocol is a standardized ear acupuncture treatment that involves the placement of up to 5 needles into ear acupoints. Often done in community, recipients sit quietly for 30-45 minutes and let the treatment work. Benefits include: increased calmness & better sleep, decrease in anxiety and agitation, decreased craving for alcohol and other addictive substances, relief from stress & trauma, easier connection with counseling other healing modalities. Dr Matulu Shakur along with many others had a strong hand in brining this healing treatment to the community.
Located on the outer edge of the occiput, this Acupoint benefits the head, brain, eyes and neck. Because it moves stagnation and supports clear thinking, it is often used for headaches & neck tension, foggy thinking and eye issues. It also has deeper effects and can help one creatively see their way out of difficult situations.
This Acupuncture treatment often leaves one feeling deeply relaxed and calm. It treats a wide wide variety of issues (lingering illness, inability to settle, bodily tension, allergies, diff sleeping, hot flashes, support during chemo, seasonal affective disorders, etc). AE’s clearing of toxic qi also prevents illness. I treasure this treatment dearly and am honored to offer it. Over and over again it proves to be invaluable.
Winter – the deep part of the seasonal cycle, the dark part, the yin phase – is here. Nature has
How do we protect ourselves while keeping our lung function up? I recommend using masks made of natural organic fabrics. I like these, that allow for nose protection although not organic. I am aware that main stream news have denounced fabric masks. Put on your thinking cap and make a decision that feels best for you. I also recommend getting outdoors (parks, ocean, nature) to uninhibitedly breathe fresh air, exercising outdoors and doing the qigong exercises shared here.
As our environment has moved into Spring, inside we have also shifted. Rested qi is ready to liberate. Do you notice any internal shifts with the season change? Take a look outside, for insight. With Spring, the earth has woken up from its deep winter rest; bulbs are popping, birds are singing. There is more movement. How does this feel in you? Ready to get going, exercising, moving on a plan you set? Or are you stuck and frustrated at being stuck?
