Get in touch with the Wood.

Spring – the period of beginning and development of life.
Nei Jing.

It's time to celebrate and dance as Spring season is starting. This is the best season of the year for many people, including me. What does spring mean for us?  New energy, rebirth, detox, sunshine, fresh flowers, different smile on the face, opening  doors, windows and hearts,  letting in new people in our world, new hobbies and activities...and of course, falling in love, every single day, with all what comes along. I love this time of the year.

There I would like to take you through the teachings of Chinese and Western medicine how to live life in Spring, and have healthy relationship with yourself, your physical body and emotions, friends and enemies, family and Nature.

Chinese Medicine was founded on the metaphorical model called Five Elements/Five Phases that are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Five Phases represents the basic constituents of all creation, the essential “building blocks” of Nature. Moreover, they represent the natural cycles and transformations common to all life, as our life passes through repeating phases of water, wood, fire, earth, and metal, each of them assigned to different time of the year.

According Chinese Medicine the Wood Phase corresponds with Spring. Spring is the time of sprouting when everything in the world begins to grow, sending out shoots and buds. Countless new forms are being created from the energies that had been stored in winter. Our impulse to move into action can be compared with the energy of spring – unstoppable, growing, and blossoming.

Human embodies many qualities of Wood - spontaneity, assertiveness, creativity. If our Wood is healthy these qualities manifest fully, the energy flows freely, our muscles, joins, tendons and ligaments are strong and flexible. Our emotions and feelings are expressed freely, in appropriate and safe way.

The organs associated with Wood is Liver and Gallbladder

Liver 

“Liver holds the office of general and is the issuer of strategies and planning”. Nei Jing.

Our ability to organize thoughts, to plan and to make clear decisions depends on healthy functioning of Liver. Liver nourishes the eyes and our “third eye” making us able to see what is going on around, to foresee the future and feel what is true without conscious reasoning.

Healthy Liver ensures smooth flow of our emotions. Emotionally stagnant situations, everyday stress or insufficient physical movements effect Liver energy and then, the anger, key emotion of Liver may burst eventually,  effecting the relationships with  inner- self and people around you. Other emotions like frustration, resentment, irritation and finally depression also manifest due to disharmony of Liver energy.

Another function of Liver is to store Ethereal soul, Hun. Ancient books of Chinese Medicine say that Hun enters the body 3 days after birth and it is imparted by father. And after death the Hun returns to Heaven. The Hun provides the movement to the psyche in many ways: movement of the soul out of the body as in dreaming, movement towards the others in human relationships and movement in terms of plans, vision, inspiration and creativity. Excessive movement of the Hun may cause manic behaviour and mental illness while the lacking movement of the Hun causes lack of vision and imagination. Interesting to note that artistic inspiration comes from the Hun: the incidence of bipolar diseases or psychic energy that makes artists “mad” reflects the lack or excess movement of the Hun. 

Hun’s ascending movement supports Heart function of irrational thinking and have big impact on our mental activities, intuition, and inspiration. In classical book The "Five-Channel Righteousness” (Tang dynasty), says: "Knowledge is dependent on the sharpness of the Hun”.

Many authors have indicated that Pre-frontal cortex, the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the human brain, is responsible for executive functions including mediating conflicting thoughts, making choices between right and wrong or good and bad, predicting future events, and governing social control, such as suppressing emotional and sexual urges. Pre-frontal cortex is also involved in the so-called moral or social emotions, such as shame, guilt and disgust. From a Chinese Medicine perspective all these functions of the Pre-frontal cortex are functions of the Hun. There are few  acupuncture points on the forehead, like DU24, Courtyard of Spirit or GB13, Root of Spirit,  we needle to benefit the brain and calm the spirit, especially when treating mania disorders. The head and the brain were considered among pre-Inner Classic and later Daoist traditions to be the seat of spirit, and DU, Governing meridian anterior pathways enters the Heart, which is understood to be the residence of Spirit. Heart stores Shen, Mind which has direct control over Hun.

Gall Bladder

The Gall Bladder occupies the position of an important an upright Official who excels through his decisions and judgment”-Nei Jing.

With the spring upcoming we all makes long lists of different plans and dreams we want to achieve, even making the deadlines for ourselves. However, soon becomes clear that it is too difficult even to take any actions to try to make our dreams come true, no inspiration or lack of carriage keeps our hands tied. And, without any obvious reasons, after years of planning to change something in our lives, we are at the same place with the same problems, hard-to-break habits and behavioural patterns. That is than, on the first place comes our Gall Bladder – decision maker, the Yang organ and the sister of the Liver, Yin organ.

The bile, produced by Gall Bladder is a clear substance, in contrast to other five Yang organs that pass and excrete less clear substances. This purity is vital and critical indeed for sound decision – making. Liver – Gall Bladder are internally – externally connected, Liver excretes bile and other enzymes. Poor digestion, weak Gall Bladder and stagnant energy flow of Liver prevent making plans, clog our brains and diminish our courage to make the decisions and take the actions every minute of our lives at a conscious and subconscious levels. And, the healthier is our Gall Bladder the clearer are our thoughts and visions, the more achievable plans are made and the easier become to fulfil them successfully.

When it comes to judging and evaluating the opinions and truths of other people we encounter every day, the Gall Bladder, “Official of Judgment” alone is able to bring a wonderful power of judgement to our body, mind and spirit and guide us to the truth.

As regards the Spirit, all ancient wisdom affirms that there is a Divine Plan, destiny, higher purpose for every one of us, leading to the spiritual goal of what has been called enlightenment. And, as in every other realm, we have choices and decisions to make. Which spiritual practice is right for us? Which teacher to follow? How will other choices that we make help and support us on our spiritual path? The Gall Bladder Official is pivotal in making such decisions.

Is your Liver and Gall Bladder well-nourished and healthy?

Healthy Liver energy is like a tiger, manifesting through dynamic and graceful body movement and flexible joints. Eyesight is acute, hair shiny, nails are strong. The body rhythms are easy and regular and there is a delight in the rhythms of music and dance.

Emotionally we are able to express and process our feelings without tending to store unresolved emotions for too long. With a strong Liver energy we are able to say “Yes” to all the challenges we encounter every day. We have right skills and courage to risk and progress. We are able to see a “big picture” and trust the “inner voice”. We go through the life with audacity and grace, with the flow, not against it.

The Guidelines to grow in Spring and make our Wood element – Liver/Gall Bladder strong and balanced

- Exercising and stretching are essential to bring Qi into the muscles and tendons and prevent Liver Qi stagnation. Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong support and develop the coordinating function of Liver and help to open and strengthen the joints. On emotional level, all Martial Arts help to channel unexpressed and disruptive energy into purposeful expression, thus teaching assertiveness and helping to control anger.

- The same like being active, the good quality of rest and relaxation of body and mind are essential to keep Liver and Gall Bladder healthy and nourished. As they both rejuvenate at night time, good quality of sleep has primary effect on our energy levels and emotional stability.

Recommended Spring foods:

- mildly warming foods with upbearing movements, such as fennel, rice, buckwheat, acrid flavours –garlic, paprika and ginger in order to clear accumulated dampness left over from the cold winter months when we consume more fatty and sweet foods.
- to cleanse and detox Liver and Gall Bladder is the key to good digestion and clear mind. Sour foods in particular tomato, grapefruits, blueberries, tangerines, rhubarbs, yogurt, and vinegar stimulate the tissues to contract and release the toxins, and stimulate Gall Bladder to excrete bile to breakdown the fats. Moreover, sour foods sooth “heated” temperaments by cooling emotional heat in Liver.  
- the foods from wood phase, green in colour with neutral, cool or warm energy: green tea, spinach, celery and sprouts.
Avoid: Saturated fats and over processed foods, they congest Liver functions and block Liver energy. Overeating or “comfort eating” suppresses our emotions, makes our head foggy, and keeps us “stuck” in one place.
 
    "I sowed the seeds of love,
     It was all in the spring,
     In April, May, and June, likwise,
     When small birds they do sing"
     Fleetwood Habergham, The Seeds of Love, 1690

being acupuncturist it’s not only about pricking the needles into the clients body. It’s listening, talking, teaching, loving, nursing, careing, even crying together sometimes.. yesterday I had my client for regular treatment, and found out that the last few days she suffered with bad depression; she stayed in her bed and didn’t have any food or water for two days. After short conversation I convinced her to have some soup I brought for my lunch and did the Reiki healing. After session she said that she’s going to buy the same soup on her way home, and eat it when she is back. She was happy and relaxed. Next week we will carry on our regular acupuncture treatments.

You can be the best practitioner and have all those credentials, but compassion, love and individual approach will find direct way to your clients heart and initiates self healing of the body, mind and spirit in the best and quickest way.

4/14. A more youthful appearance

Acupuncture can make you look younger, feel more energised and prevent physical signs of ageing.

Acupuncture strengthens five most essential organ systems—Kidney, Spleen, Liver, Lung, and Hear.  On a physiological level, acupuncture has been reported to improve blood circulation throughout the body. Increased blood flow helps to bright skin color and strength muscle tone that can pull the skin tight and wrinkles flattened.  Also, by promoting the flow of Qi and blood through out the body the body eventually is balanced. That influences body's ageing process and  systemically the body becomes healthier and the skin greater elasticity.

5/14 Smooth and glowing skin

The beauty steams from what’s inside (Chinese Proverb)

If your battle against aging has mainly to do with your skin, you may have considered cosmetic/facial rejuvenation acupuncture. This beauty treatment got a lot of press last year. Celebrities, including Rihanna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie swear it.  Indeed, natural alternatives to Botox and prescription acne medications are in high demand, and acupuncture is emerging as a leading solution. During the course of Facial rejuvenation acupuncture procedure the whole body – mind – appearance are evaluated and treated according Chinese Medicine principles.

to be continued...

14 Things Acupuncture Can Help You Achieve in 2014

1.Less stress

Chinese Acupuncture is well known for its ability to lower stress. It takes the edge off by removing you from the perpetual state of sympathetic dominance in which so many of us find ourselves. By mellowing out the nervous system, acupuncture will help you feel less affected by stress and handle stressful situations in different ways.

Previous research has shown that acupuncture can induce a relaxation response, which decreases the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases energy and tissue regeneration, and reduces stress. With relaxation the digestion improves and headaches are relieved. Studies have shown that the substances released in the body as a result of acupuncture relax the body, and also regulate serotonin in the brain, which affects emotional states.

Stressful situation  at work, family problems, "modern" lifestyle puts us under the stress every day now. People under chronic stress don’t handle acute stress very well. In chronic stress, the cortisol levels are elevated and never come back down to baseline, so people end up with insomnia or depressed or anxious because of the constant ramping up of this system.

Regular acupuncture treatments are fantastic for keeping stress in check and increasing the ability to cope with the negative aspects of life and make necessary changes.

2/14. Stronger immune system

Acupuncture strengthens natural resistance to disease by bolstering your reserve and equipping you to fight off pathogens. Scientific research shows that acupuncture increases the white blood cells in the body and moderates the immune system allowing it to react swiftly and strongly to threats.

Acupuncture strengthens the defensive - immune system so that you can avoid illness rather than dealing with it after it happens. Prevention is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine ideology.

The body’s balance between yin and yang is important to keep the immune system functioning properly. If yin and yang are balanced, vital energy is strong and bacteria and viruses won’t attack the body, the immune system is able to fight disease

Lung, kidneys and liver being balanced and functioning well is very important for the immune system

In Chinese Medicine theory the first line of defence is the wei qi.  This is qi energy that circulates just beneath the skin and regulates sweating and immunity. It is dependent on lung function and controls the opening of pores on the skin.  If lungs are strong, it keeps pores closed preventing disease factors getting into our bodies.

Traditional Chinese medicine considers that the kidneys store the original vital energy and essence from parents. As other organs need support from kidney energy, thus kidney are considered the source of body’s  immune system. Chronic diseases, ageing, physical and mental overwork weaken Kidneys and simultaneously weaken body's immune system.

The liver is also an important organ which is associated with the immune system. Because the liver dominates emotions, long standing stress, anxiety or depression will affect liver function and will also bring the immune system down. Thus it is easy for people with high levels of stress to catch a cold or flu. Strengthening liver function will help to reduce the stress together with boosting the immune system.

Regular monthly acupuncture sessions support and strengthen immunity, help improve circulation, metabolism and digestive system.


 3/14. Self-awareness and Mindfulness

“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose,
in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” Jon Kabat-Zinn’s.

Mindfulness involves a conscious direction of our awareness. But what does it means to be aware in every day life? Imagine how would be hard to play the piano if you can’t hear the music. Or, try to stand on one foot with the eyes closed - it is difficult.

Awareness can be defined a form of self education: reliance on yourself, teaching yourself to maintain alertness at all times in order to assimilate and derive global understanding of all events around.

Awareness, as a tool of self-healing, is also the most powerful aspect in your personal defence against disease.

The benefits of acupuncture for pain relief and treatment of other conditions have been well documented, as well as challenged by naysayers. The relaxation, calmness, "mindlessness" in a good way - the state without thoughts or words floating into consciousness can be experienced during acupuncture treatment. Some people experience extremes of emotion during acupuncture, even burst into laughter or tears that bear no relation to their conscious thoughts. This is rear, but might happen. The feelings or state like this can arouse because acupuncture needles unblock the flow of a life force known as Qi along pathways - meridians in the body. When Qi in the body is blocked, it can not reached the head to clear the mind. Thus to reach awareness is difficult even after long time of meditation.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggests that acupuncture activates and deactivates structures of the brain involved in decision making, regulating emotions, perception, self-awareness, and attention.

 Acupuncture broadens your awareness of the things that can potentially influence not only your physical and emotional health but also your whole life.