I finally went for a much-overdue treatment yesterday for the first time in about seventeen months. It was always something I had wanted to explore and a good friend referred me, so I went. The very first session with Lisa was total ZEN! From that day on, it was a routine schedule of mine, every four weeks for two years. To be completely honest, I didn’t know much about it, yet it was the deepest form of relaxation (besides a massage) ever. That alone had me hooked, but also the energy and vibe Lisa radiates always MAKE MY DAY. Have you ever met someone that just automatically brightens your spirits immediately? That is her. And trust me, not many people can do that, ha! She is a gem.
A little bit of what I have learned about this special form of Chinese medicine… Acupuncture uses the precise placement of sterile needles into points along the energetic channels of the body. These needles do NOT hurt, by the way. Think of the channels as rivers of energy, the points are gateways to the channels and allow the acupuncturist to rebalance the energy of the body. Acupuncture is one of the most effective ways to unblock energy flow and restore the body to a state of balance and harmony. In a sense, I physically feel like I am floating on a cloud as soon as I lie down and take a few deep breaths.
Some may wonder what a typical session is like. Do they touch you? (Somewhat.) Do they massage you? (A small amount and very lightly.) It is a little tricky to explain, yet it’s all mostly about observation. Touch includes palpating muscles, flesh and bone for temperature difference, changes in strength, and structural anomalies. Perhaps most importantly, this category includes the highly refined art of pulse assessment which can give tremendous detail about the client’s state of health.
The golden question… “What does acupuncture treat?” The answer, everyone and everything- literally! Chinese medicine is wonderful as preventative medicine, helping the body maintain health and becoming strong enough to fight a disease or expedite recovery. In acute patterns like colds, flus, shingle and hives treatment focuses on treating the immediate pattern. I know several friends who go for headache prevention and swear by it. Chinese medicine is also know for helping chronic diseases, as well as providing support and comfort for those with terminal illness. Although some practitioners may specialize or focus in certain areas, Chinese medicine can treat from the youngest to oldest. In fact, when I was pregnant, I was active in acupuncture. Lisa informed me that babies growing in the womb also benefit from (receive) the treatment though the mother, which I found pretty amazing. Motherhood hold numerous room for treatment. Everything from trying to conceive, being pregnant the entire nine months, fetal development, anxiety and stress management, and breastfeeding… to ALL things postpartum!
If you’re on the fence about trying acupuncture, don’t be. It is certainly enjoyable and supports overall wellness. This is the best way I can put it into words, but after many questions I thought it was worth some spotlight. I truly believe one must be willing to accept this form of holistic healing as a WHOLE person- body, mind, spirit and emotions – in a quest for for optimal health. Going back today was such a breath of fresh air, I already feel so much better! Hopefully this has answers some questions or concerns you may have, and always here to chat more of course.
Have a happy + healthy day!
XO,
Katy
