ACUPUNCTURE 14

As 2013 comes to an end, I would like to kick off the New Year with 14 ways to look forward to 2014 through the acupuncture lens.  Acupuncture and Chinese medicine allows us to see the world differently – with more openness, gratitude, patience, and the belief in oneself.   Acupuncture emphasizes that we possess everything we need to be well.

Here are 14 ways acupuncture can kick off a healthy and transformative new year:

We have everything to be well.

The driving force behind acupuncture is that we possess everything we need to be well. It reminds us that we have the natural power to heal ourselves. When we are sick such as catching a cold or the flu, our bodies have the natural ability to restore homeostasis and strengthen immunity.

When we embrace this aspect of ourselves, we are capable of more than we think. We have the capacity to live our lives with increased potential. We have everything we need to be well.

It will clear and open your mind.

Acupuncture allows us to clear our thoughts and improve mental clarity. It also allows us to view “health” in a new and broad way. It encourages us to see things from various perspectives.

It will help ground you.

Acupuncture helps to get to the core of your well-being. It helps you to maintain homeostasis or balance. For instance, when you are feeling overwhelmed or stretched too thin, acupuncture can help reduce the emotional and physical burden thereby helping to ground you.

One size does not fit all.

Chinese medicine is a practice that embraces us as unique individuals. Every approach and treatment is tailored to support your own unique body. Chinese medicine offers a variety of treatment styles to suit your changing needs.

It’s an investment for the future.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine requires us to think of health differently. Health is not just about treating the symptoms and illness, but a practice of self-care. If we can practice self-care, we can embrace our natural ability to heal ourselves and practice health prevention and promotion. The investment is to move towards the practice of “health care” not “disease care.

Change or transformation is good!

Conventional medicine requires us to think narrow-mindedly, or in absolutes such as black or white, ill or healthy, right or wrong, good or bad. Often times we also rely on the numbers – whether it is too high or too low. Acupuncture embraces the subtle changes that occur within and around the body. The small subtle changes make a significant difference when it comes to achieving health and well-being.

The unwillingness to accept change is a major source of stress and anxiety for many people. Acupuncture allows us to accept change – because change is transformational! Change is good!

It inspires gratitude.

Acupuncture emphasizes that we possess everything we need to be well. It optimizes our bodies to function at its best. When we listen and are functioning at our best, our bodies inspire gratitude and motivation to continue to be well.

It will reduce your stress.

Acupuncture can calm you down. It can help you decrease the sympathetic overdrive and emphasize relaxation and pleasure. Although stress is always present, acupuncture can help you become better equipped to manage the stressful aspects of life.

It will improve your sleep.

Difficulty sleeping or insomnia is a common problem for many. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine is very effective for treating sleeping ailments – whether it is getting enough sleep or obtaining quality sleep. Acupuncture has a natural effect to produce more restful nights.

It will increase your energy.

Immediately following an acupuncture treatment, it is very common to feel somewhat “out of it” or dazed depending on your current mind and body state. Additionally, after a few sessions the usual after effect is also increased energy. Some may describe it as an alternative to drinking a cup of coffee for a “pick me up.” Increased natural energy also boosts immunity.

Patience is a virtue.

In today’s modern world, we are overstimulated. We have immediate access to anything we want with just the touch of our fingertips. Technology affirms the “I want it now” mentality of quick fixes. Because of this, we can become increasingly impatient. Acupuncture can help with this regard. With an ongoing commitment, with time, acupuncture can help you rebalance and let go of this instant gratification. It will help you become more patient.

It will help you connect with nature.

Acupuncture is an inherent practice from nature. The ancient philosophy of Chinese medicine directly aligns with our natural environment. Because of this, acupuncture allows us to embrace and connect with nature. As humans, we respond to our natural environment.

It will help you detoxify and remove impurities from your body.

Acupuncture is another form of detoxification. Detoxification helps our bodies get rid of waste while minimizing increasing exposure to toxins. Whenever you get acupuncture, regardless of the focus of the treatment (i.e. pain), your body will always go through a process to facilitate removal of impurities or toxicity from daily stress – whether emotional, physical, and/or environmental. Detoxification will cleanse and optimize your body’s functions and defense mechanisms to fight illness and disease.

It encourages a healthy lifestyle – a practice.

Acupuncture is not a one-time shotgun treatment. Just like everything else we do to maintain balance, it is a practice. When you receive acupuncture regularly, your body continues to maintain homeostasis and facilitates health promotion and illness prevention.

Again, we have everything we need to be well.  Acupuncture prompts the body to do what it already knows how to do.  It does not take anything away from you but embraces our innate healing capacity.

Best wishes to you for a transformative 2014!