Spring is finally here and as the plants start to blossom so should we. We need to step outside, let the sun shine on us, and get back to being healthy. All winter long, we were stuck indoors. Now that spring has arrived we need to breathe in its beautiful smells, see the green trees and colorful flowers, feel the soft grass, taste the fresh fruits and vegetables, and hear the sounds of people running around outside. Before we can truly bloom we need to prune away all the negative emotions poking out all over us as we were hiding from the cold. Acupuncture can help the pruning process, enabling us to start a spring full of positivity.
It is common for people to have anxiety this time of year. As we get older we have more responsibilities and at times it can be hard to keep track of everything. Thankfully acupuncture has many points to help calm anxiety. Two important points are Stomach 40, on the lower leg, and Yin Tang, between the eyes. Each point benefits the mind, which is the root of our anxiety. Once the root isn’t blocked anymore, the patient has the freedom to rise and become whatever they want to be.
Grief can be another emotion causing a patient to feel stuck in the mud. Grief can be all encompassing, almost like waterlogged soil. Dealing with loss of a loved one, or the pain that comes with a breakup, can weigh on the body. Lung 3, located on the upper arm, can help a patient deal with grief. It gives them the strength they need to realize that they can move on from the hurt they are enduring. Just as waterlogged soil eventually disperses and absorbs the excess water, acupuncture can assist a patient to use their grief and pain to help learn from their experiences.
Depression can cause people to feel like they are seeds deep in the earth that will never blossom. However, if you water each seed and give it the correct amount of sunlight it will eventually sprout. Kidney 4, located on the ankle, and Du 20, located on the top of the head, will help the patient, as plants are when they are “thinned”—that is, excess seeds are removed to enable the plant to thrive.
When we garden, staking helps support a plant in order for it to grow. Think of your acupuncturists as you stakes. As you blossom, your acupuncturist will be your trellis and support you as you climb back to good spirits. A proper diet, coupled with some lifestyle modifications, will also be recommended to ensure optimal results. In some cases, the added support of a therapist can be prescribed for additional guidance. These powerful points as well as many others can ensure that you are everblooming.
Dana Fine is a licensed acupuncturist in the state of Illinois and certified as a Diplomate of Acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). She is the owner of Dana Fine Acupuncture, LLC in Northbrook, IL. She graduated with honors from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) in Chicago with a Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine. Dana treats various issues such as; infertility, headaches, musculoskeletal issues, psycho-emotional issues, and insomnia, as well as many other health concerns. She is currently studying the connection between Chinese medicine and Functional medicine. You can learn more about Dana at www.danafineacu.com