February 2010 Notes From Aculand

Welcome to the February Notes From Aculand-the first edition of the New Year, arriving just in time to celebrate Valentine’s Day and matters of the Heart.

In oriental medicine, the Heart has many meanings. In part, it is the physical thing, four chambers of pulsating muscle that drives the life of us and from which emanates, literally our lifeblood. That blood reaches every part of us through an incredible “network of animation,” to borrow from classical texts, or, medically speaking, through the vast system of large and small blood vessels employed to carry the message of the heart to the furthest outposts of the body.

At the same time, the heart is sort of a pass-through place. “Old” blood, that which has yielded up its goodies to the system comes back for replenishment and rejuvenation. Freshly oxygenated and fortified, it moves back out into the system. Smooth. Nothing stays or collects in the heart. It is constant movement. If the heart stops moving, life is over. This is important physically and emotionally as well.

In acupuncture, we understand the movement of the emotions as similar to the movement of the physical organs. Emotional states influence, reflect and are governed by physical states. When I am interviewing someone for treatment, I am as interested in their emotional expression as their physical symptoms, because they reveal each other. To demonstrate this take a moment away from your reading, sit back, breathe deeply and think of something that makes you angry. Notice your body. What is happening to the muscles of your face, jaw, lips, forehead, throat, hands, feet, breathing, and eyes? Notice how quickly your whole body responds to the message, the thought. Breathe again. Relax. Let go of that thought. Think of something or someone you love. Notice your face, eyes, mouth (smiling?), forehead, breath, belly, hands, legs, feet…different?  Thoughts and emotions cannot be separated from the body. You cannot have them without the body getting involved!

From the acupuncture perspective, the heart aspires to be peaceful place for emotions pass through, but not linger, just as the blood passes through but does not linger. While emotions are normal and healthy, they should resolve and not persist. It is appropriate to be angry at times, and unhealthy to stay that way. Reflect back to the changes you noticed in our little emotional mock-up. That exercise only lasted a moment. Extended anger changes muscles, breathing, blood flow, hormones, biochemistry, everything. Other strong emotions held for too long have similar effects.

In acupuncture, the presence of uncomfortable emotions is both diagnostic and treatable. People who receive acupuncture often notice themselves feeling generally calmer and more peaceful. That is one of the goals of treatment! How nice to have such a positive “side effect!”

February is also the beginning of Spring. Hard to believe? The days are getting longer and the earliest green shoots are already up. Life is on the move. This is a great time to begin new projects. If you want to be pro-active with your health and get in shape for summer, consider joining one of our Transitions Life-style Classes. These 12-week classes, designed for weight loss and/or cultivating health, focus on the benefits of a low glycemic diet. This eating pattern has been shown to help to stabilize blood sugar, develop more lean body mass, support a healthy heart, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, ease joint pain, reduce digestive stress, and improve sleep and overall energy level. Good stuff.

Classes begin Tuesday night, February 23rd at 7pm or Thursday, February 25th at noon and run for 12 weeks. Please call or write me for more information or visit my website, Karen-johnson-acupuncture.net and click on Transitions.

If you are feeling like it is time to come in for a tune-up, your intuition is correct. Winter is changing into spring and your body is adjusting. Seasonal tune-ups are a great way to promote health throughout the year.

And as always, Gift Certificates are available for the ones you love.  

And a quote..

Love is the magician that pulls man out of his own hat. 

Ben Hecht

Wishing you all the best,

Karen Johnson L.Ac, RN

Licensed Acupuncturist

Registered Nurse

Certified Transitions Lifestyle Coach

(410)381-3495

Karen-johnson-acupuncture.net