ACUPUNCTURE & INNER ALCHEMY
"Qi cannot travel without a path, just as water flows or the sun and moon orbit without rest."
-- 灵枢 Líng Shū, Chapter 17
-- 灵枢 Líng Shū, Chapter 17
WHAT ARE ACUPUNCTURE & INNER ALCHEMY?
Acupuncture is a form of medicine that utilizes physical manipulation of specific points on the body to achieve positive intervention during the course of disease. This therapeutic modality is one of several health care practices that developed in Asia over thousands of years - including: acupressure, moxibustion, herbalism, and exercise/meditation instruction.
Together these are often collectively referred to under the umbrella of "Eastern Medicine," longevity arts which promote health and wellness in addition to balancing a person's "氣 Qì" (pronounced ch-EE or k-EE). Qi is a word that has many contextual definitions, it is often described to Westerners as "mystical energy," however when used alone it may be most accurately translated as meaning "functional activity."
In the historical context of medicine related to Taoist theory, the concept of the word "神 Shén" (which means mind, expression, energy, spirit, and/or deity) led to an understanding that the psyche contains five fundamental and interdependent parts. Often colloquially known as a collective “five spirits,” they are described respectively as: awareness, willpower, intellect, animal-nature, and human-nature. Animal-nature is frequently linked to the Jungian concept of "shadow" as well as the sensory body, while human-nature is more related to higher-cognitive faculties and the Western concept of the spirit. As a further characterization: animal-nature is symbolized by the west and the moon, while human-nature is represented by the east and the sun.
"內丹 Nèi Dān" - translated as inner alchemy - is the process of identifying and refining the innate aspects of the self for health, longevity, and spiritual progression. It is a life-long process primarily driven by using visualization techniques to develop awareness while maintaining upright posture with slow deep-breathing.
Together these are often collectively referred to under the umbrella of "Eastern Medicine," longevity arts which promote health and wellness in addition to balancing a person's "氣 Qì" (pronounced ch-EE or k-EE). Qi is a word that has many contextual definitions, it is often described to Westerners as "mystical energy," however when used alone it may be most accurately translated as meaning "functional activity."
In the historical context of medicine related to Taoist theory, the concept of the word "神 Shén" (which means mind, expression, energy, spirit, and/or deity) led to an understanding that the psyche contains five fundamental and interdependent parts. Often colloquially known as a collective “five spirits,” they are described respectively as: awareness, willpower, intellect, animal-nature, and human-nature. Animal-nature is frequently linked to the Jungian concept of "shadow" as well as the sensory body, while human-nature is more related to higher-cognitive faculties and the Western concept of the spirit. As a further characterization: animal-nature is symbolized by the west and the moon, while human-nature is represented by the east and the sun.
"內丹 Nèi Dān" - translated as inner alchemy - is the process of identifying and refining the innate aspects of the self for health, longevity, and spiritual progression. It is a life-long process primarily driven by using visualization techniques to develop awareness while maintaining upright posture with slow deep-breathing.
|
Working on a Mind-Body Level
Stress and disease often are due to a lack of physiological homeostasis, and can also be their initial causes. In the practice of traditional acupuncture, such imbalances are described as dysfunctional "qi-dynamic." This is the same as saying "stress disrupts the body's capacity for dynamic functional activity." Stimulating points through needle insertion, heat application, massage, and meditation therapeutically alters the movements of qi to support disease prevention while improving the body's innate healing ability.
Qi encompasses all the functional processes of the body, including:
|
Generally - stimulating an acupuncture point calls our attention and focus to that part of the body as a part of the healing process. Each person responds to needle insertion differently, and accordingly many acupuncturists know multiple styles of needle manipulation in order to accommodate individual needs.
WHY SHOULD SOMEONE GET ACUPUNCTURE?Many people seek out an acupuncturist in order to treat musculoskeletal disorders, as well as for chronic pain and stress management. In 1979, the World Health Organization published a long list of the variety of conditions treated by acupuncture such as: anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), numerous gynecological problems, early stages of cold and flu, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, asthma, and acid-reflux. Through a 1997 publication, the National Institute of Health states acupuncture can treat a variety of disorders -- including: nausea and vomiting, addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
DOES ACUPUNCTURE HURT?Often needling can be painless and produces a sense of deep relaxation. A fun fact is that because they are so thin, about 35-40 acupuncture needles can fit into one hypodermic needle. Sometimes a person can feel a slight pinch upon insertion, but this sensation typically fades quickly. Occasionally a point will feel a strong dull ache after needling, this is a sign of therapeutic effect and often fades within minutes.
HOW CAN ACUPUNCTURE AFFECT PAIN?Many explanations are necessary to encompass the breadth of physiological effects of acupuncture, due to the wide range of body systems affected within the modern medical paradigm. The following serves as a small portion:
|
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY FIRST ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT?Your first acupuncture treatment you will go through a detailed medical history with your acupuncturist. This will take longer than future sessions. Your acupuncturist will explain the specifics of acupuncture techniques and associated services. You and your acupuncturist will discuss the initial assessment regarding duration of treatment and treatment goals.
HOW LONG WILL I NEED TO BE TREATED?The course of treatment will always depend upon the individual and the presenting pattern, however generally patients are advised to be treated once or twice weekly (and as often as every day in certain situations) until the illness has resolved. Many acute conditions find resolution within 1-4 weeks while chronic disorders may take anywhere between 6-10 weeks or longer to resolve.
WHAT IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HEALTH-CARE AND INNER ALCHEMY?Modern medical scientists have become increasingly aware of the correlations between inner alchemy exercises such as mindfulness and deliberate "belly-breathing" with the promotion of well-being. While philosophical implications exist for these practices, their purposes are fundamentally rooted in affecting physiological changes. Through the application of Eastern medical techniques, practitioners can alleviate discomfort that often arises during the course of development. Whether being re-emergence of pain from a past trauma that had been dormant, becoming aware of blockages in numb body parts that served as self-protection for extended periods, or simply due to using the mind/body in a new way which leads to an undesirable outcome - it is implicit that during the process of self-refinement a person will be confronted with challenging and uncomfortable circumstances. Holistic health-care addresses all these concerns.
|
At Open Mind Holistics, our acupuncturist, Isaac Hoft, will work to support your physical and mental health through acupuncture, bodywork, moxibustion, and other modalities. In addition to a Classical perspective, Isaac utilizes many approaches to acupuncture including the Kototama System, Balance Method, and Four-Needle Technique. Isaac is passionate about helping people heal through acupuncture and grow through inner alchemy.
