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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
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. Alongside acupressure and moxibustion, broadly referred to as 針灸 "Zhēnjiǔ," this therapeutic modality constitutes one branch of several health care practices that developed in Asia over thousands of years. The following modalities are generally organized in to "Five Branches:" Acupuncture, Bodywork, Exercise, Nutrition, and Herbalism. The National Institute of Health identifies several disorders that may be treated beneficially by Chinese medicine.
Typically referred to collectively under the umbrella of longevity arts which promote health and wellness - the effects of these practices are often achieved through balancing a person's 氣 "Qì" (ch-EE) or "Ki" (k-EE). 氣 Qi/Ki is a word that has many contextual definitions. In the practice of meditation 氣 Qi/Ki is often described as "mystical energy." When used in a modern medical context, it can be defined as "a functional relationship between two or more parts within a system."
內丹 "Nèidān" or Inner-Alchemy is the practice of identifying and refining the innate aspects of one's temperament for health, longevity, and spiritual progression. It is a self-cultivation process primarily taught using visualization techniques to foster awareness, with concurrent instruction in developing upright posture and regulated deep-breathing (see the FAQ below), in addition to the observation of a moderate lifestyle.
Discussing the nuance surrounding Inner-Alchemy forms an integral part of Nèidān - Longevity Mentorship sessions with Dr. Isaac Hoft. To learn more about how the concepts of Inner-Alchemy can play a role in Chinese medicine treatments at Open Mind Holistics, check out our blog post on this subject. To read more about the holistic concepts at the foundation of East Asian medicine please visit HOLISTIC MEDICINE | CHINESE HERBALISM.
Typically referred to collectively under the umbrella of longevity arts which promote health and wellness - the effects of these practices are often achieved through balancing a person's 氣 "Qì" (ch-EE) or "Ki" (k-EE). 氣 Qi/Ki is a word that has many contextual definitions. In the practice of meditation 氣 Qi/Ki is often described as "mystical energy." When used in a modern medical context, it can be defined as "a functional relationship between two or more parts within a system."
內丹 "Nèidān" or Inner-Alchemy is the practice of identifying and refining the innate aspects of one's temperament for health, longevity, and spiritual progression. It is a self-cultivation process primarily taught using visualization techniques to foster awareness, with concurrent instruction in developing upright posture and regulated deep-breathing (see the FAQ below), in addition to the observation of a moderate lifestyle.
Discussing the nuance surrounding Inner-Alchemy forms an integral part of Nèidān - Longevity Mentorship sessions with Dr. Isaac Hoft. To learn more about how the concepts of Inner-Alchemy can play a role in Chinese medicine treatments at Open Mind Holistics, check out our blog post on this subject. To read more about the holistic concepts at the foundation of East Asian medicine please visit HOLISTIC MEDICINE | CHINESE HERBALISM.
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Working on a Mind-Body Level
Stress and disease often are due to a lack of physiological balance, and can also themselves be 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/Ki encompasses all the functional processes of the body, including:
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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.
- FAQ -
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. In 2016 the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health published updated guidelines for those seeking more information.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?From a reductionist perspective many explanations are necessary to encompass the breadth of physiological effects of acupuncture. This is due to the wide range of body systems affected within the modern medical paradigm. The following serves as a small portion:
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 1-6 weeks while chronic disorders may take anywhere between 6-12 weeks or longer to resolve.
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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.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AS A NEW PATIENT?Before the session you will be provided with a form where you can give detailed information regarding your health history, lifestyle habits, and specific concern for reaching out to make an appointment. During your first treatment, you will have an additional detailed evaluation and cover health history verbally through an interview with Isaac. This will take longer than future sessions as time is given for you to learn the specifics of any relevant and/or new information. At the end a summary is given regarding the initial assessment, treatment recommendations, and pathways to identified goals.
WHAT IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HEALTHCARE AND INNER-ALCHEMY?While philosophical implications for self-cultivation are relevant, the purpose of one's starting to practice is often fundamentally rooted in affecting physiological changes. Through the application of East Asian medical techniques, trained practitioners can alleviate discomfort that often arises during the course a person's training due to patterns which have become habituated. Inner-Alchemy can in this way be viewed as forming an essential part of health-care, one which has capacity to holistically address a myriad of concerns. 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 development process that a person will be periodically confronted with challenging and uncomfortable circumstances. Modern medical scientists have also begun to recognize the correlations of wellness promotion with exercises which have their roots in Nèidān - such as mindfulness and deliberate "belly-breathing."
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At Open Mind Holistics, our acupuncturist, Dr. Isaac Hoft, will work to support your physical and mental health through acupuncture, bodywork, moxibustion, and other modalities. In addition to a Traditional Chinese medicine perspective, Isaac is trained in many disciplines including Jade Purity Taoist Medicine, Kototama Inochi Medicine, Global Balance Method, and SAAM Acupuncture. Isaac is passionate about helping people heal through acupuncture and self-cultivation.
To learn about Integrative Holistic Treatments that combine Acupuncture and Inner Alchemy with Chinese Herbalism and Art Therapy please visit INTEGRATIVE HOLISTIC TREATMENTS. To learn more about Art Therapy, please visit ART THERAPY | TRANSPERSONAL COUNSELING.
To learn about Integrative Holistic Treatments that combine Acupuncture and Inner Alchemy with Chinese Herbalism and Art Therapy please visit INTEGRATIVE HOLISTIC TREATMENTS. To learn more about Art Therapy, please visit ART THERAPY | TRANSPERSONAL COUNSELING.
