In my blog posts I rarely post many personal details about my health and healing journey but that’s about to change today! Like many practitioners in the wellness industry I discovered my love of acupuncture and Chinese medicine while upon my own path toward health and wholeness in my own body. I wasn’t finding any answers from Western medicine to the issues I was experiencing and became completely frustrated that no one could help me. I spent what felt like an endless amount of time, not to mention money, and ended up no further ahead than when I’d started. Finally, as I walked out of a gastroenterologist’s office I decided I was going to get to the root of my problem myself. And so began my long and winding journey to heal my body.
As I explored various alternatives, I learned what it is that makes me love Chinese medicine so much; it is rooted in prevention. At its very core the emphasis is placed on maintaining a healthy balance in our bodies. It’s undeniable that the pendulum will always swing, no matter how healthy we are, but we have the power to decrease the degree to which it will swing in each direction. This brings our bodies into balance and ultimately we arrive at our healthiest space. While I won’t go into great detail regarding what has ailed me most of my life, I want to share with you that I have come so very far. It hasn’t been easy; no one’s journey to heal their body ever is. But my pendulum swings far less than it used to. Chinese and alternative medicine have provided me with the essential tools to use when things begin to feel out of whack.
Last summer, when my husband and I decided to move to North Carolina, I had been in a constant state of stress which continued as we set off on our cross-country journey. This left me depleted upon arriving and I was suffering from things my body had never experienced before, including insomnia, severe shoulder pain and undiagnosed skin conditions. While these are still things I am working on nine months later, I am confident in my body’s innate ability to heal itself from within. It’s times like these I am reminded just how important each person’s self care regimen is: regular acupuncture treatments, ample rest, adequate sleep, daily exercise and healthy eating. All these will help round things out and leave a person in a much more grounded space – physically, mentally and emotionally.
Each person’s path varies and for some it may take years to achieve complete healing. Believe me, I am still on my path of correcting long running digestive problems, balancing my hormones and menstrual cycle, calming my mind to reduce stress and create mindfulness around me. Let me encourage you to not give up. As for me, I will stick to my self care regimen of getting regular acupuncture, taking Chinese herbs and Western herbal supplements, diligent daily exercise, avoiding caffeine and making the necessary lifestyle and dietary adjustments I know are for my best. Our bodies are like gardens, and we are the gardeners who provide consistent weeding, pruning, and attention to continue to thrive!
brittle or spoon shaped nails, and have a pale complexion? These are all symptoms of iron deficiency anemia. While there are several types of anemia, iron deficiency anemia is the most widespread. Other less common symptoms are cravings for non food items like dirt, clay, cornstarch, paint chips, cardboard, or cleaning supplies. While these all sound strange they aren’t all that uncommon. Other less discussed symptoms are cracking in the corners of the mouth, known as angular chelitis, a swollen tongue causing difficulty swallowing, constant craving to chew ice, and tingling in your legs.
The spring season brings to life new growth and time of regeneration. It brings us out of hibernation and encourages outdoor activities in the sun. Changes in nature are happening all around us out in the woods or in our own backyards. We see flowers popping up everywhere and farmers markets gearing up for the season, and grocery stores marketing seasonal produce and tools to excite us all to dust off our grills. Hello barbecues and sunshine! Despite our moderate winter here in Asheville, I’m welcoming spring with open arms and feeling the buzz of productivity take off.
We can foster this change and soothe our liver qi by embracing the wood element by adopting a lifestyle that will work in harmony with the season. Weekly acupuncture treatments will help to maintain the balance between the body’s organs and is a great way to support the liver and regulate the flow of qi throughout the entire body all year long but especially in springtime. In addition to acupuncture great ways to support our liver qi this season include activities that encourage smooth flow of qi such as movement, especially outdoors, stretching as the liver helps to maintain tendon health, eye exercises because the liver is connected to proper eye function, eating foods that are sour in flavor like adding lemon to your water or vinegar as a salad dressing. Eating ‘with’ the season supports the liver. These spring season foods include fresh leafy greens, beets, onions, leeks, yams, dates, cilantro, parsley, mushrooms, spinach, and other chlorophyll rich foods. Supplements that may be helpful include milk thistle to encourage healthy gentle detoxification and protect the liver cells from toxins. Happy Spring!