Alternative Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine has been around for thousands of years and for good reason – it works. While Western science has demonstrated its value in the field of surgical and urgent care procedures, Chinese medicine often provides better preventive and disease management care. Focusing on and using the body’s inner energy, or Qi, to maintain good health, prevent illness, and better handle chronic conditions, Traditional Chinese Medicine has been shown to eliminate symptoms of such “incurable” conditions as chronic joint pain, infertility, Crohn’s Disease, and a host of other conditions.

The fundamental idea behind Chinese medicine is that the human body is able to heal itself of many of the illnesses and injuries experienced, so long as the body’s energy flow, or Qi, is uninterrupted.

What Is Acupuncture?

The first thoughts that come to mind when most people hear the word “acupuncture” are needles and the pain normally associated with injections. The needles used in acupuncture are as fine as a human hair, as they have no need for a hollow tube like those used with syringes. Generally, there is little to no pain experienced during these procedures. The needles are used to stimulate blood flow and bioelectric activity along a specific pathway within the body. While scientific researchers debate over the effectiveness of acupuncture, patients around the globe have found relief from conditions such as chronic pain, insomnia, digestive conditions, headaches, migraines, weight loss, infertility, depression, fibromyalgia, and many other medical conditions.

Teas & Tonics, or Terrible Side Effects

The FDA’s requirement that pharmaceutical companies announce the side effects of their prescription medications in all advertisements has made those commercials tragic enough to almost be humorous. Most often than not, the side effects are worse than the initial condition being treated! Instead of risking other systems within your body to the ravages of prescription chemicals, Chinese medicine offers well-established regimes of herbal teas and tonics to bring about and maintain powerful health.

A Toast to Cupping

Cupping is the practice of using heated glass or ceramic cups to relax muscles and draw out toxins. Cupping draws toxins to the skin surface, where they are more easily removed from the body through sweating and respiration.

If you have not been happy with the results from Western medicine, perhaps it’s time to take a look at a method of healing that has a longer history and some amazing success stories. While not the answer to every health challenge, in many cases, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can be a part of one’s healing journey when Western medicine have failed them.

Wishing you health and healing!

Stress is something that could be hard to battle. It’s an extremely powerful feeling that anytime it takes place it becomes like a blockage that disturbs the smooth flow of energy in our system. Our body’s normal energy reserves get exhausted and stops the movement of energy inside our body where ultimately inevitable outcomes develop. It’s then that individuals encounter discomfort along with other health problems. The physical signs of tension overload abound – headaches, backache, insomnia, skin complaints and gastric issues are a few of the far more apparent types

The not so obvious signs tend to be more mental, varying between depression and anxiety to very poor attentiveness and lack of self-assurance. If the pressure carries on and grows more chronic it could result in long-term health conditions like strokes, hypertension and elevated risks of cardiovascular diseases.

Lowering or getting rid of strain is among the initial ways to living an enjoyable life within a better condition of overall well-being. Definitely, the price of minimizing worry at any level can’t be emphasized enough.

Chinese medicine comes with an undeniable record (more than 4500 years) of lowering or reducing the harmful negative effects of stress. It helps manage muscle strain, lessens heart rates and minimizes blood pressure level, all of these aids to produce a tranquilizing impact for people struggling with stress.

Acupuncture can help alleviate feelings of hysteria and melancholy by rousing muscle groups in your body which are accountable for stimulating the release of substances that actually work in opposition to the stress-related toxins, shutting down the stress reaction of your overall body.

These alternative stress reducing therapies are non-invasive and extremely harmless. The procedure method consists of utilizing incredibly small needles which are put in the meridians to open the path ways of the power flow. Ordinarily the tiny needles are about the size of an individual hair.The installation is virtually unknown by the man or woman. In certain situations, a cool ray of light can be used together with the small needles, this boosts the power of the needle treatment. A mild electrical charge is a second alternative in many instances. This increases the healing time and decrease the amount of visits.

Acupuncture may perhaps be just about the most effective treatment methods and may provide an actual experience of rest that may have a substantial effect on people that are afflicted by stress. Nonetheless, it is really worth mentioning that acupuncture won’t do the trick for everyone plus its ideal to complete an entire assessment of the treatment just prior to starting treatment.

A number of people have experienced low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, at some point. Being dehydrated or experiencing blood loss can cause a drop in pressure as can sudden movement from a sitting or prone position to standing. However, there are also some health conditions that can cause more frequent bouts of hypotension. While you should seek medical treatment for low blood pressure, you can follow it up with a non-invasive complementary treatment like electronic acupuncture.
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Hypotension happens when the blood’s pressure during and after each beat of the heart is lower than normal. Basically, the heart is not pumping with enough force to push blood throughout the body to oxygenate the organs, resulting sometimes in the telltale signs of dizziness, nausea and in worst case scenarios – shock. A normal pressure reading is 90/60 to 120/80 so anything that falls below the 90/60 marks is considered hypotension.

Certain drugs like anti-depressants, narcotic painkillers, alcohol, anti-anxiety medications and even surgical anaesthesia can cause low blood pressure. Health conditions like coronary disease, stroke and Parkinson’s disease are contributors too. If incidences of low blood pressure are common enough for you that you seek medical treatment, then electronic acupuncture can help.

Following ancient Chinese principles, your body is divided into dozens of microscopic pathways called meridians and your life energy travels through these channels. When one or more of these meridians becomes blocked, there is a consequence like pain, illness and even low blood pressure. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to help release these blockages and restore the proper flow of qi, your life energy.

The cost of multiple sessions of traditional acupuncture or an aversion to the stainless steel needles inserted at various strategic points up and down the body may be a deterrent for you seeking this alternative treatment for your hypotension. However, did you know that you do have another option in which to reap the benefits of this ancient healing practice?

An electronic acupuncture device uses the same healing principles but instead of placing needles all along the body, electromagnetic wave impulses are delivered through a small wand. These electronic bursts of energy are directed toward specific acupoints along the hand and palm that correspond to various body functions. It’s a great way to reap the benefits of acupuncture without the needles and you can treat yourself on your own schedule. In just a few sessions, you can restore the flow of qi and effectively treat your low blood pressure. Just remember to consult with your doctor first before starting electronic acupuncture for your hypotension.

History of acupuncture: Acupuncture is an ancient method of healing and it is being used for centuries especially in china. It is about 3000 years old and according to some researches it is being used from 5000 years. It is commonly known as Chinese traditional medicine but recent evidence indicates that true source of acupuncture may have been Central Europe but there is no doubt that the foundation and principles of acupuncture were formulated in China.
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How it works: According to traditional Chinese medicine the health of the body depends upon the balance of yin and yang, five elements of life and the energy force known as Qi which is pronounced as ”chee”. Qi flows through the pathways which are called meridian in the body to keep the balance and when the energy is imbalanced the body faces diseases. When the balance of energy is disturbed, it is treated with acupuncturing by inserting hair – thin needles into the body on specific acupuncture points inside the body.

What is acupuncture good for: Acupuncture is very affective therapy; it is used to treat various diseases; it works to relief pain like headache, backache and many other types of pain. It is actually whole body treatment; it can cure diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, sinus, menstrual problems, and gynecological problems. It also works to reduce post surgery pains and nausea after chemotherapy. In short it covers most of the illnesses as there are about 1000 acupuncture points in our body that are linked with the meridians.

How it is done: the treatment is done by inserting fine needles into the body that help to balance the energy in the body. You must have seen the pictures of acupuncture treatment in magazines or on TV. It seems painful but actually it is not. In fact people find it very soothing and relaxing. And its treatment gives the feeling of wellness and energy.
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How can you get acupuncture: as acupuncture has been used for many years and now it is common all around the world so you find expert acupuncturists in your area? You can get the information about acupuncture and acupuncturists online. If you are suffering from some pain and want to treat that by acupuncture, you must find a good acupuncturist make sure they are licensed and capable to treat your problem. Tell the acupuncturist about your problem; you might need several session of the treatment for complete cure.

Acupuncture might have become a household term over recent years, made trendy by Gwyneth Paltrow, Cherie Blair and even Chelsea Football Club boss Roman Abramovich. Less often mentioned are acupoints, the specific areas that form the basis of the practice.

So what are acupoints?

Acupoints are specific points mapped out on the body which if stimulated have an influence on certain internal organs and parts of the body. These points can be called acupuncture points, xue, tsubo – or acupoints.

Historically most people link acupressure and acupuncture to the Far East, particularly China, but Ayurvedic medicine, native to India, also focused on the concept of specific acupoints, known as Marma points, which link energy channels to nerves, muscles and joints. Another common perception is that the practice involves the use of needles, but originally acupoints were stimulated by pressure through the fingers, only later did the use of needles come in (originally made from bamboo).

There are several hundred acupoints throughout the body, which are joined together by a series of invisible energy lines called meridians or channels.

Each of the meridian lines is named after the internal organ it influences, and includes:

- Large intestine
- Small intestine
- Stomach
- Gall bladder
- Bladder
- Lung
- Heart
- Spleen
- Liver
- Kidney
- Pericardium (heart)

In addition to these, there is also the Triple Energizer (TE) channel which is the least understood in Western medicine as it doesn’t link to one particular organ, but rather is considered to be the central body cavity (linked to the transformation, purification and distribution of air, food and water).

The meridians channel energy (or chi, ki or prana as it is also known) around the body, acupoints are the gatekeepers to this energy, and can be used to stimulate or sedate the flow. Acupressure/acupuncture aims to retain health (although it can also ease symptoms) and to encourage renewed vitality and energy.

Acupoints can be stimulated by a range of techniques including:

- Acupuncture (using needles)
- Moxabustion (older than the needle technique, moxabustion involves burning a dried herb, usually mugwort, on the acupoint, as thermal energy is easily taken up by the body)
- Electric machine stimulation
- Laser stimulation
- Magnets (linked to magnetic therapy which focuses on the removal of negative energies, magnets are placed on specific acupoints)
- Cupping (involves placing cups over the skin and reducing pressure to induce a suction effect)
- Acupressure (stimulation through finger pressing – of which there are several approaches including reflexology, shiatsu, tuina, anma and daoyin)

In addition to these standard procedures there are also other ways of stimulation, such as injecting acupoints with substances (especially homeopathic tinctures) which is popular in Belgium and France. Most popular techniques, however, include the use of acupuncture, moxabustion and acupressure.
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The world of acupoints is truly vast, having been around for over 5,000 years it’s quite amazing how little the original techniques have changed. Originating from China acupuncture is now popular across the globe, from East to West, and it seems if current trends continue, there is little chance of its success slowing down.

If you have been suffering from back pain which seems to persist, it would be a wise choice to consult a professional who is highly trained in acupuncture therapy. Acupuncture has been proven to help people find relief from pain even when other treatments have failed.

Acupuncture is an old and proven healing process whereby small needles are inserted into various specifically determined points of the body called acupuncture points. Surprisingly, it is a painless method in spite of the fact that needles are inserted into the body. Originating in Asia, acupuncture has been shown to relieve pain, to treat and prevent various diseases, promote general health and used for therapeutic purposes. It has been practiced for over a thousand years throughout the world – having treated many people with various diseases. There are many benefits of acupuncture that can provide help for you to recover from an illness and improve your health.

The process works through a therapeutic effect in order to relieve pain and many times, completely heals it. Acupuncture treatment usually lasts for fifteen to twenty minutes. It is helpful in relieving pain for acute and chronic conditions, decreasing stress and anxiety, accelerating the healing process, aiding in smoking cessation and other treatments for internal disorders. Acupuncture does not require the use of any sort of medication in the treatment process. Completely based upon natural care, an acupuncture treatment can help you to avoid the use of pain relief medications that might have some serious side effects over time.

Back pain is one of the most common complaints in the world with millions of people suffering from it. Back pain is no more common to the elderly; it can affect anyone irrespective of age and can be caused by many reasons including accidental injury, unhealthy posture or arthritis. Most people who experience back pain, either mild or severe, usually turn towards pain relief medications. Although the effects of medication suppress the ache initially, the pain keeps coming back. For treating back pain, acupuncture can be very effective. For those individuals who suffer persistent lower back pain, acupuncture can provide long-lasting relief from the pain. Acupuncture helps a great deal in developing the activity level of those who have chronic back pain.

Acupuncture is a safe technique which has shown positive results for a number of maladies that you may suffer from including back pain. It can help you to get rid of the discomfort caused by severe back pain. You can notice the difference soon after the first visit to the acupuncture clinic and after a series of regular visits you will find that the pain has been completely diminished. One session with an acupuncture expert is not enough to heal the pain. Different kinds of acute pain require you to undergo several sessions at the clinic. The great advantage of acupuncture treatment for your back pain is that it can help even years after the original issue or complaint developed. Acupuncture treatment can strengthen your muscles and help you increase your range of movements by helping you to control your pain.

Many people now realize that treating pain with drugs is only a temporary cure which results in side effects over time. The acupuncture experts will also advise you how to make a few changes in your lifestyle which allows you to prevent the reiteration of the back pain again in the future. We all are aware of the fact that a healthy immune system is essential for maintaining overall health. The greatest benefits that acupuncture offers are that it can improve your immune system.

If you are looking for relief of your back pain, you can find a licensed acupuncturist to relieve your pain at Chicago acupuncture for more effective therapy as compared to chemical medications.

The benefits people can get from acupuncture are tremendous. Besides the fact that it is a treatment for certain pains or diseases, it can also be a form of anti aging treatment. It can help reverse the aging process but eliminating signs on your body associated with aging. With acupuncture, you can regain your youthful glow again.

Although it may be hard to believe, acupuncture can actually be a good form of treatment for aging. The term that has been coined out to refer to this form of treatment is cosmetic acupuncture. Originally from Asia, this anti-aging medicine has stood the taste of time. It has been used for quite some time now. The best thing about it is that, it does not only treat you on the outside like the other forms of treatment such as Botox and Liposuction, but it goes a long way in keeping your general health up-to-date.

If the procedures are well followed, acupuncture can help your body produce collagen, and improve local circulation. Another benefit you will reap from this treatment is a remarkable reduction in the fine lines and wrinkles, and an improvement in your facial muscles. What this anti aging treatment does is that, it lifts and tightens muscle tissue hence making you regain your young looks and feelings.

Keep in mind that, your general body health is a product of all the different parts of your body working in a proper and balanced way. You therefore need to use specific treatment techniques targeting specific organs in your body to achieve this desired state. Its only when these organs work in a way that is balanced and efficient that you will feel healthy and young. This will strike positive emotions that will reenergise you and bring back the glow on your skin. Feeling youthful is nothing more other than regaining your lost energy and young looks.

What makes acupuncture a favourable choice of treatment today? To start with, its cost effective. When it comes to the operational bit of it, this procedure is less invasive and does not put much pressure on the body. As a result, the recovery process is short. The risks involved in this procedure are negligible. Some of which may include minor bruises that go away within 48 hours. No wonder many people are now opting for this non-traditional form of treatment. You only need twelve sessions on average to see the wonders acupuncture will do to your face and body.

The best thing about this form of treatment is that, it focuses on your entire body. Besides that, the entire procedure does not involve the use of any creams, gels and harmful ingredients. You however need to constantly visit your acupuncturist to monitor the effectiveness of the procedure. Whereas you may find the western medicine effective as well, they are however more expensive and only focus on one specific part of your body. It may therefore not be a cost effective option especially during this difficult economic situation.

You will never go wrong if you stick to products right from Mother Nature. That’s the guarantee this natural treatment offers you. Acupuncture can be supplemented by herbal therapies for more efficiency. Its important that you always get rid of all your present problems whether physical or emotional before you go in for acupuncture. In fact, the initial procedures involve a thorough medical check up and examination of the patients past.

With acupuncture, you are assured of an overall improvement in your body and mind. All you need to do is what you are recommended to do, and above all you need to be patient. You will get your young looks and a healthy body back on track.

HAKOMIPUNCTURE: A Therapeutic Method

“The thought manifests as the word;

The word manifests as the deed;

The deed develops into habit;

And the habit into character.

So, watch the thought and its ways with care

And let it spring from love Born out of concern for all Beings

As the shadow follows the body, As we think, so we become.”

     The Buddha, from the Dhammapada

A synapse fires in your body. Electricity leaps through the space between the nerves & lands on the other side. Your body screams, “DANGER! NOT SAFE!!” Immediately, a biochemical waterfall floods your tissues. Adrenal glands pump feverishly atop your kidneys, tensing your lower back. With dilated pupils, your fists and forearms prepare for battle while your leg muscles drop into sprint readiness. This is the picture of Fear.

In the past, people experienced danger at the sight of a predator’s jaws. Nowadays, a letter from the IRS might activate the nervous system into similar high alert. After enough times, this nervous system activation becomes entrenched. In the mind, a core belief is formed: “The world is unsafe.” In the body, hyper-vigilance becomes the norm. Soon, this loop of synaptic firing and muscle tension becomes a lifestyle. Some obvious examples of fear underlying repetitive nervous system stress are war and unprocessed physical or sexual abuse. Yet, habitual patterns of the nervous system happen to all of us. Sometimes it’s a dramatic event that creates a “stuck” nervous system, sometimes it’s a subtle accumulation of day to day stress. We all get stuck in ruts.

There is a saying, “The fish are the last to discover water.” We swim in the habit patterns of our unconscious mind, unaware of the water we move through, unaware that there may be a cleaner, clearer pond just downstream. A child is a sponge, soaking up the ways of the world she is exposed to. The first 5-7 years of life set the stage for our worldview, the core beliefs that guide our attitude and engagement with the world.

Life issues fall into 5 major categories and, on any given day and at any given moment, we can find ourselves somewhere between the poles illustrated below. Every situation elicits a different response, but we occupy certain subspaces more frequently. This subspace is a core belief guiding your action and interactions.

LIFE ISSUES

SAFETY: Connected (sense of belonging, familiarity, security)<—> Isolated (alienation, feeling threatened, insecure)

DEPENDENCY: In Exchange (supported, cared for, in bodily contact) <—-> Deprived (lacking care, alone, undernourished)

FREEDOM: Free (spontaneous, creative, basically good) <—-> Determined by Others (trapped, no spontaneity, stuck)

TRUTH: Real (true, vulnerable, authentic, faults are OK)<—>Unreal (no weakness, untrue, invulnerable, untouchable)

WORTH: Being (good enough, centered, inner peace)<—> Doing (not good enough, ready to act, restless, strained)

[Chart by Halko Weiss, Hakomi Institute]

As mentioned before, thinking and body are interrelated. Take a look around. Some people slouch while others stand upright. Some radiate peace while anger seethes out of the furrowed brows of others. The body reflects where an individual is on the life issue polarity illustrated above. “As we think, so we become.” Finding yourself in the column on the left more frequently is to reside more fully in grounded happiness. Hakomi + Acupuncture is a very effective combination of therapies to bring the body, mind, and spirit into this kind of harmony.

Hakomi is a body-centered therapy, rooted in the understanding that the body is the gateway to the core beliefs of the unconscious mind. Once conscious, these beliefs can be re-evaluated, and where appropriate, powerfully transformed. New dimensions of awareness can be integrated, helping the individual to build a more satisfying and effective life. Hakomi integrates the mindfulness and non-violence found in Eastern traditions with a unique Western psychological methodology.

Eastern traditions and modern physics understand that everything is energy. Physicists call it photons. Indians call it prana. Chinese call it Qi. Energy and matter are interrelated phenomenon. Matter is just energy moving at different speeds. Thoughts are Qi. Emotions are Qi. Qi flows through the muscles and organs keeping them alive and supple. As discussed before, core beliefs are simply repetitive thoughts (Qi) an individual gets “stuck” in and becomes reflected in the body (Qi in the form of matter).

Acupuncture is a therapy that adjusts the body’s energy, or Qi. One way of understanding acupuncture is through analogy to an electrical grid. Imagine that the midline of the body and internal organs are power stations. Electricity is generated in the power stations and distributed via power lines (meridians) throughout the city centers (head, neck, torso, abdomen, and pelvis) and into the outlying countryside (arms and legs). In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this electricity is called Qi. There are 14 major pathways (called meridians) that Qi travels along.

Sometimes energy is blocked and sometimes it is insufficient. Both may be happening in different parts of the body at the same time. Energy blockages and deficiency are found through diagnostic tools like examining the tongue, palpating the pulse and meridians, face reading, and verbal inquiry into signs, symptoms, emotions, and challenges of the spirit. Acupuncture points are areas along the path where the flow of energy can be altered for therapeutic effect. They are like light switches that “turn on” the body’s natural healing systems.

From the Chinese holistic perspective, how we think and feel is not just a brain thing. Styles of thinking and emotions are not confined to the head, but originate from the harmonious flow of Qi through the internal organs and their meridians (the associated pathways through the body). Chinese medicine envisions the human being in health as a being who embodies virtue. Qualities of wisdom, propriety, benevolence, integrity, and self-worth are the natural state when the energy of Water, Fire, Wood, Metal, and Earth are in balance. As these elemental energies fall out of balance, virtues erode, habitual behaviors arise, and suffering ensues. It is the role of the Chinese Medicine doctor to help rebalance the elements through acupuncture, herbs, food and lifestyle guidance.

Both Hakomi and acupuncture offer unique insights into the interrelationship between habit patterns of mind and body. Together, they offer physical and emotional relief, greater awareness, and the freedom to do something new in the face of the habitual. Habitual patterns may involve relationships, sex, work, spiritual practice, addictions, body image, and life purpose. My specialty is depression, anxiety, sexual abuse trauma, and addiction.

Let’s examine the use of Hakomipuncture, the combination of acupuncture and Hakomi, through a case study. Sean is a male in his mid thirties who comes to the clinic complaining of irritable bowel syndrome and a tendency to depression. His handshake is tense, tendony, and urgent. He is gaunt, fidgety, with quick angular movements. Frustrated and with little hope that this treatment will be of benefit, he lists off his symptoms. Bowels tend to be frequent (4-5x day especially in the morning), loose and burning. Sensitive to spicy foods, coffee, and alcohol, he still likes to douse his meals with chili paste. His every other sentence trails off and begins with “…I don’t know…” While he is a good student, Sean feels dissatisfied with engineering, his chosen field of study. He feels a lot of pressure from his family to enter into engineering, a safe economically sound choice in this economy. He often wakes before the alarm with a racing mind, spinning through “to-do” lists he creates for himself. He feels “under the gun” all the time. His pulse is wiry, like a guitar string, indicating an overactive nervous system. His digestive pulse and Heart pulse is suppressed, only able to be found at the deepest level. His breathing is confined to his chest. His abdomen moves only slightly with inhalation. Upon palpation, his diaphragm is tight. His tongue is slightly purple with cracks in the center of the tongue. He wants the treatment to stop the bowel frequency and reduce his stress level.

A brief look into Sean’s family history reveals achievement oriented, overbearing parenting. In response, Sean learned to suppress his natural, unique self-actualizing urges throughout childhood in order to please and gain love from his parents. In the Hakomi chart above, Sean’s themes center around Freedom and Worth. In the Chinese medicine chart above, Sean is a Wood constitutional type, exhibiting both excess and deficient habitual behaviors. Wood energy rises. It plays a large role in asserting individuality, overcoming adversity and making life goals. Wood is associated with the Liver and Gallbladder, the regulator of digestion, strategic life planning, and the emotion of anger. Sean’s creative energy was buried under a habit of conformity and pleasing others. Like a high volume of gas in a tightly confined space, Sean’s constricted Liver energy created pressure that interfered with his digestion’s ability to assimilate food and the experiences of life. Instead, food and life experience was swallowed rapidly and excreted with equal haste. The resulting symptoms were hidden resentment, timidity, indecisiveness, and poor dietary choices.

An atmosphere of spaciousness and respect was the missing experience that Sean needed. Sean was encouraged to relax into the table, turn his attention inwards, and become mindful of anything happening in mind and body. A Hakomi verbal experiment was offered slowly and repeated three times, “You don’t have to do anything to be loved.” First, the words induced a fluttery heart panic within Sean. He felt as though he had to hold his breath and brace himself. After the second and third time, he felt a mixture of sadness and confusion as well as a knotted up feeling in his solar plexus. Each thing was taken in turn. He found the sadness manifested in a tight chest. I asked Sean to stay with that sensation of the chest. In came a deep realization of years spent racing around “doing” rather than enjoying the process of whatever he was doing. The confusion was looked at next. It manifested as a “fuzzy” headedness, cloudy thinking, and that knot in his solar plexus. I asked Sean to stay with that sensation in the solar plexus. The two acupuncture points, Gall Bladder-34 and Stomach-36 were inserted. Both points affect the digestive organs and the nervous system. Gall Bladder-34 was chosen to relax the urgency in the nervous system as well as strengthen confidence and decision-making. Stomach-36 strengthens the digestive capacity. The solar plexus responded by loosening and the “fuzzy” headedness also cleared. In this space, another verbal probe was offered, “You can do it your way.” Sean’s whole nervous system relaxed. He took a huge breath and tears streamed from his eyes. It was the missing nourishment he had unknowingly been longing to hear. In the ensuing weeks of treatments, Sean found the treatments a sanctuary where his dormant powers of self-actualization strengthened and he gained greater clarity on what he wanted to study and become.

Three important shifts happened:

(1) His dietary choices and habits became wiser for his constitution

(2) His digestion relaxed, bowel movements reduced to 2-3 times a day, and more efficient food assimilation led to more energy and “groundedness”

(3) He found a more calm, thoughtful, and self-referential quality in his daily life.

The therapeutic approach of combing Hakomi and Acupuncture is transformative. Physical and emotional relief, awareness and insight, and freedom from habit patterns can result from a course of therapy. A course of treatment is determined based on severity and duration of symptoms as well as the client’s personal goals for their well-being. Loving presence, mindfulness, and a deep sense of safety and connection are central to my personal philosophy. Together, we can rest in the grounded happiness that is your birthright.

Ever since acupuncture has become a more widely known therapy, locating an acupuncture practitioner has become an easier task. In the same manner you look for a dentist or primary care doctor, you can use the internet or a local phone directory, or even ask your family and friends for possible recommendations. Aside from that, there are also a few acupuncture organization websites online that allow you to search for recommended acupuncturists near your location. If you prefer to speak to your primary physician, he or she may be able to direct you to a practitioner as acupuncture is gaining more respect in the western medical field. You may be surprised to learn that there is an acupuncture practitioner located in your primary physician’s office.

After you find a few good choice practitioners, you will want to ensure that you check up on their credentials. Much like you would want to do with your primary health providers; this assures you that the practitioner or provider in questions has the proper training from an accredited school or institution. Be aware that not every state has acupuncture training standards or certification requirements, but if you live in a state that does, ask the acupuncturist about their acupuncture training, certifications and background. Often, practitioners will place these details on their clinic websites, too.

Is Certification Important?

Certification does not necessarily make one an instant expert, but it does give you peace of mind when approaching a new healing modality. It is also important not to rely on your practitioner to diagnose diseases unless they also have conventional medical accreditation or training. A good practitioner will disclose this at the very beginning, usually recommending a visit to your primary doctor at the same time. While Chinese medicine trains a practitioner to address the symptoms of an ailment, it is not specifically concerned with naming specific diseases. Always see your primary doctor first if you feel you have strong symptoms or if you need a more detailed and accurate diagnosis. Again, your physician may end up referring you to an acupuncturist, but you want to make sure you address serious issues before they escalate.

Once you are comfortable with the training and background of your acupuncture practitioners, all you have to do is choose which one you want to see. This is still similar to searching for a dentist or primary physician. You can ask a friend for recommendations or search for reviews online, or just schedule your first visit to see if you feel comfortable in their clinic space. Normally, the first visit will include a consultation and an initial diagnosis where the practitioner will ask specific questions about your condition and discuss treatment options. At this point, you always have the option of continuing with the suggested treatments or seeing another practitioner if you are not comfortable with the first one.

To Treat Or Not To Treat?

The acupuncturist will discuss the treatment costs along with your diagnosis. He or she will also talk about the length of treatment or the number of acupuncture sessions that you will need. This should all occur before any actual treatments begin. You will find that some illnesses and symptoms only require a few sessions, while others may need several weeks or months. An important tip to consider is that a conventionally trained physician who is also trained in Chinese medicine and acupuncture may charge more for their services.