Preventive Medicine and Acupuncture
"To treat disease that has
already developed is comparable to
the behavior of those persons who
begin to dig a well after they have
become thirsty, and of those who
begin to cast weapons after they
have already engaged in battle.
Would these actions not be too
late?" - Huangdi Neijing
Preventive medicine is defined as
the part of medicine engaged with
preventing disease rather than
curing it. From the very beginning,
Oriental
medicine has had a bias
toward keeping patients healthy
rather than treating disease.
Years before an affliction can be
detected with MRI's and lab tests,
biochemical and energetic imbalances
exist in the body. These imbalances
may present as pain, sleep
disturbances, mood changes, abnormal
digestion, headaches, and menstrual
irregularities.
Through the process of evaluating
subtle physical signs as well as the
emotional condition of a person,
practitioners of
acupuncture
and Oriental medicine can
detect health problems in their
earliest stages, before a person
becomes gravely ill.
Once the nature of an imbalance has
been determined, a customized
program can be created for you. Your
treatment may include
acupuncture,
herbal therapy and tui na,
as well as food, exercise and
lifestyle suggestions.
Seasonal
acupuncture
treatments just four
times a year serve to tonify the
inner organ systems and correct
minor annoyances before they become
serious problems.
Call now
to see how
acupuncture
and Oriental medicine can
help you stay healthy!
History Note: Ancient Physicians
"The sages of antiquity did not
treat those who were already sick;
they instructed those who were not
yet sick…" - Huangdi Neijing
It is recorded that the first
emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang (259
BC-210 BC), who is credited for the
Great Wall and the Terracotta
Warriors and Horses, established a
health care system in which
physicians could only accept payment
or donations from patrons who were
kept healthy and, vice versa, were
not paid when someone fell ill.
This system remained in effect for
centuries. The people of each
village would provide shelter, food,
clothing and money to the local
physician for maintaining the health
of the community. Physicians risked
punishment or execution when someone
died and were required to wear a
mark for their failure. You could
essentially see a physician's track
record before you chose to use their
services!
In 1680 missionaries in China wrote,
"Chinese physicians were flogged
after treating members of the
imperial family unsuccessfully. When
subsequently summoned to treat
another relative, the physicians
performed better and were released,
but they were ordered to wear a
small chain around their necks as a
warning."
Stepping into Wellness
One of the
many ways that walking can promote
health and wellness is by putting
gentle pressure on Yongquan
(Bubbling Spring), an acupuncture
point on the sole of the foot. In
Oriental health theory, this is the
starting point of the Kidney
meridian and stimulation of this
energizing point can promote clarity
of the mind and stabilize emotions.
Yongquan is located in the
depression on the sole of the foot
at the junction of the anterior
third and the posterior two thirds
of the sole. The acupuncture point,
Yongquan, has been found to
benefit high blood pressure, stress,
insomnia, headaches, sexual potency,
and kidney function.
To stimulate Yongquan while
walking, let your heel tap the
ground gently, then feel your weight
transfer fully to the ball and toes
of your foot. Focus on breathing
into your lower abdomen, keep your
shoulders relaxed and allow your
arms to swing freely.
Yongquan tapping and ball
rolling: Use your fists to strike
your Yongquan about 100 times
on each foot. Or, gently roll a
tennis ball under your foot while
relaxing on the couch. |
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