By Julie Bibleheimer, LAc
In ancient China, ‘as above, so below,’ was not just a philosophy, but also a medical paradigm. What is outside of us is also to be found internally, and these ancient healers defined the natural world by the elements of Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal. Based on their observations from living attuned with nature, they linked each element to a host of things, including but by no means limited to a season, emotion, color, sound, and body organ system. In Classical Five-Element Acupuncture, diagnosing the play of these elements within our bodies is the key to treatments intended to guide the body back to its original, natural state of health. [Read more…]
The Fall season is a time to reflect and begin turning our energy inward. Many of us have had extremely busy fun-filled summers and our bodies are ready for a health tune up. As the days shorten and temperatures fluctuate from hot to cold, this is a wonderful time of year to boost the immune system. Practice good hand washing and up your probiotics and vitamins C and D. Drink plenty of water and get the proper amount of rest. Come for acupuncture prior to catching a cold to build your immune system. Watch out for those initial cold symptoms such as chills, body aches, fevers, sore throat and headaches. This symptom set is one which we call wind-heat. When noticed early, wind heat can be treated very effectively with acupuncture and immune forumlas such as Initial Defense, Flew Away or Yin Qiao.