What do acupuncture and gratitude have in common?

Both promote well-being by releasing trapped emotions, reducing stress and cultivating a positive mindset.

From the moment we are born, we experience life, for good and for bad. The bad moments, even moments as simple as the first time being dropped off at school, can be traumatic. These traumatic moments become trapped emotions, stored in our minds but also in our body as pain.

Acupuncture releases these trapped emotions using acupuncture points both on the body and in the ears. There are yin and yang acupuncture meridians and each yang meridian is associated with a different organ and emotion. The 2 organ systems/emotions most effected by trapped emotions are the liver and the kidneys.

The liver in Chinese medicine is most associated with stress, anger, frustration, irritability, but also governs repressed emotions, those trapped emotions we have accumulated throughout our lives. These trapped emotions fester in our bodies and minds leading to pain and disease through what we know to be the mind-body connection.

We are born with a set amount of jing. This jing comes from our parents and is stored in our kidneys. It is not the same as DNA but there are similar qualities. This jing will not last and will be depleted as we age. We can help preserve and build and nurture our jing through a healthy lifestyle including eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of rest, doing tai qi, qi gong, yoga, and not burning the bridge at both ends. Having a positive outlook on life helps us to live a more healthy life and not fall into destructive habits, therefore preserving our jing and living a longer, healthier life with relatively less emotional and physical pain

Acupuncture can soothe the liver, calming the spirit and leading to the practice of a healthy life style that supports both the mind and body.

Practicing gratitude might take the form of a gratitude journal, mindful appreciation of good moments or helping others. Gratitude cultivates a healthy, more positive mindset to improve our mood and motivation. It shifts our focus from our racing thoughts to what is good in our lives.

Acupuncture and gratitude can both reduce the levels of pain because when we are stuck in the fight/flight pattern we tense up, leading to pain and illness in the body. Both acupuncture and gratitude practice can lead to increased dopamine and serotonin, boost immunity and lower blood pressure.

So why not do the best of both worlds…get acupuncture and practice gratitude.