Acupuncture for a Healthy Heart
By Sharon Crowell, Licensed Acupuncturist
Fun physical activity, good nutrition and relaxation techniques are essential to maintaining a hearty health. A recently published article in Newsweek magazine, The Good Heart by Anne Underwood, made headlines by describing current research that ties emotional stresses to heart disease. As a licensed acupuncturist, this link comes as no surprise to me.
The Chinese Medical Classics, written over two centuries ago, discuss the effects of emotional trauma and stress on the heart and have suggested ways to strengthen the heart through acupuncture and other forms of Chinese medicine. Even though ancient, the concepts in these writings remain surprisingly relevant to our 21st century lifestyle.
The Essence of Qi and Spirit
Before we discuss acupunctures connection to a healthy heart, let's explore two basic concepts of Chinese Medicine qi and spirit. Roughly translated as "energy," qi is the animating force that constantly circulates within our bodies, giving us the capacity to move, feel, and think. Spirit refers to our core soul, what makes you, YOU. Although difficult to define, it is a quality that we can recognize in others when we see a healthy light in their eyes and a purpose to their words and actions. Similarly, we can sense dullness in those who are 'dispirited' or whose 'spirit is broken.' Trauma and stress can impact both the qi and the spirit.
Trauma and the Heart
The Chinese Classics warn us that 'shock impacts the heart.' Shock in contemporary Western terms refers to a traumatic event. The traumatic event may be physical: a car accident, a mugging, a surgery or emotional: job loss, divorce, death of a loved one. It is an event that may literally make your 'heart stop' or 'break your heart.' When one of my clients says, "Things haven't been the same since ...," I know the event has delivered a shock to their heart creating both physical and emotional imbalances.
When the qi energy is disturbed through such physical or emotional trauma, it is said to 'stagnate', just as witnessing a traumatic event may 'stop you in your tracks.' When heart qi stagnates, it creates physical imbalances that may manifest as palpitations, insomnia, night sweats, dizziness, a dry mouth and other related symptoms. Not only are these symptoms problematic in and of themselves, the continued stagnation of qi can eventually lead to more serious heart problems.
Stress and the Heart
Classical Chinese writings also tell us 'excess joy injures the Heart'. Excess joy does not mean being madly in love, having fun at a party or celebrating the successful completion of a project at work. What the writers were referring to is over-stimulation of the senses, which most of us living in urban areas experience on a daily basis.
Multitasking has become the norm... we talk on the phone while driving, eat while watching television, and work out while listening to music. Our senses are constantly being bombarded with information overload, noise and visual input. Over time, such constant excess creates a level of stress which can overexcite the heart.
This type of stress, according to the classics, causes our 'qi and spirit to scatter'. When the qi and spirit become ungrounded and dispersed, a weak or irregular heartbeat, difficulty in focusing, and sudden mood swings can result.
How Acupuncture Helps Your Heart
Acupuncture treatments support a healthy heart by effectively balancing and counteracting the negative effects of shock and stress. An acupuncture needle or a warming herb, called moxa, can be used to move energy that has become stagnant or it can stimulate and rebuild energy that has become scattered.
Acupuncture points that help negate the accumulated effects of shock and stress upon the qi and spirit can be found throughout the entire body. While certain acupuncture points and protocols may be used to address specific symptoms associated with heart disorders, in my experience acupuncture is most successful when it is based upon the patient's unique characteristics.
This means understanding the specific nature of someone's past trauma, current stress, and most importantly his or her physical and emotional responses to these factors. My approach reflects the aim of Classical Chinese Medicine which is to find and treat the 'root' (cause) of a problem rather than focusing on its "branches" (symptoms).
Acupuncture is a valuable tool for reducing stress and increasing strength, vitality and good health. Combined with The Sequoia System it creates a powerful way to balance and integrate your whole health.
