Is the cool fall weather affecting your sleep? Insomnia leaves you feeling exhausted and impacts your overall health. Acupuncture can bring your body back to balance, helping you relax and fall asleep more easily. Our professional acupuncture treatments offer deep relaxation and long-lasting sleep improvement.
Understanding Fall-Related Insomnia Through TCM
In TCM, insomnia during the fall is viewed through the lens of the body’s internal balance and how the season affects various energies and organs.
• Yin-Yang Imbalance: Fall marks the transition from the active, warming Yang energy of summer to the cooler, restful Yin energy. If this transition is not smooth, it can create an imbalance, leading to insomnia.
• Lung and Metal Element: Fall is associated with the Lung organ and the Metal element in TCM. The Lung is responsible for the flow of Qi (vital energy) and the processing of emotions, particularly grief. If Lung energy is disrupted during this season, it can cause emotional disturbances and insomnia.
• Dryness: Fall is considered a dry season, which can deplete the body’s Yin energy, leading to dryness that affects the Heart and Liver. Since these organs play a critical role in sleep regulation, their imbalance can result in restlessness and difficulty falling asleep.
• Spleen and Stomach Disharmony: Dietary changes in the fall can overburden the Spleen and Stomach, leading to dampness and phlegm accumulation, which disturbs the mind and hinders sleep.
• Emotional Stress: Fall is a time for introspection, and the natural decline of Yang energy may bring unresolved grief or sadness to the surface. This emotional stress can disturb the Heart Shen (spirit), contributing to insomnia.
In summary, fall-related insomnia can be influenced by both external factors like changes in daylight and temperature, as well as internal imbalances as understood by TCM. By addressing these imbalances through dietary changes, and acupuncture, TCM aims to restore harmony within the body and improve sleep during the fall season.
Book now and experience the benefits of acupuncture for better sleep.
ShukChing (Viola) Wong R.TCMP & R.Ac
Acupuncture, a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine with a rich history of thousands of years, has proven to be a valuable adjunct in the management of cancer. As an experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncturist with extensive cancer care experience at Tuen Mun Hospital in Hong Kong, and having completed specialized training and certification in oncology, I have observed the profound benefits that acupuncture offers to cancer patients. These benefits range from boosting the immune system to alleviating symptoms and improving overall quality of life.
Boosting the Immune System
Cancer and its conventional treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can severely compromise the immune system, leaving patients more susceptible to infections and other complications. Acupuncture helps address this by stimulating specific acupoints on the body, which in turn helps regulate the flow of energy, or qi, and enhances immune function. By promoting better circulation and immune response, acupuncture supports the body’s ability to fend off infections and maintain overall health during cancer treatment.
Relieving Symptoms
Cancer patients often endure a range of distressing symptoms, including pain, fatigue, nausea, and others resulting from both the disease and its treatments. Acupuncture can effectively mitigate these symptoms through several mechanisms. It triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers, which can reduce pain and discomfort. Additionally, acupuncture can help alleviate nausea, improve appetite, and combat fatigue, thus enhancing the patient’s overall sense of well-being.
Preventing Further Damage
Cancer treatments, while essential, can sometimes lead to additional complications affecting the nervous system, digestive system, and other organs. Acupuncture supports the body’s natural healing processes and helps to maintain balance within these systems. By promoting circulation and reducing inflammation, acupuncture can help minimize treatment-related damage and support the body's recovery processes.
Conclusion
Incorporating acupuncture into cancer care provides a holistic approach that complements conventional treatments. It offers substantial benefits by boosting the immune system, alleviating pain and other symptoms, and supporting the body’s recovery and overall well-being. As a valuable adjunctive therapy, acupuncture helps improve the quality of life for cancer patients, making it a noteworthy option for those navigating the challenges of cancer treatment.
Research
Acupuncture in cancer care: recommendations for safe practice (peer-reviewed expert opinion)
Meet Viola, a dedicated acupuncturist with a focus on supportive care for cancer patients. Viola has completed an oncology training program for Chinese medicine practitioners in School of Continuing and Professional Studies The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and has three years of experience providing acupuncture for cancer prognosis at Tuen Mun Hospital in Hong Kong. Her approach is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), aiming to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients.
Acupuncture has been recognized as a valuable therapeutic option for managing dysmenorrhea, a condition characterized by lower abdominal pain and discomfort during menstruation. This traditional Chinese medicine practice involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow and promote overall well-being.
The etiology of dysmenorrhea in traditional Chinese medicine is often attributed to Qi stagnation, blood stasis, and the congealing of cold and damp elements. The main goal of acupuncture in treating dysmenorrhea is to regulate the Qi and blood within the thoroughfare and conception vessels, while also aiming to warm menstruation and alleviate pain. The specific treatment plan is customized based on the individual's symptoms and pattern differentiation.
Acupuncture sessions for dysmenorrhea typically commence around one week before the onset of menstruation. By focusing on specific acupoints associated with the reproductive system and areas affected by pain, acupuncture aims to restore the balance of energy and alleviate the underlying causes of dysmenorrhea.
For primary dysmenorrhea, which is not associated with any other medical condition, significant improvements are often observed after 2-3 consecutive courses of acupuncture treatment. The effectiveness of acupuncture in managing dysmenorrhea is believed to be related to its ability to promote the smooth flow of Qi and blood, thereby reducing stagnation and addressing the root causes of pain.
It's important for individuals seeking acupuncture for dysmenorrhea to consult with a qualified and experienced acupuncturist who can tailor the treatment plan to their specific symptoms and overall health. Acupuncture, when performed by skilled practitioners, is generally considered safe and can be a valuable complementary therapy for managing dysmenorrhea and improving overall menstrual health.
by Yunbo (Polly) Zhou R Ac
