Opposites Attract

Opposites Attract

The Taiji, or Yin Yang symbol as it's known in the west, is familiar to just about everyone. But what do those fish-like swirls and dots really mean? In Taoism, the beginning of the universe is represented as the Wuji, an empty circle. It symbolizes a great void, literally "lack of extremes." Following the Wuji is the Taiji, representing the nature of Yin and Yang, literally "ultimate extremes,” the dynamic universe as it is today.

The theory of Yin and Yang dates back more than 6,000 years. Yin and Yang are opposites, traditionally described as the shady side of the mountain and the sunny side of the mountain, respectively. Everything in the universe can be categorized as Yin or Yang when coupled with another, because everything in the universe is relative. For example:

Yin is cold, receptive, slow, dark, night, the moon, feminine, north, water.
Yang is hot, active, fast, light, day, the, sun, masculine, south, fire.
However, there is also always Yang within Yin, and Yin within Yang. Take the seasons, for example. Winter is considered Yin (cold) and spring is considered Yang within Yin (cold with growing warmth). Summer is Yang (hot), and fall is Yin within Yang (hot with growing coolness).

Yin and yang are mutually dependent. It is impossible to describe one without the other. What is hot without cold? We can't think about night without reference to day. Yin and Yang are constantly in motion and changing. Night turns into day, day turns into night. A sapling pushes forth into the world and continues to grow and mature into a tree, harnessing Yang energy, until growth ends and the process of decline begins, with an increase in Yin energy, eventually decomposing and turning back into soil. The cycle continues.

Let's revisit the Taiji (Yin Yang) symbol again. The visual attributes are meant to remind one of the essential nature of Yin and Yang. Each contains the essence of the other and they are continuously transforming into each other, supporting and controlling each other. The black, Yin, dot within the white, Yang, swirl reminds us that there is a seed of Yin within Yang, waiting to grow, and vice versa. It is the most important symbol in Taoism because it represents the nature of the universe and the understanding that the only constant factor in nature is change.

I hope that this will help you appreciate the simple, complex beauty of the Taiji the next time you come across this ubiquitous symbol!

Questions About Acupuncture Treatments Answered

Are you interested in acupuncture but wonder when to use it and what to expect? Are you afraid of needles? I'd like to share some information that answers the most common questions I receive. 

What happens during the first appointment?

Acupuncturists spend quite a bit of time talking to patients during the first consultation and treatment. There is a thorough past medical history review, and significant attention is paid to current diet, emotional states, sleep and exercise habits. We use information provided by patients, along with diagnostic tools such as tongue examination and pulse reading, to determine each patient's "pattern of disharmony." I like to think of acupuncturists as detectives. We carefully mine information and connect a constellation of signs and symptoms to develop treatments that help reestablish balance.

Acupuncture needles are very thin (the width of a human hair), so the sensation felt upon insertion is minimal. When needles are manipulated, a unique sensation signalling the arrival of energy, or Qi, may be felt. This is often described as dull and achy, and is usually followed by increased relaxation and comfort. Needles are typically retained for approximately 20 minutes. Most people find acupuncture treatments to be pleasant experiences and describe feeling calmer yet more energetic in the days following treatment. 

Other treatments that may be used in conjunction with acupuncture include: Chinese herbs, moxibustion (heat applied gently with a medicinal herb), cupping, gua sha (a traditional scraping technique used to break up stagnation), tuina massage, and acupressure. 

Do I have to be sick to get acupuncture?

Of course, if you are injured or experiencing pain or sickness, it's a good time to make an appointment with an acupuncturist. However, healthy people can benefit from acupuncture too. I recommend scheduling quarterly treatments that coincide with the change of seasons. Our bodies are microcosms of the universal macrocosm and respond to seasonal changes. Acupuncture can help ease the body and mind during these transitional times and promote balance.

How Can I Find a Reputable Acupuncturist?

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a complete body of medicine, and the training required in the US to practice is rigorous. Traditional Chinese Medical school is a four year graduate program that requires over 3,000 hours of theory and clinical practice. Most states require licensing, and most acupuncturists are also nationally certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. I recommend seeking fully licensed and certified acupuncturists. You can search the nccaom.org practitioner database as well as acufinder.com to find a local acupuncturist. Often the best way to find an acupuncturist is through a referral. Medical doctors and chiropractors are legally authorized to practice acupuncture, however the training required specifically for acupuncture is limited to 250 hours. 

Wu Wei: Action-less Action

Traditional Chinese Medicine is rooted in Taoist philosophy. Central to Taoism is the concept of wu wei, or action-less action. It is used as a way to preserve and build te, or power, by being in a state of pure perception, without prejudice. It is the inactive state of receptiveness when one's will is in harmony with nature. Qualities that represent wu wei include: adaptation, conformity, passivity, simplicity, openness, spontaneity, and naturalness. These qualities are not easy for westerners to embrace. But by working with nature, rather than fighting against it, one can live in balance and harmony. Wu wei is perfectly illustrated in the Tao Te Ching, or The Book of the Way:

"Man is weak and pliant when he is born, 

solid and strong when he dies.

Herbs and trees are soft and lush when they germinate, 

parched and hard when they die.

For that which is solid and powerful is part of death, 

that which is soft and weak is part of life.

Therefore, if the weapons are powerful, victory is impossible;

A strong tree attracts the notice of the wood cutters.

Strength and power lie below; weakness and softness stand above."

"Be content with what you have;

rejoice in the way things are.

When you realize there is nothing lacking, 

the whole world belongs to you."

                                                       

 -Lao-Tzu  Tao Te Ching

The Garden and The Machine

What is the fundamental difference between Western and Eastern medical approaches? What is the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine? The picture below simply demonstrates the basic tenets of each.

On the left side, we see the western model. Its is grounded in Cartesian philosophy, which separates mind and body. In this model, the body is seen as a machine, broken down into distinct parts. Western medicine requires specialists to tend to each part rather than the whole body. If a part is broken, it is fixed or removed, and may be replaced. The focus is on treating the patient after illness has taken hold. Western medicine is particularly helpful in managing acute injuries and emergencies.

The Eastern approach to medicine is pictured on the right. Here we see the human body as a garden, an ecosystem where all parts contain and affect the whole. Traditional Chinese Medicine is rooted in Taoism, and sees the body as a microcosm of the universal macrocosm. Just as a garden is affected by the environment, so to are our bodies. In Chinese Medicine, there is a fundamental principal called "yang sheng," which means "nourishing life." Here, the interior environment is of utmost importance and physicians were historically paid for keeping patients well rather than treating sickness. There's a Chinese adage that is often cited- "Don't dig a well when you're thirsty!" The goal in Eastern medicine is to nourish the body and mind, establishing harmony so that it is resistant to disease. It is only when the body is out of balance that disease can arise. 

Of course, perfect harmony is difficult to attain and maintain, so Chinese medicine also intervenes to address imbalances in the body and mind, with the understanding that each part of the body is connected and effects the whole. Acupuncturists look at the constellation of signs and symptoms that a patient presents with to determine the pattern and root cause of their particular condition. The approach is to treat the fire (root cause) rather than the smoke (symptoms), and bring the body back into balance. 

Luscious, Healing Black Rice Congee

This week, one of my gracious student interns delivered beautiful Chinese yams to her cohorts and to me, which inspired this delicious and medicinal congee.  For the uninitiated, congee is a thick porridge or gruel that is typically made with rice.   The ratio of rice to water is 1:6, and the cooking time is increased significantly until what results is a smooth, heartwarming bowl of goodness.  Congee is so revered in Asian cultures for its nourishing qualities that it is often the first solid food given to babies, and is the food treatment of choice for the elderly or ill.  Think of congee as the Asian equivalent of chicken noodle soup. From a Chinese medical perspective, congee reinforces the digestive system and nourishes other organs.  It is a delicious and soul-satisfying way to start the morning, especially in the fall and winter, though it can be eaten any time of day or year.   

While most recipes call for white rice, I prefer brown or black rice for their higher nutritional content and lower glycemic load.  Congee can be sweet or savory.  I made this congee with chinese yam, ginger and garlic.  Ginger and garlic are warming and used in Chinese medicine to improve digestion and treat colds and coughs.  Chinese yam is sweet and strengthens the digestive center.  Enjoy!

Black Rice Congee with Chinese Yam, Ginger and Garlic

1c black rice
6 c water
1 inch cube of fresh ginger, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
pinch of sea salt
herbs or scallions for garnish


Combine all ingredients in a pot and cook, stirring occasionally, for approximately two hours or until the rice has broken down and a smooth consistency is achieved.  If you have a pressure cooker, reduce the time accordingly.  Add more water if necessary. That's it!  

Other common additions the rice include apples, pears, cinnamon, dates, walnuts, green onions and sesame.  Experiment and reap the nutritional rewards of this time-honored comfort food!

If you live in NYC, be sure to check out Congee Village on the LES for inspiration and tasty delights!

Spring Detox from GOOP

Another great post on GOOP:  Spring Allergy and Detox Remedies- Chinese Medicine Style, by Adele Reising, L.Ac.  Check it out for more tips on helping your body with the seasonal transition.

Adaptogen: Reishi, The Fabulous Fungus

Reishi, or ling zhi, is a medicinal mushroom that's indigenous to Asia. Its name means "spirit herb," and has long been used by Toaist sages to expand mind consciousness and improve longevity. Though it's fairly rare in the wild, and was once distributed primarily to Chinese royalty, it is now cultivated and readily available. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Reishi is used to calm the "shen," or spirit, which when disturbed, causes anxiety, poor sleep, restlessness and poor memory.

Reishi is one of the most important Chinese tonic herbs and has been researched extensively. As an adaptogen, it has the ability to modulate the immune system and reduce stress, and it is used to relieve the side effects of cancer treatment and increase T-cells. It is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. This is one mushroom that you may want to consider adding to your diet! It typically comes in capsule form and is taken with a dosage of 500-1000 mg.

Meditate Today

Any debate about whether or not meditation is good for your health is long over.  Meditation can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression.  People who meditate report experiencing reduced pain and improved health in general.  Often, when people think of meditation, they're intimidated by the thought of sitting in lotus position for hours at a time, chanting their way to enlightenment.  But meditation needn't be difficult, nor should it be.  Yes, it takes practice to quiet the constant chatter of your mind, but as with many things, it comes naturally with patience and commitment.   

There are many meditation methods to help your mind relax.  Guided meditation is especially good when you are beginning because it gives an active mind something on which to focus.  The following is a very simple meditation that I use regularly with my patients.  It can be used upon waking, in the middle of the day while seated in a chair, or in bed before going to sleep.  Patients with insomnia report much improvement when practicing this before bed.  

First, sit or lie comfortably.  Take a few moments to listen to your breath as you breathe naturally. Feel your lungs fill with air, then allow your body to relax with each exhalation.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine, humans are viewed as living "between heaven and earth;" we receive energy from the heavens above, while remaining rooted in the earth below.  There is an energetic entry point on the crown of your head, and two points on the bottoms of your feet.  With your next inhalation, imagine a healing white light entering the top of your head, traveling the length of your body, picking up any pain, illness, or negative feelings along the way.  With your exhalation, move that white light down through the bottoms of your feet, releasing anything you no longer need nor want.  Continue with each inhalation and exhalation.  

Aim for about five minutes the first time you practice, and work your way up to twenty or thirty minutes, once or twice a day.   This meditation is very relaxing.  If you practice before bed, you may find that you spontaneously fall asleep.  That's o.k.  Try it during the day as well.   As your practice grows, you won't need to guide your thoughts during meditation in order to let your mind, and stress, go.  Enjoy the expansive feeling of bliss and well-being!

Grief

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body, mind and spirit are treated as one, with each aspect influencing the other and organizing uniquely in each individual. Each energy channel in the body corresponds with a particular emotion. Emotional distress consequently effects the physical body, and physical injury can induce emotional instability. This is seen as a web of interaction, rather than a linear cause and effect.

We have all experienced grief at some point in our lives. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, a failed relationship, or the death of a cherished pet, experiencing grief is part of the human condition. Emotions are natural, and when expressed freely, will not cause lasting damage. They are meant to come and go like like the ebb and flow of waves. It's when we internalize emotions, or get stuck in a repetitive pattern, that we have the potential to create imbalance, or dis-ease.

Grief is related to the Lungs in Chinese medicine. Grief is said to "comsume the qi." When we experience prolonged, intense grief or sadness, eventually we may have corresponding physical symptoms. In Chinese medicine, the Lungs are responsible for breathing and transforming the breath into qi, or energy, that circulates in the body. Along with the Kidneys, the Lungs are responsible for water metabolism, and are intimately linked to the immune system. The Lungs regulate sweating and moisten the skin. Physical symptoms of disharmony in the Lungs would include shortness of breath, asthma, allergies, sweating, fatigue, coughing, frequent colds/flu and dry skin.

Grieving is a necessary process, with stages that gradually allow the body, mind and spirit to let go and return to a state of joyfulness. This process is personal and multi-layered. There are many valuable services that assist those in the grieving process. Because Traditional Chinese Medicine is holistic in its approach to emotions, acupuncture can be utilized as one unique tool in the grieving process, by stimulating points that strengthen the Lung channel and calm the mind, it can help ease the path to renewed joy.

Astragalus: A Leader Amongst Leaders

If you choose one herb to support your immune system this season, it should be astragalus. Astragalus, or Huang qi, is an adaptogenic herb that is native to China. The name means "yellow leader," and it's called this because of its yellow roots and its reputation as the leader of the tonic herbs. Astragalus has been used for thousands of years to strengthen spleen (digestive) qi and wei qi, the protective energy that helps prevent illness. Modern uses include supporting the immune system and helping to prevent colds, influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia and mononucleosis. It has been used to prevent immunosuppression caused by chemotherapy and it improves blood flow. Astragalus has antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and is rich in antioxidants.

Regular use of astragalus in appropriate doses is safe and a great way to help prevent a cold or flu. It's safe and effective for kids too. It can be taken raw and steeped in a decoction, or in powder form. Talk to your acupuncturist about dosage. Keep in mind that if you currently have a cold or flu, you should discontinue use until it passes. Astragalus should not be used with immunosuppressive medications. Here's a link to my favorite manufacturer of tonic herbs: Dragon Herbs

Food for Balance

Come fall, my body craves pumpkin soup, roasted root vegetables, casseroles, sauteed greens, stews...comfort food for chilly days. Gone are spring green salads, fresh tomatoes, asparagus, peaches and corn. We naturally move toward warmer foods when the temperature drops. When we listen to our bodies, we can adjust our diets to correspond to the change in seasons and balance internal energy. As Yin emerges in the fall and grows through winter, our bodies need warm, Yang food. Think spices like ginger, green onion, garlic and cayenne. Try sipping on warm beverages, and cooking your food a little more to help fuel your internal furnace. You'll leave the table feeling energized and nourished, and if you choose your food wisely, you can help boost your immune system and maintain your health.

An indispensable book on the virtues of food as medicine, both to maintain health and treat illness, is Healing with Whole Foods: Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition, by Paul Pitchford. It's a mainstay for acupuncturists and could benefit anyone interested in the healing power of food.

Live Longer?

I love this book.  The Secrets of Longevity was written by co-founder of Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dr. Maoshing Ni.  Dr. Mao comes from a long line (38 generations) of Taoist healers and knows a thing or two about anti-aging medicine.  His book is chock-full of pearls of wisdom that will have you kicking up your heals on your centennial birthday.