From a Chinese medical point of view the emotions play a big part in a person’s total health and well-being.  There are five main emotions considered when diagnosing an illness- anger, joy, worry, sorrow/grief, fear and each emotion is connected to a particular organ system. The environments we live and work in also play a part in supporting our health.  When we are surrounded by toxic thoughts and negativity it can have a negative impact on our health and impair our body’s resistance to illness.  Even excessive expression of a positive emotion such as “joy” can create an imbalance in our system.  Emotions also have a way of “holding” illness in our bodies and this is why in many chronic conditions there is often an emotional element combined with a physical trauma that triggered the illness.

In this age of mass communication and computers we are faced with a whole different set of stressors than in earlier times. Through the media, we can now bring the war we are waging into our living rooms.  Every human being is affected by these events on an emotional level and collectively as a society we are experiencing a range of emotions from anger to anxiety to even joy.  From a biochemical standpoint, the hormone adrenaline is released into the system when faced with stressful situations, putting the body into “high alert”.  Over a period of time this too can weaken the immune system and the body’s ability to heal.

Acupuncture has a wonderful balancing effect on the entire body and nervous system.  One feels refreshed, relaxed and better able to deal with the daily “stressors” of life. Herbal medicine supports and nourishes the body. It is also important to include daily exercise –walking, yoga, Tai Chi for example.  Get outside and enjoy nature; and remember to breathe deeply. Breathing relaxes and re-energizes the body. It is important to look at the effect emotions have on our health and to find ways to bring balance back into our lives. When illness is addressed on all levels including the emotional level, the body has a better chance of recovery.

For more information on how Acupuncture, Chinese medicine and NAET can bring more balance and harmony into you daily life – please contact Kathleen Kenneally L.Ac. @ 661-252-4100