Do Not Fear The Needle
I am an enthusiastic fan of acupuncture, and it is one of the most often used tools in my health toolbox. It has successfully helped me recover from sports injuries, manage stress, heal from surgery, and deal with the symptoms of menopause. I would be lost without it.
Most recently I have been using it to support my recovery from my knee replacement. I have found it helpful for reducing pain and swelling, relieving tight muscles, and addressing nerve pain. In addition, I recently had a treatment using the Yin Wei Mai channel which supports assimilation from past traumas, injuries, and experiences which are lingering in the present moment. This has definitely helped my body “let go” of trauma from the surgery.
Today’s issue is a discussion with Kara Morton, L.Ac., CMT, an intuitive and thoughtful acupuncturist and the person who administered the treatment I just mentioned. Our conversation specifically addresses how acupuncture can support women in midlife, although guys you will get something out of this discussion as well.
Let’s dive in…
Karyn: A lot of people are familiar with acupuncture, but for those who may not be, can you briefly describe what acupuncture is, if there are different types/approaches, and the underlying philosophy?
Kara: Qi or life force energy flows within the body in many distinct lines known as channels. Acupuncture is the art of reminding the Qi of its freedom in the channels. The free flow of Qi results in physical harmony and freedom from illness. In the practice of acupuncture, very fine needles are inserted into the body. This allows the body to relax and release blockages that are causing imbalances ranging from mild discomfort to serious disease.
There are many styles of acupuncture and the one I have chosen to study is Classical Acupuncture, which is distinct from modern acupuncture (TCM). Classical Acupuncture is in its original form and has been passed down orally for 88 generations. This style is able to reverse or stem the progress of chronic degenerative diseases and, if desired, can be used as a spiritual compass.
Classical Acupuncture does not treat symptoms or diseases but rather treats the entire being, determining where the flow of energy is impeded in the entire set of channels. Then it releases that flow to relieve the illness. Dietary, sleep and lifestyle habits are also an important part of the overall improvement of health.
Karyn: What does a typical treatment look like? What frequency of treatment is necessary?
Kara: A first treatment includes a review of the patient’s health history and current symptoms, as well as taking their pulse. Through the pulse we can feel where the qi or blood may be blocked or where there are imbalances in the organs. Needles will then be placed on the body, which is usually painless for most people. Smokeless moxa (Chinese mugwort) may be added to bring warmth to some of the points that need tonification (this means giving a boost, like adding gas to a car). The needles are left in for 25-35 minutes while you rest.
The frequency of treatments varies from person to person. Some people may need one session, others may need to come in once or twice a week for a period of time depending on the severity of the imbalance.
Karyn: Can acupuncture provide support during perimenopause and menopause?
Kara: Acupuncture can support a woman’s health during perimenopause and menopause by addressing the imbalances causing dryness, hot flashes, hormonal shifts, and weight gain. It also can help with adrenal fatigue and thyroid problems, as well as provide spiritual support while navigating big transitions (such as career or marriage/divorce) to support your unique destiny.
We live in a hyper masculine world, and acupuncture can work to balance yin and yang energy. Yin is fluids, blood, rest, nourishment, quiet, slowing down, and darkness. Yang energy is activity, fast paced, bright light, working, and producing. When Yin is undervalued and Yang is over abundant, an imbalance which can especially show up during perimenopause and menopause, it leads to the source of most diseases.
Karyn: What other health concerns might acupuncture help address in midlife?
Kara: The Luo channels in Acupuncture can support emotional, psychological and psychiatric disorders. The Divergent channels can treat chronic musculoskeletal conditions and chronic degenerative diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, gastrointestinal issues such as reflux, respiratory conditions including asthma, allergies, and skin diseases including eczema, insomnia, hypertension, chronic headaches, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and even the effects of cancer.
And the Extraordinary Channels treat psychological issues that originated in childhood, long term food intolerances and other allergies that originated in childhood, deep trauma, PTSD, hormonal disorders, and the quest to find purpose and meaning, orienting toward one’s vocation, the feeling of being off-track in life, etc.
Karyn: How can acupuncture be used as a preventative or maintenance modality?
Kara: Acupuncture is useful in preventing illness by detecting imbalances in the pulses even if symptoms are not present. It can also be used to support the immune system before traveling or before a season where we are more prone to illness. I usually recommend coming in once a month to keep the qi flowing and support overall health including digestion, feeling grounded, calm, and spiritually well.
Karyn: If someone is interested in acupuncture but has never tried it, what would you suggest as a first step?
Kara: I highly recommend coming in for a treatment to try it out! Most people are typically a little nervous about the needles at first. But once the needles are placed you will feel relaxed and more open in a healing environment.
Karyn: Anything else you would like people to know about the benefits of acupuncture?
Kara: I highly recommend this book from my Acupuncture teacher Ann Cecil- Sterman: Becoming Healthy, Staying Healthy. It is practical lifestyle and dietary advice promoting overall health and longevity, as well as support for people recovering from chronic disease. I recommend this as it is important to take charge of your health between acupuncture treatments.
I also highly recommend taking herbs, if needed, to support the Acupuncture treatments. Roots and Bones is a trusted source of herbs and they provide a wellness quiz to support you in choosing the right herbs. My favorites for women in midlife are: Marine Collagen blend for healthy skin, nails, hair, joints and digestion and Nurture to nourish the blood which supports our capacity for greater emotional resilience.
Parting Thought
If you live in Marin or San Francisco and are interested in trying acupuncture, you can connect with Kara Morton at www.wellspringacupuncture.com.
Kara Morton is a Licensed Acupuncturist with a master’s degree in Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine. She is also a Certified Massage Therapist with a passion for Cranial Sacral therapy to assist clients to reach deeper relaxation. She combine acupuncture, moxa, cupping & cranial sacral massage to provide a nurturing space for you to drop into your body’s wisdom and integrate those messages into your daily life.
Her studies in Classical Acupuncture have further enriched my practice. This style of acupuncture is deeply rooted in a lineage that works with the mind/body/spirit at a deep and profound level with extraordinary potential for transformation. It supports a wide range of conditions including acute & chronic pain, skin conditions including eczema, emotional & psychosomatic imbalances, insomnia, gynecological issues including infertility, chronic degenerative diseases, gastrointestinal issues such as acid reflux, Crohn’s, IBS, deep trauma, the quest to find purpose and meaning, and issues stemming from childhood. Classical Acupuncture gives her access to the root cause or location of the disease and has the potential to reverse seemingly intractable illnesses.
To be continued…
