I recently wrote an article about wind pathologies, climate change, and how we can take care of our nervous systems. I was asked by one reader, "What can acupuncture do to help?"
In pondering my answer, I changed the question in my mind to, "Why is Chinese medicine the form of medicine best suited to a society in the throes of climate change?" Here is my answer.
Chinese medicine first and foremost has a framework for watching the weather and how it interacts with human health. Within its philosophies and ancient texts are observations of patterns such that when a summer is exceedingly hot and ends up taking over the autumn with its heat, it can predict the kinds of health patterns that will show up in humans.
In the case of wind, there are various points on the body specific for expelling wind, as well as points along meridians of the organs involved. Different patient presentations require different treatment protocols. For the sudden onset vertigo case, I expelled wind, while also mostly treating the patient's feet. This brings the energy down and helps a person to feel grounded and stable on her feet. I used a liver point specific for anchoring rising wind, as well as points for strengthening the yin of the kidney and the liver. I used points specific for pulling energy away from the head. While on the table, the patient's head ache cleared, vertigo lessened, and the following day, they were vertigo free.
For the bell's palsy patient, I used the facial aspect of the motor line on the scalp. This is a line specific for paralysis. Five needles are threaded through the scalp so that the whole needle is under the skin, taking up as much of the line as possible. Each of these needles is stimulated in sets of 200 rotations. I then have the patient stand and wander around the clinic while I am gently striking down their spine with my hand. This allows for the balancing of the nervous system, and for the scalp acupuncture to be integrated into the spine. I then have the patient sit, and I use points for expelling wind, strengthening yin, and waking up the face. I use points specific for bell's palsy, and then do another set of 200 rotations on the scalp needles. I prescribed Evergreen Pearls of Heiner's Classical formulas, which is specific for handling wind and resolving bells palsy. This patient had full recovery after eight treatments over the course of 2 weeks while using the herbs.
I am prescribing this same herbal formula and may be doing scalp acupuncture for another wind case I am treating. This patient appears to have recently had a mini stroke involving sudden change in vision and speech. The speech was barely noticeable, but the vision has been startling to them. In addition to the recommendation of being seen by a western doctor as soon as possible, I am working, once again, with the yin of the kidney and liver, focusing on vision points, and expelling wind. I have treated this patient only once, and so the progress has yet to be seen. Pardon the pun.
For certain climactic factors, moxa might be appropriate. We also use cupping and guasha to pull toxins out of the blood. In the case of a very high fever in an incredibly hot time, bleeding the index finger could be appropriate. Because Chinese medicine views the body as an ecosystem that in interacting with its larger local ecosystem and weather patterns, it is set up to have answers with effective treatments in times like the ones we are in and facing. While wind is one aspect of climate change as it affects us, there are many many others depending on what exactly is happening outside. Heat, cold, damp, dry are all just examples. Fire overacting on metal, water overacting on fire, wood insulting metal, earth insulting wood are all patterns that can be seen with specific physical manifestations lining up with unusual weather.
To help your body handle what our earth is experiencing, Chinese medicine is a great way to go. I look at these climactic factors while also taking your individual constitution into account. I look at how these two are interacting with what you are presenting and go from there with treatment protocol and herbal prescription. Come on in and we'll get you taken care of.
All the Best,
Lara Foy
