For a lot of people cardiovascular health is a very important aspect of their live, yet only a few people know of the incredible benefits that acupuncture offers to reinforce the health of this vital system. You may actually be surprised of the health benefits that you can receive with the right combination of needles (known as an ‘acupuncture point prescription’). Certain conditions related to your heart include high cholesterol, hypertension or high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and atherosclerosis. Bear in mind that even though acupuncture in Linwood can help boost your heart’s health, you still need to heed the recommendation of your doctor and continue taking the drugs that he/she has prescribed. Acupuncture is an ideal treatment in that it can be used alongside prescription drugs. Acupuncture does not have any side effects and can even mitigate the side effects of the drugs you are taking.
In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) the Heart (capitalized to distinguish it from the anatomical heart) is responsible for the flow of blood in your body. When you have a healthy Heart, it means that your tissues are well-nourished; conversely, a weak Heart can result in chest pain and palpitations. The Heart has an extra role to play in TCM – it is known to be the place where your Shen or Spirit resides.
Practitioners of TCM view the Shen to be an important aspect of your health, as through it you are able to connect to the world and express emotional well-being, virtue and wisdom. Therefore, any problems with your Heart can also manifest as forgetfulness, joylessness, sleep problems, and even manic behavior, in severe cases.
Your facial complexion can actually reflect the health of your Heart, implying that a rosy complexion mirrors a healthy Heart, while a pale complexion means a weak Heart. Moreover, too much heat residing in the Heart will manifest in a reddish complexion, while a purplish face means you’re suffering from Heart stagnation.
Certain acupoints that can assist the health or your Heart are situated on your upper back, chest, forearm, and wrist. Acupoints found in other parts of your body would also be likely be used as support since TCM is deemed as a type of holistic medicine. To proactively increase the health of your Heart, it’s recommended that you do some light exercises (following your doctor’s advice, of course) and also add to your diet foods that are bitter in taste, as bitterness is the flavor that’s tied to the Heart. And since joy is the emotion associated with the Heart, saturate your life with lots and lots of joy!