Easing Back Pain With Five Element Acupuncture

    Happy Autumn Havre de Grace and to all who are reading! 
    I want to talk about back pain, and how it can be treated with Five Element Acupuncture.  Back pain is one of the most prevalent physical ailments that brings clients to my practice.  It is very common, and as we approach the cooler seasons it becomes even more of an issue for many. 
    As I briefly alluded to in my first blog post: “Acupuncture: More Then Just Fixing Your Symptoms”, Five Element Acupuncture not only takes into account your physical symptoms, but includes the mental and emotional layers where challenges also exist.  This is why Five Element Acupuncture is more then just “fixing you”. It allows you to heal. 
    Five Element Acupuncture is named for the five natural elements we find in nature: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.  Everything around us contains these five elements.  We as humans are natural beings so we too contain all five of these elements.  Chinese medical theory teaches us that what is of nature has a life giving force or energy called “Qi”.  Qi animates these five elements within us, thus animating us. 
    Each one of the five elements relates to the organs in the body.  When we are experiencing symptoms, an Acupuncturist first begins to look at what organ systems are related to the presenting distresses.  It is on the energetic level of the organs that disharmony first arises.  When we begin to have physical symptoms, such as back pain, this is when we usually first become aware of an ailment (and when most clients walk through my door).  Treatment works by rebalancing the energy of your organ systems.  This, along with life style changes allows your Qi to become harmonized.  It is then that you begin to heal. 
    And, ladies and gentlemen, back pain CAN heal.  In Chinese Medicine the kidneys are responsible for the creation of power.  When we over work and over play we can fatigue our kidneys and cause them to begin to have trouble producing the proper energy that we need to live healthy lives.  If you think of where the kidneys are located in your lower back (to the left and right of your spine) often it is this physical area that is a big complaint for sufferers of back pain. 
Those who suffer from sleep disorders including insomnia, night sweats, sleep apnea, and so on, will often notice they have back pain as well.  It is because the kidneys, just like the rest of our body, need to have their proper rest in order to rejuvenate and work in a healthy manner.  Back pain is often a precursor to other ailments such as kidney stones, incontinence (the bladder is the paired organ with the kidneys), prolapse of organs, and migraines (just to name a few). 
    The kidneys are represented by the Water element.  A season of the year relates to each element, as well.  The four you know as Spring (Wood), Summer (Fire), Autumn (Metal), and Winter (Water).  In Chinese Medicine the fifth season is Late Summer (Earth).  This is the time of the year we are coming out of right now as we head into Autumn.  Many of us have had a rocking, fun filled, even exhausting Summer (remember - fatigue takes a toll on our kidneys, which brings back pain).  Some people may notice that their symptoms worsen at certain times of the year.  This is due to the cycle of the five elements and the correlating organs that are affected by unbalanced Qi.  Our bodies are wise and let us know when something is not quite right by presenting us with symptoms and distresses in our daily lives.  Thus, if you are a sufferer of back pain you may notice your symptoms worsening as we approach the Winter season. 
    Is it time for you to heal your pain?  Please find more information about my Havre De Grace Acupuncture Center at NaturesOfLight.com.  Let me know when you are ready to explore healing your pain and finding a healthier you!  Be well.