Emotional Health and Lifestyle Consultations
According to ancient Chinese medicine teachings on the causes of disease there are 3 main categories.
The first is external, such as climate, and includes things such as viruses. The second is internal, which are centred around our emotions. The third category covers miscellaneous causes of disease, mainly lifestyle factors, for example working long hours or what we eat. Whilst it’s always been agreed that viruses can cause illness, and to a certain extent lifestyle, the same has not always been so for disruptive emotions. However, over the last 20 years or so, the scientific evidence base has developed to show that emotions are indeed a factor in many disease processes.
These ancient theories had a lot to tell us after all! Emotions are of course a natural part of human life, and they are not a cause of disease in themselves. It is only when equilibrium is disturbed by enduring emotional turmoil, or perhaps from a single traumatic event where the negative impact is still felt long after the event has passed. Chinese medicine shows us that the different emotional states are felt in different parts of the body. Take worry for instance, this is often noticed in the central region just above our navel. ‘Butterflies in the stomach’ is a perfect example of this. Anxiety is usually felt in the upper body around the region of our heart, palpitations are often connected with this emotion. Stress and frustration can easily transform to anger. This often manifests with a sense of heat rising to the head, perhaps as an angry outburst, which flares up and dies down just as quickly as it came. ‘Hot-headed’ is an accurate description of this type of emotional imbalance. Whilst expressing our emotions in an appropriate way can keep us healthy, if they are out of control for long periods we can become both physically and mentally exhausted. By keeping our emotional balance well regulated, we can support our health and live life in a more fulfilling way. Even though we may wish for good emotional and physical health (in fact the two are interconnected), discovering how best to accomplish this is not always easy. We’re not born with an instruction manual for living life well! All too often we are bombarded with contradictory information about the latest exercise regime or diet fad, and making sense of it all can be a challenge. By comparison the Chinese wisdom of ‘nourishing life’ or ‘yangsheng’ offers guidance in the form of some basic principles, which are comparatively easy to follow. These core ideas have been around for some 3000 years, and are still as relevant today. Indeed, scientific studies back up many of its wise observations, which truly have stood the test of time.
Emotional health is one of the main reasons for choosing to have acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine. What is less well known is that the Chinese teachings of ‘nourishing life’ also has a lot to offer. Some simple, often minor changes can have the biggest effect. It teaches us to pay particular attention to 4 key areas, or ‘pillars’ including mind, body, diet and sleep. Each of these ‘pillars’ have the same value, and need to be prioritised together with equal focus. Emotional health and lifestyle consultations are available in person or online via video-link. At the initial consultation we take a look at all aspects of your life and health, both physical and emotional. I will make a diagnosis using the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, and look at the best ways to support you to support yourself. Each of the follow ups will have a particular focus, based on each of the 4 pillars of the ‘nourishing life’ tradition. We delve into each concept and discover how minor changes can gradually bring about balance. Together we will explore these key areas, with plenty of time for you to ask questions. Bespoke guidance will be provided to suit your individual needs and requirements. We will look at beneficial ways to help yourself, such as altering any lifestyle choices which may not be serving you well. It will also include providing dietary wisdom using the principles of Chinese nutritional guidance, and self-care practices, including acupressure. A health and lifestyle package can be purchased for £175.00 This includes the initial consultation of one and a half hours, with 5 follows ups of an hour in duration. Alternatively, individual consultations can be purchased for £40 - visit our bookings page
