Chinese medicine has become very popular for helping people to relax and manage their stress in more positive ways. The emotions are considered an internal cause of disease in Chinese medicine. Each of the emotions causes the qi or energy in the body to respond differently. The goal of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is to smooth out the flow of qi and allow for a healthy response that allows us to be free flowing and easy going.
Chinese medicine identifies the following major emotions; anger, mania, sadness, worry and fear. It is important to feel your emotions but not get stuck in the emotional response for extended periods of time. The goal is appropriate reactivity. The lack of expression is as detrimental as the over expression. The ultimate goal is to find the middle way.
Anger causes the qi (energy) to rise and is associated with the organ of the liver. Long term anger can lead to frustration, resentment, irritability and jealousy.Because the qi can go up for only so long it in turn will stagnate. Often times these people frequently sigh and have little tolerance for anything they are not in control of. The long term physical diseases that are associated with qi rising and then stagnating can be high blood pressure, stroke, headaches and tightness and constraint in the muscles and joints. The goal is to smooth out the qi and allow it to spread freely through the body. It is often recommended they find activities that allow them to be physical to further move this qi; running, biking, marshal arts and competitive sports.
Mania in Chinese medicine is the emotion associated with the heart and it causes the qi to scatter. It is the feeling of anxiety that causes our hearts and minds to race about. In time this scattered qi can cause us to be unfocused and feel a sense of disconnect and lack of joy. Often these people will have a red flushing in their cheeks and forehead overtime and a look of disconnect in the eyes. Over time this scattered qi can affect our memory and clarity of thought. The goal for these people is to ground their energy and calm the mind. Meditation, massage, acupuncture and prayer are some of the many ways these people can quiet this spastic energy. Also those with this type of energy do well to find something they love and enjoy and spend time daily pouring their hearts into it.
Sadness and grief cause the qi to dissolve and they are associated with the lungs. Long term grief can lead to fatigue, depression and a weakened immune system. Long term sadness can be seen on the face in paleness and lines around the mouth. One may feel tightness in the chest or a lump in the throat. Inspiration becomes suppressed by sadness and depression. Over time this deficiency of qi takes away our joy and shortens our life. The goal for these people is to find small inspirations like listening to music, viewing beautiful art or being inspired by the beauty of nature. Over time these small acts allow one to create more qi and in turn feel more connected. Breath work in chanting, prayer, exercise and yoga also allow for the cultivation of qi.
Worry knots the qi and is associated with the digestive system. Often when one feels concerned or worried we feel it as a knot in the stomach. Worry causes the mind to obsess and over think. Anxiety is an extension of worry out of control. Long term worry can cause digestive problems like irritable bowel, indigestion, constipation and poor absorption of nutrients. Over time worry can affect our musculoskeletal system because the qi knots up the muscles and the digestive system does not absorb our nutrients properly to support our muscles and bones. This imbalance may cause people to make poor food choices and overeat leading to obesity or under eating leading to poor nourishment. We digest our foods and we digest our lives with our digestive systems. The goal for these people is to relax and let go. We must accept what we can change and know the difference with what we cannot. Nurturing oneself is the key;with good quality food and regularity of food. Regular exercise also will allow for the proper flow of qi so it will not knot in our bodies.
Fear initially scatters the qi as it does with a phobia or a panic attack. Over the long term fear stagnates and dissolves our qi stifling our progression forward. Fear is associated with our energy (adrenals) and nervous system. Short term fear is essential to get out of harms way when it is appropriate. When it is not it causes scattered energy and lack of focus leading to high stress hormones. This can show up as fear and weakness in our low back and knees. If fear is out of control over long term it can result in adrenal fatigue and deep rooted immune issues like cancer or auto immune diseases. Fear isolates and causes people to feel a deep rooted disconnect from others. These individuals can feel immobilized by a lack of will and a deep despondency. It is critical for them to face their fears with the proper tools so they may have a base to move forward with their lives. The goal for these individuals is to establish tools and a community of support that allows them to move forward. Activities that allow for community connection and silence like; service work and spiritual pursuits are ways to manage and work with fear.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine in addition to the above recommendations can help with a life where one is awake and connected. When we address the body we address the mind and vice versa.
As I write this I am compelled to share that disease/disharmony is not a punishment. Many great and spiritual people get sick. Many people say their illness helped them to get into their bodies, connect with their communities and to live life more fully. I feel that if we can more deeply understand our body, mind and spirit then whatever we are faced with will be less daunting. It also helps us to live life more fully now as a healthy person and to be more present to those we love and our communities.
