Ever had one of those days or weeks where you just can’t pull yourself out of bed in the morning? Or perhaps you just can’t say “No!” to the dessert tray. Regardless of the activity, willpower is what keeps some people disciplined. But it doesn’t make you a bad person if you have dessert with every meal, buy more shoes than you really need or take longer to get going in the morning. It just means your willpower isn’t strong. And just like any other habit, that can be changed.

Willpower is like a muscle. It can be trained. Willpower also uses energy and is limited, just like muscles. Exerting self-control uses energy and over time, this energy can become depleted, making it easier to have the dessert, buy the shoes or sleep in past your alarm. So if you’re somebody who has difficulty with willpower, what can you do?

Believe it or not, regular acupuncture treatments can increase your willpower.  Acupuncture is just one subset of an ancient medical system known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). But it is by far, the most commonly known and used. In TCM, the word for will is zhi. In TCM, Zhi is associated with the kidneys. So if the energy of your kidneys is strong, the will is also strong, this is how acupuncture can help increase willpower. The needles used in acupuncture treatments actually stimulate the energy of the kidneys, thus increasing willpower.

There are two sides of the coin for every organ in TCM, the yin and the yang. With regards to the kidneys and willpower, the yin is the substance that provides the drive, while also accepting the circumstances we’re given. And the yang aspect of will power is our expression of ourselves in terms of goals, vision, ambition and aspiration.  When both yin and yang are in balance, will power is strong. However, fear frequently gets in the way of this balance and tends to override our purpose and goals. Why? Because fear is the mind’s way of keeping us safe and protecting us from harm. But anybody who has ever overcome adversity, can tell you fear probably never entered their mind or they did it regardless. All because of the willpower to attain their goals.

The reason TCM works so well at addressing and correcting problems with willpower is because it addresses the body holistically. TCM looks at everything: the body, mind, environment and the emotions. This allows for treatments to be customized to the needs of the patient instead of a one size fits all approach. Customized treatments allow for better outcomes.

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I have learned throughout the years when someone makes an appointment to deal with their pain, this is all they are concerned about. I understand completely. If I pulled a muscle in my back and went to a doctor who gave me medication to help with digestion, I would be confused and annoyed he wasn’t dealing with the issue I came in with. So, when I see patients, I focus on their presenting issue. I know once this problem has resolved, they will likely see other beneficial side effects from the treatment, such as:

• A reduction in stress or anxiety. Acupuncture is incredibly calming, and when you get acupuncture on a regular basis, that feeling of peace and well-being tends to become your new norm. Life’s little stresses just seem easier, somehow.
• You don’t get sick as often. Acupuncture boosts the immune system, and patients who come consistently often comment on having fewer colds and illnesses throughout the year.
• Better sleep. I’ve had some of the best night’s sleep of my life after a session. It promotes a deep, restorative sleep that can’t be matched by anything else I have tried. Acupuncture is very effective for insomnia, but even those without sleep issues look forward to a fantastic night’s sleep after a treatment.
• Less painful periods. When the blood and energy of the body flows as it should, pain and stiffness disappear. Acupuncture moves the blood, lessening cramps and even alleviating the symptoms of PMS.
• Happier digestion. Again, acupuncture is moving, so it creates movement within the digestive tract too. If you are prone to constipation, this medicine can get you unstuck. And if you fall on the other end of the spectrum and suffer from frequent or loose bowel movements, acupuncture can help to regulate that as well.
• More energy. When your body is in balance, you have the appropriate amount of energy to get through your day without dragging. Patients who get treatment regularly tell me that they feel more energized and alert throughout the day.
• Increased fertility. Studies have shown getting regular acupuncture increases your chances of getting pregnant. It regulates the hormones and lowers stress levels.
• Better relationships. I know it sounds strange, but hear me out. Acupuncture helps to regulate the emotions. It can vent your anger, ease your grief and help you to let go of negativity you’ve been holding on to. Irritated or frustrated? Try a treatment. You will immediately feel those emotions slipping away. When your negative feelings begin to transition into a lighter, calmer place, you will connect with people around you in a very different way.

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There are many styles of meditation to choose from.
We are so fortunate to live on the South Shore, where many classes and wonderful instructors are available!

Let’s explore some types of meditation….

These include Buddhist practices, transcendental, zen, mantra, chakra, sound, guided, and active, among others.
How can someone choose where to start?
Think about the type of person you are overall, the amount of time and dedication you have, and where your interests lie…was it recommended to you by your doctor or therapist?…what do you intend to get out of meditation?…

Here are some benefits from practicing:

• Relaxation
• Healing the body
• Handle stress better
• Feel less anxious
• Increased energy
• Improved focus
• Deeper spiritual connection to oneself
• Increased amount of positive feelings

The goal of meditation is to quiet the mind and bring your consciousness to the present moment. In addition, meditation helps one connect with the inner self and increases connection to others and the whole of creation. Meditation eases persistent mental noise, improves focus/creativity and is calming. Almost any activity can be meditative if it absorbs your attention and keeps you present.                                                                                       Let’s consider some meditation exercises:

Qigong, Tai Chi, Yoga – These exercises cultivate ‘life energy’ and promote the circulation of energy (Qi) through the focus on breathing and movement. In particular these exercises circulate oxygen and blood.  (Always seek out a qualified instructor to help you with proper form).

Activity Mindfulness – Walking (ie. a labyrinth, my personal favorite!) or doing other enjoyable activities such as sports, art, music or writing can promote activity mindfulness. Doing dishes, gardening, or cleaning can also be considered a meditation if we are focused and present while enjoying the experience!

Guided Meditation – This type of meditation is where one sits and focuses on specific imagery given by an instructor or through audio. This form of meditation is often used in healing, as one can focus on specific parts of the body. I’ve used CDs from healthjourneys.com, with great success.

Sound – The focus of this meditation is on a sound, repeated mantra or vibration. Drumming circles are a great place to participate for sound meditation.

Mantra – Mantra meditation is repeating a mantra (and there are many), such as “Om” or “Om mani padme hum”.

Transcendental Meditation – This is a very popular and well-known practice which includes a mantra and is usually practiced about 20 minutes twice a day. It’s a good idea to seek out an instructor for transcendental meditation, as it has specific techniques that may require a higher level of assistance.

Sitting – Sitting meditation is very common and can incorporate focus on sound, a mantra, or breathing. Practices tend to originate from Buddhism, and established positions, such as the lotus, have been taught to encourage deeper inner connection.

Binaural Beats – Although originating from the 1800s, this is a modern addition to the meditation circle. Binaural beats are special frequencies that put the brain into meditative states such as alpha or theta. The frequencies, which synchronize brain waves, have benefits such as increased awareness. Binaural beats tend to quickly enhance mood. Books and CDs can be found easily using an Internet search.

If you are ready for meditation, start slowly with one that looks enjoyable.
Better yet, START RIGHT NOW!    …”scan each part your body with thoughts of appreciation”…

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From an acupuncture and Chinese Medicine perspective, there are numerous imbalances in our bodies that can cause the constant fatigue. Here are some of the most common imbalances that can lead to fatigue, lethargy, lack of energy/motivation, and tiredness.

Your energy is weakened or struggling

Simply put, when systems in our body are compromised (through illness, heredity, stress, or lifestyle choices), they can’t produce the abundance of good, positive energy our body (and mind) needs to function. Many different systems in our body can produce a feeling of fatigue when they are weakened. When the Qi of our Spleen and Lung organ systems is compromised, we often feel like we don’t have enough energy to get through the day. This sort of fatigue often improves with good sleep, hygiene and a healthy diet. When our Liver Blood energy is weakened (through overwork, poor sleep, poor diet, illness, or excessive bleeding), the fatigue we experience is hard to shake; we may feel restless, and have a hard time falling asleep even though we are tired. This type of fatigue is improved by eating more dark leafy greens and more organ meats, to nourish the blood energy. A deficiency of either Kidney yin or Kidney yang energy– our two most fundamental energies – can also result in fatigue. This kind of fatigue manifests as true exhaustion. It is very important to give yourself ample time to rest, to recover from this type of tiredness; dietary changes, as well as herbal medicine, can also be very helpful.

Your energy is stuck

Fatigue does not always stem from a weakness in your body’s energy; sometimes fatigue comes from energy not moving properly. Health, in Chinese Medicine, is all about the smooth flow of energy through the body. When something alters that smooth flow, such as illness, injury, trauma, stress, poor lifestyle choices, etc – fatigue can be a result.

When your body’s energy is not flowing the way it should be, your body actually has to exert a lot more energy to keep you running well. The kind of fatigue that comes from Qi Stagnation (energy not flowing well) can present as a fatigue that is actually better with exercise or movement. It is the kind of fatigue that makes it really hard to get to the gym, but can disappear once you complete your work-out. Qi stagnation fatigue can make us feel ‘tired but wired’, and can also be closely related to feeling overwhelmed or run down by stress.

This sort of fatigue is helped by exercise, movement, and stress-reduction techniques.

You are damp

‘Dampness’ is a concept somewhat unique to Chinese Medicine – it refers to an abnormal processing of fluids in the body. Dampness can ‘lodge’ itself in many different areas, and as such, can lead to numerous symptoms. When dampness is pervasive throughout the whole body, usually one experiences a kind of constant fatigue – this can be both physical and mental. Patients who are tired from dampness describe feeling “sluggish”, “heavy”, or “fuzzy”. This kind of fatigue is greatly improved by making dietary changes, such as reducing the intake of dairy, cold temperature or raw foods, and greasy or fried foods. Dampness is also helped by regular exercise – which helps to break through that sluggishness; also trying to remove yourself from damp environments (ie. Seattle!) can be helpful.

In all of these situations, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be a huge help. Acupuncture and herbs focus on creating balance in the body to restore energy and vitality, rather than giving you false energy like coffee or an energy drink.                         You don’t deserve to be tired all the time – the combination of diet, lifestyle changes, and Chinese Medicine can get you back on the road to health, vitality, and feeling great!

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