Your unmanaged stress is the cause of your body tension
Usually in the spring I see an uptick in liver, wood element concerns. The wood element wants to experience forward motion, progress, creativity and growth in life. When there are obstructions to these movements, it can be met with frustration, irritability, even depression. With this stagnation comes symptoms like tightness in the jaw, shoulders or hips… headaches… worsening menstrual cramps….
Did you know that stress and menstrual cramps are linked?
So, when my patients come in with these concerns I look at options on the liver channel which supports:
- Healthy and balanced visioning, planning and go-getting
- Confidence and a healthy self image
- A kind and compassionate stance as one interacts with the world
- Flexibility in the face of obstacles
You might be wondering which acupuncture points are best for stress and overwork?
One of the most commonly used liver channel points is Liver 3, “Tai Chong” (Supreme Rushing). According to my teacher, Lonny Jarrett, this point “Eases constraint to empower benevolence”. According to acupuncture.com, it “Regulates Liver Qi, subdues Liver Yang, regulates menstruation, calms the Shen, nourishes Liver Yin.” In other words, it regulates the physiological liver function, harmonizes challenging menstrual cycles and ensures balance and equanimity when grinding on life goals or encountering obstacles on your path.
Who doesn’t need that now and then?
I’m sure you’ve also heard, that acupuncture is a powerful solution for pain
Liver 3 also happens to be a powerful point used in combination with Large Intestine 4 for treating pain of all kinds in the body. The point is located on the dorsum of the foot, in the depression proximal to the 1st metatarsal space. You can massage it on your own with some lotion or lavender essential oil for a little relief from the stress and tension of an overwhelming to do list.
Are your frustration, body tension and headaches feeling bigger than a home acupressure treatment? We are well into the wood element season and it is powerful to work on balancing elemental disharmonies in their own season. You can schedule an acupuncture appointment opens in a new window::HERE: to do just that.
In service to balanced striving and creative expression,
Marie
