 What is Dampness?
Anything that upsets our normal functioning is called a pathogenic factors (PF). There are many categories of PF’s, amongst them are the climatic (environmental) factors. There are 6 climatic factors, dampness, cold, heat (fire), wind, summer-heat, and dryness. Modern homes have heating and air-conditioning which have eased the problems of climatic extremes of cold, humidity, and summer heat. Here we shall focus on Dampness of which there are two types, external & internal. External Dampness Can be an issue for those living in basement flats, near waterways, very damp environments, or with hidden mould. Internal Dampness Internally generated Dampness is a bigger issue and is the focus of this article. What are the signs & symptoms of Dampness? Physical signs & symptoms
Psychological signs Dampness is often accompanied by a feeling of being overwhelmed—whether consciously or not. When dampness is prevalent a person can feel, as they say, ‘swamped’ by life. What are the causes of Dampness? Common Causes
Underlying imbalances These can be assessed by a qualified practitioner of Chinese medicine.
What can I do to help myself? General guidelines for people with dampness : 1. Ensure proper bowel function 2. Foods & activities to avoid These things trigger or cause Dampness in the body :
3. Foods & activities that are helpful These things help to drain and resolve Dampness from the body :
 Did you know that acupuncture can be effective for alleviating seasonal ailments?
With clocks going back this weekend and the upcoming celebrations we will all sense that we are in the depths of the Autumn/Fall and preparing for the arrival of Winter and the upcoming festive season. Autumn is a favourite season for many. As the weather starts to get a little cooler, things begin to slow down, and preparations for the upcoming holiday season begins. Bonfires, woollen scarves, cosy knitwear, and fireworks are the order of the day. Yet others may struggle during this season. They tend to get sick. The longer nights and shorter days can trigger seasonal depression and many can experience a flaring of their allergies. Tips for taking care of yourself Dressing in warm layers and wearing a scarf and hat to keep your head back of the neck covered is a good idea. This helps keep the body temperature comfortable and stable, preventing chills and the stress of cold air entering the body through these areas. Try not to go out in the open with wet hair for the same reasons. Chinese medicine teaches that exposure of the head and back of the neck to windy and cold air makes one more susceptible to the common cold and flu. Get to sleep before 11pm. This usually means being in bed by at least 10.30pm. Reduce staring at mobile devices or TV screen at least 1 hour before bed. Enjoy moderate exercise in the fresh air and eat warm foods that are cooked in plenty of fluids such as porridges (vary between the grains such as oat, quinoa, millet), broths, soups and stews. Up the consumption of fats and oils to assist the rejuvenation of hormones and build up reserves. Cut out too much consumption of cold and raw things such as iced drinks, salads, raw foods. Eat easy to digest foods and steamed veggies. Try not to overdo it on the Halloween yummies! All this facilitates good energy, optimises immunity and lowers stress levels. Three ways acupuncture & Chinese Medicine can help 1. Improve Immune Function In Chinese Medicine Autumn/Fall is associated with the Lung and Large Intestine meridians. These two energetic pathways work closely to control the immune system from both the inside and outside of the body. Taking good care of these energetic pathways can help you stay well throughout the season. Autumn is also associated with the element of Metal. The Metal represents the tendency towards order, stability and organisation. During this season we tend to become more reflective, draw inward and gather resources for the Winter months ahead. If this element of our being is out of balance it can be very difficult to gather, focus and regroup. Acupuncture can greatly help you with boosting the immunity as well as balance this element. 2. Balance Emotions, Reduce Stress, Boost Energy The imbalanced emotional state associated with this season and the metal element is sadness and grief. Acupuncture can be a wonderful tool to help ease up the seasonal 'blues' before and during this season. As the days get shorter and nights longer it is recommended to get to bed earlier and sleep for longer to gather reserves for the Winter months. Many people have difficulty going to sleep earlier. Acupuncture can be effective at calming the mind and helping induce rest and relaxation. Acupuncture can also help you to deal with the stress of the upcoming holiday season. The majority of people find the treatments very relaxing. So receiving regular acupuncture treatments will help you experience a smoother holiday season. 3. Alleviate allergic reactions Acupuncture can also help with the allergic flare ups that frequently occur during this time of year. A few little needles can help a lot with these ailments. Book in online with Dr Hung D Tran or Ago Tokes http://www.medalt.co.uk/online-booking.html  Merriam-Webster Dictionary...
heal verb \ ˈhēl \ healed; healing; heals Definition of heal transitive verb 1a: to make free from injury or disease : to make sound or wholeheal a wound b: to make well again : to restore to healthheal the sick 2a: to cause (an undesirable condition) to be overcome : MEND b: to patch up or correct (a breach or division)heal a breach between friends 3: to restore to original purity or integrity  According to Chinese medicine, true health, like Qi, is not a place or destination, rather it is a state of meaningful adaptation to change, of flow. We can say that Qi is always seeking or moving towards health and wellbeing because it is always seeking to flow smoothly and purposefully.
If there is good and harmonious Qi flow there is harmony and thus health. Classical Chinese medicine is an elegant embodiment of this profound philosophy. Its primary aim is to create and maintain a good Qi flow throughout all layers of the body and mind. In practice we can tap into, harness, and direct Qi for many purposes such as : a. maintaining overall wellbeing b. to resolve specific health issues c. achieving our aims in life There are several methods to achieve this such as
For almost 20 years I have safely taught the foundational practices of qigong to my patients to complement their acupuncture treatments. I have observed that the daily practice of qigong significantly enhanced the effects of acupuncture treatments. My patients would have a good flow of qi to tap into which meant that the acupuncture sessions could be more focussed on resolving deeper health issues. More could be achieved with fewer acupuncture visits. This is the reason I developed a self-care programme called Care for Your Qi. It safely integrates qigong, nutrition and lifestyle advice appropriate for your constitutional type. I teach this programme to individuals and groups of people. In summary if you integrate the principles of yangsheng - Qigong, eat according to your constitution, have a meaningful meditation practice, lead a moderate lifestyle then you will have plenty of vital qi on tap to enjoy life and fulfil its purpose. You will also have a powerful method for maintaining your wellbeing over the span of your lifetime. |
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