Natural Health Tips – Yin Yang Theory and Heat Therapy

HEALING PRINCIPLES OF ACUPUNCTURE AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

Yin Yang theory is one of many ancient fundamental principles that guides the healing practice of acupuncture. Yin Yang theory is a way to categorize opposites and encourage balance. The Yin Yang symbol, often seen as half white and half black, depicts the harmonious integration of two opposites. Hot and cold can be used as two opposite qualities to simply explain how Yin Yang theory identifies imbalances and promotes health. The cold of winter requires heat to restore balance and maintain health. Often times some folks feel cold throughout the entire year, which may signify an internal circulation problem. Other conditions such as chronic pain may be alleviated by heat, which helps expand blood vessels and improve circulation. In Chinese Medicine, it is not often we recommend cold but rather heat to promote healing. Good health is about good circulation. Cold constricts and blocks circulation. Heat relaxes muscles, and improves blood flow that provides the regenerative nutrients needed by the body tissue. As a rule use warmth on chronic conditions but with acute trauma cold may be more applicable for short periods. A hot pouch is a simple way of providing heat to a cold body or achy muscles. I make special hot pouches with a selection of herbal ingredients to provide heat therapy as an adjunct to acupuncture in my clinical practice. You can make a home-made hot pouch by loosely filling a heavy sock with rice and tie off the end. Place your pouch into a microwave and heat for approximately 1 minute. Microwaves have different power outputs so be careful not to overheat and burn the material. Place the hot pouch on your lower back or abdomen or on or the area of pain if applicable. You will know if heat as opposed to cold was the right choice just by the simple fact that it should feel good!

Christopher Carlow, D. Ac.Doctor of Acupuncture July 12, 2008