April 5, 2022, is the first day of the Yang Wood Dragon month in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese calendar assigns one of the twelve animals, five elements, and the polarity of yin or yang to each year, month, day, and hour. What does this mean regarding how Meridian Harmonics approaches health and treatment strategies?
The Yang Wood Dragon refers to one of the sixty-four hexagrams described in the I Ching and used in Feng Shui. Its image is Thunder over Mountain and signifies weakness above and below and strength in the interior. The image is of thunder in the mountains – an energetic state without support resulting in a struggling state.
This hexagram is the image of Thunder sinking downward against the rising energy of Yang Earth Mountain. Yang Earth Mountain exerts a force against the sinking energy of Thunder creating struggle. It occurs during a time of the year when the season is transitioning from late winter to early spring. Thus, the struggle.
Common disorders during this month are:
Headaches, dizziness, low back pain, sciatica, joint weakness, wrist/arm/elbow pain, leg weakness and paralysis, foot pain and swelling, heel pain
Hemorrhoids, warts
Cough, phlegm, asthma
Teeth problems, hearing loss, facial paralysis (Bell’s Palsy), manic psychosis, epilepsy, loss of voice
Menstrual problems, dysuria, enuresis, genital itching or pain, constipation, dementia, depression, irritability
Chest and rib pain, palpitations
The transition from the winter season into springtime can be a tumultuous period. The climate is often very windy and changes very quickly. During the writing of this post, the BA.2 derivative of the COVID-19 Omicron variant is the most prevalent pathogen in the United States. It’s still a good time to remain vigilant against unexpected changes in the environmental pathogenic factors such as windy cold or windy heat settings that can trigger the various conditions listed.
Here at Meridian Harmonics, during this month we will supplement our treatments to support the Yang Wood Dragon month for each patient. This can be accomplished using specific acupuncture and herbal therapies. Each patient is different, so there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for every patient. We will assess each patient, individually, on what strategies are best suited for them.
Modifying one’s lifestyle can support this period and the springtime season. This transitional period in the year brings varying weather patterns. Climatic pathogenic factors are always transported by this prevalent windy pattern. It’s important to protect yourself from the wind as it is the carrier of pathogenic factors. This season typically sees a huge uptick in allergy symptoms with commons symptoms of headaches, facial pain, asthma, sinusitis, and rhinitis.
This transitional period allows us to be more flexible with our meals while remaining mindful that the undercurrent of the springtime encourages us to consume different foods than what is recommended during the winter months.
Reduce or eliminate intake of dairy foods (i.e., milk, cream, yogurt, cheese, ice cream), as they create dampness and increase mucus production.
Drink plenty of distilled water throughout the day to promote drainage.
Make sure the diet is adequate in supplies of vitamin A and C. Vitamin A is essential for the healthy mucous lining of the respiratory tract. Vitamin C is well recognized for its effect to prevent and treat an infection.
Avoid raw or cold food and beverages such as sashimi, sushi, salads, steak tartar, and seared meat. Eat cooked vegetables and nothing straight from the refrigerator.
Avoid fried or greasy foods as they create dampness and phlegm.
One more recommendation involves activity. Spring is a time that is characterized by an awakening from a slumber. Engaging in activities that are in harmony with this attribute will encourage the body to begin building cardiovascular strength and endurance. Activities like power walking, vinyasa yoga, tennis, jogging, or casual cycling are more beneficial for the body.
Our focus this month is helping patients identify and desensitize common allergens in the environment and the diet. We use an FDA cleared computerized system for the assessment and cold laser therapy for the desensitization.
Clinic hours: Tue - Fri 8:00 - 12:00, 1:30 - 6:30
Closed: Sat, Sun, Mon
Meridian Harmonics Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
www.mhaom.com
