Hi! Maria here. I’m new to Moment of Truth and wanted to share a bit with you about the acupuncture work I offer, plus keep reading for a powerful tip you can use on yourself! I’m a classical acupuncturist, specializing in gentle Japanese technique, AMMA Therapy®, and subtle energy medicine. I’m honored to be part of the team here.
In East Asian Medicine, we say “Tong zhi bu tong. Bu tong zhi tong,” which means “If there is pain, there is no free flow. If there is no free flow, there is pain.” As a student, I saw this statement in the context of physical pain. East Asian Medicine is based on Taoism. Observing how nature moves, informs us of how the energy in the body moves. When a river is blocked by debris, everything downstream suffers. There is “pain” or dysfunction in the ecosystem. And so, it is in the body. In the Western model, we see this through the lens of myofascial restrictions which impede the flow of lymph, blood, and neural communication. In the Eastern model, we see this through the lens of what we call “Qi, Blood, and Fluids.” Our goal is to alleviate pain by opening the pathways which restore flow and communication, bringing the body back to homeostasis.
Years later, I have come to appreciate the words “Tong zhi bu tong. Bu tong zhi tong” in the context of emotional and spiritual pain. When stress mounts, our feelings become blocked and stagnant. There is emotional as well as spiritual pain. Often this is the sort of pain we push through and ignore because it doesn’t cause us visibly to limp the way back pain might. While not visible, emotional pain is no less important, and I would argue is the most important pain to address. All ancient traditions teach that the source of disease is in the spirit. When we feel emotional pain, we become separated from the light of our Divine Source. The work I do seeks to reconnect those frayed lines of communication, restoring you to emotional and spiritual harmony.
There is a point on the hand called “Joining Valley”, commonly used point for the treatment of physical or emotional pain. Points have various names in East Asian Medicine. “Joining Valley” is also known as “The Great Eliminator” in more esoteric circles. It is said to be the aspirin point, good for pain anywhere in the body. It is commonly used to alleviate headaches as its pathway guides to the face. It is also a powerful point used to let go of what no longer serves us on the emotional level.
It is the equivalent of shaking off our hands to release heavy energy. You can apply acupressure to this point. It is found on the top of the hand, in the webbing between the thumb and forefinger (see the photo below for more specific location). The point is often tender.
- Mindfully and gently hold the point for 30 seconds.
- Circle lightly over the point before letting go.
- Focus on the breath as you do this.
- Allow your mind to be still.
- Imagine yourself opening a door to release things you’ve been carrying that are now ready to be freed.
We would love to hear what you’ve noticed as you try this. Just hit reply and share!
If you’d like to learn more or book a session with Maria, give us a call at 623-226-4002.
0 comments