Do we talk about inflammation in acupuncture as in physiotherapy?
From a physiological point of view, acupuncture has an anti-inflammatory action because it has:
- an ANALGESIC effect: short-term and long-term pain relief;
- a RELAXING effect: acupuncture promotes a sedative, calming effect, because it plays a part in modulating brain activity;
- a HARMONIZING effect: restoring homeostasis, the body's natural balance, by influencing the endocrine systems (hormones) and the nervous system;
- a MODULATING effect: it acts on the immune system and modulates it according to the body's needs;
- a RESTORING effect: treatments activate the body's own repair mechanisms (circulation, tissue regeneration and cell repair).
From an energetic point of view, Chinese medicine speaks instead of symptoms of excess heat or of “empty heat”.
According to the cycle of the 5 movements in nature, heat corresponds to the Fire movement and to the energy of summer. Yang by nature, it is an energy that can be hard to control, as we recently saw with the forest fires in Northern Quebec.
A bit like firefighters in an emergency, with the Balance Method we call on the energetic qualities of EARTH (yin) and WATER (yin) to put out the Fire, for example in the case of a sprained ankle with swelling, pain and a burning sensation, or a fever after sunstroke.
If someone comes to us for sleep problems and tells us during the assessment that they are in perimenopause, feel easily irritable and have hot flashes at night, and we observe a rapid, thin, wiry pulse and a red tongue tip, we are dealing with “false heat” or “empty heat”.
This means there is something to nourish (yin) more than something to put out (yang). WOOD, which gives birth to FIRE in the generating cycle of the 5 movements, catches fire for lack of roots and WATER. The Fire must be soothed so that the mind does not get restless at night, and night sweats must be reduced.
By asking about lifestyle habits, we will also help the person spot what feeds this inner FIRE in their daily life, and suggest cutting down on stimulants and overly warming foods to make our treatments more effective.