Acupuncture Eases Midlife Crisis
Source: Acupuncture.com
http://acupuncture.com/newsletters/m_aug15/midlife.htm
The term ‘midlife crisis’ refers to a critical life phase that generally begins in one’s mid-forties and fifties. Commonly characterized by periods of psychological upheaval, it is a time of unstable mental and emotional health lasting for approximately a year or longer. Often triggered by the realization of one’s impending mortality, this existential awakening elicits profound personal reflection, self-evaluation, and judgment about self or how one appears in the eyes of others.
For some, this mid-life period can be an exciting adventure – a time of objective reassessment, reappraisal, insight, and self-exploration. Most, however, feel a sense of confusion, restlessness, emptiness, meaninglessness, or dissatisfaction. There are also those whose journey is fraught with fear, self-doubt, self-loathing, or disillusionment. Emotional reactions range from mild anxiety to panic attacks, and/or from slight depression to deep despair.
In our youth-driven culture, there is an overwhelming urge to enhance one’s appearance and erase the visible signs of aging when faced with the realization that this precious commodity is slipping away. As an acupuncturist of 24 years, specializing in cosmetic acupuncture, many men and women come to me for acupuncture treatments to erase face wrinkles, tone sagging face muscles, reduce puffiness under the eyes, re-sculpt the contours along their cheeks and jaw line, and rejuvenate their withering complexions. As a venerated Chinese Medicine (CM) practitioner, I know that they are not just looking for a superficial makeover, but for an emotional and spiritual awakening as well.
In addition to improving the physical signs of aging, acupuncture opens the door to self-acceptance, inner contentment, and personal satisfaction. According to the principles of CM, there is no dualism between the body and mind and, therefore, no hierarchy of somatic and psychological symptoms. In essence, CM views the body, mind, emotions, and spirit as one. Acupuncturists are trained to address the exterior symptoms and treat the underlying root cause. For cosmetic acupuncturists, exterior patient symptoms regularly include wrinkles, sagging muscle tone, and age related skin conditions. The root cause treatment for one’s mid-life turmoil, however, is imbedded in the pattern recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of Qi, Blood, and Fluids as they influence and are influenced by the elements, Organs, and Meridians.
Qi, an essential concept in CM, is a form of energy that exists both inside and outside the body. It affects every aspect of one’s being, including mental and emotional states. Qi is categorized into two polarities – yin and yang. Although they are opposite energetically, they rely on each other for their survival, so that one cannot exist without the other. Yang needs yin nourishment to be properly harnessed and yin needs yang movement to motivate its action. When yin Qi is deficient, yang Qi will be in excess, manifesting in symptoms such as acne, rosacea, a red complexion, anxiety, and restlessness. When yang Qi is deficient, yin Qi stagnates. Signs of yin stagnation are facial edema, dry skin, a pale complexion, fatigue, and depression.
Blood, another vital aspect of CM ensures the smooth flow of Qi in and around the elements, Organs, and Meridians. When balancing Qi, the state of Blood and the energetics of the five elements, Organs, and Meridians must also be considered. The harmony of the five elements is dependent upon the conditions of the Organs and Meridians which generate, store, and circulate Qi and Blood throughout the body. Fundamentally, acupuncture treatment for the physical and emotional aspects of one’s mid- life issues should be designed to balance yin and yang of Qi and Blood; and the elements, Organs, and Meridians.
Five Element theory, which defines the correlation between the elements of nature and those of man, relies on the Shen and Ko cycles. The Shen cycle describes the generative relationship of the five elements: wood generates fire; fire contributes to earth; earth provides metal; metal can be melted (liquefied); and (liquid) water nourishes the production of wood. The emotions of those elements have the same Shen (generative) relationship. Fulfillment (wood) generates joy (fire); joy leads to self-confidence (earth); self-confidence leads to empowerment (metal), which leads to motivation (water); and the motivation once again encourages a sense of fulfillment.
The Ko cycle describes the degenerative relationship of the five elements. Water extinguishes fire; fire melts metal; metal cuts wood; wood punctures earth; and earth blocks water. Similarly, there is the same degeneration in the emotional aspect of these systems. Fear (water) can restrain excitement (fire); excitement can overcome sadness (metal); sadness can repress anger (wood); anger can cover up worry (earth); and worry can cover up fear.
The Zang-Fu Internal Organs, generally noted for their physiological functions and activities, also have a psychodynamic aspect that, when out of balance, can create emotional disruptions. When the flow of Qi from the Liver (wood) is out of balance, it can cause feelings of restlessness, frustration, resentment, or anger. A disruption in Joy from the Heart (fire) results in restlessness, agitation, anxiety, or panic and when the Spleen (earth) loses its harmony, self-confidence morphs into confusion, self-doubt, worry, or obsession. The strength of empowerment from the Lungs (metal) transforms into rigidity, instability, lack of confidence, and grief. Motivation from the Kidneys (water) dwindles into lack of will, fear, meaninglessness, or depression.
In TCM, the Heart is most commonly associated with emotional upheaval. When the Heart is strong and healthy, the mind is calm, focused, and relaxed. When out of balance, restlessness and agitation cause nervousness, anxiety, or panic. The mind (Shen) is also housed in the Heart and is dependent upon its proper functioning. Inability to concentrate, mental fogginess or confusion, is an indication of a deficiency of Heart Qi or Blood. In concert with the Heart, CM relates anxiety to a loss of balance between the Heart and Kidney. When there is too much heat in the Heart, it will affect the water aspect of Kidney. When Kidney water is unable to contain Heart fire, heat rises to the mind and anxiety ensues.
Acupuncture points for the Kidney and Heart are important when treating a patient experiencing a mid-life crisis. Confusion, worry, and lack of confidence can also be addressed by supplementing with acupuncture points for the Spleen. If there are signs of desolation, sadness and grief, additional acupuncture points for the Lungs are beneficial. Anger and frustration turned inward (self-loathing) or outward (jealously, resentment) can be addressed with acupuncture points to harmonize the Liver.
When treating symptoms related to a mid-life crisis, there are many benefits of acupuncture:
Produces a calming effect
Helps to gain perspective about one’s life
Promotes self-acceptance
Opens the door to transform crisis into opportunity
Broadens awareness beyond one’s self
With proper acupuncture treatment, mid-life difficulties can actually serve a positive purpose in terms of our personal, emotional, and spiritual development. During this time of transition, acupuncture enables one to tap into different ways of being and living. When we develop greater self-awareness, self-knowledge, a sense of inner strength, and self-acceptance, we become less dependent on the approval of others. Relationship with one’s self and with others become deeper, more meaningful, and enjoying life becomes gracefully easier.
