In Chinese Medicine, spring is associated with the wood element and the color green. In our bodies the wood element relates to the liver and gallbladder. If our liver is strained or out of balance, we may experience symptoms relating to the liver:
- anger
- headaches
- dizziness
- aches and pains
- digestive complaints
- menstrual complaints
- insomnia
- depression
- mood swings
- jaundice
- hepatitis
- a feeling of "stuck-ness", not moving forward with life goals
- a groggy feeling in the morning
Acupuncture at the Birch Center is a wonderful way to balance the liver energy. There are powerful points such as Liver 3 on the foot and Liver 8 near the knee which move and smooth the energy of the body. Gall bladder points on the back of the head and neck can ease headaches and help us sleep more soundly.
There is also a wonderful point combination: Liver 3 on the foot and Large Intestine 4 on the hand, which when paired are called The Four Gates. This treatment gently yet powerfully allows the energy in the entire body to flow freely.
Herbs such as dandelion, burdock, milk thistle and motherwort can also work on balancing the liver and often grow wild all around the United States. (For more information on Wild Edible Plants, visit our sister site Food Under Foot.)
The spring has a lot of wonderful energy too: growth, creativity, movement!
Spring is an excellent time to come in for acupuncture. Acupuncture helps keeps us strong and balanced, especially during the change of seasons when we are most vulnerable to finding ourselves off balance, run down, and coming down with something. If you'd like to schedule an acupuncture treatment, please give us a call at (412) 381-0116.
Happy Spring!
~ David and Melissa Sokulski
licensed acupuncturists
