By MaryKate Smith, Functional Nutritionist
As fall approaches, many external changes follow.
This may be a slowing down or speeding up of a job, school resuming, the weather cooling down, and even nature beginning to change colors. Just as we see these changes externally, we may also notice internal shifts.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), each organ is paired with another organ. One represents yin energy as the other represents yang energy to create balance in the body.
Fall is associated with the lung (yin) and the large intestine (yang) meridians in the body.
The element of this season is metal, which means this season is about :
- Moving inwards,
- Organization
- Setting limits and boundaries.
On an emotional level this season is about letting go of the old and making space for the new.
The lungs are associated with:
- Clear thinking
- Communication
- Openness
- The ability to let go
- Relaxation
The large intestine is about letting go of waste. It releases what no longer serves us and keeps what is only truly vital.
The lungs and large intestine work together to keep balance and harmony in the body. This manifests physically as the lungs inhale the crisp fall air, giving us oxygen to think clearly and invite in the new, as the large intestine helps to get rid of waste and make space for the new.
When the lungs and large intestine are not in harmony, we may notice grief and sadness overcome us.
This may show up as:
- A difficulty to process and cope with loss or change
- Feelings of loneliness
- Experiencing a prolonged sense of sadness
- Depression and feeling stuck
At Intuitive Acupuncture, we help patients become aware of these seasonal shifts that may be manifesting physically.
For example, there may be a deficiency in lung or large intestine qi, thus creating these imbalances. Repeated acupuncture has been shown to help strengthen qi and re-harmonize the body, thus allowing for a healthy way to process grief.
When we process grief in a healthy way, we strengthen ourselves physically and mentally.
Not only does acupuncture strengthen us emotionally, but it can also support us physically.
During these months the immune system may be under more stress, or you may notice seasonal allergies kicking up. Herbs, acupuncture, cupping, massage, and nutrition are important treatments that are proven to keep you healthy during this Fall shift.
Give us a call or stop on by, we’d love to answer any questions you may have about optimizing your health through the changes of the season in order to balance yin and yang.
