3 Common Wellness Goals: The Chinese Medicine Solution

Sometimes, a problem that shows up in one part of the body may indicate a challenge elsewhere in the body, mind, or spirit. This reflects the Chinese understanding of balance, that idea that everything in life is connected. Make the right tweak in one area, and see positive changes affect other facets of your body, life, or world. What a powerful and refreshing concept!

With the goals of restoring or maintaining balance as well as improving the flow of qi, or vital energy, at its foundation, Chinese medicine tends to be gentle and sensitive, without the bothersome side effects that sometimes come with more aggressive treatments. The small but significant lifestyle and diet changes and methodologies used by the ancients are sensible and easy to implement.

Let's put this time-honored knowledge to work. Read on for ancient Chinese wisdom for solutions to three more everyday wellness concerns.

1) Your Goal: to Be Slimmer
Dropping those pounds requires a mind/body strategy that no one diet can deliver. Reaching for comfort food during times of stress or boredom? Feeling nervous or annoyed? You want to feel and look your best, but emotions can lead to overeating or mindless munching, packing on pounds that only add to your distress.

Your Chinese Medicine Rescue
Sugary, fatty, or greasy foods can interrupt the work of the Spleen Meridian. Reaching for these foods during emotional times might be your go-to fix, but the long-term effects are dramatic. Not only do junky treat take you further from your goal of weight release, these foods can impact your overall wellness by robbing you of energy and decreasing your natural immunity. Be careful when making more healthful substitutions. Avoid overindulging in cold, raw foods which can demand too much qi to digest. Try steamed items instead. And seeking out activities that bring calm and relieve the sense of being overburdened will also help your qi to flow freely.

Acupressure-to-go
Press the inner lower leg, four fingerwidths from the top of the inside of the ankle bone.

2) Your Goal: to Have Strong Bones and Teeth
If you're experiencing fragile bones or tooth decay, you might be suffering from frequent injuries or dental issues. Not only is this uncomfortable, it can compromise your daily life.

Your Chinese Medicine Rescue
The health of your teeth and skeletal system reflect the state of your Kidney Qi, so bone and dental difficulties can be remedied by optimizing the kidney meridian. Small amounts of salty foods can help strengthen this pathway, as well as such foods as grapes and melons, seaweed, mushrooms, and squash. Minimizing fear and emphasizing self-compassion will also add balance.

Acupressure-to-go
Press the area next to your inside ankle bone.

3) Your Goal: to Enjoy Smooth Digestion
Feeling bloated, unsettled, or uncomfortable after eating, even when meals are healthful and properly portioned? It might not be the food that's the problem. The manner in which we eat can cause imbalances in our ability to digest, metabolize, and absorb nutrients.

Your Chinese Medicine Rescue
Actively seeking ways to stop worrying is key to a more relaxed digestive system. Anxiety interrupts the body's ability to extract what it needs from food, and it can also lead your body to retain water. Working and eating at the same time will limit digestive qi as well as upset the normal, healthy functioning of your stomach. Smooth the process by separating these activities. Set out to eat quietly and away from distractions. Also avoid drinking ice water as the unnatural cold will slow down the digestive process.

Acupressure-to-go
Press on the top of the foot above the web between the second and third toes.

My patients and clients appreciate Chinese methodology because it's effective, but the examples above also demonstrate that it may not take drastic measures to make great improvements to your wellbeing. What good news. Simple is sustainable!

Think it might be time to explore what Chinese medicine can do for you? Put a few of the simple, sensible solutions above to the test. You'll be rewarded with greater balance and overall wellness.