Autumn and the Metal Element

Cool, crisp autumn has decidedly arrived in San Francisco. Days are shorter, shadows are longer, summer is in our rear-view and the holidays are right around the corner.

A recent lively conversation with friend and gifted coach Simone Janssen of Salt Leadership got me thinking about late autumn and it’s associated element of metal in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Autumn is a time for turning inward, self-reflection and gratitude for the harvest. Just as trees let go of their dry leaves to be recycled into rich mulch, the metal element within us helps us to discard what we no longer need and to store only what is necessary for winter.

I tend to see trends in my own body and in my acupuncture clinic this time of year. As in nature, issues of dryness, especially related to lung, sinus, skin and large intestine tend to arise physically. Emotionally, we may contend with some grief. Whether it’s the letting go associated with aging, expectations, relationships or aspects of our identity, sadness is often part of the experience. Not surprisingly, when we are out of balance, this stuff might cause us to react with a metal-like rigidity or desire to control. Try to breathe and just roll with it. This too shall pass-
Chinese Medicine holds that grief and sadness must be felt and processed, or it will manifest into disease. Take extra good care of yourself with plenty of rest, fluids and a balanced, seasonal diet.  Eat plenty of soups, stews and healthy fats.

Diaphragmatic breathing is one of my favorite tools for staying present and getting grounded. Here is a simple breathing exercise I like to teach my patients:
Lie on your back with knees bent and feet planted. Place one hand on your chest and one on your abdomen. First notice where you tend to breath. When anxious or tense, most of us breathe into our chest.
Now place both hands on the lower abdomen below your navel. Send your breath into the belly, feeling your hands rise with inhalation and fall with exhalation. Taking your time, practice ten breaths in this way. Try practicing this in the morning before starting your day- I find it invigorating and it helps me be available to enjoy the fresh day, starting over and finding that it feels good to let go.

Finding the Best Acupuncturist in San Francisco

After denouncing them for years, the world is finally returning to ancient healing methods, backed by hundreds or thousands of years of practice and empirical evidence. Acupuncture is one of them. The centuries-old healing practice is a part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been gaining immense popularity in the west lately. But what it really is, how it works, and how to find the best acupuncturist in San Francisco? Let’s talk about it all to help you develop a better understanding of this traditional method of treatment.

What is Acupuncture, and How Does It Work?

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method of healing that involves stimulating sensory nerves and pressure points under the skin by inserting very thin, sterile needles at specific points on the body. The needles gently and strategically activate peripheral nerves to trigger the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

This is how we understand acupuncture in the west. TCM experts have a different explanation of how acupuncture works. They consider it a technique to re-balance the flow of energy (chi or qi) in the body, which then helps improve overall health and wellness.

What is Acupuncture Used For?

Acupuncture can offer many benefits but is best known for the relief of pain and discomfort, including those associated with different diseases. Some of the conditions, and pains, acupuncture can help offer relief from include:

• Headaches, including migraines

• Neck pain

• Dental pain

• Lower back pain

• Menstrual cramps

• Labor pain

• Myofascial pain

• Osteoarthritis

• Tennis elbow

• Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

• Fibromyalgia

• Post-operative and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

• Respiratory disorders, such as asthma

• Digestive issues, such as gastritis and IBS

• Stress, anxiety, and depression

• Addiction

How to Find the Best Acupuncturist?

Whether you’re searching for the best acupuncturist in San Francisco or somewhere else, the process will be the same as choosing a doctor.

Start by asking for recommendations from people you know and trust. Check each of the recommended acupuncturist’s credentials, training, and certifications. Read reviews online and then finally reach out to the practitioners for a quick one-on-one session to inquire about if and how they can help with your condition. Ask if they have experience dealing with your specific issues, what results you can expect, and how long it will likely take. Choose the one that best satisfies your concerns.

One thing to remember when choosing an acupuncturist is to always choose a licensed practitioner.

Christine Friel L.Ac. and her team of powerful, talented women at Double Happiness Health meet all of these conditions. They are all licensed to practice acupuncture in California and have extensive experience in the field of acupuncture and TCM at large. They have treated thousands of patients over the past two decades, helping them improve their health and quality of life by relieving a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms, hormonal challenges and systemic disorders. Reach out to this incredible team for acupuncture in San Francisco. You will be so glad you chose Double Happiness Health!