Treating Irritability and Moodiness with
Acupuncture
Everyone suffers from irritability and
moodiness from time to time, but if you find
that a short temper and frustration are
becoming a constant issue for you, then
acupuncture may be able to help.
Often irritability and moodiness are the
consequence of chronic stress in your life.
Over time these emotions can progress into
more serious emotional conditions such as
anxiety and depression as well as other
health conditions such as digestive
problems, trouble sleeping and the tendency
to get sick more frequently.
Liver Qi Stagnation and Emotions
Within Oriental medicine emotional disorders
can be associated with a number of different
patterns of disharmony; however, anger,
irritability, and frustration are all signs
that our qi is not flowing smoothly. The
liver is responsible for the smooth flow of
qi (life force) throughout the body and for
smoothing our emotions. When the liver’s
function of moving qi is disrupted, qi can
become stuck. This is referred to as liver
qi stagnation.
Liver qi stagnation is one of the most
common patterns of disharmony seen in
today’s patients. In addition to
irritability and moodiness, signs and
symptoms may include distending pain in the
area below the ribs, stuffiness of the
chest, sighing, abdominal distention,
nausea, sour regurgitation, belching,
diarrhea or constipation, feeling of a lump
in the throat, irregular periods, painful
periods and distention of the breasts prior
to periods. Liver qi stagnation is commonly
associated with PMS.
Acupuncture is excellent at relieving liver
qi stagnation. Treatment for irritability
and moodiness associated with liver qi
stagnation focuses on moving qi and
supporting the liver and spleen organ
systems with acupuncture, lifestyle and
dietary recommendations and perhaps an
herbal formula.
If you are concerned that your emotions
may be interfering with your health and
wellness, please call to see how acupuncture
can help.
Move Your Qi!
The liver is responsible for the smooth
flowing of Qi (life force) throughout the
body. When the liver functions smoothly,
physical and emotional activity throughout
the body also runs smoothly. So, for optimum
health, move your Qi!
Stretch - The liver controls the
tendons. According to Oriental medicine, the
liver stores blood during periods of rest
and then releases it to the tendons in times
of activity, maintaining tendon health and
flexibility. Incorporate a morning stretch
into your routine. Try yoga or tai qi.
Eye Exercises - The liver opens into
the eyes. Although all the organs have some
connection to the health of the eyes, the
liver is connected to proper eye function.
Remember to take breaks when looking at a
computer monitor for extended periods of
time and do eye exercises.
Eat Green - Green is the color of the
liver. Eating young plants - fresh, leafy
greens, sprouts, and immature cereal grasses
- can improve the liver’s overall functions
and aid in the movement of qi.
Try Something Sour - Foods and drinks
with sour tastes are thought to stimulate
the liver's qi. Put lemon slices in your
drinking water, use vinegar and olive oil
for your salad dressing and garnish your
sandwich with a slice of dill pickle.
Do More Outdoor Activities - Outside
air helps liver qi flow. If you have been
feeling irritable, find an outdoor activity
to smooth out that liver qi stagnation. Try
hiking or take up golf.
Enjoy Milk Thistle Tea - Milk thistle
helps protect liver cells from incoming
toxins and encourages the liver to cleanse
itself of damaging substances, such as
alcohol, medications, pesticides,
environmental toxins, and even heavy metals
such as mercury.
Get Acupuncture Treatments -
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help
improve the overall health of your liver as
well as treat stress, anger and frustration,
which are often associated with liver qi
disharmony.
Periodic acupuncture treatments can serve to
tonify the inner organ systems and can
correct minor annoyances before they become
serious problems.
|
|
In This Issue
- Treating Irritability and
Moodiness with Acupuncture
- Move Your Qi!
- The Four Gates Treatment for
Moving Qi
- Signs and Symptoms of Liver Qi
Stagnation
The Four Gates Treatment for Moving Qi
A popular treatment for the stress,
anger, and frustration associated with
liver qi stagnation is known as the
“Four Gates.” The four gates are the
right and left side acupuncture points
Liver 3 (Taichong) and Large Intestine 4
(Hegu).
Together these four acupuncture points
enhance the circulation of qi and blood
throughout the body and have a calming
and analgesic effect. They are also used
to alleviate pain.
Large Intestine 4 is located on
the padded area of your hand between the
thumb and index finger, between the
first and second metacarpal bones.
Massage this point with your thumb on
both hands for approximately 30 seconds.
Liver 3 is located in a hollow on
the top of your foot below the gap
between your big toe and the next toe,
between the 1st and 2nd metatarsal
bones. To stimulate this point, place
your right heel in the juncture between
the bones that attach to the large and
second toes and gently knead the point
for approximately thirty seconds. Then
switch sides to stimulate liver 3 on
your other foot.
Signs and Symptoms of Liver Qi
Stagnation
Here are some of the symptoms
commonly associated with liver qi
stagnation:
* Pain or discomfort anywhere along
the sides of the body
* Depression
* Mood swings
* Sighing
* Hiccups
* Frustration
* Inappropriate anger
* Sensation of a lump in throat
* Difficulty swallowing
* Bitter taste in mouth
* Constipation or diarrhea
* Abdominal distention and
discomfort
* Stomachache that improves after
massage
* Stomachache that worsens with
anger
* PMS with irritability or swollen
breasts
* Irregular or painful periods
* Poor appetite
* Churning sensation in stomach
|
