It's that time of year when nights become longer, colors change, and nature shows us the beauty in letting go.  Autumn is a season where we find ourselves a little more serious than the carefree energy of summer.  In traditional Chinese medicine, this is a time for putting things into order, communication, setting limits, and protecting boundaries.  It's also a time for beginning more introspective and indoor projects.​

The Lung and Large Intestine are the internal organs related to autumn.  The Lung is associated with the feeling of sadness or a difficulty in letting go.  It is considered a tender organ, meaning it is the uppermost internal organ and very susceptible to wind and cold.  The Lungs also control the circulation of our protective energy, similar to immunity, which helps defend us against colds and flus. 

Pressing at the Lung's source point on the wrist is a wonderful way to help with the transition from summer to autumn, as well as to strengthen the functions of the Lungs.  To find this point, have your palms facing up and locate the slight depression at the wrist crease closer to your thumb.  The point is between the radial artery and the tendon (abductor policis longus).  Press here on both wrists for a few minutes per day.  Some indications for this point are cough, asthma, bronchitis, shortness of breath, wheezing, or heavy feeling in the chest.

If you're feeling like this isn't enough for you or your finding it difficult to let something go, schedule an appointment with your acupuncturist to tune up your energy and provide extra support!

Neiguan is one of the most important points in traditional Chinese medicine due to its many different functions.

It opens the chest, and therefore, can be used for any chest problems causing pain, stuffiness, or tightness.

It helps to harmonize the stomach and subdue the upward rushing of energy manifesting as nausea or vomiting.  It also helps with acid regurgitation, belching, dizziness, and hiccuping.

Neiguan has a powerful calming action on the mind and can be used to help with anxiety or irritability.  It is excellent to promote restful sleep and help with pre-menstrual depression and moodiness.  Not only does it help you digest food but emotions as well.

Interestingly, this point is effective in alleviating neck aches originating from the back of the head, especially in women.

Lastly, an acupuncturist might choose this point to help regulate irregular or painful menses.

Use Neiguan for pain management, stress, and digestion.  Let me know if you've tried it and how it worked.

  According to traditional Chinese medicine, the body’s energy circulates through specific pathways at specific times during a 24 hour period.  There are acupuncture points on these pathways that strongly affect the energy during this cycle.  Stimulating these acupuncture points helps the body adjust to a different time zone and minimize the symptoms of jet lag.

Steps:

1. Determine the current time at your destination, starting from when you board the plane
2. Strongly press the corresponding acupuncture point for two minutes on both sides of the body. May repeat often.
3. Continue to stimulate the appropriate acupuncture point every two hours for 24 hours.  If you fall asleep, skip the points you missed and keep with the current time at destination.
   

For example: If you board a plane in Denver at 12:00pm to go to Boston, the current time in Boston would be 2:00pm.  Therefore, stimulate the point that corresponds with the 1:00-3:00pm time.  Continue through the list as time progresses.

Current time at destination
1:00-3:00 am- at the base of the big toenail, on the side closest to the next toe

3:00-5:00 am- one thumb width above the wrist, thumb side of the radial artery

5:00-7:00 am- at the base of the nail on index finger, on the side closest to the thumb

7:00-9:00 am- one hand width below the bottom of the kneecap, one thumb width lateral to crest of shinbone

9:00-11:00 am- on the side of the foot, at the base of the first metatarsal, where the skin changes texture (light to darker)

11:00-1:00 pm- where the pinky finger hits the palm when a loose fist is made

1:00-3:00 pm- level with the wrist crease on the pinky side, where the skin changes texture (light to dark)

3:00-5:00 pm- level with the crease on the pinky toe, where the skin changes texture (light to dark)

5:00-7:00 pm- on the inside of the knee, between the two tendons at the edge of the crease

7:00-9:00 pm- where the middle finger hits the palm when a loose fist is made

9:00-11:00 pm- one hand width up from the wrist crease, between the two bones on the top of the forearm

11:00-1:00 am- on the outside of the pinky toe tendon, level with the junction of the two smallest toes in the middle of the foot.