Week 10 TCM
TCM Consultation and Acupuncture Treatment
I attended a consultation with a TCM registered acupuncturist at my local massage and wellness clinic. I shared that I’m studying this introductory course. The practitioner asked me about what I’m learning, and I briefed her about the course so far.
For the consultation she took my pulse, looked at my tongue on top and underneath, and asked me about my health concerns. I told her my recent blood results from the doctor – low iron, fatigue, cold, alternating bowel patterns, menstruatal cycle, insomnia and all general issues. We had a good chat about how these symptoms relate back to the principles we’re learning. She told me there are six points on the hand / forearm to take the pulse. She said she wasn’t expert at this, and took 2 points. We detected a weaker more wiry pulse as opposed to a bounding one in comparison if that makes sense. She did have a name for that – not wiry, it started with ‘t’ but I can’t recall it.
I received a lot of good health advice surrounding overwhelm I’m feeling at making changes to my health and lifestyle. She listened attentively and encouraged me to make small changes and note differences, for example put a slice of ginger or lemon in my water, drink herbal tea, choose a recipe with the five flavours a few times a week, listen to my body, stay warm to avoid cold symptoms, possibly take florodix to build my blood, and do gentle exercises to build my qi. She encouraged me I’m already on the right track.
I tried a mini acupuncture treatment to invigorate qi, and then she added needles for the 4 gates. I had needles in my feet, legs, stomach, hands, arms, and head. She only took 3 photos but you get the idea from them.
I felt dull aching pain in my legs and arms. There is a name for this, I will need to look back over the notes. It wasn’t too bad but I did feel that perhaps my qi was still stagnant after the treatment? My body (arms, legs) felt tense afterwards. I did in someway feel very relaxed mentally emotionally after chatting and resting on the table to let the acupuncture do it’s work. It doesn’t hurt when the needles go in, but some points grip and ache more than others and 1 or 2 stung initially a bit. Feedback welcome on why these sensations happened? I’ll go back and read my notes too.