Lao Xian's Teahouse at BIOM

Regain & Maintain Your Health

Past Sightings
From The Tombs of Ma-Wang-Tui
From The Tombs of Ma-Wang-Tui

The Tao of Health


New York Times
Health Section


Teahouse Experiences


Conscious Connections


Search


Advanced Search


A Mid-Winter Checkup

It’s mid-Winter and according to Five Element Theory, the Water energy of this season is coming to its lowest ebb.

If you get too chilly, you’re more susceptible to injuries.

Your kidneys may be pretty pooped by now, leaving you feeling low in energy, and more susceptible to becoming cold. Overall, your immune system is a bit weaker due to the stresses it undergoes from warding-off illness. This is a time of year when more rest is needed to maintain normal energy levels.

Be Careful


Since the kidneys are much more vulnerable right now, if get too chilly, you’re more susceptible to injuries to the lower back, hips, legs and feet. If you’re prone to sciatica, this is the time of year when it will flare up more readily.  With the Water energy waning, the strength of the kidneys and the parts of your body most dependent on them can benefit by the support provided by acupuncture, Chinese medical herbs, Chi Kung exercises, and proper diet and nutrition.



Rough Sailing Ahead


Acupuncture and Chinese medical herbs can help rebuild your strength.

The Water element energies of Winter will remain with us until we get closer to the Vernal Equinox towards the end of March, when the Wood element and the Liver will move to center stage. But, in these ecologically tumultuous times, it’s become evident that the Liver energy has already started to flow in, roiling the waters. It’s like the changing of the tides, where one tide has been high and is starting to flow out, (Water element energy), the next season’s energy, or ‘tide,’ is prematurely flowing causing unexpected and unplanned for pressure in your body and mind.


This early and strong flow of Wood/Liver-Gallbladder energy this year, is indicated by the premature and vigorous growth in our gardens, as well as the onset of health problems affecting the skin, eyes, and nerves. So if you find yourself unexpectedly irritable, or easily frustrated, this changing of the seasonal energy is a possible reason why.



Be Prepared


The fact that the seasonal shift is taking place so early in many locales, is a warning to start taking preventative measures like acupuncture, Chinese medical herbs, Chi Kung exercises, and proper diet and nutrition to be prepared for the strong effects on your body and mind that Spring energy brings.


Related Articles



A Mid-Winter Checkup


What You Need to Know About Winter


Staying Healthy in Winter


Winter Photos

.
Page 1 of 1 pages

IMPORTANT: All information on this Web site is provided for educational use only and not meant to substitute for the advice of a local Oriental Medicine practitioner, biomedical doctor, experienced coach, or martial arts instructor.