The Energy of Acupuncture

Originating in China more than 2,500 years ago, Acupuncture has been used around the world as a holistic health treatment to help prevent, diagnose, and treat pathologies of various types and severity. The traditional explanation for Acupuncture’s effectiveness is that it harmonizes the flow of energy in the body through the manipulation of recognized Acupoints. Even modern science has taken interest in these claims and has successfully confirmed the existence of these Acupoints, or bioenergetic centers that beset the human body.

As children, we all learn about the circle of life and the importance of the sun’s light beaming down onto the plants so they can photosynthesize this energy into food. Nutrients and energy are then passed down the chain until it finally reaches your dinner plate. It doesn’t matter if you’re eating steak and potatoes or quinoa with vegetables, they all come from the same beginning and provide the same thing in the end, energy; it cannot be created nor destroyed and can only be transformed, infinitely. It is this simple foundational belief that acts as a bridge between modern science and ancient healing methods.

Sphygmomanometers, stethoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, tongue depressors, and reflex hammers, are some of the tools a modern physician can use to help examine and diagnose the current state of energy, or health of your body. Unfortunately, modern medicine tends to look and treat the human body similar to Mr. Potato Head, a children’s toy, where the broken or uncooperative part of the bodily system can be changed and manipulated without affecting the whole. Traditional healing methods such as Chinese Medicine look at the human body and bodily systems like dominoes, the cascade of energy flows from one cell to the next, one system to the other, from beginning to end, and in many cases, back around again.

Needles, cups, moxibustion, and herbs are some of the tools an Acupuncturist can use to help adjust and harmonize this continuous circle of life. Understanding that energy is not only within us, but also surrounding us, constantly flowing through and around us, is where the strength in Acupuncture and Chinese medicine lie. Rather than separating the parts of our whole, these traditional methods recognize that family, friends, food, and foes are all comprised of energy, and affect our flow. In this realm of healthcare, it is clear that financial, spiritual, physical, and childhood fears now act as dominoes in our remaining years.

We can see energy in the sky, or even taste it in a chicken thigh, cry all day or laugh it away, energy always has something to say. When we separate the energy of our bodies into individual parts, it becomes just a thumb or a toe, but when we bring it back into a whole, energy is all that we know. From ancient beliefs to modern reliefs, Acupuncture helps to control the flow.

- Bavi

Are you intrigued? Book an appointment with Bavi to dive deeper into how acupuncture can help you. 

Massage And Grief

As Massage Therapists we support individuals through many different hurdles throughout their lives. Dealing with a new born, a child acting out at home, a fight with a spouse, a personal health scare or the death of a loved one, to name a few. No, we are not psychologists, but we are human, and we are fantastic listeners. Sometimes that's all one person needs. Someone who is uninvolved in the rest of their lives who they can talk openly and honestly with, without fear of judgement. I have had many regular clients who have come in, shoulders slumped, breathing shallow and energy lacking, people who I know well enough to read their signs, who are finally able to open up and share their grief. I have heard of grandfathers, brothers, daughters and husbands passing. A friend who has been diagnosed with cancer. A husband who has lost a job. Many times the clients sharing their stories are considered to be the Strong One, the one people depend on. They have not yet had the chance to deal with their own sorrow. Other times it has been months and their support system has moved on while their grief still feels raw.  There have been times where I have held and hugged them. Times where my hands stilled to allow them the chance to release their emotions. Many, many tissues passed around. 

Beyond listening, we have the privilege of healing through touch. Helping you to open up emotionally and physically. Think of the last time something devastating happened to you. My guess is that you were curled up in a ball, shoulders hunched, protecting your heart. People would give you polite hugs, but you barely felt them. They were scared to get too close, to ask too many questions or to see you cry. On the table we are able to reveal those deeply buried feelings, to let them out and give them a voice. We are able to open up your chest and free your heart from its burdens. We can support with our hands. And most importantly we can help you feel whole, valued and worthy again. Slowly we can pick up all the pieces and rebuild. We can't take away all the pain but we can surely help guide you on the path to healing.  

I had the honour of giving my Aunt her very first massage only months after losing her husband, my uncle. She was grieving, tears were shed and fears were verbalized. It was a challenge I was confident I could handle. We communicated throughout the treatment to make sure she was always comfortable and talked about different pain points, physically and emotionally. By the end of the massage I think we both felt a sense of healing, I know I did. I was reassured the next day when I received a text message from her. Now I could have just taken this message and posted it on our Testimonials page, but I think it deserves more than that. She put into words why I am so passionate about Massage Therapy and reassured me that I was on the right life path. With her permission, I will share her experience with you. 

"Kristy, I wanted to make sure you understand the impact you had on me by providing my first massage treatment. I was concerned about my body weight but you were non-judgemental and only made me feel beautiful. This was important to my comfort level, but it also reminded me of how Ron used to make me feel because he saw past the weight and always see me as the 97 lb. girl he married. Your touch also made me realize how much I've missed being touched since Ron died. Your beautiful space, the wonderful music, the peacefulness you provided me on Sunday has stayed with me still and I'm so grateful. I'm looking forward to my next massage now that I realize how professional and compassionate a massage therapist has to be to provide such an uplifting experience."

I am so proud of her coming to see me and sharing her experience during such a vulnerable time in her life. It still brings tears to my eyes when I read it as I am so grateful to have been given the chance to affect her so deeply, especially someone I love so dearly. While this may have been her first massage ever, it took an enormous amount of courage for her to come in. I love this. And I love taking on brand new clients, shifting them from terrified to empowered. But this is also one reason I encourage clients to come in for regular massages. You never know when you will be hit with tragedy. It is already difficult trying something new, but when you are grieving it seems impossible. If you have built that relationship of trust with your therapist, that fear fades away and you will benefit so much more from your treatment. 

I challenge other massage therapists reading this to remember compassion, acceptance and gratitude. Compassion for people whose whole story you will never know. Acceptance for all body types and viewpoints. Gratitude for having someone trust in you during a time where they feel trapped and vulnerable. We are placed in a position of power and there are so many amazing ways we can use it. Never underestimate the power of touch. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all those who have shared their story and their grief with me. I am honoured to have been a part of your healing. 

Kristy.

Avoid Back to School Burnout - A Teachers Guide.

We all know its coming, you can feel it in the air...and the lineups at Staples. The glorious, holiday filled summer is coming to an end. That means one thing. Back to school. Lesson planning begins, the students pour through the doors and you are learning a whole new set of names. You have to decide if you want to coach the basketball team, volunteer for the drama production and supervise the school dance. On top of all that you have marking, report cards, project planning and parent teacher interviews. It is not an easy job and we commend you for taking on the challenge and raising our youth to be stellar and contributing citizens. Although everyone gets super jealous of your summer holidays, we all know that Teachers deserve a couple months off during the year to recharge and reconnect with their families. But you don't have to wait until the summer to refuel and focus on yourself. All it takes is a few minutes a day and some good planning skills throughout the year. Here are a few pointers on how to avoid burnout. 

1. Acknowledge your passion. You are teaching for a reason, because you love it! If you didn't love it you wouldn't be there. You love seeing your students progress and having the chance to work with the one group of people who have the most potential in the world. Remind yourself of this daily to fuel your days. 

2. Ask for help. Teachers are givers by nature. You want to solve everyones problems yet you resist any offers of help that you may receive. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign that you know your limits and only want to give your best work.  

3. Learn to say No. It is too easy to say Yes to every request. You feel guilty when you say no, like you are letting everyone down. Before you know it you have no room in your schedule to eat your lunch.  Remember that every Yes you say is a No to something else. Choose wisely. 

4. Actively Manage your Time. If this means scheduling in dinner with your spouse, or reading a book or going for a walk, then write it down and stick to it. If someone asks you to take on a new task, it is a simple sorry, I already have plans. If you don't schedule it, it will be pushed aside and forgotten. 

5. Exercise. The effects of exercise on the body are widespread. It decreases stress levels, promotes better sleep, sharpens your mind and prevents injuries.  Find what works for you and incorporate it into your lifestyle on the daily. 

6. Manage Stress. This is a big one. If you don't recognize your limits you won't make it through the year without a breakdown. This year lets avoid rocking back and forth, huddled in a ball with tears streaming down your face wondering how you are going to face your students for another 4 months. Learn to meditate. Book regular massage. Start kickboxing. Whatever your jam is, commit to it and plan ahead for it. 

Teachers are so important to every community and it seems as though they are being handed more and more responsibility each year. It is a tough job. But, whether you believe it or not, you deserve to put yourself first often. If you are not the healthiest version of yourself how can you expect to perform to your full potential. We love teachers at Bloom. We love giving you the space to talk about your daily challenges or simply allowing you to bask in the studentless quiet of the treatment room. We love to see your shoulders drop away from your ears at the end of the treatment and hearing how your headaches seem to be disappearing. We challenge you to take this year and make it yours. Schedule your self-care in advance and feel the benefits all year long. 

Kristy