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🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

The 5 Elements Archetypes in Chinese Medicine Diagnosis Video

TCM Diagnosis Made Easy Masterclass

Grief and Sadness

TCM Treatments Made Easy Book or PDF

Show Notes

Today, I want to delve into the realms of worry and overthinking, exploring how Chinese medicine can offer relief for these common mental health challenges. Let me ask you a personal question: Are you someone who worries a lot or tends to overthink everything? If so, welcome to the club, my friend.  Many of us, including my patients, experience these issues, and it’s crucial to understand the distinction between worrying, overthinking, and anxiety, as well as their physical symptoms. We’ll also look at Western perspectives and how Chinese medicine, particularly acupuncture, can calm an overactive mind. I’ll even share some personal stories along the way.

 

Childhood Stories of Worry and Overthinking

Growing up, I was the embodiment of worry. Raised by a single mother who worked long hours, I took on responsibilities at an early age, such as cooking on a gas stove. This introduced me to the world of worry — constantly obsessing over whether I had shut off the gas. These worries often led to anxiety, a constant companion throughout my childhood and young adult life.

 

Understanding the Differences

In our journey today, we’ll differentiate between worrying, overthinking, and anxiety. Worrying often spurs action while overthinking tends to linger unproductively. Both, when unchecked, can exacerbate physical symptoms like digestive issues and even impact our immune systems, as TCM suggests.

 

Exploring Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine offers fascinating perspectives on these emotional states, linking them to the spleen and stomach (earth elements), and showing how they can deplete kidney Qi and accelerate aging. Understanding these connections can illuminate why practices like acupuncture are so effective in calming an overactive mind.

 

Western Views and Gut Health

Western medicine aligns with these principles by emphasizing the gut-brain connection. A healthy gut impacts mood, appetite, and sleep, highlighting the need to maintain digestive health for overall well-being.

 

The Power of Acupuncture for Worry and Overthinking

I’m an advocate for acupuncture’s calming effects on the nervous system, particularly the vagus nerve, which links brain and gut health. TCM sees worrying and overthinking as emotional stressors that can be balanced by targeted acupuncture points.

 

Personal Stories and Lessons

From childhood experiences of giving away my mother’s rent money to someone in need, I learned the value of intuition and the power of positive action. This story epitomizes the law of attraction — when you give from the heart, the universe finds a way to reciprocate.

 

TCM Patterns, Symptoms, and Remedies

TCM categorizes worrying and overthinking under specific patterns, offering a blend of herbal formulas and acupuncture points as remedies. Whether it’s liver Qi stagnation or spleen deficiency, TCM provides tailored approaches to address the root cause and support mental clarity.

In conclusion, worrying and overthinking, while prevalent, is manageable with the right guidance and techniques. I am passionate about sharing these insights to empower you in providing superior patient care. If these ideas resonate with you, let’s continue this journey together. Remember, whatever you do, keep rocking it with TCM!

 

Disclaimer

The Acupro Show podcast and material shared through Acupro Academy is a subdivision of Natural Health Sense Incorporated. Designed solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The utilization of information from this podcast or any associated material is at the user’s discretion and risk. This content is not meant to replace the guidance of an acupuncturist. Nor Chinese medicine doctor, medical doctor, physician, or any qualified professional. It is not a substitute for proper diagnosis or treatment. As well as users are strongly advised not to ignore or postpone seeking medical advice. For any existing medical condition with their healthcare professional. Regarding any health concerns.

 

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