Needles & Martial Arts Massage

Last week, I chanced upon a dreaded revelation. I am unhealthy. Based from our wellness program's assessment that is. While my cholesterol and body fat index are okay, having a BP of 90/50 is no good, and the weighing scale showed figures that nearly gave me a heart attack. But what made my knees weak was the shining truththat I FEED MY BODY JUNK. I've actually known this for a while, but I refused to really do something about it until now, banking on the fact that I'm still young, and my cells can regenerate and cleanse themselves, all those sorts of lies.

I drink no less than 3 cups of coffee a day depending on my stress level, feast on white and red meat, rarely eat fish, hate HATE vegetables, indulge on sweets and salty chips, all the while washing everything down with my drug of choice: Coke Zero.

I also lack rest and sleep, and just plain tired to do any exercise anymore. I inhale tons of second hand smoke (I'm the only non-smoker in teh household) and consume different sorts of alcohol. I can feel my negligence has been taking its toll on my body lately, with added pounds, bloated feel, dry, flaky skin, frequent chronic migraine attacks, muscle fatigues, disrupted body clock and irregular bowel movements.

Survivor Philipppines' Sporty Mom, Niña Ortiz

My company's wellness program gave me a chance to reflect on my eating habits, and jumpstarted my interest to get back in shape through various discussions, health assessments, consultations, sampling of wellness products, and my favorite - ACUPUNCTURE DETOX.

" Acupuncture is the procedure of inserting and manipulating needles into various points on the body to relieve pain or for therapeutic purposes."

Body Points

I don't know my ear connects much! Maybe it has "unli" phone plan, Hello Kidney?

Insertion of stainless fine needles

I will be a hypocrite to say that acupuncture is without a bit of pain, it uses very fine needles, hence an invasive procedure. I’ve undergone the ear detoxification, and felt pain upon insertion of the needles, but discomforts were very minimal during the 20 minute stay period. I sensed heat coming in and out of my ear, if that’s energy, then I really felt it!

One of the most popular Traditional Chinese Medicine practice, acupuncture balances the Qi or energy in our body, and unblocks its natural flow. Here are some points to consider before getting acupuncture treatment:

1. Make sure to go to a reputable, trained and licensed practitioner
2. Be vigilant, make sure the needles being used are sterilized and disposable. While it is acceptable to reuse needles that are RESTERILIZED, I am not taking chances.
3. Cleanse the skin where needles will be inserted to prevent bacterial infection
4. Don’t hesitate to tell your therapist if you feel any discomforts throughout the procedure
5. Be open minded, relax and let go of your stress and inhibitions

Yours truly's ear

After the procedure, I went on to try the Tui na Massage, a traditional Chinese massage concentrated not on relaxation but therapy. I’m a big fan of massage, thus, tried a handful of techniques: Shiatsu, Swedish, Combination, Traditional Hilot, Cellulite Massage, Slimming Massage, Thai Massage and Reflexology. This is my first time to try Tui na, and it’s quite impressive, it was relaxing and revitalizing at the same time that I nearly went home and jump on my bed. They said it’s best applied in conjunction with acupuncture.

“Tui na is a hands-on body treatment that uses Chinese taoist and martial art principles to bring the body to balance. The principles being balanced are the eight principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine The practitioner may brush, knead, roll/press and rub the areas between each of the joints (known as the eight gates) to open the body's defensive (wei) chi and get the energy moving in both the meridians and the muscles.”

My friend, L, dozing off

I may have enjoyed the discussions, product sampling, acupuncture and massage, but the best outcome of this program would have to be a renewed perspective on how to treat my body, or how I should be nourishing it rather than simply feeding it. I can’t transform bad habits overnight, and I don’t plan to discover the fountain of youth and live til I’m a hundred or so. It’s not the LENGTH of my life, but the QUALITY of living my years. If I want to enjoy my life, I better start respecting my body now.

How about you, are you treating your body right? First step is to stop frowning and just smile! Happy weekend, loves! =)

Your NeuroChiq,

Dang