Point of Balance Acupuncture: Restoring Yin & Yang Energies

Understanding Point of Balance Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient healing technique that originated in China over 2,500 years ago. It involves stimulating specific points on the body, often by inserting very thin needles through the skin. This is thought to correct imbalances in the flow of vital energy, or Qi (pronounced "chee"), through meridians in the body. Point of balance acupuncture focuses specifically on balancing Yin and Yang energies.

The Concept of Yin and Yang

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, Yin and Yang are complementary opposite forces that maintain harmony. Yin represents femininity, darkness, coldness, and stillness. Yang represents masculinity, light, warmth, and activity. Health depends on their equal balance.

When Yin or Yang become deficient or in excess, Qi flow may be disrupted resulting in disease. Point of balance acupuncture aims to restore harmony between Yin and Yang energies in the body through strategic point selection and needling techniques.

Benefits of Balancing Yin and Yang

Potential benefits reported from balancing Yin and Yang with point of balance acupuncture include:

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Relief from headaches and migraines
• Less joint and muscle pain
• Improved sleep quality
• Enhanced mental focus and concentration
• Increased feelings of calm and inner peace

How Point of Balance Acupuncture Works

During a point of balance acupuncture treatment, your practitioner will first assess the state of your Yin and Yang by looking at factors like the color of your face, moisture on your skin, brightness of your eyes, and speed of your pulse. Certain tongue characteristics may also give clues about Yin and Yang imbalance.

Point Selection

Based on this assessment, your acupuncturist will choose appropriate points on your bodys meridians to needle. Some key Yin points used may include:

• Point LocationsTips
• PC6 (Pericardium 6) - Inner wrist, about 3 finger breadths from the crease
• LU7 (Lung 7) - Outer wrist, in the groove on the thumb side
• SP6 (Spleen 6) - Just above inner ankle bone

While some key Yang points include:

• LI4 (Large Intestine 4) - Back side of hand between thumb and index finger
• UB23 (Urinary Bladder 23) - Lower back, on either side of spine
• GB20 (Gallbladder 20) - Base of skull in hollows on either side

Needling and Stimulation

Your acupuncturist will insert sterilized, single-use needles into some combination of Yin and Yang points. The depth and angle depends on the location. You may feel mild discomfort on insertion.

The needles may be warmed, stimulated manually, or connected to a low-voltage electric current to continually activate the points. This stimulation promotes Qi flow in the meridians by adjusting Yin and Yang influence.

Restoring Balance

After retaining the needles for 15-30 minutes, your acupuncturist will remove them and may provide additional therapy like cupping, herbal supplements, or massage. Over a series of treatments, the gradual rebalancing of Yin and Yang energies helps symptoms diminish.

Using Point of Balance for Stress Relief

Many people seek point of balance acupuncture to find relief from the mental and physical symptoms of chronic stress. Some ways balancing Yin and Yang may help include:

Calming Overactive Sympathetic Nervous System

Stress triggers the fight-or-flight response of your sympathetic nervous system. Heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones all increase. This Yang activation lets Yin relaxation fall out of balance. Point selection modulates nervous system arousal back to normal.

Regulating Key Organ Systems

Unmanaged stress throws organ functioning off kilter over time. For example, GI upset, reproductive issues, and headaches may occur when Yin Spleen, Liver, or Kidney systems are affected. Needling corresponding acupoints harmonizes them.

Lifting Mental Fog and Exhaustion

Ongoing stress often manifests mentally as anxiety, depression, irritation, and severe fatigue. It feels like you are always switched on. Balancing exhausted Yin energies tied to the Liver and Heart can clear this mental fog and recharge you.

Improving Sleep Issues

Insomnia goes hand-in-hand with being stressed out. Racing thoughts make it tough to fall asleep. Point combinations that calm the mind, reduce worry, and nourish Yin can help break this cycle so rest comes easier at bedtime.

Using Point of Balance to Relieve Pain

Balancing Yin and Yang energies may also offer chronic pain relief. Acupuncture can modulate pain signals and boost natural pain-fighting body chemicals through neural, hormonal, and inflammatory pathways.

Joint Pain Relief

Arthritis-related joint pain stems from worn down cartilage and inflamed tissues over time. The Yin Kidney system governs bones and marrow. Tonifying it, along with specific local points, can ease musculoskeletal discomfort.

Headache and Migraine Relief

Migraines happen when nerves and blood vessels of the Yin Gallbladder channel are impaired. Trigger points like GB20 adjust Yang excess helping relieve headache intensity and sensitivity to light or noise.

Back Pain Relief

Low backaches and nerve pain are often due to strain, spasms, or herniated discs injuring the Yang Bladder channel. Needling UB meridian points while nourishing related Yin Kidney points can offer back pain relief.

This gentle rebalancing of Yin and Yang energies helps the body self-heal from pain generator sites for sustained relief.

Achieving Lasting Mind-Body Health

In todays go-go-go world, stress, pain and health complaints are unfortunately common. While medications offer symptom relief, point of balance acupuncture addresses the root imbalance behind them in a holistic way - helping mind and body feel more at peace.

Commit to a course of treatments catered to your unique Yin and Yang needs. With persistent gentle regulation comes lasting wellbeing that lets you feel healthy, energized and fully alive each day.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.