Did you know that the literal meaning of the word healing is “to make whole”? I like that idea; it is hopeful. Healing might refer to your recovery after an illness or trauma to your body or mind. Chinese Medicine operates on the philosophy that our bodies have a natural ability to self-heal, to come back from the wounds we receive, both large and small.

For example, when we cut a finger, our skin not only repairs itself but also generates new living tissue. When someone betrays us, we also ‘bleed’ but eventually move on, mend our ‘broken’ hearts and hopefully gain some wisdom in the process.

When we talk about repair for our bodies, the liver is our hero! Its capacity for renewal is the greatest of all our organs. Legends of its regenerative abilities date back to stories about Prometheus in ancient Greek mythology when, having angered Zeus, he was bound to a rock and, every day, an eagle (Zeus) would fly down and eat his liver which would grow back so that the eagle could return the next day and do the same thing. Those mythological Greek Gods knew about punishment! The factual part of the story (I hope you didn’t think it was all true) is that, in many instances, even if over fifty percent of the liver has been damaged, it can still regenerate itself completely. My point??? We forget that most treatments are designed to help your body do what it does best, take care of itself!

So, if you are recovering from an injury, illness, surgery or emotional upheaval, allow your body to have the time and energy it needs to heal. That is why rest, good sleep, and limiting stress is crucial to a quicker recovery. Research has shown that lack of sleep makes us more susceptible to numerous health concerns, lowers the immune response and worsens already existing health problems.

When you are stressed your body releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Long-term exposure to these stress hormones can disrupt almost all your body’s important functions. Many people feel rushed to return to their regular routine; getting back to the gym, working long hours, taking care of family, these are all important. However not giving your mind and body the time needed to heal itself will only slow you down in the end.

The techniques of Chinese Medicine, were developed on the principle that the best medicine encourages the body’s own healing powers. Using acupuncture, herbal medicine and other techniques Chinese Medicine seeks to restore balance, this allows both the body and mind to heal.