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The Heart-Brain Connection
Part Two: The Field of the Heart
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Rachel Condon, Lic. Ac.
In
last month's newsletter
, I introduced this topic, exploring research of the last 20-30 years and the work of people like Gregg Braden, who are on the frontier of taking the latest in modern scientific research, and bridging that gap with ancient wisdom traditions, thousands of years old.
We looked at the discovery of
"the little brain in the heart,"
a vast neural network which surrounds the heart, and has direct communication with the brain. One of the fascinating discoveries of this work is the finding that there are
more connections going from the heart TO the brain
, than the other way around.
Another finding, which I will explore more in this month's newsletter, is the discovery that the
heart generates the strongest electromagnetic field in the body
, and can emit energy up to 7 feet away from the body!
The
Institute of HeartMath
(IHM)
has been researching this fascinating subject for almost 30 years, and is an incredible resource. They've developed tools, training, and research programs to further the advancement of this knowledge, and help implement it all over the world, from classrooms to hospitals, the military, and the workplace.
To get a quick preview of their work and the concepts being discussed in this article, click on the link below to watch a short, 2 1/2 minute video from IHM:
Here's one way that we can think about this:
the Heart is like this very powerful magnetic sensor,
emitting and receiving waves from the environment, responding to people, animals, information, technology, etc, and sending this information up to the brain. It is then processed, along with the sensory input from our other five senses, memories, and other stored information, and this becomes our perception. Thought about in this way, the Heart becomes a very important part of our experience, and it's communicating constantly, often without our conscious awareness.
It is well known now that
negative emotions increase the levels of stress hormones
such as cortisol and adrenaline in our bloodstreams. In moments of perceived threat or danger, these hormones are elevated as a survival response, to help us flee from the tiger, or in modern times, helps the mother lift an entire automobile off of her child trapped underneath. These reactions turn us into incredibly powerful human beings. However, the problems arise when that stress response doesn't shut off, as is often the case, in our modern, fast-paced, technology-driven, overstimulated world.
The problem is this:
we can only be in one or the other mode
:
fight or flight, OR rest and digest
, also known as
healing and growth mode.
And so, just as our hearts send signals to the brain when perceived danger is present, and when we feel negative emotions,
positive emotions send different signals to the brain
. And these signals have been found to be more rhythmic, regular, and orderly. In the presence of such positive emotions as gratitude, love, and compassion, the brain releases a very different kind of chemistry in the body. The levels of stress hormones in our bodies decreases, and instead, we see
increases in immune-related function
,
anti-aging hormones, anti-inflammatory chemicals,
and we feel a
sense of well-being
.
What do these discoveries
and this new understanding about the relationship between the heart and the brain
implicate for our health,
and potentially, the health of the entire planet? First, it means that
we are far more powerful
and able to influence our own innate healing functions in our bodies than was originally understood, at least from the standpoint of modern Western science (which is about 300 years old). And
we do this by influencing those very signals being sent from the heart to the brain,
becoming more aware of our emotional states, and through some simple but powerful exercises and intention, begin to shift the unwanted and distressing emotions we are feeling at any given time, to more positive and life-affirming attitudes and emotions.
And over time, thru such practices, and helping our bodies shift more easily out of fight or flight mode, and into healing and growth mode,
we develop more resilience, and help our bodies to heal
. And because we truly are all connected, and we are communicating with our environments constantly thru this electromagnetic field, when we cultivate our own resilience, at the same time we are supporting all those around us, and increasing the resilience of the entire planet.
Developing more resilience is one of the qualities emphasized in the Winter Water Treatment in December (see below for more info), and in general with acupuncture, by strengthening the Kidney and Bladder organ systems.
Next month we will explore further practical applications of this Heart-Brain Connection, how to create more coherence between these systems intentionally, and even ways to experiment with this during your acupuncture treatments!
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Anne Louise Smallen, Lic. Ac.
The Winter Equinox, on
Saturday, December 21st
, is the most powerful time of year (
between 3:30 and 5:00 pm
), to receive the Five Element Water Treatment. If the previous Five Element Treatment for Metal was all about protection and defense, the Water Element is about
supporting the deepest parts of our being
: bones, bone marrow, the brain, constitution, genes and DNA. This is the best time to address our genetic weaknesses and strengthen the deepest core of our being.
Nature rests in winter
: growth is at a minimum and the season leads the way for our body, mind and spirit to rest, renew itself, and gain power and resilience for the spring.
In the spring, we will spend much of that accumulated power on growth, expansion, and renewal,
just like our gardens will do. It is the natural tendency of our being to do so and the winter calls us to increase our qi, in preparation for that effort.
The winter is about strengthening personal will and power.
The chosen points for the treatment are
Kidney 10 and Bladder 66
(discussed in more details below). They are the Water points of the Water meridians at the height of the
high point for the Water element during the year. Treating the Kidney and Bladder meridians are often part of the treatment used in encouraging remission of long term diseases such as cancer, and
helping with chronic diseases.
Bone health
(including
teeth
), healthy shining
hair
and a good sense of
smell
are also associated with the Water element. Along with our ability to develop our sense of smell, the Water element also has to do with developing
intuition
.
In nature, water is a tremendous force. Think of the way the waters of the Colorado River created the Grand Canyon, or consider the power of tsunamis, hurricanes and floods. The earth has been literally redesigned by
the forces of water.
Nothing resists it, neither rocks nor mountains. The human will is very much like that and
Will
is the mental quality associated with water.
If you are interested in nurturing your Water Element and supporting the depth of your constitution, we encourage you to book as soon as possible, as these limited spots book up fast!
The Winter Water Element Treatment
Saturday, December 21st, 2019 3:30-5:00 pm
Cost: $35, or one off a treatment package
Look forward to seeing you then!
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The Points: BL66 and KD10
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Kidney 10
(KI 10, translated as Yin Valley) is located on the inside of the knee between the semitendinosus and the semimembranosus tendons. This is one of two points used in the water treatment. Using it in a treatment (year round) helps
clear dampness and inflammation in the lower body
, a condition that is often present when people have long-term chronic diseases.
Accumulation of dampness in the lower body impairs the free movement of qi, and when qi is blocked, pain arises in the abdomen or the inner thighs. KI 10 is often also used for female
fertility
- the ability to conceive is often linked to a strong constitution - and in the treatment of impotence or low sperm count for men.
There is also a very close relationship between accumulation of water in the lower part of the body and
kidney health
. A weakness could give rise to
recurrent urinary disorders, infections and incontinence.
KI 10 is used to support the actions of the
Kidney organ system, which in turn supports a strong constitution.
Bladder 66
(translated as Foot Connecting Valley) is located on the lateral side of the foot in the depression on the outside of the base of the little toe. Its principal function is to
clear blocked qi and yang accumulating in the upper part of the body
, specially in the head creating heaviness, dizziness, redness in the eyes,
coughing and vomiting. It is an important point in ensuring the smooth flow of qi and yang between the upper and lower parts of the body.
When these two points are used together during the Winter Equinox, they take on a larger role and give a boost to bones, DNA and genes. They expand to support the whole constitution, helping your body to deal with long term diseases, and/or strengthen your Water element throughout the long yin season of winter.
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Rate Change Coming in January 2020
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Please know that any time we consider increasing our rates, we do so with much caution and care. We continue to believe in the importance of making acupuncture both affordable and accessible, in as many ways as we are able to at this time.
Thanks so much for your continued support and commitment, both to your health and well-being, and to our small business.
Our new rates, as of January 1, 2020, will be as follows:
Initial Visit: $60
Follow Up Visit: $40
6 Treatment Package: $210 (reduces rate to $35/treatment)
12 Treatment Package: $360 (reduces rate to $30/treatment)
Packages will be available at the current rate, throughout the month of December. Packages no longer have an expiration date, so please feel free to purchase an extra one, if you wish!
As a reminder, here are the current rates:
Initial Visit: $50
Follow Up Visit: $35
6 Treatment Package: $180
12 Treatment Package: $315
To your health, and with much gratitude,
Rachel & Anne Louise
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Our Winter Weather Policy
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What follows below is our standard winter weather policy. And with the coming snowstorm, we are just in time! Just for perspective and for newcomers, in recent years we have averaged just two "snow days" each winter, and perhaps one early closing. But one never knows with Mother Nature. We aim to stay safe, while meeting your needs as best we can!
If the clinic is closing due to winter weather, a notification will be posted both on the
home page
of this website,
and in our
voicemail greeting
.
In addition, if you are scheduled that day for an appointment,
we will contact you directly
by phone or email. If you are unsure, please make sure to check your voicemail, call the clinic or check this website.
If you need to cancel
due to weather and the clinic has not been closed, you will not be charged for the late cancellation.
However, we ask that you please give us
as much notice as possible.
Otherwise, please be reminded that the cancellation policy is 24 hours before your appointment, or you will be charged $35 or one treatment off of your package,
due at your next appointment.
Thank you very much for your cooperation, as we aim to continue to offer our services as much as possible, while everyone stays safe during the winter months!
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