efiL decnalaB A

I truly believe that people come into my life for a reason and this doesn't exclude patients. Perhaps life comes into my life for a reason... Perhaps there is something I need to hear that day, a shift in perspective that I must experience or a question I forgot to answer revisited. I love when I have the time to sit and talk with patients as I could do so for hours and what's more I feel like sometimes that is more medicine that anything, for both the patient and myself. Knowing we are not alone in the world - that is powerful! It is when we feel most isolated, when we feel that our life is not what it "should" be that we are unhappy - but seeing that life is life and it is so for all people regardless or place, status, religion, political stance, it unites us. No longer are we isolated, lost in our self but invested in each other and propped up by our similarities - our shared experiences, our ability to love and comfort each other. Otherwise I could google the recipe for a healing tea or teach myself the acupressure points and perform shiatsu on myself. Aside from the physics behind shiatsu that necessitate leverage and angle to apply the appropriate pressure, like all forms of massage and all form of healing it is not something that can truly be administered to one's own self.

What I love about the Complementary and Alternative medicines I have experienced thus far is the shared experience between the healer and the healing. It seems to me that those desiring healing are more open to a truly equal relationship with their healer. It is not that they don't respect them but rather they respect each other enough to acknowledge we are all on an equal plane. Each of us possesses different knowledge, yes, but we work together for the good of all - this reminiscent of pieces of the Aloha Spirit Law. When we work together we can create something greater than either of us could do alone.

I heard acupuncture and Chinese Medicine described as "more philosophical" than Western medicine from a woman I will liken to Patch Adams. Her view on comedy and laughter as medicine rivals the best and her love and caring for her patients is clear in each interaction she has with those to whom she offers treatment. The herbs for the teas are prepared with incredible aesthetic beauty.

Each herb placed with intention, spices drizzled and draped creating a symphony of texture and scent. The more I learn about yin and yang the more questions I have. The idea of balance is not unfamiliar to me, but the scope of it and the idea that every thing has its complement and can therefore be out of balance causing physical, mental and emotional distress is the area I am becoming more and more fascinated by with every passing day.

I'm not entirely sure why any of this surprises me. Deep down I understand the balance required - even on a cellular level- for the efficient and healthy life. Pro-inflammation and anti-inflammation. Pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic. The body is full of cascades that are meant to be in balance. And a tipping of the scales in one direction or the other results in a disease state. Isn't this the same thing? Again I find it fascinating and wish to note that different names for the same thing if in a different philosophy are found inherently other and unequal. How is this the case?

With light,
Michelle