Behaviour from an Acupuncturist's Point of View

Thanks to Dr Lynn Hoffman-Tempel for this article on Behaviour. Behaviour is our Third topic regarding Triad of Change & is our theme for November. 

Behavior: the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially toward others.

Chinese medicine is based on the idea that what happens internally is reflected in the external environment – as within, so without. A visit with a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine will involve many, many questions. But what you might not be aware of is that your practitioner is carefully taking note of more than what you are saying – they are paying just as much, if not more attention to what you are not saying, the colour and texture of your skin, the way you breathe, how you move and the position that your body holds in a relaxed state. They are also paying attention to the ways in which you respond to the world around you - how you behave.

In traditional Chinese Medicine, behavior, or how we are interacting with our environment, is just another indication of where and how the body’s ability to heal itself may be compromised or stuck.

That behaviour that you are not liking in yourself, your child, your spouse or even your friend – can be a message that you your body mind is asking for help. Sometimes it is easier for us to notice things about others, than about ourselves. If we are noticing that a certain behaviour is bothering us about another person – it may be an indication that we have an internal imbalance that is trying to be balanced out through the expression of emotions. It may also be an indication that they are out of balance and their systems are asking for help.

Certain behaviours can be associated with imbalances in specific organs. We may also see certain behaviours that are closely associated with the seasons of the year or the time of the day.

Each of the seasons of the year have their own energy and spirit. And the time of year will be a major factor in shaping behaviours. The Season of Autumn lasts from Sept. 22 – Dec 21 and it is a time of declining and contracting energy. It is a time of death and grief, a time to prepare one’s self for the long hard dark months of winter. It is a time to recognize the work that has been done and to acknowledge the outcomes of that work honestly. The energy of fall is closely aligned with the mountains and the idea of deep stability born out of deeply held beliefs and structures. It is an energy that is association with protection and natural defenses – boundaries and immune system. It is timeless.

At this time of year, the lung and large intestine work together to let go of unnecessary or useless thoughts, behaviors, and routines and take in new ideas and perspectives. Like a healthy breathing cycle or respiration – letting go of the old and bringing in the new.

The energy of Fall is also very tied to the manifestation of structure. Where are the structures in your life that support or allow you to be your best, to function with ease and efficiency?

As the energy of the season carries us inward we will move into a natural process of grieving and letting go of that which we are no longer willing to carry through the winter. Our bodies will move into a gentle cleanse – allowing the intestines to release old toxins and junk. During the season of Fall we will begin to feel our energy move more deeply within and this can be experienced as tiredness or fatigue.

Physical imbalances can often be correlated to emotions or behaviours in our lives. Certain imbalances are more likely to flare up or show up at this time of year, you might be surprised at how quickly the behavior associated with the physical symptom can shift and change.

Aches, pains and stiffness of the neck and spine and irritation of the joints are physical symptoms that we often see an increase of during the fall. This is partly how our tissues respond to the change in environment, but also has to do with how your own energies are able to respond to the changing season.

Stiff neck and spine, sore joints – these can correlate to a lack of flexibility in thinking and responding to life – maybe you are easily frustrated or angered. Maybe you feel like you just don’t understand why others won’t/can’t do it your way.

Do you feel like others are trying to enforce too much authority are you feeling bossed around?

Often we are concerned about the way our children are behaving, or feedback that we are receiving from the school or teachers. What if your child’s stubborn streak is related to his lungs struggling to respond to our changing climate?

What if your husband’s snappy words were partly because his large intestine is moving more slowly that ideal and he is reabsorbing the fight you had yesterday?

What if that reoccurring cold that you had last winter could be avoided by talking about how you feel like your co-worker.

The following table outlines some physical symptoms that are common during the fall season and the behaviors that can be associated with them

Physical	Behavior
Neck, back and shoulder stiffness, pain and inflexibility	Rules, rules, rules Overly strict Disciplinarian
Restricted or limited range of movement of a joint or body part	One way; one solution ‘my way or the highway’
frozen Shoulder Joint pain arthritis	Schedule or calendar dictates life – if it isn’t in the schedule it doesn’t or can’t happen
Chronic cough Chest tightness	Upset or anxious when things don’t go according to plan
Asthma Shortness of Breath	Stubborn – difficult to give into or accept the viewpoints of others
Constipation	Tendency to accumulate clutter Difficulty letting go of things – material and emotional. Possessiveness or jealousy
IBS	Tend to have feelings hurt (often called overly sensitive) Fear of failure – fear of trying new things, meeting new people, new situations Strong desire to understand the rules or social norms.
Frequent or long lasting colds and flus	Anxious – need to control daily activities through plan or schedule Difficulty adjusting to changes in schedule or environment (time changes, travel) Feeling of never having enough time or needing more time Reticent to try new things Difficulty fitting in, hard to find your groove

The good news is that there are things you can do in your life to maintain and regain balance. For specific tips and tricks to stabilize the energy of Autumn visit www.beingwellness.ca. Give us a call at 403 217 5577 and reserve your time if you are interested in an individual assessment and balancing.