In Chinese medicine, scars represent an actual blockage in energetic circulation. Many aspects of Chinese healing rely on a system of meridians, or pathways, which energy or qi (pronounced: chee) flow freely through and connect with our organs. Imagine these channels are like the vascular or nervous systems that transport necessary blood or impulses to every area of the body. These channels traverse both on the surface of the skin and in deeper aspects of the body, somewhere between the muscles and bones. When the skin is cut and heals, a scar represents a cut in that energetic pathway which can unknowingly cause further disharmony in the body.
Imagine a water hose cut in half. To repair the hose, one uses a needle and thread to bind the two parts back together. Obviously when the water is turned on, the water pressure will be poor, because the connection throughout the hose is uneven and now has many holes that cause the water to go wayward. Similarly, in our bodies, scars cause a disconnection from one side of the scar to the other.
How Scars Affect Our Health:
A scar is a mark left on us, usually against our will. For some, they are a remnant of surgery, caused by a betrayal of our body. For others they are battle wounds, sometimes looked upon with pride, and other times looked upon with feebleness and regret.
A scar results in a combination of non-elastic tissue, insufficient blood supply, oxygen and nutrient deprivation to the scarred area, this can cause adhesions. Localized adhesions pull on the surrounding tissues and can affect digestion, circulation and respiration. The muscle, joint and organ function in that area can become impaired; the scar serves as a constant source of irritation to the body and a reminder of the initial damage.
In my practice, as a New York state licensed acupuncturist who has been practicing since 2007, I have seen how scars affect my clients’ health, sometimes directly to their chief complaints. For example, many young women who get acupuncture for infertility have scars on the abdomen either from childhood injuries or adult surgeries. What they do not know is that the channels that cross the abdomen and torso, such as the liver, kidney, spleen, stomach and Ren (conception) channels connect to the organs that play a pivotal role in reproduction. It is very perceivable to accept that the scar, the interruption of energetic flow, on whichever channel is affected can in turn disrupt the function of the organ that the channel ultimately connects to. Similar correlations can be made to gastric distress, elimination problems, headaches or chronic pain on areas that are scarred.
How are Scars Treated in Chinese Medicine?
Acupuncture, the insertion of very thin needles, along the meridians or surrounding the scar, draws more blood and energy to the area thereby closing the energetic gap caused by the scar. In addition to acupuncture, moxibustion, which is a term for burning an herb called mugwort near the skin also improves the skin and diminishes scar tissue. This herb’s properties are warming of the channels, stopping bleeding, dispelling cold and stopping pain. Burning mugwort helps to heal the scar tissue. Cold acupuncture lasers may also be used to break up the scar tissue without causing pain. And, in my clinic, we use a wild rose essential oil serum to repair the underlying damage and reduce adhesions.
Scars are the cause of prolonged effects of an injury. While the area is seemingly healed, it continues to have negative impact on the body. Chinese medicine is the key to non-invasively healing the body from the inside out.
In my practice, I emphasize women’s health, children’s health and chronic pain. I am also a placenta specialist. I can be reached at (917) 414 3831. For more information visit www.2ndNatureAcu.com.
