positive ageing: the chinese medicine way

summary

In this interview for Natural Health Magazine, David James Lees shares his Taoist and traditional Chinese medicine wisdom on ageing. David explains how you can naturally harmonise with the ageing process and boost your health and vitality with Chinese medicine practices, such as acupuncture and acupressure, as you grow older.

“…The Taoists have a wonderful philosophical approach to ageing. They understand that nothing in the Universe, including us, will ever stay the same. We cannot keep our life-force of energy in a fixed state. Allowing this transforming and ‘flow’ is a natural process…”

taoist philosophy and ageing

Chinese Taoists place great reverence on age and the ageing process and they celebrate the wisdom that comes with life experience. Several Taoist Masters I have studied alongside in China are well over 80 years of age. They remain fit and lively, in mind, body and spirit, and do not perceive their age as a barrier!

Chinese society is also very respectful of their elders. In Chinese culture, grandparents and great-grandparents remain the head of the family and are cared for by the extended family within the family home.

Many Chinese Taoists also create small shrines, altars and ‘sacred spaces’ in their homes where they place photos and mementoes of elderly relatives (both alive and deceased). They do this to honour their ancestors, strengthen family ties and encourage supportive Qi energy for their old age.

The Taoists have a wonderful philosophical approach to ageing. They understand that nothing in the Universe, including us, will ever stay the same. We cannot keep our life-force of energy in a fixed state. Allowing this transforming and ‘flow’ is a natural process and not what we call ageing.

Unlike in Western society, where they often view ageing like a ‘deterioration’ or some kind of weakness or disadvantage, Taoists see ageing as a natural and positive part of the energy cycle of life. This authentic ageing process shouldn’t be resisted or fought against but instead, we should accept and learn how to ‘harmonise’ with it.

Just as you enjoy the changing seasons, you should also be mindful to notice and appreciate the gradual changes in you that come with ageing. As the growth and transformation of a beautiful flower, consider ageing as a natural blossoming and unfolding or your energy.

Be positively open-minded and open-hearted to any physical, emotional and spiritual changes as you age. This will help you adapt and flow with them much more easily and comfortably. Be kind to yourself as part of this ageing process. Express gratitude for the many varied experiences and life lessons that are offered as you journey through life.

traditional Chinese medicine and ageing

The integrated mind-body approach of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sees the person as a holistic whole, so the fundamental approach to anti-ageing is to keep in overall good physical and emotional health, with a balanced diet, exercise and sleeping regime that avoids any extremes or excess.

In TCM and Taoist healthcare practices, the main ageing related issue is the decline of the Kidney qi energy, which naturally depletes as we get older, typically from our 40’s onwards.

Kidney energy is thought to govern our natural development processes, including growth, reproduction and ageing. If the Kidney energy becomes depleted, this will impact your hormone levels and brain functioning, bone strength, hearing, eyesight and teeth, as well as your general immunity and energy levels.

The good news is that there are several TCM practices that will strengthen and rebalance your Kidney qi naturally and boost your body’s general energy levels (referred to as ‘Jing’).

I use a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to help support my client’s Kidney energy, as a general maintenance programme to keep them fit and healthy and prevent age-related health issues from developing or worsening.

There are also several practices you can do at home for yourself to support the ageing process and to help you age gracefully. For example, simple Qigong stretching and moving exercises can be used to target and stimulate the Kidney meridians and potent Kidney energy points around your body. These low-impact exercises are also great for your general physical flexibility, bone strengthening, heart and lung health and will stimulate your brain functioning.

acupuncture and ageing: common treatments

Acupuncture can be very helpful in treating a wide range of health issues we typically associate with ageing.

To help support a client’s hormone balance, brain functioning, bone strength, hearing, eyesight and teeth as they age, I will ‘tonify’ the Kidney energy. A powerful acupuncture point I use is ‘Kidney 3’, also known as ‘Supreme Stream’, which is at the source point of the Kidney energy channel, located close to the inner ankle.

Many of my older clients suffer from tightness and stiffness in their joints and muscles. In combination with rebalancing the Kidney energy, supporting the Liver energy can be very effective to help ease any general aches and pains. A great point I use for this is ‘Liver 3’, also known as ‘Great Rushing’, which is on the top of the foot.

Our skin condition will naturally decline as we age. If a client is suffering from particularly dry or sagging skin, then stimulating the Lung energy acupuncture points can help revitalise the skin, which is the largest organ in the body. I also use facial acupuncture to tonify the face and neck muscles and boost circulation these areas for brighter and tighter skin.

Maintaining our physical energy levels is essential as we age. A very powerful acupuncture point I use with older clients for a general ‘pep-up’ and revitalising treatment is ‘Stomach 36’ also known as ‘Leg Three Miles’ below the knee – so if you want to run a marathon in your old age this point is for you!

Our sleep patterns can also become easily disrupted as we age and sleep deficit and insomnia is not uncommon amongst my older clients. A general relaxing and rebalancing acupuncture treatment can be great for inducing a good night’s sleep. Many of my clients fall asleep during their treatment as they find it so relaxing!

acupressure and ageing: common treatments

Acupressure is a traditional Chinese therapy that involves applying pressure, normally with the fingertips, to points around the body to stimulate sluggish ‘qi’ energy flow.

Stimulating our Kidney energy is vital for overall health as we age. There is a powerful acupressure point in the centre of the lower back known as ‘Ming Men’ or ‘Gate of Vitality’, which is positioned directly over the kidneys. Pressing this will help boost your energy levels and general wellbeing.

There is also a range of ‘anti-ageing’ facial acupressure points around the face, head and neck that can be used for revitalising the facial muscles, general complexion and skin tone. Here are a couple of examples:

‘Third Eye Point’, located in the middle of the forehead between the eyebrows. Pressing this point is thought to stimulate the pituitary gland to enhance skin health and relieve fatigue.

‘Heavenly Glow Point’, located behind your jawbone and a few centimetres below your earlobes, is thought to improve facial muscle tone and firmness.

To try acupressure for yourself, apply firm (but not painful) pressure on each point with your index finger or you can use a pencil with a soft rubber at the end. Do this for 1 minute and repeat if you wish.

want more support

Discover how we can help you rebalance your health and wellbeing with our one-to-one sessions and live events.

You can also:

• join our free Wu Wei Wisdom Facebook Group where you’ll find lots more guidance and discussion
• sign up for our free weekly email newsletter with all our latest teachings and news.

If you have any questions or would like more information on our work please contact us – we’re always happy to help.

like this post?

Please share it! This helps to pass on the positive Qi of our work to others who may benefit…