Get Your Heart Ready for Valentine’s

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Valentine’s day approaches.  The heart’s a flutter and expectations run high. This may be the perfect time to give yourself rejuvenating acupuncture treatments.  

In ancient China the Royal Court placed great importance on the proper function of the heart, emotions and libido. To them, all three were intimately connected. Stories tell of herbal elixirs for vitality and secret acupuncture points for vigor, to Taoist practices referred to as "the bedroom arts" for longevity. These could address a broad range of issues from anxiety and stress to energy and stamina. From these ancient texts we learn how to balance and enliven health. Modern research is now confirming the wisdom of these approaches.

A healthy heart can improve the quality of life, athletic performance and overall heath. Several studies show that acupuncture:

• Strengthens heart function: Research shows that acupuncture can increase maximal exercise capacity and allows the body to perform higher workloads at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA). In athletes it significantly lowered maximum heart rate (HRmax), and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) at the 30th and 60th minute post-exercise.
• Regulates heart rate and helps prevent heart attacks: A recent International Society for Autonomic Neuroscience study shows that acupuncture increases the strength of cardiac function while it controls heart rate. The same study indicted that specific acupuncture points may help to prevent heart attacks (myocardial infarctions) and arrhythmias.
• Reduces anxiety: A German study found that acupuncture leads to a significant clinical improvement as well as to a remarkable reduction in anxiety symptoms in patients with minor depression or with generalized anxiety disorders.
• Restores and balances libido: Specific herbs and acupuncture points address both male and female reproductive concerns, from lowered sexual drive to infertility/impotence. This is achieved by lowering stress hormones, strengthening the circulatory and reproductive systems, and bringing the body back to its optimal energy production.

A set of treatments may be indicated for you (or someone you know), if you want to address:

• General stress or relationship stress
• Anxiety
• Fatigue or depression
• Improved athletic performance
• Want a great way to start the Spring

So, give your heart the royal treatment this Valentine’s and feel a new level of vitality!

Juan Carlos Collins, L.Ac.