Pins and Needles
Posted on 09. Aug, 2009 by Suzanne McCaffrey in Body and Mind
FEELING A BIT OUT OF SORTS and you can’t put your finger on exactly why? Have your friends recently been introducing you as Mr. Crabby Apple or Ms. Prickly Pear? Has your yin lost its yang? Acupuncture might just cure what ails you! And lucky you, the “doctor” is in… I ducked into Heidi Botnick Licensed Acupuncturist’s 218 Dekalb Avenue office one bright mid-April afternoon, excited to learn more about her practice, the benefits of this treatment, and to experience acupuncture firsthand.
Heidi Botnick
If you have any reservations about the insertion of hair-thin needles through your skin, to various depths placed at strategic points on your body (no, not me!) the minute you walk three steps down into the space Heidi rents from Chiropractor Dr. Danielle Gardiner any anxieties dissolve on the spot. The calming stream of music quietly playing from her iPod and Heidi’s gentle, welcoming demeanor puts you immediately at ease.
Depending on why the client is seeking treatment, Heidi typically recommends a couple of sessions or a series. “Then it’s good to come in for maintenance once a month or when things begin to feel out of balance. Maintenance is very important, as a preventative measure, as well as for chronic injuries.” If people can’t make it in more often then Heidi suggests balancing tune-ups at the change of the seasons, particularly spring and fall. “The most difficult transitions seasonally are winter into spring and summer into fall because they are more extreme. Especially winter into spring.”
In Chinese medicine, springtime is associated with the element of wood. “The wood energy is associated with a bursting forth quality (like the flowers and trees), with growth, forward and upward movement, hope and vision as well as looking towards the future. This spring in particular is such an appropriate time to reflect on these things with what is happening in the large picture right now. This bursting forth quality is also the type of energy we can feel in ourselves during this transition. The wood energy is in charge of helping our emotions flow smoothly, particularly the emotion of anger, which is why people may feel a little more irritable or emotionally unstable during this transition. Acupuncture is one good way to ease this transition,” Botnick explains.
I gladly volunteered for an attitude adjustment session, my first one ever! Heidi has an excellent and gentle bedside manner and explained what she was doing every step of the way. She also talked about feelings I might be experiencing. Then I started laughing?? Uh huh. Flat out giggling. I apologized, feeling uncomfortable and not usually one to react to a new experience with nervous laughter. But I really couldn’t control it. As I continued to let loose, Heidi assured me that this is quite common and is one of the ways the body releases blocked energy. Afterwards, I felt really good emotionally, hungry for green vegetables, specifically broccoli, and I also felt great for taking action to balance my chakras in hopes of being at my best.
We are all looking forward to warmer weather and longer days but that doesn’t minimize a seasonal transition that is emotionally difficult for everyone. Do your body right and take yourself in for a seasonal tune-up and laugh-away “Ms. Pouty Pants”!! Your body and mind will thank you for it.
Heidi has lived in the neighborhood for nine years and practices Acupuncture two days a week at her Ft. Greene location and three days in Manhattan. To make an appointment call her at: (718) 306-9152 or visit her at http://www.AcuBrooklyn.com.
