#Acupoints

[suoxi-hospital]

Say Goodbye to Back Pain: A Guide to Exploring Acupuncture Treatment

Back pain is a common ailment that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be debilitating, interfering with daily activities, work, and sleep. If you're one of the many people suffering from back pain, you've likely tried various treatments to find relief. Traditional pain relievers, physical therapy, and even surgery may have been considered. If you're one of those suffering, you've likely tried numerous remedies, from over-the-counter medications to physical therapy. But have you considered acupuncture treatment? Or have you explored the ancient practice of acupuncture? Let's learn some magical practices of acupuncture treatment. 

Acupuncture, a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, is gaining increasing popularity in the West as a complementary treatment for back pain. It involves the insertion of thin needles at specific points on the body believed to be connected to meridians, or energy pathways. Stimulating these points is thought to promote the flow of qi (pronounced "chee"), the body's vital energy, leading to:

Acupuncture has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years to treat various health conditions, including back pain. It involves inserting thin needles at specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow, known as Qi. This stimulation is believed to promote healing and pain relief.

Understanding Back Pain

Before diving into acupuncture, let's understand the different types of back pain:

Acute back pain: This sudden and sharp pain usually lasts a few days to weeks and often results from muscle strain, ligament sprain, or disc herniation.

Chronic back pain: This persistent pain lasts for more than three months and can be caused by various factors, including degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and spinal stenosis.

Acupuncture for Back Pain Relief

Research suggests that acupuncture can be effective in relieving both acute and chronic back pain. A 2017 review of studies concluded that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for chronic lower back pain. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) also acknowledges the potential benefits of acupuncture for back pain management.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

While the exact mechanism of acupuncture's pain-relieving effect is still being researched, several theories exist:

Qi and Meridians: This philosophy believes in vital energy called "Qi" flowing through the body along pathways called "meridians." Disruptions in Qi flow are thought to cause illness. Acupuncture points are seen as specific locations where Qi can be accessed and rebalanced.

Stimulation of acupoints: By inserting needles into these points, practitioners aim to influence Qi flow, promoting healing and restoring balance.

Western Scientific Perspective

Nervous System Stimulation: Needles trigger the nervous system, sending signals to the spinal cord and brain. This releases various chemicals, including pain-relieving endorphins, anti-inflammatory compounds, and immune system modulators.

Improved Blood Circulation: Acupuncture may increase blood flow to the treated area, promoting tissue repair and pain relief.

Both perspectives acknowledge that acupuncture can have beneficial effects, but the exact mechanisms remain under investigation. Research suggests that the combined effects of nervous system stimulation, chemical release, and improved blood flow likely contribute to acupuncture's efficacy.

What to Expect During an Acupuncture Session

A typical acupuncture session lasts about 30-60 minutes. Here's what you can expect:

You'll lie comfortably on a treatment table while the acupuncturist asks about your pain and medical history.

The acupuncturist will then select specific acupuncture points based on your diagnosis and TCM principles.

Thin, sterile needles are inserted at these points with minimal discomfort. You may feel a slight tingling or dull ache when the needles are inserted, but it shouldn't be painful.

The needles are left in place for 15-30 minutes, during which time you can relax and listen to music or read.

Once the needles are removed, you may feel a sense of relaxation and pain relief.

Things to Consider Before Trying Acupuncture

Consult your doctor first: If you have any underlying medical conditions or are pregnant, talk to your doctor before trying acupuncture.

Find a qualified acupuncturist: Ensure your acupuncturist is licensed and experienced in treating back pain.

Be realistic about expectations: Acupuncture may not provide immediate or complete pain relief for everyone. It may take several sessions to see significant improvement.

Be patient and consistent: Regular acupuncture sessions are often recommended for optimal results.

Acupuncture as Part of a Holistic Approach

While acupuncture can be a valuable tool for back pain relief, it's important to remember that it's not a cure-all. Combining acupuncture with other treatment modalities like physical therapy, exercise, and lifestyle modifications can offer a more comprehensive approach to managing back pain.

In Conclusion

If you're struggling with back pain, acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment option worth exploring. With its ability to address the root cause of pain and promote overall well-being, acupuncture can offer a natural path to relief and healing. Remember to consult your doctor before starting any new treatment and choose a qualified acupuncturist for optimal results.

[yamahamusicians]

Nokta SCORE and DOUBLE SCORE Metal Detectors, plus Acupoint Pinpointer

Nokta is a company that never rests on its laurels, and true to form, they continue to raise the bar for affordable yet powerful metal detectors. The company has just announced two new simultaneous multi-frequency machines named “SCORE” and “DOUBLE SCORE”. Both are fully waterproof and submersible to 5 meters. It appears they have taken the already successful Legend and transformed it into a more…

[matcha-matics]

Rereading TA and idk how I missed that Yu Shengyan joined Huanyue sect at age 7?? Now I'm stuck thinking about Yan Wushi in his late 30s/early 40s with this little kid trailing behind him, practice sword cradled against his chest.

Yan Wushi messing with him while training, jabbing here and there, not actual acupoints like he's taught him, but little ticklish spots here and there until Yu Shengyan is a mess of giggles trying to stay upright. His shizun only quirks the smallest smile before he gives him a proper hit that lands the child in a patch of grass, still quivering with remaining laughter even while his shizun tries to chide him, "tsk, tsk you should never let your guard down so easily."

Yu Shengyan's master can be cruel and harsh. His days end with him near exhaustion and his body riddled with bruises.

Despite the grueling training for such a small kid, he always remembers the moments when Yan Wushi would wrap a bandage around his bloody elbow and send him on his way with a well controlled push, the barest fraction of his power.

Just enough to send him stumbling. Always, stumbling forward.

[nolongersubtext]

We are now just over halfway through reading Thousand Autumns. And while we haven’t gotten to any substantial physical intimacy between Yan Wushi and Shen Qiao just yet, we have thoughts on it. While Yan Wushi is canonically the top and Shen Qiao the bottom, everything we’ve seen so far really indicates that this arrangement isn’t the one we’d imagine. 

What is:

Shen Qiao has a commanding personality. 

Yan Wushi has a praise kink.

Yan Wushi has a preference to take pleasure in receiving affection from others and is not the giving kind.

What could have been: 

Shen Qiao is a service top.

Yan Wushi is a pillow princess.

[book spoilers ahead]

Shen Qiao is a Dom. He’s powerful, takes up space, and can command a room like no one else. While he is the physically smaller of the two men, he is by no means the image of a petite or small man. Beyond his stature, he’s aura exceeds his physical size. Not with how he is described as someone “Few people could resist this ‘be good’ from Shen Qiao.” (Vol. 3, page 112). If this depiction of him isn’t your typical top energy then what is? 

Within the third book, Yan Wushi’s softer side is revealed in a personality referred to as Xie Ling. This personality maintains the same core traits of Yan Wushi, being paranoid and unable to trust others. The only exception to this general mistrust in others is Shen Qiao. Xie Ling trusts Shen Qiao and shows great admiration for him. Trying to travel with Yan Wushi so injured, Shen Qiao devised a plan to disguise him that involved Yan Wushi having to present as a woman. When asking Yan Wushi to do so, he asked him politely. When Yan Wushi, currently Xie Ling, is hesitant to comply and asks Shen Qiao how he’d respond to him refusing to wear women’s clothes. When Shen Qiao explains that he doesn’t really have a choice and that he’d seal his acupoints, dress him, and transport him by carriage, Yan Wushi complies. “Yan Wushi lowered his lashes. ’Yes, I’ll wear it.’” To which Shen Qiao called Yan Wushi a “good boy” (Vol. 3, page 200) and Xie Ling folded immediately. He quickly submitted to Shen Qiao’s request to cross-dress even though “normal” Yan Wushi would’ve made a big deal about it. In this scene alone, Shen Qiao really gives off Daddy energy. Making someone as powerful as Yan Wushi cave to a small compliment is no small feat. And Xie Ling is very responsive to this kind of praise. 

Continued interactions between Shen Qiao and the alternate versions of Yan Wushi further support the idea that Shen Qiao is the dominant, commanding kind of partner and Yan Wushi is more submissive. The A-Yan personality longs for Shen Qiao to call him “A-Yan.” Initially, Shen Qiao refuses because it feels strange to do so. Given the context of their past interactions, including Yan Wushi’s betrayal, that makes sense. However, Yan Wushi’s request to be called “A-Yan” are persistent and Shen Qiao’s refusal to comply seems to become an intentional effort to be withholding. Shen Qiao knows exactly what he is doing to Yan Wushi by withholding this from him, and he utilizes it to direct him and maintain control in their interactions. 

While the personalities may be split, they are all still part of Yan Wushi. Therefore, any deviation from Yan Wushi’s “normal” personality is still him. Thus Xie Ling’s desire for praise and affection and A-Yan’s desperation for Shen Qiao’s attention is a byproduct of Yan Wushi’s innermost desires.

Shen Qiao is compassionate and prioritizes others over himself. Paired with his commanding demeanor, he’d be a perfect service top. The way he tended to Yan Wushi throughout his recovery on their journey? How could we not imagine him as the one in control, finding pleasure in fulfilling Yan Wushi’s desires and providing him satisfaction? 

Yan Wushi is a Pillow Princess ™. He’s confident, demanding, needy, clear about his desires, and annoying in a bratty sense. His priority is his satisfaction and he’s not concerned with contributing to everyone’s mutual enjoyment. He constantly teases Shen Qiao hoping to get a raise out of him. Yan Wushi is obsessed with Shen Qiao, and desperate for his attention. Is that not bratty bottom behavior?

There is a lot of stigma around being a bottom thanks to internalized and systemic homophobia. So, in that regard, bottoming is often seen as the “weaker” role to those who value their very masculine self-image. And Yan Wushi is one of those guys. For someone who says he doesn’t care about how others perceive him, he puts a lot of work into being the most intimidating person he can be. In short, Yan Wushi being topped would fix him. It would satiate his craving for attention and “being spoiled” as much as it would “humble” him. 

Thanks for reading our rant! - @wrtnbypaying and @artbyarlo

[bbcphile]

WIP Wednesday (More MLC!)

It's a Wednesday in the middle of the month, which means it's time for another excerpt of my MLC long fic! More FDB POV, and FDB has finally brought a very injured/sick DFS back to Lotus Tower.

(You can find all previous excerpts here.)

**

Li Lianhua gave him a funny look—equally amused and . . . what, confused, maybe?—then slid closer to a-Fei so their knees were touching, closed his eyes, and listened carefully to a-Fei's qi through his pulse point again, doing whatever special finesse he thought so essential to healing. He sniffled and looked away, swallowing hard. "Lao Di-a, Lao-Di," he said quietly, carefully placing a-Fei's wrist back on a-Fei's knee with a gentle double pat, before letting go and gripping his own knee, leaving the smallest of spaces between their fingers. "You're having a qi deviation." He huffed out a wet attempt at laughter. "Another one, you overachiever." Tears brimmed, then overflowed, their tracks racing each other down his cheeks. He wiped them away with a knuckle, and returned his hand to once more grip his knee, bunching his fingers up in the fabric of his robe. "Your Baihui acupoint is shattered, and we can't heal it while your qi is this unstable. We can't give you Yangzhouman at all. Not without your Beifeng Baiyang interpreting it as a threat. And the medicine isn't ready yet. I'm afraid you're going to need to beat the odds again, old friend. But then again"—another attempt at a laugh, and half-hearted wave of a finger at him—"you're the most stubborn person I've ever met, so that should come naturally to you, yes? Just think of it as a new way to show off your mastery of qi, using your ridiculous levels of control to somehow keep it from ripping you apart completely—" He broke off, head hanging down, to swallow back a sob and take a calming breath. The hand on his knee started to shake and he balled it into a fist.

A faint frown flickered across a-Fei's tightly drawn face. His finger twitched almost imperceptibly toward Li Lianhua's knee.

Fang Duobing gasped. "Look! Look at his finger! He knows you're here! Quick! Take his hand, Li Lianhua! He's trying to reach for it."

A faint, lopsided smile pulled at the corners of Li Lianhua's lips and he shook his head. "Xiao huli," he began, "a-Fei would want spac—"

"—What makes you say that, Fang-gongzi?" Wuyan interrupted.

Was this a test? " . . . Because that's what he does when he wants something but can't move because he thinks she's sliced his tendons, right?" Fang Duobing asked, then winced and squeezed a-Fei's hand in apology for saying it out loud, just in case a-Fei was somehow lucid enough to hear him. "So far he's only asked to hold my hand or for me to press acupoints that help, but then the acupoints stopped working, so it's just been my hand since we left the tree."

The ladle clattered into the pot.

Fang Duobing jerked his head up at Wuyan, who was staring at him in shock, or maybe disbelief, eyes wide, mouth open, hand still raised from where the ladle had slipped free.

"What? You asked! Should I have answered in confusing riddles instead?" Fang Duobing snapped. "He doesn't have time for that! Look at him, Xiaohua'er!"

Li Lianhua thwacked him in the bicep. "Xiaobao!"

"What? It's true! So help him!"

Li Lianhua hesitated, his fist crumpling his robe until his knuckles turned white. Then he shook his head. "You saw what happened earlier. We can't risk that again."

Fang Duobing gaped at him. "That's because you grabbed him when he was feeling threatened! It won't happen when he's literally asking you to touch him!"

A-Fei's qi radiated beyond just his skin, rippling his hair and the bedding around them. Face spasming in pain, he twitched his finger a cùn closer to where Li Lianhua's hand had been.

"For fuck's sake, Xiaohua'er," Fang Duobing snapped, "can't you see he's searching for you? How much longer are you going to make him wait?"

Li Lianhua froze, as stricken as if Fang Duobing had slapped him in the face.

Under Fang Duobing's fingertips, a-Fei's qi spiked, then started frantically whipping and howling through his meridians.

Fang Duobing winced. "I'm sorry, a-Fei," he said softly, squeezing a-Fei's hand in his and stroking his thumb gently along a-Fei's shoulder. "Li Lianhua's here, I promise. I brought you to him, just like I said I would. He's just afraid of hurting you—" A faint, wet streak on a-Fei's twitching finger shimmered in the light. He craned his head for a better look, watching as it slid down a-Fei's knuckle, then nail, then sucked in a sharp breath. "It's your tears," he hissed at Li Lianhua, nodding at a-Fei's hand. "He felt them."

Li Lianhua let out a soft, wounded, punched-out noise.

"A-Fei, Li Lianhua is alright," Fang Duobing soothed, pulling his arm snug around a-Fei and leaning ever-so-slightly into the press of a-Fei's side. "He's not in danger right now, I promise. He's just worried about you. That's why he was crying. But you need to stop trying to use your qi to reach for him, alright? You're going to tear yourself to pieces that way. You've done enough of that already." He fixed Li Lianhua with a pointed look. "Right, Xiaohua'er?"

The blood drained from Li Lianhua's face. Hands trembling, he released his chokehold on his robe and reached out, carefully cradling a-Fei's twitching, bloodied hand in his and interweaving their fingers. "I'm here, Lao Di-a," he whispered, stroking a-Fei's thumb with his, "I'm here."

[elbiotipo]

I'm not sure if makes much sense for western (meaning greek/Egyptian/arab/Iranian/european) alchemy and chinese alchemy to coexist. Chinese alchemy is focused on internal medicine and making pills that can cure various ailments or make someone immortal, and overlaps a lot of with other stuff from traditional Chinese medicine, like Qi and Qi meridians and acupoints and ethnobotany. Western alchemy is ultimately derrived from metallurgy (look up the etymology of alchemy/chemistry), and is focused on experimenting with chemical substances like salts, acids, rocks and especially metals. The esoteric elements of western alchemy varied a lot from place to place and from century to century, and even from alchemist to alchemist, but I think you'd have a hard time syncretizing any of their philosophies with the mix of Taoism, Buddhism and folk religion that Chinese alchemists were esoteric about. Actually they both obsess over immortality, so this isn't entirely true. Qin Shi Huang's search for an elixir of immortality and the european alchemists' search for the Philosopher's Stone can be the same thing in your setting.

I've actually researched about this and it's very interesting. Experts do seem to agree that the conflating of Chinese and Western/Islamic alchemy is a bit of a stretch as they seem to have developed independently*. The words are translated like that and there are familiar things but the approaches are different, everything that you said is true: Chinese alchemy is more focused on the body and has its root on more mystical Taoist and folk practices. It is more of a kind of approach to medicine rather than an approach to material 'science'.

However, there are some elements in common. The refining and transmutation of elements as a spiritual process, the "macrocosm-microcosm" concept (as above, so below) and while not as present as in Western alchemy, there is a relationship with metallurgy and an explanation of the workings of the natural world, especially in Waidan (outer alchemy), with laboratory experimentation.

Chinese and East Asian esoterica is incredibly complex and I won't pretend to be familiar with it even as I'm learning about it. The very roots of it (just like the roots of *Western* spirituality are in the Middle East and Grecorroman world) are completely different. So I'm not doing anything big with it before doing some deeper research. I do subscribe to the idea that they are two separate traditions, however for the purposes of my worldbuilding project, I think there are enough similarities to consider them approaches to the same understanding. I do intend to make sure, if I ever make something out of this, to make it as informed as possible. (I also make alchemy as general name for the more 'material' approach to the supernatural in this setting, there's also religious magic, spirits, and more)

(*I believe there might be some exchange of ideas, given that there was a lot of *Western* ideas that reached China and vice-versa, and even today, many esoteric texts remain unknown and untranslated to modern languages, but that's speculation on my part)

[gay-disabled-characters-showdown]

LGBTQ+ Disabled Characters Showdown Round 2, Wave 3, Poll 1

A character being totally canon LGBTQ+ and disabled was not required to be in this competition. Please check qualifications and propaganda before asking why a character is included.

Check out the other polls in this wave and prior here.

Gobber-How To Train Your Dragon

Qualifications:

He has a prosthetic arm and a prosthetic leg. And is confirmed to be gay (in an admittedly really weird way :/)

Propaganda:

He's gay. He's disabled. He's a viking. He's good at his job. He has a stone tooth. He uses his arm prosthetic like a toolbelt. He knows a lot about dragons. Idk man. He's cool

Zhou Zishu-Faraway Wanderers / Tian Ya Ke

Qualifications:

He is mlm, though there's no consensus in fandom whether he's bi or gay. (He had slept with women prior to meeting his male love interest, but the way he speaks of that kinda doesn't make it sound like he enjoyed it? So there's room for interpretation. Maybe hes bi who just happened to settle with a man, maybe hes a late bloomer gay.) Either way, the novel's main romance is his relationship with another man, and they are in a committed relationship by the end! Now, for the disability part. He has a physical disability that's a result of, how do I put it, non-realistic circumstances (stabbing poisoned nails into his acupoints non-realistic), but I think it qualifies for how it affects him.

To start with, he is a martial artist, but the nails thing limits him to about half of his normal ability. Which is still pretty significant given he used to be one of the top talents of his generation, but there are many instances throughout the book where he finds himself frustrated, inconvenienced, or endangered by being unable to do what he *used to* be able to do, which I think tracks with acquired disability experience. Next, the nails also give him chronic pain issues with daily (or rather, nightly) flare ups, and additional ones when he strains himself. That usually last for several hours. (Fandom also theorizes that this leaves him chronically sleep deprived, but it's more conjecture than textual.)

Then, his biggest issue is that the nails are slowly killing him, and he has like 2-3 years to live... but uh given it's a happy ending novel his friend gives him an experimental surgery and it works out. But! Gotta note that I don't think it counts as a case of 'magically cured disability' trope. It is plainly stated that he will still have some issues post-surgery - just, y'know, no longer life-ending ones. The tl;dr here is that while his situation is not something possible in the real world, it still affects him in a way an acquired physical disability may: limits things he can do compared to his pre-injury state, results in chronic pain issues, and requires difficult medical intervention to stymie the negative effects.

Propaganda:

Zhou Zishu, how do I explain him... He is a spymaster and an assassin. He put the current Emperor on the throne. He committed atrocities. He lost the person he saw as his little brother as a result. He still thinks he did what was right, in the grand scheme of things. He decides to start his retirement at age 28 by stabbing a bunch of poisoned nails into his chest, disguising himself as a beggar, and vanishing into jianghu to daydrink and sightsee. He is living his best life, all 3 remaining years of it. He is in pain every night. He meets a man who, unexpectedly, understands him with a glance... and then begins to annoy him ceaselessly, insisting he has fallen for Zishu at first sight.

Cue Zhou Zishu's horrified realization that he's not only into men, but into this clown in particular. Zishu falls in love the way a cat falls into a bath - hes trying to get out but keeps slipping back, and hes hissing all the while. (We love to bully him for his clownsexual ways.) (Also, if this makes anybody want to check out the novel, remember: Zhou Zishu is an unreliable narrator and Will lie to you. Pay attention to his actions and reactions, not just what he *says* he thinks!) Now, I could spend hours gushing about how WenZhou (the couple's ship name, and yes they are canon and the main romantic storyline) gave me unrealistic standards for romance, but I'm gonna hold myself back from writing a 6k essay and focus on the theme of the tournament. I consider Zhou Zishu a disabled protagonist because: while his situation itself is non-realistic (aforementioned 'stabbing a bunch of poisoned nails into his chest'), the way it affects him is actually pretty similar, and in some ways really the same, to how an acquired physical disability may affect a person. First, it limits what he can do, physical activity-wise, to about half of his pre-injury state. (Which is still rather a lot, given he used to be a top dog martial artist, but it's still noticeable to him.) Second, it gives him chronic pain issues, with nightly flare-ups. (And additional ones when he strains himself.) (Also, at a certain point in the book his love interest starts holding him through his flare ups. Which doesn't lessen the pain but does help Zishu cope with it better. It's very important to me that it doesn't magically help but it does Mentally help and thats enough. The "stay with him morning and night, holding his hand" of it all (; v ;) yes thats a quote from the book.) And third, it requires a difficult surgery to stymie its negative effects (him dying in three years ones). (Yeah btw its not the case of magic surgery perfectly 'fixing' (bleugh) the character; he still need physical-therapy-analogue after it, and his uh medical professional also states he will likely still have some issues post-op.)

[scarlet-eevee]

You know what I love about Yutaba? It's the amount of small details that Atlus has decided to leave us and that's shown to us through the use of Mementos dialogue. This is gonna be long one, but hey who cares. This is gonna be mostly about Yusuke's dialogue that Futaba responds to.

Yusuke: I can't see ahead with this darkness.

Futaba: Don't worry, Fox. I'm scouting.

___

Y: The lighting here is remarkable. Perhaps with the right shading…

F: Should I save a picture then? I’ll print it out later.

___

Y: I think today was the sale day at the supermarket near me!

F: Hold on, lemme look it up for you!

___

Y: You’ve said to keep a low profile at school, but nobody talks to me in the first place. 

F: Loners are cool, man! Screw the social types!

___

Y: Acupoint… “nei guan”... helps with motion sickness– Hurp!

F: Yikes, cars are totally your weakness… Hang in there!

___

Y: Creating a piece of art is pointless unless I can convey the full essence of the subject.

F: In that case, I shall allow you to draw me! In shojo-manga style, preferably.

___

Y: The other day, I was asked to draw for something called a doujinshi?

F: Oh, you interested? I could give you a crash course.

___

And the best one

Y: Thief clothes, hm? They are quite easy to move in. I wouldn’t mind wearing them in day-to-day life.

F: Sounds like a plan. Wanna make real-world versions of ‘em later?

___

So that's only just a bit of their Mementos dialogue and more specfically Yusuke's dialogue with Futaba responding. A common theme with Futaba's responses is that she tends to help and comfort Yusuke in Mementos instead of their regular dialogue, passive-aggressive dialogue mixed in with banter, which is really interesting when you realize that Mementos is the collective consciousness and that their Personas and outfits reflect their true self and rebellion which makes it far more interesting as Futaba seems to show a more tender side to Yusuke in Mementos. Although I focused on this more tender side of Futaba I did leave out some dialogue that showcases their regular dynamic, but it is toned down quite a bit in Mementos such as

Y: Seeing the tracks up close is a one-of-a-kind experience.

F: Oh, I see! You’re a train geek, huh Inari?

___

Y: My stomach is rumbling. Could this be carsickness? Fascinating…

F: Wow, your face is super pale. Oh wait… that’s normal.

___

It's a bit of banter but is really tame, especially considering that these responses are the most "mean", but aside from that she seems to show her true feelings more in Mementos. Anyways I'll make a separate analysis for Yusuke's responses to Futaba's. (Someday).

[suoxi-hospital]

Acupuncture for Back Pain: Relief Beyond the Needles

Preface

Back pain. It's a constant companion for millions, a nagging ache that can steal the joy from everyday activities. If you're one of those millions, you've probably tried everything: pain meds, physical therapy, even that weird yoga pose that looks like a pretzel. Acupuncture, for all its Eastern mystique, is gaining traction in the West as a treatment for chronic back pain. But what about acupuncture? That mysterious practice with the tiny needles?

What is it?

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves inserting thin, hair-like needles into specific points on the body called "acupoints." These points are believed to be connected to energy pathways, or meridians, that influence your health. By stimulating these points, practitioners aim to restore balance and flow to your energy, alleviating pain and promoting healing.

Beyond the Needles: The Science of Relief

While the exact mechanisms of acupuncture remain a subject of research, there are a few ways it might work its magic:

Pain relief: Acupuncture may trigger the release of endorphins, your body's natural painkillers. This can help reduce pain sensations and improve mood.

Inflammation reduction: Stimulation of acupoints may also decrease inflammation, a major contributor to back pain.

Improved blood flow: Acupuncture has been shown to increase blood circulation in the treated areas, aiding in healing and pain reduction.

Mind-body connection: The calming and relaxing nature of an acupuncture session can itself have a positive impact on pain perception and stress levels.

Does it work?

The short answer: it depends. Research on acupuncture's effectiveness for back pain is mixed, with some studies showing significant improvement, while others show little to no difference compared to placebo treatments. However, a 2021 review of 22 studies concluded that acupuncture provides short-term relief for chronic back pain and may be more effective than no treatment at all.

Is that treatment right for you?

Acupuncture is generally considered safe for most people, with minimal side effects like mild bruising or soreness at the needle insertion points. However, it's important to consult your doctor before starting any new treatment, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.

Finding relief beyond the needles–

Whether you choose acupuncture or not, there are other things you can do to manage your back pain:

Exercise: Regular physical activity strengthens your core and back muscles, improving stability and reducing pain.

Stretching: Gentle stretches can help improve flexibility and range of motion in your back.

Maintaining good posture: Be mindful throughout the day, especially when sitting and working.

Managing stress: Stress can exacerbate back pain. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as yoga, meditation, or spending time in nature.

The Takeaway

Acupuncture isn't a magic bullet, but it can be valuable in your back pain management toolkit. If you're open to trying something new and are looking for a holistic approach to pain relief, acupuncture might be worth exploring. Remember, it's important to do your research, choose a qualified practitioner, and work with your doctor to find the best combination of treatments for your individual needs.

[sifu-kisu]

The special acupoints for opening and closing the human body's "essence, qi, and spirit" open the nine orifices and clear the meridians of the whole body

In daily life, we often see elderly people who are 50 years old, with clear eyesight and good hearing, and full of energy; while some people are just 55 years old, but their eyesight is blurry, their teeth are falling out, and their hair is full of white hair. Experts believe that this has a lot to do with whether the meridians of the human body are unobstructed. If the meridians are unobstructed, all diseases will not occur, the aging speed will be slowed down, and the life span will be longer.

The key to meridian blockage is that the meridian gates are not opened!

The meridian gates are actually the starting points of the meridians, which are collectively referred to as "roots and knots" in traditional Chinese medicine. The root is the place where the meridian qi is born and starts; the knot is where the meridian qi converges. Generally, the "root" is located at the lower ends of the limbs, and the "knot" is located at the higher head, chest, and abdomen. These meridian gates play an important role in maintaining human health and longevity.

If the gates of meridians are blocked, the meridians will be blocked, which will lead to imbalance of yin and yang, stagnation of qi and blood, and inability of qi and blood to nourish the whole body, which will accelerate aging and cause all kinds of diseases. Therefore, traditional medicine believes that ensuring the smooth flow of meridians is the basis for preventing and curing diseases and prolonging life.

As the age increases, the physiological functions of the middle-aged and elderly people gradually decline, and they suffer from qi deficiency, blood deficiency, lack of body fluid, and the gates of the meridians become "rusty" or "blocked". In addition, bad living habits can also affect the smooth flow of the meridian gates, such as sleeping more than 9 hours a day, reading or watching TV for a long time in one posture, rarely exercising every day, eating too much raw and cold food, and living in a humid environment for a long time.

Each meridian has its own gate, and when different gates are blocked, there will be different symptoms. If the gate of the large intestine meridian is blocked, it will cause symptoms such as increased age spots on the face, constipation, diarrhea, etc. If the gate of the heart meridian is blocked, it will cause symptoms such as dull complexion, palpitations, panic, chest tightness, and insomnia. If the meridians are blocked,...

[purplehanfu]

Part for Ever: Ep 1

notes: Spoilers! five Ever because for isn't long enough. Master list of all recaps

You know the part in almost every costume drama where the leads whoosh towards each other in slo-mo as they gaze deeply into each others eyes? I always think of that type of scene as a garnish, not a main course. This drama thinks otherwise.

Yes, so many setups and situations that can facilitate the personal-space-encroaching wide-eyed time-stopping petal-dropping surprised stare. There's so much of it in this drama. Well that and shirtlessness. The male lead's clothes keep falling off. I promise it's very necessary to the story.

He's giving "giant wall mural from the heyday of Abercrombie"

But let's get to the plot.

We meet Ling Xiao as he bursts into the City Master's mansion, cape swirling as the fog machine works overtime.

He's dark and brooding, with eyebrows so sharp he could probably dual wield them if he ever lost his sword.

Scenes of carnage are intercut with Su Wan'er putting on her party clothes. She opens the doors of the main hall just in time to see Ling Xiao kill her father the City Lord.

Ling Xiao thinks that marrying the City Lord's daughter will add legitimacy to his usurpation of that position. I don't know why he cares, the city contains maybe 20 people tops.

Fast forward to the wedding and Su Wan'er is tied to the bed.

Her father's sworn brother Mr. Zhao attempts a rescue but they caught immediately by Ling Xiao.

Su Wan'er promises to marry Ling Xiao willingly if he lets Mr. Zhao live.

They resume the wedding.

After drinking the wedding wine, Ling Xiao gets handsy. When he leans in to whisper menacing yet sexy threats to her, Su Wan'er takes the initiative and bites his ear (the sound effect for this was amazing).

Ling Xiao looks surprised, then taps an acupoint to make her pass out.

The episode ends as we learn that the jealous 2nd female lead has engineered a situation that is clearly intended to interrupt the wedding night.

a sudden case of Sworn Sister Syndrome

Bonus Round: Taking a Bath in a Koi Pond

the way his entire outfit fell off in a fraction of a second, I'm laughing for real guys.

Master list of all recaps

[pure-ablution]

How do you do scalp massage for hair growth? Any videos you would recommend?

I massage my scalp twice a day for at least five minutes, using my hands, and I use a silicone scalp massager when shampooing. I follow the ‘scalp over skull’ method for my twice-daily manual massages, and although I make sure to massage my whole scalp, I found that my hair’s growth rate increased quite significantly when I began to focus my massage on specific acupoints for circulation and hair health.

[oneiriad]

Di Feisheng slams into the ground shoulder first, his body plowing a furrow easily twice its own length before finally coming to a halt.

"A-Fei!"

Before Fang Duobing can rush to his side, Li Lianhua restrains him with a hand on his arm. Fang Duobing turns towards him to protest, to yank his arm free - only to see him complete focused on the direction that Di Feisheng came from.

Two dots, one red and one black, rapidly growing larger, growing closer, until they reveal themselves to be two men, gliding through the air and clearly preparing to land.

Even from this distance the sheer power rolling off the pair of them is - immense. Li Lianhua at his best is a brightly burning bonfire of qi lighting up the night.

These two?

These two are a forest fire.

The man in red touches down first and starts walking towards them, his weapon left at his side.

Fang Duobing shakes off Li Lianhua and draws his blade with an order to stop, but the man doesn't even bother to look at him, just walks past as if he's little more than air and comes to a halt by the wreck of Di Feisheng.

There's a groan and Di Feisheng turns, slowly, half his limbs angled every way except the ones they are supposed to go. He squints up at the man in red and his hand somehow fumbles for the sword that's fallen by his side.

The man in red frowns down at him, then glances back at where the man in black has landed. The man in black nods at him, once.

The man in red reaches into his sleave and Li Lianhua manages to stop Fang Duobing again before he does something foolishly heroic. As it turns out, it's not some knife or other weapon that's being fished out. Just something small and round that he drops on Di Feisheng's chest.

A fumble with his still working arm and Di Feishing lifts what turns out to be a tiny medicine bottle. He glares suspiciously at it, then at the man in red.

"Well?" the man says with an impatient note, then nods towards the man in black.

The man in black, the old horror standing a few feet away, who is - jabbing his fingers in a complicated pattern against his acupoints, locking down meridians until he is almost, just almost like a regular person.

Almost.

Apparently satisfied with the result he holds out his hand, summoning a wicked looking halberd to him and spinning it one-handed before coming to an attentive rest.

Fang Duobing makes a confused sound, but Di Feishing seems to have already grasped what he needs of the situation and is shaking the pill he's been offered straight into his mouth.

The man in red looks back at Fang Duobing and Li Lianhua, not even bothering to turn to face them properly.

"It's not every day the Venerable accepts an invitation to spar."

The sound of Di Feisheng's body putting itself properly back together, bones cracking as they straighten and flesh slurping as it fuses, is sickening, and yet the man does not make a single noise.

He rolls to his feet, shedding his outer robe with a shrug and kneeling to pick up his sword from the ground. Then he looks up, and there's a grin on his face, his blood-spattered lips curling back from his teeth in a snarl.

[ynkfva]

im finally on level 59 with zayne 🥺🥺

as someone who studied acupoints AND is addicted to chinese historical dramas this was a very funny chat