Episode 58: Healing Mind, Body and Spirit with Sarah Joseph and Five Element Acupuncture
“The things that we do (and the behaviours that we take on) to cover our wound and our shadow can be complete masks. Sometimes when you ask someone how are you they will say, I’m fine. I have to go by their colour, sound, odour, emotion and pulses to understand what’s going on.”
Sarah takes great pleasure in food, although in the past IBS caused her enough stress to render daily living unbearable. But when she encountered acupuncture for the first time, her life changed for the better.
Sarah describes her initial experience as “magic” which propelled her onto a new career path as a Five Element Acupuncturist and later Herbalist.
Today, Sarah runs her acupuncture practice in London, UK. Her work is informed by her studies in contemplative psychology and she believes in treating the individual rather than chasing symptoms.
Sarah also acts as a regional group coordinator for the British Acupuncture Council.
During this episode Sarah explains Five Element Acupuncture and offers us her unique view regarding the self and our relationship with the mind, body and spirit in modern life.
She is one of life’s natural healers.
If you’re able to see Sarah in person then do. Or tune into this episode with your favourite brew.
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:
[10:55] - Microbiome and the Brain
[18:40] - Five Element Acupuncture
[23:45] - The body keeps the score
[32:44] - Semantics around mental health and addiction
CONNECT WITH SARAH:
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
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A PIECE WRITTEN BY SARAH
An ancient model to treat trauma.
There is a growing understanding in the Western world that it’s not just a one off event, like a car accident, or sexual abuse that leads to a traumatic response from a person’s psyche and body. Birth can be a traumatic experience for some people, domination by a stronger energy in the home environment, or chronic neglect of a child’s developmental needs can all lead to a protective response that comes from a mind that doesn’t have the maturity to know how to do this in a healthy, sustainable way. A person’s response to trauma is unique to them, and this ‘original wound’ can set them off on the wrong path in life. It can lead to behaviours that are ultimately self-sabotaging, in an attempt to create an environment that is safe. With Five Element Acupuncture, I diagnose the unique way a trauma response bends an energetic body (you) out of shape, and what treatment you need to restore your authentic nature.
This approach to health is based on a time tested understanding of how the flow (health) of Qi (vital energy) can be disrupted to cause blocks, hyper-function and hypo-function. If you think of Qi as a vibrant river flowing through your body, a damn will withhold life giving water from once fertile lowlands. A river without banks will cause a plain to flood, and weaken its power. Relentless sunshine will cause water to evaporate, and so on. Thoughts and emotions are aspects of Qi, and they affect the physical body. You may experience stomach cramps or bloating when you worry, for example. You may feel drained of energy when you feel sad, or that your energy in unrooted and insubstantial when anxious.
Flow (health) of Qi (vital energy) in the body results from the healthy communication between various aspects of mind and body. Acupuncture points are located at communication hubs throughout the body (most often where the structure of the body changes and where the dividing cells of the foetus would have had to take instruction to make something else). Acupuncture points restore the healthy function of not only the physiological systems of the body, but also addresses the divided mind, the restless soul that is always striving to manifest its potential and authentic nature. Through a careful assessment of your symptoms, and elemental presentation, I diagnose what part of your authentic nature got bent out of shape energetically, and what acupuncture points to use to restore upright Qi. Some changes may be dramatic, others more subtle, with layers surfacing as previous ones heal. Reclaiming your health is a hero’s/heroine’s journey, and you’ll meet many helpers on the way, just when you need them. Acupuncture is a bit like hitting the reset button, setting you back on the right path to expressing your true nature.
Sarah Joseph, B A (Hons) Lic Ac, MBAcC, MFTCMP