​​​What is healing? Healing is a paradox. No one can do it for you, but  you can't do it alone. You need the help of your inner Sage -- your connection to your own spirit and life force energy. Some good ways to nurture that connection are: spending time in nature, meditation, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, or other mind-body practices. Another way is through acupuncture, especially if you need relief from physical or emotional pain in order to return to physical activity. In all her years of practice, the one thing Laconia is confident in, is the ability of acupuncture to give you a window of relief long enough to remember what feeling good feels like; long enough to restore your hope that healing is possible. Then it's time to get to work. Come for regular treatments (acupuncture, body work, cupping, herbs), be open to dietary and lifestyle changes (one little step at a time), and be curious about how your thoughts, emotions, and other habits have the potential to keep you stuck or open new doors. Laconia has been on this journey and still walks the healing path. It is never boring, sometimes very hard,  but always full of surprises about how resilient and powerful the body, mind, and spirit can be.

The ancient healing sages understood that humans are a unique biological bridge between the visible world of matter and the invisible world of energy (the Yin and the Yang). They mapped out the channels of energy (meridians) that transmit the influence of shock, fear, trauma, anger, over-thinking, grief, safety, love and joy to the nervous system, organs, muscles, and fascia. They understood that invisible thoughts and emotions can effect the physical body and vice versa; problems in the physical body can also affect our thoughts, emotions, and spiritual consciousness. The growing understanding of what comprises trauma, its impact and recovery, confirms this. Acupuncture is the original somatic healing modality. For example, the point Shen Men ("Spirit Gate") in the ear, has the power to regulate the vagus nerve, the physical heart, and feelings of anxiety, fear, worry, and depression. Another common point, Hegu ("Union Valley") on the hand, has the power to regulate the circulatory and immune systems, modulate pain signals to the brain, and deliver an immediate sense of relief from tension and stress.

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When the physical body can begin to calm down, feel safe and more at ease, then we can begin to look at how you may have become imbalanced. Sometimes we need an outer sage to inspire our inner sage; to encourage us to trust the healing process and whatever truth the body might be telling us right now. As we begin to feel better, we become more open to learning new skills, habits, and mindsets, one step at a time. The light and life within us is worth it, and we are always stronger than we think we are.