Unfortunately, we don't live in a world that truly appreciates the wonderment of the physical form. We work in offices, sitting most of the day. Drive from place to place, only to go and sit some more. Our days are filled with staring at screens, whether computer, phone, or other appliance. Our nutrition is depleted because the foods we eat are frozen, quick, and often devoid of fresh vegetables and fruits. We eat on the run, at the wrong times, and sadly, don't take time to enjoy the process. Our sleep is inadequate, often short and restless, and exercise happens on a limited bases.
Our bodies suffer because we don't take time everyday to care for them. Sitting for long periods of time is the worst way to care for ourselves. In Chinese medicine, we often refer to the stagnation of Qi. It is perhaps the most common of all pattern diagnosis. Stagnation of Qi, simply put, is the body's inability to move energy smoothly. If Qi can't move, the whole body suffers, and we feel pain. Movement makes everything better, by sitting less and being active, we encourage the life giving force of Qi to nourish us, each and every cell.
So, getting back to my perfect place to practice. I think an office filled with people who are their own advocates, who are doing good things to support health, is a good place to start. People need to understand they are a vital part of the picture, and health happens through their actions or inactions. We have a choice to embrace the wellness model or the disease model, in medicine. As we continue the dialog on wellness, we move toward redefining how to practice medicine and who to include. I see a world wanting to be more aligned with the planet, and right action. Medicine cannot ignore the need for broader definition and inclusiveness. As an acupuncturist and TCM practitioner, I can help facilitate health, I can point someone in the right direction, I can be a cheerleader from the side lines, but life will flourish best when we take action for ourselves everyday. Qi is life, and it wants to move!