Fall Equinox: Embracing the Changing Season with Acupuncture
By Dr. Renae Haldeman · New to some of these words? See the glossary.
The fall equinox is a big shift in nature. Day and night are almost equal, a 50/50 balance of light and dark. As the Earth tilts away from the sun, we move from the busy, outgoing yang energy of summer to the quiet, inward yin energy of winter. (In Chinese medicine, yang is active, warm energy, and yin is calm, cool, resting energy.)
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), summer belongs to the Heart and Small Intestine. Summer is a season of fast movement and lots of activity. Autumn asks us to turn inward. Our focus moves to the Lung and Large Intestine meridians (the pathways that carry energy through the body). This is a sacred time for letting go, working through grief, and finding inner balance. Just as the Earth changes its posture, we can change our focus to match the rhythm of nature.
Getting Ready for the Yin Season
To get ready for this change, we need to slow down instead of rushing at top speed or reaching for comforting, sugary treats. Autumn is a time to reflect, slow down, and eat with care, so the body is protected before winter.
A main goal now is to build and protect Wei Qi (say “way chee”), our protective energy that guards the immune system. In summer, hard exercise like heavy weightlifting is fine. In autumn and winter, we should focus on breathing exercises and gentle movement, without overdoing it. Listening to your body matters more as the nights get longer.
Yin stands for the feminine side of life: rest, endings, darkness, looking inward, coolness, and deep nourishment of the blood. When we live in step with these things, we build the strength to get through the “hibernation” season and stay safe from the winter cold and flu season.
Autumn Lifestyle and Food Tips
To help your body through the change, try these habits:
- Eat white foods: In TCM, the color white goes with the Lung. Add foods like pears, garlic, onions, white radish, and cauliflower to your meals.
- Get more rest: Slowly sleep a bit longer as the nights get longer.
- Practice breathing exercises: Keep your lungs healthy with slow, steady breathing.
- Practice forgiveness: Use this season to forgive, mend relationships, and be thankful for what you have.
A Real Case: Seasonal Harmony
One patient shows how important it is to prepare the body for seasonal changes. He came to our office fighting multiple sclerosis (MS).
His symptoms began in early September. His muscles stopped responding to exercise. Even when he pushed himself as hard as he could at the gym, he felt no benefit. In mid-September he had a severe MS flare-up. He ended up in the hospital with terrible pain and swelling that Western medicine could not ease.
In plain words, “multiple sclerosis” means “many hardenings.” In TCM, this can be seen as an imbalance where the body’s organs do not get enough moisture and nourishment to work well. When we go into the naturally dry season of autumn without feeding our yin, our body struggles to keep going.
By the next March, he was still in severe pain and had no relief from standard treatments. He was desperate, so he stepped outside his comfort zone and came to Renaissance Health Centre for acupuncture.
The results changed his life. After 12 acupuncture treatments, his relief held steady, and he was able to safely cut back to maintenance visits. This young father, the only provider for his family, went from terrible pain to enjoying life’s simple joys again, like playing catch with his son and working in his yard.
Support Your Body This Autumn
A little planning, small changes for the season, and caring for yourself early can help preserve your health. Acupuncture is an excellent tool to help steady, balance, and support your body through the big seasonal changes of the year.
Don’t wait for an imbalance to turn into illness. Book an autumn wellness visit today to balance your energy and protect your health in the months ahead.
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This article is educational and is not medical advice. Individual results vary. Please talk with a licensed healthcare provider about your own health.