Did you know that you have a thin layer of skin surrounding your heart? This is called your Pericardium and it serves as a protector for your heart and among other things, has the role of being the “gate keeper” in deciding what can go to the heart and what cannot. In Chinese Medicine, to keep the heart its healthiest, emotionally as well as physically ,the Pericardium must be healthy and balanced. Throughout life, various challenges we face can put stress on our pericardium, our gates can get squeaky and in extreme circumstances we can be left with our gates completely wide open– letting anything and everything into our heart which often results in a lot of emotional scars and bruising. Or on the other side of it, having our gates completely shut — letting nothing in– resulting in a lack of feeling connection to anything significant going on in our lives. Both instances can be a result of years of just dealing with what life brings us, or it can happen in an instant when something shockingly significant happens to us.
There are 2 significant points in acupuncture that help to bring back the balance and keep our gate well – oiled. These points are aptly called the Inner and Outer Frontier Gates. Located on the forearm, they stimulate and regulate the pathways that surround the heart and chest. Having a “well-oiled” gate can be synonymous with being able to decipher what and who to let into your heart and what not to. This is your intuition and awareness working at its best and great insurance for maintaining a happy and healthy Heart!
Together these points can harmonize ones ability to appropriately express oneself to others, and nurture a healthy acceptance of ones own individuality. This allows you to embrace the life you were meant to lead with ease and confidence. Embrace a life of awareness and joy!