This last Spring, it has become horribly apparent that a
couple of my horses have, indeed, developed
'Cushing's.' One horse has the stereotypical shaggy
coat that isn't shedding. More alarming than that, she
is having trouble breathing. So far, her feet are
hanging together.
As is my usual reaction, I am a little annoyed with the
standard of care available in this situation. The test
to 'make sure' the horse has Cushing's is quite
pricey. (And we *need* the test, why?!
What is it telling us that we don't already know?) The
medicine, even though it has come down in price, is also
quite pricey. And comes with some side effects.
Of course, right? Things like depression and ulcers.
OK - we're lucky to live in this day and age when horses
are more likely to make it to an age where they'll get
Cushing's, and we do have a lot of good things medicine and
vets can do BUT ...
So I looked around for acupuncturists that are also
vets. The folks I found have a weekend, a *weekend*,
of experience with acupuncture. Seriously? This
is supposed to be better than consulting someone who
actually knows acupuncture? Which, btw, it's illegal
for a real acupuncturist to weigh in on this because they
aren't vets. (Well, newsflash, the folks with the
weekend classes aren't qualified to do acupuncture!)
What kind of society do we live in people?!
Since I own this horse and I've been studying the Five
Elements for 20 years or so, I figured rather than throw in
the towel completely, I would have to buck up and go out on
a limb.
Here's the thing, I may have learned from someone who
studied with J. R.
Worsley, but I'm no more an acupuncturist than these
vets taking a weekend class. I don't use needles and I
usually don't address physical complaints directly. I
usually work with emotional and spiritual issues - which,
frankly, are a bit more nebulous in terms of results.
Sure, I've got twenty years of experience, but not with
this. Now, with my horses health on the line, stakes
are higher.
So my approach is to start small, be careful, and do only
things that can be beneficial.
My first session with IRS, I asked simply "Which
point, when balanced, will result in the greatest overall
benefit to my horse's health?" (I also do this
within a Perelandra Coning but the set up can be whatever
you are comfortable with.)
You'll notice this is not about figuring out what to
do. I didn't crack open a book and read through the
list of points and decide 'hmmm... that one looks
good....' I didn't ponder about the elements or feel
the pulses. I connected with her energy field and
asked a question.
When I got a point I balanced it and then moved onto the
next point.
One of the points I got was Spleen 21. (I didn't
know this until I came back in the house and looked at the
chart and then looked at what that point does.) Here's
what Spleen 21 does:
- when this point is deficient, all the
joints are flaccid, and when excess, pain all over the body.
- Pain of the thoracic region. (ribs)
- Descends lung qi - cough, chest oppression, shortness of
breath.
Well, look at that.
During the session her breathing got the tiniest bit
better (still alarming) and a day after it seemed very good.
I'm also keeping track of this point because of the 'pain
all over the body' thing. That and 'flaccid
joints.'
I will continue with these sessions and cross my fingers
that somehow we can get out ahead of this.
Best to you,
L
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