How has lockdown affected the shen?

How has lockdown affected the shen? Caroline Robinson

Member: Warwickshire

When I started my training at The Acupuncture Academy (TAA) in 2016, I learned that as five element acupuncturists the seasons are integral to our work. I was introduced to a new way of being. The wonderment of discovering the impactful individuality of the seasons’ energetics, the effect this has on our system, a deeper experience one gets throughout the year, adapting and engaging with the changing of each season. This new perspective connected to my body, mind and spirit with such depth I simply cannot unlearn.

There is nothing I love more than connecting with people, watching sunsets, dancing, feeling joyful, laughing and chatting with people face to face, sensing the energy of the collective and feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin. As an outer fire CF (causative factor) my primary imbalance lies with pericardium and triple heater. Summer is my season and I eagerly look forward to it every year, it’s the time when my energy is literally on fire.

I find it hard to navigate the looming feeling of dread when the clocks are about to go back; the struggle with the letting go of autumn and the heaviness of winter can be challenging to say the least, if I don’t get acupuncture. I get strength from the knowledge that the pendulum keeps swinging, and the rising feeling of anticipation and excitement I sense from seeing the first snowdrop appear, an early signal to my heart that spring isn’t too far away, slowly tipping over the yin threshold moving into the early rising of yang.

One question I have asked myself over the past months is this: as a collective, have we been able to authentically express ourselves through the changing seasons over the past year? If you managed to do this, I am in awe – kudos to you – and if you didn’t, how has this impacted or expressed itself in your health and wellbeing?

I for one felt such fear, frustration and sadness in suddenly having to close my fledgling clinic so soon after graduating in 2019. At the end of March 2020 I felt trapped, wondering how I was going to manage the feeling of wanting to reach up, out and grow, to pursue the plans I had put in place for the year ahead. The rising yang within me was at times unbearable, creating a palpable tension within my physical and emotional body, exercise became my ally.

Like so many, I also suffered devastating loss when two close friends sadly passed away, creating another challenge and internal battle – how do we comfort one another in grief if we can’t physically touch and connect? Seeing my parents extremely emotional during many video calls, wondering how they were going to get through the separation from their children and grandchildren, made all the harder after losing one of their closest lifelong friends. The tragedy and heartbreak was compounded by the fact that I couldn’t drive the 90 miles to comfort them in person, which normally would have been my automatic response.

Watching the Queen sitting alone at the funeral of her husband Prince Philip, I reflected on how many of us would be feeling a pang of heaviness seeing her so isolated. This leads on to the incredible challenge experienced within our hospitals and the countless people that have passed away alone, without a loved one present. What has this done to the family members and friends left behind, as well as the nurses who have carried this burden? What impact will this have long term?

As acupuncturists, we know the effect shock can have on the body, scattering the qi, affecting the shen and potentially injuring the heart. We need to be mindful that this past year has the potential to create long-term PTSD symptoms that we’ll see coming through our doors for many months, if not years.

I’m going to be honest, my shen has suffered. Was it settled at night? Not really. I experienced the most fretful and chaotic dreams and upon waking I would say to my husband that sleeping seemed more exhausting than being awake. Did I feel connected to my shen during the day? Not always. I felt like my mind was somewhat clouded, I struggled to absorb information when reading, and even though I was extremely fortunate to have my husband and our four children at home, at times I felt so lonely and disconnected.

Once the first lockdown was over and we were able to practise again, I thankfully saw my acupuncturist who cleared the blocks, leaving me feeling fully in my body, nourished and grounded, I could feel my heart smile with gratitude.

The ever-growing mental health crisis will be hitting an all-time high and we need to be fully aware that some of the contributing factors have been down to extreme isolation, grief, school closures, job losses, homelessness. In turn, sadly we may see an increase in suicide and divorce, self-harm and prescriptions for antidepressants.

Of course, we had to follow the government's advice and support the NHS with regards to Covid-19, however the difficult question now needs to be asked, can the NHS realistically cope with the exponential growth of a looming mental health crisis?

The reason I became an acupuncturist is because it was the only treatment that truly helped my mental health struggles. Acupuncture stopped – yes, stopped – my panic attacks and got my anxiety under control, and for that I will be forever grateful to my wonderful acupuncturist. In 2013 this incredible treatment reconnected me to my shen, my sparkle and my zest for life. I finally found my dao and I am now an advocate for mental health awareness and acupuncture.

There will be a time in the not-toodistant future when we, as a profession will need to stand up and speak about how important and impactful acupuncture is in supporting mental health. How will that be done? I can’t answer that, but will I be out there talking about the positive effects acupuncture has on mental health? Absolutely!