“It is all about working with the whole body.”
Today I met with Sue who uses Traditional Chinese medicine in her therapy. Sue was very welcoming and we began the session learning about where her knowledge and experience of traditional Chinese medicine had come from.
From a story of helping her exhusband to cure cancer I learnt that negative emotions can have a toxic effect on the body and that the traditional Chinese therapies that Sue was going to use were based on the energy in the body and the meridian lines.
Meridian Lines are the pathways which Qi (energy) flows through the body which can be blocked and Sue used three techniques during our session; I Ching, moxibustion and Gua Sha.
First we began with I-Ching or the “Book of Changes” which is an ancient Chinese manual and a book of wisdom where Sue interpreted symbols made up of six stacked horizontal lines formed by throwing coins. It helped to provide clarification and deep insight into where I was and what I have been working on in my life at that moment.
Secondly Sue used Gua Sha on me. Gua Sha is the practice of using a tool to apply pressure and scrape the skin to relieve pain and tension. This action causes light bruising, which often appears as purple or red spots known as petechiae or sha. While scraping different areas of my body Sue was able to identify from her knowledge other areas that it linked to such as the redness in my right lower back linked to pain in my neck.
Thirdly, moxibustion was used. Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy in which dried plant materials called “moxa” are burned on or very near the surface of the skin. You can feel a warm sensation on your skin. It invigorates the flow of Qi (or universal energy) in and around the body and dispels any harmful influences. This was relaxing and comforting. Sue used this to alleviate pain in the lower back and on the scar from a surgery on my hand.
Q&A with Sue Xu
What services do you offer?
Traditional Chinese medicine – I Ching, Gua Sha, moxibustion.
I work with the meridian lines in the body and the natural flow of Qi through the meridians. I also offer remedies (such as juices to increase hydration and lavender foot baths to help with dry skin) to my clients.
I also teach people how to heal, such as recipes for eating for health and to increase energy. I have just started working with another healer combining Reiki and traditional Chinese therapies.
Why is this work so important to you?
This work is important to me as I have a genuine passion to help people to heal. I believe that Traditional Chinese Medicine will balance the body and teaching people how to care for themselves and their own wellbeing is very important to me.
Could you tell us about how your interest in holistic healing began?
My journey with Traditional Chinese Medicine began with my Grandmother and the traditions she passed down to me around using seasonal food, herbal teas and natural remedies in everyday life.
I started using Traditional Chinese Medicine and the knowledge of seasonal plants, vegies and food in 2004 when my ex-husband was first diagnosed with skin cancer. We combined the western medicine he recieved with my knowledge and therapy for one month and then my husband decided to no longer use the western medicine and focus only using Traditonal Chinese Medicine. Every day for three months I used my family skills (traditional cooking and talking about emotions) and knowledge, moxibustion, Gua Sha on the head and medridians.
What obstacles did you face to get to where you are now and how did you overcome them?
I have a strong belief in myself and my practice. I believe the universe gives me the skills to help people so therefore I did not come across many obstacles.
My ex-husband did question the Chinese medicine about one and a half months into the treatment but I worked with him to overcome his obstacle – which was lack of belief in himself – and work through his emotions.
Who should seek traditional Chinese medicine as a holistic wellness technique?
Anyone who wants to detoxify and improve their energy and anyone who believes in what I do. My job is special. I not only treat my clients but I also work with them like yin and yang. I do something and they do something to help themselves. It is all about balance!
Could you share a wellbeing tip with the community?
One of my main philosophies is the power in controlling your emotions. Negative emotions cause pain, disease and an unwelcome flow of energy in the body so it is important to work through the emotions so they are balanced. I use I Ching to do this.
If you could tell your younger self one thing what would it be?
If I could tell myself one thing it would be learn more and have a more open mind to the traditional wellbeing practices. I would tell myself to understand nature and the natural balance of the world. Life is precious and we need to look after ourselves. Don’t worry about your success or lack of success as you need to be positive about your life regardless of what happens.
– Experience and Q & A by Vicki Shannon
