The content of these pages may contain "triggering" material.
The content of these pages may contain "triggering" material.
Chinese Medicine and Self Harm
A potential direction for healing and recovery from self harm.
By Joanne Fanucchi
Being a survivor of molestation by my father (and all that goes with that) and of other boys while I was growing up, a child caught in the crossfire of violent parents, a teenage mother and wife at 16, a mother again at 22, and divorced, I have done extensive work on myself in these areas. I cut myself once, as a teenager, then drank, smoked and sexed my way through the last of my teenage years and was dying on the vine.
Until my 20's, when I got into therapy and stayed there for many years, analyzing myself, my family, my environment, friends, jobs and life. I did better - I got rid of some of the cobwebs in my mind and did go on to live better, and actually enjoyed my life for a time. I got an undergraduate degree in psychology which did nothing for my job prospects, but did wonders for my self esteem. After working with abused children, domestically violent partners, you name it as far as abuse goes - I got a diploma in Acupressure, because I realized that talk therapy only went so far. Having had a lot of different types of massage and other bodywork during my own therapy, I wanted to learn more about how the body holds trauma, and I did.
Then, at 33, I was brutally raped by a stranger. Back to ground zero. Lots of healing in different forms took place. Believe me, you can not only heal, but can go on to blossom in life no matter what the odds.
Fast forward - moved from California to Arizona, worked at a regular job and bought a house. 9 years in the desert did clear out my spirit and then, fast forward again, it was back home to California and onto graduate school. I'm now studying chinese medicine which brings me to the purpose of telling you all this.
One day, really tired from studying, I bought a big piece of cake and a magazine and planned to relax for awhile and read something light. The magazine had an article in it about cutters. (I like the fact that you call a spade a spade; it shows courage). Anyway, immediately, all I could think of was that this writer, by cutting, was trying to heal herself!
There is an ancient technique in Chinese medicine called bloodletting. It is done when a person is full of excess - excess fever, stuck emotions, stuck energy, and more. Also in chinese medicine, the liver governs blood - and - the menses, the ethereal soul and the pathway of the liver meridian runs through the genitals. How incredible is it that sexually abused people, damaged emotionally, genitally, and soulfully, cut themselves to feel a release? I am really simplifying this, but the connections are too obvious for me to pass by.
What I am suggesting is that people who want to get over this pain might try a good, licensed acupuncturist along with therapy to facilitate their recovery. While they might not be bloodlet in a session, they will be given acupuncture and possible herbs to relieve excesses, expel heat, anger and toxins (including toxic thoughts) while at the same time tonifying their energy to guide it in a healthy direction. A person suffering from self injury may find that acupuncture gives them the same kind of release but with no harmful or stigmatizing psychological or physical side effects. And I know that it can be a vehicle for one to stop harming themselves and make life smoother. Does this make sense to you?
If you or anyone you know is interested in finding out more about chinese medicine, you can email me at jfanucchi@earthlink.net and I'll be happy to answer your questions. I just finished the first year of a 3 year program, so I am not licensed to practice yet, but after a full year of study, I can answer almost any question about chinese medicine and what to expect from a treatment. And, if anyone wants referrals, I will be happy to try and find one in your area.
This is the reason I got into this field. I can't deny I've had my share of abuse, but I'm trying to turn every bad thing that has happened to me into something good and useful for myself and others. Don't hesitate to contact me if you want to know more. And my best to you.
I welcome the contributions of others who self-harm or have done so in the past. Send us your writing, or arrange send us your art or music by e-mailing ZANNE or RAZOR at zanne@cea.edu
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Check out SCAR, a zine on the
subject of scars and self-harm. The content of these pages may contain "triggering" material. |
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CUTTERS, a
page on the subject of people who self-harm. The content of these pages may contain "triggering" material. |
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The History of Child Abuse |
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Contents Under
Pressure Razor's writing about experiences she had during a 13 year
bout with DSH and five times she was institutionalized. |
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Leap Frogge Leap was locked up in mental institutions when she was a kid. Leap refers them as "the Institutes." |