From Qi to Well-Being
Feature Interview With Cara Dinote L.Ac. on the Transformative Power of Acupuncture
Yup, that’s me, Diamond-Michael Scott aka The Chocolate Taoist getting acupuncture treatment from Cara Dinote L.Ac. in San Diego back in 2019
Acupuncture, the ancient Chinese medical art of inserting fine needles into specific points on the body, continues to gain popularity and significance in the West. This practice, rooted in over 2,000 years of Chinese history, now has a bevy of scientific data to support its ability to promote health and well-being.
Historically, acupuncture is based on the concept of Qi (pronounced "chee"), the vital life force that flows through the body along pathways known as meridians. According to traditional Chinese medicine, health is achieved when Qi flows freely along these meridians, while blockages can lead to illness and discomfort.
The strategic insertion of needles at specific points along the meridians is believed to restore balance and promote the smooth flow of Qi, thereby enhancing health and preventing disease.
In the 1970s, the Black Panther Party, an African American revolutionary organization, adopted acupuncture as part of their community health initiatives. The Panthers, recognizing the dire need for accessible healthcare in underserved communities, sought alternative medical practices to address the health disparities affecting African Americans.
They embraced acupuncture for its effectiveness and affordability, integrating it into their health clinics in Oakland, California. This bold move not only brought acupuncture into the limelight in America but also highlighted its potential as a tool for social justice and community empowerment.
My own personal journey with acupuncture began many years ago. As someone deeply interested in holistic health, I have long been a fan of acupuncture, using it as a preventative modality to mitigate energy blockages in my body.
For me, maintaining a constant flow of good Qi throughout my meridians is the key to good health. As a result, acupuncture has become an integral part of my wellness routine, helping me stay balanced and energized.
Meridians, the channels through which Qi flows, are central to the practice of acupuncture. These pathways are mapped throughout the body, with specific points corresponding to different organs and functions.
Chinese medicine believes that stimulating these points can harmonize the body's energy flow, enhancing its natural healing abilities. The meridian system underscores the holistic approach of Chinese medicine, where physical, emotional, and spiritual health are interconnected.
In 2018, I met Cara Dinote while she was building her acupuncture practice in San Diego. Her dedication and expertise quickly made her my go-to acupuncturist for both preventative and restorative care.
Cara's practice embodies the essence of acupuncture: a blend of ancient wisdom and contemporary application. Her personalized treatments focus not only on alleviating symptoms but also on addressing the underlying causes of imbalance. This holistic approach has played a part in helping me maintain a state of good health and vitality, preventing issues before they arise and promoting overall wellness.
In addition to offering traditional acupuncture through her San Diego practice, Cara also provides Esoteric Acupuncture. This unique approach focuses on prevention, wellness, and spiritual growth, combining elements of alchemy, astrology, sacred geometry, the Kabalistic tree of life, and the Hindu Chakra system with traditional Chinese acupuncture points and philosophies.
Esoteric Acupuncture aims to support physical wellness and spiritual evolution, generating a higher awareness of one’s interconnectedness to the global and cosmic community.
Esoteric Acupuncture uses thinner needles retained for longer periods and positioned more superficially than in traditional acupuncture. Points are inserted in a specific encoding pattern and sequence corresponding to the Chakra being targeted. As a result, treatments tend to feel much deeper and far-reaching, leading to a balanced state of harmony across emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual levels.
Esoteric Acupuncture is renowned for its ability to balance and fine-tune the whole body energetically, particularly benefiting those interested in exploring and deepening their spiritual growth.
Cara’s practice also includes other therapeutic modalities such as cupping, Chinese herbs, moxibustion, gua sha, tui na massage, and auricular (ear) acupuncture. These complementary treatments enhance the overall effectiveness of acupuncture, providing comprehensive care for her patients.
The growing popularity of acupuncture in the West can be attributed to its effectiveness and the increasing acceptance of alternative and complementary medicine.
People are seeking holistic approaches that address the root causes of health issues, rather than merely treating symptoms. Acupuncture offers a natural, non-invasive option that aligns with this desire for comprehensive care.
Moreover, scientific studies have begun to validate the benefits of acupuncture, further enhancing its credibility and acceptance. Research has shown that acupuncture can effectively manage pain, reduce stress, improve digestion, and enhance overall well-being. These findings resonate with those who are looking for safe and natural ways to improve their health.
Acupuncture’s rise in popularity in the West reflects a broader shift towards holistic health practices. Its rich history, connection to social movements like the Black Panther Party, and personal success stories like mine and Cara's illustrate its enduring significance.
As more people experience the benefits of acupuncture, its role in promoting health and well-being is likely to continue expanding, bridging the gap between ancient traditions and modern healthcare.
Feature Interview With Cara Dinote, L.Ac.
Cara, can you please share a few thoughts about what inspired your journey with acupuncture along with a bit of the backstory behind it?
CD: As I was finishing my undergrad in psychology, I became increasingly interested in Buddhism which led me down a further path towards energy healing. After having a deep conversation with an acupuncturist who worked with me while I was a biofeedback technician at the time, I found myself enrolling in an acupuncture masters program.
In your view how does Esoteric Acupuncture differ from traditional acupuncture and what drew you to incorporate it into your practice?
CD: Esoteric Acupuncture uses a different approach to diagnosing and treating patients than traditional acupuncture. The chakras are tested for imbalances and the point prescription chosen to treat them is a specific grid pattern that reflects sacred geometry. Esoteric Acupuncture is meant to raise higher consciousness in addition to treating the physical, emotional, spiritual aspects of oneself. This was not taught at my school and so I stumbled across it myself.
There is so much talk about cupping these days. Can you briefly describe what cupping is and why it holds such great popularity?
CD: Cupping is a form of myofascial release in which the cup lifts and pulls the fascia or sheet that surrounds the muscle in order to release pain, tension, and inflammation. The red or purple marks left on the skin indicate how much inflammation is present in that area.
The more cupping you receive, the lighter the marks become as you feel better and pain and inflammation decreases. Cupping really became mainstream after Michael Phelps clearly had cupping marks on his body during the 2008 Olympics.
The basis of acupuncture treatments centers around the principles of Qi and meridian pathways. How would you best describe these to the everyday layperson and what are the biggest misconceptions you hear about acupuncture and the practice of energy movement?
CD: Acupuncture points are located on channels or meridians mapped along the body. The channels correspond to numerous organs such as the Liver or Heart channel. Qi is the energy that flows between these channels and when a needle is placed into a specific point, we are tapping into that energy to stimulate neurotransmitters in the brain that induce healing and relaxation.
I think people misperceive the sensation of Qi as pain when a needle is inserted into a point. That dull aching sensation that is initially felt upon needle insertion is tapping into the Qi of that point.
What role do other modalities like moxibustion and Chinese herbs play in your practice, and how do they complement acupuncture?
CD: I use a neuromuscular stimulation machine, infrared light therapy, cupping, gua sha, and electro-acupuncture in my practice. These extra modalities help reduce pain and inflammation, and increase local blood flow.
What do you see on the horizon in terms of the future of acupuncture, in light of the exploding interest in preventive and holistic health care?
CD: I see more physicians referring patients to acupuncture for primary care rather than as a last resort effort for treating chronic pain or other enduring conditions.
I've been having acupuncture the.past four weeks. I've noticed my migraines are easing. Sarah also prescribed me specific herbs for my MS brain fog. She says that along with the acupuncture ans eliminating gluten and dairy more will help with the inflammation. That with the hot yoga have proven fabulous for improving my life with MS and migraines.
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing this. I’ve been having acupuncture for many years but had never heard of Esoteric Acupuncture before this.