Interstates and Back Roads
Dear Patient,
Interstates or back roads
Patch jobs or full repairs
Treating symptoms or true healing
All are valid ways to reach a goal. One choice offers ease of use and quick results. An interstate is the fastest way to drive somewhere. A patch job quickly fixes an acute problem and prevents further damage.
The other options don’t get you there as quickly, and they require more effort. But they have their benefits too. Back roads are more interesting, and put you in touch with people and places you would have breezed right past on the interstate. A full repair is more costly and complicated, but it will fix the source of a problem and prevent it from happening again.
Treating symptoms is like the interstate approach. Attack the symptoms, feel better, and move on. But true healing is more like a meandering road trip along back roads. It can be slow. You go in circles and lose your way. Maybe there’s a speed trap or two. You might have to stop and ask for help. But you discover hidden gems. And the scenery is beautiful.
We should remember there’s a third option too: the both/and approach. You can take both interstates and back roads. You can patch the hole and fix the source of the problem. You can alleviate symptoms and address the root of illness. But only if you let go of the singular need to arrive at your destination as quickly as possible.
Love and gratitude,
Your Acupuncturist