Ah, the ancient wisdom of the Chinese. They say that rubbing the lower part of your eyes is good for them, as it increases circulation, and stops them from getting tired. They also claim to have invented spaghetti, but why would people who eat with chopsticks invent something you need a fork to eat? Anyway, they have a lot to answer for, the Chinese – gunpowder, printing, even football. They also have some different ways of thinking about the body, thoughts that aren’t all bear gall and tiger appendage. So if you wear contact lenses and like your medicine a little more holistic, then this is for you.
Chinese medicine is all about balance and harmony, with parts of the body related and linked together. The eyes are linked to the liver, so a problem with your eyes can be solved through understanding how they are interrelated. This makes sense in an empirical way, as the liver processes beta-carotene, which helps keep the eye healthy.
There are other factors to take into consideration when viewing health holistically, as it’s not only the body that gets looked at. It’s important to think about the type of work you do, as well as for how long. According to some researchers, 90% of accountants are nearsighted, whereas 10% of farmers are. It’s quite clear that their type of work has had an affect on their eyes and sight, and that if they want to improve their vision, then it will take more than just investing in some glasses or contact lenses. Contact lenses might offer a correction, but to really change your eyesight, then you’ll have to change your career completely – easier said than done these days.
Other factors besides work also come in to play, such as your lifestyle and computer use. If you drink alcohol or coffee, for example, then the pressure in your eyes increases together with your blood pressure going up, and frequent consumption can lead to problems. If you have problems with your eyes, then addressing what you drink – and eat – is an important step towards resolving those problems.
Chinese medicine is heavy into natural remedies, which are mostly preventative. For some problems – including with eyes – acupuncture and acupressure are sometimes used. Locations around the eye and other parts of the face are used to release pressure and keep the eye healthy. These remedies aren’t for everyone, and it’s no good doing it yourself. If you really want to give it a go, let an expert do it.
