How to mend a broken heart

You magazine - April 2003

Sarah Stacey investigates your health problems.

Acupuncture is already widely acknowlegded for physical problems such as frozen shoulders, bad backs and sore joints. Butdid you know it can also be used to relieve the pain of a broken heart?

We sent our grieving guinnea pig to Maria Mercati. Maria, who learned her techiques at the famous Yue-Yang hospital in Shanghai and is a leading authority on oriental massage, inserted nine needles in the calves, ankles, toes, wrists and one in the forhead. They were manipulated gently after 15 minutes, and removed after half an hour. A little loosening neck massage completed the treatment. Did it work?

"I felt three years anger draining away" said the broken-hearted one. "the tension in my stomach relaxed, and I was able to stand up straight again. I felt happier than I had done in ages, and had the best nights sleep that night that I could remember." Some weeks later, she says her heart is mending nicely. Maria explained that emotions are directly linked with particular organs, in this case the heart and liver. By restoring balance to these organs, the emotions follow suit, calming the mind and healing the pain. It can thus relieve other emotional problems, such as bereavement or stress.