Health vs. Wellness: Insights from Kirstin Lindquist, L.Ac.

After more than 3 decades as an acupuncturist, my friend Kirstin Lindquist, (founder and CEO of the Energy Matters Acupuncture & Qigong clinic on Piedmont Avenue, in Oakland) invites us to ponder the meaning of two words we use commonly: Health and Wellness.

What comes to mind when we talk about Health and Wellness? Are we talking about “Having no injuries or illnesses” or “Being in great shape.”

Kirstin thinks of HEALTH as a measure of the current status of our physical and mental bodies. At any point in time, we may be navigating injuries, illness, mental or emotional stress, etc., or not. Our health is variable and changes over time, mostly due to factors we have little to no control over.

She thinks of WELLNESSS as a state of being . . . of internal harmony, balance, and congruency. To what extent am I living in alignment with my core values? …with what is most important to me? Am I accepting of what is? To what extent is my attention on my sphere of influence and choosing ease and flow over resistance to life?

Wellness is always available to us no matter the current state of our health. And when our state of wellness declines, when we have lost harmony and congruency, wellness is still entirely within our control to move towards.

As an acupuncturist Kirstin has worked with patients who are challenged by multiple chronic illnesses or chronic pain, yet move in a state of wellness. She has also worked with patients who have nothing “wrong” with their health, yet they are not well.

Health and Wellness are related, but not the same. Indeed these are good concepts for us to ponder. How might they apply to me?

If you would like to hear more from Kirstin regarding health, wellness, energy anatomy, and practical intuition, click here to join her email list.