Signs and Symptoms of Liver Qi Stagnation

Here are some of the symptoms commonly associated with liver qi stagnation:

* Pain or discomfort anywhere along the sides of the body

* Depression

* Mood swings

* Sighing

* Hiccups

* Frustration

* Inappropriate anger

* Sensation of a lump in throat

* Difficulty swallowing

* Bitter taste in mouth

* Constipation or diarrhea

* Abdominal distention and discomfort

* Stomachache that improves after massage

* Stomachache that worsens with anger

* PMS with irritability or swollen breasts

source: Qi Mail

Move Your Qi!

The liver is responsible for the smooth flowing of Qi (life force) throughout the body. When the liver functions smoothly, physical and emotional activity throughout the body also runs smoothly. So, for optimum health, move your Qi!

• Stretch - The liver controls the tendons. According to Oriental medicine, the liver stores blood during periods of rest and then releases it to the tendons in times of activity, maintaining tendon health and flexibility. Incorporate a morning stretch into your routine. Try yoga or tai qi.
• Eye Exercises - The liver opens into the eyes. Although all the organs have some connection to the health of the eyes, the liver is connected to proper eye function. Remember to take breaks when looking at a computer monitor for extended periods of time and do eye exercises.
• Eat Green - Green is the color of the liver. Eating young plants - fresh, leafy greens, sprouts, and immature cereal grasses - can improve the liver’s overall functions and aid in the movement of qi.
• Try Something Sour - Foods and drinks with sour tastes are thought to stimulate the liver's qi. Put lemon slices in your drinking water, use vinegar and olive oil for your salad dressing and garnish your sandwich with a slice of dill pickle.
• Do More Outdoor Activities - Outside air helps liver qi flow. If you have been feeling irritable, find an outdoor activity to smooth out that liver qi stagnation. Try hiking or take up golf.
• Enjoy Milk Thistle Tea - Milk thistle helps protect liver cells from incoming toxins and encourages the liver to cleanse itself of damaging substances, such as alcohol, medications, pesticides, environmental toxins, and even heavy metals such as mercury.
• Get Acupuncture Treatments - Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help improve the overall health of your liver as well as treat stress, anger and frustration, which are often associated with liver qi disharmony.
• Periodic acupuncture treatments can serve to tonify the inner organ systems and can correct minor annoyances before they become serious problems.

Source: Qi Mail

Treating Irritability and Moodiness with Acupuncture

Everyone suffers from irritability and moodiness from time to time, but if you find that a short temper and frustration are becoming a constant issue for you, then acupuncture may be able to help.

Often irritability and moodiness are the consequence of chronic stress in your life. Over time these emotions can progress into more serious emotional conditions such as anxiety and depression as well as other health conditions such as digestive problems, trouble sleeping and the tendency to get sick more frequently.

Liver Qi Stagnation and Emotions

Within Oriental medicine emotional disorders can be associated with a number of different patterns of disharmony; however, anger, irritability, and frustration are all signs that our qi is not flowing smoothly. The liver is responsible for the smooth flow of qi (life force) throughout the body and for smoothing our emotions. When the liver’s function of moving qi is disrupted, qi can become stuck. This is referred to as liver qi stagnation.

Liver qi stagnation is one of the most common patterns of disharmony seen in today’s patients. In addition to irritability and moodiness, signs and symptoms may include distending pain in the area below the ribs, stuffiness of the chest, sighing, abdominal distention, nausea, sour regurgitation, belching, diarrhea or constipation, feeling of a lump in the throat, irregular periods, painful periods and distention of the breasts prior to periods. Liver qi stagnation is commonly associated with PMS.

Acupuncture is excellent at relieving liver qi stagnation. Treatment for irritability and moodiness associated with liver qi stagnation focuses on moving qi and supporting the liver and spleen organ systems with acupuncture, lifestyle and dietary recommendations and perhaps an herbal formula.

If you are concerned that your emotions may be interfering with your health and wellness, please call to see how acupuncture can help.

Source: Qi Mail

Staying Healthy This Season

Seasonal changes affect the body's environment. As we move gradually from Winter to Spring, patients are still coming in with colds/flu. Good lifestyle and hygiene habits are proven to reduce your risk of getting sick.



Wash Your Hands– Studies have shown that one of the main reasons that we catch colds and flu in cold weather is that we are indoors and in closer vicinity to others. Protect yourself by washing your hands regularly and try not to touch your face.



Sleep In - The Nei Ching, an ancient Chinese classic, advised people to go to sleep early, rest well and rise late, after the sun's rays have warmed the atmosphere a bit. This preserves your own Yang Qi for the task of warming the body.



Stress Less - Find a release valve for your stress. According to Chinese medicine, stress, frustration, and unresolved anger can play an important part in throwing the immune system off and allowing pathogens to affect the body. Find a way to relax and release stress on a daily basis. Such methods may include yoga, meditation and exercise. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in the treatment of stress, anxiety and depression.



Seasonal Tune-Up - Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can prevent colds and flu by building up the immune system with just a few needles inserted into key points along the body’s energy pathways. These points are known for strengthening the circulation of blood and energy and for consolidating the outer defense layers of the skin and muscle (wei Qi) so that germs and viruses cannot enter through them.

Seasonal acupuncture treatments also serve to tonify the inner organ systems and correct minor annoyances before they become serious problems.

Source: Qi Mail

Acupuncture, the Natural Cold and Flu Remedy

This year there will be 1 billion colds and 95 million cases of the flu in the United States alone. While the misery of cold and flu season might be inevitable, one thing is changing: where we look for relief.

Acupuncture to Get Better Faster - If you have already come down with a cold or the flu, acupuncture treatments can help relieve symptoms you are currently experiencing including chills, fever, body aches, runny nose, congestion, sore throat and cough. While bringing some immediate relief, treatments will reduce the incidence of an upper respiratory tract infection and shorten the length of the illness.

Acupuncture for Prevention - Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can prevent colds and flu by strengthening the immune system with just a few needles inserted into key points along the body's energy pathways.

In Oriental Medicine, disease prevention begins with a protective layer around the exterior of the body called wei qi or defensive energy. There are acupuncture points known for strengthening the circulation of blood and energy and for consolidating the outer defense layers of the skin and muscle (Wei Qi) so that germs and viruses cannot enter through them.

If you catch colds easily, have low energy and require a long time recuperating from an illness your wei qi may be deficient.

Seasonal acupuncture treatments just four times a year also serve to tonify the inner organ systems and can correct minor annoyances before they become serious problems. Call us to see how we can help you stay healthy this season!

Source: Qi Mail

Interesting Acupuncture Facts

Here is some historical highlights of where acupuncture needles came from, how they evolved, and how they are used today:

*The earliest acupuncture devices were made of stone. These were not used to pierce the skin, but rather to press on acupuncture points.

*Before metal needles, historians think thorns, bamboo slivers, or sharpened bone were used to stimulate acupuncture points.

*The oldest acupuncture needles found date to A.D. 600. These needles were made of bronze, copper, tin, gold, and silver.

*In the fourth century A.D., China began using steel. Once steel was discovered, it became the most favored material for crafting acupuncture needles because it is both very strong and can be used to make very thin needles.

*In the 17th century, Waichi Sugiyama - a famous blind acupuncturist from Japan- invented the guide tube which resulted in the development of much finer needles.

*The acupuncture needles most commonly used in present-day practice are made of stainless steel of a very fine diameter (approximately 0.015"). These are pre-packaged, sterilized, and disposable.

*In The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (one of the original Chinese medicine textbooks), nine different types of needles are mentioned as being used for acupuncture treatments. Each one had a different tip and a precise length and width.

*Studies have shown that acupuncture points have significantly more electrical conductivity than areas of skin without acupuncture points.

*In 1995, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified acupuncture needles as medical instruments, assuring their safety and effectiveness.

*According to a National Health Interview Survey, an estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture in the past, and an estimated 2.1 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture in the previous year.

*Usually needles are inserted from 1/4 to 1 inch in depth. Depth of insertion will depend on the patient’s size, age, constitution, and the nature of the condition being treated.

*A popular acupuncture point for treating sciatica is located on the buttocks. An acupuncture needle is usually inserted three to four inches into this acupuncture point.

Source: AcuFinder.com

Thoughts on Winter, Which is Still Here

Winter is still hanging on. The weeks of rain, wind, and colder temperatures are reminders of that. Staying indoors and sleeping are more appealing as our bodies try to keep warm, and cravings for certain foods may also be at the forefront of our minds.

In Traditional Chinese medicine, each season has an organ that belongs to it. Winter is the season of th Kidneys, which holds the essence of our being and the root of our energy. Winter is also the season that has the most “Yin” aspect of Chinese medicine (think of the black side of the Taiji or YinYang symbol).

Yin is dark, movement is slow, and it represents cooler temperatures (in contrast to the Yang summer season, which is light, with more activity and warmth)

If you have an acupuncture treatment this winter, we may use moxibustion to warm your cold extremities, low back, or abdomen. Moxibustion is a wonderful way to warm the body slowly, with lasting effects. You may also consider an herbal formula to fight off colds.

A book that I often recommmend to patients is “Staying Healthy with the Seasons,” by Elson Hass, MD. This book discusses how to eat and exercise with each season and the changes that occur in nature and within our own bodies. In winter, it’s best to eat warm foods such as nourishing soups and hearty stews to help our bodies be still and keep warm.

It’s also important to keep up with some form of exercise routine, such as yoga, pilates, or your usual gym workouts. Even though we may not be sweating as much, out bodies still need water in this season. After all, it is the season of the Water element…

Yoga’s Stress Relief: An Aid for Infertility

There is a great article in the New York Times about Yoga and Infertility:

"KIMBERLY SORANNO, a 39-year-old Brooklynite undergoing an in vitro fertilization cycle as part of her quest to become pregnant, had gone to her share of yoga classes, but never one like that held on a recent Tuesday night in a reception area of the New York University Fertility Center. There were no deep twists or headstands; just easy “restorative” poses as the teacher, Tracy Toon Spencer, guided the participants — most of them women struggling to conceive — to let go of their worries." read more...

Cold & Flu Season Tips

Here is an article about cold/flu season from a great web site called Naturally Knocked Up:

Natural cures/remedies for colds are abundant, especially this time of year. We’re either trying to not get sick, or perhaps we’re sick and would like to get over our illness quicker. With just a few simple items, probably already in your home, you can boost your immune system and feel better in no time. Used before hand – you can even fight the virus before it takes up residence in your body.

Cold and Virus Fighters

photo credit: carbonnyc

Garlic is a common staple in most homes, but did you know it also has the ability to cleanse and warm the body, kill yeasts and parasites, increase circulation, as well as contains natural antibiotic and anti fungal properties. It’s a wonderful immune booster and helps to fight off germs and bacteria.

In order to see the full benefit of garlic, it must be consumed raw. Cooked garlic has wonderful properties as well, but when eaten raw will knock the virus off it’s feet. Start consuming larger quantities of garlic as soon as you feel a touch ill. It’s also beneficial to boost your immune system before you head to an even with a large crowd!

How to take raw garlic

• My absolute favorite way to get raw garlic into my diet is to make a garlic herb spread for over toast, potatoes, or even rice.
• You can chop it into pill sized pieces and swallow whole. One word of advice though – always consume with foods, lest you get a stomach ache.
• If you have empty pill capsules at home you can also mince the garlic and fill capsules to make it a bit easier to swallow!
• Top the foods you make with raw garlic. Even if the food is hot, it shouldn’t ‘cook’ the garlic if you consume it fast enough.

Taking a dose of garlic every few hours will have you feeling better in no time! (As a side note, I’ve noticed that minced garlic has a more noticeable effect than large pieces)

Rest

Stress and fatigue lower you’re immune system so it’s pertinent that you give your body ample amounts of rest so that it can use the extra energy for fighting illness. When heading into a season of busyness, or looking forward to vacation, get as much rest beforehand as possible.

Liquids

Our bodies function properly when they are properly hydrated! Make sure to drink lots of liquids to hydrate those cells. Water also helps our bodies eliminate toxins from the body and makes digestion easier. It’s important to drink enough so that your urine is no longer yellow.

If you’re already sick, drink more!

Hot liquids are also a wonderful help. If you think about it, most virus’ we ‘catch’ we breathe in, as they are airborne and travel from the person next to us who sneezes. Drinking hot liquids often helps to kill the germs as they reside in our mouths and throat. Hot water with lemon is a wonderful drink to consume during cold and flu season as not only the heat helps fight virus, the lemon is ultra cleansing to the body. Homemade broth is another hot liquid that has amazing healing properties!

photo credit: aussiegall

Nasal Cleansing

Probably one of the least lady-like immune boosters, nasal cleansing with sea salt is a fabulous way to keep germs at bay! The warm salt water helps to flush out bacteria and virus’ as they reside in our nasal passages.

You can easily use nasal cleansing upon rising in the morning and going to bed each night. This is especially important when you’re traveling or around a large group of people.

To practice nasal cleansing you can purchase what’s called a neti pot and fill with warm salt water. If you don’t have a neti pot, you can also use a bulb syringe. Lean over a sink and tilt your head to the side and slightly forward, allowing the salt water to run into your sinus’. It’s not pretty, and sometimes downright uncomfortable, but works amazingly well!

Probiotics

Another great way to boost your immune system is to consume foods that contain probiotics. Yogurt, kefir, kombucha, and naturally fermented vegetables are all great sources of good bacteria that help keep your system strong. it also keep s your immune system strong by keeping your intestines healthy. (Did you know that 80% of our immune system is in our gut?)

Wash Your Hands

Taught in grade schools around the country, washing your hands is your first defense in keeping germs out of your body. You don’t need to go the anti-bacterial soap route, just wash long enough to sing the ABC’s before you eat and after you’re exposed to others.

Take Your Vitamins

To really give your immune system a boost, make sure you consume enough vitamin D and vitamin C. Both are important to your immune system and can help kick a cold before it starts.

Don’t Eat Sugar

One of the biggest things you can do for your immune system is to cut sugar and sweets out of your diet. Sugar not only disrupts the natural balance of bacteria in your gut, it also drastically lowers the strength of your immune system! Most studies suggest that it can lower immune function for 6 hours after consumption, leaving you vulnerable to virus’ you’ve been exposed to. Other studies even suggest that it lowers your immune function up to 90% within just the first 15 minutes.

Using all of the above home remedies will keep you healthy this winter, but don’t fret if you’ve already come down with a bug. Each one of these will help boost your immune system and help the body heal quicker!

Source: naturallyknockedup.com

Recipe for Nourishing Beauty - Sweet Rice Congee

Sweet black rice, when cooked with longan berries (euphoria longana) and Chinese dates, becomes a congee that nourishes blood and Qi.

In the Oriental medicine system of food cures, these three foods work together to enhance beauty and longevity.

• The sweet rice promotes the flow of liver Qi, which helps keep angry feelings at bay and leads to calmness.

• The Chinese dates (different from the Mediterranean variety) nourish blood and spleen, promoting restful sleep and mental clarity.

• Longan fruit, a blood enhancer, was used by the ancients to add luster to the skin. From a Western perspective, we know that longans contain large amounts of Vitamin C and phenolic compounds, which may help to detoxify and protect the liver.

Sweet Rice Congee

(Taken from Ancient Healing for Modern Women, by Dr. Xiolan Zhao, C.M.D.)

Ingredients:

6 cups water

1 cup black sweet rice (wash before using)

½ cup dried longan fruit

10 Chinese dates

2 tablespoons raw sugar

½ inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced

Instructions:

In a large heavy saucepan, add 6 cups of water, black sweet rice, longan fruit, dates, and raw sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer for two hours, stirring occasionally. Garnish with ginger. Makes four servings.

Note: All ingredients are available at most Asian grocery stores.

Author: Elizabeth G. Lynch

Acupuncture for Facial Rejuvenation

Acupuncture has been used to treat skin complaints and reduce signs of aging for centuries. In fact, facial rejuvenation acupuncture, also known as cosmetic acupuncture, has a recorded history going as far back as China's Sung Dynasty (960AD – 1270AD), when the Empress and the Emperor’s concubines used it to engender beauty and good health.

Facial rejuvenation acupuncture can improve muscle tone, increase collagen production, tighten pores and boost circulation and moisture in the skin. Moreover, when acupuncture is used to create overall balance within the body, the physical, mental and emotional patterns that contribute to aging are addressed, helping you look and feel younger.

The theory behind facial acupuncture is that hair-thin needles inserted along wrinkles and frown lines stimulate energy and relax the muscles. This leads to a tightening of the facial muscles, which decreases sagging of the facial skin, and an increase in the production of collagen, filling in fine lines and wrinkles.

Benefits of Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture

• Increases the production of collagen and elastin

• Improves muscle tone (preventing further aging and wrinkles)

• Improves local lymph and blood circulation

• Softens or erases fine lines and wrinkles

• Reduces the depth of deeper lines

• Decreases bags (puffiness) under the eyes

• Reduces or eliminates acne and rosacea

• Provides a consistently smoother and brighter face

To look and feel years younger, facial rejuvenation acupuncture offers less risk, expense and recovery time than medical alternatives. While this procedure cannot reshape facial features, it is a more subtle rejuvenation that can take years off one’s face safely and naturally while improving overall health.

Treatments are personalized for each patient. If you would like to learn more about facial rejuvenation acupuncture, please call for a consultation today!

Source: Qi Mail