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

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

Study: Acupuncture Lessens Depression Symptoms During Pregnancy

A great alternative for pregnant women who feel depressed. A Stanford study shows that acupuncture lessens depression symptoms:

Acupuncture appears to be an effective way to reduce depression symptoms during pregnancy, according to a first-of-its-kind study from Stanford University School of Medicine researchers.

The study authors, led by Rachel Manbar, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, said they hope the results will raise awareness of the problem of depression during pregnancy and provide patients and physicians an alternative to antidepressants. “This standardized acupuncture protocol could be a viable treatment option for depression during pregnancy,” they wrote in a paper that appears in the March issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology... Read More

Study: Acupuncture May Change the Way the Brain Perceives Pain

Check out this Time Magazine article on recent research showing how acupuncture works:

The idea of pricking your body with needles in order to relieve pain seems nothing if not counterintuitive, but thousands of acupuncture patients swear the treatments are effective in addressing pain of all kinds.

But how does it work? How much of the relief is due to the placebo effect — the mere perception that the needles are actually dulling pain — as opposed to a real biological change in the way nerves signal the brain to pain? ... Read more

Treating Seasonal Depression with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Clinically referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the winter blues can weigh you down during the dark months of the year. An estimated ten million Americans (two-thirds of them women) suffer every year. Symptoms include depression, irritability, headaches, fatigue and lethargy, increased appetite, carbohydrate cravings, difficulty concentrating, and decreased libido.

In the Western world, it is thought that because people have less exposure to sunlight, they experience a decrease in melatonin levels in the brain. Genetics, hormones, stress and other factors may dictate how one is affected by SAD. Western medicine practitioners often to turn to light therapy, and, in some cases, antidepressants to alleviate symptoms. The Traditional Chinese Medicine approach explains this SAD as the result of a yin-yang imbalance. While yin, the feminine energy, relates to nourishment, it is also associated with cold and darkness. Yang, by contrast, is the male energy, associated with heat and light. Around this time of year, it is natural to feel an increase in yin-related tendencies such as isolation and sadness.

As the coldness of Fall and Winter months profoundly challenge our core energy, it is not surprising that many of us find ourselves craving quick-fix, high-calorie energy sources. This extra energy can be stored as fat in order to help keep the body warm. We use a lot of energy in Winter fending off the cold, which can make us feel drained, and we may notice ourselves become more emotionally and physically sensitive to our own surroundings. Stress, poor diet, and lack of sleep many of us are too familiar with due to hectic schedules (not to mention drafty apartments and overzealous radiators) further deplete energy, leading to both a depressed immunity and mood.

While a few individuals may require psychotherapy or medication, there are many other ways to treat SAD. Make sure you have proper nourishment and rest as well as a comfortable living environment.

• Stock your kitchen with vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables (try dark leafy greens and baked root vegetables) as well as "warming" foods like whole grains, nuts and seaweed to use in soups and other hearty dishes.

• Give yourself time, space to rest and to be reflective, a natural inclination we experience in the winter months.
  

• Make sure your thermostat (if you have one) is set to a comfortable temperature. Invest in a space heater or humidifier if necessary.
  

• Try to go to bed early and wake up early.
  

• Work by a window if possible, in order to get some direct sunlight.

• Moderate exercise can also boost one's mood. Stretching, yoga, and tai chi can do wonders to boost the immunity. It is important to stay active without overstraining the mind or body.
  

• Acupuncture, especially when combined with heat therapy and yang-fortifying (or "warming") herbs can be very effective in treating SAD symptoms. It helps guide the body back to balance and regulate the neurological and endocrine systems. Marie and I can prescribe the herbs that will best complete your personal treatment.

Taking these simple steps can help you stay well all winter. A strong mind and body are your best bet for braving the elements.

Adapted from Qi Mail

Late Summer: Preparing for Less Light

Chase the Blues Away

As the days are getting shorter, we are just beginning to experience less daylight. For many people, depression or melancholy can begin to set in. It’s important to manage these feelings from a psycho-emotional standpoint, perhaps with a therapist or meditation practice. Below, I will introduce a meditation exercise that is great for stress reduction, relaxation and is something you can even practice on the subway!

As it gets cooler, it is especially important to pay special attention to our respiratory health not only to prevent colds and flus, but also because according to TCM, our Lungs are associated with the emotion melancholy. Thus, focusing on breathing exercises is a great way to support this vital organ system during this time of year.

A useful Lung opening and stress reduction exercise is called “Coherent Breathing,” the strategy of consciously controlling your breathing rate to 5 breaths per minute. When done properly, it rapidly balances the autonomic nervous system. There is an alignment between the sympathetic and parasympathetic system and synchronization between the energy of the heart and the energy of the brain. Within a few weeks of regular practice, your heart rate variability (HRV) typically increases, which is considered to be an indicator of an increase in overall well-being, both physically and mentally. In the moment, this exercise is helpful for calming you down and bringing you to the present.

Here are the basic instructions:

1) With eyes open or closed, inhale to the count of 6, then exhale to the count of 6. You can use a noisy clock that ticks off the seconds or count silently to yourself.

2) Since the highest density of blood vessels are located in the base of the lungs, breath deeply into that region first. This is also known as belly breathing or diaphragmatic breathing. Breathe slowly and rhythmically (think of a pendulum).

3) Allow the air to flow naturally. Guide but do not force the process.

4) Each time you exhale, relax your face, neck, shoulders, and the rest of your body.

You can do this on the subway, at your desk, or anywhere and for any amount of time to achieve the immediate physical and mental benefits.

A CD to help with pacing the breath is available titled “RESPIRE 1” by Stephen Elliott at http://www.coherence.com/ and more information is available in print: “The New Science of Breath” by Stephen Elliott with Dee Edmonson.

More Tips for Late Summer

During this last burst of Indian Summer – heat and dampness are prominent. These elements can easily damage the heart and spleen function. You may find yourself feeling sticky and clammy, sweating, poor appetite, heavy limbs, fatigue.

Tip #2: Drink plenty of fluids to prevent body fluid deficiency.

The organ systems associated with the season of Late Summer are the Stomach and the Spleen-Pancreas. These systems are responsible for the digestion of nutrients. Though the spleen is often overlooked in Western medicine, in TCM, the spleen represents the primary organ of digestion. If the spleen is in disharmony, then you may develop deficiencies in qi or blood, or poor digestion.

The spleen is also the source of motivation and creativity. When the spleen-pancreas energy is balanced, we feel calm and settled and compassionate. We experience anxiety and worry when the spleen-pancreas energy is not balanced.

Tip # 3: Eat foods that nourish the spleen-pancreas: The damp heat of this season can put stress on digestion. Eat cooked foods for easier digestion. Don't combine too many ingredients, use minimal seasoning, and keep cooking temperature and time moderate. For example, try steaming vegetables instead of grilling them.

Since this season is associated with the color yellow and the sweet flavor, try golden and orange-colored foods that are mildly sweet. To get your body in tune with this season, try: amaranth, apricots, cantaloupe, chestnuts, corn, garbanzo beans, millet, peas, potatoes, soybeans, squash, string beans, sweet potatoes, tofu and yams.

Late Summer: The Fifth Season

Late Summer is the fifth season in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). While it is a short season, it is, in many ways, the most important, as it represents the transition from the energetic yang energy of Spring and Summer to the quieter yin energy of Fall and Winter. This is the point at which all seasons converge. As Paul Pitchford writes in Healing with Whole Foods, Late Summer represents "the instant where the pendulum reverses its swing." This season is the point of clarity between Summer and Fall, when we can pause and figure out what we need to do to prepare for winter.

Grounding and centering are key during this transition. We must protect the immune system for autumn by preparing our bodies and minds. In the following few posts, I will provide tips to prepare ourselves for this change of seasons. If you read my recent newsletter, some of this will be duplicative.

Tip #1

As the weather cools and the wind picks up, it's important to keep our neck warm. When our defenses are down, we are more susceptible and vulnerable to pathogens such as colds and flus. In TCM, we believe that “wind carries a thousand diseases” and we are moving into that time now. So remember your scarf before heading out the door!

Acupuncture and Reproductive Health

Current statistics state that one in five couples over the age of 30 have difficulty conceiving after one year of trying. Many of these couples are turning to acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for a safe, effective and natural solution to have a healthy baby.

TCM has a long history when it comes to enhancing fertility for both men and women. In fact, evidence that acupuncture and herbal medicine have been used to aid fertility can be found in early medical literature dating back to 3AD.

Fertility treatments were first recorded by Zhang Zhong Jing, a famous physician from the Han Dynasty, in his discussion of diseases in women in the Jin Gui Yao Lue or Essentials of the Golden Cabinet.

How Acupuncture Can Enhance Fertility

According to the principles of TCM, a person's health is determined by the quality of Qi, the vital life energy, and blood circulating through the body. When Qi and blood are circulating properly, the body is properly nourished and functioning optimally which, in turn, enhances fertility.

Researchers have confirmed TCM is beneficial in the following areas:

1. Regulate menstrual cycle.

2. Improve sperm count and motility.

3. Reduce stress and anxiety associated with infertility.

4. Normalize hormone and endocrine systems.

5. Improve blood flow in the uterus.

6. Decrease chance of miscarriage.

7. Increase the chance of pregnancy for women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Fertility treatments vary from person to person, but are usually scheduled for at least three consecutive cycles (twelve weeks). Treatments can include acupuncture, customized herbal therapy, stress reduction and dietary counseling. Treatments work alone but are an excellent addition to any Western intervention.

Please call for more information of to schedule a consultation!

Source: Qi Mail

Chrysanthemum flowers for Eye Health

I've written about Chrysanthemum flowers before but wanted to include another recipe for Chrysanthemum tea (Ju Hua) where the flowers are boiled to make a popular cooling tea to drink in the warm weather or to use topically on the eye. Chrysanthemum tea has many medicinal uses. Used for at least 2,000 years, this herb was first listed by the physician Shen Nong who suggested that continued use would "slow aging and prolong life".

The boiled flowers or tea bags may be kept in the fridge and used as eye masks to ease tired eyes, reduce heavy eye bags and get rid of redness, pain or dryness of the eyes.

Cold Chrysanthemum Tea

Ingredients

* 60 - 80 White Chrysanthemum Flowers
* 3 teaspoons of Jasmine Green Tea
* Rock sugar or honey
* 4 liters (1 Gallon) of water

Instructions:

1. Wash the chrysanthemums.
2. Put chrysanthemum and tea into a cooking pot.
3. Pour in water and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Add rock sugar or honey.
6. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.
7. Strain and put into the refrigerator.
8. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Source: Qi Mail

Acupuncture and Eye Health

Your eyes are a reflection of your overall health. Illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease can be revealed in the eyes. Conditions such as glaucoma, optic neuritis or vision loss are often associated with systemic health problems. It is this interconnection between your eyes and your health that acupuncture and Oriental medicine can tap into and utilize to treat eye and vision problems. Eye conditions respond well to acupuncture and it has been used successfully to treat a wide range of eye problems for centuries.

How Eye Disorders Are Treated With Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pays close attention to the relationship between tissues and organs. Sometimes an imbalance within the body can manifest as an eye problem, just as the health of the eyes is often a reflection of an imbalance or health problem elsewhere in the body.

When you are treated for an eye condition with acupuncture, any underlying imbalances that are attributing to your symptoms will be addressed. The eye problems will also be treated directly by promoting circulation of Qi (life force) and blood around the eyes.

Common eye problems treated with acupuncture include:

• Glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Chronic Dry Eyes
• Macular Degeneration
• Optic Neuritis
• Optic Atrophy

In addition to acupuncture, there are several things you can do each day to maintain eye health and avoid problems. Drink eight to ten glasses of water to keep your body and eyes hydrated. Stop smoking. Exercise to improve overall circulation. Make a conscious effort to stop periodically to rest and blink frequently especially when reading, working on a computer or watching television. Avoid rubbing your eyes. Always remember to always protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV light and glare with protective lenses.

Would you like to learn more about how acupuncture can help you with an eye condition? Please call us at 917-538-5755 for a consultation.

source: Qi Mail

Should You Try Acupuncture?

There is an interesting post on the Huffington Post about whether to try acupuncture. While most of you reading this may have already experienced the benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the blogger brings up some good points about what we do and don't know about the benefits of acupuncture. I often find myself in conversation with folks who ask me about this and also, scientifically, how acupuncture works. Share this article with friends and family who you know could benefit from treatment. Read the article here.

Acupuncture and Low Back Pain

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective of Low Back Pain

Low back pain is an extremely common concern, affecting anywhere from 75 to 90 percent of people at some point in their lives. Low back pain is second only to the common cold as a cause of lost days at work and is one of the most common reasons to seek medical care, including acupuncture. In fact, one of the top reasons that people get acupuncture treatments is for low back pain.

In spite of the large number of pathological conditions that can give rise to low back pain, up to 85% of the cases are classified by Western physicians as 'non-specific'. When low back pain is looked at from an Oriental medicine perspective, it is seen as a disruption of the flow of Qi within the area and associated with a specific disharmony and then treated accordingly.

The basis of acupuncture is expressed in this famous Chinese saying: "Bu tong ze tong, tong ze bu tong" which means "free flow: no pain, no free flow: pain."

In other words, any kind of pain or illness represents an obstruction in the normal flow of Qi or life force. Simply put, acupuncture moves Qi, restoring free flow.

The disruption of Qi that results in low back pain is usually associated with the following three disharmonies:

Weak Kidney Qi - In Oriental medicine, the lower back is referred to as the “dwelling of the Kidneys”. The majority of chronic low back pain conditions are associated with Kidney Deficiency. Kidney Deficiency type pain is dull and comes and goes. It is usually aggravated by over tiredness and improves with rest.

Stagnation of Qi and Blood - When the flow of Qi along the meridians that traverse the lumbar region becomes congested, it is referred to as the stagnation of Qi and blood. This presents with a severe stabbing pain that is worse with rest and better with movement, tender to touch and can be accompanied by stiffness and tightness.

Invasion of Cold and Dampness - Cold, damp type pain is worse in the morning and when the weather is cold and damp. This type of pain improves with movement and the application of heat. Stiffness and contraction of back muscles that is aggravated by rest indicates cold predominance while swelling, numbness and a heavy sensation are indicative of dampness.

If you or someone you love suffers from acute and chronic back pain, please call to find out more about how acupuncture and TCM can help you.

Source: Qi Mail

Acupuncture in Pregnancy & Childbirth

Pregnancy is an amazing time in a woman's life. Many women report feeling healthier than they have ever felt before; however, the physical growth of the baby and changes in hormone levels can bring about pain, discomfort and a variety of health problems.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can provide a safe, effective alternative for many of the health complications that may arise before, during and after pregnancy. A growing number of women are choosing acupuncture to use throughout their pregnancy and as an optional treatment for an overdue or difficult labor.

Planning for a Healthy Baby

Healthy parents produce healthy babies. With acupuncture and Oriental medicine, parents can improve their health to create the most optimal environment for their unborn child. In addition to their ability to strengthen, support, and balance overall health and well-being, acupuncture and Oriental medicine are an effective treatment for regulating menstruation and hormone levels, reducing stress and addressing any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns that a woman may have

Acupuncture during Pregnancy

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can play a vital role in the comfort of a pregnant woman. There is strong evidence to support that acupuncture is highly effective at treating some of the most common problems experienced during pregnancy including morning sickness, heartburn, insomnia, water retention and sciatica.

Here is a list of some of the problems that an acupuncturist often treats during pregnancy:

* Nausea and Vomiting

* Heartburn

* Constipation

* Hemorrhoids

* Edema and Swelling

* Urinary Tract Infection

* Pelvic Pain

* Neck and Back Pain

* Sciatica

* Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

* Leg Cramps

* Fatigue and Exhaustion

* Insomnia

* Anxiety and Depression

Source Qi Mail

NY Times Discusses Acupuncture Benefits

This article from last week's New York Times discusses how many people are finding relief for common health issues using acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. There are also some great tips on making acupuncture work within your budget.

Read the article here.

More Tips to Alleviate Seasonal Allergies

It's the height of allergy season right now. Spring flowers and trees are in full bloom. Patients are suffering with runny nose, congestion, headaches, watery eyes, itchy eyes, increased phlegm, sore throat, cough, and asthma. Chinese Medicine offers a natural approach to help alleviate these allergy symptoms. Even better, with continued care, TCM can help decrease the severity and occurance of allergies, using a combination of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and nutrition.

The next few posts will include tips to decrease seasonal allergies. These are a great starting place for overall health. Here's the first tip:

Eat organic whole foods and take the chemicals out of your diet. Packaged and processed foods are difficult for the body to process and deplete the immune system. Eat fresh, whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, pastured meat and wild fish, whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, and healthy fats like ghee, olive oil and coconut oil.