Five Reasons Acupuncture Helps Digestive Function

By admin | Published February 18, 2019

Digestion is a complex task performed by the body. It begins in the mouth and finishes when the ingested food leaves the body through the rectum. For all we have learned over the years regarding digestion, there is still so much more we don’t know or are still learning. For example, it wasn’t until recently, the last 10 years or so, that modern medicine confirmed our gastrointestinal tract is our second brain. This discovery is drastically changing the way the body and its many functions are viewed, because everything we put in our mouths can potentially have life-altering effects on the mind, as well as the body. continue reading »

Posted in Acupuncture, Digestion, Digestive Disorders | Tagged acupuncture, diet, digestion | Comments Off

Herbal Tonics for Digestion

By admin | Published February 4, 2019

Digestive disorders can be simple like flatulence or gas, or they can be much more serious, such as Crohn’s disease. But regardless of the severity of the disease, there is no doubt digestive disorders affect far more people than they should, especially in the United States. A recent survey reports nearly 74 percent of all Americans are living with digestive issues. Most people don’t report it to their doctors either, because they assume it is normal to have gas, bloating or abdominal pain. But these symptoms can be indicators of much more serious underlying problems. continue reading »

Posted in Digestion, Digestive Disorders, Herbal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine | Tagged digestion, herbs, tea, tonics | Comments Off

Five Reasons to Get Acupuncture for Migraines

By admin | Published January 21, 2019

Migraine headaches are a bit of mystery to the medical world. This ailment tends to be poorly understood and frequently undiagnosed and under-treated. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, this neurological disease affects nearly 39 million Americans. Migraines are characterized by severe, throbbing pain usually found on only one side of the head. Migraine headaches can also be accompanied by visual disturbances, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. These types of headaches can last from four hours to several days. Because modern medicine doesn’t completely understand this neurological phenomenon, the typical treatment is somewhat hit or miss. continue reading »

Posted in Acupuncture, Headaches/Migraines | Tagged acupuncture, headaches, migraines, pain | Comments Off

It’s All In Your Head: Headaches and TCM

By admin | Published January 7, 2019

There are four main types of headache: tension, cluster, sinus and migraine. And, there are varying triggers for these headaches, such as food, stress, hormones, dehydration and weather. Fortunately, eliminating the triggers and finding natural ways to prevent and help an ongoing headache are possible. continue reading »

Posted in Headaches/Migraines, Traditional Chinese Medicine | Tagged headaches, pain, tcm | Comments Off

Acupuncture for Harnessing Willpower

By admin | Published December 17, 2018

Ever had one of those days or weeks where you just can’t pull yourself out of bed in the morning? Or perhaps you just can’t say “No!” to the dessert tray. Regardless of the activity, willpower is what keeps some people disciplined. But it doesn’t make you a bad person if you have dessert with every meal, buy more shoes than you really need or take longer to get going in the morning. It just means your willpower isn’t strong. And just like any other habit, that can be changed. continue reading »

Posted in Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine | Tagged energy, motivation, willpower | Comments Off

TCM and Seasonal Affective Disorder

By admin | Published December 3, 2018

Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, is a form of depression that affects people all throughout the world. Most commonly experienced during fall and winter months, the symptoms of SAD include depression, hypersomnia, lethargy, difficulty concentrating, negative thoughts and decreased social interaction. Higher levels of anxiety are experienced at the end of the summer season as those who suffer from this ailment start to anticipate the coming months of less sunshine and increased symptomatology. continue reading »

Posted in Acupuncture, Depression, Traditional Chinese Medicine | Tagged SAD, seasonal affective disorder, tcm | Comments Off

Walnuts and Your Brain

By admin | Published November 19, 2018

Many people like to add walnuts to food to add some zest and a little crunchy kick, but walnuts are much more than a flavor additive, as they are chock full of healthy properties and have been used in Asia as an overall health tonic and brain booster for years. Let’s take a nutty look at walnuts. continue reading »

Posted in Diet, Nutrition, Traditional Chinese Medicine | Tagged diet, digestion, nutrition, omega-3, tcm, walnuts | Comments Off

The Shen Mind Connection

By admin | Published November 5, 2018

Traditional Chinese Medicine looks at things differently and while it may be a little confusing, there is usually some common ground that can be found upon examination and explanation. One such area is the idea of the mind. The mind in Traditional Chinese Medicine is commonly referred to as the shen. continue reading »

Posted in Traditional Chinese Medicine | Tagged anxiety, heart, mind, shen, stress | Comments Off

Physical Aspects Related to The Lungs

By admin | Published October 15, 2018

In the world of Traditional Chinese medicine, the lung is probably the organ whose TCM functions overlap the most with its Western functions. Respiration, the immune system and the skin are all systems heavily influenced by the lung, both in acupuncture and in Western medicine. continue reading »

Posted in Traditional Chinese Medicine | Tagged allergies, breathing, lungs, tai chi, wei qi | Comments Off

Mental and Emotional Aspects of the Lungs

By admin | Published October 1, 2018

As an acupuncturist, I am constantly assessing. Before my patients answer a single question, I am taking in cues as to what types of imbalances might be going on. In five-element acupuncture, the five major organ systems are the kidney, liver, lung, heart and spleen. When any of these systems are out of balance, certain physical, mental and emotional issues can manifest. Even if you aren’t experiencing a specific health issue, however, you will likely display particular personality traits that fall within these five organ systems. In the five-element world, the lungs are connected to the element of metal. continue reading »

Posted in Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine | Tagged five elements, lungs, tcm | Comments Off