Acupuncture Blog

I was reading an article written by Mr. Gregg St. Clair, BA, MSTOM, LAc regarding toxins in our bodies and how people wonder where cancer comes from when they live healthy lives that got me thinking. We’ve heard this before as practitioners…”But I exercise and eat all the right foods, how can this happen to me?” If one takes a moment to think of all the toxins that are in our water, our soil, our food (perfect example is the e coli outbreak in the water irrigation system and spinach), our homes, our air/environment, and our modern medical system pharmaceuticals…it is no wonder we find ourselves growing abnormal cellular structures. Healthy, organic food choices and honest lifestyle changes are the best route to clean health. An old adage in Chinese medicine is “A superior physician treats disease before it arises” to which we truly believe. Acupuncture and alternative medicine is a great addition to establishing a healthier life. Preventative medicine will always be the smarter route and insurances are starting to see them being the cheaper route also. It is important to note that although acupuncturists can not treat cancer, we can focus on the nausea, the weakened immune system, depression and other issues that may plague the system.

As the chill settles in the air and the inevitable approach of winter is occurring, flus and colds are running rampant through our workplaces and homes. This means sick calls and loss of valuable work time and income for many of us. Some of you may simply bear with the symptoms and work through them with over-the-counter antihistimines and cold medications. I know when some take the cold/flu medications, they are either dead asleep in the middle of their day, excessively drier than a bone in their sinus passages, or wide awake in the wee hours of the morning! All of us respond differently to the basic over-the-counter medicines but patent Chinese herbal medicines work wonders and taking the proactive approach before the cold/flu season starts is always the best!
Contact your friendly Traditional Chinese medical practitioner (acupuncturist/herbalist) in the beginning of September to schedule your well-visits before the cold/flu season starts. There are so many great acupuncture treatments to boost the immune system and assist the Lungs in maintaining their strength to fight. Patent herbal medicines are usually side effect- free and work well for boosting immunity and treating common symptoms associated with cold/flus.
But what about the pre-cold/flu feelings? The slightly scratchy throat, the kind of runny nose, and the minor general achiness you are currently experiencing can be boosted out of your body with 1-2 acupuncture treatments. Don’t try to work through it thinking, “oh, it will go away…It’s not really a cold/flu.” Call your acupuncturist and make an appointment as soon as you start to feel the initial symptoms and you will not regret it. You’ll be back to work faster than if you “just rode it out”. And although for some, returning to work is not a great as it sounds, staying at home miserable definitely is not anyone’s idea of fun. Be proactive and call your acupuncturist/herbalist today for further information.

Anxiety is one of the most common complaints I see in my practice. The Chinese believed it is due to an unrested Spirit or Shen disturbance due to a possible variety of conditions in the body. Do you find yourself losing sleep because you wake up with a racing mind? Are you unable to initially fall asleep because your anxious thoughts keep you from relaxing? Perhaps you actually do fall asleep but wake feeling tired and unrested and your anxiety seems to have doubled two-fold overnight? Is the anxiety interrupting your work capabilities? Difficulty feeling like you are “on top of your game”? Feel like your shoulders are permanently attached to your earlobes from the stress the anxiety is causing? You are not alone!

Acupuncture and Herbs can help! Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners focus on calming the spirit and treating the true root of the problem. It is believed that if we treat the root, the branches will fall into their correct place in the tree. The symptoms that are experienced will fall away and the anxiety will become controlled once more. This process does take time and can be complicated by life and hormonal shifts so be ready for possible ups-and-downs during your treatment duration. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment on this blog or ask your Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner. And of course, if you feel you need immediate Western medical attention for your anxiety, please contact your primary care physician.