Let’s give a big warm welcome to Tambra Boyd of Sacred Wings Reiki, a Holy Fire Karuna Reiki Master, who recently joined the Marlborough Wellness Center! For those of you who may not know what Reiki is, Reiki is a technique for stress reduction and relaxation. It is a spiritually guided energy. Tambra is a conduit for this energy. Reiki has its own consciousness so it goes to the area in the body that needs it. It is beneficial on many levels of healing : physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Holy Fire is an energy of a higher consciousness and is used in conjunction with Reiki energy. It goes deeper and is both strong and gentle at the same time. This energy creates a sense of well being within the person . Karuna is the highest level of Reiki. The Karuna Master has access to more energies for healing making Holy Fire Karuna Reiki a powerful healing technique.
Please contact Tambra to schedule an appointment today! She can be reached at (817) 709-7315 or tambra.boyd@yahoo.com.
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Connected Bodywork has joined the Marlborough Wellness Center!
Let’s give a big welcome to Madalaine Baer, LMT, of Connected Bodywork who has joined the Marlborough Wellness Center. She is a licensed massage therapist who specializes in myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, fascial fitness, visceral manipulation, and injury/surgical recovery. Also, she works on people, horses and dogs! Please take a look at her webpage at www.connectedbodywork.com. Madalaine can be reached at 508-658-0078 or to book appointments. Welcome Madalaine!
Acupuncture and Finding The Good
Hello world!
Acupuncture, Chronic Conditions, and Costumes
As Halloween draws near, I love watching my children get excited about their costumes and dream of the bags of candy they will collect soon. My business group had a “scary” theme this morning and invited us to dress up in our costumes to add to the festivities! I decided to pull out of storage an old favorite of mine from many years ago, my adult sized Tigger costume. Now, for those of you who know me, I have an outgoing personality that fits the Tigger persona. It was a riot to see peoples’ reactions to my costume and the comments were hilarious! I even won the Best Costume award!
But in all seriousness, I found myself sitting there in the meeting this morning, listening to fellow members’ speak about the scary things that occur in their industries. I realized that what I do isn’t scary at all. In fact, I like to think that acupuncture is a fantastic treatment approach to solve the scary issues we face in our human bodies. Although there are many people who may be afraid to try acupuncture for a variety of reasons, there really is nothing to be scared about!
The one thing I have learned lately is that a couple of my clients have come to me with chronic conditions that haven’t responded to Western medical treatments. As I begin their treatments, I always do a thorough assessment of their current situation so that I may determine the best course of action. Recently, two of my clients weren’t responding to their acupuncture treatments as I anticipated thus, I referred them back to their primary care physicians or to a specialist that could better assess their chronic issue. Both of them came back to thank me for sending them to their doctors because their chronic condition turned out to be a cancer. Now they both are getting the correct treatments their bodies need. Sometimes, chronic pain or ailments can be the “costume” that a more serious issue might wear, to disguise itself so it can be misinterpreted or misdiagnosed until its too late. As a colleague of mine once said, “Your normal everyday pain is not normal!” And this is true!
So this halloween season, please reassess your “costumes” and chronic challenges and get them re-checked. You never know what you might find out!
Acupuncture, Cupping, and the US Olympic Athletes
I love the Olympics! Every four years, I get to watch the world come together and compete in sporting events I am familiar with and some I didn’t even know existed. The spirit of competition is alive and exhilarating to watch! And then to see the bruised circles from cupping on the USA male gymnasts and swimmers had me jumping for joy!
You see, as an acupuncturist-herbalist, part of our extensive training included adjunctive techniques such as cupping. Cupping is an ancient practice stemming from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and was used to draw out pathological factors from the body that would cause stagnation and manifest as painful conditions. Joint pain, muscle tightness, coughing, asthma…stagnated energy can cause a multitude of misery! The cup is placed on the body either by fire to create the suction (fire cupping) or by a suction device. Glass is the best for cups as they can be cleaned sufficiently to not spread infection. Once placed on the body and affixed by suction, one watches for the redness to appear. In TCM, it is referred to as ‘sha’ but in Western Medicine, it is referred to as bruising. The act of the suction pulling the skin away from the tissues underneath helps release the myofascial system and can increase blood flow/circulation to the area to help with pain, fatigue, and/or injured muscle tissue. Cupping can be done multiple times and has proven to be very efficient at relieving physical discomfort and tightness.
Interestingly enough though, there are many people who think it is “snake oil” medicine, “unsupported treatments that do nothing” as I read online this week. Being someone who has trained and practiced in both Western Medicine and Chinese Medicine, my approach to these viewpoints is ‘you never know unless you try it’! I have found many a doctor who has tried complementary therapies and adjunctive techniques and are some of my biggest referral sources. Sometimes one medicine may not have the answers and the other might. Cupping and TCM have been around for more than 2000 years so something must be working. So if you are hesitant to try acupuncture or cupping, I recommend you “try it, you might like it”!
Acupuncture and Triathlon
As some of you may or may not know, I am a triathlete. And as a triathlete, I am always looking for ways for my body to perform better as I swim, bike and run. I loved falling upon this article in the recent USAT newsletter! Thank you to Sandy Bikus for writing such a fabulous positive viewpoint on the amazing impact acupuncture can do for triathletes as well as athletes of any interest!
The Marlborough Wellness Center’s New Home!
This past weekend was epic in terms of breaking down and setting up the most beautiful, professional office the Marlborough Wellness Center has seen yet!
These are the empty “before” pictures:
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And here are the amazing “after” pictures:
Please feel free to stop by anytime or better yet, make an appointment to experience the exquisite silence and serenity in our new home!
We’re Moving…Sooner Than Expected!
Yes! We are moving sooner than we are expecting because the space is almost ready! So if everything goes as planned, we will be in the space and seeing our clients on Monday, June 13th! Keep your eyes open for updates but plan accordingly! I think everyone will LOVE the new space!
Acupuncture (and massage): Let’s Get To The Point!!!
Acupuncture & Herbs: Herbs For Stress Relief
Though there is a long list of drugs to handle stress, the list of their side effects is equally long. So everyone is on the look out for natural stress relief techniques which are very effective and at the same time don’t have many side effects. Herbal treatments usually have a significant chunk of followers. Herbs are natural stress relievers with little or no side effects and can be used as a single herb or combination product in stress management therapy. Valerian is said to be the oldest in the herbal treatment of stress while Kava Kava is the latest addition. The following different herbs have medicinal values in the treatment of stress:
Kava Kava
Kava Kava, or simply Kava, is the latest sensation in the stress management therapy. It is a derivative of the pepper family ‘Piper methysticum’. This plant family is indigenous to the Indonesian and the Polynesian group of islands. The herb was initially used in drinks while welcoming dignitaries. Kava can be taken as a whole herb or as extracts of the herb. Kava as a stress relief product that comes in both liquid and pill forms.
Kava, when ingested, gives a sense of well being. The herb contains Kava lactones which help in relaxation. The unique feature of Kava is that it does not affect the memories and the mental alertness. Kava can be used to relieve stress, relax muscles and get a peaceful sleep.
Valerian Root
Valerian is said to be the oldest among the herbal stress relievers. It is mentioned even in Ayurvedic literature. It is akin to the drug ‘Diazepam’ which is used to calm a person. Valerian relaxes the nervous system and induces deep sleep. It also relaxes tensed muscles and is very useful to relieve the muscle cramps of pre- menstrual tension.
Passion Flower
It is used either singly or as a combination product. It contains flavinoids which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances which neutralize the highly damaging oxygen ions. Passion flower also acts as a sedative as it decreases anxiety and can induce a deep sleep.
Scull Cap
This herb is used as a nerve tonic. It stabilizes the mood during periods of stress.
Hops
This is a mild tranquilizer. It pacifies a stressed mind. It is used if there are sleeplessness and irritability.
Catnip
Catnip acts on two systems – the nervous system and the digestive system. It calms down an anxious person by acting on the brain. It is effective in relieving the symptoms of peptic ulcer disease and irritable bowel syndrome which are oftentimes associated with stress.
Chamomile
It boosts immunity which is usually depressed during stress and thus prevents infection. It also acts as a tranquilizer by calming down a person. The gastro- intestinal symptoms and signs of stress are also relieved.
Rhodiola
This acts on the heart. The irregular heartbeat is controlled so that the heart is made to pump at the normal rhythm.
We have created special proprietary tea blends to help with stress and anxiety so if you are interested, please visit www.marlboroughwellnesscenter.com and go to our Natural Store! Order online for ease and find yourself beginning down the path to calm!
Acupuncture: Common Misconceptions
I went to an advance networking training this past Monday and one of the presenters brought up a fabulous point: if she was to try to mention acupuncture to her friends, her friends would retort with “I don’t like needles” or “Oh the needles must hurt”. She stated, “Please don’t make me have the awkward conversation…tell me the answers so I can refer you the clients!”
AHA! The awkwardness when discussing acupuncture is very real! We’ve all heard the comments so let’s break some of them down and create better answers so acupuncture becomes an understood and viable treatment for those who are afraid.
1. “Are the needles painful?”: My response is “Let me show you!” Assuming this is possible, this opens up a fabulous show-and-tell opportunity! I carry needles with me in my purse all the time. I pull the sterile pack out and show them how very thin they really are. I let them touch them or hold them, realizing that I am not using needles the size of swords. I also offer the opportunity to speak with some of my clients who have volunteered to give testimonials to the painlessness of the needles themselves.
2. “Are they sterile?”: Yes and I show them. I also explain in simple words our Clean Needle Technique training required for our licensure and how I dispose of them safely and in accordance to the law.
3. “Why would I want to pay money to have someone stick needles in me?”: Excellent question and simply answered, because it works and has for 2000+ years. Most of my clients have told me that never in their wildest dreams did they think they would pay money to have needles placed on their body and then fall asleep and feel amazing afterwards. I agree because I never planned on being an acupuncturist but either way, it works!
4. “I’m afraid of needles!”: If you are afraid of needles, no worries. Acupuncturists have so many other adjunctive treatments available to them that do not require needles. Some acupuncturists practice specific styles of Japanese acupuncture that uses Shonishin instead of needles. Either way, you’ll be impressed with the results and may reconsider your fear of needles.
I love to challenge those who are unsure to try acupuncture just once. That usually changes their perception! And trust me, I know there are a lot of you out there so please, take a moment and find the closest acupuncturist near you and call them! Just think, what would life be like if you weren’t in pain/dis-ease?
Acupuncture and Herbs: “Eat With The Season!”
I get asked all the time what are the best food to eat during the summer? Healthy eating tips for the summer are a little tricky but my main mantra is “Eat With The Season”!
Since the weather is warm, you need light, cooling foods. Juicy peaches, sweet watermelons, tomatoes hot off the vine… and the right foods are easy to find. One trip through your garden or a walk through a farmer’s market and you’ll have the perfect summer meal.
But since you’re outside exercising and working in the garden, you build up an appetite. You work hard and play hard so you crave calories to keep the fire burning. Are cucumbers the first food you reach for after rototilling the garden? Most of my clients respond “probably not”. Unfortunately, many times craving calories trumps craving fresh food. You satisfy your appetite with a meal of tortilla chips and soda. Or brats and beer. Or hamburgers and ice cream. And afterward you feel full, bloated and hot.
Fortunately there is a solution! It is possible to eat well, have energy, and avoid feeling bloated. The trick is in the timing and with an easy tweak to your natural summer diet, you’ll feel fantastic.
It should come as no surprise that I recommend eating lots of fruits and vegetables in the summer. In fact, I recommend eating fruits and vegetables all year, but in the summer they are especially important. Summer is a yang season and is associated with the fire element. Fire governs the heart and small intestine. When fire is balanced within the body, the heart governs and circulates the blood properly and the intestines properly digest food. Emotionally, you are balanced, sensitive and enthusiastic. There are a few simple guidelines to keep fire balanced:
1. Focus on yin foods. Yin foods are wet and cool. Fruits and vegetables (especially green vegetables like lettuce, cucumbers and watercress) are yin. For protein, eat more fish or seafood than meat. Smoothies and salads are yin and are excellent summer meals.
2. Eat moderately. Avoid huge meals.
3. Eat bitter foods. Bitter foods support the fire element. Coffee, tea and chocolate (without sugar) are all bitter and moderate amounts of them are appropriate for summer health. This is the season you can call your coffee a health food! Asparagus, bitter greens like kale, arugula or escarole, celery and rhubarb are all good foods for the summer.
Eat Big in the Afternoon
If you focus on yin and bitter foods, your diet is cooling and light. But what happens when you need more energy than a slice of watermelon provides? This is when the timing of your meals matters. If you need a heavier meal, eat it mid to late afternoon. “Picnic time” is the best time to fuel up. Avoid eating a big meal early or late in the day. A healthy summer eating plan starts with a breakfast of fruit, smoothies or yogurt. Have a salad for lunch. Eat a heavy meal later in the afternoon and end your day with more fruit.
By eating mostly fresh, light, wet foods and including a heavy meal only in the afternoon, you will help your fire burn bright but not out of control. You’ll feel light, cool and energized. Your heart, circulation and digestion will be strong. You won’t feel bloated or full.
Traditional Chinese Medicine uses nutrition as a tool to maintain health and promote healing. Eating a yin diet with your heavy meal in the late afternoon is good general advice, but your constitution may need a slightly different routine. The proportion of yin food matters and varies from person to person. To get the best summer eating tips, contact me and together we’ll make a plan that’s perfect for you.
Acupuncture and Herbs: PAIN Is What May Bring You In But…
Recently I was asked a fantastic question: “What is the most common condition you treat?”
My answer was pain. Pain is usually what may bring most clients in the door. neck pain, Low back pain, headache pain, digestive issues, allergy pain…if you can name it’s whereabouts and it causes disruption in your everyday life, it’s pain. But most of the time, the pain is a sign that something more serious is going on. Now, excluding the acute ankle sprain or acute pain conditions that can be treated within a few sessions, most pain conditions are chronic in nature and stem from imbalance in the body. Old injuries should heal on their own (or with surgical help) and should cause minimal disruption to your every day functioning. If they are, imbalance is present in the body and acupuncture and herbs can help correct that so that you can live a pain-free and healthy life!
Think about it this way…your normal everyday pain is not normal!
Acupuncture and Herbs: Testimonial for Diabetes Herbal Success
As I mentioned last week, Chinese medicine has amazing formulas and solutions for people suffering from diabetes. Here’s a brief testimonial of someone who has found success with Chinese herbs and managing his Type 2 Insulin Dependent Diabetes
“Herbs ? I have to wonder what they are all about. I am 71 years old and an insulin dependent Type 2 diabetic.
I was at 245 lbs, and after three years was 80 lbs less and still loosing about 2 lbs a month.
With a medical history of pulmonary and orthopedic conditions, I learned that I have a pancreatic condition that had been going on for several years. In mine and 5% of these cases, Western Medicine really does not know what causes the condition and what to do about it.
Julie worked with a team of herbalists and came up with an individualized, balanced herbal formula that I take twice a day. To my surprise, my appetite came back and I have gained 12 lbs over the past year. What was amazing was that other than the usual blood tests, I have not seen the doctor in almost a year. That in itself says a lot, and I feel great.”
Consider all the options for managing your diabetes care and come find us this September at the American Diabetes Association walk in Worcester!