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Marlborough Wellness Center, Marlborough, MA

Acupuncture, Massage and other modalities in Marlborough MA

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Chinese herbal medicine

Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Comfort Zones and Bruising

July 28, 2016 by MWC Staff

Stepping out of our comfort zone can be scary sometimes. I talk about acupuncture and herbal medicine being out of a lot of people’s comfort zones but as many know, when you are out of your comfort zone, amazing things can happen!

Last Sunday, I decided to join my husband mountain biking. Now, a little background story…he fell in love with mountain biking when he took a ride class through Marlborough Moves, led by the leader of the BLG (aka “Bloody Leg Gang”), a local mountain biking group full of biking enthusiasts. Even since then, he’s been trying to get me out with him but the bike available for my use just isn’t all that great and I really wasn’t interested. Forwarding through time, I received the opportunity to borrow a very nice bike with dual suspension and a up/down pneumatic seat. How could I say no now? Ok….stepping forward…out of my comfort zone I go!

We arrive at Vietnam, a set of trails in Holliston, and I get on the borrowed bike, trying to figure out the controls and get my bearings in the parking lot before we get on the trails. I thought to myself, “Ok, you can do this…man, this bike is incredible!” Before I knew it, we were riding through rock gardens, across bridges (yeah, I had to retry the entry to my first bridge but I did make it across), and approaching a pretty steep decline. The leader went first, followed by a brave woman and her dog, then my husband went. I watched them go, tried to see what lines they picked, how they turned, etc. so I could follow suit as gracefully as they went. I started on the decline but my front tire hit a rock just right and my left hand clamped down hard on the brake (NOTE: the left hand brake controls the front tire brake so you can kind of see where this is going…). I went over the handlebars and tucked my head (yes, of course I had a helmet on!). Taking the bike along for the ride, I landed on my back with the bike on top of me! After watching my epic fall, my husband came running back to me as I asked him, “Can you just get the bike because I’m fine.” As he removed the bike from the mangled mess that was my body and I went to stand up, I rolled down the rest of the hill. So very graceful, I know. I examined the borrowed bike to make sure I hadn’t broken anything before I examined myself…the bike was good. Whew! Now as for my body, not so much! I had officially been initiated into the “Bloody Leg Gang” as my knee was dripping. We kept riding for another hour and a half, only to ride up the same hill I had fallen down on earlier. I told the group I felt like I needed to try the down hill again, to rectify the mistake I had made earlier. The group went and I followed nervously, nailing the hill and feeling so great! Yes, I told my husband, I’ll be biking again soon!

As the day went on, I started feeling the effects of my fall more and more. I knew my knee and leg were going to bruise nicely and they certainly did. I immediately started applying my Super Life Healing Salve Pain-Healing-Salve-02-300x225to the injured areas and the pain subsided slowly due in part to the essential oil blend I created to decrease inflammation and pain. Even better, the arnica oil in the salve helped control the pain but also melted the bruising away! Today, although my leg still shows a nice “black and blue”, it’s fading each day to a more yellow color and healing nicely.

Why I told this story is two-fold. 1. Stepping out of your comfort zone can be fun and uncomfortable at times but to remember that the only thing constant is change and that that is how we can fully enjoy this amazing life we are living. 2. Acupuncture and herbal medicine is not to be feared but to be embraced and seen as a healing opportunity! So if you are one of the few who have been hesitant to trying acupuncture or herbal medicine, please remember my story and step out of your comfort zone!

Filed Under: Acupuncture Information and Research, Chinese Herbal Medicine Information and Research Tagged With: Acupuncture, bruising, Chinese herbal medicine, comfort zone, injury, mountain biking, Pain

Acupuncture and Kids’ “Calm Amidst The Chaos”

July 21, 2016 by MWC Staff

Kids meditating

In the middle of the July 4th chaos in North Conway, NH, six children found an opportunity to “get zen” and meditate. It stopped a few people and of course, the picture had to be taken. Now, if you knew these children, they are all active and full of personality! When I saw this picture, not only did I see a great opportunity to chuckle to myself but I also saw how a few of them really looked calm.

I know in this crazy world of negativity and violence, it is imperative that as parents we teach our children what is right and wrong, what is acceptable and unacceptable. But one of the areas I think we may not focus our efforts on is self-cultivation and learning to control our impulses, finding our “inner zen” amidst the chaos of growing up. There are some simple yoga poses and meditation exercises that can be found online and in books for children to help teach them to know what “calm” feels like. I have done a few with my kids and it has been beneficial when I have needed to cue them during challenging times to find that calm within and not react. Don’t get me wrong, I said it was beneficial…I didn’t say we were successful every time! After all, there is a learning curve with maturity!

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can assist in helping the child find their inner calm. Needles, magnets, or Shonishin (Japanese style acupuncture using a set of metal tools that do not puncture the skin) can be used to settle the untamed spirit (impulsivity, hyperactivity), calm the mind, and help balance the emotions (mood swings, getting angry at the drop of a hat). I have always been amazed at how much kids really do love acupuncture! So, remember the picture above and consider acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to address your child’s learning their “inner calm amidst the chaos”!

Filed Under: "Musings of a Mother's Herbal Mind", Chinese Herbal Medicine Information and Research Tagged With: Acupuncture, calm, chaos, Chinese herbal medicine, hyperactivity, impulsivity, pediatric, Pediatrics

Acupuncture, Herbs, and Eating in the Season of Autumn

September 30, 2015 by MWC Staff

In the autumn, everything is cool and dry and everything is dying or retreating. This activity is reflected in the Lungs’ inward movement in the body. So our diets should aim at reinforcing and moistening the Lungs. Pungent flavors have a particular affinity for the Lung network. It is a characteristic of spicy substances that they generally have a dispersing effect. In a healthy individual, pungent food assists the lung’s outwardly dissipating function which is involved in nourishing and regulating the pores on the body surface. In a person suffering from a common cold, pungent substances can help to relieve the blocked surface by inducing diaphoresis. One can take a pungent decoction of ginger, garlic, and scallions to fight off wind cold disorders. Horseradish, garlic, onions, ginger, mustard, and other pungent foods and spices are deemed beneficial to the lung if used in moderation. “Pungent flavors generate the lung,” states the Neijing, an ancient Chinese Medical classic. The Classic warns immediately, however, that if used inappropriately or excessively, they will cause harm to the lung, the skin, and the body hair. Eating too much pungent food disperses the lung’s physiological qi and dries its yin (nourishing aspects in the body). Recommended foods to eat for the autumn season:

Wheat germ, Bay leaves, Sage,
Cabbage, Anise, Savory,
Capers, Basil, Thyme,
Broccoli, Cayenne, Peanut oil,
Daikon, Cinnamon, Honey,
Leeks, Cardamon, Lemon balm tea,
Mustard leaf, Garlic, Chamomile tea,
Onion, Marjoram, Peppermint tea
Parsnip/turnips, Mint,
Pepper, Mustard,
Radishes, Rosemary,

So go out and enjoy the bounty of Autumn and stay healthy going into the Winter season with acupuncture!

Filed Under: Acupuncture Information and Research Tagged With: Acupuncture, autumn, Chinese herbal medicine, dietary therapy, Eating

Acupuncture and Herbs: Let’s Talk About Allergies

April 9, 2015 by MWC Staff

allergies
As the snow continues to melt here in Massachusetts (even though we got a little but more last night), Spring is around the corner! For most of us, it is a time for appreciating gardens full of color, the chance to leisurely walk around the block in the evening, start our triathlon/race training outside, go camping or hiking…just enjoy the outdoors after being cooped up in our homes for a long winter. For some of us, it is the dreaded time of stuffy heads, headaches, watery itchy eyes, contact sinus drainage, all over body discomfort, itchy skin…do I really need to go on? Allergies are never much fun! Stress and lifestyle/diet choices can compound the problem and it’s symptoms.
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine has answers for those of you who suffer from seasonal allergies! Acupuncture can help boost the immune system while treating the symptoms present. Chinese herbal medicine has fantastic formulas that when they are taken 1-2 months in advance of the targeting expected allergy season, can do away with most of the reactions to the environmental allergens. Many clients have walked in the doors of the Marlborough Wellness Center in an amazing of amount of discomfort only to leave after their treatment plan timeline symptom free (or maybe needing a minor tune-up for good measure)!
If you are tired of suffering and have tried a few of the natural remedies without much effect, please consider calling your acupuncturist-herbalist and discuss the options that will best fit your needs! You do not have to suffer from allergies!

Filed Under: Acupuncture Information and Research Tagged With: Acupuncture, allergies, Chinese herbal medicine, Marlborough WE, symptoms

Acupuncture and Herbs: Diabetes Options

March 20, 2015 by MWC Staff

Dry Mouth
Frequent Urination
Indigestion
Loose stools
Lightheadedness
Every hour is an adventure, “How am I going to feel?”
Acupuncture and herbal medicine can assist in stabilizing sugars and help someone suffering from Diabetes find a healthy balance. An herb called Mu Gua/Bitter Melon specifically addresses diabetes and the sugar/insulin balance. Adding that to a formula individualized for the client’s specific needs can be very beneficial.
The Marlborough Wellness Center also hopes to participate in the American Diabetes Association Walk in Worcester this year to support raising funds for research to find a cure.
So if you or someone you know is tired of “riding the roller coaster” and is suffering with issues related to Diabetes, please consider acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine as an option to care.

Filed Under: Acupuncture Information and Research Tagged With: Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, diabetes

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