Blog
This Is Your Brain on Gratitude
Gratitude is one of those things we all pay lip service to. When someone talks about gratitude we nod reverently and extol upon its virtues. But to practice gratitude takes work, humility, and persistence. It isn’t easy, so here in the US we’ve collectively shoved it into late November where it’s often skipped over between Halloween and Christmas.
What’s the Point?
In modern Western society we’re measured by our ability to produce so Fall and Winter are a challenge. But we slow down for a reason, ignoring the downturn is asking for trouble.
Latency and Long-Haul Syndrome
Long-Haul Syndrome has gained traction in the news cycle recently due to Covid-19, but the coronavirus is by no means the first disease to cause lingering symptoms months or even years after initial infection. In fact, Chinese doctors recorded the idea of latent pathogens in one of the earliest medical texts ever compiled, the Huang Di Nei Jing, somewhere around 300 B.C.
Can Needles Make You Less Anxious? They Sure Can
Anxiety in all its forms can be a debilitating and difficult illness. Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and other treatments under the umbrella of Traditional Chinese Medicine are very effective tools in the management of anxiety, especially in combination with conventional therapies.
Spring and the New You
Spring is a new beginning. Throughout Winter we endeavored to separate what we wanted to keep from the last year and what was safe to get rid of. With introspection we pinpointed the things that are important. Now is the time to make a plan for reaching those goals and setting the stage to make it a reality.
Forward Head Posture:
Forward head posture is the chronic habit of hunching forward, then compensating by lifting our chin. When our spine is not in alignment this adds excess weight to the muscles and bones of our neck which over time will cause injury.
Grief and the Toll it Takes
Grief is a consumptive disease. Not only does it impact one’s mental well-being, but their physical health as well. Studies have shown that those with existing illnesses often get worse after loss. From the standpoint of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this is because one’s physical and mental states are inextricable. When so much energy is used in fighting off grief the body has fewer resources to utilize for itself, or it becomes exhausted from the strain.
Gut Reactions:
Research is finding gut ties to anxiety, diabetes, metabolic diseases, Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis. Just as stunning is how effective acupuncture is at adjusting this crucial system.
Audit Your Rituals
Rituals are very powerful. From the weekly phone call with your parents to that post-meal piece of chocolate, rituals can be a defining part of your life for better and for worse.
Treating Headaches and Migraines at Their Root
Here it comes: mood shifts, auras, neck stiffness, light sensitivity. And then the pain – I’ve heard it described as a searing knife. Migraines.
Fall: The Season Of Consolidation
Adhering to the premise of ‘be as nature,’ we should adjust our behavior to match the change in our environment. Doing this prevents illness, stabilizes our state of mind and keeps us in peek condition through the season. Let’s talk about Autumn.
The Grind: TMJ, Jaw Pain and Holistic Medicine
Have you ever woken up with an aching pain in your jaw that seems to linger? Maybe it fades as the day goes on, but the next morning there it is to greet you. These are typical symptoms of temporomandibular joint pain, typically called TMJ or TMD.
Tips for a More Restful Sleep, According to an Acupuncturist
Insomnia is such a common thing these days that it’s almost surprising when you meet someone who does enjoy a restful sleep. They’re like unicorns, if everyone was jealous and hated unicorns.
In Tune With the Seasons: Late Summer
One of the core tenants of TCM is the idea that humans are inextricably tied to the world they live in. It’s a Taoist precept that we are not separate from the world – we’re a reflection of it. From a practical level this is common sense. Some illnesses present more often in hotter climates than colder ones, for instance.
Protecting and Rehabilitating Your Elbows
For many one of the big draws of South Florida are the outdoor activities. Sunshine and blue skies make for a perfect golf day or a few hours on the tennis court. Good times, until that ominous ache starts in the elbow.
Combat Summer Heat with Traditional Chinese Medicine
With the hotter months comes all the staples of summer; oppressive heat, high humidity, and biting sun. As the temperatures climb our bodies are subjective to rapid and intense changes, which in turn can lead to a number of health issues unique to this time of year. The first and top concern is sunstroke. The Chinese called it Summer Heat and defined it as the following constellation of symptoms:
Holistic Medicine for Post-Viral Symptoms and Immune Recovery
Millions of people have been exposed to the SARS-CoV2 virus, and now months later we are beginning to understand more about the consequences of infection. Post-viral fatigue, loss of smell and taste, brain fog and chronic cough have been widely reported. Frustratingly, patients are being told that there isn’t much they can do about these complaints except rest.
PTSD and its Response to Traditional Treatment
PTSD is estimated to effect 8 million Americans each year. Learn how acupuncture and traditional medicine can help.
Stress, Pain and the Excess Lifestyle
The idea of duality is the basis for much of TCM theory. Yin and Yang, action and inaction, and how they work synergistically together. Ultimately health is found when the two forces are in balance. Unfortunately, Western civilization is often caught up in the idea of extremes.