Staying Healthy Archives - Page 3 of 6 - Acupuncture in the Park

A Reason to Cook Your Vegetables

Dear Acupuncture in the Park,

Whenever I read anything about Chinese medicine and dietary therapy, it says to quit eating raw vegetables and fruits. Is that true?

Bugs Bunny

Dear Bugs,

It’s true that avoiding a lot of raw foods is an important component of Chinese dietary therapy, but let us explain. Raw vegetables are really good for you, but they’re also harder to digest than when they’re cooked. That’s because it takes longer for you to break down a raw food and turn it into the energy and nutrients that fuel your body. However, it only becomes important if you have problems with your digestion or struggle with fatigue.

If your digestion is good, then go for the raw stuff. But if you experience symptoms like heartburn, bloating, nausea, the feeling of a lump in your throat, rumbling, constipation, loose stools, or a poor appetite, then you would benefit from cooking your food to help “predigest” it.

Your energy is tied to how well you digest your foods, too. If you’re fatigued during the day, feel tired after eating, or if your energy is up and down, chances are you’re not eating the right foods or getting the maximum energy from what you’re eating.

So, Bugs, here’s my advice: If you have good digestion and good energy, eat all the carrots and salads you want. But if you have funky digestion or low energy, try cooking your veggies. Here are a few suggestions:

-Try to get your vegetables in the form of soups, stews, and stir fried dishes. Or simply steam or saute them before eating.

-Want a salad? Cut a head of Romaine lettuce in half and throw it on the grill, cut side down until it’s slightly charred. Let it cool and top it with your favorite dressing.

-You can benefit from cooking your fruits, too. Try making a fruit compote, a fruit crisp, or sauteing your favorite fruits (tropical fruits excluded) in a little water with a dash of cinnamon for a minute or two.

-If your digestion is really off, make a congee, which is a rice porridge that can be flavored any way you want. Slowly simmer one part rice to seven parts water over a low flame until the rice is tender. Don’t drain any water off, it should be thick, but slightly watery. You can make it into a savory soup by adding soy sauce or broth, scallions, ginger, (or whatever seasonings you want) and a protein. Or you can make it suitable for breakfast by adding raisins or dried cranberries, nuts, a dash of cinnamon, and a bit of honey or maple syrup.

Keep eating your vegetables and fruits, Bugs. They’re really good for you, but eat them in a way that gives you the most benefit.

Acupuncture in the Park

Seven Things to Know About Spring and Your Chinese Liver

As a practitioner of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, I can see the impact that the weather and seasons have on my patients’ health. This winter was a tough one for everyone. Here in Minnesota, it was just too cold to go outdoors and enjoy the usual winter activities, so people who usually breeze through winter were struggling this year with seasonal depression, irritability, poor motivation, and promises to move someplace warmer.

But now the seasons are changing. The snow is melting at last, the birds have begun to sing, the sun is shining, and the air just smells like spring. For our bodies, this time of year is like a frozen river that is finally melting. All winter we have been hunkering down, eating rich food, and staying warm inside by the fireplace (or heater). In contrast, with the advent of spring, we want to go outside and move our bodies. In essence, we move from a state of contraction to a place of expansion. The ice on the frozen river is melting, breaking up, and beginning to flow again.

In Chinese medicine, spring is associated with the element of wood and our Liver organ system. In Western medicine, the Liver is associated with filtering toxins, however in Chinese medicine it is responsible for the nourishing quality of your blood. In addition, our Chinese Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of everything in your body, including your digestion, hormones, and even your emotions. Here are some things to know about your Chinese Liver system:

1) The element associated with your Liver is wood, and for a good reason. Like hard wood , the Liver is a strong organ system. Its function of smooth movement can be compared to the slow but steady growth of plants in the spring or the slow but steady rise of sap in trees.

2) While appearing hard on the surface, wood must remain supple or it will break, and this is also true of your Liver system. Without the physical or emotional flexibility of healthy live wood, your Liver may stagnate and can cause symptoms such as depression, irritability, poor digestion, tight muscles and tendons, and migraines.

3) The color associated with your Liver and the season of spring is green. In addition, the upward and outward movement of new shoots of plants that have been dormant throughout the winter are a good analogy for the action of the Liver system during the spring.

4) The emotional landscape of your Liver is strong and assertive. However, when the strong and assertive nature of your Liver is thwarted, depression or anger may result. When I see people in my clinic with depression, I will always pay attention to treating their Liver system.

5) One secret to Liver health is flexibility. This includes both flexibility in your thinking and physical flexibility. Emotional flexibility might be expressed through creative endeavors and through trying to see things from another viewpoint. Physical flexibility can be accomplished through stretching and disciplines like Yoga, Pilates, Qi Gong, and Tai Qi that work to lengthen your muscles and strengthen your tendons and ligaments.

6) Foods that nourish your Liver are those that have the ability to cleanse. Sour foods (the taste associated with the Liver) help your Liver release toxins and stimulate your Gallbladder to excrete bile, which is used in breaking down fats in your diet.

7) Eating new plants that have sprouted early in the spring are also especially nourishing to your Liver. Sprouts, salads, greens, and early plants are all Liver foods. In addition, because the health of your Liver is associated with the nourishing quality of your blood, foods that nourish your blood are also beneficial. Dark fruits and vegetables, leafy greens, meat, eggs, legumes, and whole grains would all be good choices.

So for the sake of your Chinese Liver, take advantage of the expansiveness that this spring season has to offer. Go outside, play, move, stay loose, and eat small green things growing from the ground.

Acupuncture for Athletes

Many years ago, a patient came to me for acupuncture to see if I could help him with his case of the Yips. While this may sound like a funky skin condition, having the Yips is actually a golf term. It’s when the golfer jumps, jerks, or pulls up just prior to putting the ball, totally wrecking their shot.

I’m unsure whether or not I was able to help the Yip-infected golfer, as he was pretty desperate and was trying a variety of things. However, several years later, I saw a woman for a condition totally unrelated to golf—in fact I didn’t know she played golf. Until she came back for follow-up treatments, that is. Her chief complaint was only slightly better, but she informed me that since having acupuncture, she was playing the best golf of her life!

So can acupuncture help with your golf game, or with any sport? I say yes, and here’s why:

Acupuncture can help heal your sports injuries. Whether from trauma or from overuse, acupuncture can help reduce inflammation, increase circulation to the injured area, and speed up the healing process.
Acupuncture also works to reduce pain by producing natural pain killing chemicals in your brain and blocking the pain signals throughout your nervous system.
Acupuncture can enhance your physical performance. Chinese medicine is all about energy. One of the most common effects of acupuncture is better energy. If you’re an athlete, this is an obvious advantage, especially for boosting your endurance and recovery time.
Your mental performance can also benefit from acupuncture. Research has shown that acupuncture positively affects your brain chemistry in several ways. If you are looking to improve your focus, self-confidence, and relaxation prior to competition, acupuncture may be the answer.
Acupuncture increases the circulation to your muscles and tendons. This increase in blood flow can help repair and relax overworked and tight muscles and increase your range of motion.
Athletes who are constantly training and competing are under a lot of stress. Acupuncture can be an incredibly effective form of stress relief, as well as a toolfor relieving pre-performance anxiety.

I can’t say that acupuncture can get rid of your Yips. However, whether you’re a competitive athlete or a weekend warrior, acupuncture can be a great tool for anyone who is looking to decrease their recovery time, increase their energy, improve their focus and performance, and alleviate their stress. And it’s legal.

Tips for Fighting Off the Common Cold

It’s going around right now; most people just call it the crud. It’s a particularly contagious upper respiratory infection–or maybe it’s the flu. Either way, it starts with a really sore throat, then your nose starts running like a faucet, and finally this alien being settles in your chest for about three weeks causing a loud, loopy cough that could wake the dead.

Nobody wants to get this thing, but can you fight it off? Possibly. I believe that there is a day or so, when you feel like you’re on the verge of getting sick, and what you do during that time can make or break what happens next. Unfortunately, once this thing sets in, you just have to have it, sore throat, faucet nose, loopy cough and all. So what can you do during that day or so that you may or may not be getting sick?

First, a little background on immunity from the viewpoint of Chinese medicine. The Chinese believe that you are surrounded by something akin to a protective bubble that keeps pathogens away. Pathogens can take the form of viruses, bacteria, pollen, and in some cases, really annoying people or situations (seriously–these can make you sick, too).

Your protective bubble is a kind of body energy called Wei Qi. Your energy performs a number of functions. For example, it’s what keeps you warm, moves your muscles, and transforms your food into nutrients and more energy. It also protects you from outside invaders in the form of immunity. Keeping your energy strong is a good way to keep your immunity strong. So, again, what can you do to keep from catching the crud? Some tips:

-Lay low. Conserve your energy so you have enough to fight off that cold. Take a nap, postpone your workout for a couple of days, and don’t work too hard.

-Get enough sleep. For me, this is a key strategy in avoiding colds and flu. You heal while you sleep, so when I feel like I’m about to get something, I get some serious sleep in the form of a couple of nine-hour nights. I go to bed a little earlier and sleep in a little later.

-I start taking some Chinese herbs. My personal favorite and in my opinion, the most effective, is a formula that contains isatis root (Ban Lan Gen), which has anti viral, anti microbial properties and is good for a sore throat. This is a popular formula that is commonly used throughout China. It comes in granules that you dissolve into hot water and drink like tea. Look for it at your nearest Asian grocery store or Chinese medicine provider.

-Get some zinc, either in the form of ColdEeze lozenges, gel, or nasal spray, or as a mineral supplement. As a supplement, you can take 25 mg two or three times a day. Scientists believe that zinc works because it prevents the formation of the proteins a cold or a virus needs to replicate itself. Be sure to take your zinc with food, as it has the potential to upset an empty stomach.

-Stay warm. This is an energetic thing. If you’re using your energy to stay warm, you don’t have it to keep your protective immunity bubble strong. Bundle up, sit by the fire, and don’t get chilled.

I find that with a little proactive care, there are times when you can fight off that nasty cold before it sets in. Take it easy, take some zinc, drink some herbs, and stay warm.

Seven Tips for Better Sleep

If you struggle with sleeplessness, you’re not alone. Most people have insomnia of one kind or another at some point in their lives. The inability to sleep may take the form of a racing mind when you first go to bed, early waking, restless sleep, or being awake the entire night.

How insomnia is treated in Chinese medicine is generally different than in Western medicine. If you go to your Western medical doctor complaining of sleeplessness, you will likely be prescribed some kind of prescription sleep aid. In Chinese medicine, the first order of business is to determine why you’re not sleeping. Your treatment will focus on the cause of your insomnia, and in treating the cause, your insomnia should be resolved for good. The down side of Chinese medicine is that in some instances, treating a sleepless habit that has gone on for many years can take a long time to resolve. For more on the some of the underlying causes of insomnia, go here.

In the meantime, here are some tips, most of them based on Chinese theory, to help you get a better night’s sleep:

-Turn down the thermostat. Too much internal body heat can cause you to wake hot and sleep restlessly. A hot room or too many blankets only aggravates this condition. In addition, nighttime is meant to be a cool and quiet time of the day, so a cool bedroom is conducive to better sleep.

-Don’t go to bed full. Eating too close to bedtime is a recipe for sleeplessness in the form of heartburn, rumbling, bloating, and general discomfort. Your body is trying to digest while you’re trying to sleep–it has a hard time doing both.

-Avoid caffeine. This may seem like a no-brainer later in the day, but a few strong cups of coffee earlier in the day can also play a role in disrupting your sleep/wake cycle.

-Check out your medications. Many prescription drugs can mess with your sleep, including antihistamines, blood pressure medications, asthma medications, and diuretics, to name a few.

-Get some exercise. Just not right before bed. If stress, strong emotions, or a racing mind is keeping you awake, a vigorous workout earlier in the day will help you sleep better. If you wake during the wee hours and can’t get back to sleep, gentler exercise during the day (like walking, Yoga, Qi Gong) is a better option for you.

-Use light to your advantage. To help your body release the specific hormones that help regulate your sleep, try to get at least a half hour of direct sunlight each day and keep the room where you sleep as dark as possible. If you’re unable to get outside for a half hour each day (or if you live in the hinterlands of Minnesota) you can also get your light fix by using a full-spectrum light box.

-Get ready to sleep. Winding down in the evening is an important part of getting to sleep. Turn off your computer an hour or two before bed–the screen gives off as much light as a light box and can derail the sleep process. Also, slow down, read, and relax to signal to your body that it’s time to sleep.

Acupuncture and Lung Health

Lately, we’ve been seeing a number of patients here at Acupuncture in the Park who have been struggling with lung issues. Beyond seeing lots of patients with seasonal allergies this hay fever season, we’ve also seen people suffering from pneumonia, pleurisy, and even pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs). While acupuncture shouldn’t be considered the first line of care for these serious conditions, it can be a helpful adjunct in the healing process.

Your lungs are an interesting organ system in Chinese medicine in that they are considered the most exterior of your internal organs. Think about it–with each and every breath, your lungs come into contact with the outside world. In addition, any part of your body that has anything to do with breathing is considered to be part of your lung system. This includes your nose, sinuses, bronchi, and diaphragm.

When you seek out acupuncture for a lung problem, your practitioner has a number of things to consider in their diagnosis before they can begin treating you. Among them:

Is this an external or internal problem? External conditions that affect your lungs tend to be superficial and short-lived, including colds, flu, and seasonal allergies. Internal problems affect your lungs at a deeper level and tend to be more difficult to resolve. Such conditions would include pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, emphysema, asthma, and pleurisy.

It this a warm or cold condition? A warm (or hot) lung condition is usually accompanied by a fever, feeling warm, thirst, and thick yellow mucous (I know, gross!), and sometimes constipation. A cool condition generally is not accompanied by a fever, and the mucous, if any, is thin and clear.

Are the symptoms caused by some kind of excess or a depletion? An excess condition is associated with too much of something–heat, water, phlegm, etc., and can be especially challenging if it’s clogging up your lungs. Another sign of an excess condition is a loud, barking cough. A depleted lung pattern means that you’re run down, short of breath, wiped out, or have low immunity–essentially your energy is low. In this case, your cough may be quiet, unproductive, or non-existent.

Is this a Yin condition or a Yang condition? This one is a little more complicated. In your body, Yin is cool, moist and replenishing. In contrast, Yang is warm, dry, and active. In general, a Yin lung pattern is cool and moist (um… phlegmmy) and a Yang pattern is warm and dry. What if it’s warm with lots of phlegm? Then the pattern would be a little of both.

If you come to a practitioner of Chinese medicine, after determining the nature of your lung pattern, they would work with you using acupuncture, herbs, dietary guidelines, and even lifestyle tweaks to help you resolve your condition. And while most of us don’t think about our lungs until we have symptoms, there are actually some things you can do to ensure that your lungs stay healthy. Among them:

-The most obvious way to strengthen your lungs is to use them. That’s right, breathe. Whether through the intentional breathing of a Yoga class, or through singing, public speaking, or simply exercising briskly, activities that open your diaphragm and cause you to breathe harder are good for your lungs.

-Good posture is key to lung health. Stand or sit up tall to enable your lungs to pull in the air it needs that’s so vital to your well-being and to life itself.

-Foods that are good for your lungs are also foods that build up your Qi (energy). Light proteins, such as fish, chicken, or tofu are helpful. White is the color associated with your lung organ system, so foods such as white root vegetables and mushrooms are also good for your lungs. Pungent flavors open up your lungs, so mildly spicy foods such as scallions, basil, ginger, and other strongly flavored herbs can be nourishing.

-If you tend towards dryness in your lungs, white fruits such as apples and pears are cool and moistening. In contrast, if you tend to have problems with phlegm, avoid foods that make it worse, such as dairy products, rich or greasy foods, and foods that have been overly processed.

-Get and use a Neti pot, especially if you suffer from seasonal allergies. It’s a great way to cleanse your sinuses and wash out any offending pollen. You can find Neti pots at just about any drug store, and include directions for use. Remember, your nose and sinuses are considered part of your lung organ system, and keeping them healthy is the same as keeping your lungs healthy.

Garden Party!

One of the things I like best about summer is going out into my garden and picking my dinner. Right now I have lettuce, tomatoes, heads of cabbage, peppers, arugula, and some fine looking basil plants all just waiting for me to decide what to pluck and eat. In addition, my flower gardens are a joy to look at from the kitchen window as I prepare what I just picked.

Unfortunately, my garden also yields something that’s not so healthy–a sore lower back. The pain in my back is my body’s way of telling me I’ve done a little too much weeding, planting, and mulching. Luckily, with a little rest, and the humility to ask for help with the heavy lifting, I know I’ll be fine in a day or so.

As much as I love to see patients in my clinic, I hate to see people in pain, especially if that pain is avoidable. The good news is that with a little planning and prevention, gardening can be pain-free. Here are my best tips for keeping you outside in your garden and not at your local acupuncture clinic:

Avoid repetition. Many of the injuries that occur from gardening come from performing the same motions over and over. Switch it up to avoid repetitive stress injuries. If you have a job in the garden that’s going to take a couple of hours, take breaks, walk around, stretch, or do something else for a few minutes.

Your aching back. I’ve learned this from personal experience; to avoid back pain, use a wheel barrow or share heavy loads with someone else. If you’re weeding or planting, kneel if possible to avoid constantly bending over; it’s tough on your back!

Let pain be your guide. If you’re feeling any pain, especially in your back, it’s your body’s signal that it’s time to stop. Trust me, it will not get better if you keep going; it will only get worse.

Pace yourself. You don’t have to finish it all today. Remember, gardening is supposed to feed your soul as well as feed your family–the joy is in the process as well as in the end result.

Use the right tools. Use well-designed tools with grips that are either padded or non-slip material. Keep your gardening tools sharp and in good shape to reduce the physical effort needed to do the work.

Protect yourself. Wear gardening gloves to avoid injuries and infections. All kinds of bacteria and fungus live in the soil, and the smallest cut, if unprotected, can become infected. Wear sunscreen or cover up to avoid sunburn that damages and prematurely ages your skin. In addition, when the clouds of mosquitoes and black flies are really bad, I use a little bug repellant or wear pants and a long-sleeved shirt.

Beat the heat. When it’s really hot and/or humid, shorten up your time in the garden, or work in the early morning or evening when it’s a little cooler. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated–you’re working hard!

If all else fails…Get some help in the form of Chinese medicine and acupuncture–sooner rather than later. The longer you wait to treat an injury, the longer it takes to heal. Your acupuncturist can help loosen up your lower back, relieve carpal tunnel pain, treat your tennis elbow or any other injury you might get from over-gardening.

Working in the garden is a great way to get some exercise, grow your own local and organic foods, honor the season, and feed your soul. With a little prevention, the only thing I’d like to hear about is the abundant produce and beautiful flowers you’re growing–not your aches and pains!

Six Steps to Kidney Health Using Chinese Medicine

Your Chinese Kidneys are considered to be one of the most important organs in your body. They are the organ system of growth, maturation, sexuality, fertility, and aging. Like a seed which holds the potential of an entire plant, your Kidneys hold the genetic blueprint of who you are and how healthy and strong you will be.

Your Kidneys (or Kidney, in Chinese medicine) are the source of Yin and Yang in your body. When the fire of Yang is burning low or Yin is not nourishing your body, your Kidney must always be addressed. Your Kidney also houses a substance called Essence, which is similar to DNA.

The Kidney is considered the most deep-seated of all your internal organs, and for good reason. It’s the root of all substances in your body and is responsible for providing the tools you require to fulfill your deepest needs: survival and reproduction. Your Kidney acts a bit like the Energizer Bunny as the home of your deep reserves, but as such it’s also the organ that is most damaged by stress.

Your Kidney is physically located in the lower back, so when it becomes weak one of the most common symptoms is low back pain. Also, sore or weak knees or ankles can be associated with a Kidney weakness.

Your body’s bones and marrow are governed by your Kidney. Weak bones and bone diseases such as osteoporosis are related to weak Kidneys. The function of your Kidney is also connected to your ears and sense of hearing. When there is an imbalance or weakness in your Kidney system, a common symptom is tinnitus, or ringing in your ears. If you’re losing your hair or it’s going gray prematurely, you can also blame your Kidney, as it governs the hair on your head.

Your Kidney and Kidney Essence determine how well you will age. Gray hair, weak bones, loss of hearing, loss of skin elasticity, tooth problems, and many other signs of aging are related to the Kidney. If you are interested in aging as well as possible, your Kidney is the most important organ system to safeguard.

The element in nature associated with the Kidney is water, which is appropriate and symbolic in that water is the source of all life. The organ paired with the Kidney is the Urinary Bladder, and together both organs govern water metabolism in the body. If you think of Kidney Yang as a pilot light that warms the body and its fluids, then Kidney Yin is a bit like coolant, which nourishes the body and keeps the heat of Yang in check.

Sexuality and creativity are emotional components of the Kidney system. As the organ that governs survival through reproduction, the Kidney system is responsible for libido and sexual attraction. The Kidney is also the source of artistic creation. In addition, the emotions associated with this deepest organ are fear and fright. Fear has the ability to shake you to your core, and chronic fright translates into something very much like unrelenting stress, which is extremely damaging to the Kidney. In Western medicine, your adrenal glands pump out adrenaline (stress hormones) and are located right next to your Kidneys.

Signs and symptoms that your Kidney is depleted include a sore or weak low back, knees, or ankles; bone or tooth problems; dark circles under your eyes; hearing problems; and premature graying or thinning of your hair. Thyroid problems or extreme reactions to the climate—feeling really cold or having lots of hot flashes—are also indications that your Kidney is out of balance. Edema, kidney stones, and getting up several times each night to urinate suggest a problem with the water metabolism function of the Kidney and Urinary Bladder. Also, issues with fertility, libido, or the menstrual cycle generally are Kidney problems.

If you feel that your Kidney system needs some nourishing, here are five ways to help strengthen it:

1) Remember, your Kidney is the organ most damaged by stress, so one of the best ways to nourish it is to get your stress under control. Whatever you choose, whether it’s Yoga, Tai Qi, meditation, or fishing, any stress relief measures will benefit your Kidney.

2) Finding the right balance between activity and rest will help improve the health of your Kidney. Aim for a balance of Yang activities which are challenging, exciting, and stimulating with some Yin activities that incorporate rest, rejuvenation, and contemplation.

3) Beyond handling stress, resolving any situations in your life that are making you fearful will only serve to enhance Kidney health. If you tend to be fearful with no obvious threat, you may want to try some things that stretch you beyond your comfort zone.

4) The physical realm of your Kidney is your lower back and knees. Stretching and exercises to strengthen your lumbar area and leg muscles are helpful in supporting your Kidney. You can also stimulate your Kidney by patting or massaging your lower back area.

5) Foods that are particularly nourishing to your Kidney include those that are very dark (even black!) in color. These would include dark fruits and vegetables, and foods like black beans, black sesame seeds, and black walnuts. The water element comes into play when choosing foods for your Kidney, too. Foods from the sea, such as fish, shellfish, seaweed, kelp, and sushi are all excellent Kidney tonics.

6) Your acupuncturist has a number of tools to help you strengthen your Kidney organ system. They can combine acupuncture with an herbal formula specifically designed to nourish your Kidneys. In addition, they can help you develop a lifestyle and meal plan that will not only protect your Kidney system, but help to boost your overall health.

Six Reasons You Need Acupuncture Maintenance

You do it with your dentist, car mechanic, and doctor. Pet owners do it for their animal companions. And around the house, many people do it for their furnace, roof, and even their pool. You should be doing it with your acupuncturist, too. What is it? Regular maintenance visits.

Why should you be having regular health maintenance visits for acupuncture? Once your symptoms are gone, aren’t you good to go? Well, yes and no. Yes, once your symptoms have gotten better, you’re in good shape for now, but there are a number of benefits to having a couple of acupuncture maintenance sessions each year.

1) Prevention. Your acupuncturist can see any problems you may be having before they become serious and cause you symptoms. Maybe you’re not sleeping very well lately, seem to have a little less energy, or feel like you’re running hot. While this may not seem like much to you, in Chinese medicine, these are signs that your body is beginning to get out of balance. The solution: a session or two of acupuncture as a preventative tune-up, which should head off any major problems that might have otherwise been brewing.

2) Maintenance treatments are a way to be proactive. This is a little different than prevention, in that you’re trying to head off a known health problem. For example, if you know that you suffer from spring allergies, a couple of sessions in February or March can help you get through allergy season symptom-free or with greatly reduced symptoms.

3) Improved energy. At Acupuncture in the Park, we have found that after a few maintenance sessions, many of our patients report having improved energy and the ability to do the things they have been putting off lately due to fatigue.

4) Strengthened immunity. If you seem to be catching every cold, flu, or stomach virus going around, it’s time for an acupuncture boost. A few acupuncture treatments can be aimed at beefing up your protective energy to stay healthier, especially during the winter months.

5) Keep your body systems moving. Acupuncture is all about movement and smooth flow. Whether it’s your digestive system, menstrual cycle, emotions, or achy muscles and joints, a couple of sessions can keep things moving nicely.

6) Stress relief. I’ve been saving the best for last. Many people are surprised at how relaxing acupuncture is, and the relaxing effects can last days and even weeks after a treatment. If your loved ones are beginning to describe you as irritable or overwhelmed, …um, it’s time for some acupuncture.

How many sessions do you need and how often? Generally, booking a couple of sessions every six months is recommended. However, everyone is different in their needs. Some patients come in for one treatment every six months, and they’re good to go. Other patients wait longer, but come in for a series of two or three health maintenance treatments. If you wait until symptoms become unmanageable, it usually will take a few more sessions to get things under control.

Our Eleven Best Health Tips

It seems like every day we are asked by our acupuncture patients what they can do to improve their health. Of course, the answer varies depending on the circumstances and health of the person asking. What we have found over the years at Acupuncture in the Park, however, is that there are a few changes that you can make to create a solid foundation for your health. These simple changes can help you feel better, have more energy, and protect you from future illness. Here is our list:

1) Eat at home. This also means learning to cook, if you don’t do so regularly. You don’t have to be Julia Child or Wolfgang Puck, but trying one new recipe a week would be great. By eating at home, you are better able to control your weight, eat nutritiously, and spend valuable time with your family.

2) Eat food. Many of the items you see in the grocery store are processed with chemicals and ingredients that are not considered to be food in any way, shape, or form. When you’re shopping, ask yourself two questions: Would my grandma have eaten this? and Would I have any of these individual ingredients in my pantry? I’m guessing your Granny wouldn’t have cooked with BHT, sodium nitrite, or potassium bromate, nor would you have some sitting in your cupboard.

3) Eliminate sugar from your diet. The average American eats about 150 pounds of sugar each year. Unfortunately, sugar in the form of sweeteners and refined carbohydrates is the culprit behind many major diseases, such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. In addition, over consumption of sugar can speed up the aging process, decrease your immunity, rob the minerals from your bones, and is responsible for the epidemic of obesity in this country.

4) Eat good (unprocessed) fats. When you press olives, you get olive oil. When you churn cream, it becomes butter. If you squeeze corn, you don’t get corn oil. Oils such as corn, safflower, soy, and rapeseed (used to make canola) are heated to very high temperatures in the manufacturing process, which makes them rancid (you don’t notice it, because they’re deodorized, too). These polyunsaturated oils directly contribute to the accumulation of plaque in your arteries. Choose unprocessed oils and fats, such as olive oil, coconut oil, and butter.

5) Eat breakfast. It balances your blood sugar and eliminates food cravings (Translation: you won’t need that mid-morning Crispy Creme donut.)

6) Eat a little protein at every meal. For the same reason as above; protein levels out your blood sugar and helps with cravings. Also, protein makes a great snack!

7) Get enough sleep. Sack time is restorative; you heal and rejuvenate while you sleep. Lack of adequate sleep is associated with a whole host of health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and weight gain. In addition, not getting enough shuteye increases your risk for accidents, kills your sex drive, and ages your skin. How much is enough? Everyone is different, but most experts will tell you to aim for eight hours a night.

8) Exercise efficiently. Yes, walking the dog is better than nothing, but if you’re going to spend the time to exercise, do what it takes to get the most benefit. You don’t need to spend an hour on the treadmill. You’re better off mixing in some short, intense bursts of speed into a shorter cardio workout and by adding some weight training into your routine. By doing so, you can get better results in less time; you’ll burn more body fat, slow the aging process, strengthen your bones, and burn more calories at rest.

9) Deal with your stress. Stress is the root cause of 85 percent of hospital admissions, according to the American Medical Association. Stress can come from anywhere, but usually relationships, money, health, or work is the source of most peoples’ stress. It’s imperative that you deal with your stress–through meditation, counseling, acupuncture, Yoga, paying off your debt, turning off the news, or learning how not to over think–or whatever else works for you.

10) Do something you love. It’s amazing how many people I see who work hard all week, run errands on the weekend, and spend very little time for themselves. The balance between time for yourself and time for others is every bit as important as the work/rest balance or eating a balanced diet. Spending time doing something you love is not only the key to happiness, but it’s important to your health.

11) Develop a relationship with the natural world—this is the foundation of Chinese medicine. Eat foods that are local and in season now. Go outside and play, spend time in a garden, grow a few of your own vegetables, take a walk in the forest. Researchers inJapanhave found that just walking in the woods improves your health and lowers your stress.

Share and Enjoy !

Share and Enjoy !

Share and Enjoy !

Share and Enjoy !

Share and Enjoy !

Share and Enjoy !

Share and Enjoy !

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Share and Enjoy !

Share and Enjoy !