Author Archives: Tina

Acupuncture and Your Digestion during the Holidays

During the holidays for most of us the foods is everywhere. We go to work and there are holidays banquets, sweets that coworkers bring in and our families and friends are gathering to enjoy this time of year.  During this time your digestion can be taxed due to overeating and drinking. This is one of the most common complaints during the holidays.

In Chinese Medicine food has temperature, and is view according to your body’s constitution, meaning you can be hot, cold, damp, dry, have damp heat or cold damp. Problems with digestion can create food allergies, stress, bloating, heartburn, flatulence, belching, irregular bowel movements, constipation, diarrhea, melancholy, dietary stress, chronic illness and can create hormonal fluctuations.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine can treat the digestive problems in general and during the holidays. Acupuncture and herbal medicine will strengthen the digestion to allow better movement of energy in the body. Your bodies energy starts in the spleen and stomach, if the energy in the spleen and stomach is not strong you bodies energy will not be efficient.

So treating your digestion with acupuncture is important, especially at holiday time. It will reduce stress, support the immune system, restore hormonal balance and bring your body back to balance.

Also, there are some simple things that you can do to support healthy digestion

  1. Chew your food thoroughly, we tend to not to chew food thoroughly.
  2. Relax when you eat, don’t stand when you eat. Sit down and enjoy your meal.
  3. Take breaks in- between bites and breathe deeply.
  4. Eat regularly, this helps the body to be more efficient in digesting foods.
  5. Eat until you are comfortable and not full. When your full this is considered overeating.
  6. Don’t drink when you eat, this slows the digestion. Small sips are OK.
  7. Come in and get an acupuncture treatment, your digestion will Thank You.

Give me a call at 714-875-5790

 

 

Treating Plantar Fasciitis with Acupuncture

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the connective tissue of the heel. It causes stiffness at the bottom of the foot, the arch of the foot and is felt in the achilles tendon. It affects and is common in active indivdulas and althletes. But walking and standing for long periods of time can also cause pain in the foot.  Other factors are being overweight, over exercising, shoes that do not fit well can cause pain, repetitive stress on the foot and a change in a person training.

Pain can occur in the mornings upon waking up and taking a few steps, although the pain can occur throughout the day and after training.  The stiffness in the feet is a sign of plantar faciitis. The connctive tissue that support the arch can have micro-tears of the fascia or near its attachment of the calcaneus, there can be calcaneal heel spur, these will cause pain, stiffness and inflammation of the foot. Sometimes the pain is alleviated when the foot is warmed up and stretches are done, although the pain can does re-occur.

Acupuncture can help reduce the pain, stiffness and inflammation of plantar fasciitis. Diagnoses  is done by palpating the heel and a pinch test of the achillies tendon. Acupuncture points are used locally and distal points are used to treat this condition. Some local points used are UB62, KD  2,3 and KD1. Some distal point are SP6, UB56, and 57. Ashi points are also used where the inflammation is in the heel and foot. Electric stimulation, cupping and moxa are other modalities used to treat this condition.

It is recommended when coming to acupuncture be treated two times a week for 3-4 weeks and then be re-evaluate. Herbal medicine is also used to treat the pain and inflmmation of plantar fasciitis. A warm sea salt soak in a foot bath massage can help draw out the inflammation and allievate the pain.

Plantar fasciitis if not treated can be serious and cause a more serious problems with the calcaneus and achilles tendon. The pain can affect an individuals daily activities and routine.  If you have an issue please consider acupuncture treatment, its a natural approch that works.

 

Acupuncture and Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood due to a limited production of or ineffective performance of insulin in the body. After a person eats, glucose (sugar) from the food enters the bloodstream. Insulin, a chemical produced by the pancreas, then absorbs glucose from the blood and deposits it into various cells to use for energy. If the body’s insulin levels are too low or the insulin does not function properly, glucose collects in the blood, causing diabetes.

Type II diabetes can develop in persons of any age and is characterized by a condition called insulin resistance. This occurs when liver, muscle and fat cells (which usually store and use glucose for when the body needs it) stop being able to properly use insulin. Physical inactivity and being overweight are risk factors for Type II diabetes. Signs that an individual may have diabetes include frequent urination, abnormal thirst, slow healing of wounds, unexplained weight loss, dry or itchy skin, abnormal hunger or fatigue, and numbness in the feet.

In Chinese Medicine, diabetes is called, Xiao Ke, (Thirsting and Wasting) disease that is caused by deficiencies in the kidney/adrenal, pancreas, and lung organ/glandular systems.  The key symptoms include thirst, weight loss or gain, fatigue, and sugar in the urine.  Chinese medicine practitioners recommend a combination of Western and Chinese medicine to treat diabetes.  The Chinese medicine practitioner focuses on strengthening the body and managing long-term symptoms with acupuncture and herbs.  Acupuncture is also used to control blood sugar levels.

There are many different TCM disease patterns that can develop for diabetics and a differential Chinese medicine diagnosis is necessary to determine the exact syndrome.  Yin deficiency is a common pattern in diabetes and is caused by stress, overeating, and fatigue.  Heat and dryness in the lungs and stomach are also common patterns.

Yin deficiency diabetes symptoms include

  • heat in the chest, soles and palms
  • dry mouth and tongue
  • sore lower back
  • frequent urination

Lung and stomach heat and dryness symptoms include

  • restlessness
  • frequent sensations of hunger and thirst
  • dry tongue and mouth
  • frequent urination

It is important to get a thorough diagnosis from a Chinese medicine practitioner to determine the exact syndromes that are causing the diabetes.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine treatment of Diabetes

Chinese medicine treatments include dietary therapy, stress reduction (meditation), exercise and qi gong,acupuncture and herbal medicine.

Acupuncture is effective at controlling blood sugar levels, reducing appetite and thirst, improving blood flow and circulation, and preserving nerve function. Acupuncture can help to manage cholesterol levels which reduce the cardiovascular complications of diabetes.  Peripheral neuropathy can be managed with acupuncture.

Acupuncture treatments for diabetics are usually on-going and used long-term to manage symptoms of diabetes.  Treatments are recommended 1-2 times per week in relation to blood sugar levels and symptoms.  Acupuncture is usually combined with herbal remedies for best results.

Acupuncture and Depression

 

Today, it is estimated that five million Americans are taking Prozac. Unfortunately, over the last seven years there have been 31,000 reports of adverse reactions to this powerful drug. More and more people struggling with depression are beginning to ask, “Is there any safe, effective treatment that I can use regularly without worrying about side effects? What is the natural way to deal with depression?”

In my clinic, I’m often asked the same question by patients, and other health professionals: “How do Chinese, Japanese, and other people from Asia deal with depression?” Prozac is not familiar to most Chinese, not even the health professionals in China. Many popular anti-depression drugs are not available in hospitals in China. It is not that the Chinese experience less stress than Americans do: it is very hard to avoid stress in today’s world, no matter where we live. But people in China deal with stress and emotional problems differently: they get acupuncture treatments and take herbal formulas instead of looking to drugs.

Chinese medicine incorporates centuries of experience in dealing with depression. The first medical book, The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine, which was written 2300 years ago, contained theories on the origins of depression. In Chinese medicine, mental or emotional problems such as depression are attributed to an imbalance or blockage in one or more of the internal organs (Zang/Fu) and the energy pathways (meridians) that pertain to them. Some common patterns that can manifest as depression are Liver qi, Stagnation, Spleen qi Deficiency, Kidney Essence Deficiency, or Lung and Heart meridian disorder. Generally, people begin by experiencing an imbalance in one organ or meridian. Untreated, or improperly treated, the disorder will spread, involving other organs and meridians. Chinese medical doctors emphasize early diagnosis and early preventive treatment of imbalances.

Traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, is a safe and effective way to deal with depression. Acupuncture, herbal formulas, and other Chinese medical modalities have been used in China for over 5000 years, but have only recently become mainstream in the United States in the last twenty-five years.

The people who come to my clinic looking for help with their depression, are typically those who have already tried everything else. Often they have tried seven or eight different anti-depressant prescriptions, with disappointing results. Either the drugs didn’t work, or the side effects were too unpleasant, or they didn’t want to take anti-depression drugs for the rest of their lives. Almost every one of my patients feels that acupuncture has definitely improved their quality of life. A number of scientific studies also supply a great deal of evidence on how and why acupuncture can help depression. A clinical study has shown that patients who received acupuncture treatments experienced significant reduction in depression symptoms. After treatment, more than half no longer meet the criteria for clinical depression. Statistically, that makes acupuncture just as effective as antidepressants. Studies also show that acupuncture can change the levels of many neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, that profoundly affect mental states. If your feeling depresssed. Let Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture help you.

Please give me a call to schedule treatment. 714-875-5790

Acupuncture in a Nutshell

Acupuncture is an alternative medicine that has been practiced for thousand of years. TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is quite complex and can be difficult for some people to understand. It is based, at least in part, on the Daoist belief that we live in a universe in which everything is interconnected. What occurs in one part of the body affects every other part of the body.

The mind, body and spirit are not viewed as separate, but viewed as interconnected structures that work together to keep the body functioning. TCM explains acupuncture as a technique that balances the flow of energy or life force known as Qi (chee). Qi flows through pathways (meridians) in your body.

By inserting fine thread like needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncturist are able to balance the flow of Qi (energy) which then allows the body to balance and heal. Acupuncture is NOT painful. You will feel a heaviness at times when a needle is inserted or shooting sensation of energy through your body. This is energy moving in your body. The treatment will take 4–50 minutes.  During treatment you will be able to relax and listen to music. This gives your body a chance to be calm and heal.

Acupuncture can treat many conditions, its Not just for pain. For example, acupuncture can treat, a common cold, flu, bronchitis, headaches, migraines, menopause, PMS, labor pains, nausea, TMJ, dental pain, osteoarthritis, psychological disorders, addiction, low back pain, knee pain, pain in the body, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disorders and so many more conditions. Acuupuncture works to balance you mind, body and spirtit. Be consistent with treatments and be patient with yourself.

Give this ancient, wonderful medicine a try, you will be amazed.

Give me a call at 714-875-5790, let this amazing medicine work for you!

 

Treating Anxiety with Acupuncture

How Acupuncture for Anxiety Works

Ancient Chinese medicine describes an energy force called Qi that regulates the body’s overall health, according to University of Chicago Medicine. Like blood in the circulatory system, Qi moves throughout the body via pathways called meridians. When factors like injury, stress, poor nutrition, or a change in environment disrupt the flow of Qi, health issues follow, according to the University of Miami Health System. By inserting needles at specific points in the body, acupuncturists restore the balance of Qi and the body’s overall health.

This concept might seem outdated to some, but Daniel Hsu, DAOM (Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), LAc, a practitioner at New York AcuHealth Acupuncture in New York City, says Qi is just a metaphor for metabolic function, or the chemical reactions constantly taking place in the body.

Traditional Chinese medicine relates anxiety to an imbalance of the heart and kidney. Fire represents the heart and joy according to the five elements. The diagnosis is that too much heat in the heart will imbalance the interaction with the kidney (represented as water and fear). This will result in the water organ failing to contain the fire organ rising up to the mind, leading to anxiety. Acupuncture on points around the heart, kidney, spleen and ear are used to treat anxiety.

Treating Acupuncture for Anxiety

Acupuncturists insert each needle in what is called a “prescription”. Depending on where the needles go, acupuncture can cause the nervous system to produce painkilling chemicals, jump-start the body’s natural ability to heal itself, or stimulate the part of the brain that controls emotions, including anxiety. All of these results, can help people feel more balanced and treat a variety of illnesses. Acupuncture calms the body, mind and spirit down. Allowing the patient to relax through the treatment and lasting effects are all day.

Acupuncture is a way of being preventative in regards to your health. Take the time out of your busy life and get into the habit of getting regular acupuncture treatment. Regular acupuncture treatments will keep your immunity up, improve your digestion and simply keep you healthy. Regular acupuncture treatment can be once a week, bi-weekly or once and month treatments. Take the time to be preventative.

Salt, Salt, Salt!

Fit Bit Of The Day

Did you know that many of us our salt deficient. Studied have shown that people that cut salt and are deficient can develop thyroid issues. Salt is necessary for digestion, nutrient absorption, cell function and metabolism. Salt is a mineral and unrefined sea salt, rock salt and hymalayin salt are the best source of sodium and ionic minerals. It is important to use unprocessed salt in your diet. Common table salt is stripped of its mineral value. So keep the unprocessed salt in your diet.

7 Way To Burn Fat

Boost Your Burn #1: Track Everything

Counting calories, weighing out food portions, and keeping tabs on how far and fast you run isn’t the most exciting thing to do. But if you want to burn more fat, you need to do it. Without tracking your intake and outtake, you will never be able to figure out the weaknesses in your fat-burning program. Once you grow accustomed to keeping track, it becomes very rewarding when you have a good day. And since you live in the 21st century, tracking the amount of fat you consume and burn is made easier thanks to all sorts of electronic devices and apps. So make use of those that make the most sense to you and stay on top of your fat-burning game.

Boost Your Burn #2: Power Up with Protein

Every time you eat a meal, toss some protein in for good measure. Whether you go with lean chicken or beef, beans or lentil, or Greek yogurt, plugging protein into every meal helps your body stay full and fueled. When you keep protein in your system, it’s much easier to say no to whatever unhealthy temptation comes your way.

Boost Your Burn #3: Eat and Work Out

You don’t want to gorge yourself on everything you can shove in your mouth before working out, but eating a bit beforehand can work wonders. With a protein-rich snack 90 minutes prior to working out, you’ll find yourself to be more focused and better able to push your body harder and longer than usual, leading to faster fat burning success.

Boost Your Burn #4: Forget Your Weight

This may seem contrary to burning fat, but if you really want to turn up your body’s fat-burning potential, you’re going to need to ignore what the scale says. When the goal is burning fat and toning up, you’re going to want to add muscle, which weighs more than fat.

Boost Your Burn #5: Get Weighty

Since you read the last tip, you probably saw this one coming. If you want to burn more fat off your body, you need to hit the weights. That doesn’t mean you have to become a professional body builder or push yourself until you can bench press a small car. What it does mean is that you need to include weights and strength training in your routine a few days a week. If you’re new to lifting weights, reach out to me and I’ll assess your goals and get you on a program that’s just right for you.

Boost Your Burn #6: Go Green

It may seem like magic, but green tea is rumored to aid in fat burning. Actually, the connection between drinking green tea and burning more calories is well documented in research.

Boost Your Burn #7: Change It Up

Been eating the same stuff and doing the same workout routine for a few months? Not seen any fat melt from your love handles lately? Then your body may be asking for some variety. Changing up your exercise routine on occasion will work your body in new ways, forcing it to respond with extra fat burn. So if your fat loss has plateaued, variety will get the burn heated up once again.

Bonus Tip!

Want one more fat-burning method to get your body sleek and slim? Here it is: stop drinking fattening, sugary drinks! Whether your weakness is flavored coffee with all the goodies, sweet tea, or beer, these drinks pile useless calories onto your body, forcing you to have to work even harder to burn fat. Avoid this dilemma by going with water.

Remember that the most effective fat burn comes as the result of a consistent and challenging exercise program. Call or email today to get started on an exercise program that will change your shape forever!

Forget Past Failures

Please resist the urge to let past failures get you down. I don’t care how many times you’ve tried and failed to transform your body – and you shouldn’t either. What matters is that you’re motivated NOW, so let’s grab that momentum and get moving! The one and only way to reshape your body is with a combination of cardio exercises, a healthy diet, and the right resistance workouts. This is the winning combination that will see you through to your goal. If you’re serious about transforming your body then call or email today to set up a consultation with me

4 Ways to Get Your Swimsuit Body

4 Things to do NOW to get ready for Bikini season

Spring break has come and gone and summer now looms on the horizon…and with it that dreaded moment when you’ll find yourself shopping for a bathing suit. Don’t fret, if you act now there’s still time to tighten up before hitting the beach.

Do these 4 things NOW to quickly get yourself into bikini shape…

1. Eat more Veggies

Your mom was right, eating vegetables really is a good idea, especially when preparing to shimmy into a bathing suit. Why? There are a couple of reasons. First, veggies are low in calories and high in fiber, which means that you’re filling up without packing on pounds. Second, the vitamins and minerals in fresh vegetables nourish your body and cut down on cravings.

2. Add Five Minutes

Each week, between now and your beach debut, I want you to add 5 minutes to your workouts. Just five more minutes. The slight increase from week to week will hardly be noticeable, but the extra fat burn will pay off nicely. Use these extra five minutes to do intense burst of exercise, such as burpees, squat to presses and walking lunges.

3. Double up on Water

Not only will staying extra hydrated help your skin to have a healthy glow, it will also speed up your fat loss efforts. Most of us are walking around in a state of chronic dehydration, which contributes to fatigue, stubborn weight gain and constipation. By drinking more water throughout the day, and by limiting your intake of caffeinated beverages, you’ll become healthier, more radiant, and sexier in that bikini.

4. Eat low Carb (after 4pm)

One of the easiest ways to drop a few inches around your waist before the warm weather hits is to eat low carb after 4pm each day. This means eating dinners that are centered around salads and vegetables rather than breads and pastas. If you simply must have your oatmeal or whole grain bread each day, then eat it for breakfast or lunch and give low carb dinners a try. Don’t forget that sugar counts as carbs, so skip that sugary dessert and try a grapefruit for dessert.

The Benefits of Regular Acupuncture Treatments

1. It will open your mind.

Acupuncture requires us to think about health in entirely new ways. Despite noble efforts by many to find one, there is no biomedical equivalent for qi or meridians. Acupuncture turns mainstream medical tenets on their head. It will remind you that there are multiple ways of seeing the world.

2. It can help make you less stressed.

Acupuncture takes the edge off. It removes you from the perpetual state of sympathetic dominance in which so many of us find ourselves. By mellowing out the nervous system, acupuncture can help you feel less affected by and better equipped to manage the stressful aspects of life.

3. It will inspire you to get outside more.

In acupuncture theory, humans are viewed as microcosms of the natural world that surrounds them. Things like weather and seasonal shifts factor significantly into acupuncture diagnoses and treatment plans. When you start thinking about health in this way, realizing the intimate relationship that humans have with nature, it inspires a desire to get outside and commune with your natural habitat.

4. It can help give you more energy.

Although it’s common to find yourself in “acu land” — a somewhat dazed, blissfully-relaxed state — immediately following acupuncture treatment, the after effect is usually increased energy. Many people report having more energy in the hours, days and even weeks after acupuncture treatment. You may notice that you’re avoiding that post-lunch coma, feeling more motivated to hit the gym, or just sensing a little extra spring in your step.

5. It will clear your head.

In addition to the surge of physical energy that follows emerging from acu land, many people notice improved mental clarity after acupuncture. They’re able to make decisions faster with greater confidence. They feel more motivated and resolute about tackling items that have been lingering for months on their to-do lists. It’s as if the mental cobwebs have been cleared out. Suddenly, you will be out of your own way.

6. It will allow you to give yourself a break.

Acupuncture looks at how root imbalances affect the whole system. This means that when one thing is out of whack, it can affect you in multiple ways. Many of us are quick to beat ourselves up when we can’t muster energy for something that used to come easy, or when we fail to accomplish all the things we “should” be doing.

By thinking of yourself as a complex, interconnected system, it becomes easier to understand why you might be feeling incomplete or depleted. Acupuncture broadens your awareness of the things that can potentially influence your physical and emotional health. This, hopefully, will help you be a little kinder to yourself.

7. It can help you sleep.

Insomnia is one of the most common complaints seen by acupuncturists, and acupuncture can be highly effective at helping it. But even in people who do not recognize or mention sleep as a problem, acupuncture has a tendency to produce more restful nights. This often goes unnoticed until asked about on a follow-up visit. Many acupuncturists hear this refrain multiple times a day: “You know, now that you mention it, I have been sleeping a lot better since I started coming for acupuncture.”

8. It will get you thinking differently about food.

Whether you’re Paleo, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, or free of any restrictions, acupuncture will lend some interesting perspective to your food choices. In acupuncture, foods often are thought about in terms of temperature. Some people, because of their constitutions or root imbalances, need warming foods while others need foods that cool. And this can change significantly based on the seasons. Everyone is different. Acupuncture dietary theory sheds light on why some people can eat certain foods and feel unaffected while others can’t even look in their direction.

9. It will help you embrace change.

Conventional medicine requires us to think in absolutes, to label things good or bad, black or white. We’re either sick or we’re healthy. Our numbers are too high or too low. We’re happy or we’re depressed. Yet in between these extremes, subtle yet significant shifts occur. Acupuncture works in this gray area and teaches us to reflect on the small changes happening within and around us all the time. In acupuncture, this is progress. Unwillingness to accept change is a huge source of stress and anxiety for many people. Through reframing change as a marker of progress rather than something to be scared of, you will learn to love it.

10. It will give you something to talk about at parties.

Acupuncture is a crowd pleaser! Next time you’re feeling awkward or bored at a social gathering, mention that you recently had acupuncture. You’ll be an instant sensation. People love learning about acupuncture. Did it hurt? Did she stick them in your eyes?People also love sharing their own acupuncture experiences, so it’s a quick way find common ground and make friends.

11. It will make you more patient.

We loooove technology. Whether it’s the latest product from Apple or a cutting-edge MRI, we lust after shiny tools that promise to make us better. Technology, while awesome, acclimates us to quick fixes and perpetuates an “I want it now” mentality. This creates chronic impatience.

Acupuncture, because it works but rarely overnight, can help us combat this. Acupuncture is an ongoing process that requires an investment of time and a willingness to let go of our desire for instant gratification. It will make you a more patient person.

12. It will make you tough.

It’s not always easy to embrace acupuncture. Most doctors, as well as some family, friends and colleagues, regard mainstream medicine as the only acceptable form of health care. The constant barrage of pharmaceutical advertising is hard to ignore. It takes courage to go against the grain.

Acupuncture, although becoming more popular, is still not the norm. It requires a conscious commitment to understanding ourselves in a way that the majority shuns. This is the harder path toward health but ultimately the most rewarding.

13. It will make you believe in yourself.

The driving idea behind acupuncture is that we’re already in possession of everything we need to be well. Acupuncture does not add or subtract anything. Rather, it prompts the body to do what it already knows how to do. It reminds you that you have the power to heal yourself.

This does not mean that external interventions such as pharmaceuticals or surgery should always be shunned — in many cases, these are life-saving measures. But it does mean that becoming healthier, whatever that means to you, is within your control. When it comes to improving our physical and emotional health, most of us are capable of a lot more than we think. By using a therapy like acupuncture, which embraces rather than ignores our innate healing capacity, you’re making a statement that you believe in yourself.