There are lots *lots* of online yoga instruction channels. Some of which I highly recommend. There is a lot of online Qi Gong instruction. And I finally found one I will recommend. There has to be some element of not-taking-ourselves-too-seriously for me to really learn from any kind of a: instruction in general and b: instruction of a fairly serious and important way of taking care of one’s self. That’s just me.
Qi Gong is a serious form of self-care and is incredibly helpful to everyone who does it. It is for everyone, as far as I am concerned, and being perfect at it is not the point. I found this instructor on YouTube and he is down to earth, practices in beautiful scenery, and talks plainly. The only thing that would make his videos perfect is the inclusion of dogs. Some of the YouTube videos look like maybe they are a little long – but once you get started doing Qi Gong, time kind of goes away and when you’re done, you feel like a million bucks. Just make sure you carve out the time to follow along and try some of these out! Move your body and use your breath to keep yourself healthy. Especially now. That and some vitamin D should keep you chugging along til this winter is over.
How are you? I’m completely ambivalent about everything going on. You didn’t ask, but I thought I should let you know.
I want to be a good citizen – I intend to do the right thing by my community. I will obey all rules and observe all precautions to the best of my ability. That ends up meaning that I might keep people from coming in for treatment – who would probably greatly benefit from treatment. Part of what I do is keep your system working; activate your immune system, improve your body’s ability to man the towers and pull up the drawbridge and all kinds of fortress-related metaphors. Pour boiling oil on the invaders and catapult flaming tar balls over the wall at the enemy.
But it’s entirely possible that venturing out into the milieu could cause exposure and illness. Whereas staying at home is much safer at this point. So I can’t advocate for coming in as a reasonable risk everyone should take – right now.
I’m pretty sad about this. My entire reason for becoming an acupuncturist in the first place was to help people with whatever they needed help with – using the tools of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. But I always knew acupuncture was going to be the thing that I did the most.
So I’m a little stuck. I need to focus on Chinese medicine more – herbs and herb formulas. If you have exposure on a regular basis, you might consider taking a formula for a little while here. I am, my husband is.
There is a basic formula that is called ‘Jade Windscreen’ or ‘Yu Ping Feng San/Wan’. Three to five herbs (some add ginger and dates for digestion, some don’t ). Astragalus, Atractylodes and Ledebouriellae – two of the best Qi builders that secure the exterior and strengthen the means of generating this defense, and then an external releasing herb that circulates the perimeter of the fortress, so to speak, and chases away invaders (this on also benefits the Large Intestine, but that’s a bonus). I very much prefer that people who are exposed to the masses frequently take this anyway – teachers, nurses, bankers, cashiers, etc – when it is high cold/flu season. But something to keep in mind – this is for people who may catch colds easy, and are Qi deficient in general: overworked, rundown, easily tired, with sluggish digestion and looser bowels. If you are a strong, robust type, you may not need a formula at all. Just good sleep, exercise, proper food and water intake, and a few extra vitamins to keep things going (vitamin D plays a part in good immunity).
If you’re interested in a daily formula that’s safe to take for awhile, let me know and we’ll get something ordered. For those of you who feel you need a more aggressive defense, I’ve got some modified formulas I can get made for you and shipped to your door. There has been very generous discussion and sharing in the acupuncture and Chinese medicine community regarding preventive formulas, as well as what has been used for treating the virus. Recovery from the virus is another big topic. I am looking forward to helping with recovery – acupuncture and herbs will move the process along and get your loved ones feeling better quicker.
Be in touch – I’m here on Fridays and Saturdays for now. As I get busier, I’ll add another day. Be safe and be well and wear your masks and look out for one another.
There are a lot of ways to look at this going back to work that I’m doing.
I am restarting the most lucrative way that I earn money on a regular basis. And I do not earn buckets of money by any stretch of the imagination.
I am returning to offering the service I provide that people are interested in consuming.
I am stepping in to the ‘reopening’ process that the state of Colorado is undertaking.
I am taking serious chances with my health and the health of my patients by opening. My office is in the lobby of a building that has significant foot traffic. So many people who do not believe that wearing masks is necessary. I’m glad to know so many people are confident that they should not be worried about their health or life. That must be nice. I wish a significant population of my patient base felt the same. But even if they did, they would be barred from entering my office without a mask.
I am requiring mask-wearing, hand-washing, temperature taking. I am inflicting my worry about myself and my 10-years-older-than-me spouse who is an ‘essential worker’- and CDC recommendations – on the population that wants to come in to see me. I am taking a stand that way – you will attend to your health and the health of others around you if you want to take part in this commerce. And then trying to reconcile that with going back to work so I can pay bills. Not 100% altruistic.
I truly hope this combination keeps people safe and keeps me employed. The process is going to change probably. I am beta-testing. Timing will change. How many gloves I use a day will hopefully change (gah). How many times I wash my hands and use hand sanitizer will hopefully change (ouch). I will refine my movement and actions and get a rhythm – a new one after being away for two months. And hopefully, do good while enforcing health safety and earning a living.
Arizona State University conducted a study on the effects of stress on college students and staff in a “large urban college population.” The study was a two-group, randomized controlled trial where the participants underwent either sham acupuncture or verum acupuncture. The participants included college students, faculty and staff at a large public university and the study was approved by the university’s institutional review board with the consent of each participant.
Prior to the study beginning, each participant answered questions in the Cohen’s Global Measure of Perceived Stress questionnaire at 5 different parts of the study. The intention behind this step was to measure how stress changed or did not change for each participant throughout the course of the treatment.
The acupuncture points that were used within the study were as follows. These points were given to the treatment group which were set to undergo verum acupuncture. Each group reported to the acupuncture clinic once a week for a 30 minute session.
GV 20
PC 6
HT 7
Yingtang
Four Gates
CV 17
CV 6
ST 36
The second group (considered the control group) received sham acupuncture in 3 points that are not known to have any effect on stress. These points on the body that are located between meridians and were inserted unilaterally and without stimulation or manipulation to ensure that de qi would not occur.
After the study was completed, each participant was questioned on the levels of stress that they each endured after 6, 12, 18 and 24 weeks post-treatment. Between the first treatment and the 24th week post-treatment, the verum acupuncture group reported a 45.8% improvement in the perception of stress. The sham acupuncture group reportedly showed a 40.3% difference in stress levels between the start of the study and post-treatment. However, at 3 months post-treatment, the sham acupuncture group had shown a decrease in their stress-scores.
To reduce the amount of error in the study, they “treated every participant with the same point combination, no matter what their underlying energetics may have suggested.” This was to keep the acupuncture points as consistent as possible in order to obtain the most accurate results possible.
The study did determined that stress was reduced through the use of acupuncture on the participants within the study but that a larger sample size would aid in obtaining more statistically consistent results.
This study appears promising for determining the effects of reducing stress on university-goers through the treatment of acupuncture. However, further study and testing would be necessary for more conclusive results.
Healthy blood circulation is a vital component of life for human beings. Without proper blood flow, life would cease to exist. Blood isn’t the only thing that’s important, it’s what the blood is carrying that makes circulation so important. Blood carries fresh oxygen, hormones and nutrients that we absorb from our food. Without these components, the organs and tissues of the body become depleted, weakened and eventually stop functioning. Any blockages in the veins and arteries can deprive the brain and the rest of the body from the needed oxygen, which can then lead to a plethora of other medical issues.
A Bloodflow Overview
Poor circulation is a problem that affects thousands of people around the world, and decreased circulation is frequently referred to as a silent killer. Many people assume that blood circulation issues aren’t a worry that needs to be prioritized until it’s too late and gets overlooked for years. Poor blood flow can cause pain, numbness, tingling, cold hands/feet and even heart rhythm irregularities.
Another complication of poor circulation is the possibility of blood clots. Blood clots can be very dangerous. They can dislodge and travel to the heart, lungs or brain and block major blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack or a stroke.
There are many causes of poor circulation including excessive cholesterol buildup in the arteries, obesity, diabetes, poor lifestyle choices, improper diet, smoking, alcoholism, pinched nerves, bacterial and viral infections and even excessive stress. The symptoms of poor circulation include weakness of the limbs, loss of sensation, extreme sensitivity, tingling, numbness, burning sensation and pain. If circulation issues are left untreated, it can eventually lead to the tissues turning black and dying, which is then a case for amputation.
Modern medicine treats poor circulation using prescription medications, angioplasty, surgical placement of stents and even amputation. All of these treatments can have serious side effects and any time surgery is done, there will be down time for recovery that may be extensive. But there are alternatives too.
TCM and Circulation
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient medical system that has been around for thousands of years. TCM uses modalities like acupuncture, acupressure and herbal formulations to treat the effects of poor circulation, while actually addressing the root cause too.
Acupuncture in particular is great for increasing blood circulation because the use of acupuncture needles stimulate nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide is a key regulator of localized circulation. Therefore, the more nitric oxide, the greater the blood flow and circulation to the tissues.
Acupuncture treatments have also been shown to stimulate the release of compounds like leukotrienes and antihistamines that both dilate the blood vessels, while also reducing swelling of tissues. This leads to increases in blood flow to the areas of the body deprived of oxygenated blood.
Another element of TCM is the use of herbs and herbal formulations. Foods, such as garlic, ginger, turmeric and cayenne pepper can be very beneficial for those suffering from poor circulation. However, we advise that adding these herbs needs to be discussed with a physician if you are already taking blood thinners for a circulatory problem.
Poor circulation can be painful and can even be deadly in some cases, but it doesn’t have to be. TCM and acupuncture can help you with your circulation problems.
Traditional
Chinese medicine teaches that humans should live in harmony with the seasons.
According to traditional Chinese medicine there are five seasons: winter,
spring, summer, late summer and fall. Each season has many associations that
help us change our habits, allowing for a more balanced mind and body. When
these systems were being developed, people were living in harmony with nature.
People rose with the sun, ate what was available during the different seasons and
they were much more aware of their natural environment. What to wear, when to
wake up, when to go to sleep and what activities to engage in were all
dependent on the weather and the environment. Because of this, people were
capable of staying healthy throughout the year and their immune and organ
systems were strong enough to ward off disease.
Get some rest
In TCM, the
season of winter is a time of repair and rejuvenation. Winter is associated
with the kidneys, which hold the body’s fundamental energies. Rest is important
for revitalizing the kidneys.This is why some animals hibernate during the
winter months. We should also spend more time resting during the winter months
to help prepare our bodies for the months ahead when most people expend more energy.
2.
Incorporate self reflection
Winter is a
really good time to turn inward and do some reflection. Practices like tai chi,
qi gong and yoga can be very beneficial during the winter season. These
practices help us connect to our inner selves, while supporting the kidney
energy. They also help relax the mind and calm our emotions. Things like
journaling and meditation are other ways of reflecting during the winter
months. Long term, these practices can be very helpful at extending a person’s
life.
3. Drink
water, lots of water
The kidneys
are closely associated and ruled by the water element, which is the element
associated with winter, so it is important to remember to drink water during
wintertime. Drinking room temperature water is a vital step to maintaining
sufficient kidney qi throughout the winter months.
4. Eat warm,
seasonal foods
Choose foods
that grow naturally during the winter. Items such as squash, potatoes, pumpkin,
sweet potatoes, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, root vegetables like beets, greens,
carrots, mushrooms, apples, pears and cabbage are great. During the winter
months, cold foods like salads and raw foods should be avoided as they will
deplete the immune system. There are also foods that specifically target and
nourish the kidneys, including kidney beans, beef, goose, duck, black beans,
lamb, chicken, dark leafy greens, garlic, ginger, walnuts, quinoa, asparagus,
celery, onion, fennel, scallions, cloves, watercress and turnips. Sea salt is
also helpful, because salty is the taste associated with the kidneys. As with
anything, moderation is key. Too much salt can actually tax the heart, which
then causes the kidneys to work overtime.
5. Treat
yourself to some TCM
Traditional
Chinese Medicine utilizes numerous modalities and tools to help keep the body
balanced and prepped for the seasonal changes. Acupuncture and moxibustion are
two of the tools that are regularly used to boost the kidney qi. Moxibustion is
a practice where dried mugwort is burned very near the skin to warm and boost
the qi within the body. There are certain acupuncture points that are essential
for boosting kidney qi. Most are located either on the lower abdomen, below the
umbilicus or on the lower back above the hip bones, in the areas of the
kidneys. Applying moxibustion to these areas is a wonderful way to boost the
energy reserves of the kidneys.
When we
align ourselves with the natural processes of life and the seasons, our bodies
will adjust and perform optimally, just as they are intended to.
A study published by the Journal of
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine looked at the holistic
effects of acupuncture treatments. The study looked at how acupuncture
treatments were conducted and evaluated. One of the areas this study looked at
is how acupuncture influences the function of the brain. By using functional
MRI imaging, the researchers were able to see certain areas of the brain were
stimulated during the acupuncture treatments. The anterior insula and striatum,
areas involved in motivation processing, were very responsive to the
treatments. The study confirmed acupuncture on specific points can activate
motivation centers in the brain, thus leading to increased physical motivation
in the participants.
Everybody experiences times where they have no
motivation. Lack of motivation can be caused by many things: weather,
depression, nutritional deficiencies, rejection and even not exercising.
Lacking motivation can be detrimental to your
health. Even though everybody knows they should be exercising and eating right
and getting proper sleep, many of us choose not to. This becomes a bad habit
that can actually develop into depression, fatigue, insomnia and even
nutritional deficiencies that can cause even worse physical problems. We tell
ourselves we don’t have time or we have no motivation or willpower. These are
just stories we tell ourselves. EVERYBODY has time to care for themselves. It’s
just a choice we have to make.
Acupuncture can help put the pep back in your
step when it comes to motivation. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), lack
of motivation is considered some sort of blockage along the energetic pathways
that run throughout the body. Most commonly, this affects the gallbladder and
liver pathways. Over time, this lack of motivation frequently develops into
depression. When the body is depressed, nothing seems possible. But the fact of
the matter is that, there are underlying causes to depression that begin with
the lack of motivation.
The reason TCM works so well at addressing and
correcting motivation problems is because it addresses the body holistically.
When people go to their doctor and tell them that they have no motivation, they
are frequently prescribed antidepressants. But the problem with antidepressants
is they don’t address the underlying causes of the issue. TCM looks at
everything: the body, the mind, the environment and the emotions. This allows
for treatments to be customized to the needs of the patient instead of a one
size fits all approach.
As mentioned, the liver and gallbladder pathways
are most commonly associated with lack of motivation. When either or both of
these pathways become blocked, motivation dissipates and people become
depressed. One of the first things that happens is emotions become involved and
send signals to the digestive tract. This is why many times, people who lack
motivation or who have developed depression have no appetite. Energy comes from eating healthy foods. But
when we have no appetite, we tend to crave things like sweets and carbohydrates
because they give us the “emotional high” that temporarily sedates the
depression and lack of motivation. But this quickly goes away and we end up
right back where we started.
The gallbladder pathway is important when
motivation is lost. The gallbladder pathway is associated with courage and
decisiveness. Lack of motivation causes most people to not be decisive. The
inability to decide or act or the lack of motivation to act is associated with
a weakness of the gallbladder system. Regular acupuncture treatments can help
with this issue, as well as moving energy along both the liver and gallbladder
pathways, thus restoring balance to the body and increasing motivation.
A study
published by the National Institutes of Health in 2018 indicates receiving
acupuncture treatments can improve the possibility of conceiving a child for
patients that have experienced fertility issues. This particular study was
conducted on one couple, and focused on treating both partners to achieve
conception. The male received acupuncture treatments to improve sperm quality,
and the female received acupuncture treatments to remove ovarian cysts and
improve blood flow to the uterus. After seven treatments, the ovarian cysts had
disappeared, and the couple was able to conceive. The acupoints used in this
study were chosen to improve blood flow and energy to the reproductive organs,
while also decreasing excess phlegm and fluids in the lower body. Acupuncture
has been shown to be very effective at treating infertility in the past and
this study confirms those findings.
Infertility
is defined as not being able to get pregnant after one year or more of
unprotected sex. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 18 percent of
women aged 15 to 44 have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying the pregnancy
to full term. Infertility is not limited to women though. The CDC reports 35
percent of couples with infertility have a male component to their
difficulties. This means that nearly 6.9 million people in the United States
have received fertility treatments. Infertility is typically treated with
injections, prescription medications and even artificial insemination, but
there are still no guarantees that conception will occur even with all of these
efforts.
Traditional
Chinese Medicine has been proven to increase the chance of conception in
couples that are currently receiving fertility treatments. In fact, the success
rates of conception increase from 39.4 percent to 65.5 percent when acupuncture
and TCM are added to the mix. Acupuncture helps increase fertility by reducing
stress, increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs and balancing
hormones. Acupuncture treatments can provide increased blood flow to the
ovaries and uterus, which creates a stronger chance for an egg to be nourished
and carried to full term. In the male, acupuncture treatments can improve sperm
quality and motility.
The
insertion of acupuncture needles has been proven to stimulate blood flow, so
for men, regular acupuncture treatments can increase blood flow to the
testicular arteries. The testicles need blood to provide nutrients, remove
waste products and keep the area cool. Excess waste products can damage sperm
while they mature in the testicles. Stagnation of blood in the scrotum can
increase testicular temperatures, which can be very detrimental to the forming
sperm. By increasing blood flow to and from this area, nutrients are brought in
and waste is removed, which will contribute to healthier sperm.
The most
common cause of female infertility is due to a problem with ovulation. This can
be caused by imbalanced hormones, stress or even a buildup of excess phlegm in
the lower body. All of these situations may prevent the release of a mature egg
from the ovaries. When progesterone is lacking, the fetus may be unable to
attach to the uterus. Regular acupuncture treatments have been shown to correct
these imbalances, making conception more possible.
If
infertility is something you are dealing with, ask me how I can help. The
chances of getting pregnant and having a happy healthy baby are much better
when combining both Western medicine and Eastern medicine.
A study
published by BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine looked at the effects
of acupuncture in the treatment of depression. For the study, rats were exposed
to three weeks of chronic unpredictable mild stress, which put them into a
state of depression. Once depression had set in, the rats were then treated
using two acupuncture points for 10-minute sessions. What was discovered was
that depression-like behaviors were decreased using this treatment method.
Therefore, it was determined by this particular study, that acupuncture indeed
has positive effects on the symptoms of depression and can be used as a means
to treat the disease.
Depression
is defined as a mental disorder characterized by feelings of dejection and
severe despondency. Worldwide, nearly
350 million people suffer from depression and nearly 16 million of those are in
the United States alone. Statistics show women tend to be more likely to
experience depression and young adults between the ages of 18 to 22 are also at
higher risk. Symptoms of depression include extreme irritability over minor
issues, anxiety, restlessness, irrational anger, lack of interest in everyday
activities, thoughts of death, insomnia, severe fatigue, weight gain/loss,
difficulty concentrating and unexplained aches and pains. When these symptoms
occur for more than a few weeks, depression may be the reason behind them.
As shown in
the aforementioned study, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is very effective
in treating depression, not only short-term, but also long-term. Modern
medicine usually treats depression with antidepressants and psychotherapy
regardless of the presenting symptoms. In contrast, TCM diagnoses each patient
on an individual basis and treats the specific symptoms, while also addressing
the root of the illness.
Acupuncture
and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help alleviate symptoms of depression
while also attacking the root cause(s), thus bringing the body and mind back
into balance. The body and mind are inseparable and should be treated as a
whole, which is the approach used by acupuncturists. When we experience
emotional challenges and become upset, our physical body may become affected as
well. Then a vicious cycle begins because the emotions are greatly impacted by
what we can and cannot do physically.
The theory
behind treating depression using TCM, all revolves around the concept of Qi
(pronounced “chee”). Qi is considered the vital energy that flows through the
body and animates everything. When Qi is blocked or stagnant, illness can take
root, either physically or mentally. Qi flows throughout the body on energetic
pathways or meridians. Each energetic meridian is associated with an organ and
each organ has its own emotion. For example, the emotion of the liver meridian
is anger. When Qi is blocked and liver Qi stagnation occurs, anger can then
manifest. From the same standpoint, if a person is excessively angry, the flow
of Qi can be blocked creating stagnation.
Acupuncture
releases endorphins and activates natural pain killers. By doing so, it
improves the flow of Qi throughout the body while eliminating blockages and
bringing balance to the mind and body. Endorphins counter the symptoms of depression
and allow the person to resume a normal life.
If you are
suffering from depression and are looking for a natural way of dealing with it,
contacting a licensed acupuncturist might be exactly what you need. A local
acupuncturist can help you navigate the waters of depression without the
harmful side-effects of pharmaceuticals, while helping you get back to a
happier life.
Ginkgo Acupuncture, LLC 