We’d like to Introduce Deb van Latenstein and provide information about her roles working with acupuncture, allergies, food and nutrition patterns in this month’s practitioner blog on detoxing. She is part of our team of licensed acupuncturists and has many unique ways to support you on your journey to feeling good.
Looking to stay extra warm this winter? We all know that keeping your head and feet properly covered maintains our internal temperature, but what about when we feel like we just can’t seem to warm up, get our blood flow moving, or have a circulatory disorder that’s hindering your winter activities?
Symptoms of poor blood flow are easy to spot. They often include having cold extremities, headaches, dizziness, or muscle cramps. There are many ways to help aid in your circulatory blood flow including Acupuncture, changing your diet, and herbal remedies. Acupuncture can be helpful to increase local blood circulation because it raises levels of nitric oxide around the area that the needles are entered, thus enhancing peripheral blood flow. Not only does it help with blood flow, it can help with disorders such as Raynaud’s, high blood pressure, and hypertension.
Controlling your diet, adding fitness into your daily routines such as yoga poses, and even acupuncture treatments with specific points can improve your circulation. The point ST 36 functions to regulate qi and blood flow, order the stomach and spleen and strengthen weak and deficient conditions. It is located in the lower leg and is great for combatting gastrointestinal pain, mastitis, asthma, exhaustion, abdominal distention, diarrhea or constipation, indigestion, and more.
When it comes to what is being put into your body, Watermelon and Oranges are two fruits that are helpful in increasing blood flow and circulation in your body. Watermelon contains high amounts of lycopene, which is commonly taken to improve circulation and prevent heart disease. Oranges are also consumed for similar reasons; they are high in vitamin C and are a natural blood thinner and also strengthens capillary walls. Both of these fruits can be helpful in aiding fruitful circulation.
If you have already taken to acupuncture treatment there are some herbal remedies that you can use to help circulate your blood such as Cayenne, Butcher’s Broom, Green Tea and Hawthorn Berry. You can use any of these herbs in the form of capsules, tea, or liquid supplements. If you’re interested in incorporating herbs into your wellness plan, it’s best to consult with us before getting started. We can determine the best options for you. Call the office today if you have questions!
Signs of stress include depression, anxiety, memory and concentration difficulties, mood swings and irritability, low moods, feelings of anguish and much more. Let’s break down a few of these symptoms, give you tips on how to combat the onset of stress when you are feeling emotionally under the weather this winter.
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.
Ever had one of those days or weeks where you just can’t pull yourself out of bed in the morning? Or perhaps you just can’t say “No!” to the dessert tray. Regardless of the activity, willpower is what keeps some people disciplined. But it doesn’t make you a bad person if you have dessert with every meal, buy more shoes than you really need or take longer to get going in the morning. It just means your willpower isn’t strong. And just like any other habit, that can be changed.
We’ve always heard the saying to enjoy everything in moderation, and that is definitely true when it comes to holiday foods. Don’t try to deprive yourself during the holidays, it most likely won’t go over well. Having an extra holiday treat here and there won’t kill you. You’re allowed to indulge a bit, just keep portions small when it comes to holiday desserts and make sure you limit how often you eat them. Going the whole season without any treats is cruel and will most likely end in binging later, so have your guilty pleasures, just keep them in moderation.
The holidays are a time for celebration, which most likely means more alcohol. Not only does alcohol add on empty calories, but can also lead you to eat more while drinking. If you are at a gathering, limit yourself to one or two drinks to cut down on the unhealthy cravings you might be feeling afterward.
Protein-packed foods are a great way to fill up without adding a lot of sugar and empty carbohydrates. Pack your plate with low-fat meats like turkey and chicken. If you’re vegetarian, eat more of the tofu than the side dishes that are most likely to be sugar and carbohydrate-heavy.
Don’t forget about water! The holidays are an easy time to drink more sugary beverages than normal. Substitute drinks for water, and drink a lot of it. Not only is water essential for your health, but drinking a glass before a meal can fill you up more as well, preventing you from overeating.
Eating too fast is one of the easiest ways to overeat. When you don’t give your body the chance to digest food and feel full before you stop eating, chances are you’re going to end up eating more than you want. Eat slowly and enjoy each bite to give your body a chance to catch up. This way, you’ll end up getting full faster and eat less.
Most of all don’t forget to enjoy the holidays and the delicious food that comes with it, don’t be afraid to indulge a little!
Have a Feel Good Day!!
Stress is defined as a physical, chemical or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension. It is the body’s way of signaling for help or a break in the routine. If we don’t listen to these signals, we can develop imbalances in our bodies, which can then lead to illnesses.
Cortisol is the hormone most closely related to stress. Cortisol is a big component of the “fight or flight” response we feel when we are scared or threatened. In small bursts, cortisol is helpful. However, when stress becomes chronic, then the cortisol levels become elevated. This puts the body in a constant state of being on edge, and can eventually lead to insomnia, depression, anxiety, and digestive issues, among others.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides many ways of combating stress and keeping our minds focused. Here are just a few examples of how this ancient medical system can help.
A very common complaint that acupuncturists hear from our patients is that they constantly feel tired. Sometimes this fatigue is related to lack of sleep, but sometimes no amount of rest seems to alleviate the sleepiness.
From an acupuncture and Chinese Medicine perspective, there are numerous imbalances in our bodies that can cause constant fatigue:
While the holidays have the power to bring some of the most joyful times in your life, they can also be the cause of a great deal of stress. The stress can stem from many different situations such as family disagreements, scheduling conflicts, and money issues.
No matter what situation your stress is coming from, it’s important to take a step back from the stress to hold onto your sanity.
In the busy world of today, people come in contact with an endless amount of impurities, toxins, poisons, pollutants, and other agents. These chemicals land on our skin, absorb into the fabrics we wear and are breathed into our lungs. As inevitable as this may seem, there are a few ways that we can reduce the exposure to these environmental impurities, and one of the best ways is through taking a detox bath. At this point, you may find yourself asking, “What are the benefits of taking a detox bath?”
