Cold and flu season is in full force. A good way to prevent catching anything is to get an acupuncture treatment at the first hint of symptoms, (sore throat, body aches, chills and fever). There are also foods you can incorporate into your diet that will assist in keeping your immune system strong.
These include:
basil ginger
black pepper leeks
caraway mustard leaf
cayenne onion
cinnamon peppermint
coriander rosemary
garlic sage
scallions
It is also a good idea to reduce or omit foods that cause congestion. The biggest offenders are dairy, wheat, sugar, and anything with saturated fat.
Stay healthy this season! With a good diet and steady acupuncture, your body's defenses will be strong.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Chinese Herbal Formulas for Optimal Health and Wellness
When most people hear the term "Traditional Chinese Medicine," they probably think of Acupuncture. But did you know, before Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine was predominantly herbal medicine, and today, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs together form the foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The benefit received from Acupuncture can be enhanced and magnified by the addition of a Chinese Herbal formula into your daily routine, and the right formula can make all the difference in your progress towards optimal health. Chinese Herbs are a great way to supplement your Acupuncture treatment, help you keep feeling the therapeutic effect of Chinese Medicine in between Acupuncture treatment days, and assist your healing process from the inside out.
At The Pin Cushion Clinic, we carry a line of Chinese Herbal formulas by Evergreen Herbs, a company we have chosen for the clinical effectiveness of their products, as well as the purity of the ingredients. Although Chinese Herbs can be prescribed in whole bulk form which you boil to make a tea, most people don't have the time to dedicate to this process, so the herbs we carry have already been ground into a powder and encapsulated so they are convenient for travel and a busy lifestyle. We stock common formulas for conditions we see often, and many people are surprised at how many types of conditions can be treated with Chinese Herbs. We carry formulas for anything from insomnia, anxiety, and stress relief, to menstrual cycle regulation, and pain relief. And, if the formula we prescribe for you is a little more obscure, we are happy to order it.
Keep this in mind for your next Acupuncture appointment. If you have been curious about Chinese Herbs, or wonder how they could benefit you and help you reach your health and wellness goals even more quickly, ask your Acupuncturist at your next appointment, and we'd be happy to make a recommendation for you.
Here's to your good health!
The benefit received from Acupuncture can be enhanced and magnified by the addition of a Chinese Herbal formula into your daily routine, and the right formula can make all the difference in your progress towards optimal health. Chinese Herbs are a great way to supplement your Acupuncture treatment, help you keep feeling the therapeutic effect of Chinese Medicine in between Acupuncture treatment days, and assist your healing process from the inside out.
At The Pin Cushion Clinic, we carry a line of Chinese Herbal formulas by Evergreen Herbs, a company we have chosen for the clinical effectiveness of their products, as well as the purity of the ingredients. Although Chinese Herbs can be prescribed in whole bulk form which you boil to make a tea, most people don't have the time to dedicate to this process, so the herbs we carry have already been ground into a powder and encapsulated so they are convenient for travel and a busy lifestyle. We stock common formulas for conditions we see often, and many people are surprised at how many types of conditions can be treated with Chinese Herbs. We carry formulas for anything from insomnia, anxiety, and stress relief, to menstrual cycle regulation, and pain relief. And, if the formula we prescribe for you is a little more obscure, we are happy to order it.
Keep this in mind for your next Acupuncture appointment. If you have been curious about Chinese Herbs, or wonder how they could benefit you and help you reach your health and wellness goals even more quickly, ask your Acupuncturist at your next appointment, and we'd be happy to make a recommendation for you.
Here's to your good health!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Cherry Bublanina
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs divided, at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of cream of tartar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 pound washed, pitted and halved red cherries
- Confectioners' sugar
Preparation:
- Place
rack in center of oven and heat to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch-by-9-inch baking pan. In a medium bowl,
cream together butter, sugar and yolks until light and fluffy. Add salt, mixing well.
- In a clean medium bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar
until stiff. Alternately fold in egg whites and flour into butter-egg
mixture.
- Turn batter into prepared pan and scatter cherries evenly over top. Lightly press down cherries into batter until partially covered. Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cut into 6 equal pieces. Serve warm or cold dusted with confectioners' sugar.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Acupuncture for the Common Cold
Acupuncture has been found to be an effective treatment for the common cold, and is an excellent ally to give our immune system a boost during a time when our defenses need strengthening. Typically, Acupuncture can help alleviate the intensity of symptoms, and often shortens the duration of the cold. The treatment will vary depending on your specific symptoms, and your Acupuncturist will probably asks things about whether you have sore throat, fever, chills, cough, phlegm, headache, body aches, fatigue, and more. The information you provide, along with your pulse and tongue, will help the Acupuncturist arrive at a diagnosis and treatment plan to help boost your body's defenses and get you feeling better as soon as possible.
Some people are under the impression that they shouldn't come in for a treatment if they have a cold. We ultimately leave that decision up to you, and we certainly encourage you to stay home in bed, resting, if that feels like the best place for you to be. A high fever, a persistent, uncontrollable cough, or vomiting, would all be good reasons to stay home and rest. However, if you feel well enough to come to the clinic, there are a lot of things we can do to help point your body back in a healing direction.
Often people are concerned about their symptoms disturbing other patients in the community setting. While this is a valid concern, we would like you to be able to come get treatment if possible, and sometimes coughing or sneezing dissipates during a treatment. We take measures to keep other patients germ free, such as switching out the blanket that covers your chair after your done, with a clean blanket. We also have hand sanitizer and tissues in the room, and of course as always, all the needles are packaged in sterile containers and are disposed of after a single use. If you are unsure of the best choice in your particular situation, you can always call us to explain your symptoms and get our opinion about the best plan for you.
Acupuncture encourages your body to shift back into a healthy balance, so, in applicable cases, the treatments would be aimed at clearing heat (fever, sore throat, inflammation), soothing the lungs to alleviate cough, alleviating head and body aches, soothing an upset stomach, and strengthening your immune system to fight off whatever pathogen is causing the symptoms. Beyond the Acupuncture treatment, we have various herbal lozenges and syrups to soothe sore throats, as well as several herbal formulas and herbal teas to help support your process of recovery and healing.
Some people are under the impression that they shouldn't come in for a treatment if they have a cold. We ultimately leave that decision up to you, and we certainly encourage you to stay home in bed, resting, if that feels like the best place for you to be. A high fever, a persistent, uncontrollable cough, or vomiting, would all be good reasons to stay home and rest. However, if you feel well enough to come to the clinic, there are a lot of things we can do to help point your body back in a healing direction.
Often people are concerned about their symptoms disturbing other patients in the community setting. While this is a valid concern, we would like you to be able to come get treatment if possible, and sometimes coughing or sneezing dissipates during a treatment. We take measures to keep other patients germ free, such as switching out the blanket that covers your chair after your done, with a clean blanket. We also have hand sanitizer and tissues in the room, and of course as always, all the needles are packaged in sterile containers and are disposed of after a single use. If you are unsure of the best choice in your particular situation, you can always call us to explain your symptoms and get our opinion about the best plan for you.
Acupuncture encourages your body to shift back into a healthy balance, so, in applicable cases, the treatments would be aimed at clearing heat (fever, sore throat, inflammation), soothing the lungs to alleviate cough, alleviating head and body aches, soothing an upset stomach, and strengthening your immune system to fight off whatever pathogen is causing the symptoms. Beyond the Acupuncture treatment, we have various herbal lozenges and syrups to soothe sore throats, as well as several herbal formulas and herbal teas to help support your process of recovery and healing.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Acupuncture for Emotional Well Being
Many people get Acupuncture treatment for physical health concerns, but Acupuncture is also very effective at relieving stress, calming the mind, and balancing mood and emotional fluctuations. Our emotional and mental health has a huge impact on our well being, and can transform our experience of day to day life. Our emotions and mood are always changing over the course of our life, or even over the course of a day. This is a completely normal and healthy part of life. However, when we get "stuck" in a certain emotional pattern, whether it be sadness, depression, anxiety, fear, anger or irritability, sometimes we need a little support to help us shift back into balance.
Acupuncture is all about treating every individual holistically- mind, body, and spirit. The Acupuncturist looks for any areas of deficiency, excess, or stagnation, in order to select treatment points that will re-balance that individual and promote the smooth flow of energy, harmonizing body, mind, and spirit. Our emotions often affect us on a physical level as well, whether they take a toll on our sleep, our energy level, or our digestion, and so each individual's unique presentation of s is treated with a unique set of points selected by the Acupuncturist to treat their specific condition.
Acupuncture has been found to stimulate release of the body's own endogenous endorphins which help relieve pain, and Acupuncture also regulates serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin has been called "nature's feel good chemical" because of it's effect on mood and disposition. Many anti-depressant prescriptions help by affecting serotonin levels, because it can help promote a feeling of calm and an uplifted mood. Acupuncture is a way to achieve this effect without the side effects of prescription medications. Additionally, Acupuncture relieves stress by encouraging the central nervous system to shift out of sympathetic "fight or flight" mode, into parasympathetic "rest and relax" mode. Most people feel very relaxed during and after treatment.
If you are seeking balance for your emotions, Acupuncture is an effective therapy that addresses the whole person, to bring balance and well being to body, mind, and spirit.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Smoking Cessation
Are you interested in quitting smoking, but it seems daunting? Here is The Pin Cushion's smoking cessation protocol. Remember, quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health!
Acupuncture is an effective tool to enable one to quit smoking by minimizing cravings, calming the nervous system and strengthening will power. However, acupuncture can only work if you are ready to quit and willing to commit to the process.
Acupuncture works by intercepting messages sent by the brain to the body that demand more nicotine, thereby disrupting the addictive process. Treatment will help eliminate most cravings, but not the habit. Generally treatment can help reduce cravings from 20+ cigarettes to only 3-5 a day.
Some behavior modification in the weeks before quitting helps to set the right course.
THE PLAN:
Today is the start date, and you will quit smoking 10 days from now. In the next 10 days you may smoke as often and as much as you want BUT, you may not do anything else while smoking. No driving, no tv, no email, no phone, no conversation. Your attention must be 100% toward the act of smoking. Smoke the strongest cigarettes you can handle for the first 5 days at your regular rate, and then move to ultralights for next 5 days while reducing your intake to half what it normally would be. All the while keeping your attention fixed exclusively on the act of smoking. Come in for acupuncture at least once during this time period.
Once the 10 days are up- that's it, you're done. Come in for acupuncture treatment 2-3 times the first and second week of quitting, followed by one acupuncture treatment in the third and fourth week of quitting.
Support person - The decision to stop smoking can elicit uncomfortable emotions. Ask someone who is available to you in the next few weeks to act as a sounding board and provide encouragement when needed.
Affirmation - An affirmation is a positive statement repeated often to create desired changes in your life. Repeating the affirmation helps not only to remind you why you are no longer smoking but imprints a new image of health so that the body can then produce health. Examples: "I am a non-smoker. I breathe fresh, clean air deeply into my lungs. I make healthy choices in my life."
Drink water - Research shows that dryness causes cravings. Drink water at room temperature frequently throughout the day.
Refrain from drinking coffee - Research shows that coffee causes cravings and dehydrates the body.
Food choices - Eat a lot of carrots, celery, and other vegetables throughout the next few days. Candies upset blood sugar level, which can aggravate smoking withdrawal symptoms. Sugar subsitutes such as Nutrasweet are sweeter than sugar and cause further cravings.
Managing cravings - Cravings feel like they will last forever but actually fade in two minutes. Plan what you will do during a craving. Examples: Repeat your affirmation, breathe deeply, walk to another place, use visualization, call your support person.
Acupuncture is an effective tool to enable one to quit smoking by minimizing cravings, calming the nervous system and strengthening will power. However, acupuncture can only work if you are ready to quit and willing to commit to the process.
Acupuncture works by intercepting messages sent by the brain to the body that demand more nicotine, thereby disrupting the addictive process. Treatment will help eliminate most cravings, but not the habit. Generally treatment can help reduce cravings from 20+ cigarettes to only 3-5 a day.
Some behavior modification in the weeks before quitting helps to set the right course.
THE PLAN:
Today is the start date, and you will quit smoking 10 days from now. In the next 10 days you may smoke as often and as much as you want BUT, you may not do anything else while smoking. No driving, no tv, no email, no phone, no conversation. Your attention must be 100% toward the act of smoking. Smoke the strongest cigarettes you can handle for the first 5 days at your regular rate, and then move to ultralights for next 5 days while reducing your intake to half what it normally would be. All the while keeping your attention fixed exclusively on the act of smoking. Come in for acupuncture at least once during this time period.
Once the 10 days are up- that's it, you're done. Come in for acupuncture treatment 2-3 times the first and second week of quitting, followed by one acupuncture treatment in the third and fourth week of quitting.
Support person - The decision to stop smoking can elicit uncomfortable emotions. Ask someone who is available to you in the next few weeks to act as a sounding board and provide encouragement when needed.
Affirmation - An affirmation is a positive statement repeated often to create desired changes in your life. Repeating the affirmation helps not only to remind you why you are no longer smoking but imprints a new image of health so that the body can then produce health. Examples: "I am a non-smoker. I breathe fresh, clean air deeply into my lungs. I make healthy choices in my life."
Drink water - Research shows that dryness causes cravings. Drink water at room temperature frequently throughout the day.
Refrain from drinking coffee - Research shows that coffee causes cravings and dehydrates the body.
Food choices - Eat a lot of carrots, celery, and other vegetables throughout the next few days. Candies upset blood sugar level, which can aggravate smoking withdrawal symptoms. Sugar subsitutes such as Nutrasweet are sweeter than sugar and cause further cravings.
Managing cravings - Cravings feel like they will last forever but actually fade in two minutes. Plan what you will do during a craving. Examples: Repeat your affirmation, breathe deeply, walk to another place, use visualization, call your support person.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Fall Applesauce
According to Chinese Medicine, apples are very nourishing for the lung and metal element, which are both associated with sadness and lethargy. Got a stubborn cough? Feeling down about the shortening days? Just need a warm, comforting bowl of sweetness? Try applesauce! So much better than the canned stuff, fresh applesauce is simple, affordable, and incredibly healthful.I love tart cooking apples for this, including Granny Smiths, Gravensteins, Gala, Fuji, and Honeycrisp, but any apple will do.
Apples, cored and chopped (peeled for smooth sauce)
Water
cinnamon (optional)
Add your chopped apples to a splash of water in a large saucepan and simmer, covered, over medium heat. Check on the apples every 10 minutes or so, adding more water to prevent burning, if necessary. Once the apples are tender, mash them with a potato masher or blend for extra-smooth sauce. Add a dash of cinnamon and you're good to go!
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