This is a great little video that gives me a chance to talk to you in person and which allows me to give you a bit of information about how I got into Acupuncture and what I specialize in.
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Vancouver Acupuncture Treatments
Contact Us
P: 604-839-9789
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#109 - 1529 West 6th Ave
Vancouver, BC Canada
V6J 1R1
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If you are suffering from allergies,
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Vancouver Allergy Centre
Meet Wendy
How I Got Started
February 1st, 2012 by WendyModern nutrition with an old twist…
January 29th, 2012 by Wendy
Do you suffer from bloating, retention of fluids, puffy eyes, or shortness of breath? Are you always chilled, over tired, and wanting a good day?
Modern nutrition is based on knowing the chemical composition of foods and the biochemical pathways of the body. Foods are categorized as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats accordingly.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) looks at food and life quite differently. It is based on the energy of the food, the season of year, and tries to achieve a balance between the two following the theory of Yin and Yang.
It works very simply. When a person is feeling cold, choosing food and drinks that are warming will help regain strength and vitality. A cold, raw salad isn’t the answer.
The Theory of Yin and Yang is a corner stone of TCM. The forces of Yin and Yang are energetic qualities that shape everything in the universe including our health.
The symbol of Yin and Yang is circle divided into two shapes with the dark shape representing the Yin and the light side symbolizing the Yang. This theory of Yin and Yang is based on patterns that occur in nature: night and winter are the yin that balance the yang of day and summer.
YIN AND YANG FOODS
Given the knowledge that yin is cooling and yang is warming, it makes sense that these qualities in food and activities would benefit our ability to process food and fuel our bodies more efficiently. This enhances our own ability to heal.
When a cooling pattern occurs (winter), warming aerobic exercise is essential. Healing food choices include warm beef or lamb dishes, meat-based soups and stews, trout and wild salmon. Warming vegetables include cooked root veggies, baked winter squash, onions, lightly cooked greens including broccoli, turnip greens, asparagus, and kale. Nuts and seeds are warming as are cinnamon, garlic, ginger, and pepper.
When a warming pattern occurs (summer), meditation, walks in nature, swimming, and yoga are ideal for balancing the agitating nature of a heat imbalance. Cooling foods include salads, cucumber, melons, pears, beans, sushi, and non-spicy foods. Vegetables of all kinds are helpful whereas meats should be limited.
Summer foods and activities are naturally different than winter. When you pay attention to your body and choose the foods and activities that seem to naturally balance us during these seasons, our ability to maintain health is enhanced.
Wendy
The Water Element
January 6th, 2012 by MelanieTraditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) utilizes the theory of the Five elements stemming the Taoist Philosophy and the interdependence of all things.
The five elements are water, metal, earth, fire and wood. Each and every single one of these elements has its own properties and characteristics.
According to the elements theory, all of the 5 elements are usually seen in a circular motion, which shows the connection from one element to another, and together, the 5 elements make up as a connected, combined whole. The traditional Chinese medicine uses the power of the elements and it is use to either generate, promote or control the cycle, if there is anything wrong with it.
According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, each organ of the body is assigned an element. For example, the Liver is assigned with Wood element, the heart is assigned with Fire element, the spleen is assigned with Earth element, the lungs are associated with metal element, and the kidneys are associated with the water element.
The Water Element
When your water element is in balance you ooze the aura of calmness which will cause everyone around you to be calm as well. You think fluidly and deeply, and you remain constant and resilient. With the water element in balance, you are high in integrity. The theory here is that the water element has a lot to do with intelligence.
If the water element is out of balance, you may lack all of the qualities above, and if the imbalance is bad, the qualities may reverse. Traditional Chinese medicine theory believes that you cannot separate the mind and the body, and you need to treat the kidney (balance the water element) in order for you to be healthy emotionally and physically.
Some diseases and conditions caused by water element imbalance:
- phobias
- fear
- anxiety attacks
- panic attacks
- lower back pain
- knee pain
- adrenal exhaustion
- ringing in the ears
- heel pain
- premature graying
- hypothyroidism
- impotence
- infertility
- hair thinning or loss
- hormonal imbalances
- lack of libido
- dark circles under the eyes
- urinary tract problems,
- fatigue and exhaustion
- pain
- and most obviously, kidney diseases
Seasonal acupuncture treatments will keep ALL five elements in balance
and have a positive affect on your body, mind and spirit.
Give me a call to book your appointment now!
Wendy 604-839-9789
Weight Loss For The New Year
January 1st, 2012 by WendyAmongst the ever-changing stream of new diet fads, exercise regimes and detox programs, there seems to be only one thing that remains constant: the (unfulfilled) desire to lose weight.
Dieting gurus pump out new tricks just as quickly as people fall off the wagon. But many Vancouverites are discovering a ‘new’ approach to healthy weight loss, one that is not new at all.
Acupuncture is a natural therapy discovered in China over 6000 years ago. It can aid in weight loss by suppressing the appetite, calming certain cravings, and reducing stress-related weight gain.
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) take a holistic, whole body approach to health. This ancient form of healthcare works to restore the balance and flow of the body’s Qi (vital energy)
To understand TCM, you must realize it is as effective now as it was thousands of years ago. Why? Because of it’s simplicity, much like our own bodies – we are as simple now as we were thousands of years ago. Our lifestyles have changed, (thank heaven), but our physical bodies have not evolved very much.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
The body is made up of a network of meridians that carry the Qi in a pattern. The Qi rises to the surface of the skin at particular points, where we gain access to it. This enables us to affect its flow, recreate the balance needed to maintain good health thereby removing the root cause of many of our problems.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE HELP US LOSE WEIGHT?
Restoring the balance of the flow of Qi in the stomach will help promote good digestion and suppress an overactive appetite. Emotional issues, such as anxiety and stress, both of which can lead to overeating, can be overcome.
With diet changes, many people experience cravings, which can lead to binge eating. Cravings in the body are often due to an imbalance of various body functions. Acupuncture helps to re-establish the body’s natural balance, as well as enhance these needed functions. Simply put, acupuncture can support the body to generate an efficient digestive process.
Acupuncture can reduce the cravings, calm the emotions,
and provide the balance and energy needed to succeed.
People seeking to find the root cause of their weight gain, may find simple solutions in the simplistic medicine of TCM. You can help your body regain its natural balance, and start taking steps toward true health and vitality.
True health is more than just not feeling sick. It means that you are functioning at your optimum level, that your body is in balance, your mind is alert, and your spirit is calm. What a refreshing way to start each and every day! The sooner you start, the longer you have to enjoy it and it’s NEVER too late to get started!
Wendy
604-839-9789
Water – Hydration
December 20th, 2011 by Wendy
The average adult loses 2.5 liters of water per day just through breathing, sweat, and waste removal. This increases with exercise.
Even in the colder weather, we need to be aware of how much water we need drink. The colder weather, the drier air and more wind, hydrating even more important. WE will be drawn to hot drinks and even more alcoholic drinks in the colder weather to “steam our bones” for warmth. However, we still need lots of water.
AVOID COLDS AND THE FLU
Water helps keep your body in balance and strengths your immune system. A strong immune system will help you fight off any germs or viruses.
AVOID BACK AND NECK PAIN WITH HYDRATION
We all know our spine holds up our entire upper body weight. But did you know, 75% of this support comes from the water within the small spinal discs that sit between each vertebrae?
When dehydrated, the discs contain less water, are smaller in size, and less capable of providing the support. The result is increase risk of nerve impingement, additional strain on musculature that supports the spine, and increased risk of disc herniation. All of these are sources of back and neck pain. Hydration helps support our back and keep it strong.
STRESS AND HYDRATION
With the fast pace we place in our lives, stress has become one of the most common causes of poor health. This results in many health issues.
Emotional stress is an obvious and significant factor to this, which few people realize. Internal physiological stress plays a large role as well. The body translates dehydration as a state of emergency ie. the fight or flight stress response. If evoked often enough, this stress will physically wear down the body and destroy your health. Hydration keeps unnecessary stresses at bay. We deliver enough stress to our selves just living our daily lives.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND HYDRATION
Water represents a large portion of our blood volume. It only stands to reason that when we are low in our hydration, our volume of blood will decrease as well. When our volume of blood decreases, so does the size of our blood vessels as they must accommodate the smaller volume of blood. This constriction of our blood vessels can lead to an elevated reading in our blood pressure.
HYDRATION is a simple way for us to help our bodies stay healthy and strong. To avoid putting our bodies in a state of emergency and the unnecessary stresses we place upon it, just drink water.
How simple is that????