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P: 604-839-9789
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#109 - 1529 West 6th Ave
Vancouver, BC Canada
V6J 1R1

 

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Late Summer and TCM

August 24th, 2011 by Wendy

Raindrops Acupunture - Late Summer and TCM
In Traditional Chinese Medicine there are five seasons spring, summer, late summer, fall and winter. Late summer is often hotter and damper in humidity and a feeling of  fullness in the air. This can match the way our bodies feel during this season.

The Late Summer season corresponds to the element — Earth.

In damp locations or climates such as Vancouver, the dampness in the air can adversely affect your health and you can feel heavy, slow and sluggish. This means the flow of energy throughout the body is being blocked.

The Earth element connects to  the Spleen and Stomach organ systems.  The healthy functioning of this pair of organs  is important to the digestive process.

Energy is generated by the Spleen and Stomach through a process of digestion, called “Acquired Qi.”   Acquired Qi is the energy reserve for all your daily activities.

If the Spleen and Stomach are weak or do not work together, your body may not receive the proper nourishment—even if you are eating in a healthy way.   As a result,  your energy depletes and you become slow and sluggish.

Improper stomach-spleen functioning can affect your with the following symptoms:

  • retention of water
  • lack of appetite
  • poor digestion
  • weight gain
  • abdominal distention
  • bruising
  • varicose veins
  • fatigue
  • fuzzy thinking
  • increased anxiety
  • your capacity to concentrate
  • your memory
  • dry lips and skin

 

An Acupuncture treatment will restore the proper functioning of the stomach-spleen and you will quickly see an increase in your energy levels.  Give me a call to book your appointment now – 604-839-9789

Posted in Acupuncture, Your Good Health | No Comments »

Mindfullness Clock

August 12th, 2011 by Wendy

A friend told me about this  mindfulness clock.  It is not healthy to  spend too much time in front of your computer. This clock will remind you to breath, get up and stretch, restore moisture to your eyes by blinking, relieve eye stress by looking outside the window, restore balance to your body by drinking some water, say hi to your kids or spouse, etc.

Take a Break!!  Raindrops Acupuncture, Vancouver BC

You can set the to ring at any time interval, once an hour, every 15 minutes or even at random times.

There are several choices of bell tones (short and long) and you have a choice of opening a window and setting up the bell online  (good for testing to see if you like the idea)  or downloading a small program and sound file.  If you download the file you can set up your computer to automatically start the program when you start your computer each day.

http://www.mindfulnessdc.org/mindfulclock.html

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Death By Medicine

August 3rd, 2011 by Wendy

Natural Health Alternative - AcupunctureFrom time to time I have people asking me about why they should choose “natural alternatives” such as Acupuncture, Chiropractic, massage therapy, mediation, and making an effort toward healthy eating choices over “just taking a pill.”

Their reasoning is that taking a pill is faster and cheaper than the natural alternatives.  According to a study undertaken by a group of scientists … taking that pill, or that short visit to the hospital  may just kill you.

 

Here is a summary of the study. Be sure to click on the link below and browse through the entire article. If you are leaning toward “just taking a pill,”  it will shock the socks right off of you!

 

STUDY SUMMARY

A definitive review and close reading of medical peer-review journals, and government health statistics shows that American medicine frequently causes more harm than good. The number of people having in-hospital, adverse drug reactions (ADR) to prescribed medicine is 2.2 million.1 Dr. Richard Besser, of the CDC, in 1995, said the number of unnecessary antibiotics prescribed annually for viral infections was 20 million. Dr. Besser, in 2003, now refers to tens of millions of unnecessary antibiotics.2, 2a

The number of unnecessary medical and surgical procedures performed annually is 7.5 million.3 The number of people exposed to unnecessary hospitalization annually is 8.9 million.4 The total number of iatrogenic deaths shown in the following table is 783,936. It is evident that the American medical system is the leading cause of death and injury in the United States. The 2001 heart disease annual death rate is 699,697; the annual cancer death rate, 553,251.5

Read the full study document here:    Death By Medicine

 

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TCM and Summer Eating

July 20th, 2011 by Wendy

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine practices you should be eating a light and non-greasy diet.

This is a great time to use cool or yin foods with an ability to keep the body moist and strong. Foods that have cool properties are perfect for this season.  If you are thinking “salads,” you are on the right track. Anything that will add fluid to your body is a good choice.  Foods like lettuce, cucumbers, watermelon, watercress, fish and shellfish are all good choices.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Food - Raindrops Acupuncture

 

 

Here is a great watermelon salad that is full of healthy antioxidants.

Watermelon and Feta Cheese Salad

This salad is fresh and tasty … it makes a  perfect summer lunch or a side dish for supper.

 

Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tbsp chopped mint (or to taste)
1 cup small cherry tomatoes
5 cups watermelon, cut into medium sized chunks
1/2 cup feta, crumbled

Directions:

  1. For the dressing – mix vinegar, olive oil and mint. Add a bit of salt and pepper  (go light on the salt because the feta has plenty!
  2. Cut tomatoes in half and cut watermelon into medium sized chunks.
  3. Add the dressing and let stand for 10 minutes to incorporate the flavours.
  4. Crumble the feta  and sprinkle it over the top.
  5. Garnish with a few mint leaves and serve.

 

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Summer and TCM

July 14th, 2011 by Wendy


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are 5 Phases or Elements of healing methodology in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The fire element rules the summer and it is believed that it shows both in the nature and the body. During this season, the focus is directed towards spiritual awareness, joy and growth between the mind and heart. The popular summer heat that is apparent during this season belongs to the element of fire.

Profuse sweating, excess body heat, parched mouth and throat, heart palpitations and constipation are the most common symptoms of the summer heat. As part of the seasonal ritual, it is also important that the immune system is strengthened. Your food and drink choices should nourish and regulate the heart and strengthen the essence of Qi. Don’t forget that prevention is still the best kind of medicine. You can bring your body back into its proper balance by knowing how to get healed with the seasons and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The Fire element is widely associated with heat as well as with the summer season. This element is related with the tongue, small intestines, pericardium and the heart. The element of fire is also associated with the mind and its balance. The seat of the mind is the heart, so love is its highest expression, as well as warmth in relationships with humans, conscious awareness and enthusiasm.

Depression or lack of joy and manic condition or the excess of joy can result from an imbalance in the mind. The greatest Yang or maximum activity is symbolic with Fire. This symbolizes the nature at its highest peak of development in an upward motion. On the other hand, an imbalance in this area can result to nervous exhaustion, insomnia, heartburn and agitation.

When the element of Fire is balanced, the effects manifest physically as the heart controls and circulate the blood properly and the small intestines insure the proper process of breaking down of the food.

Keeping Healthy Throughout the Summer

To keep healthy throughout the summer:
“    Get up earlier in the morning.
“    Go to bed later in the evening.
“    Have a short nap (or meditation) at midday.
“    Drink plenty of water.
“    Eat light, less greasy foods..
“    Keep calm and even-tempered … try not to get angry.

See the next blog post for TCM’s suggestions of  appropriate summer foods.

Posted in Bits and Pieces, Your Good Health | No Comments »

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