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#109 - 1529 West 6th Ave
Vancouver, BC Canada
V6J 1R1

 

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Autumn and Your Health

October 27th, 2011 by Wendy

AUTUMN

There is a slight nip in the air and days are rapidly getting shorter.  Autumn ushers in the harvest and the start of the dying cycle of nature.
The season of Autumn is associated with the element Metal and is a time for  letting go of the old.  This is the time for gathering fruit, vegetables and grain for the winter.  Nature prepares to retreat and slow down, and so should you.

TCM combines seasonal characteristics with knowledge of the body, to balance Qi (energy) and help you adapt and thrive during the cool and crisp months of autumn.

This is the time associated with the Lungs and Colon.  Your lungs are a  tender organ susceptible to wind and cold.  During this time you may start catching colds, sore throats, and congested sinuses.  Your immune system may bel weaker.

Acupuncture is a great way to bring your system back into balance if you are struggling. Your lungs have a primary influence on your immune system.

HEALTH PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH AUTUMN

Your lungs are at their most sensitive during Autumn.  Focus on preventing colds, coughs, sore throat etc. If you suffer from bronchitis, emphysema, pnemonia, you need to take precautions to minimize the impact of Autumn. It is important to eat foods that build overall health to the lungs, strengthen your immune system and help you prepare for winter.

IF Autumn is dry, it may cause your lungs to become dry and may also damage your digestive functions. You may find yourself with a dry cough and a dry sore throat.

HOW TO HELP YOURSELF

1. Avoid drafts – keep your neck, ears, wrists, and ankles from being exposed to drafts.  This is likely where pathogens will invade.

2. Be aware of dryness.  Dry air may affect your skin and lungs when you turn on the heat in your house, car and office.  A dry environment may affect your lungs.

3. Lungs are sensitive.  You need to minimize spicy food intake which irritate lungs.  Therefore helping the lungs remain less vulnerable to pathogens.

AUTUMN FOODS

To find out what foods you need to eat in order to maintain optimum health, visit the Rain Drops Acupuncture Blog.  You will find out about the best types of food to eat during the Autumn season as well as a recipe for an easy, fabulous and delicious Potato Soup.


 

Posted in Your Good Health | No Comments »

Autumn Food Guide

October 17th, 2011 by Wendy

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) seasonal changes also signal changes in both your physical and mental health.

The ancient Chinese believed that every living thing is sustained by a balance of two opposing forces of energy — Yin and Yang. Together,these energy forces make up your life essence, or Qi.  Your life energy is affected by the food you eat, your state of mind as well as your living conditions including weather and the seasons.

As the seasons change, so should your diet.  Your diet needs to supply the essential nutrients necessary to enable a health balance of Yin and Yang

Autumn foods are white in color and pungent in flavour.  Choosing white foods will help relieve cough, nourish skin, and relieve constipation through moistening and promoting body fluid production.  Move away from eating the summer fruits and vegetables into eating more fall produce.

Autumn foods include:

  • turnips
  • almonds
  • potatoes
  • cauliflower
  • yams
  • soybean milk
  • garlic
  • onion
  • apples
  • pears
  • mushrooms
  • cabbage
  • kale
  • brussel sprouts
  • carrots
  • leeks

If you are thinking soups and veggie laden stews you’re going in the right direction.  See tomorrows post for some great recipe ideas.

If you feel run down or the start of a cold, book an Acupuncture appointment to give your immune system a boost.  My needleless acupuncture treatments are perfect if you are afraid or even shy of needles.  Give yourself a boost and avoid the fall and winter “cold” season.
Call for an appointment now.  604-839-9789

 

 

Tags: Acupuncture, food, TCM
Posted in Your Good Health | No Comments »

DON’T GET THE FLU THIS SEASON

October 10th, 2011 by Wendy

STAY HEALTHY WITH AUTUMN FOODS and FALL into GOOD HEALTH


Seasons change and your body and mental outlook change with them in predictable ways. There is a slight nip in the air and days are getting shorter. This ushers in the harvest and the start of the dying cycle of nature.

The season of Autumn is associated with the element Metal and is a time for letting go of the old. The time for gathering fruit and vegies before the winter. Nature prepares to retreat and slow down.

TCM combines knowledge of seasonal characteristics with your health situation to balance Qi (energy) and help you adapt and thrive during the cooler and more crisp months of autumn.

Autumn Sniffles Can Be Prevented With AcupunctureThis is the time associated for Lungs and Colon. The lung is the tender organ as it is the uppermost organ and susceptible to wind and cold. Your lungs have a primary influence on your  immune system.During this time you may start catching colds, sore throats, and congested sinuses. Your immune may feel weaker.

Acupuncture is a great way to bring your system back to balance if you are struggling.

 

HEALTH PROBLEMS :

Lungs are most sensitive during autumn. Focus on preventing colds, coughs, sore throat etc.. People with bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, need to take precautions to minimize the impact of autumn. It is important to eat foods that build overall health to the lungs to strengthen the immune and prepare for winter.

 

HOW TO HELP YOURSELF:

1. Avoid drafts – keep neck, ears, wrists, and ankles from being exposed to drafts. This is likely where pathogens will invade.
2. Be Aware of dryness – there is a slow increase of wind, and cold which create dry air. This affects skin and Lungs as you turn on the heat in your house, car and office. This has a drying affect on the environment.
3. Lungs are sensitive. You need to minimize spicy food intake which irritate lungs. Therefore helping the lungs remain less vulnerable to pathogens.

Autumn weather often affects the lungs causing coughs and a dry sore throat.

 

AUTUMN FOODS:

Autumn foods are white in color and pungent in flavour. Choosing white foods will help relieve cough, nourish skin, relieve constipation through moistening and promoting body fluid production. Move away from eating the summer fruits and vegetables into eating more fall produce.

Some white foods are:
Turnip, almonds, potatoes, cauliflower, yams, soybean milk, garlic, onion, etc.  Check out the Autumn Food Guide  for more information.

Booking a seasonal Acupuncture treatment is a preventative approach to reducing the incidence of colds and flues. Protect yourself and your family by giving me a call today.  604-839-9789

 

Posted in Health Challenges, Treatment, Your Good Health | No Comments »

Acupuncture and Fibromyalgia – Relieving Pain Naturally

September 13th, 2011 by Wendy

Fibromyalgia pain is never endingA medical condition characterized by a whole body pain together with fatigue, memory, mood and sleep disorders is known as Fibromyalgia. Medical experts say that Fibromyalgia can increase the pain sensation felt by interrupting the process of how your brain interprets the pain signals.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia commonly start after undergoing a surgery, infection, significant psychological stress or physical trauma. There also other cases wherein the symptoms can build up over time even though there’s no definite stimulating factor.

Fibromyalgia is a condition that commonly affects more women than men. Tension headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, anxiety and depression are also some of the symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia. Today, there is still no cure for Fibromyalgia, but there are drugs and other treatments available to treat this condition. Alternative therapies such as exercise, relaxation, massage, chiropractic and acupuncture can also help in managing this condition.

There had been several studies done to determine the relationship between acupuncture and Fibromyalgia. A recent Mayo Clinic test shows that acupuncture can be effective in reducing the symptoms caused by Fibromyalgia such as stiffed joints, chronic pain and sleep disturbance. Acupuncture not only brings significant pain relief but it can also lower symptoms such as fatigue and anxiety.

When the acupuncturist inserts needles into the acupuncture points of a patient, endorphins are released into the bloodstream. These endorphins are a natural pain killer. Additionally, energy (chi) blocks are removed restoring the flow of energy along the energy channels.

Nerve impulses in the brain can be stimulated or inhibited by a series of neurotransmitters. Sensations like pain and information about the external stimuli causing pain are relayed through nerve impulses. Acupuncture can increase a patient’s pain threshold, thus decreasing the sensation of pain.

Most patients who undergo one or two acupuncture treatments report that the pain they felt is relieved for several weeks after the procedure.

Alternative treatments or methods such as acupuncture can work well in some people with Fibromyalgia. The reason is that holistic therapies can make a big impact on the total well-being. In this way, it will let you lower your need for medications and help you go back to your normal daily activities.

Tags: acupuncture and pain, Fibromyalgia, pain treatments
Posted in Pain, Treatment | No Comments »

Eating Well During Late Summer

September 3rd, 2011 by Wendy

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) we are presently in the Later Summer season. This season is associated with the Earth element and is connected to the functioning of the stomach and spleen.

TCM Late Summer Recipes

Focus on a healthy, nutritious diet of foods that are cooling in nature such as bamboo shoot, banana, bitter gourd, clam, crab, grapefruit, lettuce, persimmon, salt, seaweed, star fruit, sugar cane, water chestnut, watermelon, lotus root, corn, tomatoes,  bean curd, chicken egg white, marjoram, oyster, pear, peppermint, radish, strawberry, tangerine, and yogurt, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, pineapple, turmeric.cucumber, barley.

Since zucchinis are in plentiful supply right now in Vancouver, here is a great recipe that your whole family will enjoy.

Zucchini, Cauliflower and Tomato Roast

Ingredients:

  • 2 zucchini cut in thin slices
  • 2 cups quartered ripe tomatoes
  • 1/2 onion, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups cauliflower pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • Optional:  Cheese – 1/2 cup grated Parmesan  OR crumbled Feta OR gratted Cheddar

Preparation:

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  2. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  3. Combine the zucchini, cauliflower, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle with the olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and mix well.
  4. Place in preheated oven. Roast until vegetables are tender and slightly golden, about 10-15 minutes.
  5. Sprinkle with  cheese
  6. Garnish with sprigs of fresh basil.

 

Posted in Acupuncture, Bits and Pieces, Recipes | No Comments »

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