Increasing Immunity Naturally
09 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
Through Diet:
Include: Cranberries, blueberries, grapefruit, red or purple grapes, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, kale, collard greens), avacado, garlic, essential fatty acids, yogurt (probiotics), green tea.
Exclude: Aspartame or other artificial sweeteners, hydrogenated foods (margarine, shortening), red meat and refined sugar.
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles into the skin. It causes the body to become balanced so that it can work more efficiently. Research studies have shown that acupuncture increases the number of white blood cells in the body which helps increase your immunity. Acupuncture also helps increase circulation and decrease inflammation, which can help with lung and nasal congestion, as well as body aches and pain associated with the cold and flu.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
There are natural herbs and supplements that can help increase your immunity and /or decrease the severity and length of your symptoms. Please consult a licensed herbal consultant before taking Chinese herbs; although side effects are rare, it is important you get the correct herbal formula for your body.
Naturopathy:
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that helps strengthen the respiratory system to prevent colds and flu. It can also help lessen the symptoms of bronchitis and asthma. The most effective route of administration is through breathing treatments offered at our office.
IV Therapy treatments consist of the delivery of vitamins directly into the vein. It is very effective for number of conditions such as fatigue, upper respiratory tract infections, sinusitis and seasonal allergies. The Immune Booster / Flu Prevention package enhances immune system function, helps treat viral infections and supports healing.
Healthy post-Thanksgiving breakfast idea
26 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment
Thinking about eating the day after Thanksgiving can be daunting. If you indulge like most Americans, you probably want to eat a little lighter the day after. But what to do with the fridge full of left-overs? Like many, I came across this problem when thinking about what I wanted for breakfast this morning. After checking through my fridge’s contents, I came across some home-made cranberry sauce. This year, I opted for a healthier version made with Agave nectar and OJ instead of white sugar (12 oz fresh whole cranberries, 1/3 cup fresh OJ and 2/3 cup Agave nectar cooked on the stove until broken down into a sauce and refrigerated until firm).
I drizzled the yummy sweet/sour cranberry sauce over some Greek yogurt (Fage is my favorite) and viola- a simple, healthy breakfast packed with antioxidants, protein & probiotics (great to help digest that big Thanksgiving dinner!) As I was eating it, my 9 month old kept on grabbing my spoon – she thought it was equally delicious!
Pain Relief during pregnancy
12 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment
in Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Health, Moxibustion
Pregnancy produces many changes in the body, some of which cause pain. As the baby grows inside the uterus, it adds an disproportionate amount of weight to the abdominal area. This increase in weight and circumference often produces low back pain. In addition, hormonal changes relax the muscles and ligaments in the pelvic area to make room for your baby’s decent and arrival. This relaxation causes the ligaments to stretch and bones to shift which sometimes produces more pain.
A recent study published in the journal Human Reproduction has found that the use of common pain relievers such as Ibuprofen, aspirin and paracetamol during pregnancy increases the chances of male reproductive issues in the unborn fetus. The use of these painkillers, especially during the second trimester increases the risk of the male baby being born with undescended testicles. Read the full study here: Journal of Human Reproduction
Acupuncture is a great alternative to taking painkillers with dangerous side-effects during pregnancy. Acupuncture is very safe before, during and after pregnancy. In addition to relieving that annoying back pain, acupuncture helps relieve morning sickness, reduces stress and anxieties associated with this new change in life and relieves headaches. It can even help turn a breech baby and induce a late baby.
With all these additional benefits and no side-effects, acupuncture proves to be a great option to get rid of those aches and pains associated with pregnancy.
Project Walk in the News
16 Sep 2010 Leave a Comment
Here is an inspiring news article on two of my amazing clients at Project Walk in Carlsbad, CA. I am lucky enough to work as an Acupuncturist at an internationally renowned Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation clinic. I am inspired everyday by my clients and all their hard work.
http://www.wfaa.com/news/health/Brandi-Todd-gaining-ground-after-knife-attack-103018859.html
New study shows increase in the use of alternative therapy
20 Jul 2010 Leave a Comment
According to a new study from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the Center for Disease Control’s National Center for Health Statistics, the number of visits to acupuncturists has gone up significantly over the past few years. Approximately 38% of adults now use some form of complementary medicine for health and wellness or to treat a variety of diseases and conditions.
Summer Solstice – Entering into the Fire Element
19 Jun 2009 Leave a Comment
We enter into the Summer Solstice on June 21st which is is the longest day of sunlight of the year. According to Chinese Philosophy, the sun is pure yang – it gives us energy, causes action and creates a hot and dry climate. Summer is nature’s season of growth and maturation; it is when flowers bloom, trees blossom, fruits and vegetables ripen and grass grows green. It is also when people get outdoors, become more active and enjoy the warm sunny weather. People are no longer staying indoors, away from the cold winter weather – they are going out, being more social, enjoying the longer days.
According to the theory of Five-Elements, summer is related to the Fire element. It represents warmth, light, movement & excitement; it is lively and colorful (mirrored in nature – the green of grass, blue of the sky, yellow of the sun, etc.). Fire’s dominant time on the circadian clock is 11am-1pm, corresponding to the time when the sun is the strongest. The main organs related to Fire in Chinese theory are the Heart and Small Intestine. This is the time of the year when we should be making our hearts work a little harder, exercising & getting our heart rates up to circulate blood through our bodies, creating movement and warmth. The Small Intestine’s job is to absorb nutrients from the food we eat. It is necessary during the Fire season, to keep the intestines clean so they can efficiently absorb all the vitamins & minerals we consume.
In addition to the physical aspects of the fire element, there are also emotional ones. Fire’s emotion is Joy and the sound associated with Fire is laughter. Summer is a time of playfulness, contentment, fun. It is important to bring joy and laughter into your life as much as possible in general, but in particular during the summertime.
The diet that we should consume in the summer is a cool, light one to balance the heat of the summer months. A diet consisting primarily of raw or lightly steamed organic fresh fruits and vegetables is ideal. Including fresh green salads with seasonal vegetables, fresh fruits, juices or smoothies, some nuts, seeds & whole grains will help you feel lighter, aid in weight loss and keep up your energy. It is important to avoid eating a lot of warming foods such as red meat or fats (whole dairy, eggs & heavy oils). Limit these heating foods as much as possible during the hot summer months to keep your body in balance with the weather.
Eating with the seasons is easy if you shop at Farmers markets. All of the produce is grown locally, so only the fruits and vegetables that are naturally grown in the area during that season are available. For example, in the summertime we can find watermelons which help quench thirst which is important with increased activity in the increasd heat. In Autumn, pears are plentiful which help moisten the lungs to help dry coughs. As we go through the seasons, we should take care to follow nature’s laws to obtain optimum health.
In the Media
27 May 2009 Leave a Comment
in Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Health Tags: Acupuncture, Africa, Chinese Medicine, Health Care, Volunteer
Please click on the link below to view an article written in the Ithaca College View about my trip to Uganda, Africa in April 2008 to volunteer with the Pan African Acupuncture Project (PAAP). The Pan African Acupuncture Project trains health care workers in Africa to use simple and effective acupuncture techniques that enable them to treat the devastating and debilitating symptoms associated with HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB.
During my month in Uganda, I traveled to Kampala, Mukono, and Ndeija to train both Traditional health care workers and Western medical Nurses how to use Acupuncture and Chinese medicine to help heal their patients. After the trainings, I also traveled to the Nakivale Refugee camps on the Southern Border of Uganda to treat refugees from many neighboring countries.
It was a very rewarding experience that I hope to participate in again. One of my goals as an Acupuncturist is to continue volunteering throughout my career. I hope to promote training and education on how to utilize Acupuncture to alleviate pain and suffering in patients who don’t have access to health care.
