moremovement

Astrology and Health — Insights into Fertility : Questions and Answers

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 20:36:46 GMT

Can the cosmos help you discover more about your own fertility? Is it possible to know when you might have the easiest time getting pregnant? The answer to these questions is yes, astrology can help you understand your baseline fertility as well as possible challenges and supportive times along your fertility path. Astrological timing techniques can help identify when you might have the easiest time getting pregnant which can help you make decisions about how and when to pursue fertility treatments, or focus your efforts at conception.

In an effort to help folks understand how astrology and health/fertility can work together, here are a few common questions and answers.

1. How can an astrology reading help me understand my health and fertility? The type of astrology I practice called Hellenistic Astrology. Hellenistic Astrology is informed by a study of ancient astrological techniques, including annual profections which describes the annual focus of one area of your natal chart (also known as your birth chart). Secondary progressions is another timing technique that can shed light on future trends, life focus and upcoming changes or moments of greater ease that can modify your baseline fertility. One or both of these techniques will be applied to your natal chart when you receive an astrological consult focusing on health or fertility.

2. Do I need to have an exact birth time to receive an astrology reading? No, although having an exact birth time helps with accuracy. While it is ideal to have an exact birth time, information can be gleaned from a chart reading based on your birthday and location only. A chart reading based on an exact birth time will allow for more specific information, however. For fertility readings a large part of the focus will be on the moon, and knowing your birth time, even what part of the day when you were born (for example, in the mid morning, or afternoon, or middle of the night, etc.) will help improve the accuracy of the reading.

3. What kind of information will I learn during an astrological fertility reading? During this reading we will discuss your natal chart — the chart of the sky at the exact moment of your birth, based on your birthplace. We will go over chart basics - especially your rising sign, sun sign, moon sign, the most beneficial and the most challenging planets. Your birth chart can be viewed as a snapshot that describes the general roadmap of your life. An astrological consultation focused on fertility provides you with clues and a more detailed map in order to help you make decisions about how and when you might pursue pregnancy, as well as what types of support could help you most.

4. What happens during a consultation? To begin, you email me to set up a consultation time. The style of astrology I practice focuses on an in person/over zoom astrological consultation, so we will set an appointment at a time that works for both of us. I will record our meeting and send you the copy after we meet. You will also receive a copy of your birth chart. The consultation will last 90 minutes, and you will be asked for your birth details when we set the appointment, as well as payment.

Astrology is a wonderful tool to enhance your understanding of life and how to prepare for the road ahead. It is my joy to offer this service to you in hopes that it will provide insight and guidance about the delicate and tender topic of fertility. If you have any questions or would like to set up a session, please contact me at 312-320-1968 or info@midheavenacupuncture.com .

Working From Home 2020/2021

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 15:38:40 GMT

Numbness in Arms and Hands, Carpal Tunnel, and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

I know many people love how their commute to work has changed from a 30 minute car, bike or bus ride to a walk down the hall. One thing a home office doesn’t have, though, is someone who is an expert in ergonomics to come in and set up or evaluate your workstation. Our new world of increased screen time and computing comes with some physical stressors that were present before 2020, but these are now at a new height — due to many of us being in less than ideal work-from-home setups.

Along with the lack of a precise ergonomic setup , we have continued high levels of other activities that put stress on the upper back, neck, chest and arms (namely cell phone use, gaming activities, leisure computer use and driving). What this perfect storm has created is a continued crisis of anterior head carriage , neck stress, strain and upper back tension , carpel tunnel syndrome , and thoracic outlet syndrome .

Symptoms of these conditions include:

— Numbness/tingling in the arm, fingers and/or hands

— Swelling in the hands

— Waking at nighttime with these symptoms (above)

— Neck pain, tight muscles, general upper back tension

— Lack of mobility in neck and shoulders

— Headaches — especially tension

— Weakness in hands and lack of wrist strength

Again, many people may be struggling with these but feel unsure of leaving home for diagnosis and treatment (acupuncture, chiropractic, massage and physical therapy are all good modalities to help with these issues!!!) If this is you, here are a few tips you can try to help relieve your condition and give you some pain reduction and increased mobility until you feel more comfortable about receiving in person care. Trying these tips based on what you are experiencing can help but it is ideal to receive in person professional care for evaluation and treatment as soon as you can.

— Perform these stretches and exercises daily to help strengthen the muscles of the cervical spine, and also stretch the Pectoralis major and minor to open the chest.

— Get a better chair for your home office and attempt a self evaluation of your workspace setup using ergonomic tips to improve your desk area. Many people are now investing in a gaming chair to provide better support for their body while at the computer or home office workspace.

— If you have carpel tunnel, or suspect you do, a wrist brace may help. You can wear these while at work or while sleeping (especially if you wake with numbness, tingling, prickling and swelling in the arms and hands). Braces are generally affordable, come in a variety of sizes and can work wonders.

— Yoga stretches for the wrist and forearm can help open up the carpel tunnel and reduce the severity of your condition, hopefully helping you avoid your condition from becoming more severe. Doing movement daily to help improve mobility in your neck, shoulder and chest also helps (as mentioned above).

— You may actually have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) if you are experiencing numbness and tingling in your arm or arms. This will be helped with stretching the pectoral muscles, as detailed in the bullet above, and you can try these stretches as well.

If you are confused about what is going on in your body, we are glad to help . If you feel nervous about an in person appointment, we would be happy to help you via a telemedicine session. While none of these conditions are life threatening, if left untreated they can result in permanent pain or mobility issues, or even require surgery. 2021 may not offer much more in terms of community interaction, we encourage you to not delay in addressing your body’s needs.

Pain Pain go away - Tips from an Acupuncturist on helping yourself

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 18:24:29 GMT

Pain is one of the most frequent problems addressed in my acupuncture office, and I love to work with patients who are in pain (because acupuncture treatment helps SO much with pain, not because I want people to be in pain!). Pain is something we all encounter at some point in life, and addressing it as soon as possible can make a big difference in how long it persists, as well as how severe it becomes.

There is a saying in Chinese Medicine that describes clearly why acupuncture treatment helps pain — “Tong zhi bu tong. Bu tong zhi tong. – With free flow there is no pain. Without free flow there is pain.”

When someone has pain of any kind it is due a blockage of qi, blood, lymph, phlegm or bones (think arthritis and the gnarled joints and fingers of someone with chronic osteoarthritis) that stops flow and creates pain. Acupuncture treatment, as well as cupping and gua sha are especially good at moving blockages, relieving pain, and restoring movement and function of the body. Frequent treatment will include the use of e-stim which is a method of stimulating the acupuncture needles with an electric pulse, much like a TENS unit used in physical therapy.

What do you do, though, during a pandemic when you don’t feel safe leaving your home for treatment? Although nothing can substitute completely for in office care you can try these tips to relieve any pain you may be having.

— If you have an acute injury, for the first 6 hours you can use the RICE method (rest, ice, compression and elevation). You can also supplement with Arnica Montana , a homeopathic remedy that you take internally and can apply topically, especially if there is bruising. Biofreeze , another topical product, can also help with acute injuries. RICE has been the mainstay of immediate injury care since the 1970s but now the recommendation has changed to limit the use of cold to the first 6 hours. After 6 hours, the use of ice actually becomes detrimental because it stops important healing processes.

— After the first 6 hours you want to start including heat and gentle movement. Alternating heating and cooling (I would avoid very cold, and use cool instead), which will help your body “pump” fluids through the injured area. This pumping occurs because cooling will constrict vessels and heat will relax them so doing one after the other allows for movement through the tissue. And yes, this movement will help reduce pain. If you still have swelling you can continue to elevate your injury, if possible above your heart, which will help to reduce the swelling.

— For longer term or chronic pain you can also use magnesium topically or try epsom salt baths. Magnesium can really help improve muscle function as well as reduce pain for chronic injuries.

—Use gentle stretching after applying heat if you have restrictions in joint movement. One issue you don’t want to have is more pain due to lack of movement, because it hurt to move. While it is not good to force a tight muscle, or inhibited joint, to aggressively move, gentle stretching can be a life saver. The best time to stretch a painful area is after applying heat. You might want to familiarize yourself with gentle stretches as described by the Mayo Clinic or the stretching database provided by Movewell .

—Invest in a foam roller. Using a foam roller on a tight area - such as the PSOAS if you have lower back pain, or the Illio-Tibial Band ( ITB ) if you have a tight or painful thigh, or along the occiput if you have a headache. A foam roller allows for gentle pressure to help with the release while you control the pressure with your body weight.

These are some simple suggestions which hopefully will reduce whatever pain you are dealing with. If you would like to come in for acupuncture treatment we will be happy to see you — but in the meantime these simple steps may help you to a pain-free 2021!

Adrenal Fatigue - Let’s Get Real about ALL the Stress.

Fri, 29 May 2020 21:35:17 GMT

How are you holding up? 2020 has been a tough year already and we are not even half way through! Summer is on its way and many of us will soon be able to move around somewhat more than in the last few months. Stress is taking its toll on all of us and while I hope you are doing well with world (and local) events, I want to offer you some help on what may be happening with you and how to address it.

As many of you know, Chinese medicine excels at prevention . While it works wonders for a patient who is suffering from an acute illness, it really is much better at keeping you well, reducing stress and yes, anti-aging . However, this requires treatment and continued care. We have high hopes that as the year passes the COVID-19 infection rate will decrease, but it may not. It seems likely that we may see a surge in infections at least once more this year, maybe twice. We are seeing patients in the clinic but know not everyone can come in now.

Chronic high levels of stress definitely affect health outcomes - we'd like to offer you some tips you can employ right now to help your body deal with stress.

First let's talk about how to care for your adrenals . The adrenals are tiny glands that sit atop your kidneys. Some of you may have heard of the term adrenal fatigue . You may have heard it described as feeling "wired but tired." Adrenal fatigue occurs after being under constant, high levels of stress (like we are now) and results in a variety of issues , most frequently a feeling of exhaustion but not being able to sleep, and also high levels of irritability, dizziness and weakness, headaches, and possibly changes to your appetite.

What can you do to help your body heal from adrenal fatigue? Your focus should start on getting quality sleep and a regular sleep schedule. Other helpful steps are exercising regularly (you can find me on Peloton as Monique312 if you are on it), taking adaptogenic herbs and supplements (such as Holy Basil tea which I have recommended before), and prioritizing relaxation ( meditation , deep breathing exercises , enjoyable hobbies, petting animals ). The key to healing adrenal fatigue is to moderate your body - so don't over-exercise, but exercise regularly, and incorporate relaxation tools to stop the flood of excitatory hormones.

Acupuncture treatment is very helpful as well!!!

If you have not been able to come in for regular treatment during this pandemic, here are some options for you to help with stress and possible adrenal fatigue:

Give yourself a little treatment at home with ear seeds. These are tiny gold balls that you apply to your ear (specifically acupuncture points on the ear) for any condition, but most prominently stress, anxiety, depression and other emotional issues. They also work great for pain, immune boosting, digestion and more.

Click here to order your own kit, direct to your home which includes instructions on where to apply the seeds.

Schedule a telemedicine consult to review the herbs and supplements you have on hand - and what to take to prevent and treat any existing or possible future infections. We can go through what to take now as well as set you up with herbs to use if you are exposed to Coronavirus, or any other acute illness. Through the pandemic I have learned even more about Chinese herbal formulas especially helpful for viral infections - and they work very well!
Invest in essential oils for your body and home - these are great to have around for so many reasons but firstly they excel at boosting your immune system and calming the spirit. Young Living is my preferred oil company and if you click on the link above you can order them online and have them sent directly to your home. They are pure and high quality oils that I recommend very highly.

As we move forward this year, please know that our safety protocols will remain in place - which means cleaning individual rooms after each patient and leaving a room empty for an hour between patients, bringing patients into treatment rooms when they arrive, using air purifiers throughout the office (and specifically in each treatment room) and diffusing essential oils that kill viruses and bacteria, as well as wearing a mask and having patients wear masks. We have reduced touch surfaces (I open doors for my patients, the bathroom is unlocked now and touchless faucets are being installed).

We are screening patients and do not see acute infections in the office at this time; the physician we work with is also screening patients for coronavirus and not seeing them in the office.

We have not had a patient test positive for the virus, and know many of you are taking your herbs to keep yourself healthy. Good Job!

Please let me know how I can help you during this time. It is my pleasure to share the wonders of acupuncture and Chinese medicine with you, your family and your friends.

How to Improve Your Immune System Health — Acupuncture, Herbs, Supplements and Actions

Thu, 14 May 2020 21:16:19 GMT

The world is an intense place right now with a high level of panic and fear over the Coronavirus. It is fear of the unknown, of death, of financial strife and struggle, as well as fear of the future and contracting this virus. All of these are very valid fears.

What can you do now, today, to help yourself?

The first thing that comes to mind for me, of course, is take care of your body, especially your immune system. I’m not making any guarantees that if you do what I suggest you won’t contract the virus or get sick. What I am saying is that you can help yourself be as healthy as possible, no matter what your age, or underlying health conditions, which can only be good for you. So when and if you encounter the virus your body is as healthy as possible. I’ve seen many people with chronic illnesses get better after they change behavior and get help through proper supplements, dietary changes, herbal remedies, and lifestyle changes.

How do I know this? As someone with Chronic Lyme disease, I know what it is like to have an immune system that struggles. I have gone from being someone who got sick monthly (and yes, my weak spot is my respiratory system), to someone who gets sick maybe twice a year. And I treat a lot of sick people in my acupuncture practice. What I have learned is that some people who get sick a lot actually have a hyper-active immune system, and so regulation of the immune system is key (as in auto-immune cases). So by finding the right mix of supplements, herbs and supportive behaviors people can get better, their immune system can stop overacting, and they get healthier.

Here are some simple tips and recommendations:

- Make sure your body is detoxing well. One sign of trouble with detoxification is constipation, but there are others. One simple way to help your body detox better is to sweat on a regular basis, for a short amount of time. Exercise is one great way to do this, as well as hot baths, sauna, or steams. By detoxing you help your body have less inflammation, which is always a good thing.

- Eat cruciferous vegetables - which includes broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. These vegetables are especially high in DIM (diindolylmethane) which helps the body metabolize estrogen. There are lots of chemicals out there that mimic estrogen and eating DIM rich veggies helps the body get rid of these toxins.

- The immune system is definitely helped by taking supplements, but these vary by personal needs. It is fine to use Vitamin C to boost your body’s immune system, and zinc is great for short term use, especially if sick. But long term use of zinc can cause issues with the body’s zinc/copper ratio, which is important for immune health. So if you are going to take zinc, please take a pause every once in a while.

- Reduce inflammatory foods in your diet. Yes, that means sugar, gluten, dairy. If you can take all three out that is great. What you have left to eat are veggies, some grains, protein, and healthy fats. Eliminating one is a good start, as would be reducing all three.

- Supplement Vitamin D - but get one that is from a reputable company and one that includes vitamin K3.

I will also recommend doing what you can to reduce stress. Acupuncture is a wonderful immune tonic and stress reducer and the office is now open. We are rigorously cleaning daily, spacing patients, and using air purifying and filtration systems, as well as wearing a mask, with patients also wearing masks. Treatment for everyone focuses on the current issue they are suffering from, as well as immune boosting and stress reduction.

If you are unable to come in for treatment now we have a few other options. You can order and place your own ear seeds . These are tiny metal balls that you place on acupuncture points on your ears which then work on so many issues — reducing stress, stopping pain, helping you fall asleep. You may have had these before as part of your treatment and now they are available for you to have sent directly to you. These are sparkly and pretty as well!

Video and telephone consultations are also available for herbal and supplement recommendations. While we would love to see you in person, we know not everyone is able to leave their homes right now. If you are in this situation, a video consultation is a great way to have immune supporting recommendations that are tailored to your body and situation today.

While increased stress and illness are going to be a part of our life for the near future, it doesn’t mean nothing can be done. I encourage you to really think about what is most important — your body and your health namely — and to take steps to take the best care possible.

Can Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine help fight or treat Coronavirus?

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 23:16:36 GMT

The Wuhan coronavirus is the most recent example of an highly virulent epidemic causing disruption and fear about travel, disease and the possibility of an epidemic disease transmitted from animals to humans that humans can’t easily fight.

A similar viral epidemic occurred in 2003, with the SARS coronavirus. And because SARS also initially occurred in China, eventually Chinese herbs were sometimes integrated into conventional treatment for those infected .

And to top it all off this winter has already been a difficult one for acute illnesses - patients have come in for treatment for acute colds, post-flu support, and stomach bugs. Each week patients report that they are surrounded by ill co-workers. It has been difficult to keep immune system herbs on hand as they are frequently out of stock from our suppliers! We cannot make any claim that herbs or supplements will absolutely keep you from getting sick - but they sure can help. There are a lot of factors that contribute to someone being susceptible to illness that may not be completely overcome by treatment, supplements, or

herbs including:

Having a lot of inflammation already in your body. So people with a lot of pain, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, or blood tests that show high levels of inflammation (such as CRP or C4a).

High sugar intake and/or lack of nutrient dense food.

Lack of sleep and fatigue.

High amounts of stress.

However, r esearch studies after the 2003 SARS outbreak showed that using Chinese herbs with western medicine treatment may help decrease mortality, and definitely helped decrease symptoms of the disease and reduced the amount of medications needed. Sounds like a win to me!

The immune system and immune system health are a favorite topic of ours - we’ve written to you extensively about how herbs and supplements can help, as well as other lifestyle factors. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine in general excel at helping you stay well - so getting regular treatment, taking herbs regularly, and addressing any other issues (like sleep or stress for example) definitely results in patients getting sick less.

Patients frequently ask about how often they need to come in for treatment. A fitness analogy works well to answer this question - you would not go to the gym once and expect to be in shape - either immediately or for the rest of your life. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine is the same - one treatment sometimes produces amazing results (we have stories and can share them!), but typically people need treatment relatively frequently to get to the place they want to be. Then treatment frequency can be reduced to maintain the results - especially if the patient is continuing to practice good health care habits outside of the treatment room.

We live in a world of immediate everything and this has created unrealistic expectations for many of us. Like most good things, getting healthier and resolving long standing health issues takes time, but is so worth it. We speak from experience as many of our patients have reported being able to stay well through this year’s flu season, or having very limited acute illnesses with quick resolution.

We’d be happy to see you in for treatment to support your immune system or to help you resolve any acute challenges you may be experiencing!

What Conditions Does Acupuncture Treat?

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 20:18:48 GMT

Acupuncture is probably best known for treating pain, with fertility pain close second. People also know about acupuncture for relaxation and stress (although often times it is confusing to folks who associate needles with pain). Acupuncture definitely excels at treating pain, and enhancing fertility, but also successfully treats many many other conditions.

Probably a better question is what conditions doesn’t acupuncture help.

Any medical issue that you would bring to your physician can be helped by acupuncture treatment. This can mean a few things - sometimes people want a more natural approach to a common medical complaint, such as constipation or seasonal allergies. Sometimes people want additional natural support for a medical issue they are receiving treatment for such as cancer treatment, IVF, Chronic Lyme disease, Mold toxicity, insomnia, chronic fatigue to name a few. Some times patients turn to acupuncture when they have not gotten results from conventional forms of medical care.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a long list of conditions treated by acupuncture. This list includes pain as well as internal medicine conditions. Moreover, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has also published a list of conditions that studies have shown benefit from acupuncture treatment. More and more research is being done on using acupuncture to help different medical conditions - which is important for many people to see before they try acupuncture. And it is important to note, that while research studies can show the effectiveness of acupuncture, acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in

multiple Asian countries for medical care.

In our clinic, we treat a wide variety of health conditions - but our specialties include working with immune system challenges, chronic and acute pain, headaches, digestive disorders, women’s health, emotional issues and insomnia. However, patients with a wide variety of other health concerns (even though that’s a long list!) have been successfully seen in our clinic. The reason acupuncture works so well for so many conditions is because treatment is based on the pattern experienced by the patient.

What this means is that when you come in for treatment it really doesn’t matter what you have been diagnosed with. Of course we want to know your full medical history and any diagnoses. But this information is combined with information gathered from your health history questionnaire, as well as information from feeling your pulse, observing your tongue and palpating different parts of your body. All of this physical observation is combined with information you provide about what is happening with your body that day, to create a treatment plan that addresses what is happening with your health. This treatment plan is part of a bigger plan - which will be accomplished over multiple treatments - to hopefully fully resolve your health condition.

Acupuncture treatment, like everything else in medicine that actually results in healing, takes time. Some will say that pharmaceuticals have an immediate effect and thus result in quick healing. However, most pharmaceutical treatment, while it can be helpful, often only provides symptom relief. Our goal is to help you feel as good as possible, achieve your best health, with lasting results. We do this by meeting you where you are, offering you excellent care as well as advice and guidance on your quickest path to healing. And it is our greatest pleasure to help.

How Acupuncture Helps Back Pain

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 22:44:03 GMT

Back pain is one of the most common medical conditions - about 80 percent of adults experience back pain in their lifetime. Back pain results in missed work, difficulty sleeping, difficulty walking, moving or completing activities of daily living. Back pain is one of the most common conditions seen in my acupuncture clinic - either acute or chronic conditions. Acupuncture treatment is wonderful at relieving back pain, improving mobility, reducing inflammation and restoring proper function to muscles and joints.

Acupuncture is very successful at treating back pain because it moves blocked energy (also called Qi) - often times in the musculature of the lower back and hips - and with improved movement of Qi the body can function better and pain is resolved. In addition, back pain treatment sessions almost always include vacuum cupping , heat, gua sha or electric stimulation, which enhance pain relief. These techniques are used sometimes during the acupuncture session, or directly after the acupuncture needles have been removed.

Does acupuncture hurt? Acupuncture needles are very thin, about the thickness of a cat’s whisker, and acupuncturists are highly trained in where to insert needles for the most relief. During an acupuncture session many patients fall asleep as they relax on a heated table in a darkened treatment room.

How many sessions are needed to produce results? While every person is different, most will feel a reduction of pain with the first session. Results are enhanced if a patient comes in for two sessions in one week. Between sessions it is useful to use pain relieving herbal patches and to continue moderate activity.

What can you do if you suffer from back pain?

If it is an acute injury, immediately use ice on the affected area. It is also important to rest, and maybe helpful for you to take an anti-inflammatory over the counter medication like Advil or Aleve.

If you have acute or chronic back pain, you will benefit from Epsom salt baths on a regular basis.

If you have chronic back pain, regular acupuncture, chiropractic or massage will reduce the severity and frequency of your pain.

Supplements that reduce inflammation are very helpful for back pain. Two common recommendations are Turmeric and Boswellia . Adding these into your supplement regimen can reduce pain.

Reduce or eliminate inflammatory foods in your diet - these include sugar, dairy and gluten. It is often easiest to start with reducing or eliminating one of these and see how your body feels.

There’s hope if you suffer from acute or chronic back pain - it doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying your life. Schedule an appointment today to experience relief.

Acupuncture can help anxiety

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 22:53:32 GMT

The holidays can be really amazing - full of fun, friends, shopping and parties.

The holidays can also be very stressful, intense, difficult, fatiguing, and create or exacerbate emotions, especially anxiety.

Acupuncture treatment can offer relief from anxiety, any time of the year.

Acupuncture treats anxiety by helping your body calm down. Everyone experiences anxiety differently. When someone is anxious, they may have a rapid heart rate, racing thoughts, feel as though they can’t breathe, or have an upset stomach. Because every person is different, everyone’s acupuncture treatment for anxiety will not be the same. That is one of the most amazing aspects of treatment, though, because it will be tailored specifically for you, and what you are experiencing right then. So if you have difficulty breathing and racing thoughts, acupuncture points for those conditions will be used. The points will focus on bringing your body into balance, opening the chest, anchoring the breath, and calming the spirit.

This is the short term solution for someone who is anxious. In the longer term, acupuncture treatment not only focuses on reducing your symptoms, but treating the deeper roots of anxiety. It is always helpful to do this process in concert with help from an amazing psychotherapist (I definitely have a few I recommend), to get to the longer term issues that may be underlying the condition. In the short or long term though, acupuncture is extraordinarily good at reducing anxiety.

Some women have anxiety tied to changes in the menstrual cycle. If anxiety is worse at different times of the month, treatment is best administered right before anxiety begins. And the longer term treatment for this situation is to work on balancing hormones, which will help treat the cause of anxiety.

A few tips that you can incorporate into your life if you do have anxiety:

during a period of heightened anxiety, try lowering your head below your heart. If you are in a public place, you can excuse yourself and step into a private space and just bend forward with your head lower than your heart, if possible for you. If you can hold this position for approximately 30 seconds, you will notice that your mind starts to calm down and your anxiety lessens. There are other yoga poses that you can learn and practice to help treat anxiety, including a wonderfully relaxing one commonly called “legs up the wall” or viparita karani. Find out more about yoga poses for anxiety here .
One of the best acupuncture points to help treat any expression of anxiety from any cause is easily accessible for self treatment. This is the acupuncture point called Pericardium 6, or PC 6, located on the inside of each wrist. To find this point on your wrist, place three fingers across your wrist, starting at the wrist crease. The point is located generally in the middle of the arm, in a depression between two tendons (flexor carpi radialis and palmaris longus). This is the same place where people frequently press when they feel seasick, or wear sea sickness bands. Here’s a great website with graphics and more information on the location of the point. To help reduce anxiety press and hold this point on each arm, using your pointer finger or thumb of the opposite hand, for approximately 30 seconds while breathing as deeply and slowly as you can. The point will likely feel achy and you can press with some force, alternating from one arm to the next. After about a minute or so you should feel yourself start to calm down and feel less anxious.
Another great method of alleviating anxiety is to practice progressive relaxation style mediation. This is a form of meditation which guides you through clenching and releasing muscles throughout your body. The process is helpful for anxiety because it helps relax your muscle tissue (which often becomes tense and clenched with anxiety) - and it is great at connecting the mind to the body, a connection that is frequently lost when someone has anxiety. To try it, here’s a link to progressive relaxation on YouTube. You can do this at any point during the day when you have time, or if you are pressed for time, you can try it before bed.

Hopefully these tips will help you experience this holiday season - or any time - with less anxiety. As always, we are glad to answer your questions and look forward to meeting your for your next acupuncture session. Click here to book an appointment in our Chicago clinic.

How NOT to get sick over the holidays (Hint: mushrooms are involved).

Fri, 06 Dec 2019 21:47:11 GMT

While the holiday season can be really fun, it also is very
* Busy
* Full of food and drink you normally don’t eat (more sugar, fat, alcohol)
* Stressful. Tiring. Overwhelming. Maybe a little too much family time?

On top of these factors, you may also travel or host visitors from out of town. These visitors may be sick themselves or just transport germs to you.

It’s also a time of the year that many people get sick, so there are more opportunities to encounter ill folks either at work, out an about, or during travel. Because it is cold, windows are closed, keeping the air inside and recirculated (including germs and viruses).

For almost 12 years I’ve been working professionally with patients who frequently get sick with respiratory infections, including people who have allergies, or chronic immune system issues. I’ve learned a lot, including what helps keep people healthy in times where they typically fall ill easily or frequently.

The first tip is to address the factor that triggers you getting sick. Some of you may not know this, but if you watch what is happening in your life for a while, you may be able to pinpoint one or more factors that play a part. For example, some tend to get sick when they miss sleep. Some people get sick when their allergies flare up. Some people get sick when they are under a lot of stress - increased stress at work or stressful events, even if they are happy occasions.

One method of avoiding getting sick is to treat the precursor. If you need to sleep, get more sleep and/or rest. If you have trouble sleeping, there are a lot of natural supplements and Chinese herbal formulas that are very effective and not habit forming. If allergies are your precursor, make sure you are using the Neti Pot, or another sinus rinse or spray, or use supplements or medications to calm the immune system. If stress is your trigger, de-stress through meditation, exercise, and laughter. Of course, carving an hour out of your busy schedule for a re-set and recharge with acupuncture will help any of these situations.

Even if you do address the precursor issues, you might still have trouble getting sick when there are a multitude of stressful factors on your system (like around the holidays). At this point I offer my patients a specific Chinese herbal formula to help them stay well. I will also usually recommend a supplement, often Vitamin D, C or B complex. And my secret weapon, which is not so secret after writing about it here, is medicinal mushrooms. These are not the psychedelic type, but medicinal, and my two favorites are Cordyceps by Host Defense, or MyCommunity, also by Host Defense.

If you are concerned about getting sick, I recommend starting one of these two as prevention. Cordyceps will also help with energy, so if you tend to be fatigued you may want to choose this option. The MyCommunity blend offers a wide spectrum of medicinal mushrooms that can help prevent or shorten the length of a cold or respiratory illness.

I do sell these in the office, but you can also purchase them from Whole Foods Market and Amazon. I am not always a fan of purchasing supplements from Amazon as there have been issues with quality, so I would encourage you to either purchase them from Whole Foods or myself.

Acupuncture and cupping are also very helpful for shortening the length of a cold or cough as well as reducing symptoms. We are always happy to see you around the holidays to help keep your system happy and healthy. By carving out an hour of self care, you may avoid many hours of and unwanted illness and have a lot more fun during the holidays.

Acupuncture Magic

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 18:35:11 GMT

In my opinion, there’s almost nothing more interesting than that which cannot be easily explained. Some people call that magic, other’s call it spiritual or experiencing the ineffable (that which is unable to be expressed in words, indescribable, too great or extreme to be expressed or describe in words). This is like the feeling of oneness when experiencing a beautiful part of the natural world, such as the Grand Canyon, or the feeling of joy you might have when you meet your new baby, or puppy, for the first time.

The cool thing is that this happens as part of an acupuncture session on a regular basis. I’m lucky to not only be a facilitator of magic, but I get to experience it when I receive acupuncture as well. Magic can create healing, facilitate healing, open you up to healing, whether or not. you are ready. Sometimes folks are not ready for the changes acupuncture can bring them - because this healing is profound, it can be startling, or uncomfortable. Like a butterfly from a cocoon, this transformation brings beauty, expansiveness, and an awareness of the spiritual world which many of us are out of touch with in our day to day lives.

Healing is not just a physical experience. Yes, physical healing is important, but deeper changes come from healing spiritual and emotional issues, along with and often preceding the physical. Sometimes (oftentimes, usually) the physical healing results from the healing of spirit, or emotion. This is well known in psychology, as more and more work on trauma and healing trauma reveals the physical ramifications of directly healing trauma.

How is acupuncture magical? It creates a healing experience that cannot easily be explained. While there are many people who study how acupuncture works (along fascial planes!), or what it does to the body (increases white blood cell count, increases endorphins, decreases inflammatory molecules such as cytokines), this is but one part of the picture. All these changes are important for physical health, but the magical experience of acupuncture needles communicating with each other across your body, is healing of itself.

I’ll often walk into the treatment room at the end of treatment to hear a patient describe how different points felt “on” at different times of the treatment, with feelings of electricity, glow, or pulsation, as the treatment progressed. These descriptions tell me that the body was able to take in the information about the goal of each needle and then the needles worked in concert, with the body’s intelligence, to create change to the physical, emotional or spiritual issue(s) facing that patient, that day. Like an orchestra of healing, your body and spirit are affected by the points and how they work individually as well as together. It is a beautiful and profound experience.

Ancient acupuncturists knew about the spiritual nature of acupuncture points - there are a segment of known points that are called “window of the sky” points, specifically used and described for their ability to spiritually connect the patient by opening up these points, as they are needed, for certain conditions or situations. While these points are very specifically connected to spirit, actually all acupuncture points have this capacity, when paired correctly, based on the patient’s needs. Many of the window of the sky points are on the neck, which is a part of the body that frequently becomes clogged, especially for people suffering from emotional or spiritual issues. If you think about it, the neck is a very narrow region which connects our head (and the master of the body, the brain), to the rest of the body, our torso, with many organs and activities. In order to have mental and emotional clarity, the area of the neck must be open, so qi, blood, yin and yang can flow freely. When the free flow does not occur, the congestion of the neck can lead to spiritual and emotional blocks. So these “window of the sky” points allow for a re-connection between the earth (our torso and lower body) to the sky (our head and above).

Acupuncture magic is real and healing. After the experience you can re-enter your life with more clarity, energy, peace and hopefully, spiritual connection. The process of treatment is like tending a garden of spirit, where we come back to again and again as we are disconnected through a life of material pressures. But on the treatment table we can experience magic, and that experience begins a process of change which many of us crave. This is something not often found in this world, and for that very reason it is valuable and precious. It is this precious, magical, ineffable nature of acupuncture that makes it so special to me, and many others, and drives me to share it with as many people that want (not just need) this type of healing.

Menstrual Cycle Overview

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 18:43:45 GMT

The cornerstone of women’s health - the menstrual cycle, overview and week one

Why use Chinese medicine and acupuncture to improve women’s health and fertility? Because this system of medicine addresses the whole body and can successfully address both symptoms and underlying causes of fertility issues. Acupuncture has been shown in research studies to improve blood flow to the uterus and ovaries. And this is the only known technique to do this.

Generally a woman’s cycle lasts 28 days - from day 1, where bleeding begins, to day 28, when the next period starts again, if conception has not occurred. You might notice that a menstrual cycle is also roughly the same amount of time as a moon cycle, from new to full moon, and that it covers exactly a four week period. Now, a woman might have a longer or shorter cycle than 28 days, and that may or may not be an issue if she is trying to conceive. A cycle that is one or two days shorter or longer does not mean you cannot get pregnant, but one that is much shorter or longer than that may be part of the problem with conception, if you are having trouble.

This blog series is designed to help you understand what is happening in your body each week of the menstrual cycle. Also it is good to know how to best help yourself and your reproductive health and be empowered about choices and advice you get from any medical professional regarding this part of your body.

Week 1- the oft dreaded period, also called the follicular/proliferation/estrogenic or yin phase.

For many women this can be one of the worst weeks of the month (second for some only to the week before, when symptoms of PMS strike). There’s a lot of solutions marketed to women to deal with menstrual problems (primarily over the counter medicine) which can help, but really they only deal with the symptoms of the issue, and are not actually treating the cause of the problem. There’s nothing wrong with symptom reduction - but wouldn’t you prefer to have both symptom relief and resolution of the cause? Especially as the resolution would mean increased overall health, not just a reduction in issues.

During this part of the cycle:
- bleeding begins the cycle on day 1, where the endometrium (lining of the uterus) sheds and bleeding occurs.
- any issues at this time - cramps, clotting, blood flow stopping and starting, are clues and describe a woman’s state of Qi and Blood flow (something your acupuncturist is very interested in knowing as it could have implications for infertility).
- also around day 1 of the cycle, in the ovaries a dominant follicle begins to grow (as well as the eggs inside of it) and prepare for ovulation. Over the next two weeks this follicle will grow to 50 times its original size when it is fully mature.
- estrogen is dominant in this part of the cycle - which helps to grow a new endometrium. This is why we refer to this part of the cycle as the yin phase, as blood and yin are flourishing and rebuilding the endometrium. The onset of the period is a hormone neutral time, however, with very little estrogen or progesterone.
- at the end of the follicular phase a surge of hormones triggers ovulation (Lutenizing Hormone or LH and Follicle Stimulating Hormone or FSH), and the dominant follicle breaks open and releases an egg into the abdominal cavity, which is swept up by the ends of the Fallopian tube into the tube and uterus.

How can you support your body through this phase of the menstrual cycle :
- with bleeding, or pain, use a warm topical compress, either a heating pad or a water bottle, on the lower abdomen or back. Heat relaxes blood vessels which allows for easier movement of blood through the lower abdomen.
- during the first half of the cycle (days 1-14) adding 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds and 1 tablespoon ground pumpkin seeds to your diet encourages a healthy level of estrogen in the body.
- Chinese herbal formulas that are helpful at this time include Tao Hong Si Wu Tang, Ba Zhen Tang, or Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, depending on your particular pattern. If you have a heavy painful period, or late ovulation, Tao Hong Si Wu Tang can be helpful. If you are older, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan can help build yin, or Ba Zhen Tang can help replenish the blood lost during menses.
- this is the time of the month to focus on rest, especially during menses.
- eat foods high in omega fatty acids, or take a supplement of fish oil, or cold pressed flax oil which boost yin and blood in the body, and reduce inflammation.
- Supplements to consider adding to your regimen include DIM (d-indolymethane), a high quality multivitamin that does supplement iron, folic acid, B6, and COQ10. All of these are very important for women’s health and fertility.

Acupuncture treatment during menses and the first week of the cycle focuses on two objectives - to help the uterine lining shed more easily and encourage the flow of blood, and subsequently to help begin the process of building up the lining once again, in preparation for ovulation and potential implantation of a fertilized egg. Also during this time treatment supports ovarian health and blood flow to the ovaries.

If you are hoping to get pregnant, it does help to monitor your temperature daily. This is easy to do, but it requires dedication and commitment to taking your temperature at the same time every day. Following this guideline provides the most accurate data.

These are great starting points for any woman to use for enhanced fertility and reduced menstrual issues. This is only one week, though, and what happens the rest of the month can also impact fertility significantly. The next three blogs in this series will continue to address the rest of the cycle and how to take care of your body during each of these weeks.

Stress makes us sick

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 20:14:24 GMT

Acupuncture and other tools to reduce the effect of stress on your body

We all have stress and generally some stress is ok and even good for us. However, excess stress, and poor stress management, leads to a host of physical problems. These include digestive concerns ( Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS), headaches/jaw pain/teeth grinding, insomnia, high blood pressure, and eventually heart disease and heart attacks. No one wants to have a heart attack as a wake up call that they have been poorly managing the stress in their life, but this does happen, of course.

Most people are familiar with the concept of qi - which describes the vital energy flowing through all of our bodies. Qi flows everywhere, but is especially easy to access at acupuncture points. During and acupuncture session, specific acupuncture points are selected to bring your body back into balance often times by encouraging the flow of qi. Some points are more powerful than others, and are used more frequently (many people are familiar with the acupuncture point Large Intestine 4, or LI4, which is located on the fleshy area of the hand between the thumb and index finger metacarpal). This point is used to move qi in the body, and is often paired with a point on the foot called Liver 3. LI4 is know for assisting with headaches - as it moves qi in the head. Acupuncturists receive thousands of hours of training in order to learn how to diagnose treat health conditions. An acupuncturist is especially attuned to the state of your qi - and if you have enough, if it is blocked, or if it is moving in the wrong direction. Your acupuncture session is tailored for your body, that day.

What can you do to combat the effect of stress on your body?

— Eat slowly and with mindful attention. Try to not multi-task, take a break from your electronic devices. Chew food thoroughly.

— If you suffer from headaches, take an Epsom salt bath at night before bed. Epsom salts are high in magnesium which is very helpful for muscle tension and headache prevention.

— If you have trouble sleeping, try diffusing lavender essential oil, or placing a small amount on your pillow. Progressive relaxation is a meditation method that is also very helpful for whole body relaxation, as it leads you through the tensing and relaxing of your body.

— Take a time out in nature - in Chicago we have a big beautiful lake which is accessible by all - or take a walk one of the many nature preserves around the city. When you are in nature, leave your phone at home. See if you can spend a half an hour or an hour away from any screen so you can be present in the outdoors.

— Don’t forget your B vitamins - stress taxes the body and its stores of B vitamins. These are important - especially in terms of having enough energy and the ability to tolerate continued stress.

Regular acupuncture treatment, like regular massage, exercise, and healthy eating, all produce life long benefits. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are great at helping the body heal from a crisis, but it is much easier to prevent a crisis than to treat one. An acu-nap, once a week, twice a month or even once a month can help relieve your body of the negative effects of stress.

Acupuncture heals body mind and spirit

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 17:06:12 GMT

One of the most interesting aspects of Chinese medicine is the relationship between emotions, spirit, organs and illness - and that different organ systems are affected by different emotions. If emotions are not dealt with in a healthy way, the organ system related to the emotion becomes out of balance and eventually the person becomes ill . An improperly dealt with emotion can also lead to spiritual issues (called the shen in Chinese), eventually manifesting as emotions out of balance, resulting in emotional issues or physical illness.

An example you may have experienced relates to grief and the lung/respiratory system - because grief is related to the lungs , when someone experiences a trauma that results in grief, such as a parent or friend dying, they oftentimes become ill with a respiratory infection after the grief-related event occurs. Other emotional-organ relationships include: fear being related to the kidney system, anger to the liver, joy to the heart, and overthinking (worrying!) related to the spleen.

Acupuncture treatment at this juncture focuses on points that help the body release the grief from the lung and respiratory system and herbs that work to keep the lungs strong, resilient and free from the burdens of grief. Through appropriate treatment the patient can avoid coming down with a cold, sore throat, sinus infection, bronchitis or pneumonia. And by receiving treatment during and after the grief related experience, the body does not store the sometimes toxic emotions in the body, which can cause more severe or continued problems down the road.

When not properly dealt with, fear, like grief can cause emotional and physical health issues. Conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can arise from a strong fear experience that has not been dealt with immediately. For example, a few years ago a patient witnessed someone almost drowning in a pool, after having a sudden cardiac event. The patient was at first confused about who was drowning, and thought initially it was her husband. After this extremely fearful situation the patient came in for treatment and described that she could not stop replaying the event in her mind, thoughts which persisted during the daytime and even at night while she slept.

Her acupuncture treatment at that time focused on releasing the fear, treating the PTSD , calming her spirit, and allowing the memory of the event to be released from her mind and body. One week later when she returned for a follow up treatment, she reported that she no longer ruminated over the event and was not bothered by the persistent and intrusive replaying of the memory, either in the daytime or during sleep. Recent discussions with the patient confirm that she continues to be able to reflect on the memory with no re-triggering of the PTSD or anxiety related to what happened.

If you are interested in releasing trauma safely from your body, or avoiding the negative effects of emotions you are experiencing, we are here to help and know what to do. We will craft specific acupuncture treatment as well as recommend the best herbs or supplements to help your body heal from whatever you are experiencing. As with all health issues, prevention is the best medicine. And the best medicine for prevention, we believe, is Chinese Medicine.

Acupuncture Provides Quick Relief from Common Injuries

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 15:17:36 GMT

The top three pain related conditions seen at Meridian 87 include:

Of course we also see a huge variety of other pain conditions, including elbow and knee pain, hip pain , and arthritis of any joint. But these three are most common, probably because most people experience one or more of them in their lifetime. And once you have one flare up, it is more likely you will have a re-occurrence.

Many people are familiar with using acupuncture for pain - both chronic and acute conditions, and many physicians are recommending acupuncture treatment more frequently, especially to avoid the use of addictive medications such as opiates. Acupuncture is also known for pain relief because it works so well without the negative side effects of surgery and medications.

How quickly can acupuncture help with a painful condition? Usually that depends on the length of time you’ve had the condition - so if you throw your back out, give us a call sooner rather than later, and we’ll get you on the schedule. If you have had a condition for a while, you will probably need to have a few treatments, but you will see relief once we start treatment.

A condition like frozen shoulder takes a bit longer to resolve - but with every session, you can expect to see changes in range of motion, pain reduction, and decreasing stiffness.

What can you do to keep your joints healthy and strong between treatments:

Use anti-inflammatory supplements like Tumeric and Boswellia on a regular basis. Not all supplements are created equally; we have ones we really like and can recommend for you.
Exercise regularly, and if you have lower back pain, strengthen your Gluteus Medius muscle on a consistent basis, with exercises like the clamshell .
Use a dry brush/skin brush before showering, daily, to help your lymphatic system be more efficient. When lymph doesn’t flow well in any part of the body, pain can occur.
Stretch before and after exercise, especially if you tend to have stiff joints.
Replace minerals - either with trace mineral supplements, epsom salt baths , or a complete mineral supplement. Consistent exercise, and sweat, depletes muscles of minerals which are key to muscle function and health.

When you come in for treatment, we will use a variety of techniques, including acupuncture, cupping , and herbal medicines to get you free of pain as quickly as possible.

You CAN get pregnant with PCOS

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 18:13:14 GMT

PCOS (Poly cystic ovarian syndrome) is a very common hormonal imbalance and a frequent cause of infertility in women. Women struggling with PCOS may have infrequent or irregular periods because they do not ovulate regularly, unwanted facial or body hair, excess body weight, acne or excessively oily skin, high blood pressure or cholesterol, ovarian cysts, hair loss, PMS and pelvic pain. Some women with PCOS have all of these, some women only have the symptom of infrequent or missed cycles. Because the clinical picture of a PCOS patient can vary, it is important to have a physician's help to determine if you do have PCOS and if so, how severely.

Pregnancy with PCOS is definitely possible, but there is also an increased risk of miscarriage, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes or premature birth in women who have PCOS.

If you have PCOS and are frustrated with getting pregnant, what can you do?

Get regular exercise - PCOS is a hormonal condition and especially affected by unregulated blood sugar. Regular exercise helps the body with blood sugar regulation, which in turn helps with hormone balance
Eat small, frequent meals that are lower in carbohydrates, and higher in healthy fats and protein. Higher protein and fat snacks can be used in between meals as well. Blood sugar can be stabilized by eating fewer carbohydrates and eating more frequently. Eating lower carb also helps with weight loss for those who carry extra weight; being a healthy weight makes getting pregnant much more likely with PCOS
Schedule an acupuncture session - acupuncture for fertility focuses on whatever issue is at hand - and with PCOS treatment starts out by regulating your menstrual cycle. Weekly acupuncture sessions, along with Chinese herbs, supplements, and lifestyle changes (some listed above), stimulates a woman's body and reproductive organs to experience a normal menstrual cycle. A typical menstrual cycle is 28 days long, made up of 4 weeks. With weekly sessions acupuncture helps the body to experience a normal menstrual cycle, with ovulation, so pregnancy can occur. Often women with PCOS are given fertility medications to stimulate their body to ovulate - when these women come in for acupuncture, treatment focuses on making sure the medication is working effectively as well as mitigating any negative medication side effects.

If you do have PCOS it is important to begin making changes as soon as possible - and to start attempting pregnancy earlier rather than later. This is because women with PCOS may suffer from Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) later in life due to the over-recruitment of follicles when they were younger.

Don't despair though - many women with PCOS go on to fall pregnant and have healthy babies, especially if they receive consistent treatment with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. There is help! We are here for you and would love to help you start your journey to creating the family you desire.

What will you change this year to make 2019 healthier?

Mon, 14 Jan 2019 16:05:32 GMT

Happy 2019!

Every year at this time folks are recovering from the holidays. Here in Chicago we're getting adjusted to winter and the potential months of cold ahead.

I've written a lot about beginning of the year resolutions in the past - as this is the time when folks take stock of how they are doing, what's working and not working in their lives and in their health. And then we set out to make changes.

Personally, I did this right around New Year's Eve and New Years day. This year I spent a lot of time writing, meditating and reading - all focused on starting 2019 off right. For me, I did a lot of organizing, cleaning and purging of my home. I did this for a few reasons - first and most obviously, to get rid of things I no longer need or use, and to pass items on to someone else who might like them. The second reason was to energetically start the next year off with the intention of moving energy, or qi . You may have heard me talk about this in the clinic with your body - and much like our bodies where we need to move them to get energy flowing (think exercise), we also need to get rid of "stuff" we no longer need to get energy in our lives flowing. This is one part of the theory of Feng Shu i.

Post holiday time folks are frequently feeling kind of icky. While it is really nice to get to spend more time with friends and family, and to have a little time off from work, with the holiday season comes travel (for many of us), over indulgence in rich and sweet foods, and alcohol, maybe later nights, and spending time with more people, indoors . Being indoors more means being in closer contact with people and recycled air, which in turn means more exposure to germs. While the flu this year has not been especially bad, I have treated a lots of patients who have gotten colds, or a stomach bug, or have had sinus congestion or even sinus infections.

Did you catch the stomach bug over the holidays? Or a cold? Do you catch a lot of the bugs that go around? If so, you might start this year by intending to address your immune system issues, such as chronic colds, sinusitis, rhinitis, or allergies. This is one of my specialty areas - and I'd love to help you get and stay better. There are lots of good supplements out there and you may already have chosen some for yourself. That's great, but just know that I have 10 years of experience with treating immune system issues and can steer you to products that are specifically good for you, effective, with few side effects. Acupuncture, herbs and supplements can work wonders for improving your immune system.

How about stress? Do you get enough exercise? Eat enough veggies? Get enough rest? Meditate even for a few minutes each day? These are all common resolution areas - and its a great idea to look at how you are doing in these areas, as addressing diet, exercise, stress and sleep can make significant changes in your health and your life. I recommend making manageable changes - such as adding at least one vegetable to your daily nutrition, while cutting out sugary drinks (or even diet soda, which has a its own health issues). Or you might focus on increasing water intake and eating less processed foods. Whatever you do, keeping change manageable is key to success.

If stress is the main problem in your life and health know that acupuncture is great at relaxing the body and getting it out of fight or flight mode. So this means that you can actually rest when you are in bed sleeping, and wake up feeling refreshed. It is also important to meditate and practice deep breathing as well as to exercise. Constant, chronic untreated stress can lead to reduced immune system function, digestive disorders, headaches, pain, and insomnia.

Thinking about change in the new year can be exciting - it doesn't have to be done all at once, and small changes can make big differences. We are here to meet you wherever you are - and help you improve your health in large or small ways. The most important change to make is to take action, start with one area, and see how much better your body and mind can feel. We'd love to see you in the clinic for an appointment .

Acupuncture provides freedom from frozen shoulder

Tue, 25 Sep 2018 17:36:00 GMT

Recently someone very close to me injured her shoulder. At first, it seemed like it was a pretty mild injury – her arm was outstretched and she tripped, not even landing on the shoulder. However, she’s peri-menopausal, which means that fluctuations in hormones can make a woman more susceptible to injuring her joints, and possibly injuring them more severely. The other problem with shoulder injuries in peri-menopausal and menopausal women is that they can easily lead to a condition called “frozen shoulder” which is also known by the medical term, adhesive capsulitis.

What does it look like to have a frozen shoulder? Pretty much what you might imagine, that the usually mobile shoulder joint is in lock down, and where often reaching backwards, as if to throw a ball, becomes painful and impossible. Range of motion may be limited in other shoulder and arm movements as well. And the more you don’t move your shoulder, the harder it becomes to move the shoulder, which marks the cascade of problems associated with this condition.

No one should ignore or avoid treatment for any injury, in my opinion, but it is especially imperative for women aged 40-60 to not ignore a shoulder injury, even one they might chalk up to being minor. Our shoulders are normally very very flexible – this joint can move in many directions, especially when you contrast it to a joint like your hip, which moves in a much more limited range. The mobility of the shoulder is exactly why it becoming frozen is so difficult – we use our shoulder in so many ways, to put on clothes, to brush our hair, to wash our hair/bodies, to pull something toward us, which the frozen condition affects.

What to do if you injure your shoulder:

Acutely (first 24 hours), use ice directly on the injury.
After 24 hours, use ice and heat, alternatively.
Contact me for an appointment – we will work distally at first (away from the acute site of injury) with needles, and will likely do cupping on the injured area.
Apply topical pain relief – such as Tiger balm, or another topical pain patch, such as Pain Terminator.
Seek adjunctive care, such as PT, or massage. Specifically PT with an Ultrasound machine to help break up the accumulating scar tissue at the site of injury.

Prevention is really also quite important – and important to exercise your body, strengthen your joints, with gentle exercises like swimming and pilates. My favorite pilates studio in Chicago is Pilates Chicago, at 6101 Clark street. They are incredibly well trained instructors and work with all body types.

Acupuncture treatment over the weeks following the injury will prevent frozen shoulder from setting in, focusing on increasing mobility, reducing pain, and healing tissue. We use a variety of treatments, including cupping and gua sha, as well as chinese herbs and supplements to reduce inflammation and increase healing.

If you are suffering with a shoulder injury, or have frozen shoulder, come in for treatment. Let us help you get back into a pain free, active life.

Chronic Fatigue? Fibromyalgia? Actually you might have Chronic Lyme Disease

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 17:04:00 GMT

Again Lyme disease is in the news. It is summer time, so of course more folks are outside, camping, hiking and vacationing. And yes, the midwest has a lot of ticks, and a lot of Lyme, even though the disease is more often associated with the East coast. But know that Lyme disease is found in every state in the US, as well as all over the world, so it pays to pay attention. When you (and your children if you have them, or pets) are out and about enjoying the summer please remember to use bug spray and to check your body afterwards for ticks. Even the Environmental Working Group recommends Deet, but there are other options listed as well.

I write a lot about Lyme disease – especially chronic Lyme disease – because there are so many people out there who probably have it and just don’t know it. Folks in chronic pain, such as those with Fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue, may be suffering actually from Lyme (they could also have mold toxicity, because this often looks a lot like Lyme, but that’s the subject of another blog). Two of the best books out there about chronic inflammatory diseases (including Lyme) are called Why Can’t I Get Better – and the follow up, You Can Get Better , by Dr. Horowitz. Dr. Horowitz has seen thousands of patients who have been to 10-20 doctors as they attempt to find help for their fatigue or their pain who actually have Lyme disease causing their medical issues (or mold toxicity). Having chronic pain or chronic fatigue is bad enough – but to be told there is no answer, or that the problem is all in your head, can be devastating.

I’ve been in practice for 10 years. In my early years of practice I was not well versed in identifying patients who might have Lyme disease. But over the past 4 years I’ve learned more and more about Lyme disease, mold toxicity, how to identify patients who might have these issues, and how to help them. It is also important to me to raise awareness – and the CDC now acknowledges that there are a lot more folks with Lyme disease than previously reported or suspected.

So if you have been struggling with chronic fatigue, mysterious joint pain, headaches, treatment resistant depression or anxiety, unexplained weight gain, chronic sinus infections, or diagnosed with fibromyalgia, don’t give up. There’s hope – and effective treatment out there – and you can start by coming to see me for an initial consultation. Acupuncture, Chinese herbs, supplements, and essential oils are powerful tools to start the healing process. We can also guide you to the best doctors and tests to help you find out more about why you feel the way you do. So please, don’t give up!

Psycho-emotional Acupuncture – Integrate to Heal Body and Mind

Sat, 09 Jun 2018 02:19:00 GMT

I’m saddened this week by the suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. Even though I had no personal connection to either, I feel for their families and friends who loved them. I also have mental illness in my family, suffer from depression and anxiety myself and I’ve experienced trauma. I’ve found relief by using [...]

I’m saddened this week by the suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain . Even though I had no personal connection to either, I feel for their families and friends who loved them. I also have mental illness in my family, suffer from depression and anxiety myself and I’ve experienced trauma. I’ve found relief by using a combination of therapies, including EMDR , conventional talk therapy, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine .

Your Immune System and the Weather

Mon, 21 May 2018 20:58:00 GMT

Technically it is spring here in Chicago. However the weather this year cannot make up its mind. Some days are windy and cool, other days are just downright cold and rainy (like today), some days hot (although pretty rarely these days), and the plants are bursting with blooms and pollen, even when it is 50 [...]

The Best Point for Immunity

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 22:06:00 GMT

Yes, it is flu season. I hope you have not gotten sick! Just the other day I read about California hospitals erecting tents in their parking lots because there are so many people needing care. Flu season commonly peaks in the US between December and February, but can last even until May. This year the [...]

PMS no more!

Mon, 04 Dec 2017 17:27:00 GMT

This is a topic I feel very passionately about. Women, you don't have to suffer any more. I have always been interested in health, even before I became an acupuncturist. My mother wanted to be a physician but because of financial constraints (and to be honest, gender biases) ended up studying microbiology, and owned her [...]

Acupuncture for Athletes – Enhancing Healing and Performance

Mon, 02 Oct 2017 18:16:00 GMT

It's October in Chicago! Not only are leaves changing color and falling but October also brings the Chicago Marathon. This year it's on October 8th (just around the corner). Like most years, I have many patients who are running the marathon and I've helped them as they trained to maximize health and minimize injury. I really [...]

Chronic or Acute – We’ve Got Back Pain Solutions

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 16:52:00 GMT

Many people seek acupuncture for help with back pain. It is one of the most common ailments I treat and I love to see these patients. Why? Because they respond very well to acupuncture treatment and it is very very gratifying as a practitioner to have patients report dramatic improvements after treatment. And by dramatic, [...]

Tips and Tools to Enhance Male Fertility

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 21:17:00 GMT

Women are usually the main focus of fertility treatment. This makes sense, in a way, as women have a monthly menstrual cycle which is not only complex but she may realize that there are issues with an aspect of the cycle (maybe late ovulation, or lack of clear signs of ovulation, or painful periods or PMS) [...]

How Acupuncture Works

Thu, 17 Aug 2017 16:51:00 GMT

To be honest, I really don't know. There are a lot of theories out there and research using fMRI machines to learn more about what happens in the body during an acupuncture session. More information is great, I think, but in my opinion the best way to understand how acupuncture works is to try it for yourself. [...]

theories

research using fMRI

Enhancing Fertility Naturally

Thu, 03 Aug 2017 21:43:00 GMT

Acupuncture for fertility is a hot topic - and has been for the past few years after research studies on acupuncture during IVF showed great results (more women got pregnant and stayed pregnant if they combined the two, essentially). I've worked with women hoping to fall pregnant for my entire career as an acupuncturist and [...]

Relieving Neck and Shoulder Pain

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 20:40:00 GMT

Neck and shoulder pain are both very common and very uncomfortable. Everyone has had a "crick" in their neck at some point in their life - either they woke up with it or suddenly moved their head/neck and the muscles tightened up, spasming, causing restricted movement and discomfort. The neck is especially vulnerable to pain [...]

crick

Help – I have a tick bite!

Fri, 07 Jul 2017 12:54:00 GMT

What to do if you discover a tick bite.

Lyme Disease: This year may be a doozy!

Fri, 09 Jun 2017 15:04:00 GMT

Lyme is more prevalent than you think.

Acupuncture is great for pain relief

Wed, 17 May 2017 12:43:00 GMT

Research confirms what I've seen for years: Acupuncture is great for pain relief I was lucky to attend the first annual Sports Acupuncture Alliance Conference in Philadelphia, PA, just a few weeks ago. One of my passions is helping my patients find pain relief - and while this conference focused partly on athletic performance enhancement, much [...]

Healthier You – 3 Habits and Actions to Get There

Wed, 05 Apr 2017 23:02:00 GMT

Consistency, Patience, and Maintenance = A Healthier You Yesterday I was admiring my hairstylist’s handiwork after my haircut on Monday afternoon. And at the end of the service, I scheduled my next haircut a few months out, as I usually visit her every 8 to 10 to 12 weeks, depending on her availability and my [...]

Sick of getting sick? Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help

Mon, 27 Feb 2017 17:07:00 GMT

"If you are getting sick, or you are sick, acupuncture and herbs can reduce your symptoms, shorten the length of the cold, or push it out of your system immediately, if caught quickly." I love treating people who are coming down with a cold. Getting a cold is a pretty common occurrence for us humans - [...]

“If you are getting sick, or you are sick, acupuncture and herbs can reduce your symptoms, shorten the length of the cold, or push it out of your system immediately, if caught quickly.”

I love treating people who are coming down with a cold. Getting a cold is a pretty common occurrence for us humans – many people have one or two colds a year, and otherwise feel pretty healthy. On a recent Saturday I saw multiple patients, four to be exact, who were either fighting a cold, felt like they had started getting sick that week, or were in the midst of a cold (and for some this was the second cold in the last 4-6 weeks).

You might have your own home remedies – the Neti pot (great!), lots of vitamin C and warm liquids
(great!), sleep (great!) and soup (great!). You might also use over the counter medicines with mixed results. These can be helpful but also may have side effects you don’t like, or may not really work, but give you enough symptom relief that you can better make it through your life.

The cool thing about Chinese herbs is that they work really really well, quickly, and do not make you feel jittery, sleepy, or otherwise out of it. They restore your body to balance by treating the symptoms and, for some, boost the immune system. Not everyone will take the exact same formula if they are coming in with a cold – for some people the start is in the throat, with a scratchy or itchy throat and mild fever – for others they may have runny eyes, and runny nose, from the start with no throat symptoms. My job is to assess your pattern, give you an amazing acupuncture treatment to clear the symptoms and then send you home with herbs to resolve the rest of your condition.

It’s a New Year again – and a New You?

Mon, 06 Feb 2017 22:06:00 GMT

January 28th, 2017 marked Chinese New Year, and this year, 2017, is the year of the rooster. The date of the new year does not coincide with January 1 as the Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, meaning it is based on the location of the sun and correlated with the moon’s phases. In China [...]

Healing is a Process

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 22:40:00 GMT

I do some of my best thinking while cleaning house - I’m not sure why vacuuming and sweeping, specifically, trigger my blog writing juices, but they do. My most recent cleaning brainstorm was the idea to write about something that I have come to know from years of treating patients, but realized might not be [...]

I do some of my best thinking while cleaning house – I’m not sure why vacuuming and sweeping, specifically, trigger my blog writing juices, but they do. My most recent cleaning brainstorm was the idea to write about something that I have come to know from years of treating patients, but realized might not be that obvious to others – that healing takes time, it is a process, and successful healing often includes specific actions by the patient and the practitioner.

Welcome to fall – but don’t catch that cold!

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 22:37:00 GMT

Suffering from a Cold, Congestion or the Flu I will admit I do write a similar blog post every fall - one that is focused on how many people are suffering from colds, congestion or the flu when the season changes and school starts. I don’t know how universal this is but I have definitely [...]

New season, new space

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 20:01:00 GMT

"It’s a new season. A perfect opportunity to do something new, something bold, something beautiful." Changes at Meridian 87 this fall include a beautiful new space. We’ve moved from the Ravenswood Professional Building on Wilson Ave to the Health Care Center at 3929 N. Ashland Ave. The new space is just a mile and a [...]

“It’s a new season. A perfect opportunity to do something new, something bold, something beautiful.”

Changes at Meridian 87 this fall include a beautiful new space.

Healing Insomnia Naturally

Tue, 27 Sep 2016 21:28:00 GMT

Insomnia is an awful experience - most people have had it at least once in their lifetime - but chronic insomnia is really awful. Chronic insomnia, along with the stress it creates, is really bad for your health. Sleep is vitally important for your emotional, physical, and mental well being. The National Institute of Health has [...]

great article

Avoid dehydration this summer with Watermelon

Wed, 27 Jul 2016 14:54:00 GMT

When I was in school studying acupuncture at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine – Chicago I loved learning about Chinese Herbs . We learned approximately 300 individual herbs, which included plant pieces and parts (flower buds, stems, roots, or even the flowers themselves, spices and some foods). Many of these were already familiar to me because they were common foods and I had them in my kitchen like ginger, peppermint and watermelon.

As part of the acupuncture training I had to memorize the botanical name of the plant, be able to recognize it physically, describe its actions, the part of the body it influenced, and its taste and temperature. For example, some herbs are bitter and cold. These herbs work to clear heat, as you would imagine. What does clearing heat mean in the medical sense? It means, sometimes, killing bacteria, which the most cold and bitter herbs do quite well. The other aspect of cold and bitter herbs is that they are hard on the digestive system – not usually as hard as a pharmaceutical like an antibiotic, though. Chinese formulas are specifically designed combinations of herbs chosen to mitigate the side effects of specific individual herbs and ensure a formula is as easy to absorb as possible.

One herb I was happy to learn about (of course) was watermelon. I knew watermelon was delicious but I didn’t know it had any specific medical benefits. It is actually a medicinal food – as is peppermint, bitter melon, and dandelion greens as well as many others. Watermelon, however, is especially important in the summer as eating it cools the body quickly and significantly and as such will help treat sunstroke or heatstroke.

How does it work? Well, watermelon, in Chinese medicine, is described as having the properties of being cold and sweet, and it promotes urination. This is the physiological mechanism for the body to cool off and clear the heat from the system. It is also said to be effective at moving the bowels and specifically affects the heart, bladder and stomach organs. So eating watermelon when it is damp and hot outside, and when your body is overheated, will help you safely and quickly cool your body temperature. If you have a weak digestive system, though, please do not overdo it with watermelon. Watermelon is cold in nature so those with weak digestive systems would be wise to moderate how much they consume.

The nutritional profile of watermelon is pretty impressive – it’s packed with antioxidants, including Lycopene. Lycopene is in the class of antioxidants called carotenoids – which benefit the body by reducing the risk of eye disease and cancers, as well as generally protecting the body against damage to cells, protecting against the effects of aging, and helping with some chronic diseases (read more here ). Lycopene specifically reduces stroke risk and has anti-cancers properties , and is especially helpful for prostate cancer. Other vitamins and minerals found in watermelon include vitamin C, B1, B6, magnesium, potassium, copper, and biotin (source: The World’s Healthiest Foods ).

Here’s a simple watermelon refresher recipe to beat the summer heat:

4 – 6 cups chopped watermelon (you can use the whole thing if its a small one)

1/2 cup cool water

1/3rd cup lime juice

generous pinch of salt

3 small mint leaves, mashed slightly

1. Add all ingredients into a blender, food processor or vitamix. Blend until smooth, or to your desired consistency.

2. Once blended, you may add 1/2 cup sparkling water if you would like.

Enjoy immediately or refrigerate to have your own hydration drink available whenever you need.

Better than Opioids

Tue, 26 Jul 2016 18:51:00 GMT

Acupuncture, Cupping and Gua Sha are Wonderful Painkillers A friend of mine, the amazing chef and culinary consultant Jill Houk, recently asked me why I don’t talk more about how acupuncture is a wonderful treatment alternative to addictive opiate painkillers, as it also has none of the deadly and addicting side effects (well honestly acupuncture treatment [...]

UTIs- Love (take care of! ) your bladder this Summer

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 21:45:00 GMT

To women who suffer from chronic UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections) - there’s hope!

As I’ve written before, I work with many women on women’s health issues and often the focus is on menstrual issues or fertility. However, another area that many women struggle with is urinary health and chronic bladder/urinary tract infections. This can include frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs), sometimes associated with intercourse, or sometimes women have the sensation of infection (urinary frequency, urgency, pelvic pain, burning, dark or discolored urine or pain/discomfort) but the urine is cultured and there’s no bacteria to be found. This presentation may be diagnosed as Interstitial Cystitis but sometimes physicians are unsure of the cause of irritation. Both of these situations are uncomfortable at best, and can be debilitating, affecting intercourse and intimacy, as well as generating a lot of stress for the women who frequently suffer.

Summertime can be a time of increased UTIs for some women – they can be exacerbated by spending time in swimming pools, in wet swimsuits, or from wearing damp or sweat drenched clothes or underwear due to a physical workout. These situations where the lower part of the body is continually wet cause irritation (and there’s more bacteria present) and an increased incidence of UTIs.

The good news is that Chinese medicine and acupuncture can help. As many know, it is important to treat a bacterial infection, as an untreated one can possibly ascend to the kidney and the rest of the body which is something definitely to be avoided. Antibiotics may be the treatment you choose, although I always recommend asking your doctor to culture your urine so a specific antibiotic can be used rather than a broad spectrum one. Sometimes, though, women end up in a cycle where they have infection after infection, especially post coitus, which makes it difficult to try for pregnancy. This is where acupuncture treatment can be very helpful (as well as herbal medicine and supplements ). Every woman in this situation is not treated the same (I’ve often talked about how treatment is tailored to each specific person), but the care will focus on removing and inflammation from the pelvic/urinary area, and strengthening the immune system. It is also important to determine if there is something exacerbating your symptoms and then make those lifestyle changes.

If you are one of those women with symptoms and no infection, acupuncture treatment can reduce your discomfort considerably and quickly. I have experience with treating these women and know many resources for you that can help you get to the bottom of what’s happening with your body as well as herbs and supplements that work.

If you do suffer from frequent bladder infections, here are a few tips to consider:

Avoid wearing wet undergarments or swimsuits for long periods of time, and make sure to shower in fresh water after swimming in a chlorinated pool.
Make sure you get plenty of fresh, clean water everyday and avoid dehydration – dehydration leads to an increase risk of infections. Women should drink at least 6-8 cups of water or non-dehydrating fluids (not caffeinated or alcoholic) per day. A general rule of thumb is to drink half your weight in ounces of water per day.
Use plain, unscented, unbleached toilet paper and practice good hygiene in the genital area. Also, avoid any douche or vaginal spray that has any scent in it.
Urinate after sexual intercourse and/or drink 10 to 12 ounces of water right afterwards
Choose cotton underwear over spandex or nylon as cotton is more breathable
The supplement D-Mannose can be helpful for women who have recurring infections – also cranberry capsules can work as a preventative or even during an infection.

There are a number of supplements and Chinese herbal formulas that are very helpful for treating the start of an infection – and as with anything acute, a timely acupuncture session can often completely knock out the start of an infection or reduce the severity of symptoms.

Health Lessons from My Tomato Plants

Fri, 24 Jun 2016 15:09:00 GMT

Every spring and summer I spend lots of time on my back deck – planting flowers, herbs and veggies and watching them grow. Here are a few photos of my tomato plants – which started as seedlings from Whole Foods – and they have really taken off. As I spent time tending to them this last month, I realized that growing beautiful, healthy, huge, and soon to be prolific tomato plants is a lot like the recommendations I make for taking care of your body and health.

So what does growing tomatoes have to do with better health?

First, it is important to start off with a plant, or seed, that is organic/non GMO.

Why? Well, with an organic seed you have the assurance that the seed was not treated with synthetic pesticides. Unfortunately it doesn’t mean no pesticides were used, but many organic farmers use natural means of removing pests, although they may use “natural” chemicals. And even though organic might not mean no chemicals used, it does mean that you will be getting fruits and vegetables that are higher in antioxidants , which are important to stopping or slowing cellular damage to the body (think cancer fighters and slowing aging, both win win).

How this is similar to taking care of your body is that it is important to eat foods that are high in antioxidants and also reduce your own exposure to toxins. I can’t emphasize this point enough – here and below – that we have a lot of chemicals and toxins in our world that constantly bombard our bodies and tax our health. By eating organic foods, like starting with an organic seed, you give your body more antioxidants and thus will be better able to clear these toxins from your system.

Second, give your tomato plant good soil – and also compost!

Good soil for a tomato plant is akin to a peaceful and clean home/work environment. With patients, I sometimes need to talk about the conditions around their work and home – and if these conditions (toxic people, situations, workplaces) are creating stress in the body – or if there is mold, or some other toxin (chemicals, etc.) that their body cannot handle. I recommend non toxic cleaning supplies when possible – like vinegar and Bon Ami cleanser, and using natural, unscented laundry detergent. The fewer toxins you use around the house, the fewer your body has to contend with.

This year I’ve realized the secret of compost – as I’ve watched my plants grow 2 inches a day, sometimes (honestly). They were 4 or 5 inches high to start, now they are 24 inches or higher!!! We planted them in new, organic potting soil (50%) and compost (50%). The plants have multiple flowers on them and strong, thick stalks. And I’ve got a lot of tomatoes, more than 50 at my last count yesterday, on three plants (they are cherry tomatoes, so small ones).

Compost, for humans, is healthy, nutrient dense food. And in terms of Chinese medicine, it is tonic herbs that support the vitality of the body.

We all are not going to grow, at our adult ages, any taller. But we will continue to grow skin, hair, nails and bones. By providing nutrient rich foods we can stay healthy and strong, and it is very important if we are hoping to fall pregnant, and then have a healthy, strong baby (by having healthy follicles and sperm).

My tomato plants also love the sun. The sun provides light for plants to use in photosynthesis, which is the process of a plant converting sunlight to sugar molecules. Like the tomato plant we all need vitamin D. This can be supplemented – and for many folks in Chicago Vitamin D levels are low – but a little exposure to the sun goes a long way for many health conditions. If you do supplement with Vitamin D, I have a few recommendations. First, if you suspect your D is low, include more grass fed beef and eggs into your diet and spend a little more time in the sun (these are both methods to naturally increase D). And if you take fish oil, switch to Cod Liver Oil, which is naturally high in Vitamin D. If you do see your doctor after doing these methods and are given the recommendation to supplement with synthetic Vitamin D, make sure it is a product that includes K2, another vitamin, essential to you being able to absorb the D.

And finally, sufficient water – and drainage – is important to these plants. I water them almost every day, unless it has rained. I planted them in containers with holes in the bottom, so that any extra water can drain, but I also have a tray underneath, so that any extra water that drains out will be absorbed if the plant becomes dry during the day. Our bodies are just like these plants – we definitely need plenty of fresh, clean water, especially after an acupuncture treatment, or on a hot day, or when exercising. During an acupuncture treatment energy moves through the body and often times activates the body’s ability to remove waste. To help this process it is important to have plenty of clean water after treatment and of course every day.

Last but not least is drainage – I am committed to my tomato plants having no rot or mold from an inability to drain properly. Just like a plant’s roots can potentially mold when water is not allowed to flow properly, the human body can have a back up of waste when lymph or other fluid cannot flow properly. It is important for my patients to consider what they are putting into their body – especially instead of pure fresh water – and if they are accumulating waste, to do what they can to remove that waste. Methods I often recommend to help the body get rid of waste include dry brushing the skin, lymphatic massage and using supplements such as chlorella, milk thistle, Glutathione, NAC or magnesium. Another important way our body removes waste is through bowel movements – and if you are not having at least one bowel movement a day, this system could use some support.

I am excited for the rest of summer and the process my plants will go through and even more so I am looking forward to the all the amazing nutrients that my health and body will benefit from them, once they are devoured.

It feels great to be eight

Wed, 01 Jun 2016 22:40:00 GMT

Meridian 87 Celebrates Eight Years

On June 1st, Meridian 87 will officially be eight years old. Whoa! It is hard for me to believe, sometimes, that I’ve been working as a Licensed Acupuncturist here in Chicago for eight years. I can remember starting the Master’s degree program here in Chicago in 2004 at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine and thinking about how far away I was from practicing. But time goes really really fast and here I am, 12 years later, with an amazing practice filled with lovely patients in a beautiful office and getting paid every day to do something I feel passionate about and still find fascinating.

The first thing that comes to me is gratitude. I stumbled upon acupuncture myself when I was traveling around the country looking at massage schools. I wanted to study oriental massage, as I had had some amazing experiences with acu-pressure massage, shiatsu. One day when I was in Tuscon, Arozona the school I contacted about massage told me they didn’t have a massage program, but did have an acupuncture program, and I could come in for a free first treatment. I said yes, had an amazing experience, felt like I was floating on a cloud and that was the start of my love affair with Chinese medicine and acupuncture.

When I got back to Alaska after that road trip, I knew I wanted to live in Chicago. I had decided to come here and study oriental massage – but I lived in Alaska few more months before moving. In that time, I sought acupuncture treatment myself for frequent acute respiratory infections. I wanted a solution to the cough I almost always got when I came down with a cold, which left me sleepless, rundown, and miserable. My nurse practitioner told me she didn’t have anything that could help prevent the cold or the cough. So when my good friend Lauren, from California, told me acupuncture helped all of her health problems, I took her advice and got treatment. And guess what! The next time I got sick, I got acupuncture, took some herbs, and that cough did not happen. It was amazing.

I’m grateful for having acupuncture for myself and for learning more about this complicated and powerful medicine as a career. I’m grateful for all the patients I have seen and continue to see, that permit me to work with them on their health issues, trust me with friends and family members, as well as with their own health. It is a pleasure to meet and talk with people, listen to what’s happening in their body and create a treatment plan to help them get on the path to healing. It helps too, that I find the questions of how to have good health and maintain good health continually interesting.

A few things I have learned:

The body is really powerful – and with a little help, it absolutely can heal, over time, from a lot of conditions
Herbs, supplements and vitamins are amazing. And sometimes pharmaceuticals are necessary. More often I believe there are herbs and supplements to try first. I’m grateful we have pharmaceuticals and I’m grateful we have so many quality herbs and supplements. My go to is always natural, but I’ve made peace with the fact that pharmaceuticals can help people too, that they might be helpful to some patients, and that herbs/supplements/vitamin and pharmaceuticals can often be taken safely together.
It is hard for me to guarantee healing, but almost all of my patients notice that they get better from consistent acupuncture treatment. Consistency is the key, here, but even those who can only get treatment sporadically notice improvement.
Most people will have expedited results for their issue if they combine acupuncture with another healing treatment modality (such as chiropractic, massage, PT, psychotherapy, cranio-sacral therapy). Of course this is not required but if you can do more than one, then please do.

Now I’m off to work with another patient – and to dream about what the next eight years will bring….

Hello Spring, goodbye allergies!

Thu, 26 May 2016 21:01:00 GMT

Spring Allergies

Spring in Chicago can’t be beat. Almost overnight trees, bushes, flowers and plants have bloomed or sprouted beautiful, lush leaves (it is especially apparent with the trees where to me the city becomes green in an instant). Lovely to look at and experience, unless you are too busy sneezing or too sleepy from the allergy medicine you had to take to stop constantly sneezing and blowing your nose.

One of the most amazing aspects of acupuncture/Chinese herbs and supplements is that they can treat the symptoms of a problem as well as the root of the issue. People might need Sudafed, or Claritin, or whatever allergy medicine their doctor or the drugstore offers because they cannot get through that day without runny eyes, itchy palate or eyes, sneezing, maybe puffy skin, or a terrible headache. In a pinch these products and many others can tamp down that allergic reaction you experience to whatever beautiful plant has recently bloomed. But in the long term taking anti - histamines and over the counter medicine can be hard on your body – older antihistamines have been shown to be unsafe for long term use as they have been linked to increased risk of dementia for older adults. Long term I recommend trying a natural remedy to combat your symptoms and to actually strengthen your immune system. Chinese Medicine looks at allergies as weakness of the immune system which can be strengthened by treatment, herbs, vitamins and supplements and lifestyle changes. An acupuncture treatment will open the sinus passages, reduce inflammation, and get rid of that unpleasant headache. Lifestyle changes you can really start doing now – washing your hands and face frequently when the pollen count is high – changing your pillow case nightly, closing windows (darn!), and using a nasal irrigation method like the neti pot.

What I can do for you is determine what your body needs to find relief – and offer natural remedies which are non-drowsy, effective and that result in your immune system functioning better so that you not only avoid the allergic reactions, but you also avoid the frequent colds or sinus infections that may come along with allergy season. If your system is already inflamed it is quite easy to succumb to a bacterial or viral infection (they do love a nicely inflamed sinus passage!). I’ve treated many patients suffering from such a cycle and helped them find relief not only from their allergies but from getting sick with a sinus infection.

These are general guidelines; everyone’s body is unique. Please contact me for a consultation for your specific needs.

I love Acupuncture Series: Reason Three – chronic & complex health conditions

Fri, 29 Apr 2016 16:04:00 GMT

Yet another reason I love acupuncture - an effective treatment for chronic and complex health conditions

As you probably know by now, I’m pretty smitten with the power of acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

For some people acupuncture seems like magic, and while there’s some research into how it works, I find the best way for someone to know that acupuncture works is to try it and see for themselves. Like surgery, acupuncture is best understood in a case study type perspective, where the patient is observed before and after the treatment. Like surgery, after an acupuncture treatment a patient will have less pain and improved mobility, in the case of a person with a joint injury or chronic issue.

But what about the patient who has seen many many doctors with little or no relief? Or the patient that is in chronic pain, fatigue, joints swollen and can’t think, but is not satisfied with the offerings of traditional western medicine or isn’t really seeing any relief from those treatments? These are often the ideal patient for me – I enjoy the process of being a detective and sorting through all complexity that has become their health (or lack of). It is also important to me that my patients walk out of the clinic feeling better on some level or to some degree, with less pain, more hope, less stress or just feeling calmer. At first, this can be a big deal.

Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, largely unexplained fatigue and joint pain, multiple sclerosis, chronic allergies or food intolerances, unexplained fever and infection are some of the western diagnoses applied to these folks. They might also know they have Lyme disease – or mold toxicity – or they might be candidates for testing for these conditions. Sometimes people just don’t feel well and their doctor cannot find a cause but they have symptoms. These are definitely people who can also benefit from treatment with acupuncture and chinese herbs. I have experience working with these conditions and feel drawn to treating these patients. One reason why is that I am passionate about finding out why, if possible, someone has a certain set of symptoms and problems, even if I cannot make the determination of the cause myself. I know I don’t know everything and often refer patients to other practitioners for the right blood work and other testing. My job is to help you find out what is happening, make a plan for your treatment, and get you to the right doctor or other medical professional who can help, if needed. And most of all to help you start feeling better as soon as possible.

Let me clarify – these are complex medical issues and they rarely react quickly to treatment – in fact they may not react to treatment in a way that I expect, which tips me off that something bigger and more complicated is going on. I now have enough experience with these complex issues to know that when this happens someone is probably suffering from something deeper – perhaps undiagnosed Lyme disease and the co-infections that often occur – when they do not respond to my treatment the way most folks do. I have been in practice for almost 8 years and have the privilege of seeing many patients experiencing a wide variety of problems. For the most part when I create a treatment plan for a patient and they come in for treatment as recommended, take herbs and supplements, make a few lifestyle changes, many of their symptoms improve or disappear. For someone with a deeper, more chronic and probably undiagnosed complicated health issue, their healing is slower and may come in fits and starts, unfortunately. But healing can happen. And I am happy to take on that work with you, to help make a plan for you, and to help you understand, as I see it, what is possibly happening in your body.

These are general guidelines; everyone’s body is unique. Please contact me for a consultation for your specific needs.

I Love Acupuncture Series: Reason Number Two

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 15:10:00 GMT

Acupuncture connects body, mind and spirit, relieves anxiety and depression

For the second part in my series on why I love acupuncture (this might be a series of 40+ blogs, ’cause there are a lot of reasons) I want to talk about how acupuncture helps heal body, mind and spirit. To start, let’s think about the some of the science behind it and the fact that acupuncture calms the nervous system. Sounds good, right? How would one know, though, if their nervous system needed calming? This is what I am here for – do you identify with any of the following statements?

I feel on all the time, can’t sit still or relax
I try to meditate but my brain is so active it is torture
I feel panicky and the sensation of my heart beating in my chest sometimes
I don’t sleep well and often wake with my mind going, or it being very active at night with vivid dreams
I often have obsessive thoughts and can’t stop my overactive mind in the daytime
When I get stressed out my stomach starts to hurt and my digestion changes
I live in my “head” and feel detached from my body
I’m easily startled by loud noises and sudden movements

These are just a few of the symptoms or situations that indicate your body is stressed out and your sympathetic system (responsible for our fight or flight response, helping us have the capacity to run from the bear), is in over drive. The sympathetic nervous system is one division of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which is responsible for regulating certain body processes – including blood pressure and breathing – without our conscious effort (hence they are automatic). The other part of the autonomic nervous system is the parasympathetic system, also known as the system responsible for resting and digesting. Ideally our bodies should mostly be in the parasympathetic state. Oftentimes that’s not the case in our modern, high stress world.

How can acupuncture treatment help? Very specifically, acupuncture studies have shown that treatment has a distinct and positive effect on the autonomic nervous system. What this means is that during an acupuncture treatment the sympathetic nervous system is essentially dialed down and the parasympathetic nervous system takes over. This is a very good thing for you, your health, your mind and body, if you don’t know it already.

A calmer nervous system allows the body to heal – as many know, sleep is a very important aspect of health, and so if you have a cold, but you don’t sleep very well generally, your cold may last even longer because you are not able to reap the benefit of rest and sleep. Constant high stress is terrible for the immune system as well so that’s a double whammy – you get sick more often because stress suppresses your immune system and then can’t get well quickly because you don’t sleep or rest well.

In my practice I see a wide variety of health issues, including emotional issues such as anxiety and depression. These can be the chief complaint or a side issue to another, bigger or just additional and more pressing health concern. In either situation, acupuncture treatment can help connect the body and the mind, calm the nervous system and/or also lift the spirits if needed. Acupuncture treatment is very, very helpful as an adjunct to psychotherapy, and has been used for quite a while to treat trauma, and I have seen it change my patient’s lives.

Recently I had a patient come in for treatment and mention that she was suffering from pain – pain which she had not had before in her pregnancy – and it started the day before when she experienced a traumatic event (specifically one she was a witness to, but had no physical trauma and did not fall or have a specific injury). She commented that immediately after the event she felt pain. Understandably, she was upset after the trauma and could not quit thinking about it. My job that day was to help her body heal in a few ways – number one to stop the pain and number two to reduce the effect of the trauma. To do this I used a variety of points that communicated with her body and the area of the pain and I also used a protocol of needles in specific points in the ear (NADA protocol) to relieve trauma.

The wonderful thing is that as soon as the treatment ended she felt better – she described the sensation of being “farther away” from the event. It was not replaying over and over in her mind. Her pain was also better (and full disclosure, she also had a chiropractic adjustment that day which I knew helped too). And now, a month or so later, she still says that she noticed a definite and specific improvement post-acupuncture treatment with how traumatized she felt. Hooray!

This is my most recent example of how acupuncture works to immediately help with trauma. I have also helped many patients who suffer from long term anxiety and depression with regular acupuncture sessions. It should be noted that the longer the trauma, or longer you have been anxious, depressed or generally stressed out, the more treatment you will probably need.

On a final note, I do want to state that I am not a psychotherapist – and that acupuncture treatment is not a substitute for psychotherapy or even medical therapy for psycho-emotional issues, but it definitely can be very very helpful. In fact, acupuncture is an amazing adjunctive to psychotherapy and I am also of the opinion that more than one treatment modality for almost everyone produces better, longer lasting results (whether that is chiropractic, massage, energy work, psychotherapy, other medical therapy, physical or occupational therapy). I do know a few psychotherapists and psychologists and often recommend them to patients if they do not already have one. The other important factor for anyone when getting treated is willingness to seek and work for the result they want – either in my clinic space or elsewhere. Acupuncture treatment can help facilitate the willingness to change and support you through tackling those hard issues. However, it cannot do it all for you.

These are general guidelines; everyone’s body is unique. Please contact me for a consultation for your specific needs.

I Love Acupuncture Series – Reason Number One:

Thu, 03 Mar 2016 16:39:00 GMT

It Stops Pain, Heals Injuries!

I just waxed poetic about how much I love chinese herbs and realized I have not done the same for acupuncture. It really is my first love – I had an acupuncture treatment for the first time on a vacation when I drove across the US looking for my next home. I visited an acupuncture school in Tuscon, AZ and was offered a treatment by the students there. It was amazing. I remember they spent so much time talking to me about different detailed aspects of my health. It honestly felt great to have so much attention – and the idea that everything in my system was connected really resonated with me. Then there was the treatment. I relaxed in a way I don’t think I ever had to that point. I walked away from the school floating on a pink cloud, spacey, happy, relaxed and generally just feeling better. I did not immediately have a cure for anything, but I loved the experience. I felt connected to my body and hopeful about the issues I faced.

I still love getting acupuncture – I recommend that most of my patients continue care, either weekly, bi weekly, monthly or every few months, depending on their health and situation, and I do take my own advice – I almost always have an acupuncture treatment every two weeks. Honestly because it feels good, I give that time to myself and my body, and I know that life and stress continue even when I don’t have a lot of physical symptoms. I always have something to talk to my acupuncturist about!

As you can see, I love acupuncture because it is so powerful and can help with so many different health conditions. The first reason, or health issue, I want to talk about is how amazing it is for treating pain and healing injuries. I treat a wide variety of patients with pain – anyone from the person who sleeps “funny” and wakes up with a crick in their neck, to chronic knee, shoulder or back pain, to the athlete training for their next marathon who starts to experience plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, tight hamstrings or a tight Illio-tibial band. I have treated all of these conditions successfully in my clinic.

How? Why does acupuncture work? Well, one of the most basic premises’ of Chinese Medicine is that where there is pain, qi is not flowing. The analogy of a dammed up river is often used – when a river is blocked by debris, the water is unable to flow freely. Unblocking the stream will allow the water to flow. A similar analogy can be made with an acute injury, say a sprained ankle. In a sprained ankle, the initial response is for the body to produce inflammation, and swell, sending “help” to the area, with increased vascularization so that helpful cells are in the area and harmful cells are moved out. While this does serve a purpose, in the acute phase of injury acupuncture treatment can reduce pain, inflammation and swelling. By getting treatment early, the injury can heal more quickly and often my patients who do come in directly after an injury will experience quicker recovery. Why? Because acupuncture needles can improve flow to the area and reduce stagnation, promoting recovery, and helping the body to help itself. Here’s more on how acupuncture can help through the process of injury healing.

Folks who have older injuries, or pain from a situation like arthritis, also experience pain reduction with acupuncture treatment for the same reason. If you have had pain for a longer amount of time, though, more treatment is generally needed. Whatever the cause, my experience is that acupuncture works for treating pain. I also often use additional accessory techniques such as cupping and gua sha, which help to support the body’s ability to get rid of waste in the affected musculature, decrease inflammation and increase mobility.

As for athletes, acupuncture is amazing at improving performance, treating exercise related injuries and helping heal these quickly so that training can continue. I have recently completed additional training specifically on the treatment of orthopedic injuries and have had patients experience relief from a variety of injuries including acromio-clavicular joint sprain, knee pain, sacro-illiac and low back pain, and plantar fasciitis. These injuries not only respond well to acupuncture, they respond to the use of electrical stimulation (or e-stim) of the acupuncture needles, which promotes blood flow to the area, reducing pain and speeding healing. I do see a variety of sports related injuries in my office and have several marathon runners who come in for treatment while training to enhance recovery, treat any training related injuries and/or avoid injury. If you want to know more, here’s a great article on how regular acupuncture can help runners optimize performance.

You may have pain but fall outside of these two specific examples – so please know that acupuncture can definitely help with internal pain, such as stomach or abdominal pain, menstrual pain (before or during the painful time), and headache pain (including migraines). Really any type of pain can respond to treatment. Treatment of pain in these situations will again be specifically tailored to what is happening in your body that day as well as the general pattern of pain you experience. The beauty of acupuncture therapy and really Chinese Medicine is that it is all about you, the individual, and what your body needs. Everyone who has headaches does not have the same manifestation — some folks have stabbing headaches, while others are dull, some have one sided headaches, some feel it in the neck or around the ears and others might have a headache along the brow or even at the top of the head. Treatment for each of these presentations will be different, although have some similar elements. For example, most headache treatments involve needles in the area of pain, along with distal points that support the movement of qi in the body and reduce pain, as well as distal points along the acupuncture pathways that correspond to the area of pain on the head. Treatment when someone has a migraine will be different from a person who suffers from migraines but does not have one that day – one treatment will be more focused on relieving pain and the other focused on preventing pain.

These are general guidelines; everyone’s body is unique. Please contact me for a consultation for your specific needs.

Meet Acupuncture’s Powerful Partner – Chinese Herbal Medicine

Fri, 19 Feb 2016 00:09:00 GMT

I love love love Chinese herbs and chinese herbal formulas. I love them for a few reasons — they are powerful medicine, work to help the body heal, and have fewer side effects (when used correctly and administered by someone who knows them well) than pharmaceuticals. They are made from plants, minerals, some animal substances (these are less common due to concerns about animal populations and harvesting), and some of them you probably have in your kitchen (cinnamon and peppermint are both commonly used in chinese herbal formulas). They have been used for thousands of years, have been honed over time, are amazingly resilient, and most of all are of the earth.

My master’s degree acupuncture training at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM), Chicago focused a lot on herbs. We learned about individual herbs first and had to learn the pin yin or chinese name, the botanical name, the flavor, temperature, and functions of the herbs, as well as the general category the herb belonged to (such as moving qi, building qi, clearing heat). We also had to identify the herb when tested (this means we held the herb in our hand and had to know what it was and we could even taste them if we wanted). After learning the individual herbs – probably about 300 – we learned how the herbs were combined into formulas. We had to memorize the name of the formula, what it did, the herbs that were in the formula, and then understand when to use that formula instead of another formula in the same formula family. Whew! It was an amazingly hard and rich experience. I’m so grateful for it because it gave me a thorough education in herbs from practitioners who loved herbs, knew them well, used them in practice and appreciated their power and beauty. To be honest, I’m not a master herbalist (maybe in 30 years I could call myself one) – but I do know the herbs and formulas well, have great results with using them with patients. I do love a challenge and so I successfully treat a lot of different types of health problems, most often with both acupunture and herbs.

Herbal medicine, unlike pharmaceutical medicine, works to help the body heal. Some pharmaceuticals are really amazing and I do not discount their utility and necessity. But they do not, generally, build up the body. Rather they do something the body cannot do at that time – kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, or stop pain. Herbs can do these things too, but usually they take longer to effect the change. Pharmaceuticals, though, my mask the issue by just treating the acute situation rather than getting to the heart of what is really happening in the body. The good news is that herbs really do this very well. Again, this works best when someone who knows them makes a recommendation. So if you have tried them (herbs or supplements, really) and have not gotten the result you were hoping, it may be that you didn’t use the right formula, the right dose, a great brand, or even the right timing.

Antibiotics, for example, treat the acute situation rather than the cause of the problem. Think about a sinus infection – the proper antibiotic (and if you are going to take one, please have them culture your infection first, so at least the antibiotic can be specific to the bacteria rather than a broad spectrum antibiotic) will kill the bacteria and wipe out the infection. If you get multiple infections a year, the use of antibiotics will kill the infections as well as the beneficial bacteria in your gut, which leads to a reduced immune system so you are more likely to have another infection in a two weeks, a month, or a year. Chinese herbs, however, can kill the infection and strengthen the immune system.

What does this mean? For everyone it is different – perhaps it you have a very very stressful job. After weeks or months of stress, your body just starts to not be able to handle the job of dealing with all the stress and fighting germs that are everywhere. You get sick. The proper herbal strategy is to help the body fight the current infection, and then the next step is to help your body deal with the stress (usually by reducing any inflammation and moving energy) and boost your immune system (think of the common herbs, echinacea and astragalus), so you are not so stressed and worn out and your body has more ammo for the next bacteria it encounters.

You might not have a stressful job but you have chronic rhinitis (chronic runny nose) or you are always congested (in the morning due to mild allergies). When you get an infection, the antibiotic kills the bacteria, but you are still congested or have a runny nose. With that phlegm hanging around the next time you meet an aggressive bacteria, it has a lovely place to stick (you guessed it, in the sinuses), so the cycle starts again. The key here is to get rid of the mucous/congestion. One way to do this is to get the proper herbal formula to address the phlegm, along with removing phlegm producing foods from your diet. Then, as with the stressed out person, we also usually need to build up the immune system with tonic herbs.

I also have experience using chinese herbs for fertility. There is almost nothing that I enjoy more than helping a woman understand what is happening in her body each week of the menstrual cycle. With the use of herbs women can and will see a difference in their menses – more regular ovulation, higher basal body temperatures (if they are low, or more consistent temperatures), more cervical mucous, less pain and heavy bleeding with their menses, less spotting between periods. I learn so much from my patients – one of my patients who was undergoing IUI (intrauterine insemination) told me she analyzed her blood work /ultrasounds with her doctor, comparing the months she used herbs to the months that she didn’t. You guessed it – the months that she used herbs she had a more regular cycle, with a thicker endometrium, all while using a medication called Clomid which has the side effect of thinning the endometrium. A thin endometrium is a less attractive place for an egg to implant, so this is an important consideration. I am grateful she shared this insight with me and was willing to be consistent with treatment and with herbs.

If you are worried about the sourcing of chinese herbs I completely understand. That’s why I only recommend ones that are manufactured using GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards and that are tested for heavy metals, herbicides, fungicides and other contaminants. One of the companies I love, Evergreen, has great information on the quality of their herbs and processing. I also have used all of the brands I recommend and so have personal experience with their efficacy and safety.

Not everyone who comes for acupuncture wants to or can take herbs. That’s completely ok. I often recommend supplements and vitamins to strengthen the system or sometimes we can accomplish what we need with acupuncture, diet and lifestyle. But herbs are an amazing aspect of acupuncture treatments and I really do love them.

Nourishing Yin and Your Skin

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 17:08:00 GMT

Nourishing Yin and Your Skin: Dietary fats Moisturize from the Inside Out

I don’t talk enough about the theory of Chinese Medicine and how it relates to the body and health.
One of my goals is to make Chinese Medicine more accessible and available to the public, and to provide easy tips and recommendations from my acupuncture practice and schooling to help people lead healthier and hopefully, happier lives.

However, talking (or writing) about Chinese medicine can be somewhat challenging as the ideas are not completely foreign, but not really mainstream and with different terminology. Yin and Yang, though, are commonly heard of terms, and many people know that the dao is a depiction of yin and yang. I knew that before I went to acupuncture school (I’m pretty sure I did, that is…) but one thing I don’t think I thought much about was that the two symbols of light and darkness each had a circle of the other within it (see image). So in the white part of the dao there is a black circle and in the black part a white circle. These circles of opposition reflect the idea that within the yin there’s a little yang and within the yang there’s a little yin.

To help you better understand these terms, here are some examples of what yin and yang mean :

Yin is cooling, moisture, dark, feminine, nighttime, heavy, still, passive, interior.

Yang is warming, hot, light, daytime, masculine, movement/activity, exterior.

As an acupuncturist, I think about different times of the year being described in yin or yang terms – and winter, you guessed it, is the most yin time, while summer is the most yang. This isn’t something I made up – I learned that the body is a microcosm of nature and the seasons especially reflect the duality of yin and yang. And when you think about it, they do have a relationship — plants need to lay dormant or even reach a specific cold temperature in order to bloom or grow in the spring or summer. And a good night’s sleep (nourishing your yin) is really helpful to having energy (enough yang) the next day. So the ideas make sense, but really don’t reflect how conventional medicine views the body – Chinese medicine looks more at the whole, rather than focusing only on the problematic parts. We do focus on the problematic parts, but the rest of the body provides important context.

Winter in Chicago is quite a dry experience. And cold. And dark. It is the time of year to stay inside, sleep more, and eat warm foods such as soups and stews. All these activities build your yin and nourish the body. It is important to consider skin health at this time (as I mentioned in here) with helpful, non toxic moisturizing products. It is also a good time to make sure you’re eating enough healthy fats to help the skin moisturized from the inside.

Fat has gotten a bad rap, historically, but it is making a comeback. Thank goodness – as every cell in our body has a phospholipid bilayer. What this means is that every one of your cells has this membrane which is made up of fats (lipids). We also need dietary fat to make hormones, for energy, to make up the myelin sheath surrounding nerves, to help your body absorb fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, and of course for healthy skin. Women who eat more healthy fat also look younger – this article has info on a research study on this concept.

So what do you need to eat to nourish your skin from the inside? I could go into a long explanation about omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids but you can find a really great article here that’s a great place to delve into detail. What I will leave you with is great sources of these fatty acids that will moisturize your skin, nourish your brain, and your yin, and hopefully even make you look younger:

Plant based: flax and chia seeds, and the algae Chorella

Animal based: Cold water fish, including cod, salmon, sardine, anchovies, krill, mackerel.

We all should be eating both plant and animal based fat sources – each provide us with different fatty acids that we need in abundance. AND very importantly, please avoid the bad fats. These are the ones found in processed foods and vegetable oils, such as canola, corn and soybean oil. These oils are really bad for all of us – here’s more information on why.

We all live in the world, not in a bubble. Making small changes, though, can help, especially in cooking more at home and knowing how what we eat – or avoid – impacts health.

These are general guidelines; everyone’s body is unique. Please contact me for a consultation for your specific needs.

For Happy, Healthy Skin – A Few of My Favorite Products

Fri, 22 Jan 2016 16:17:00 GMT

Winter’s really here in Chicago (last fall was so warm that I thought we might get a pass this year, but no, I was wrong). I really love the fact that we have seasons, but as an acupuncturist I am somewhat dismayed by Chicago’s more intense winters and the subsequent dryness. One thing I recommend frequently is using the right products on your skin. Here are a few of my favorite winter products for happy, healthy skin.

One of my winter (and really to be honest) summer standards is lip balm. I really dislike chapped lips and I also dislike chemical additives, so I’m constantly on the hunt to find the ideal lip balm which is moisturizing but not too waxy, that stays on, my skin absorbs and that has a pleasant and natural flavor. It is possible to use just plain coconut oil, but how would I carry that around with me all day long? And so I hunt, online, in stores, read reviews and try a wide variety of products. One of my recent favorites I ordered on Amazon – it is called Lip Loks (1), and comes in a handy 5 pack. I also like the Honest Company’s lip balm (3) trio, which is, like Lip Loks, made from organic ingredients with essential oils for flavoring.

I’ve also thought more lately about lotions and creams that are recommended for dry skin in the winter – I wash my hands multiple times a day and will definitely have cracking and bleeding skin if I do not frequently moisturize, especially in the winter. Lotions and creams are often full of those chemicals I am trying to avoid – phthalates, parabens, sulfates, and fragrances – so at home after bathing I use grapeseed oil or apricot seed oil. Both of these are available at natural food stores and a little goes a long way. Sometimes I add a drop or two of my favorite essential oil to the bottle (be careful not to overdo it with the peppermint essential oil, it can be intense!). When I travel I double bag a small bottle of oil and avoid using the hotel room products as much as possible.

For my hands at work and at home I use a really effective product called Waxelene (2). I initially met Waxelene at Whole Foods when I purchased their tube of lip balm. I liked the lip balm (the format was not my favorite, the tube you squeeze rather than the stick you swivel up), but I really fell in love when I bought a 9 oz glass jar of it for my home to apply to my hands every evening after work. The reason I like it so much is it is the consistency of petroleum jelly but is made from natural products (here’s the list, organic soy oil, beeswax, natural vitamin e oil, and organic rosemary oil). It seals the skin, somewhat, and moisturizes, so when I continually wash my hands they do not become as dried out and I don’t have cracked, bleeding painful hands.

Hopefully these suggestions will help your skin, and you, stay comfortable this winter. I also see patients in my clinic who struggle with acne, psoriasis, roseacea and eczema. If you are looking for help with any of these dermatological issues (or any one not mentioned here), I’d be happy to help.

acupuncturist

What are you waiting for? How to make 2016 your healthiest year yet!

Fri, 18 Dec 2015 13:27:00 GMT

At the end of every year I like reflecting on the last twelve months. I consider my life, my health and generally how things are going and assess what might need to change in the next year. Every year, I am lucky to say, gets better, regardless of the exterior circumstances of my life. I find it has gotten easier as I’ve gotten older to ask for help, look for new resources, and take steps that a few years ago, or months I might not have been willing or able to take.

So what’s stopping you?
Is there an area of your life and your health that you are not willing to change or look at? Do you need to take some action you are not willing to take? Do you know what you need to do next? These are great things to think about as we start the new year which is usually the biggest time for people to consider and implement change.

Here are the top five reasons patients give me for not being able to take action to improve their health.

It is too hard (to give up a certain food for example, or change their diet)
Not enough time
Not enough money
I’ve tried it before; didn’t work or I couldn’t stick with the program
I don’t know how

Let’s talk about all of these individually – I can share with you some of the ideas I provide my patients to help them to get past these hurdles and onto a healthier life.

It is too hard – absolutely this is a valid reason. Being healthy or healthier is hard, but it can also be done. The best way to approach this, especially changing the diet by removing specific foods or adding new ones is to go slowly, be gentle with yourself, and do it one day at a time. Who can give up sugar, or gluten, or dairy all at once? Some people, but not most people. Acupuncture is amazing at helping the body heal, but if you are gluten intolerant, or have a leaky gut, your pain may not go away with just acupuncture. So start small and give up gluten for day at a time then for a week or a month and see how you feel. You know what you feel like eating that food, why not try life without it? You can always eat it again!
Not enough time. Yep, also valid. This often applies to getting frequent enough acupuncture treatments, or exercise, or meditation, or clean eating/cooking. And even if it is true, how can your health not be the highest priority on your list? Of course it doesn’t have to be, but can you see that it should be? Again, I recommend starting small. Do 10 squats a day. Use MyFitnessPal to see if you are walking 10,000 steps a day, meditate for 5 minutes or 3. All of these are steps in the right direction. And little steps make bigger steps easier.
Not enough money. It’s easy to spend money on a new purse, shoes or a trip to the Bahamas. And some of these might actually help your health (I’m definitely an advocate of vacations that involve a lot of relaxation). Sometimes people lose their job and so can’t afford to come in for treatment with me anymore. That is understandable. The good news, though, is that there are two acupuncture schools in Chicago that offer low cost care and so even if you can’t see me, you can see someone. Sometimes the work-around is fewer treatments. Again, this option I believe is better than no treatment.
I’ve tried it before but it didn’t work or I couldn’t stick with it. This I hear a lot from smokers. Quitting smoking is hard, no two ways about it. To get results, though, you must keep quitting, over and over, until it sticks. One day it will. I don’t know when that day will happen and I can support you and use all the tools I have (acupuncture, herbs, cupping) to get you there. This is when the tool of dilligence is especially useful. And also knowing that this habit is really deadly and you will be happier when you can quit, once and for all.
I don’t know how. This is exactly what I am here for – aside from giving you an amazing acupuncture treatment, I’m here to help you learn how you can make changes in your life that will improve your health. I can point you in the direction of new resources, books, practitioners, phone apps or websites, or ideas that will help you address whatever issue you don’t know how to address or change. Sometimes this just involves meeting someone or knowing that you might not have to know how in order to change something (I don’t know how to swim or I don’t know how to meditate are good examples). For each of these there are teachers and if finding a teacher is too much for you (or part of the problem), I can step in and perhaps point you in the next right direction. It is my job to know what’s out there, find the best resources for my patients, and share them with you freely.

As you might have guessed I love acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. It has worked wonders for my life and health and I love my own acupuncturist and getting treated. I would be glad to help you with any issue you may have. I will also tell you if I think you need to add another modality into your care or need other practitioners as well. The new year is a great time to take a good look at what you want for your life and your health. It really is never too late to change. What are you waiting for? Are you ready to make 2016 your healthiest year yet?

Gratitude – Like Acupuncture – Reduces Stress…

Thu, 19 Nov 2015 16:02:00 GMT

Practicing gratitude is, of course, a good idea all year long. Every November, though, I start to think about it more – there’s more talk generally about gratitude, as the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday allows a blip of time before the Christmas frenzy to stop, spend time with friends and family and be thankful. And I know what’s coming – the holidays can be an amazing time to connect with family and friends, or it can be a time of busy days crammed with shopping and holiday parties and too much food, alcohol, and sugar and not enough sleep or meditation.

So I’d like to talk about gratitude because practicing gratitude will lower stress, and help combat the upcoming holiday stress (and stress really at any time). As I’ve mentioned before, one of the best reasons to get acupuncture is for stress relief. When patients come in and their stress is really high (which happens a lot around the holidays) treatment focuses on reducing their stress right then and there – and finding ways for them to cope and reduce stress between acupuncture treatments. I often recommend meditation , deep breathing, exercise, and often herbs or supplements to support the effect of the treatment and nourish the body and spirit. Practicing gratitude fits right into this list.

How does one practice gratitude, though? You might be thinking, being grateful is a nice idea, but what does it look like? How can someone go from a stressed out, irritable state to one of acceptance and maybe even appreciation? How does this work?

One of my favorite gratitude activities is writing a gratitude list. I often do this at night before I go to bed, in a review of my day before sleeping. Pen in hand, I write down all the things I am grateful for, which often includes some of the following…

a busy practice and patients that trust me with their healthcare needs
time and energy to take my two dogs for a walk and getting to experience this beautiful fall weather
my two dogs, for that matter, Milo and Lucky
a warm home, with comfortable furniture, and enough to eat
broccoli! (My favorite vegetable and one that I eat multiple times a week)
an amazing Pilates workout
finding a really delicious gluten-free pasta at Whole Foods

Some days I might have ten items on my list, other days three or four, and the list might look very similar day to day. To challenge myself I will focus on adding new items to the list and really think about what happened that day or over the past few days. Another nice side benefit is I get to think about what I’ve been doing and really consider the experience of living.

The effect can be immediate – the stressful situation that’s on my mind can be re-framed into a bigger picture, and I can also usually see the good in the day and the event or issue I’m stressed about, rather than just the fact that it is stressful.

What does this have to do with acupuncture? A lot, actually, because when we have chronic or acute stress and our emotions are at best “out of whack,” and our body suffers. Over time, chronic stress leads to digestive disorders, headaches, insomnia, over eating, and even pain and yes, heart attacks. Acute stress can be the cause of a variety of health issues, including panic attacks, and sometimes high blood pressure.

Practicing gratitude, along with the other stress busters of exercise, meditation and laughter are key to enjoying the upcoming holiday season. And if you need more help, please know I’m always happy to help and can develop the specific treatment for your body, your health and your stress.

Who’s on your Team of Practitioners?

Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:34:00 GMT

Recently my mom, who lives a long distance from me, had a flare up of chronic neck pain. As I could not see her myself I tried to help by calling her and brainstorming what she could do for her pain and what medical practitioners she might call for help. She was able to see a few doctors, went to the Emergency Department and eventually saw a Physiatrist (Rehabilitation Physician) who gave her trigger point injections – all got her on the path to healing. I’m happy to say she’s doing better!

This experience brought home for me something I see with my patients all the time. It usually takes a team of practitioners to get a patient to feeling well and healthy – and once this team is in place and the patient regularly receives care – the patient can continue to feel well with generally fewer health problems.

I would also like to state the important caveat that even if patients are proactive about coming in for care, if they are eating poorly and not taking care of their body outside the treatment room (staying up late, drinking too much coffee or alcohol, irregularly eating, not managing stress, getting no exercise), just coming in for treatment will not quickly improve health and resolve illness (although it is honestly better than doing nothing and sometimes that is the best someone can do – I respect that). While I have had the experience of one treatment resolving a patient’s issues for a long period of time (this does happen occasionally but is not the rule, rather they are the exception), typically patients need to come in for treatment regularly and be proactive in other areas of health to get the results they are seeking, especially if they want them quickly.

Often patients have tried a number of modalities before coming in for acupuncture. Sometimes they do not want to see another practitioner (aside from me) and sometimes too many practitioners can dilute the effects of treatment or overwhelm the patient due to the sheer number of appointments required. Thus, like with everything else, everyone is different and the number of practitioners on one patient’s team may be much fewer or more than the next patient. Sometimes this has to do with the state of the person’s health, other times it has to do with motivation. Sometimes it is just because you have not met the right person to add to your team, or you are not sure who the next person to include in your care should or could be.

Rather than saying who you should have on your team, I thought I would share my healthcare team as an example: I have a wonderful general Medical doctor, as well as a functional medicine Medical doctor (this is due to insurance, many of you will understand); my own acupuncturist (no I do not regularly treat myself but will in a jam), a Chinese/Western herbalist, an amazing chiropractor, Dr. Sarah Weber, a caring and clear Psychotherapist, a massage therapist/reiki practitioner, Heather McCutcheon , a Physical Therapist and quite a few spiritual advisors (too many to go into right now). Are you overwhelmed by my list? Please know that I do not see every one of these practitioners every week, although for a few I do, or may, if needed. The key is that I have a team in place, I trust my team, I consult with them on my health and issues, get care and work done, and as a result, generally enjoy my life.

I also have a regular meditation practice (not every day, but usually 3-4 times a week), I regularly exercise by walking and doing Pilates (and some yoga, some cycling, and some running). I strive to get 8 hours of sleep a night, eat lots of vegetables (and some dark chocolate), and pursue hobbies: dogs (if you have never met me I’m a huge dog lover and have two fur babies), reading, eating delicious food, thinking/researching about home renovation, gardening and plants, and British mysteries (TV and books).

It is my pleasure to provide my patients with kindness, compassion and the best of acupuncture, herbs and supplements to help them live comfortable, healthy lives. Unlike the promises of allopathic medicine, this usually takes time, the help of other practitioners when necessary, and the cooperation of the patient, but wellness is definitely an attainable goal.

Water Post Acupuncture is a Vital Part of Treatment.

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 15:01:00 GMT

My patients know the post acupuncture treatment mantra well: “Make sure you drink plenty of water today and tonight.” Some wonder why, although proper hydration is a prevalent topic in health news. Most people know that generally it is very important to give our bodies plenty of water because sufficient body fluids are vital to digestion, circulation, and maintenance of body temperature (as well as many other body functions). And more than just good for your health, it is important to realize too, that what you do after your acupuncture treatment, plays a big role in the effectiveness of the treatment.

So why is it so important after an acupuncture treatment to have water?

The answer is that plenty of water post treatment will support and enhance the effect of the needles, vacuum cups or gua sha tool used during treatment. During an acupuncture session the needles are communicating with your body and each other to bring the body into balance. Thus acupuncture treatment is different for each person, as it is personalized for you and your condition, and usually different for each person on different days. For example, if a patient comes in for treatment and that day they are starting to experience the symptoms of a cold or flu, the correct treatment for their body that day is to push the cold or flu out of the system and support the immune system, even though the patient’s typical treatment focuses on enhancing fertility. While a cold probably won’t keep you from getting pregnant, it is important for the body to be as healthy as possible when trying to get pregnant, so healing quickly from a cold or flu becomes the priority of care.

During the treatment to push out a cold or flu, needles are placed in points that will address the patient’s specific symptoms – sore throat, body aches, headache, congestion, nausea. These points do the work to clear the pathogen from the body and plenty of water post treatment will continue this process, literally, by flushing the pathogenic factors out of the body, through the bloodstream and into body waste. More water will help the body get rid of these pathogenic factors and waste efficiently so you feel better sooner!

In another case, a patient complaining of chronic or acute pain in the upper back, neck or shoulders, will typically receive treatment with acupuncture and vacuum cups, and/or gua sha that day. These accessory treatments are great at reducing inflammation and stagnation in the local area (by flushing waste and bringing fresh blood to the area) and support the work of the needles to reduce pain and improve mobility. These are the people you might see at the swimming pool with large, dark circles on their skin, or you might remember Gywneth Paltrow popularizing cupping in the past. It is very important that these patients drink plenty of water – post treatment – to help the body flush out all the cellular waste pulled up when the cup is applied to the body. Cupping and gua sha bring fresh blood to the inflamed area and extra water supports and completes the process of pushing out this waste. The result of the acupuncture treatment and the patient drinking more water is reduced pain and increased mobility. Win win!!

These are just two examples of the importance of water post acupuncture – there are many more. You don’t have to drink 100 ounces of water, just a few more glasses than the normal healthy amount for your body weight.

These are general guidelines; everyone’s body is unique. Please contact me for a consultation for your specific needs.

Do you have a leaky gut? What does that really mean?

Thu, 08 Oct 2015 15:25:00 GMT

It is likely you have heard the term “leaky gut” especially if you’re interested in health, alternative medicine or have some digestive troubles. What does this mean, you might ask, especially if you have only heard the term in passing, or have not had time to read more about it.

Basically the idea of a leaky gut is just what it sounds like – our gut – the small intestine specifically, where much of the digestion and absorption of food takes place, is too porous. The small intestine should be porous only to the smallest of nutrients, such as amino acids and glucose molecules. When the gut is damaged, larger molecules can “leak” out into our bloodstream, which causes a whole host of problems. Essentially, the small intestine is made up of cells that are very close together and where they border one another is called the tight junction. In a healthy gut the tight junctions are just that, tight. But, when we’ve damaged our gut (most often through diet and the consumption of gluten, but also from antibiotic use and chronic stress), these tight junctions are signaled to open and permit the passage of larger molecules into our body. And once our body sees these bigger molecules in the blood stream it sets off an immune response, which is the production of inflammatory molecules.

What does this all have to do with acupuncture – well if you have a predisposition to inflammation in your body, especially a joint, the increased inflammation from a leaky gut will exacerbate it causing more pain, swelling, and heat. And then you might make an appointment to see me, hoping to reduce the pain, which acupuncture does very well. Or maybe you have eczema, chronic allergies, or an autoimmune condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, and you have mild digestive issues and you want to try acupuncture because you have heard it can offer natural solutions to these problems. And yes, many of my patients come in with symptoms of inflammation, which in terms of Chinese medicine is stagnation. Chinese medicine says that stagnation is caused by dampness, cold, blood not moving well or qi not flowing. Acupuncture needles and Chinese herbs are great at treating all these conditions.

My job as your acupuncturist is to give you an amazing acupuncture treatment, use my training to determine your diagnosis in terms of Chinese medicine, and create a treatment plan so you can heal and actually need fewer treatments. But if you have a leaky gut the needles will only make a dent in your health issue as your body may also need internal healing to the gut (through diet changes and treatment of the leaky gut itself). When you start healing the gut you may see amazing results and acupuncture and Chinese herbs can support you through this process.

The good news is that I can also give you some lifestyle suggestions that will help and if you need a functional medical doctor to do more testing, I can give you a few referrals for great practitioners in Chicago. By using the best of allopathic and Chinese medicine you can see significant improvement in your health complaints.

I’ve learned more about leaky gut recently by reading The Autoimmune Solution, by Dr. Amy Meyer s and the information above is a condensed version of hers. The pioneer in leaky gut research, though is Dr. Alessio Fasano, a professor at Harvard Medical School and the founder and director of the Center for Celiac Research at Massachusetts General Hospital. The research is interesting – read about it more on PubMed’s site – and here’s a start.

If you are concerned about leaky gut a simple way to start healing is to stop eating gluten. Making this change will be a great start – along with eating homemade bone broth from organic, free ranging, local chicken, if possible. For a great recipe, try this one from the Weston A. Price foundation. You can also check out Dr. Meyer’s book for more information as well.

These are general guidelines; everyone’s body is unique. Please contact me for a consultation for your specific needs.

Allergies, sinus infections and colds…

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 19:17:00 GMT

For some of us this is how we welcome Fall.

Many of my patients have seasonal and chronic allergies, as well as chronic sinus infections and/or frequent colds. Fall is lovely in Chicago but if you are allergic to ragweed (or mold), you are likely sneezy and itchy, which may eventually manifest as you fighting a cold or a sinus infection.

Hay fever is the general term for fall allergies, as the body is reacting to pollen grains that are present in the air between August and October, or when the first frost occurs. The most common culprit is ragweed. When you have fall allergies, your immune system believes that pollen is a pathogen and mounts a defense – resulting in the release of histamine, a protein, that causes sneezing, congestion, fatigue, post nasal drip, coughing, itchy eyes, nose, throat and skin, and exacerbate asthma.

Here are a few tips to help you reduce fall allergy reactions:

Wash your skin, hair, clothes and sheets frequently. Pollen grains are tiny and float through the air. And one ragweed plant can produce a million grains of pollen (see this exceptionally good WebMD article). Getting the pollen off your body after being outdoors can lessen the severity of your symptoms.
Use the neti pot or another nasal irrigation system. Nasal irrigation rinses your sinus passages of pollen as a shower rinses your skin.
Start treatment early and watch pollen and mold counts. Mold aggravates hay fever symptoms as well (source: James Stankiewicz, MD, chairman of the department of otolaryngology at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, as cited by WebMD), and keeping the air conditioning will reduce humidity which will help lower interior mold counts.

There are a lot of over the counter and prescription medications to treat allergies and sinus infections (which may often occur for allergy sufferers after a few weeks or even days of hay fever). These medicines can be helpful but may have unpleasant side effects and antibiotics are frequently prescribed for sinus infections, often without culturing the infected area to determine the specific bacteria.

The beauty of chinese medicine is that it can help fight allergy symptoms naturally and prevent the resulting sinus infection. I often have patients come to me after they have tried the over the counter route and even been on antibiotics, but the problem persists. And rather than take another antibiotic (and damage their gut even further, more on that in a future blog), they want to try a natural remedy. Along with chinese herbs, acupuncture is especially helpful at opening up the sinus passages (including any congestion in the ears which can also occur). Patients get up from the table and can breathe, feel relief from sinus headaches or that itchy palette or even post nasal drip cough.

And did you know that dark circles under the eyes are often caused by allergies? With inflammation, the veins under the eyes swell and and rub against the skin, creating a dark color, and blocked nasal passages can also create dark circles as veins from the nose to the eyes become dark and dilated.

These are general guidelines; everyone’s body is unique. Please contact me for a consultation for your specific needs.

Stress, your body and your health

Thu, 03 Sep 2015 15:09:00 GMT

Vacations, ironically, make me think about stress. And specifically the effect of stress on health and the body. Even if we don’t think so (maybe we are in a little denial about this) stress has a definite effect on our body and spirit. While some stress is absolutely normal and essential to living, too much stress, and especially chronic, negative, stress is bad for us.

Often patients will say to me, “I think I’m stressed but I don’t feel it.” Or they might not think they are stressed at all, or believe they have gotten used to an increased level of stress. Maybe they have. It is true that we all have different tolerance levels for stress. Some people can’t handle much and they know it quickly, by specifically feeling anxious or having symptoms of a full blown panic attack. Others realize stress is happening but they don’t feel stress in their body.

Yet they might report difficult sleep, waking during the night with their mind working away, having nightmares or vivid disturbing dreams. Other times patients have more headaches than normal, starting perhaps from the neck or upper back, maybe clench their jaw at night, or can’t digest food as easily as usual.

All these are signs from your body saying, hey, things are a little too much, pay attention to me! Do something! Help!

Sometimes people come to acupuncture and know that stress is a part of the picture, while other times they have so much going on with their body that even if they are under a lot of stress it is not their main issue. The good news is that acupuncture treatment is great at turning on the parasympathetic nervous system, which is in charge of “relaxation” so your body can rest and digest, as the saying goes. And turning on the parasympathetic system means turning off the sympathetic system which is also called the fight or flight system. What our body really needs is to have these two balanced, so that when there is an emergency we have the resources our sympathetic system needs and these resources are built by the parasympathetic system functioning well and when it should.

What else can you do to help your body heal from stress?

Meditate, daily if possible. There are so many resources out there for mediation, you don’t have to be a master, and guided meditation counts.
If you have trouble falling asleep, try progressive muscle relaxation.
If you have trouble with meditation that focuses on breathing, try brainwave entrainment, with relaxing sounds.
If you just want to do some simple breathing exercises, try these suggested meditations from Dr. Weil including breath counting and the 4-7-8 relaxing breath exercise.
Unplug from your devices, or at least the Internet. Constant interaction through computers has created a world of intense, frequent contact and the perception that everything is an emergency. Unless you are an ER doctor, you probably don’t need to constantly check your phone, but many of us do. I’m guilty of this too. Here’s a great article on why unplugging from technology on a regular basis improves quality of life.
Get some exercise, preferably outdoors. Being outdoors and in nature can help recharge your batteries and also put life in perspective. And exercise is good for all of us. But be sure to choose the best type of exercise for you. If you are type A, consider balancing cross fit with a gentle yoga class or evening stroll by the lake. If you are someone who tends to do the “lighter” exercise types, think about doing a short high intensity interval session before going for that leisurely walk.
Take a vacation! Get out of town! Leave the familiar and see other places especially ones where there’s something relaxing too you, like water, mountains or rolling meadows. Being on a beatific island in Belize was just the ticket for me. Hearing water lap against the island did wonders for my overactive brain and the ocean outside my door encouraged swimming as well as sitting in a hammock. If you can’t afford a vacation, at least leave the city for a pastoral suburban scene, if you can.

These are general guidelines; everyone’s body is unique. Please contact me for a consultation for your specific needs.

stress

Too Young to Be Infertile?

Wed, 05 Aug 2015 23:37:00 GMT

Older women are frequently the focus of fertility treatment, but younger women have trouble getting pregnant too. Problems with fertility are not easy for a woman at any age but younger women are often shocked to discover they cannot easily fall pregnant after trying for a year. Generally a younger woman who is having trouble with fertility may have issues such as PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome), endometriosis, fibroids or pelvic inflammatory disease. Sometimes, though a younger woman will have trouble with the number of follicles or the function of these, which may be diagnosed as premature ovarian failure, POF or POI, primary ovarian insufficiency.

womenshealth.gov

Please note, it isn’t always the woman’s issue – for men, low sperm counts or poor sperm shape (poor morphology) due to exposure to pesticides and heavy metals or poor nutrition are problems I see in the clinic as well. Sadly for some couples both parties may have a part – a woman who has trouble ovulating regularly and her partner who has trouble with sperm count, shape or function. I recommend at least nutritional and herbal treatment for men even when they don’t have a known fertility issue.

For today I’m going to address PCOS, primarily, as is one of the most common fertility issues I see, and it is the most common cause of female infertility according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. In PCOS a woman does not have a regular menstrual cycle because she does not ovulate. Rather than producing a mature follicle, her ovaries do not stimulate the follicle to mature and instead they remain as cysts. This then puts a stop to the entire menstrual cycle and there is no menstruation as the body is not producing hormones needed for it to occur.

Every woman with PCOS is not the same. Some women ovulate a few times a year, some more infrequently than that, and some more often. The condition is an endocrine disorder, so often women are given medications to influence the endocrine system such as metformin, which is used to treat diabetes as it helps control blood sugar and reduces testosterone (from the US Dept of Health and Human Services PCOS website).

What can you do if you have PCOS? A great place to start is to change your diet by removing sugar and reducing carbohydrates. Adding exercise is another good step in conjunction with diet changes, as it will help your body regulate blood sugar. These changes can result in significant changes to your body and potentially your menstrual cycle.

Acupuncture treatment for the woman with PCOS begins by first diagnosing the Chinese medical pattern, which varies by person. Generally, though, treatment focuses on strengthening the kidney system, which might mean strengthening kidney qi, yin or yang. The kidney system is the primary system involved in fertility, but other systems will be addressed as needed to regulate the cycle. Chinese medicine differs from western medicine in that each person with a disease or condition is not treated the same – at the first treatment I analyze your health history information, observe your tongue and feel your pulse, all to determine which Chinese medical patterns need to be addressed to bring your body back into balance. Typically, the process of regulating the cycle takes about three months.

While acupuncture and herbal treatments are different for each women, ultimately the goal is the same: to encourage your body to ovulate regularly so you know when you are fertile. This is achieved by choosing specific points in each week of the cycle to encourage cycle regularity.

I have experience with other fertility issues such as endometriosis and fibroids, which I will address in a future blog. Please note, these conditions will also be helped by many of the same suggestions made for PCOS sufferers, although individual acupuncture treatment and herbs may vary. I can say, though, that treating systemic inflammation and any digestive issues through acupuncture, herbs, supplements and diet can play a big role in enhancing fertility and reducing the severity of symptoms from fibroids and endometriosis. Many times these patients have other inflammatory issues which must be addressed as well for the best outcome.

If you are young and struggling with fertility I encourage you to persevere. The process may be longer than you would like and require major changes to your habits. It is also very important to take care of yourself emotionally, either through support groups, individual therapy or friends and family. Taking these steps to care for your body and spirit, though, are worth the effort.

These are general guidelines; everyone’s body is unique. Please contact me for a consultation for your specific needs.

Fertile Energy

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 20:18:00 GMT

How Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Help Women Get Pregnant

Having a baby at 40 isn’t so unusual for a woman these days. When I was young, my parents who were in their 40s when they had me, were considered old and I was often called a “miracle baby.” Now it is much more common for women in their late 30s and early 40s to have their first child. There’s a lot of medical technology and treatment, specifically Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI) and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), that help women and men fulfill their hopes of starting a family.

Now older women are not the only ones who might have trouble getting pregnant. Younger women suffer from infertility as well and while this post will be helpful to them, I’ll address younger women and fertility issues in my next blog. There’s also been medical research on the use of acupuncture with IVF cycles that has shown acupuncture treatment’s positive effect on pregnancy and live birth rate.This is one reason Reproductive Endocrinologists are quick to recommend acupuncture treatment for the woman who is scheduled to undergo IVF or even IUI.

So how does acupuncture treatment help or enhance fertility? While every patient is different, there are a few areas that are of special interest for the woman having trouble getting pregnant. The first is stress reduction. This is key to enhancing fertility. Sometimes women having trouble getting pregnant will get pregnant in the first month of acupuncture treatment. They are shocked at the experience but acupuncture is very effective at reducing stress which has a positive effect on the whole body, including the endocrine system, a key system in reproduction and fertility.

The second major focus of fertility treatment is to address any menstrual cycle issues. These include conditions such as PCOS (poly-cystic ovarian syndrome), POF (premature ovarian failure), long or short cycles (addressing issues in any of the phases of the menstrual cycle), pain or blockage due to fibroids or endometriosis, irregular cycles or any hormonal imbalances. At the first treatment a patient completes a health history questionnaire, and from this information a chinese medical diagnosis is made and a treatment strategy created. Some of these issues may be addressed by the Reproductive Endocrinologist or Gynecologist with medicine or surgery. In these cases, acupuncture treatment focuses on supporting the medication used and mitigating any side effects, as well as supporting the general energy and wellbeing of the patient.

Finally, supporting the patient’s general wellbeing is really key in helping a woman fall pregnant. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine excel at strengthening the body – which is not the focus of most western medical treatment. Why is this so important? Well, as we age our bodies lose vitality. Ask almost anyone in their late 30s or early 40s if they can get by on as little sleep as they did when they were 18, 20 or 25. We may all feel the subtle changes that occur over time, but use coffee or determination to get through that tough day. And although we may feel only a little more fatigued, or sleep a little worse, or have slight back pain, in Chinese medicine all these symptoms point to the depletion of vital energy, in the form of qi, yin, yang, or essence which are all key to a successful pregnancy. Again, part of the process of treatment is determining what needs to be enhanced for each woman (or man, as is the case with some couples). Treatment focuses on points or herbal formulas that address what you need, to increase the success of any medical intervention used and help your body be as fertile as possible.

What can patients do outside of treatment to enhance fertility?

The first recommendation is to clean up your diet. And not in the way you might guess, but to first get control of your blood sugar regulation and eat real foods.

What does this look like?

Remove refined sugar from your diet and reduce carbohydrates to 40-60 grams a day (not including vegetables, but including fruit), eating often to avoid dips in blood sugar, removing artificial sweeteners and preservatives, and eating real food, like organic vegetables, grass fed and humanely raised meats, and drinking bone broth on a regular basis.

The second area of work is to get stress under control.

A great home method is to start meditating or doing gentle yoga each day. Acupuncture excels at creating the mind body connection. Meditation and yoga can help in this area too. The lower the stress the happier your body will be, the more likely you will be able to fall pregnant and stay pregnant and have a pleasant experience of being pregnant (not to mention a happier, less stressed out baby).

Finally address your sleep.

This is another area that acupuncture and chinese medicine can help with – but you can do work at home to improve your sleep hygiene and bedroom. Regular meditation and exercise can make a huge difference in sleep quality and good sleep is very very important to enhancing fertility.

These are general guidelines; everyone’s body is unique. Please contact me for a consultation for your specific needs.

Spring 2014 Newsletter – We can help seasonal allergies!

Thu, 05 Jun 2014 20:14:00 GMT

Yes, We Treat Seasonal Allergies

Chicago’s spring has officially started with plants, trees and flowers blooming – and pollen is everywhere! If you are one of the lucky folks who must carry tissue to live through this season, please know that acupuncture and Chinese medicine offer help for seasonal allergies and the ensuing rhinitis, sinusitis, and possible sinus infections. Treatment focuses on strengthening the immune system as well as eliminating runny eyes, itching, sneezing and congestion.

What can you do at home to fight seasonal allergies? Try these easy suggestions:

Practice nasal irrigation at least two times a day when your symptoms are mild to moderate. Most folks are familiar with the neti pot, the most common method of nasal irrigation. There are many brands out there – and if you are unsure of how to use one properly, check out this video. It is important to use non-iodized salt and you can purchase distilled water if you would like. Using the neti pot once a day when you don’t have symptoms will also prevent irritation and infections from returning.
Change your pillowcases every few days, or daily when pollen counts are high. When there’s a lot of pollen in the air you can bet it is on your hair and skin. Changing your pillow case frequently will also help reduce your exposure pollen you’ve brought into your home.
Shower in the evening before bed – this will also help to clean your skin of pollen and reduce allergens in the bedroom.
Keep your windows closed on high pollen count days and avoid using window fans.
Herbs and supplements are gaining in popularity for allergy suffers as they are effective but don’t have the troubling side effects of traditional medications. Read more about medical research on the effectiveness of natural products in this article by WebMD .

Our hours have changed.
Appointments are now available Tuesday through Saturday.

Tuesdays – 9 am to 4 pm
Wednesdays – 1 pm to 8 pm
Thursday – 9:30 am until 2 pm and 4:30 to 7:30 pm
Fridays – 10:30 to 3:30 pm
Saturday – 9 am to 2 pm

If anyone you know is curious about acupuncture and Chinese Medicine we offer a free 15 minute consultation. Thank you for your continued referrals!

Fall 2013 Acupuncture Newsletter

Thu, 05 Sep 2013 23:15:00 GMT

Happy Fall, Almost! Summer's wrapping up (hard to believe) and fall will be here soon. Harvests are in and fresh food will be plentiful and available for canning as well as consuming. As the summer transitions into fall, start eating foods that are cooked a little longer with an emphasis on yellow foods, such as [...]

February is Heart Health Month!

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:41:00 GMT

“Your body is a temple, but only if you treat it as one.” ~Astrid Alauda Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. February is Heart Health Month This is serious - heart disease (including stroke) is the leading cause of death for both men and women in America. Currently heart disease [...]

Meet the Acupuncturist!

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:48:00 GMT

Clink on the link below to meet Monique and learn more about acupuncture, immunity and how you can stay healthy this winter. Acupuncture for Immunity

Acupuncture for Immunity

Here’s to a Healthy New Year!

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:42:00 GMT

Making 2013 a Year of Health New Year's resolutions are a part of many people's lives. They are great to make, hard to keep. Here are a few tips you might employ: Keep it simple - start small and change one habit this year, or one habit at a time (once one is gone, move [...]

partnering with a friend or loved one

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Design Sponge

You Can Stay Healthy This Cold And Flu Season!

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:28:00 GMT

Yes you can stay healthy this cold and flu season A few tips to boost your immune system and fight that cold or flu you don't want to catch from your friends.... Wear a scarf - it protects an area especially vulnerable to pathogenic attacks. And if you have a sore throat, make sure to [...]

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Back to School – and Acupuncture 101

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 22:16:00 GMT

August Newsletter Focus: Acupuncture 101 & Men's Health Acupuncture 101: What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)? The term Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is often used synonymously with acupuncture. In truth, acupuncture is but one aspect (the most well known) of TCM, which is the broad term for a system of medicine and method of practice. [...]

How to stay healthy this summer!

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 21:12:00 GMT

Stay Healthy and Enjoy Your Summer Summertime has its own set of health issues - check out these tips for a better summer: - drink enough water - especially on hot days, before, during and after exercise. You can add lemon to your water to improve flavor and boost anti-oxidants! - if you find the [...]

add lemon to your water

Acupuncture for Allergies

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:24:00 GMT

The Return of Seasonal Allergies! Hello beautiful spring! As the days get longer and warmer, we move from the introversion of winter into the movement of spring. Spring corresponds to the liver system in Chinese medicine and is a traditional time for healthy detoxes as we move out any stagnant winter energy. You may also [...]

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We Heart Acupuncture!

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:07:00 GMT

Love your heart? Acupuncture supports healthy circulation February is the American Heart Association's Heath health awareness month. You might be shocked to learn that cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in America and the number one cause of death for American women. Heart disease can be an insidious disease. Don't be fooled [...]

January 2012 Newsletter

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:12:00 GMT

Let's All Have a Healthy 2012! Do you start every new year with a list of changes to make? These lists almost always have health issues - either losing weight, eating better, getting more exercise, at the top. If there's a health problem you've been ignoring or putting up with, now is a great time [...]

December 2011 Newsletter

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:08:00 GMT

Holiday Hours! We will be out of the office 12/24 to 1/1/12 You don't have to suffer through the holidays! The time between Thanksgiving and New Years is often quite hectic. If you need a treatment, please consider scheduling soon as the calendar is filling up quickly. We will be out of the office December [...]

Got Pain? We can help!

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:33:00 GMT

Acupuncture for Pain of Any Kind Acupuncture is perhaps best known for pain relief. One reason is because it is very effective. Research studies have shown that acupuncture can help reduce many types of pain including low back, neck, shoulder, headache and knee pain. Acupuncture treatment can also help relieve fibromyalgia pain and chronic headaches/migraines. [...]

Summertime in Chicago

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:27:00 GMT

Did you know acupuncture could help with? * any kind of pain, acute or chronic * high stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia * hypertension * allergic rhinitis and sore throats * headaches * PMS, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), and painful periods When you refer a new patient you get $10 off your next treatment! If [...]

Spring is in the air!

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:20:00 GMT

Welcome Spring! Spring in Chicago is a beautiful time! Birds are singing, plants and trees growing and greening our world. This season brings nature into bloom and yang is on the rise (yang is the warm energy building toward summer with longer days, warmer temps and plants growing and blooming). In Traditional Chinese Medicine spring [...]

Giving Thanks Newsletter – Thanksgiving 2010

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 19:10:00 GMT

Giving Thanks This time of year can be challenging with the arrival of colder temperatures, shorter days and (potentially) stressful holidays approaching. Practicing gratitude is one way to combat stress and enjoy life more at any time of year. A method I use is making gratitude lists including all the things, big and little, that [...]

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Fall Newsletter – October 2010

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:33:00 GMT

Fall Health - How to avoid getting sick! Autumn brings wind, beautiful leaves changing colors and sometimes colds and flu. As the season changes so do our bodies and the steps we need to take to remain healthy. It is especially important to protect our body from wind which brings the colds and flu, because [...]

Success!! Almost $2000 raised to help the Gulf!

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:26:00 GMT

A HUGE thank you to all who participated in our fundraiser for birds and habitat affected by the Gulf oil disaster. You gave generously and we could not have succeeded without your help and willingness. The two groups, the American Birding Associations Gulf Coast Fund and the Gulf Restoration Network, are very grateful for the [...]

American Birding Associations Gulf Coast Fund

Gulf Restoration Network

August 2010 – Acupuncture and Fertility

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:10:00 GMT

Greetings! Summer is in full swing with higher temperatures and humidity. Local markets are full of ripe, colorful, luscious fruits and vegetables. Now is the time to enjoy the bounty of local farms and to eat lightly cooked foods and smaller meals. It is also time to eat cooling foods such as watermelon, cucumbers and [...]

moremovement

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Adrenal Fatigue - Let’s Get Real about ALL the Stress.

How to Improve Your Immune System Health — Acupuncture, Herbs, Supplements and Actions

Can Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine help fight or treat Coronavirus?

What Conditions Does Acupuncture Treat?

How Acupuncture Helps Back Pain

Acupuncture can help anxiety

The holidays can be really amazing - full of fun, friends, shopping and parties. The holidays can also be very stressful, intense, difficult, fatiguing, and create or exacerbate emotions, especially anxiety.

How NOT to get sick over the holidays (Hint: mushrooms are involved).

Acupuncture Magic

Menstrual Cycle Overview

The cornerstone of women’s health - the menstrual cycle, overview and week one

Stress makes us sick

Acupuncture and other tools to reduce the effect of stress on your body

What can you do to combat the effect of stress on your body?

Acupuncture heals body mind and spirit

Acupuncture Provides Quick Relief from Common Injuries

You CAN get pregnant with PCOS

What will you change this year to make 2019 healthier?

Acupuncture provides freedom from frozen shoulder

Chronic Fatigue? Fibromyalgia? Actually you might have Chronic Lyme Disease

Psycho-emotional Acupuncture – Integrate to Heal Body and Mind

Your Immune System and the Weather

The Best Point for Immunity

PMS no more!

Acupuncture for Athletes – Enhancing Healing and Performance

Chronic or Acute – We’ve Got Back Pain Solutions

Tips and Tools to Enhance Male Fertility

How Acupuncture Works

Enhancing Fertility Naturally

Relieving Neck and Shoulder Pain

Help – I have a tick bite!

Lyme Disease: This year may be a doozy!

Acupuncture is great for pain relief

Healthier You – 3 Habits and Actions to Get There

Sick of getting sick? Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help

“If you are getting sick, or you are sick, acupuncture and herbs can reduce your symptoms, shorten the length of the cold, or push it out of your system immediately, if caught quickly.”

It’s a New Year again – and a New You?

Healing is a Process

Welcome to fall – but don’t catch that cold!

New season, new space

“It’s a new season. A perfect opportunity to do something new, something bold, something beautiful.”

Healing Insomnia Naturally

Avoid dehydration this summer with Watermelon

Better than Opioids

UTIs- Love (take care of! ) your bladder this Summer

Health Lessons from My Tomato Plants

It feels great to be eight

Hello Spring, goodbye allergies!

I love Acupuncture Series: Reason Three – chronic & complex health conditions

I Love Acupuncture Series: Reason Number Two

I Love Acupuncture Series – Reason Number One:

Meet Acupuncture’s Powerful Partner – Chinese Herbal Medicine

Nourishing Yin and Your Skin

For Happy, Healthy Skin – A Few of My Favorite Products

What are you waiting for? How to make 2016 your healthiest year yet!

Gratitude – Like Acupuncture – Reduces Stress…

Who’s on your Team of Practitioners?

Water Post Acupuncture is a Vital Part of Treatment.

Do you have a leaky gut? What does that really mean?

Allergies, sinus infections and colds…

Stress, your body and your health

Too Young to Be Infertile?

Fertile Energy

Spring 2014 Newsletter – We can help seasonal allergies!

Fall 2013 Acupuncture Newsletter

February is Heart Health Month!

Meet the Acupuncturist!

Here’s to a Healthy New Year!

You Can Stay Healthy This Cold And Flu Season!

Back to School – and Acupuncture 101

How to stay healthy this summer!

Acupuncture for Allergies

We Heart Acupuncture!

January 2012 Newsletter

December 2011 Newsletter

The holidays can be really amazing - full of fun, friends, shopping and parties.

The holidays can also be very stressful, intense, difficult, fatiguing, and create or exacerbate emotions, especially anxiety.