In preventing a cold or flu, an important place to begin is to make sure to wear the appropriate clothing for your environment. There is a higher likelihood of catching a cold on a windy day, especially when there is a combination of wind, cold, and or damp weather. Be sure to have clothing layers...
Author: Yasmin Spencer, LAc, DAOM
Reoccurring Colds, Chronic Bronchitis and How Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Can Help
There are many reasons that the lungs become susceptible to sickness. The lungs often become weak due to damage caused by a chronic illness, in particular, when it was never fully resolved. Many people report that they were rarely sick until they had one bad cold or flu. The reason for this is that the...
Preparing for Spring with the Help of Asian Medicine
A Five Element View: In preparing for spring, we begin with an understanding of how each season affects every other. Our sense of balance, as we go into the spring, is intricately connected to whether or not we took the time to rest in the winter (restore, be still, and go inward). Spring is associated...
Acupuncture Related Research- Key Issues and Concerns
In this scientific era, proof that a treatment is effective is often valued over first-hand experience. Western research relies on standardized protocol and isolating variables to obtain reliable results. Although this is an understandable approach when desiring concrete and repeatable outcomes, it is not compatible with the methods of traditional Chinese medicine. When utilizing the...
Support Your Seasonal Allergies with Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
The Asian medicine view of allergies is related to a syndrome called Wei Qi deficiency. The Wei Qi is said to create a boundary between the individual and their environment. When the Wei qi is sufficient, a person will have a resistance to external pathogens, aiding in the prevention of common colds and allergies. A...
Menopausal Support with Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
During menopause, most women will have a pattern called Yin deficiency. The hormonal changes that occur during menopause can cause a group of very uncomfortable symptoms for women, such as hot flashes, night sweats, emotional fluctuations, and more. These symptoms represent a loss of fluids in the body, called Yin deficiency in Asian medicine. Acupuncture...
An Overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine
We have all taken medicine for a headache, insomnia, or a stomachache that only offered temporary relief. The reason that it was temporary is that the root, or underlying cause of the illness, was not treated. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can diagnose and treat what is at the core of an ailment through pattern diagnosis....
What To Do Before and After Your Acupuncture Treatment
Before Treatment: It is essential to eat before a treatment to avoid feeling light, headed, dizzy, or faint. It is best to eat something light 2 hours ahead of time. If you don’t have time to eat 2 hours ahead of time, be sure to eat something before your treatment. Please don’t eat a large...
Digestive Health and the Earth Element
The earth element in Asian medicine is present in the transition between seasons. The earth element represents what nurtures and supports us. It is associated with digestion- physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is the archetype of a mother, the great nourisher, and has its roots in the family. If a person has an earth deficiency,...
How to Use Moxibustion
Moxa or moxibustion is an Asian medicine technique that is used on acupuncture points and or areas of the body. Moxabustion is the mugwort plant. This plant is known for its ability to deeply warm and activates the channel systems. Please consult with your practitioner of Asian medicine before using moxa for the first time...