Health Notes
Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine
Focus on the heart!
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a more nuanced view of the function of the heart than biomedicine, but they both agree that the heart propels the blood through the vessels. In biomedicine, the heart is little more than a pump.
Toxic soup: the damaging effects of the modern world on our health
When I think of spring, I think of spring cleaning, which is essentially clearing space for something new. Whether it’s a refresh of your garage or garden, or cleaning up the diet, the energy that motivates this activity comes from the Liver, and in terms of its function, it is known as the General…it’s the organ in charge of activating all the other organs.
Springtime: this is how you grow
Spring is the season of the Wood element. It is a time for renewal, rebirth and the moment is ripe for new beginnings. The organs of the Wood element are the Gall Bladder and the Liver. Each of these organs have physiological functions, as well as psycho-spiritual functions.
Anger, allergies and toxins…oh my!
Allergies? If you have springtime allergies, NOW is the time to start acupuncture. Not when you are symptomatic. We need to keep histamines at bay, which is much easier to do BEFORE they are activated.
Boosting your immune system
It’s not really a coincidence that the rate of viral infections skyrockets around and after the holiday season. People tend to eat and drink more of the foods that are inflammatory, they haven’t seen the sun in a while, and they are short on sleep…
Relaxation vs. Rest
Why is rest more important than “relaxation”? Because rest is what allows for healing and repair. It is essential to health and vitality.
Building a robust immune system, late summer
Late summer is such an easy time to have an antioxidant rich diet. Anti-oxidants are absolutely essential to supporting a robust immune system, as well as combating the premature aging of cells. The importance of nutrient rich diets with vibrant colored produce cannot be understated.
Do you know the emperor?
Every season has a corresponding flavor, and Summer’s flavor is bitter. It enters the channel of the Heart and can be used in herbal medicine and food to resolve imbalances. The Heart is the yin organ of the Fire Element. It is referred to as the Emperor as it has dominion over many facets of our psychology and physiology.
The beauty of acupuncture
The body is a closed system of information. In spite of what your specialist might lead you to erroneously conclude—that the different systems of the body are independent or separate—that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Are you wasting your own precious resources?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a more nuanced view of the function of the heart than biomedicine, but they both agree that the heart propels the blood through the vessels. In biomedicine, the heart is little more than a pump.
Recurrent colds, weak immunity & acupuncture
Optimal immunity is one of my zones of expertise. Everyone has a unique constitution. Some people are simply more hardy and robust than others; they have to “do” less to maintain optimal health.
Reconnecting the heart spirit
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) we can observe the relative health of the Heart and the animating spirit of the Shen through the complexion, the brightness of the eyes, the movements of the body, the vitality of the person. What we don’t always talk about is the importance of the Heart and Shen in our ability to experience joy.
The ultimate remedy for what ails us in body, mind and spirit is…
The Heart is the seat of the spirit…the Shen, which governs our mind and consciousness. When we allow ourselves to give and receive love, we nurture the very essence of our being, our spirit.
A return to the light
The ancient systems of marking time are attuned with the energies of the natural world and the stars of the heavens. They reveal not only what is happening to the world around us, but also within us. Slowing down in Winter….
Common questions from expecting mothers
We treat dozens of health conditions at the Sunset Healing Collective, including care for pregnant women. Here are some questions our expecting mothers want to know about acupuncture and pregnancy.
Mental health issues do NOT begin in the brain
Do this now for Spring allergies
For seasonal allergy sufferers, early spring is the time to take action…as Benjamin Franklin famously said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.