Health Notes
Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine
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.
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.
Liver energy is pushing up and out…this means anger, frustration, agitation and outbursts are much more likely. We are coming into the season of the Liver and anger is the emotion.
The Liver’s job is to regulate the body; hormones, emotions, sleep, digestion, respiration, etc. Just as springtime weather vacillates dramatically, emotionally you may find yourself yo-yo-ing between giddiness and annoyance. Totally normal, but also something that can be smoothed over, this is what acupuncture does so well.
More movement, less inertia. The Liver responds well to movement, it doesn’t function optimally without vigorous activity. Movement need NOT to be grueling exercise or exhaustive; It could simply be a brisk walk and a quick stretch. If you have been sedentary this winter, it is time to activate those muscles and move the breath.
The Liver is a filter, it helps your body detoxify and eliminate the accumulation of substances that are essentially trash. One way to take out the trash is to activate the lymphatic system. If you are lucky enough to have a vibration plate, that’s a great tool. If not, you can rebound, walk, dry brush, sweat/sauna and even tap along the lymph nodes to activate the removal of toxic debris.
From the previous phase of gestation, we are coming into rebirth and activation. Let’s optimize for a smooth emotional, physical and spiritual rebirth this spring.
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.
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.
Why do we begin treating allergies before they begin? The simple answer is to keep histamine levels in check. Not only do holistic practitioners approach allergies this way, but mainstream medicine does as well.
What are histamines?
Histamines are chemical messengers that mediate cellular responses. Histamines are responsible for symptoms in the respiratory system like runny nose, itchiness, and sneezing.
Histamine intolerance in in the digestive system can cause symptoms like abdominal pain and distention, diarrhea, constipation, and a feeling of fullness.
There is a lot to unpack on the topic of histamines, but here are a few tips to get your body ready for spring and early summer allergies.
Avoid inflammatory foods: processed and ultra-processed foods, especially refined grains and vegetable oils
Detox your body. Plants and supplements which help cleanse the liver and colon, as well as through sweating from exercise or the sauna
Stop histamine reactions through acupuncture. It has been shown that acupuncture has better antipruritic effects than third generation antihistamines in one study. Another study comparing acupuncture and second generation antihistamines found that acupuncture demonstrated a greater effect during peak itch intensity.
Prevent histamine build-up: begin supplementing with quercetin and nettles now.