As we embrace autumn the light energy of summer days transforms into new observations to be curious of. The following post focuses on the Chinese medicine (CM) associations to autumn, specifically the lung system, and the emotion grief. . .
Read moreTransitioning With Late Summer, Worry, + The Spleen | Acupuncture - Victoria, BC
As summer days begin to shorten with temperatures rising and falling, we can feel a shift in the external pattern of nature, which manifests internally. The Chinese Medicine (CM) season of Late Summer marks the transitional period between the two yang seasons of Spring and Summer, toward the yin seasons of Autumn and Winter. This short period of hot and often humid (damp) seasonal weather extends from mid August to the Autumn Equinox or first day of Fall. This post focuses on a few main resonances of Late summer: the earth element, the Spleen, and the emotion worry. . .
Read moreConnecting With Summer, Joy, + The Heart | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Every change of season presents the opportunity to observe the gifts of the natural world and our relationship to them. I hope this post can give further insight in regards to how you can fully engage with the summer season and what it has to offer so that you may thrive with it and carry its harvest into darker months. This post will focus mainly on the Chinese Medicine (CM) heart organ and the fire element in regards to well-being. . .
Read moreReflections for Transformative Times + Supporting the Support Network | Acupuncture - Victoria, BC
I’ve been listening, learning, and reflecting. . . how can I make a difference? How can I act to strengthen systems already in place?
Read moreLow Level Light Therapy for Skin Rejuvenation & Inflammation
I’m excited to offer low level light therapy at Victoria Community Acupuncture & Spa as an individual service, as a part of a facial service, or as an add-on to acupuncture. The light emitting diode device that we use is professional grade, FDA cleared, and is primarily used for skin related concerns. Please read on to learn more about the science, history, benefits, and what to expect. . .
Read moreThe Chinese Medicine Emotional Wheel | Acupuncture - Victoria, BC
This ‘Chinese Medicine Emotional Wheel’ diagram was created based on the Chinese Medicine five element system with a hint of ‘Plutchik’s wheel of emotions’. It can be used as a tool for navigating emotions for well-being. The arrows and lines shows us that the nature of human emotions are interconnected (for ex. sadness may be connected to anger), that one may give rise to another (ie. worry to sadness), and that each has it’s gift, for example the virtue of fear is wisdom. We can also see that each section resonates with an affected organ system. . .
Read moreMy Acupuncturist Tells Me I'm Damp! + Herbal Latte Recipe | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Dampness is a common TCM syndrome pattern, with signs and symptoms such as: bloating, indigestion, water retention, heaviness, fatigue, mental fogginess, sluggish metabolism, cysts, leucorrhea, achey joints, and stool inconsistency. Related western diagnoses that contain elements of damp include hormone imbalances such as hypothyroidism and PCOS, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome, CIRS, diabetes, IBS, SIBO, candida overgrowth, and weeping skin conditions. . .
Read moreMoving With Spring + Liver Health Tips | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Spring is an enlivening time of year as it welcomes the increasing flow of atmospheric yang energy back into our body-minds and daily routines. The following post highlights how to move with Spring as it corresponds to the wood element and liver health. We’ll focus on liver processes in harmony and disease, mental-emotional correspondences, and how to take care of your liver health, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. . . .
Read moreSpring Nutrition Tips | Artichoke Hummus + Vegetables | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Spring seasonal eating calls for increasing trips to the farmer’s market, steamed vegetables, dark leafy greens to nourish liver blood. . .
Read moreBeing With Winter + Kidney Health | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
This post highlights how to be with winter as an opportunity to embrace slowing down and conserving so that we may freely flow forth with seeds of potential into Spring and make manifest the active energy that it has to offer. We’ll focus on kidney processes in harmony and disease, mental-emotional correspondences, and how to take care of your kidney health, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. . .
Read more7 Self Care Tips for Early Cold Symptoms + Ginger-Lemon-Honey Tea Recipe | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Early cold symptoms indicate that one’s defensive qi (wei qi) has been invaded by either heat or cold carried by wind pathogens, for example a virus carried by a draft. The lungs govern wei qi which guards our outermost boundary; it is relative to immune protection and resides within the skin and superficial meridians. . .
Read morePranayama Breathwork | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Pranayama, also known as breathing therapy, directly affects the mind-body through balancing the nervous system. Nervous system balancing benefits neuro-endocrine signalling, our cells, tissues, and organs, from head to toes, as the potent ripple effect of calm energy (expansion) replaces tension (contraction).
Read moreMindful + Intuitive Eating Guidelines | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Intuitive eating requires kindness, awareness, clarity, and supportive decision-making. This doesn't mean cravings won't arise or that they can't be a part of your healing; it means you will reach a point where you can decipher and honour with tolerance emotional cravings, versus blood sugar swings, versus true hunger. . .
Read more10 Tips For Healthy Glowing Skin | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
For skin concerns registered acupuncturists gather internal and external information to come up with a treatment plan that addresses your goals. We assess signs, symptoms, take your pulse, look at your tongue, the colour of your skin, meridians involved, microsystem observation, and gather information about your diet and lifestyle. . .
Read moreOptimizing Circadian Rhythm For Well-Being | 10 Tips
Our environment, diet and lifestyle routines, as well as stress and emotional health have an influence on our circadian rhythm or biological clock. Our circadian rhythm has a profound effect on hormone regulation, energy, restful sleep, and digestion. . .
Read moreWhat is Nutritional Ketosis? Could you Benefit? | Acupuncture - Victoria, BC
Nutritional ketosis is a high fat, moderate protein, and low carb way of eating that shifts the body from a glucose (sugar) burning state into a fat burning state, thus utilizing healthful ketones that are produced by fat stores and fats from food. . .
Read moreMei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture For Healthy Glowing Skin | Acupuncture - Victoria, BC
Cosmetic Acupuncture works by stimulating Acupuncture points along energy meridians in the face with tiny dermal needles. This process brings qi and blood to the skin to promote vitality and a radiant glow. Stimulation of nerves and cell tissue micro-traumas increase circulation, lymph drainage, and nutrients to the face while boosting the production of collagen and elastin to tighten skin. . .
Read moreAuricular (Ear) Therapy, Have You Tried It? | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Auricular acupuncture is considered a microsystem while the ear is a microcosm of the whole anatomical body. The head is represented by the lower ear lobe, the feet are at the top of the ear and the rest of the body is in between. This is one of the more widely used microsystem therapies used in eastern medicine. . .
Read moreBasic Whole Foods Guidelines | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Whole foods are a foundation for good health; foods in their most natural or unrefined forms. They offer us energy in the form of macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein, and fat), and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, and enzymes), along with antioxidants (phytochemicals). Real food communicates with our bodies to prevent and reverse disease and ageing while creating a state of dynamic balance and health within us. . .
Read moreAcupuncture for Allergies | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
According to Chinese medicine, allergy symptoms such as sinus congestion, fatigue, hay fever, runny nose, and scratchy throat, arise due to imbalances within organ and meridian systems. Repeated exposure to allergy triggers perpetuate imbalance and may stem from a variety of sources such as environmental pollen and toxins, stress, constitutional deficiencies, hygiene, and diet. Our bodies must have an adequate amount of Wei Qi (defensive qi) circulating within our meridians in order to stay healthy. . .
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