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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. . .
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Photo credit: Sea Flora Skin Care
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).
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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. . .
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Certain areas of your face may be related to specific organ, musculoskeletal, and meridian imbalances. It’s clues like these that lead to an acupuncture treatment plan, diet, and lifestyle suggestions.
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. . .
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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. . .
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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. . .
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It's not willpower, it's biochemistry. The amount and type of food you eat affects the balance of brain chemistry, hormones, and blood sugar levels. Your nutrient dense meals should contain enough essential fatty acids (good quality fats) and amino acids (via quality protein) to build sufficient serotonin (happy hormone) and dopamine both of which help you inhibit food cravings (particularly carbohydrates). Set yourself up to manage cravings by resetting your neurohormonal dashboard. . .
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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. . .
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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. . .
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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. . .
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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. . .
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A selection of local acupuncture points for seasonal allergies. I normally choose 2 - 3 local acu-points, an ear point, as well as distal points that treat both allergies and constitutional imbalances.
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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Cupping is an ancient Chinese medicine therapy that uses suction by means of heat and formed glass to pull muscle tissue upwards. A variety of sized cups may be applied on the back and/or moved along the affected meridian (channel pathway) to improve blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, detoxification, to expel colds, and to release fascia. . .
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Approximately one in five Canadians suffer from chronic pain and whether internally or externally derived the many gradients of pain affect one’s quality of life. Here's how acupuncture can help (...)
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Acupuncture is a form of mindfulness meditation, as it allows the individual to engage in being and receiving as the needles guide the mind-body into a deep state of relaxation. Biomedically, acupuncture works with the brain by acting on the nervous system. This brain and nervous system communication regulates the parasympathetic nervous system, boosts mood through serotonin and dopamine release, and eases pain through relieving muscle tension and the release of endorphins (...)
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