- West Acupuncture & Wellness
184 Realty Row, Ste 4
Boone, NC 28607828-354-3050 
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10 Reasons to Drink Celery Juice?
Celery is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory foods, because it starves unproductive bacteria, yeast, mold, fungus, and viruses that are present in the body and flushes their toxins and debris out of the intestinal tract and liver. Pathogens like these are so often the underlying cause of inflammation—in their absence, your body is much better able to handle whatever life throws your way.
Here are 10 reasons to drink celery juice!
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Just 16 oz of fresh celery juice a day can transform your health and digestion in as little as one week. And its best to drink it SOLO. If you’re sensitive and 16 ounces is too much, start with a smaller amount and work your way up.
Ingredients:
1 bunch celery(organic if possible). If not, just wash the conventional well.
Directions:
Rinse the celery and run it through a juicer. Drink immediately for best results.
Alternatively, you can chop the celery and blend it in a high-speed blender until smooth. Strain well and drink immediately. For more info- http://www.celeryjuice.com/
5 Reasons Acupuncture Helps Digestive Function
Digestion is a complex task performed by the body. It begins in the mouth and finishes when the ingested food leaves the body through the rectum. For all we have learned over the years regarding digestion, there is still so much more we don’t know or are still learning. For example, it wasn’t until recently, the last 10 years or so, that modern medicine confirmed our gastrointestinal tract is our second brain. This discovery is drastically changing the way the body and its many functions are viewed, because everything we put in our mouths can potentially have life-altering effects on the mind, as well as the body.
Digestive disorders are rampant in the United States. Surveys estimate nearly 70 million people in the United States are affected by some sort of digestive disorder. This could be anything from gallstones to acid reflux to pancreatitis. For many, these disorders are extremely debilitating. But for every person dealing with a debilitating digestive disorder, there are thousands more that just assume everything they are experiencing is “normal.”
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is just one of the many ways people can deal with their digestive disorders. TCM is a very old medical system that utilizes many different modalities to treat imbalances in the body. Acupuncture is just one of the modalities that can be used. More and more studies about the effectiveness of acupuncture are being performed every day, many of which hold great promise for those who suffer from digestive issues.
Acupuncture helps with digestion because it treats the person holistically, meaning all parts are considered when treatment is rendered. There is no compartmentalizing as in Western medicine. So, a person being treated by a licensed acupuncturist or TCM practitioner will not only notice changes in their digestive issues, but they may also notice changes in their psyche too. And since the mind and body are closely connected, this can be very beneficial for the patient.
Studies have shown acupuncture can stimulate peristalsis in the intestinal tract. This is very helpful for people who deal with chronic constipation. In as few as one to two treatments, a person suffering from chronic constipation may find relief.
Nausea and vomiting are another frequent problem associated with digestion. Acupuncture and even acupressure are wonderful tools for calming the upset stomach. One acupressure point on the underside of the forearm has been studied extensively just for this function. In most cases, the nausea and vomiting are greatly decreased or stopped altogether.
Bloating is another common problem associated with the digestive tract. This can be caused by eating too much food or improper digestion. Acupuncture treatments help the digestive process of breaking down foods without the excess gas that frequently causes bloating.
Diarrhea isn’t just a problem that occurs when somebody is suffering from the stomach flu. In fact, it is much more common than many people think. Acupuncture treatments can help resolve diarrhea by clearing either excess heat or excess dampness from the digestive tract, while also strengthening it.
If you are curious about how acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help you with your digestive issues, ask us! We are happy to guide you along your healing journey.
The 8 Branches of Chinese Medicine
According to the ancient “keepers of the knowledge” from the Taoist tradition, the evolutionary roots of Chinese Wholistic Medicine came into being at least eight thousand years ago. The Branches are (1) Meditation/Self Cultivation; (2) Exercise(Tai Qi & Qi Gong); (3) Food Therapy/ Nutrition; (4) Bodywork(Tui Na Massage )(5) Cosmology/Astrology(Rhythms in nature/time); (6) Feng Shui: Environmental Energetics of living/work space; (7) Herbology; (8) Acupuncture.
The beginning branches are considered to be the most subtle and therefore the most powerful because they are practiced on a personal level. Due to their less subtle nature, the latter branches miss some of the unlimited potential and power because they are done to someone or for someone. Originally, a would-be doctor received training in the first and second branches before going on to study acupuncture and herbal medicine. This training was developed in order to instill the arts of personal chi cultivation and self healing in the practitioner before he began to treat others. . These 8 Branches were set as a guideline to help the person understand their own responsibility in self-care and maintenance. The 8 Branches are a perfect example of ‘holistic healthcare’ approach and are reflective of a time when you paid your healthcare practitioner while you were well…not ill–what a different medicine model!
1. Meditation: ‘Know thyself’ is the first step in creating health. Meditation is an essential tool for learning about self, creating a peaceful mind, reducing stress, building qi among many other benefits. The focus of meditation is not so much to ‘stop the mind’s constant chatter’, but rather to learn how to not be burdened by it. Your practitioner may recommend you participate in mediation or other self-cultivating activities, like talk therapy, EFT(Tapping), or hypnotherapy.
2. Exercise (T’ai Qi and Qigong): T’ai Chi and Qigong benefit our bodies and minds in many ways, by strengthening muscles, creating balance, building the bones to deepening the breathe and circulating qi and blood. Exercise recommendations are specific to the persons needs. This could also be running, walking, yoga, cycling…..
3. Nutrition: Proper food and nutrition is paramount to our health and in the treatment of any illness. Nothing is more fundamental in our health than the food we ingest. By understanding each individual’s constitution, energetic tendencies and coupling that with the knowledge of the energetic of foods and whole food wisdom, your practitioner can hone your diet to your needs. As Hypocrates suggested, “Let thy food be thy medicine.”
4. Cosmology/ Astrology: Traditional Chinese medicine is founded in the principles of Taoist philosophy. This concept focuses on the observation of natural rhythms and cycles that are apparent in nature and mimicked in the body as qi flows and life stages. By understanding these cycles your practitioner can help treat patterns that may arise at a certain time or day, or season, or to help you harmonize with the changing cycles and season.
5. Feng Shui(Home/Work Energetics): ‘Know where you are’. Where you are can have as big impact on your health or your ability to treat a disharmony. By understanding the interactions of nature, climate, season, location, work space and home environment in relationship to the person’s own energetic we can help clients harmonize their lives .
6. Amma(Tui Na) Therapy/Bodywork: A classical Asian bodywork style that predates acupuncture, “Amma” is the oldest Chinese word to describe massage. Amma is a specialized form of bodywork therapy that combines deep, therapeutic, circular digital pressure and acupressure point stimulation with Chinese medical principles for accessing and treating imbalances in the energy system.
7. Herbology: The use of natural plants, minerals and animals combined to assist the body in its striving to achieve a state of balance or homeostasis. Each herb is understood for its energetic nature, the organ it enter and the post-metabolic results it creates in the body. Formulations are carefully considered for the interactions the herbs and for the client’s pattern.
8. Acupuncture: The use of very fine, sterile, disposable needles, inserted at specific points along defined acupuncture meridians, to regulate and balance the flow of Qi, relieve pain and assist healing in the body. Adjunctive therapies include, moxibustion, gua sha, cupping and plum blossom needling.
I began my healing journey and self cultivation when I was 20 years old. As often happens, life threw me some curve balls. Your family of origin, your childhood, traumas, births, deaths, moves….all of these things affect your life and the choices you make. It is very valuable to know how these things effected and still effect you and heal them. I have used so many natural modalities over the years to work through my own journey with healing. I continue to do the modalities that have helped me the most and I strive to share what really works with my patients. All of these branches are an important part of both staying healthy and healing illness. Healing is a lifelong journey to embrace.
Together we can work to get your mind, body and soul shining again!!
Flu Prevention & Treatment
You may think of flu season as limited to the fall and winter months, but this is no longer the case. Although flus may be most rampant during the wintertime, there are now waves of flus occurring all year round. Even in the summer it is important to take protective measures because flus can occur in Summer months as well. During these warm months, people still find themselves dealing with sinus infections, stomach flus, bronchitis, and more. One reason for this never-ending flu season is the rise in international travel. For example, when it is winter in Australia and flus are rampant, countless people hop on planes and travel from Australia to places experiencing summertime, such as the United States.
When it comes to flu viruses, you may be wondering how to avoid catching something in the first place. Fortunately, there are many preventative steps you can take to protect you and your loved ones from catching a flu bug. If you do feel like a flu virus is starting to cause trouble in your system, quickly implementing some of these steps can help knock out the virus early before it has the chance to hit you hard. * One important and more obvious step is to not let yourself get too run down. If you’re noticing yourself becoming more tired, frazzled, or stressed out, try to ramp up your self-care practices, including getting enough sleep.
* Having a bottle of high-quality liquid zinc on hand at all times is essential. If you have the slightest inkling you might be starting to feel flu symptoms, squirting zinc directly into your throat and letting it coat the area can be a powerful defensive measure. If you are very sensitive to zinc, try using just a few drops. Even this can make a difference. For kids, you can put drops in water or juice which I recommend daily because they are in the serious germ pool at school. * Be mindful of your hands and try to wash them regularly as you go throughout your day. From shaking other’s hands, to pushing shopping carts, to opening doors, there are countless ways your hands can come into contact with unwanted germs and flu viruses.
Carry handy-wipes with you when you are out and about.
A few other helpful supplements to add daily will make a huge difference as well.
*Olive Leaf Extract– put a few drops in your water or tea daily(kids and adults)
*Ester C with Rose Hips– Take 2 daily for adults/1 for kids
*Echinacea & Goldenseal- put a few drops in your water or tea daily(kids and adults)
*Elderberry Syrup for Adults & a great version for Children – This is great to take during the flu along with Lemon Balm Tea. Another preventative step involves the foods you choose to include in your diet. You may be surprised to learn that flu viruses, like other viruses, love to eat. The truth is, viruses are hungry and can proliferate when fueled by certain foods. It is important to understand that the foods you put into your body can either help prevent viruses or help feed and support viruses. Connecting with this concept and starting to make some dietary changes can help you begin to protect yourself. A couple of foods that feed viruses are dairy and eggs. These are two of their favorite foods so cutting down or eliminating these during flu season and definitely when you are fighting a flu is imperative.
Eat extra fruits and vegetables as often as you can. I give my kids smoothies daily and they are a good way to sneak in healers like wild blueberries(found in frozen fruit section), spinach, mango, and bananas.
My boys even eat the frozen wild blueberries alone for a snack.
How important and how often to you plug in and charge up your cell phone, computer or electronic device? My guess is, very often and daily. Our immune system is just as important. We have to plug in and charge up our immunity too. Especially moving into flu season, its important to be as mindful about your body as you are about your phone, your work, and play.
Rest, filtered water with lemon/lime juice, fruits/veg, herbs/supps, hand washing……..STAY HEALTHY!!
Can Acupuncture help mastitis?
Chinese medicine believes that each major organ has an energy meridian line running up and down the body and then links to the main organ itself. All areas of the body are traversed by a meridian and the breast is no exception. The liver, gall bladder and stomach meridians go through the breast and the liver controls the nipple. Mastitis means that there is inflammation but not necessarily infection.
What can cause mastitis?
Cracked nipples can be a cause along with stress and missed feedings. It can also be due clogged milk ducts and lymph system. However blocked ducts can lead to infection with pathogens like staph or strep.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, toxic heat has entered in through the nipple and then caused blockage in the meridians that traverse through the breast.
Do you put the needles in the breast?
Acupuncture is not actually performed on the breast but on acupuncture points away from the problem on the meridian lines of the Liver, Stomach and Gallbladder which are on the arm or leg.
The different acupuncture points all have special properties and functions. The liver meridian has 14 acupuncture points in total and they can treat many different problems associated with the liver. For example, the first liver point on the toe can treat headache and the second liver point in the web of the toes can treat heat and inflammation in the breast. The third liver point on the foot can treat pain in the breast.
Depending on what part of the breast is affected will determine which meridians and points I will use. I also use moxibustion on the stomach meridian to help boost the immune system. It is a very gentle and relaxing treatment.
In addition, the acupuncture treatment can help the new mom feel more relaxed, rested, and refreshed as she moves into momhood. I recommend three consecutive treatments for a full and timely recovery.
Please call West Wellness for an appointment- 828-266-5658