Article Thumbnail

The Surprising Truth About Sitting Up Straight: A Guest Post

This post is by an experienced Alexander Technique teacher. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact me for referral information.

 

Contrary to popular belief, “sitting up straight” can be as bad for you as slumping (and sometimes worse!). Most people alternate between slumping and forcing themselves to rigidly “sit up straight.” Both can cause you neck and back pain and even headaches. Learn how to safely and more comfortably sit while being well-supported in a healthy way.   Read more

Article Thumbnail

Sweet Relief: Acupuncture and Herbs for hot flashes and other perimenopausal symptoms

Perimenopause is defined as the length of time between the reproductive years and menopause. Pretty vague, huh? The symptoms, however, are quite well-defined. Hot flashes, night sweats, forgetfulness, anxiety and/or depression, weight gain and even migraines can all happen during this period of time. Periods often become irregular and very heavy. Perimenopause can last anywhere from 3.5 to 14 years, so if a woman’s symptoms are pronounced, it can greatly interfere with normal daily activities. If you are one of the unlucky few whose symptoms last upwards of 14 years, finding a treatment that can provide natural relief from perimenopausal symptoms is crucial. Recent research shows that the earlier these symptoms begin, the longer they tend to last (source).

A common misconception about perimenopause is Read more

Article Thumbnail

Dry Winter Skin Remedies: A Holistic Approach

Why is my skin so angry in the winter?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, dry skin is caused either by exposure to excessive dryness and heat (as in the dry heat produced by HVAC systems or radiators) or a deficiency of blood and fluids within the body. These causes can be seen as mutually interdependent- one can make the other worse. Other symptoms of blood and fluid deficiency include brittle hair and nails, constipation, constant thirst, or even very light or non-existent periods. If you have dry skin year-round or every winter you experience severe symptoms, fluid and blood deficiency are most likely at work, and dietary changes plus both internal and external Chinese herbs can help.

Scientists describe something called the “Dry Skin Cycle”- and it goes like this: Read more

Prenatal Acupuncture: 3rd Trimester

Pregnant womanAcupuncture during the third trimester of pregnancy can safely be used to treat aches and pains, digestive discomforts and swelling, in addition to two things unique to the third trimester.

First, if a baby is breech or otherwise malpositioned for birth, acupuncture plus a special technique called moxa can be used to turn the baby so he or she is in a head-down position. This works by stimulating special points to increase the baby’s movement, increasing the chance that they will turn. If this is your first baby, the ideal time to try acupuncture is right around 34 weeks. If this is not your first, there is a little more room in the uterus to work with so we can attempt to turn the baby a little later- up to 38 weeks. For more details on this technique please click here to read my blog post devoted to turning breech babies. Read more

Prenatal Acupuncture: 2nd Trimester

Prenatal AcupunctureAt this point in pregnancy, most women feel they’ve cleared a hurdle and begin to feel like themselves again. Morning sickness can persist but generally becomes less intense, and energy level also improves. A few new issues may pop up during the second trimester that acupuncture can help a lot with. Migraines and headaches, common in pregnancy, respond beautifully to acupuncture treatment. Usually, once weekly sessions is enough to keep them completely at bay. Some women begin to experience nasal congestion as well. My favorite way to quickly get rid of this is to needle a point called “bitong”- there is one point on each side of the nose, where the edge of the nostril meets the face. It is reliable for draining congestion from the sinuses. Read more