Tranquil Spring Acupuncture

12/21/2021

11/25/2021

The Importance of Giving Thanks

Giving thanks can make you happier, according to a Harvard study published in August of 2021. Often the holidays are associated with negative emotions such as sadness and anxiety due to seasonal depression or added family pressures. Many people feel more down than usual this time of year, and some become depressed. Serious cases of depression should be handled with the help of mental health professionals. There is help for those with a case of the blues. Research suggests that a fundamental element of the Thanksgiving season can improve your mood and overall outlook. Simply giving thanks can make you feel better.

No matter what situation you are in, find ways to be thankful for the things and people you have in your life every day. Recognizing what you do have will make you happier than focusing on what you don’t. Gratitude is an appreciation that an individual has for the goodness in their lives. In psychological research, gratitude is correlated with higher levels of happiness. Gratitude can be applied to the past, present, and future in the form of optimism. Looking at the events of your life through the lens of gratitude can change your outlook on the future. Regardless of your current relationship with gratitude, it is a practice that can be learned and cultivated.

What does science say? Psychologists Dr. Robert Emmons from UC Davis and Dr. Michael McCullough from the University of Miami are responsible for much of this research. In one study, participants wrote down a few sentences each week. One group was instructed to record the things they were grateful for that had happened that week. A second group was instructed to record all the irritating or negative things that happened to them. The third group was told to write about events that affected them with no emphasis on the events being either negative or positive. After 10 weeks, the group that wrote more about gratitude was more optimistic about their lives. Interestingly, they were also more physically active and had fewer visits to the doctor than the other groups.

Many studies on social behavior have examined how thankfulness can improve an individual’s relationships. Individuals in a relationship who made it a point to express gratitude for their partners felt more positive toward the other person and were more secure in expressing concerns. In another study at the University of Pennsylvania, two fund-raising groups were divided randomly into two groups. The first group made phone calls to ask for donations from alumni in the same way they usually did. But the second group received a pep talk from a director who told them how grateful she was for their hard work. After the fundraiser, the employees who received the message of gratitude made 50% more calls than the other group.

Gratitude helps people appreciate what they already have instead of constantly looking for new things, people, or achievements to stimulate short-term positive emotions. Being thankful is a way to focus on what you have, not what you lack, and it’s a mental state that grows stronger with use.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier

11/23/2021

5 Ways to Eat Without Overeating this Holiday Season

Moderation
We’ve always heard the saying to enjoy everything in moderation. That is true when it comes to holiday foods. Don’t try to deprive yourself during the holidays. It probably won’t go over well. Having an extra holiday treat here and there won’t kill you. You’re allowed to indulge a bit but keep portions small when it comes to holiday desserts and make sure you limit how often you eat them. Going the whole season without any treats is cruel and will most likely end in binging later. So have your guilty pleasures but keep them in moderation.

Watch the alcohol
The holidays are a time for celebration, which, in many cases, means more alcohol. Alcohol can add empty calories and can also lead you to eat more while drinking. If you are at a gathering, limit yourself to one or two drinks to cut down on the unhealthy cravings you may feel afterward.

Focus on the protein
Protein-packed foods are a great way to fill up without adding a lot of sugar and empty carbohydrates. Pack your plate with low-fat meats like turkey and chicken. If you’re vegetarian, eat more tofu, beans, or quinoa than side dishes that are most likely high in sugar and carbohydrates.

Fill up on water
Don’t forget about the water! The holidays are an easy time to drink more sugary beverages than usual. One strategy to cut calories is to substitute water for sugary drinks. Drinking a glass of water before a meal can help fill you up and prevent you from overeating.

Take your time
Eating too fast is one of the easiest ways to overeat.
It takes about 20 minutes from the time you start eating for your brain to send out signals of fullness. If you eat too quickly, you may end up eating more than you want. Slower eating allows enough time to trigger the signal from your brain that you are full.
Feeling full translates into eating less.

Enjoy the holidays and the delicious food that comes with them. Indulge a little but remember these tips so that you don’t overdo it.

11/04/2021

Harvest to Hibernation: Preparing the Hearth

Fall is traditionally thought of as harvest time, a time for gathering nature’s bounty and preparing it for storage. We preserve food for hibernation season. While we, as humans, do not hibernate in winter, we resonate with the energy of the season. Many animals hibernate, plants die down and their roots preserve energy for the spring. The sun is low in the sky and the days become shorter. It is darker and colder, and we draw closer to home.

There is a saying that home is where the heart is, but it is also where the hearth is. Preparing the hearth means creating a warm, safe space. Fall is a time to make sure our homes are ready for the coming winter and prepare our bodies, minds, and spirits for the oncoming Yin season. Among other things, Yin represents darkness, cold, going within, and rest. As the winter season draws near, Yin expands and grows. Surviving and thriving in winter relies on our ability to draw on the reserves of food, warmth, and energy that we have gathered and preserved for the season.

Here are some things to consider in fall to better prepare for winter:

Nutritional transitions: In Chinese Medicine, the Lung and Large Intestine relate to the fall season. It is the most favorable time to nourish and moisten the Lungs with food. Pears, apples, figs, cauliflower, and daikon radish are foods that support Lung health. Keeping the Lungs strong will build immunity for the harsh conditions we face in winter. Everything slows down in winter, including some of our bodily processes. A diet rich in fiber is essential for helping to move matter through the Large Intestine and prevent digestive stagnation. Cooked foods maintain the body’s digestive fire. Raw foods tend to cool the body and are more appropriate for warmer seasons. Teas with cinnamon and ginger are warming in nature and enjoyable as temperatures drop throughout fall and winter.

Lifestyle transitioning: Winter is the peak of Yin time. Yin time is about going inward into stillness. Fall is the beginning of the Yin season and when we should begin that inner journey. The excitement of summer quiets down and we begin to require more sleep and rest in general. Slowing down and preserving energy are in order as winter approaches. We should not expend the energy reserves we need to keep warm and healthy throughout the frost. It is also a time to protect our bodies by layering our clothing as the temperatures drop. The Lung is the uppermost organ in the body and is especially susceptible to wind and cold. Chinese Medicine practitioners will always remind you to use a scarf to cover the nape of your neck during the colder months. This area is vulnerable to chilly winds that can pe*****te our bodies and allow pathogens to get in.

Emotional transitions: As Yin time approaches, we tend to feel some grief as we say goodbye to summer and observe the natural cycle of death happening around us. This process is natural as grief is the emotion related to the Lung and the fall season. If we create a space, we can feel the sadness of letting go and release those energies appropriately. It will be much easier for us to face the emotional energy of winter, the darkest season. Winter is associated with the emotion of fear. Facing our fears ultimately helps us to tap into our strength, courage, and willpower.

Fall is a time for practical considerations when winterizing our homes, cars, and land. Regardless of how we prepare externally, it is just as important to prepare ourselves and our bodies for this change of season.

11/04/2021

Very interesting read

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese technique that has been used for millennia to treat chronic pain and other health problems associated with inflammation, yet the scientific basis of the technique remains poorly understood.

10/31/2021

Halloween: Honoring the Spirits

Thought to have originated around 4000 BC in the ancient Celtic world, Halloween was a time when the veil between worlds was thin. It marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year when spirits were welcome and celebrated. Some spirits thought to be evil were unwelcome. Costumes were worn for protection and to scare away unwanted spirits. The practice of costume-wearing carries on today in modern celebrations of Halloween.

Many countries have similar celebrations and festivities to honor the spirit world. China has a festival called Teng Chieh, the ‘ghost festival’, which began as a religious ritual nearly 2000 years ago. While it is celebrated in July and not October, it’s rooted in the same recognition of life beyond the physical. Lanterns and bonfires help guide spirits back to their earthly homes and allow the living the chance to honor deceased loved ones. It is a time to leave food, water, and gifts with portraits of family members who have passed.

The Fall, in Chinese Medicine, belongs to the Metal element and, the associated emotion is grief, which is related to the lungs. Grief is a part of life and something we must all deal with at some point. If the emotion of grief is suppressed and not effectively processed, it can lead to health issues, especially lung disease. Taking time to remember loved ones that have passed and allowing emotions to flow can be extremely important in long-term disease prevention and health maintenance. According to Chinese Medicine seasonal energies, the Fall is a great time to honor the departed. Halloween, a chance to face the dark side of death with a certain amount of playful protection, can be a reminder to put aside the spooky fun for a moment and lovingly honor our deceased friends and relatives.

The Fall season is a perfect time to:
1) Find a picture of a departed loved one, frame it, and display it in a place with room for a candle and some memory-honoring items.

2) You can include some items they owned or passed down.

3) Make an ‘offering’ of their favorite things such as food, flowers, or even pictures of things they liked.

4) Write a letter of things unsaid or things worthy of being repeated.

5) Donate in their honor to a cause they cherished.

Acupressure point to tap into ancestral wisdom and connect with your lineage:

TB 7: MEETING OF THE ANCESTORS:
Location: On the posterior forearm, between the radius and ulna, approximately 3 inches up from the wrist crease, and slightly closer to the pinky side.
On a spiritual level, this is a way to connect with your ancestors. Stimulating this point is like calling a clan meeting with past generations to gain their heavenly perspective and get their wise counsel.

Chinese Medicine is rooted in Taoist philosophy which views death as a natural part of life. We all must accept death, and it goes so far as to suggest that life is an illusion while death is an awakening. Regardless of your religious or spiritual beliefs, it can be a healing practice to take time to remember people in our lives who have passed on to the great mystery.

Enjoy the events of the season, like the changing smells, colors, and the fun of the fall holidays. Don’t forget to make time for some Acupuncture to assist with the emotional energies that naturally arise during this time, like grief and sadness. Acupuncture can help open the pathways that allow these emotions to flow in a healthy, supported way.

06/30/2021

Enjoy the sunshine and fresh air!

06/12/2021

Arthritis can be one of the most life-altering and unpleasant common pain conditions. Caused by a swelling of the joints, it can range from bothersome to extremely painful and can be a hindrance to everyday activities. Arthritis is also associated with other chronic health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure.

Over 54 million adults in the United States are affected by arthritis. That’s one in four adults! Interestingly, it is more common in rural areas. Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the United States.

That means millions of people aren’t able to work or are limited in their ability to work, are missing out on life-enhancing activities and travel, and may be in near-constant pain due to arthritis.

Thankfully there are a multitude of ways to manage arthritis and the pain that so inhibits sufferers’ lives.

Acupuncture For Arthritis
When you consider that Traditional Chinese Medicine (or TCM) dates back over 3,000 years, it is easy to see the vastness of theory and history involved. This complementary medicine arms practitioners with a plethora of unique diagnostic tools. These tools include an ability to detect Qi imbalances, define the underlying problems and correct them.

Many clinical studies support acupunctures ability to be an effective treatment for arthritis. In addition to the increased production of endogenous opioid endorphins (the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals), acupuncture is a great option to keep in mind to reduce swelling and increase range of motion safely, naturally and without harmful side effects.

Managing Arthritis

Move!
“Motion is lotion,” you may have heard a physical therapist, chiropractor, or acupuncturist say. Movement can help reduce arthritic swelling and pain, and is a sure-fire mood-booster that can also help manage those conditions that are common in conjunction with arthritis. It's important that people suffering from arthritis choose low-impact exercise and only engage in physical activity that feel safe.

Reduce Stress
Stress has a big impact on the body’s ability to heal itself, especially when it comes to inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. The pain of arthritis can also contribute to stress, creating a vicious cycle.

Making sure you are taking care of your mental and emotional health by making self-care time, getting exercise and outdoor time, and having a mindfulness routine can all help manage daily stress.

The Mediterranean Diet
No diet can cure arthritis outright, but you have a full table of options when it comes to foods that can help fight inflammation and pain.

Often called the The Mediterranean Diet (because, well, it’s common in the Mediterranean regions!), a diet low in processed food and full of fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts and beans, and healthy oil can greatly reduce the symptoms of arthritis. Plus, it’s just good for you

04/14/2021

Creating a balance from within is the best way to keep your body
functioning the way we want it to!
What your favorite way to stay healthy? Spring cleaning, hiking, going on walks? Let us know by commenting below!

01/02/2021

Great potential!

After 20 years of research, Yale pharmacologist Yung-Chi Cheng and his partners are launching the first international clinical trial for a botanical drug.

08/18/2020

Acupuncture treats a wide range of issues.

As patients recover from Covid-19, there are multiple issues they suffer.