ACUphoria Holistic Wellness

03/25/2026

Need helping coping with all of this chaos? I got you!

03/13/2026

There are natural alternatives to statins, which will save your joints and brain!

Statin drugs, which were introduced in 1987, have been widely prescribed for lowering cholesterol. However, there’s a growing concern about their link to dementia. As more people are put on statins, the incidence of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia has risen significantly since the 1990s. What’s the connection? Statins lower cholesterol, but cholesterol is essential for brain function, and reducing it too much may contribute to cognitive decline.

It’s a troubling realization that what was once thought to be a miracle drug may have serious side effects that weren’t fully understood. While statins can reduce heart disease risk by lowering cholesterol, they may also rob the brain of a crucial component necessary for memory and cognitive function. This raises important questions about the broader impacts of pharmaceutical treatments on brain health.

If you’re on statins and concerned about cognitive decline, it’s essential to discuss alternatives with your healthcare provider. There may be natural options, such as improving diet or increasing healthy fats, that can help maintain a healthy cholesterol level while supporting brain health. 🧠💊

02/28/2026

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THE HEALING SCRAPE. 🪨🩸

If you have ever seen an Olympic swimmer with dark red circles on their back, you have seen "Cupping." But there is an even older Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) technique that looks far more brutal, yet is profoundly effective: Gua Sha (or "Scraping").
In Western physical therapy, it is now known as Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) or the Graston Technique.
To the uninitiated, it looks like you are severely bruising the skin. But biologically, you are hacking the body's repair system.

Petechiae vs. Bruising
A normal bruise is caused by blunt force trauma that crushes blood vessels, causing deep internal bleeding and tissue damage.
Gua Sha is different. By repeatedly scraping a smooth stone over lubricated skin, you create intentional, highly controlled friction. This pulls stagnant, deoxygenated blood out of the deep muscle capillaries and up to the surface of the skin, creating tiny red or purple dots called Petechiae (in TCM, this is called the "Sha").
You aren't crushing the tissue; you are essentially vacuuming the stagnant metabolic waste to the surface.

The HO-1 Enzyme Miracle
Why purposely create petechiae? Because of the biochemical response.
When your immune system detects these tiny pools of blood at the surface, it panics. It thinks there is a massive injury.
To manage this "fake" injury, your cells massively upregulate an enzyme called Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1).
HO-1 is one of the most powerful antioxidant and cytoprotective enzymes in the human body. It breaks down the heme (from the red blood cells) into carbon monoxide and biliverdin, which act as extreme, localized anti-inflammatories.
The Hack: The HO-1 floods the entire area. It doesn't just clear the red marks; it penetrates deep into the muscle fascia, putting out the fire of chronic, decades-old inflammation and tension that a normal massage could never reach.

Fascial Remodeling
Beyond the enzymes, the physical scraping breaks up fascial adhesions—the "glue" that binds muscle fibers together when we sit at desks all day. It physically reorganizes the collagen matrix, restoring immediate mobility and range of motion.

⚡ Protocol:
How to do it safely:

The Lubricant: NEVER scrape dry skin. Apply a generous amount of massage oil, tallow, or coconut oil to the target area (like a tight neck or shoulder).

The Tool: You can buy a specialized Jade Gua Sha board, a stainless steel Graston tool, or even use the smooth edge of a heavy ceramic soup spoon (which is how Asian grandmothers do it).

The Angle & Pressure: Hold the tool at a 45-degree angle. Press down firmly and scrape in one direction (usually away from the center of the body or down the muscle). Repeat the stroke 10-15 times until the red "Sha" appears.

The Aftermath: The red marks will look intense but should not feel deeply painful like a bruise. They will fade in 3 to 5 days, leaving behind a profoundly relaxed muscle.

📚 Source: Explore (NY), "The Science of Gua Sha", Harvard Medical School study on microcirculation and HO-1 upregulation.

01/08/2026

This is exciting news - a common w**d in your yard has been shown to have cancer killing agents! Specifically, it is the root of the dandelion. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we also use the flower to clear heat from the liver, and also as a remedy for sore throats!

Dandelion root might be more powerful than you realize. Recent lab studies have shown that it can destroy up to 95% of cancer cells in just two days. This herbal remedy has been used for centuries, but now it’s gaining recognition for its potential role in modern health.

While it's still early, the scientific findings suggest that dandelion root could provide a natural approach to combating cancer. It works by targeting cancer cells without harming healthy ones, which makes it a promising addition to cancer research. Its benefits don’t stop at cancer, though; it also supports liver function and digestive health.

Always consult with a healthcare provider before trying any new treatments, but don’t overlook the healing potential found in nature. Incorporating dandelion root into your wellness routine could be a step toward strengthening your body’s natural defenses. 🌿🔬

12/26/2025

Work on the root cause with food rather than synthetic medication, which simply masks the problems and/or causes side effects!

05/01/2025

And get back into balance with Chinese Medicine!

03/06/2025

REMINDER! My Open House/Re-Launch party is coming up on Sunday 3/9 from 4:30-7 pm at my new office in Pacific Beach! Please come and show your support!! 🙏🥰

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02/26/2025

Hello patients & friends! Due to circumstances beyond my control, I am re-scheduling my Grand Opening/Business Re-launch party at my new location in Pacific Beach to Sunday March 9 from 3-6 pm. Please come show your support and take advantage of specials, demos, refreshments and a raffle!

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02/17/2025

Join me on Sunday March 2, to celebrate the re-launching of my holistic wellness biz!

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01/31/2025

I am happy to announce that I found the perfect new clinic space for my Acupuncture, herbal and Functional Medicine practice! It is in Pacific Beach, not far from the freeway entrance to the 5. I hope to be up and running by mid-week next week, and will be running some awesome Opening Day specials. Stay tuned!

12/18/2024

Hello friends!

As the year comes to a close, don’t let your HSA or FSA funds expire! At ACUphoria, we offer a variety of services that are eligible for HSA reimbursement (ie Acupuncture, cupping, microneedling and herbal products). It's the perfect time to use up your remaining balance before the year ends.

Visit us today to take advantage of your HSA or FSA savings with our HSA-eligible services and end the year feeling and looking your best. Call or text 760-216-2346 to book an appointment.

11/10/2024

There is no need to use your kitty cat! I am licensed and certified to do Microneedling, and am affordable!! DM for more info...