For me, Spring is the most mysterious and confusing of seasons.  Winter is a time of comfort and being cozy.  Fall is is about organization, getting ready for the holidays, and new routines that lay ahead.  Summer is for fun, rest, and indulging.  Spring can conjure images of bunnies hopping around, birds singing, and flowers blooming but for me, Sping is really about rebirth, growing, unpredictable weather, and coming out of my lazy winter routine. 

What does that really mean - Spring can be one tough season.  

In TCM, spring is represented by the element wood.  Wood represents birth and newness, the time for fresh ideas and new starts.  Unsurprisingly, its color is green like the fresh growth of spring.

• Wood governs your spine, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons.  
• A wood imbalance can lead to spinal problems, poor flexibility or arthritis.  
• Wood also governs your eyes.
• Most important for your mood, wood governs your liver. Your liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi (energy) and smooth flowing Qi means health and vitality.  The emotion associated with your liver is anger.  If your liver is imbalanced your Qi will be disrupted and you’ll be angry.

In acupuncture terms, in order to have a healthy and happy spring you need to balance your wood element and care for your liver.

Try these spring acupuncture recommendations, to keep your wood balanced and your liver healthy.

• Cleanse.  Cleaning your digestive tract releases accumulated toxins, undigested food, parasites and fungi.  With a clean colon your digestion is more efficient and your body is healthier.
• Detox your liver.  Reduce or eliminate alcohol or drugs that are toxic to your liver.  Consider a detox that specifically targets your liver.  Let us know if you need suggestions or help with this!
• Stretch.  Start or recommit to a healthy stretching routine.  Try yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, or other exercises that move, loosen and flex your joints.
• Exercise your eyes.  Massage your face, especially around your eyes.  Roll your eyes and move them in figure 8s.  Practice focusing on distant objects and then focusing on close objects in quick succession.  Put time limits on your computer sessions.  These exercises strengthen your eyes and can improve your eyesight.
• Control your anger.  If you're notice your anger getting the best of you more days than not, create a healthy anger management plan.  Journal, meditate or get counseling. Put limits on stressful situations.  Find activities that refocus your energy in healthy ways.

February 5, 2019 is the start of the Lunar Year of the Earth (Brown) Pig!
The Pig is a kind, generous, and gentle soul. Pigs are naturally peaceful and forgiving, they tend to avoid conflict, unless provoked. In Chinese culture, Pigs symbolize the values of family, friends, home and good food.

The Pig thrives on celebration, ease, enjoyment and whole-heartedly sharing the above with its loved ones. In the Pig year, power and status take the backseat, and everyone is invited to join the fun!
The Pig is the last animal of the Chinese 12-year animal zodiac cycle. This points to an opportunity for completion of long-term or delayed projects, closing up of unfinished investigations and lawsuits.
Earth element relates to the qualities of stability, nourishment, and harmony, and is also connected to the digestive system in Chinese medicine. The Earth element in a balanced state allows for easy transformation of raw materials into energy and vitality, both in the realm of food and of thought. 

The Pig year brings the energy of sticking closer to home, discouraging too much travel. 
Emotionally, people should have easier access to affection and consolation of their loved ones, and any confrontations should be quick to diffuse. The Pig’s main goal is contentment and enjoyment of life – resetting and preparing for the new 12-year cycle.​
Here is hoping that the influence of the Earth Pig, will bring us some peace, contentment and the experience of being nourished by our community!

There are a number of chronic degenerative eye problems that respond to acupuncture. In this episode, our guest discusses his experience using acupuncture to effectively treat macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt’s and diabetic retinopathy.
Check out our very own Dr. Bezjak.  She and Mats Sexton LAc discuss Chinese Medicine and the treatment of eye disorders.discuss not only treating the eyes, but how the eyes are a part of the nervous system and using acupuncture helps the entire body to find a deeper level of health and wellbeing.
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Click here to listen. 

 Acupuncture can treat many eye diseases, including but not limited to:

• wet or dry type ARMD (macular degeneration)
• chronic glaucoma
• diabetic retinopathy 
• retinitis pigmentosa
• night blindness
• dry eyes
• retinal issues
• muscular issues

Patients experience increased visual acuity, improved perception of light, regression of symptoms or halt the progression of disease. About 80% of patients will notice discernible and measurable changes in their vision in 10 treatments.​

 I know you %$&#!!!! thinking: acupuncture...eyes....is this acupuncture in my eyes??  
                                                                  The answer is, no!

Super fine acupuncture needles go in many assorted places around the body, and are a surprisingly effective, natural approach to controlling and even improving degenerative eye diseases. Herbal medicine is as easy as taking some pills, just like taking any other medication.

Dr. Jennifer Bezjak L.Ac. DACM, has intensive training in the highly specialized treatment approach
that is necessary when treating ophthalmologic conditions. She received her masters and her doctorate degree at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco and has studied with Mats Sexton L.Ac., who has been a a TCM eye specialist since 2003. Her mom was her first macular degeneration patient, and her complete regression of the disease inspired Dr. Bezjak to specialize in this complex and vital area of medicine.

Why does acupuncture work when my ophthalmologist says there is no treatment? Because
acupuncture treats the whole body along with the eyes. Chronic and degenerative eye disease are often accompanied by systemic diseases like: hypertension, diabetes, digestive issues,
menstrual/fertility/menopausal issues, insomnia, or chronic pain. Eyes are sensitive and complex organs, with very tiny vasculature that will be the first to show signs of vulnerability to systemic diseases. Everything is connected. Ophthalmologists are often the first physicians to discover a person’s systemic disease pattern such as stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases, and even cancer. Just as the eyes can be a window to our overall health, Chinese medicine uses the same approach: and treats the whole body to achieve healing in the eyes.

Treatment Plans for Vision Disorders
The treatment course for eye care is not like the usual acupuncture appointment.

First time appointments are for 90 minutes to allow plenty of time to discuss your health, evaluate your vision, treat, and to explain herbal prescriptions if necessary. At your first appointment, we will discuss the issue you are seeking treatment for and then we will ask you questions to understand your constitution. Chinese medicine is customized medicine for each individual, so we will likely spend 30 minutes getting to the root of the problem. If an herbal prescription is needed, then we will give you detailed instructions on dose, frequency, and duration of the medicine.

Subsequently, you will receive two 30 minute treatments a day for 5 consecutive days, for a total of 10 treatments in 1 week. You will receive a treatment, take an hour long break and then return for the second treatment that same day. I will perform a visual assessment at the beginning and at the end of the treatment course. Next, we will decide if another 10 session course is appropriate, or if we will move onto to weekly and then monthly treatments.

Payment and Fees
Please be advised: While acupuncture in general may be covered by your insurance, acupuncture for vision diseases are not covered. Payment is due at the time of service.

The fee for the initial evaluation and 10 treatments is $3600.

Visual tests are performed to chart the progress of the acupuncture treatments and to gauge their effect on the eyes before and after treatment. The testing is not designed or intended to diagnose any western diseases. If you are having vision problems, you should visit your regular Ophthalmologist for a complete work up.

Dr. Bezjak will not see patients for eye care without a prior ophthalmologists visit.

I love this picture taken from my friend KJ - its a perfect example how bad the air quality is. 

• Right now were unsure when the air quality will stabilize but until then before leaving the house - check the ever shifting air quality at airnow.gov
• Wear a mask when outside for extended periods.  Although a N95 respirator is ideal, some prevention is better than nothing.
• Use a Neti pot if you have one.  Clearing the build up out of your sinuses daily can help immensely.
• Eating pears (check out our recipe here) can calm a scratchy throat and dry cough, especially when boiled or sautéed with honey.
• Take extra immune support as your body is recognizing the stressors present.  Things like a lingering cough, sinus congestion, and dry, red or watery eyes are examples of ways our immune system lets us know its under stress and trying to rid our body of the junk we're being exposed to. (If you need input here please email us directly)
• Remain indoors. Yeah, you won’t hear me say that very often but especially if there is a preexisting vulnerability, it can be very important to avoid unnecessary exposure to more smoke. There is likely still some amount of particulate matter in the air, but it certainly seems lessened.
• Don’t increase particulate matter in the air – This includes not lighting candles, woodstoves, fireplaces, cooking food at high temperatures on the stovetop and not vacuuming. All of these activities either increase or create particulate density and circulation in the air.
• HEPA filters or even air conditioners with filters and recirculating air can help cut down on particulate matter in the air indoors. Do NOT use an air conditioner or swamp cooler if it doesn’t have air filters or it will only suck in smoke and make breathing conditions worse.
• Avoid unnecessarily exerting yourself. Heavy breathing means you’re going to suck in more smoke. Avoid it if possible.
• Be especially conscious of breathing conditions for children and pregnant women.
• Stay hydrated. Drink detoxifying and cooling teas like dandelion or mint are especially helpful.
• If your system tends towards asthma, respiratory conditions, or you have a chronic health issue or weakened immune system please be extra careful
• There is not one person in the bay area that has not been affected by this fire.  Reach out to all those in your communities that need extra support as well.  KQED has put together a great list of ways to help.

Cupping and acupuncture can be very helpful. We've gotten busy at the office since the fires, we are doing our best to accommodate everyone.  If you've been affected by the fires either physically or emotionally, please don't hesitate to reach out so we can find a time that works for you! 

I am running an end of year special just for you! My popular Mini Reset functional medicine consultation package will be 20% off through the end of December. In this package, we take a deep dive into all aspects of your health and health goals. I then create a personalized wellness plan to help you obtain optimal wellness going forward. This includes labwork, herbs, supplements, lifestyle, and diet recommendations to help you feel phenomenal. And, if you would also like to add a Comprehensive Wellness blood panel order and analysis to be included in this package, it is also just an extra $97 (normal price $350).
 
This package is ideal for women who are wanting help with fertility, PMS, irregular cycles, stress, fatigue, mood, digestive issues, etc. Or, it is also wonderful to do as a once yearly health reset. It is also a perfect addition to your Chinese medicine treatments as SFIM and I work very closely together in our care of patients. Wondering if this is still right for you? Schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation with me here.

Unfortunately, this package is not covered by insurance, but in most cases your HSA and FSA dollars can be used.

For more information about me, visit www.DrLaurieTerzo.com

For more information about the Mini Reset package, click here

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While it’s possible for you to get a cold any time of year‚ most of us know that when the weather starts getting colder and the stress from the holidays starts to build‚ your chances of developing a cold are higher. This is mostly because people spend more time inside together during the colder months‚ giving germs and bacteria a better chance to spread in the re-circulated air.

Over the years we've gone through a lot of different products.  Along with our winter coats and scarfs, these are the tried and true ones we bring out every year without fail. 

We've got all of these stocked at the office - pick them up at your next treatment or give us a call and we can mail them to you in the SF/East Bay area.