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Simple ways to manage stress

11/25/2016

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Thi​s goes without saying that some of us have had a stressful and emotional couple of weeks in this country. The good news is that although we may not be able to control the circumstances, we can control (or at least treat) how we RESPOND to the stressful events. Here are a few things you can do on your own to help you manage the stress:
1. Exercise
     Exercise especially in the morning will help get your circulation flowing. A simple brisk walk around the block for 20 minutes is all you need to do although doing more is perfectly acceptable. Slow meditative exercises like yoga, qi gong, or tai chi are all great ways to start your day.

2. Eat Lighter and Healthier

     Eating heavy meals weighs us down physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Instead eat smaller meals with bigger nutrition. Instead of french fries try half a baked sweet potato. Instead pasta make steamed veggies with butter. Instead of that bacon and cheeseburger eat a small salad topped with roasted chicken breast.

3. Supplements
     B vitamins probiotics and vitamin D3 during the day, omega 3 and magnesium in the evening before bed.

4. Verbalize Your Thoughts
     Don’t let your thoughts and feelings stay boggled up in your head. Talk though your feelings with friends, family and/or a therapist. Writing is also a good way to get your feelings out but what wee don’t recommend is getting caught up in polarized conversations. Which leads us to the next recommendation…


5. Detach from Social Media (at least for now)

     The last thing you need to do is engage in the banter that’s going on in everyone else’s head. Logout of Facebook for awhile until the waves of emotions pass. Don’t worry, you can log back in as soon as you are feeling less vulnerable and able to take a pass on the emotional roller coasters in your feed.

6. Acupuncture
      A lot of people have been asking us if acupuncture can help and the short answer is ABSOLUTELY! Acupuncture is very good at relaxing the nervous system, improving blood flow, and quieting the mind. If you are finding yourself anxious or angry or sad or depressed then an acupuncture treatment can help relax your system so that you can get through your day and focus on other things.


Dawna Ara, L.Ac, M.S.



Photo credit healthysimplelife
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Wow - I Ate All That!  Teas for Digestion and Chinese Herbal Medicine to the Rescue This Thanksgiving!

11/18/2016

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​Three things come to mind when I think of Thanksgiving 
  1. Delicious Food
  2. TV Show Marathons 
  3. Food Coma  

The first two are easy - what's not to love about delicious food and watching TV with friends and family. Its the food coma and all that comes with it that I do my best to avoid each year.
​On Thanksgiving Day, we are actually encouraged to stuff ourselves and certainly one day a year, such indulgence can’t do us too much harm.  For many, these temporary feelings goes away by the next day once our body has dealt with it. But sometimes a bout of overeating can create problems that stay around for days or even weeks.  In Chinese medicine indigestion due to overeating is termed as "food stagnation". 

Symptoms of Food Stagnation: 
  • Aversion to food and the smell of food 
  • Acid Reflux
  • Belching
  • Sour regurgitation
  • Nausea with or without vomiting
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Abdominal fullness, pain, and tenderness
  • Lethargy and fatigue

                                                      Bao He Wan
                                       Saves The Day


This inexpensive Chinese herbal formula translated as preserve the harmony pill can help ease the bloating, cramping, heartburn, or other forms of indigestion that usually accompany large, rich meals.  

Sound too good to be true?  It's really not.  Here's how it works - Bao He Wan contains herbs that help the body's digestive system break down meats, grains, and fats; stimulating peristalsis, which is the abdominal movement that keeps food moving through the digestive tract properly.  You'll feel good enough to get out for a healthy, post Thanksgiving walk (I strongly recommend this).

If Bao He Wan sounds like something you'd be interested in for this Thanksgiving or for other big meals this holiday season (or anytime!) - give me a call today at (510) 210-3822 or schedule online to come in for an herbal consultation!  

                                                        Teas for Digestions
But chances are, you won't have an acupuncturist or Chinese herbalist in the house Thanksgiving day.  So, what to do? Below are a few different teas your can probably stock up on at your local grocer.
  • Fennel seed - Fennel is my go-to herb for gas and bloating. Have you ever seen bowls of fennel near the door at Indian restaurants? That's because it helps it prevents or relieves gas. Fennel stimulates the flow of bile and relaxes the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, helping food and gas to pass though our system.
  • Peppermint - Peppermint also relaxes the digestive muscles, allowing gas to move and relieving pain from cramping. In Europe, mint has a long history of use in digestives. Recently several studies have shown that peppermint may be helpful for those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS. (Note: Peppermint may be irritating to those with gastroesophogeal reflux disease or GERD.)
  • Ginger - Ginger stimulates the flow of saliva, bile, and gastric secretions and aids the movement of food through the digestive tract. I like using dried ginger pieces in teas because they're easy to blend and store, but you can also use fresh ginger if you have it on hand.
  • Chamomile - Chamomile helps to relax muscle spasms, including the smooth muscles of the intestines. Its bitter flavor also stimulates the release of the body's natural digestive enzymes. In addition, chamomile has the ability to relax and calm the nerves, which can be most helpful when you don't feel well.
  • Green Tea - Green tea may be beneficial for digestion because of substances it contains called polyphenols, including catechins. A study published in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" in 2005 found that catechins from green tea increase the activity of pepsin, the digestive enzyme that breaks down proteins in the stomach. Although black tea comes from the same plant, it is more processed than green tea and doesn't have as high a catechin content, so it may not have the same beneficial effect on digestion.

                                                         Tummy Soothing Tea
  • 1 teaspoon dried chamomile flowers
  • 1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried cut ginger pieces (not ground)
  • 8 ounces boiling water
  • Honey to taste (optional)

Combine the chamomile, fennel, ginger, and peppermint in a tea pot or mug. Pour boiling water over. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. Strain tea, then sweeten with honey, if desired.

The recipe below is for a single serving, but you could also make a big batch of the dry tea blend and store it in a jar for easy access.

Considerations

While teas are generally safe, not all herbal teas are safe for everyone. Some herbal teas, such as those made with dandelion, chamomile, black cohosh or dried ginger, may not be safe during pregnancy. 

Peppermint tea may not be a good idea for people with reflux or those taking blood pressure or diabetes medications, and ginger should be avoided by those using blood thinners or blood pressure or diabetes medications. Avoid dandelion tea if you take diuretics, blood thinners or diabetes medications.
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Study finds acupuncture reduces hot flashes for women who participated in study

11/4/2016

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Are you going through menopause or know someone who is? If so check out this study. 

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160928141719.htm
​

In a nutshell, this study found 96% of the participants who received acupuncture experienced a decrease in hot flashes. 

What are hot flashes? Hot flashes feel like a sudden rush of heat most commonly over the face, neck, and chest. They can cause sweating and leave you feeling cold after they've passed. Hot flashes can come anytime during the day but many women experience them during the night as well. Some women experience them once a week while others may experience them every hour. 

The good news is that acupuncture and herbs can treat more than just the hot flashes. As acupuncturists we treat the whole body, not just the symptom. This means we strive to bring your body into homeostasis so that you feel good all around. Along with treating the hot flashes we can help improve the quality and quantity of your sleep, regulate your response to stress, improve your digestion and overall sense of well being. 

Dawna Ara, L.Ac. 


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Immune Boosting Elderberry Syrup 

11/4/2016

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​A simple elderberry syrup recipe made with dried elderberries, honey and herbs for an immune boosting and delicious syrup. Can be used medicinally or on homemade pancakes or waffles.  My favorite (and easiest) recipe comes from WellnessMama.Com

Black elderberry has been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Studies have shown that elderberry can have a measurable effect in treating the flu, alleviating allergies, and boosting overall respiratory health.

Ingredients
  • ⅔ cup dried black elderberries  (I get mine from Monterey Bay Spice Company) 
  • 3½ cups of water
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh or dried ginger root
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • ½ teaspoon cloves or clove powder
  • 1 cup raw honey (find great honey at local farmer's market)
Instructions
  1. Pour water into medium saucepan and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon and cloves (do not add honey!)
  2. Bring to a boil and then cover and reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half. At that point, remove from heat and let cool enough to be handled. Mash the berries carefully using a spoon or other flat utensil. Pour through a strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
  3. Discard the elderberries (or compost them!) and let the liquid cool to lukewarm. When it is no longer hot, add 1 cup of honey and stir well.
  4. When honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a pint sized mason jar or 16 ounce glass bottle of some kind.
  5. Ta Da! You just made homemade elderberry syrup! Store in the fridge and take daily for its immune boosting properties. Some sources recommend taking only during the week and not on the weekends to boost immunity.
  6. Standard dose is ½ tsp to 1 tsp for kids and ½ Tbsp to 1 Tbsp for adults. If the flu does strike, take the normal dose every 2-3 hours instead of once a day until symptoms disappear.
​

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Managing Daily Stress With Reiki And Acupuncture 

11/4/2016

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​​In our modern world most of us suffer from increased daily stress and anxiety. Our “monkey minds” are always going, multi-tasking, and juggling our responsibilities of our busy lives, creating a state of chronic stress, fatigue, and emotional imbalance. More than ever, most of us need regular healing practices to ground our unsettled energy, let go of stress, and to go within for greater self-awareness. 
So how do we manage the toll stress has on our daily lives and what healing practices can we incorporate into our lives to effectively address our chronic stress and anxiety? Traditional medicines and energetic healing practices use a holistic lens for viewing each individual and always address the body, mind, and spirit to create an inner peace and homeostasis. One of the beautiful aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory is that there is no separation between the mind and spirit. The “Shen” often translated as “Spirit or Mind” is housed within the energy of the heart. In fact, in Chinese medicine theory there is no separation between the heart and the mind, they coexist and are interdependent. This is why when we become stressed and feel anxious our heart and mind are affected with symptoms such as palpitations, heart fluttering, shortness of breath, and high emotions such as agitation, mental restlessness, foggy mind and confusion, dream disturbed sleep and insomnia.

In addition to acupuncture treatments, another effective modality for stress and anxiety reduction is with Reiki, a Japanese energy healing method. Reiki is defined as “universal life force energy” that flows through all living things and can be used in any situation where there is a desire for and openness to healing.
 
A Reiki session consists of gentle laying of the hands on the body in various places from head to toe. Reiki, the energy of life force, flows through the hands of the practitioner to the receiver. It’s a quiet, powerful, nurturing and gentle light-touch healing modality that works on the whole person, by enhancing and supporting the natural healing mechanisms of the physical body, mind, spirit and human biofield with the intention of greater balance, harmony and well being for the recipient.
 
Reiki has many beneficial effects including pain relief, stress and anxiety reduction, deeper relaxation, hormone regulation, soothing of tight muscles, shifting energetic blockages, promoting general well being, enhancing the immune system, accelerating healing, heightened intuition and providing mental-emotional healing.
 
To experience Reiki, or book in for an acupuncture session please contact us and we will be happy to assist you. 
Wishing you all peace of body, mind and spirit with a joyful heart and mind. 
 
By Awny Rael LAc. and Reiki Master


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  • Specialties
    • Acupuncture
    • Dry needling
    • Pelvic Floor Pain
    • Digestive Health
    • Micro-Needling Cosmetic Acupuncture
    • Womens health
    • Emotional Health and General Health
  • New to SFIM
    • ** BOOK NOW **
    • Fees & Insurance
    • Insurance Verification
    • Practitioners
    • FullScript
    • About >
      • What To Expect
      • FAQS
      • Celluma Light Therapy
      • Modalities
      • Long Distance Consultation & Treatment
  • ** BOOK NOW **
  • Blog
  • Contact us