Acupuncture as an Essential Health Benefit - Public Input!

Do you love acupuncture? Have you, a family member, or friend ever received acupuncture? Have you had fantastic results from treatment? If so, let Congress know and share your experience and thoughts about this amazing medicine!

Types of Houseplants That Clean Indoor Air - Sustainable Baby Steps

Types of Houseplants That Clean Indoor Air - Sustainable Baby Steps

Hospitals are making room for alternative therapies

Hospitals are making room for alternative therapies

Acupuncture and other holistic therapies are being incorporated into hospitals. The demand is there from not only patients but doctors as well who are seeing the benefits their patients receive from alternative medicine. For example, acupuncture and herbal medicine are effective in relieving the side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and low appetite. More and more insurance companies are also covering acupuncture. Also, if you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), those funds can be used for acupuncture.

For more information about acupuncture, its benefits, and insurance coverage, please contact Feel Well Acupuncture at lesley@feelwellacupuncture.com or visit our website www.feelwellacupuncture.com.

Cheers to a healthy 2012!

Give the Deal - Feel Well Acupuncture

Looking for a jump start to health for the new year? 
Check out my special currently being offered through "Give the Deal"! 
Get an awesome deal on an initial acupuncture treatment while helping out a local San Diego charity called Lucky Pup Dog Rescue! =)

Seasonal Changes: Staying Healthy in the Fall Season

Health Cultivation and Disease Prevention in the Fall Season

Much of Chinese Medicine theory is based in nature, especially when it comes to seasonal changes.  This is especially important in the Fall season when the weather is cooling down from the heat of summer.  Fall is also the season attributed to the Lungs. We become more prone to respiratory ailments: seasonal allergies, sinusitis, colds, and flus.  Skin issues such as eczema can also flare up because our skin is related to the Lungs. Keeping in tune with seasonal changes helps cultivate one’s health and prevent disease.  

Eat with the season –

• Cooler weather means eating foods that are warm, wholesome, and nourishing.  Forgo the salads and opt for soups and stews which are hot and hearty.  The temperature maintains our body’s Yang energy which is warming and essential especially with digestion. 

• Eat foods that are in season:

o   Vegetables – beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, mushrooms, potatoes, pumpkins, winter squash

o   Fruits – apples, concord grapes, pears

• Sweet potatoes and pumpkins are especially delicious and right for the season.  Try these yummy tips from Yoga Journal to enjoy their goodness.   

Cover your neck –

• In Chinese Medicine theory, catching a cold or the flu is referred to as an "external invasion".  However, unlike Western Medicine, the external invasion can be elemental like nature and symptoms are related to the type of pathogen involved.  These can include wind, cold, heat, dryness and dampness.   
• The back of your neck is considered the “gateway for 10,000 diseases” and is basically our weak spot.  It can be even more so when we’re feeling rundown, overworked, stressed, or fatigued.  Keep this covered and prevent invasion of the elements, especially wind. 
  
• Fall weather fluctuates between warm and cool. Winds such as the Santa Anas are also prevalent. In San Diego, the days start off crisp and cool which leads to a hot sunny day by noon, and chilly again by nightfall.  
• Carry around a scarf or better yet a sweater to prepare for the change of temperature throughout the day. 

Stay hydrated –

• Autumn is associated with the element of dryness.  In Autumn, the dry weather can affect our skin, our nose, and our lungs – which are important in our body’s immunity and are its first line of defense.  

• Drink plenty of room temperature water or better yet hot tea. Chyrsanthemum, mint, orange, and spiced teas are great for the fall season. 

•  As food therapy, try steamed pears with a touch of honey and sliced almonds to moisten dryness, especially of the lungs and skin.   

Take your vitamins –

• To maintain strong immunity make sure take these every day:
• Vitamins A, B, C, E 
• Zinc, CoQ10

• Incorporate phytonutrient rich foods – garlic, Echinacea, astragalus, mushrooms

Recognize the signs –

• A combination of any or all can mean your getting sick:  nasal discharge, sneezing, fever, chills, sinus pressure, body aches, aversion to cold or wind, fatigue, sore throat, and/or loss of appetite.

• If you feel like you are getting sick, try these home remedies:
• Miso Soup [miso + tofu + seaweed + green onions]
• A great example of food as medicine.  All ingredients work together to "release the exterior and the pathogen".  
• Ginger, Chicken and Rice Soup (recipe will follow) 
• Ginger Tea - warm, pungent, and releases the exterior
• Get plenty of rest, eat simple foods, especially soup, stay warm

Lastly…get Acupuncture –

• Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine can help boost your body’s protective Qi (immunity) and helps prevent catching the cold and flu, especially if you are prone to getting sick during the Fall and Winter seasons.

• When you do get sick, acupuncture can help your body fight the illness so you can recover faster. Herbal Medicine is also effective in strengthening your body and pushing out whatever is ailing you.  Treatment is based on the pattern of symptoms that are observed.  

Enjoy and be well this season!

Acupuncture and Seasonal Allergies

One of my first acupuncture treatments years ago was for allergies to rabbit brush, a common fixture in local Nevada plant-life. I must say from personal experience that acupuncture and herbal medicine helped me find relief from my symptoms of sneezing and the itchy eyes and ears. Now, as an acupuncturist, I am happy to offer the same relief to my patients.

Check out this great article about acupuncture and seasonal allergy relief.  There is also a great section about key foundations and theory of Chinese Medicine.  These principles are the basis of our knowledge and ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat many conditions including seasonal allergies.  

 Fox News - Acupuncture Pins Down Allergy Relief

Acupuncture for Japan

As we all know, on March 11, the northern coast of Japan was devastated by an enormous tsunami triggered by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake.  Entire coastal towns were wiped out and many were lost.  In the aftermath, survivors were left with limited resources of food, clothing, water, gasoline, and health care.  The Japanese people need our help during this crisis.

 To show our support, Feel Well Acupuncture is honored to offer a special session of Sama-Sama Community Acupuncture that would benefit disaster relief efforts in Japan.  In the spirit of Sama-Sama, together as a community, we can send our collective thoughts, prayers, healing energy, and love to the people of Japan.  By supporting the organizations listed below, we can provide the survivors of this disaster with much needed resources in the form of food, supplies, and health care. 100% of donations received will be split between these two organizations:

Acupuncturists Without Borders: www.acuwithoutborders.org

AWB's mission is to provide immediate relief and recovery acupuncture services to global communities that are in crisis from disaster or human conflict. AWB also seeks to provide training and services to global communities that promote and sustain local self-directed, self-sufficient, proactive and long-term recovery, rebuilding and trauma (including PTSD) resolution.  AWB provided acupuncture services following Hurricane Katrina and the earthquakes in both Haiti and Chile last year.  For more information on their efforts to aid Japan, please click here.  

The Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund:  www.globalgiving.org

Launched through GlobalGiving.org, this project will disburse funds to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. GlobalGiving is working with International Medical Corps, Save the Children, and other organizations on the ground.  

Acupuncture for Japan will be held on Saturday, April 2 at MOSAIC Yoga [830 25th St. Suite 203, San Diego 92102] in Golden Hill from 12noon - 2pm.  Any contribution you are willing to give whether it be monetary or just a simple thought or prayer will be most appreciated.  To participate in Sama-Sama Community Acupuncture, please bring a yoga mat.  Light refreshments will be provided during this special event.  Please spread the word and thank you for your support! See you then!

For more information, please contact Lesley at 775.220.2008 or lesley@feelwellacupuncture.com.  You can also visit our website www.feelwellacupuncture.com or RSVP through Facebook.