CHINESE MEDICINE SPRING TIME TIPS

It’s Spring! Hence the staged photo of me next to a rosemary bush!
This is the season of green sprouting things and increased energy both in the environment and also within us.

In Chinese Medicine, Spring is the time to start focusing on the Liver. As we come out of the cooler months there can be some feelings of sluggishness. This combined with temperature changes and wind stirring, can lead to symptoms, that in TCM, we may attribute to the Liver needing some extra TLC.

Symptoms may include allergies, itchy skin, red eyes, headaches (especially around the temples, eyes and top of the head), hormonal fluctuations, bloating and feelings of irritability. There may also be tightness in the thoracic region and around the rib cage.

When it comes to the Liver, harsh detoxes aren’t really the Chinese Medicine approach. The focus is more on supporting and harmonising the Liver energy. There are many ways we can give a little extra love to the Liver coming into the Spring. These include dietary changes, exercise and other lifestyle factors.

See below for some general guidelines. However if you are experiencing some particular health care concern – please consult with your health care practitioner.

Chinese Medicine has many different approaches depending on an individual’s symptoms and health history. So, reach out if you need support x

DIET- INCLUDE:
🥦 Cruciferous vegetables – such as cauli, broccoli, brussels and kale
Dark leafy greens, radicchio, fennel, beetroot, carrot.
🍋 Lemons and limes
🌱 Fresh herbs such as rosemary, coriander, mint and thyme.

❌ DIET- LIMIT
Fried foods, fatty/ processed and smoked meats, high fructose foods and trans fats.

LIFESTYLE ☀️
🏌️‍♂️Stretch out the sides of the body – side bends and yoga poses that stretch through the rib-cage are all helpful.
– Practice some deep breathing – pushing the air right down into your belly on the inhale
💃 Move the body to get rid of pent up frustration – whether that’s swimming, dancing, running, long walks in nature or gardening – find the things that make you happy x


#acupuncturist #traditionalchinesemedicine #chinesemedicine #spring #rosemary #naturalhealth

SEASONAL SNIFFLES AND ACUPUNCTURE.

According to the most up to date evidence – Acupuncture can be effective in alleviating the symptoms of hay fever (allergic rhinitis) 1 and may also be a cost-effective approach 2.

Spring is on its way and the Magnolias in bloom are certainly a welcome sign of the sunshine to come.

However, for many people, this also means hay-fever season and for some, it has already started.

Research shows Acupuncture can be helpful for both seasonal and perennial types of allergic rhinitis, lessening the allergic inflammatory response and improving tolerance to seasonal triggers 3.

Whilst treatment can be effective once symptoms have started, it’s helpful to get in early to ward off those sneezes and watery eyes before they set in.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine has been used for millennia to address many issues related to seasonal allergies, treating the whole person and not just the presenting symptoms – to help bring the body back into balance.

During a consultation, we will work out an individual treatment plan to address your health care concerns. Please reach out if you would like some help with your symptoms.

*Interestingly, the beautiful Magnolia flower when processed for herbal use, is often prescribed in Chinese Medicine for particular types of nasal congestion and sinus.

To read the Acupuncture research, please click on the links in the text or see below.

Elisabeth

1. Rao YQ, Han NY. [Therapeutic effect of acupuncture on allergic rhinitis and its effects on immunologic function]. Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion. 2006;26(8):557-60.

2. Kim SY, Lee H, Chae Y, Park HJ. A systematic review of cost-effectiveness analyses alongside randomised controlled trials of acupuncture. Acupuncture in medicine: Journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society. 2012;30(4):273-85.

3. McDonald JL, Cripps AW, Smith PK. Mediators, Receptors, and Signalling Pathways in the Anti-Inflammatory and Antihyperalgesic Effects of Acupuncture. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. 2015;2015:975632.

ACUPUNCTURE FOR CHRONIC PAIN.

Do you suffer from chronic pain?

Recent studies show the effectiveness of Acupuncture in relieving symptoms of chronic pain1. The research has also shown that Acupuncture’s positive effects can still be evident 12 months after treatment2.

Chronic pain can continue long after an injury has healed. It can be both physically and emotionally draining, and affect a person’s ability to work, sleep and socialise.

The recent focus on the opioid epidemic3and it’s far reaching consequences has highlighted the need to look to methods of alleviating pain, that don’t require long term use of those drugs.

Acupuncture is a holistic system of healing based on Chinese Medicine theory. It focuses on restoring balance and facilitating the body’s natural healing responses. Studies show it can aid the release of the body’s natural painkillers4 and anti-inflammatory agents5.

So, if you are experiencing chronic pain, consider Acupuncture.

During a consultation, we will discuss your symptoms and your health history. I will then work out a treatment plan to suit your needs.

To read the latest research, please click on the links in article or see below.

Elisabeth

1.Yin, C., Buchheit, T. E., & Park, J. J. (2017). Acupuncture for chronic pain: an update and critical overview. Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology, 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28719458

2.MacPherson, H., Vertosick, E. A., Foster, N. E., Lewith, G., Linde, K., Sherman, K. J., et al. (2016). The persistence of the effects of acupuncture after a course of treatment. Pain, 1–22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27764035

3. Rudd RA, Seth P, David F, Scholl L. Increases in Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths — United States, 2010–2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:1445–1452. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm655051e1

4. Harris, R. E., Zubieta, J.-K., Scott, D. J., Napadow, V., Gracely, R. H., & Clauw, D. J. (2009). Traditional Chinese acupuncture and placebo (sham) acupuncture are differentiated by their effects on μ-opioid receptors (MORs). NeuroImage, 47(3), 1077–1085. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811909005904?via%3Dihub

5. Longhurst, J., Chee-Yee, S., & Li, P. (2017). Defining Acupuncture’s Place in Western Medicine. Scientia, 1–5.https://www.scientia.global/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/John-Longhurst.pdf