Massage and aromatherapy

Massage and aromatherapy

The manipulation of soft tissue is what we refer to when talking about massaging, but with aromatherapy we introduce the power of essential oils into the equation to bring their intrinsic therapeutic properties to the massage.

Massage is beneficial in more ways than simply being relaxing, and helps with various aspects as discussed on our massage therapy page.

There are various methods of massaging and include the following:

Swedish

This method of massaging is the most popular type of massage and includes a variety of strokes and was developed by the Swede Professor Ling. This type of massage is beneficial to promote the feeling of well-being and also helps to reduce emotional and physical stress.

Neuromuscular massage

This way of massaging forms the basis of aromatherapy massage and evolved from the work of Stanley Leif. It is also referred to as “Trigger point” therapy and the overall effect of this massage is to restore the balance of the autonomic nervous system.

Lymphatic massage

This massage helps to improve the flow of lymph and some techniques developed by Marguerite Maury are incorporated in aromatherapy massage. Lymph drainage massage is particularly useful in detoxifying the body and to boost the immune system.

Acupressure massage and Shiatsu

This method of massage is focused on the meridians (channels) of the body and to relieve “blockages” through pressure on certain points of the body. It can be performed while the person is fully clothed and requires no needles such as in acupuncture.

Reflexology

In reflexology the feet (although the rest of the body can also be used) are manipulated and massaged and focus is placed on certain points on the feet that are said to have corresponding body parts or organs.

This technique was developed by Dr. Ida Rolfand focuses on massaging the fascia – the connective tissue enclosing the muscles – to bring the body in alignment again.

Aromatherapy massage has a more holistic approach to the massage and may include some of the principles on the list above, yet will concentrate on more relaxing strokes, but of prime importance is the selection of essential oil/s used during the massage, since they are chosen for their therapeutic effect, and not the fragrance as such.

Effleurage (gliding)

Effleurage is the main or principle stroke to warm up the muscles and to prepare the soft tissue for deeper treatment. This free-flowing continuous movement is done with the flat palm of one or both hands with steady pressure.

This effleurage motion is used on the back, chest, legs and arms to stretch and manipulate tension away from the muscles.

Feathering

The feathering stroke is an extremely light stroke and is barely perceivable by the person receiving the massage, yet has a profoundly soothing effect.

Petrissage (kneading) massage

With petrissage specific muscle groups are worked where tissue is easily grasped, and can be performed superficially or deep. Deep petrissage is helpful in promoting circulation and to loosen muscle tightness.

Friction and pressure

Friction is mostly used around joints and helps to increase circulation and the masseur’s fingers do not slide over the skin and in sports massage it is often referred to as cross-fiber stroking.

Vibrating

Using vibrating strokes uses the muscles of the masseur and can take the form of striking the body (especially bony areas) lightly with the fingertips or jostling the muscles (good for sore muscles) where the masseur places his/her hands on the person’s body and shaking his/her hands while moving the hand along the muscle.

Tapotement (percussion)

These alternate drumming movements are normally performed on broad areas of the body, such as the back.

Pummeling

While forming a loose fist strike the body with the outer edge of the hand.

Rapid chopping motions are performed with the outer edge of the hand, and the fingers slightly separated so as not to do a karate chop and is used mostly on the fleshy areas like upper shoulders or legs.

The hands are cupped and the body is struck with the fingertips and the heels of the palms.

Caution for massage if the person: aromatherapy

Recently consumed a large meal, alcohol or addictive substances, do not massage

Underwent surgery, do not massage, unless with the permission of his/her medical doctor

Suffers from heart attacks or strokes should at most only receive a very gentle massage to help circulation

Has cancer, massage should not be performed

Has a fever or infectious disease, do not massage

Has varicose veins, do not massage directly over the varicose veins and never massage a person with thrombosis or phlebitis

Has inflamed joints, gout, arthritic or rheumatoid pain, rather massage above the area and not on the site as it would be too painful

If the person is pregnant, first obtain permission from the doctor to massage

Original article and pictures take www.corespirit.com site

Managing PMS Through Ayurveda Nutrition

Managing PMS Through Ayurveda Nutrition

Often clients come to me with several health needs such as hormonal imbalances, skin issues, digestion, mood swings, etc. Of course my scope is to tackle those with a tailored nutrition plan, but I also take a look at their entire picture of health, including hormones. The topic of hormones affects every single one of us, but today I wanted to specifically tackle women’s health and hormones, including how hormones affect mood swings, signs of hormonal imbalances, and what you can do about both through a unique nutritional perspective of Ayurvedic medicine. I’ve been fascinated with alternative forms of medicine and Ayurveda was one of many I studied on the sidelines during my academic career. Although I’m a nutrition expert, my expertise isn’t in Ayurvedic so I turned to Dr. Kulreet Chaudary to help give us a primer on PMS, hormonal imbalances, and how we can tackle those pesky monthly symptoms with nutrition. I’ll let her take us from here, and be sure to check out the Guide to Healthy Hormones: A women’s health ebook download at the bottom if you want to dive in a little deeper!

For most women, that “particular time of the month” is something of a nuisance — a time we wish we could skip. In fact some women even opt for birth control methods that completely abolish their monthly cycle. But in reality, a woman’s menstrual cycle offers a uniquely significant opportunity for both detoxification and rejuvenation. Honoring your body and the monthly cycles that it goes through is a way of increasing vitality and productivity for the many years to come.

In Ayurveda, menstruation is viewed as a time of purification and rejuvenation for women. In fact, there are certain conditions that are considered to be curable if they occur in a menstruating woman that would otherwise not be treatable due to the added benefits that her monthly cycle provides. During menstruation, your body removes built up toxins, called ama in Sanskrit. These toxins are the nidus for disease and a woman’s ability to remove this ama on a regular basis significantly strengthens her ability to stay healthy. This is particularly important in our modern world, where we are bombarded with environmental toxins as well as toxic ingredients added to our foods. But for so many of us, our daily demands don’t allow us to honor these natural cycles, resulting in imbalances in both our body and mind. This imbalance can result in PMS and menstrual discomfort since menstruation is a time of rebalancing. So in essence these uncomfortable symptoms are simply the body and mind trying to purge itself of toxins accumulated over the month. Rather than completely blocking this critical monthly detoxification process with birth control methods that stop menstruation in order to escape the discomfort, Ayurveda offers suggestion on how to reduce toxins throughout the month and ways to honor this critical time of rejuvenation. Below are natural ways to heal PMS and menstrual discomfort.

Try it! CCF Tea. Drink this throughout the month. This tea is a cornerstone of a healthy monthly detoxification program. It helps heal the gut mucosa, improve the absorption of nutrients, flush out excess wastes and stimulate the lymphatic system. The tea helps move fluid through and out of the body, so you may urinate more, which is a good sign. Here’s how to prepare this pleasant-tasting savory tea:

• Boil 4 to 5 cups of water in a pot. As the water is heating, add the following to the pot:
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1⁄2 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fennel seeds
• Let the water boil for five to ten minutes with the seeds, depending on how strong you want your tea to be. Afterward, strain the seeds out of the tea, then pour the tea into an insulated vessel (like a thermos) to keep it hot all day. If you have a tea ball, use it for less cleanup. Then sip the tea throughout the day until it’s all gone. Try to finish it before 6 p.m., so you don’t have to use the bathroom multiple times during the night.

Support detoxification with ginger. The Ginger Gut Flush is one of the best ways I know to ignite your metabolism, warm the body, and really burn off toxins. I use this remedy in the winter because that is when I notice a dip in my digestion and so its warming properties aid me in not accumulating ama. Here is how to make it:

• 1 fresh lemon (or enough to make 1⁄2 cup juice)
• 1 inch peeled fresh ginger
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt (preferably Himalayan sea salt)
• Squeeze the lemon to make 1⁄2 cup fresh lemon juice, strain out any seeds, and put the juice into a lidded jar. Cut the ginger into thin one-inch strips. Add these to the lemon juice. Add the sea salt to the mixture and stir until the salt dissolves. Cover and refrigerate. Eat one to two pieces of the soaked fresh ginger before each meal. Make a batch at the beginning of the week and it will last for seven days in the refrigerator.

A final tip on meal times using Ayurvedic medicine; make lunch your largest meal… In U.S. culture, it is traditional to eat the largest meal in the evening, but this is much harder on your digestion than eating the bulk of your calories during the middle of the day, when you most require energy. This is an ancient Ayurvedic concept, but it is practiced in many other cultures as well (such as in Europe). There is some research to back this up, too, such as one study that showed that eating out of sync with your circadian rhythm, which uses more energy during the day and less energy at night, can lead to insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Another study showed that eating a larger breakfast and lunch and skipping or having a small dinner resulted in more weight loss and better blood sugar control than eating six small meals during the day.

In Ayurveda, your agni (digestive fire) is linked to the cycles of the sun. When the sun is the strongest (at noon), that is also when your agni is the strongest in your body. Eating more at lunchtime is simply more efficient—you absorb more nutrients and create less ama when your body is running at full steam. I always have a big lunch and if I’m going to have a heavy food or a dessert, I try to have it at lunchtime. Dinnertime is when your body begins to prepare for detoxification, which predominantly occurs during the night when your body is at rest. (This is also why most people have a bowel movement in the morning—the body is expelling the waste it was processing while you slept.) If you have a large dinner, not only does it tend to disrupt sleep, but it also makes detoxification less effective because your body has to expend extra energy breaking down the food you consumed at dinner. To learn more about Ayurvedic detoxification therapies read Dr. Kulreet Chaudary’s newest book, The Prime and the Prime Club.

A huge thank you to Dr. Chaundary for sharing Ayurveda nutrition with Nutrition Stripped. So what do you think? Have you implemented any Ayurveda practices into your lifestyle already, and have you seen any improvements? Or is this the first time you’ve heard of it and thinking about trying some of its methods? Let me know what you think in the comments, or share on Instagram with #nutritionstripped!

xx McKel

WANT MORE?

Learn more about nutrition and the tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way. Download the new Guide to Happy Hormones, a woman’s health ebook. Learn what to eat on a daily basis, how to stock your home and kitchen with foods that support your hormones, and other lifestyle tips for keeping hormones balanced and healthy!

Original article and pictures take nutritionstripped.com site

Management of Phakka Roga in Ayurveda

Management of Phakka Roga in Ayurveda

Kashyap samhita is one of the important ancient documents of kaumarbhritya. Kaumarbhritya is one among the eight branch of ayurveda. Kaumarbhritya consist from birth of baby up to he becomes capable of independent existence. During this phase physical and mental development takes place. It consists of various descriptions of diseases and their treatment. Phakka roga one of the most important diseases happens in childhood period and has been described only in kashyap samhita elaborately.

Bala: samvatsara (panna:) padaabhyam: yo na Gacchati |

Sa Pakka iti Vidneya: || – Kashypa.Sa.Chi 17/3

Phakka has been defined as inability of a child to walk even by the age of one year. The word Phakka denotes sluggish movement due to poor physical development associated with psychomotor changes. Phakka roga mainly classify into three groups on the basis of their causes as follows.

Kshiraja Phakka

Garbhaja Phakka and

Vyadhija Phakka.

Kshiraja Phakka:

Dhatri shlaishmikdugdha tu Pakkadugdhetisadnyeta |

tatkhirpo bahuvyadhi: karshyat Pakkatvamapnuyat || – Kashyapa.Sa. chi 17/4

Stanya vitiated with kapha dosha is called Phakka-dugdha. This Phakka-dugdha causes obstruction in rasa vaha strotasa and cause nutritional deficiency in a child resulting in to Kshiraja Phakka roga.

Garbhaja Phakka:

Garbhinimatruka: kshripra stanyasya vinivartanat |

Kshiyate mriyate va-api sa Pakko garbhapidit: || – Kashyapa.Sa. chi 17/4

When a nourishing Dhatri conceives during breast feeding period, deficient milk secretion results. There by the Balak gets emaciated due to malnourishment and even dies. This condition is called a Garbhaja Phakka.

Vyadhija Phakka:

Nijragantubhischev………..Jwaradhibhi: |

Itetaiya: karanaer vidyat Vyadhija Pakkata shisho: || – Kashyapa.Sa. chi 17/4

In some diseases if proper care and treatment is not provided it leads to emaciation with improper formation of metabolites (Rasa, mamsa, meda and asthidhatu), leading to severe malnourishment associated with weak limbs as well as mobilization of subcutaneous fat from gluteal, chest and extremities with increase in frequency to stool and urine, irritability untrimmed nails and uncleanness to skin indicates the children of poor socio-economic condition is also known as vyadhija Phakka. It shows growth and developmental deficiency. which stimulates with protein energy malnutrition, marasmus, rickets, chronic malabsorption states like celiac diseases. Most of the characters are correlating with marasmic child. Kshiraja and Garbhaja Phakka comes in to acute malnutrition where as Vyadhija Phakka is a state chronic malnutrition with general debility and reversible motor disability owning to malnourish state.

Principles of management of Phakka roga:

In Balyavastha , there is more vitiated condition of Kapha dosha. Due to these Balaka more prone to kaphaj vikara. There are references for the treatment of Phakka roga available in Phakka chikitsa adhyaaya for normalization of kapha and-vata dosa.(Ka.chi 17/4).

Bastay: snehapanani swedaacch uadwartanani cha |

Vaat rogeshu balana sanshrutheshu visheshat: | – Kashyapa.Sa. chi 17/4

……………………karayet kriya ||

Klyanak pibet Pakka:Khatpal Wa yatha amrtam |

saptratrat par chaina Trivvrut kshiren shodhayet ||

shudrakoshtata: Pakka: | – Kashyapa.Sa. chi 17/4

Kshiraja Phakka:

The whole treatment can be broadly classified in to two parts.

For Dhatri,

For Balaka

For Dhatri:

In Dhatri stanya vitiated with kapha dosha , acharya kashyapa explains the severity of vitiation of stanya and stated that samprapti due to sannipataja dushti , results in Balaka with the symptoms jadatva , mukatva, and pangutva.

In the etiopathogenesis of phakka , agnimandya due to dusta stanya, stanyabhava as well as vyadhi leads to improper dhatu-nirman especially rasa, mamsa, meda and asthi dhatu, so treatment should be aimed at prakruta rasa nirmana with the augmentation of agni by mrudu shodhan followed by deepana, pachana, balya and bruhana therapy.

This etiopathogenesis can be controled by two upakrama. In Kshiraja Phakka, shodhan upakrama done to the dhatri having kaphaj stanya. According to vagbhatacharya tikshna shodhan vamana dravya we use vacha, sarshapa, pippali dravya . After vamana sansarjana karma should be followed, and for shaman internally dipana and pachana dravya like vacha, ativisha, panchmula ghana kwatha should be given. Then nasya, dhum , gandush, pradeha, parisheka, and kapha shamak aahara indicated.

For Balaka:

According to acharya kashyapa Balaka snehana can be accomplished with Raja taila and Abhyantar snehana with amruta ghrita , kalyanaka ghrita, shatpala ghrita, bramhi ghrita for seven days given internally after followed by virechana carried out with trivrutksheeram basti Basti best during this period with the predominance of vata dosha and mamsa as well as vataharaka dravyas .

In Shaman chikitsa internally we should give dipana dravya like raasna, madhuka siddha ghrita then pachana for stroto shodhana (udavartanam) milk mixed with gomutra for pana then bruhana dravya includes mamsa-rasa and kshira siddha with raasna madhu, shatpushpa, ekparnni indicated.

Garbhaj Phakka:

In this type it closely resembles with balshosha, Parigarbhik described by Vagbhatt. This relationship should be explained on the basis of stages. In initial stages shosha leads to kshiraj Phakka, parigarbhik then garbhaj Phakka. For graham Phakka we should treat parigarbhik in which agnidipan chikitsa is ideal. In which we use dipan and pachan dravya includes. Nutritious food siddha with vidari, yava , godhum, pippali with sufficient ghrita should be given in such cases then anupana rich in milk mixed with honey and sugar, this all nutritious food covers vitamin deficiency disorders.

Vyadhija Phakka:

In vyadhij Phakka a main cause is dosh dushya samprapti due to the nija roga and agantuj roga. Due to mandagni and dushta grahani the nutrition of food cannot nourish the tissue .Due to this, disordered grahani, sara sanhanan of body get deteriorated. These all symptoms seen in accordance with related disease. For vyadhiaja Phakka the treatment should be classified on hetu‘s in treatment swalp-aahara proper quantity of nutritious food including kshirapeya indicated. For the strength of agni various lehya dravya and kalpas described by acharya kashyapa of highly nutritious value of both animal and vegetable origin should be internally given to the balak.

Bahya chikitsa: oil for massage (abhyanga) raj-taila made of earanda , shaliparnni , bilva this may be given internally too. Oil siddha with mamsa, yusa.are also useful. As per the experience of vaidyas, Sudhavarga ausadhi dravyas like Sudhasatak is very much helpful for nourishment of Asthidhatu.Samvardhan Ghrita described in Lehadhyaya is successfully practised in developmental disorders is of high therapeutic value.

Physiotherapy: For disabled child, Phakka ratha has been advocated which is specifcally made by skilled and technical person should be manufactured in order to support disable balaka keeps resemblance with modern physiotherapy.

Original article and pictures take www.corespirit.com site

Low Carb Teriyaki Turkey Bowls

Low Carb Teriyaki Turkey Bowls

Happy Tuesday guys! Just 5 more days until Christmas, eeeeeep! Pretty lights are everywhere, holiday music is in full effect (let’s be honest, that all started the day after Thanksgiving) and my bank account is in a constant plea for me to calm down. Ahhhhh, isn’t it great?

I’m so happy because for the next two weeks, I get a vacation from work and even though I’m already missing my kiddos dearly, it feels great to soak up all that good ol’ family time! So good in fact, that I’ve been on the prowl lately for deliciously healthy recipes that are super quick and super easy. Key word here is quick, ‘cus…you know, trying to optimize all of that family fun time.

With that being said…these Low Carb Teriyaki Turkey Bowls do not dissapoint. Quick? Yep. Easy? You know it. Delicious? uhhh BOWL LICKIN’ WORTHY.

This entire recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, including the time that it takes to make that deliciously flavorful teriyaki sauce that you’re looking at below. 30 measly minutes for the whole shebang. I’m a HUGE fan of 90% lean ground turkey as it’s a super versatile healthy substitute to ground beef with great taste and texture. It’s not only AMAZE in the recipe, it’s been a low fat lifesaver in other recipes too including:

Oh and of course, my superhero veggie had to make its big debut in these Low Carb Teriyaki Turkey Bowls. Cauliflower rice…you’re the real MVP. I simply used a head of cauliflower and pulsed it in the food processor a few times then fried with a little soy sauce. NOM GUYS.

-Recipe & Nutrition Info Below-

For more LOW CARB recipes, check out:

Nutrition Facts Serving Size 1 cup cauliflower rice w/ 4oz Teriyaki Turkey Servings Per Container 4 Amount Per Serving Calories 272 Calories from Fat 81 % Daily Value* Total Fat 9g 14% Saturated Fat 0g 0% Trans Fat g Cholesterol 30mg 10% Sodium 1606mg 67% Total Carbohydrate 46g 15% Dietary Fiber 13g 52% Sugars 23g Protein 35g 70% *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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Original article and pictures take www.itscheatdayeveryday.com site

Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain Acupuncture Points

Nearly 80% of people suffer from low back pain at some point in life, whether the pain lasts for just a few days or persists as chronic low back pain for months or years. Back pain is not only one of the main reasons people seek medical treatment, but it is also the leading reported reason for seeking acupuncture. Acupuncture has been shown effective for treating chronic low back pain.

Symptoms And Causes Of Low Back Pain

Symptoms range from a dull ache to a stabbing or shooting sensation. You may find the pain debilitating, making it hard to move or stand up straight.

Factors that can lead to low back pain include muscle strain after heavy lifting or over excursion at exercise, and sciatica caused by a bulging or ruptured disc in the spinal column putting pressure on the spinal nerve roots.

Regularly toting a heavy bag on your shoulder as well as actions that twist the spine, such as lifting and pulling, increase your risk of developing low back pain. Poor posture when sitting or standing is another culprit for causing low back pain. Fibromyalgia, which causes widespread muscle aches, is one of several chronic conditions that can bring on low back pain. Two other such conditions are spinal stenosis (narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, putting pressure on the spinal nerves) and spondylitis (severe inflammation of the spinal joints).

How Acupuncture Can Help

This traditional Chinese healing practice involves inserting needles at specified points on the body. The aim of acupuncture is to remove blockages to the flow of energy (Qi) along pathways or meridians that form a network throughout the body.

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Acupuncture leads to the release of pain-killing endorphins by speeding the relay of electromagnetic signals through the body. It also stimulates the release of opioids in the brain that are shown to lessen pain and promote sleep. By activating the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, acupuncture alters secretion of chemicals that lead to a reduction in the sensation of pain.

The acupuncturist takes your complete medical history and conducts a physical examination. Your diet may be taken into account to ascertain nutritional well-being. Dietary changes may be recommended, possibly including herbal supplements. Treatment will be tailored to your specific condition and complaint, with follow-up appointments used to reassess the progress and make changes if needed.

Acupuncture conducted by an experienced, trained acupuncturist is generally a safe procedure. In treating low back pain it may be used in conjunction with other medical treatments such as chiropractic care or as a stand-alone approach. In the event that you are beset by low back pain, you can be reassured that acupuncture is there to give you the desired relief.

Related Articles:

The Cause and Treatment of Back and Disk Injuries

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) of Acupuncture for Low Back Pain

Original article and pictures take www.acupuncturemoxibustion.com site

Living According to the Winter Season with Chinese Medicine

Living According to the Winter Season with Chinese Medicine

Living According to the Winter Season with Chinese Medicine

By Emma Suttie, D.Ac, AP

The ancient Chinese created a system of medicine thousands of years ago that is still used to this day. It has evolved over thousands of years and is still used today to effectively treat modern diseases. Chinese medicine is only a part of a greater concept the ancient Chinese used to live their everyday lives. It is a branch that springs from a larger tree that encompasses all aspects of life. This is why the doctor of Chinese medicine does not only deal with the body or physical aspects of one’s health, they are teachers educating patients on how to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle, because this is how we attain health, and the Chinese knew it. It is deeply entrenched in their medicine.

Chinese medicine teaches to live in harmony with the seasons, and according to Chinese medicine theory, there are five seasons – winter, spring, summer, late summer, and fall. Each season has many associations which help us to change our habits as the season’s change so that we may create more balance between our bodies and the external environment.

When Chinese medicine was being developed thousands of years ago, people were living in a state of complete harmony with nature. They rose with the sun, ate what grew in each season and were acutely aware of their natural environment as it had a direct effect on every aspect of their lives. The lives of the people had a flow that changed depending on the time of year. Things like what foods were eaten was dependent on what happened to be growing at that particular time and what was available. When to get up, how to dress and what kinds of activities were engaged in were dependent on the important connection that people had to their environment. Because these simple steps were taken people were able to stay healthy throughout the year and had the tools to keep their immune systems and their organs strong so that they could ward off disease.

This fancy chart was made by Chinese Medicine Living

Winter represents the most Yin aspect in Chinese medicine. Yin is the dark, cold, slow, inward energy. This is compared to the Yang of summer whose energy represents light, hot, quick, expansive qualities. The summer weather is warm, the days are longer and people are out being active. In TCM we believe that the diet and activities in winter should be adapted to enriching yin and subduing yang.

Winter, in TCM, is associated with the Kidneys which hold our body’s most basic and fundamental energy. It is believed that by harmonizing oneself with the seasons you can stay healthier and prevent disease, so winter is a good time to strengthen the kidneys. Rest is important for revitalizing the kidneys, which is why some animals hibernate in winter. It is also a good time to look inward, reflecting on ourselves with meditation, writing, or other inward practices such as Tai Chi and Qi Gong. These practices help us to connect to our inner selves and help to support kidney energy. They are very helpful to relax the mind, calm our emotions and raise the spirit.

The sense organ associated with the kidneys is the ears, and our ability to hear clearly is related to kidney health. The quiet and stillness of winter allows us to hear more of the world than the buzzing activities of summer. This forces us to slow down, rest and relax.

The body part associated with the kidneys are the bones, so it is important to pay close attention to the bones in the winter months making sure to tonify and heal any problems in this area. This is also why winter is a time when Chinese medicine prescribes bone broths as nutritional therapy, as they are warming, nourishing and especially good for the bones. Bone broths are also powerful Jing tonics, as Jing is produced by the bones. Jing is depleted by activities such as extreme and prolonged stress, lack of sufficient sleep, working long hours, and excessive behaviours like too much drinking and drugs. Winter is the best time to supplement the body’s Jing supply and bone broths are just what the doctor ordered.

Activities should represent the season with a turn inwards, with more self-reflection, quiet time writing, meditating, reading and other soul-nourishing activities. Winter is a time to slow down and feed ourselves both physically and spiritually. Internal martial arts and meditative practices are particularly helpful at this time of year. One should go to bed earlier and sleep later to receive the full healing effects that sleep has to offer.

Many people love winter. They feel energized with the coming cold and love to be out snowboarding, skiing and going for walks in the snow. For others, winter causes them to retract, stay inside and can cause some to feel sad or even depressed because of the lack of light and reduced physical activity. The good news is that winter can be enjoyed by everyone if we live, eat and exercise according to the season and pay attention to our bodies preferences.

There are many foods that are beneficial for us to eat during the winter season. These foods are the ones that naturally grow in this season – squashes, potatoes, root vegetables, winter greens, carrots, cabbage, mushrooms, apples, and pears. In winter, our bodies need warming foods like soups made with hearty vegetables, and rich stocks cooked with animal bones are best. Foods that specifically nourish and warm the kidneys are; black beans, kidney beans, broths cooked with bones, lamb, chicken, walnuts, chestnuts, black sesame seeds and dark leafy greens. A small amount of unrefined sea salt is also helpful as the taste associated with the kidneys organ is salty, but remember, moderation in all things is important.

Cooking should be for longer periods using low heat and less water. This infuses foods with heat that helps to keep the body warm in the cold winter months. Hearty soups, whole grains, and roasted nuts are good on cold days and offer nourishment to feed the body and tonify the kidneys in cold winter months.

The principle of harmony between what we eat and the season is based on hundreds of years of practical experience. Chinese nutritional therapy is an important component of Chinese medicine and truly believes that you are what you eat. The food that we consume has a profound effect on the body, affecting our health and wellbeing. Foods become part of the body after being consumed (internal) and the weather and environment have an effect on us externally. Chinese dietary philosophy suggests that you embrace native foods along with eating locally grown, organic and chemical free foods that grow in season. According to TCM the thing about the modern diet which is the most unhealthy is that we are able to eat foods all year round that may be grown unnaturally with the use of pesticides rather than ones grown naturally for only part of the year. This is the way nature intended us to eat. Eating natural foods that grow in the present season is what our bodies are designed for and prefer. This is one of the main ways that Chinese Medicine guides us on how to remain healthy all year long.

This lovely image from TCM007

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Living According to the Winter Season with Chinese Medicine : Chinese Medicine Living

Original article and pictures take www.chinesemedicineliving.com site

Learning & Resource Center Articles

Learning & Resource Center Articles

Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom:

Creating Physical and Emotional Health with Acupuncture.

With the right diet, attitude, and Oriental Medicine menopause can be a time of a revival of energy and an opportunity for personal growth--one that surpasses the hormonally driven period of adolescence.



What is Menopause?

Menopause is a transitional period marking the cessation of ovulation in a woman's body. This time of change may last a few months to several years. Symptoms vary from mild to severe, and are brought on as our bodies try to adapt to decreasing amounts of estrogen. Symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, fatigue, mood swings, memory loss, vaginal dryness, headaches, joint pain, and weight gain.

According to Chinese Medical theory, menopause occurs when a woman's body begins to preserve blood and energy in order to sustain her vitality and allow for the maximum available nourishment for her body, especially her kidneys. The kidney is the organ Chinese Medicine sees as the root of life and longevity. Therefore, the body, in its wisdom, reserves the flow of a channel in the center of the body which sends blood and energy down to the uterus. Instead, blood and essence from the kidneys are conserved and cycled through the body to nourish the woman's spirit and extend her longevity. Thus, in the Chinese Medicine, menopause is seen as true change in life from mother to enlightened and wise being.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Menopause

Few areas of women's health stir up as much confusion and debate as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), which is normally started when the first symptoms of menopause appear. While they may alleviate hot flashes and prevent osteoporosis, they will also increase the risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer, and have a number of significant side-effects. But HRT isn't the only solution. Menopause is an area in which Oriental Medicine shines. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have the ability to detect energetic changes that occur in the body and quickly relieve symptoms such as hot flashes, foggy mind, and irritability.

Evidence that Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine have been used for women's health can be found in early medical literature dating back to 3AD.

Traditional Chinese Medicine does not recognize menopause as one particular syndrome. Instead, it aims to treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual using a variety of techniques such as acupuncture, Chinese herbs, bodywork, lifestyle/dietary recommendations and energetic exercises to restore imbalances found in the body. Therefore, if 10 women are treated with Oriental medicine for hot flashes, each of these 10 women will receive a unique, customized treatment with different acupuncture points, different herbs and different lifestyle and diet recommendations.

How Acupuncture Works

The mental and emotional symptoms that you are experiencing will help create a clear picture on which your practitioners can create a treatment plan specifically for you. The basic foundation for Oriental medicine is that there is a life energy flowing through the body which is termed Qi (pronounced chee).

This energy flows through the body on channels known as meridians that connect all of our major organs. According to Chinese medical theory, illness arises when the cyclical flow of Qi in the meridians becomes unbalanced. Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points located near or on the surface of the skin which have the ability to alter various biochemical and physiological conditions in order to achieve the desired effect.

The Acupuncture Treatment

Acupuncture points to treat the emotional and physical effects of menopause are located all over the body. During the acupuncture treatment, tiny needles will be placed along your legs, arms, shoulders, and perhaps even your little toe!

There seems to be little sensitivity to the insertion of acupuncture needles. They are so thin that several acupuncture needles can go into the middle of a hypodermic needle. Occasionally, there is a brief moment of discomfort as the needle penetrates the skin, but once the needles are in place, most people relax and even fall asleep for the duration of the treatment.

The length, number and frequency of treatments will vary. Typical treatments last from five to 30 minutes, with the patient being treated one or two times a week. Some symptoms are relieved after the first treatment, while more severe or chronic ailments often require multiple treatments.

Studies on Acupuncture and Menopause

Since the early seventies, studies around the globe have suggested that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are effective treatments for hot flashes, anxiety, insomnia, vaginal dryness and many other symptoms associated with menopause. Recent studies show extremely positive results:

From 1997 to 1999, one of the first studies in the United States to explore the effectiveness of acupuncture in alleviating hot flashes, insomnia and nervousness, conducted by Dr. Susan Cohen, D.S.N., APRN, associate professor of the University of Pittsburgh, it was found that during the course of acupuncture treatments, hot flashes decreased by 35% and insomnia decreased by 50%. A follow-up study revealed hot flashes significantly decreased in those receiving acupuncture, compared to those receiving routine care.

A 2002 pilot study in England found that acupuncture reduced the frequency and severity of hot flashes in women being treated with tamoxifen for breast cancer.

While these results are promising and the United Nations World Health Organization has approved acupuncture as a treatment for symptoms associated with menopause, further clinical trials with larger samples are currently underway .

A 2003 study, funded by the National Cancer Institute, involves a larger number of participants than previous studies. Participants will be divided into three groups; one will receive menopause-specific acupuncture, one will receive non-menopause-specific acupuncture, and one will receive usual care.

Stanford Medical Center researchers are now studying whether acupuncture can help alleviate hot flashes. During the one-year, placebo-controlled study at Stanford, volunteers may receive 10 treatments over an eight-week period.

Lifestyle and Dietary Instructions

Menopause patients are encouraged lose that extra weight and to follow a diet with a high content of raw foods, fruits and vegetables to stabilize blood sugar. Some foods may exacerbate hot flashes or increase mood swings. Steer clear of dairy products, red meats, alcohol, sugar, spicy foods, caffeine, and don't smoke. Lastly, try to eliminate stress, tension and anxiety or learn techniques to cope with stress so that you can diminish the effects that it has on your body and mind.

Find an Acupuncturist

Today, acupuncture is an acknowledged and respected field of medicine which requires formal training and certification in order to practice. In most States, provinces and countries, acupuncture is legislated in order to assure quality of treatment.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine is an art and a science that takes years to master. Look for an acupuncturist with formal training and experience in the treatment of menopause on www.acufinder.com

Original article and pictures take www.acupuncture-treatment.com site