Wishing everyone a happy and healthy holiday season!

Tis the Season...

The holiday season can be a crazy time of year. A time for family and cheer but also a time of increased stress and anxiety levels, financial demands,  over eating of rich foods and alcohol over-consumption. 

It's no wonder that the body becomes unbalanced and resolutions are made to try and right the havoc!

Acupuncture treatments prior to holiday madness significantly diminish effects of stress and excess making it easier to bounce into a healthy New Year. Acupuncture not only helps to reduce anxiety, but also helps one stay grounded during a busy season, resulting in more energy and less feelings of panic to get things done. Acupuncture can help to detoxify the system and help regulate metabolism.

Can't get to your Registered Acupuncturist before the madness begins? Remember to; breathe, drink lots of water and regulate your daily routine as much as possible and check in, in the New Year.

Give the Gift of Health this Holiday!

Looking for a gift idea?
Want to give something that doesn't end up in a landfill?
Klinik has Gift Certificates!
Give the gift of Health to those you care about!
We have gift certificates for all Klinik practitioners and services!

604.876.8764 or jennifer@klinikvancouver.com for more details!

Moms-to-be! Let's turn that baby around!

Breech presentation can occur in the 7th or 8th month of pregnancy which means that the baby is in any number of positions other than the optimal head down position. In most cases, the baby turns around naturally by the 35th week, but in some cases the baby is born breech usually via cesarean.  C-sections require a longer recovery time and may come with complications.

Some natural options  include; Chiropractic Webster technique, an external cephalic version performed by an Obstetrician, or by the simple use of a Moxa stick!

Moxibustion (Artemesia vulgaris or ai ye) works wonders turning the fetus around (prior to the 39th week), when applied to the last point on the Urinary Bladder meridian. UB67- which is located at the outside corner of the little toe right next to the nail. A moxa stick is held close to the point, not on the skin, to heat the point. This shouldn't be painful or excessively hot. Have a birthing partner do this, as most mothers will be beyond touching their toes! Two times daily for 5 minutes each time should be sufficient to turn the baby around. Once movement is felt, stop the moxa immediately upon confirmation from a midwife or obstetrician that the baby has indeed turned.

Why does this work? Possibly due to the idea of circulating blood in the pelvic area and the uterus. Moxa may not be for everyone and is not recommended without sufficient air ventilation. Always consult with a Registered Acupuncturist first.

Acupuncture for Torticollis or 'Wry neck'

 Autumn is the time of year that I see the most cases of Torticollis, also known as 'Wry neck' or simply a stiff neck with limited range of motion.

This may be due to the seasonal shift with temperatures cooling down at night, (caused by direct contact with wind or cold) a drafty window or a blowing fan can cause the muscles of the neck to contract and spasm. Quite often patients simply wake up with the pain or discomfort of the neck and certain movements restricted on one or both sides. A stiff neck can also be the result of stress--a common area for people to hold their stress which seems to increase as Summer grinds to a halt and Fall routines take over.

Acupuncture alone can be a very effective healing modality in helping to release the muscles and allow blood and energy to circulate better with the use of local and distal points. I like to use a heat lamp to add a little bit of warmth to release soft tissue tension once the needles are in. Acupuncture also has a calming effect which boosts Serotonin and Endorphin levels and reduces stress. Cupping along sub occipital and trapezius muscles is also soothing and helps to release muscle tension and promote local circulation.

 I recommend that heat be used at home, a heating pad or a warm shower while doing light movement therapy will help keep mobility and prevent from further stiffness and spasm. This can be done with active range of motion exercises involving the neck, shoulder shrugs and shoulder rotations (forward and backward). An analgesic such as Tiger Balm or Japanese mint oil may also work to soothe achy muscles and take the edge off the pain. Acupuncture treatments are recommended before stress gets out of control and to help keep your body in balance with any seasonal change.  Book your treatment today!

 Oh poor neglected blog!! It has been such a long time since posting!

Fall is rapidly approaching... and the first day after Labour day always feels like the start of the new year, doesn't it?
When the days start to become shorter and the need for cozy layers and warming foods become more apparent.

In Chinese medicine, Autumn is the time of year to slow down the busy pace that was Summer and to look forward to a quieter, more introspective time. A time when that crazy Yang energy starts to shift to more nurturing Yin energy. A time to start thinking of conserving that energy for winter and stay warm!

The best way to do this is to shift from eating cold, raw, foods (like salads and sushi); to cooked or lightly steamed local, seasonal foods (soups and stews). Utilizing warming herbs and spices like ginger and cinnamon with meals.. I prefer Vietnamese cinnamon, which almost has a sweeter flavour. One recipe I love for Fall is a simple apple sauce or compote which can be heated as a part of breakfast or simple snack.
Apple Sauce
6-8 medium size apples (Mcintosh, Braeburn, Fuji or a mix)
1/2 spoon of Vietnamese cinnamon

Slice apples into a medium size sauce pan and fill half way up to the apples with water. Cook on medium heat just until apples soften. Add the cinnamon and stir. Perfect for chilly mornings!

As Autumn correlates with the Lung energy, it is a perfect time to schedule an acupuncture treatment to help ward off cold and flu season and give the immune system a boost. The emotion associated with the lung is grief/sadness. Acupuncture treatments can help improve mood, lift depression, and help with Seasonal affective disorder.

Book a treatment today and help prepare your body for the changing season!

Klinik turns 2!

Klinik celebrated it's second anniversary on Saturday!

Here are a few shots of us getting ready and Harris preparing herbal tea mixes and gluten free cookies!

The sun was shining and we couldn't have asked for a better day.

Why should I choose a Registered Acupuncturist?

Many people seeking out acupuncture treatments may find it extremely confusing when trying to decide on a practitioner. There are many health care practitioners who offer 'acupuncture treatments' or 'needling' and in B.C., this list includes; medical doctors, naturopaths, physiotherapists, etc. The problem that often arises, is most of the training programs offered to other practitioners are often condensed in theory and practice where occasionally only a few acupuncture points are learned and knowledge of TCM diagnosis and treatment protocols are limited. Some treatments may utilize needling practices such as; intra-muscular stimulation (IMS or iSTOP) or 'dry needling' which are loosely based on acupuncture and TCM principles but in practice-- very different. These techniques may target hyper-sensitive areas in the muscle or 'trigger points' for chronic pain. While eliciting a 'twitch' response in the muscle-- may help to release soft tissue, it can be extremely painful and does not necessarily get to the root of the problem preventing the chance of recurrence.

Only Registered Acupuncturists can claim the title of "acupuncturist" and bill accordingly. Many health care benefit plans offer coverage and it is also included in Medical Services Plan of BC (MSP) subsidized health plans.

Acupuncture is regulated by the BC government which has established the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners of British Columbia (CTCMA). The CTCMA is a self regulatory body that operates under the Health Professions Act and the TCM Practitioners and Acupuncturists Regulation and Bylaws to protect the general public. A valid license is required in order to practise Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture in BC, and this is only obtained through a (minimum of 3 years) training program, and extensive provincial written and practical exams.

*MD/Physiotherapist -- iSTOP (IMS)-- 50 hours

*MD/Physiotherapist, etc. --Acupuncture Foundation Level I -- 90 hours

*MD/Physiotherapist, etc. --Acupuncture Foundation Level II -- 195 hours

*MD/Physiotherapist, etc. -- Medical Acupuncture, UofA -- 200 hours

*Naturopathic physicians -- College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC -- 250 hours

*Registered Acupuncturist-- CTCMA (Ministry of Health) -- 2200 hours

Acupuncture is a very safe treatment option when administered by a Registered Acupuncturist (RAc.), Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (RTCMp.) or by a Doctor of Tradtional Chinese Medicine (Dr. TCM). You can be assured that they have received the most comprehensive acupuncture training of any medical profession, and will provide you with the best benefits acupuncture has to offer.

June is Bike Month!

With Spring upon us, and Summer just around the corner; days are lasting longer which means more opportunity to enjoy the outdoors! Lucky for us Vancouverites, there is no limitation for outdoor adventure, especially when it involves hopping on a bike and enjoying awesome local road and/or mountain biking anywhere from long stretches of smooth pavement to gnarly single-track trails. A perfect time to tune-up the bicycle and the body to help prevent injuries and maintain strength and endurance. Acupuncture helps promote healing for sprains and strains, can decrease pain, improve local circulation and decrease inflammation and recovery time. Post-ride visits to your Registered Acupuncturist can help flush out lactic acid build-up from strenuous work-outs and keep muscles supple and loose. Periodic treatments can help improve immune system function to keep you out on the bike all Summer long!

June 19th is Car Free Day in Vancouver, stop by Main Street from 12-8 pm and say hello to some of the wonderful practitioners and therapists from Klinik. Our table will be located between 17th and 18th Avenue.

2011: A New Year and New Resolutions

As 2010 comes to an abrupt halt, and a brand New Year is about to begin-- a time for new resolutions, promises for positive change usually happen right around this time.

What is your New Year's Resolution? Incorporating more exercise into a daily routine, eating less, eating better, less stress, and enjoying life more? Typically, resolutions are made to alter how we will treat our minds and bodies in the up-coming year. What better way to approach (and stick to) a New Year's resolution than with the help of a natural alternative? Let acupuncture help you to bring balance into your life by; aiding digestion, improving energy, regulating hormones and reducing stress. Acupuncture treatments also have a long term effect of boosting the immune system, relaxing the mind, and by helping improve will-power and motivation-- to help keep resolutions all year! Start 2011 on a healthy note, make this year an incredible one by exercising regularly, eating more organic fruit and vegetables, and adding acupuncture to your health routine.

Stay Healthy this Winter with 5 Easy Tips!

Winter tends to be the time for cold and flu season. With colder temperatures and more rain-- our bodies are more suseptible to lingering pathogens, compounded by busy holiday schedules, unhealthy habits and stress, that can make your body feel worse. Try the following tips for a healthier holiday season and find more time and energy to spend with family and friends instead of sick in bed!

1. Avoid colds and flus by washing hands thoroughly. This alone will combat so many viruses and prevent transmission of unwanted germs.

2. Drink plenty of fluids-- Ginger root tea helps to warm the body and flush out toxins. Grate a thumb's size amount of ginger into 2 cups of boiling water and drink. Not only will this help with colds and flu, it's also great to help nausea.

3. Get plenty of sleep -- adequate and undisturbed rest will help promote a healthy immune system, and help fight off lingering pathogens that much faster.

4. Practice healthy stress prevention techniques --even though the holidays can be a busy time of year, it is important to manage stress properly with regular relaxation techniques. Trying meditation, yoga, or breathing techniques are so much better for your system than reaching for that sugar cookie or the last beer, as refined sugar can weaken the immune system. Regular exercise will also help strengthen the immune system.

5. Visit your Registered Acupuncturist BEFORE symptoms appear. Acupuncture works very well to help boost the immune system and diminish stress even before pathogens have a chance to strike, boosting one's energy to combat germs naturally with no side-effects. Visiting your acupuncturist once the cold or flu has already set in, will help reduce symptoms and speed up recovery time.

*Remember! Colds are caused by viruses, there is no medication available for the 300+ viruses that can cause a cold. Therefore, it doesn't make sense to go to the Doctor to be given a prescription for antibiotics that can cause harmful side-effects. Antibiotics treat bacteria. With adequate rest and liquids, diminished stress, it will eventually go away on it's own. A visit to your acupuncturist will speed this process along so you can get out of bed and enjoy the Winter season!

Protecting the 'least among us'

By Brian Lindstrom and published by the Oregonian, 11/9/2010



I was recently in Germany and Denmark documenting innovative uses of acupuncture in the treatment of mental illness and drug addiction. What I encountered brought into sharp focus what would be available to us if we as a society prioritized the well-being of children and people suffering from mental illness and addiction.



About an hour outside of Hamburg, a man by the name of Wolfgang gave me a tour of the residential drug treatment center he runs. It resembles a quaint boarding school, possessing none of the institutional drabness I've come to expect after filming in Oregon, Washington, Kentucky, Texas, Florida, and Ohio. Wolfgang's clinic uses only acupuncture-no medications- in treating drug withdrawl. Through an interpreter, a 35-year-old female crack addict told me this approach "calms and focuses me, greatly reduces my symptoms and cravings, and makes me think the answer to healing my addiction is within me, and is accessed through acupuncture."



I asked Wolfgang how long addicts typically had to wait for admission into his clinic. He didn't understand my question, so I asked again. As I was about to ask a third time, it dawned on me the confusion wasn't due to language, but to Wolfgang's inability as a physician to comprehend why any patient should have to wait for treatment.



I explained to him that in Portland, people sleep outside every night of the year in hopes of being admitted to Hooper Detox the following morning. Because of space limitations, many are turned away. It's common for an addict to try five or six times before getting admitted. Wolfgang looked at me in stunned silence, then sadly shook his head.



In Copenhagen, I filmed Mette, a psychiatric nurse and acupuncturist as she visited "social psychiatric" organizations - neighbourhood homes turned into drop-in centers - using acupuncture to treat mental illness. The acupuncture, often done in small groups, and the homey atmosphere help create a sense of warmth and community. At one of the homes, a woman was in the kitchen making a cake to celebrate her first bridge crossing in four years -- an important victory over one of her phobias. Later, she shared the cake with another woman who, after giving birth to her third child, suffered such severe post-partem depression that she couldn't adequately care for her newborn. Now, after the benefits of social psychiatry, she is able to mother her baby.



The next morning, Mette and I drove her 13-year-old son, Jakob, to school. The school started like any other, with all the students (ranging in age from 5-15) and the teachers in the gym for morning assembly. "Smoking is Crap," a song written by one of the classes, was sung by the entire assembly. Next the principal, a vibrant woman in her 60s, called a 13-year-old boy to the front of the gym. She warmly put her arm around him and extolled a detailed list of his virtues and accomplishments. Then everyone sang him "Happy Birthday". He smiled deeply, hugged the principal and sat down. Next, a five-year-old girl stood up and explained that she had lost a ninja turtle toy and would like it returned in case any one found it. You could tell it was hers, she explained, because she wrote her name on the toy turtle's foot.



I was struck by the focus and calm of the assembled students, who numbered about 75. There was no name-calling, no texting or disciplinary problems, and the maturity of the older students was demonstrated by the 5-year-old girl's complete confidence that her missing toy alert would be taken seriously. And it was.



The classes at the school have no more than 20 students, and music, art and P.E. are required daily. In summer, there is a six-week vacation. I asked Mette what it costs to send Jakob to the school, bracing myself for Catlin Gabel-like numbers. "Two hundred dollars a month, " she answered. I resisted the urge to inquire about Denmark's immigration policy.



My wife and I are self-employed. We paid more than $14,000 last year in health insurance and medical bills. One of our two children sees an occupational therapist for one hour a week. Our insurance company just informed us that it will no longer cover any such visits for the rest of this year. Paying out of pocket, our bill will be $425 a week, but the visits have helped our child make great strides in both fine and gross motor skills.



The relevant question here isn't: "What should my wife and I do?" or "What should you do?" The question that must be asked is why are any of us content with health care and educational systems that make a mockery of what seems to me to be the purpose of any worthwhile government or society: to protect the "least among us," in this case of our children and people suffering from mental illness and addiction.



I'm reminded of the old Talmudic saying: "If I am not for me, who will be for myself? If I am for myself only, what am I? If not now, when?"



Brian Lindstrom is a Portland filmmaker and director of the upcoming documentary: Alien Boy: The death and life of James Chasse.



In Vancouver, we do have social programs available for addicts and those who suffer with severe mental illness. The sad fact is that typically the wait-list is so long, many people can't access the help they need. There are a few community-based acupuncture clinics in and around Vancouver that offer accessible treatments within an open space. This type of acupuncture utilizes distal points in a community environment at a fraction of the price. Quite often the NADA five-needle protocol is used along with other supplementation points. NADA has had very good results with treating addictions, helping calm the mind and allowing the patient to focus better. Treatment involves five points on the surface of the ear (shenmen, sympathetic nerve, kidney, lung and liver), administered by a NADA "acudetox specialist". Klinik is not set-up for community acupuncture but the NADA protocol is offered to those patients who are looking for an alternative -- and treatments are available on a sliding scale to those who can't afford to pay for full treatments.

Acupuncture-- A Natural Choice for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Do you find that as the days get shorter in the Fall months, lack of sunshine, colder temperatures, bring you down? Experience symptoms such as; anxiety, palpitations, insomnia, high blood pressure, decreased libido and excessive sweating? You may suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D, but acupuncture can help!

S.A.D. effects approximately 2-3% of Canadians, and people with S.A.D make up 10% of all depression cases. Women are 8 times more likely to be effected than men, and typically those who are under 50.

Your family Doctor can provide a diagnosis to rule out thyroid dysfunction or other forms of depression. Light therapy and antidepressants are often prescribed, but often with dangerous side-effects.

Acupuncture is one natural treatment option that works by releasing noradrenaline and serotonin in the body with a series of treatments. Acupuncture is also safe enough to use in conjunction with medications to help decrease side-effects. It works by stimulating specific points along the meridians to help balance energy, regulate hormones, and to help address the underlying problem with no side-effects! It is also important to factor in proper dietary measures, ensure that you are getting a minimum of 20 minutes of outdoor activity daily, and to try going to bed and awaking early to maximize time spent in natural day light.

If you or someone you know is feeling depressed there are many types of treatment and many resources for natural treatment options. If you looking for a natural alternative, try acupuncture and start enjoying winter again!

Acupuncture can Ease Shoulder & Neck Tension

It seems like this is the time of year when muscles are more prone to contract, pain in the upper back and neck region sets in. Whether it's due to colder temperatures causing us to bring our shoulders up around our ears, or forgetting to close windows at night allowing muscles to contract when the body temperature lowers as we sleep, or stress that compounds in that area-- neck and shoulder tension sets in!

Acupuncture is a great tool along with a lot of different modalities for easing musculo-skeletal pain in the upper body.

*Acupuncture itself helps to release local Qi (energy) and blood stagnation which can manifest as neck rigidity and tension, compromising movement.

*Cupping techniques allow for more oxygen to flow through the area and improve circulation of the tissues to release tension.

*Moxabustion aids by warming the needle and bringing more energy into the tissues to also help release tight muscles.

*"Tuina" is a form of massage that manipulates soft tissue in the area, increasing blood flow, easing tension and allowing for more movement.

All of these techniques help ease pain and also work as a preventative measure, especially when used in combination with regular stretching, breathing techniques and exercise.

Contact your Registered Acupuncturist to help ease neck soreness and muscle tension.

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Massage Steal of a Deal!

Klinik welcomes our new Registered Massage Therapist, Amy Schultz. Amy specializes in deep tissue massage. Come into Klinik and book a session with Amy and recieve $10 off your initial treatment! A perfect way to ease tension and stress, and save a few dollars!!!



http://www.klinikvancouver.com/

Klinik's (first ever) Open House!

Everyone Welcome!
To: Klinik, A Health Collective's Open House

Sunday, October 3rd 1-4 pm
#101 225 East 17th Avenue (Main St. & 17th)
604.876.8764


Please visit the website for details.
http://www.klinikvancouver.com/
Refreshments will be served!

Healthy Diet = Healthy Digestion!

Many Canadians suffer from a multitude of digestive disorders; Food Intolerance/Allergies, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Gastritis, and Acid Reflux, are only to name a few. If you are experiencing pain after eating, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, acupuncture can help. Acupuncture treatments along with a healthy diet -- one that is low in refined sugars, refined flour and overly-processed foods can provide relief, help with weight loss, and drastically improve energy. Come in to Klinik and meet Julia, our registered holistic nutritionist and receive a free mini-nutritional consultation with any acupuncture treatment.

A study from the Guangxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine concluded that acupuncture was effective in the treatment of chronic gastritis, resulting in a 95% effective rate. --JCM

2003 Dec.