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.

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!

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!

Ready to Kick the Habit? Acupuncture can Help!

Coffee, cigarettes, food, alcohol ... addictions are never easy to quit, especially when you're trying to do it alone. Many people try to find a replacement that often leads them back to the same place where they started. One recognized form of treatment is acupuncture. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture can effectively treat various addictions, often with just a few treatments. Acupuncture can curb cravings and help kick the habit by helping the mind relax and the body detoxify. Acupuncture has been used in government-funded addiction programs across North America and is part of the Vancouver Daytox program, right here in Vancouver. Acupuncture proves to be a, cost-effective, viable alternative that won't leave you craving for more.

"Jennifer was my massage therapist 'extraordinaire' for 4 years while working in Edmonton. During this time, apart from my regular massage, she had given me a couple acupuncture treatments to clear up some pain I was experiencing in my rotator cuff. The acupuncture worked very well for me; the pain has not reoccurred since the treatments. More recently, I had gone through an unsuccessful attempt to quit my smoking habit of 28 years. Jennifer suggested acupuncture with electro-stimulation; I agreed, and that was the last day that I had a cigarette! I just celebrated 15 months as a non-smoker on July 2nd." -- Sheryl Y.

Check out the National Acupuncture Detox Association (NADA) at www.acudetox.com/ for more information.

Acupuncture for the Needle Phobic? It doesn't have to be a terrifying experience

What is it that makes most people a little shy of acupuncture? Is it the thought of a foreign object penetrating the skin? The idea of pain or injury caused by the needle? Ask anyone who hasn't experienced a treatment, and those are legitimate concerns.

But acupuncture doesn't have to be a scary process. The actual acupuncture needle is 1/10 the size of a regular hypodermic needle, essentially the same diameter as a few human hairs. The reason why an acupuncture needle doesn't cause bleeding is that is that the edge of the needle is rounded or polished, this tends to push the cells aside, where as a hypodermic needle has a sharp point, like a knife blade that can slice through. Acupuncture points are usually situated away from major blood vessels, therefore bleeding does not typically occur. Most people feel a little 'prick' once the needle goes in, a similar sensation to a mosquito bite, that dissipates after a few seconds. Common sensations are a feeling of pressure, or electricity once the needle taps into the energy or 'Qi'.

Still not convinced? There are many modalities that a Registered Acupuncturist can use instead of needling and still be very effective; Cupping - to help relieve muscle tension and relieve cold symptoms; Guasha - a technique using tiger balm, effective for sinusitis; Tuina (or massage) using acupressure points to relieve muscle tension and bring about relaxation; and Moxabustion used for warming cold conditions and improving circulation and energy flow. Acupuncture doesn't have to be scary, the more people know about this wonderful medicine, the less uncertainties remain.

"I was nervous about the needles, and could feel my skin getting clammy. But after a few treatments, I welcomed the needles, I knew they would be so soothing." -- Paul Buck