Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Chlorella! The Super Food!


Chlorella is a single-celled, green micro-algae that has been around for nearly 2 billion years! It is a super food containing; chlorophyll, protein, carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins, nucleic acids, beta-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and iodine. A perfect supplement for vegetarians who may struggle with getting enough protein and vitamin B12 from their diets.
Chlorella is gentle, yet effective for detoxification as it helps stop bacteria, yeast and fungal growth and can improve liver function. Chlorella is safe for seniors, and can help promote healthy growth patterns in children.
It helps to; regulate blood sugar, improve the immune system, increase white blood cell counts, support cancer treatment (both radiation and chemotherapy), aid in tissue repair, promote mental health, and can relieve symptoms of fibromyalgia. Chlorella can reduce high blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, decrease PMS and help to diminish the occurrence of asthma attacks. One study suggests that Chlorella contains a substance that appears to increase production of interferon- a chemical in the body that protects against harmful viruses.
Chlorella is a gentle and effective food source to help promote overall health and benefit any acupuncture treatment.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

BC Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Day

Come on out and learn more about acupuncture for FREE!
Join the local acupuncture and TCM community to celebrate this alternative health system by participating in; complementary consulations, TCM and acupuncture seminars, a free clinic, and educational booths. Tai Chi seminars and Kung Fu performances will also be happening.
Come on and check it out.
When: Sunday, July 24th -- 10am - 5 pm
Where: Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver, 50 East Pender Street
Cost: FREE

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

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.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Why I LOVE Moxa!




'Moxa', 'Moxibustion', or 'Moe Kusa' in Japanese which translates to 'burning herb' is-- that exactly! -- a herb that is burned to heat a specific area of the body for the purpose of treating disharmony.






Moxa is Mugwort or chinese Wormwood that comes from the 'sage' family and is also called Artemesia vulgaris or Artemesia argyi. It is wonderful to use as it is the most readily available combustible that does not flame and can provide a temperature of 670 degrees centigrade. Recent analysis indicates the chemical richness includes; protein, sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, aluminum, magnesium, adenine, choline, and Vitamins A,B,C and D. Crazy!!






Moxa is awesome for: warming cold conditions, expels dampness, opens up the meridians and boosts Qi (energy) and blood! Excellent for conditions like; arthritis, asthma, vomiting, diarrhea, rheumatic and abdominal pain. Awesome for menstrual cramps! Moxibustion directed towards UB67 (corner of the nail on the baby toe) has good results in correcting breech presentation with expectant mothers.






Moxa can be found in; cones, sticks, moxa box, or in it's loose form. Moxa doesn't hurt, it is very soothing and excellent for cancer patients.






Ask your Registered Acupuncturist more about this wonderful, warming herb that has a multitude of uses.






Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Seasonal Allergies & Acupuncture

Spring time!!! And with those lovely cherry blossoms that line the streets with pink, also start a vicious cycle of allergies in many people, that can potentially last from early Spring until the late Fall. What constitutes an allergy? Essentially it's the body's over-reaction or sensitivity to an allergen. Typically in Spring it involves airborne particles from trees and weeds -- pollen. What's really happening? While the body's response is to produce IgE antibodies that attach to white blood cells, when these cells are stimulated they release histamine causing allergic symptoms such as; runny nose, sinus congestion, itchy/watery eyes, and sneezing. Western medicine treats allergies with antihistamines like Benadryl or Chlortriplon or allergy shots by injecting small amounts of an allergen and gradually increasing to desensitize the body's response. While these methods are effective at treating the symptoms, there are also side-effects (drowsiness, urinary retention, dry mouth, blurred vision...etc.) Acupuncture is a natural alternative that works not only to relieve irritating symptoms but also to help build up a tolerance to the allergen. Acupuncture treatments before spring starts, will also help diminish the hypersensitive allergic response and help build-up the body's immune system.