Share the Care: Winter Donation Program

On The Rise creates a community where women have the relationships, safety, and resources they need to move out of homelessness.  They engage with those most in need and support their initiative and strength as they move beyond crisis and discover new possibilities. Let's lend a hand to support these women.  Bring in an item from their wish list below and you'll receive $10 off of your next60/90 minute acupuncture treatment.  A win-win!

• multi-packs of new underwear, bras (all sizes)
• multi-packs of new socks (mid-calf length)
• working umbrellas
• water bottles
• backpacks
• flashlights and whistles
• Tickets to Local Activities
• $25 gift cards to Target
• $10 gift cards to Shaws, Star Market, Market Basket
• $20 gift certificates for haircuts, i.e. Super Cuts
• $5 Charlie Cards

For hygiene and convenience, toiletries must be new and unopened. Small, travel sizes are preferred:

• deodorant
• hair products for all hair types (we are currently in need of hair conditioner and shampoo for women of color)
• soap
• lotion
• band aids
• lip balm
• tampons & sanitary napkins
• q-tips
• hair elastics, combs & brushes
• hair spray & hair gel (in particular, hair products for women of color)
• toothpaste (small tubes) & toothbrushes, floss
• pocket-size tissue

Share the Care: Fall Donation Program

Bridge Over Troubled Waters (Bridge) is Boston's premier organization dedicated to transforming the lives of runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth through safe, supportive, and encouraging relationships and effective and innovative services that guide them toward self-sufficiency. Let's help Boston's homeless youth by providing some of the items from their wish list below.  Bring in an item and you'll receive $10 off of your next 60 or 90 minute acupuncture treatment!

• Gift cards in $5, $10 and $25 increments to CVS, TJMaxx, Dunkin Donuts, Subway (and other Downtown Crossing merchants)
• Men's and women's outerwear (hats, gloves, scarves)
• Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, nail clippers, hand sanitizer, hairbrushes/combs, toothpaste/toothbrushes, lip balm, sunblock, etc) 
• School supplies (planners, pens, pencils, highlighters, Post-its, index cards, notebooks, journals) 
• Puzzles, board games and basketballs
• Reusable water bottles
• Bags of travel size toiletries
• M-Xl t-shirts and boxers
• MBTA passes and Charlie Cards
• Tickets to local museums, movie passes (AMC Loews) and events

Share the Care - Summer Donation Program

I know, I know. School hasn't even let out yet and I'm already thinking about the next school year! I'll still be collecting for Rosie's Place until the end of this month. However, I want to get a jump start on the summer program because I'll only be able to collect until the end of August. This summer I'll be collecting for the Roger Clap Innovation School in Dorchester. Let's support these kids and teachers by providing some much needed supplies to start the year off right! Same deal. Bring in an item and you'll receive $10 off your treatment! Here is their wish list:

• pens, pencils, crayons, markers, Expo markers
• card stock, construction paper, sticky notes
• Lysol wipes, baby wipes
• staplers, staples
• notebooks, lined paper
• white out, tape, glue sticks
• stickers
• tissues

Thank you and have a lovely summer ahead!

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Chinese Medicine

In previous posts I explained how a state called “dampness” in Chinese medicine can affect the respiratory system and contribute to acute and chronic sinus congestion. This state can also have an impact on the reproductive system.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age.  Women with this syndrome have enlarged ovaries that contain small collections of fluid called follicles. Signs and symptoms consist of irregular periods, excessive facial or body hair, acne, and enlarged polycystic ovaries.  PCOS is a biomedical diagnosis.  There is not a direct equivalence between modern biomedicine and Traditional Chinese medicine, so it wouldn’t be accurate to say that Chinese medicine treats PCOS.  However, acupuncture and herbal medicine can effectively treat signs and symptoms associated with PCOS. It has a different way of interpreting the body and uses a different language to describe what is going on within.

In Chinese medicine, the symptoms associated with PCOS can often be categorized as kidney yang deficiency with phlegm/dampness.  The deficiency of kidney yang can cause amenorrhea or infertility. When deficient for a long time it will fail in its ability to transform fluids in the body. Fluids accumulate and turn into dampness which further stagnates into phlegm.   This dampness/phlegm may contribute to the formation of cysts on the ovaries.  It can also obstruct the fallopian tube, preventing movement of the egg.

Emotional stress leads to qi and blood stagnation.  Liver qi stagnation and blood stagnation are other patterns of imbalance that can also contribute to PCOS symptoms.   Additional symptoms from these patterns may include obesity, abdominal pain and heaviness in the chest. If one is also consuming excessive amounts of over-sweetened, greasy or raw foods, this weakens the spleen’s function of transporting and transforming fluids. This fluid accumulation is made worse due to the qi constraint. This is another way in which dampness and phlegm impact the reproductive system.

If you’re struggling with infertility or have been diagnosed with PCOS, it’s important to eat a balanced diet free of these over-sweetened and greasy foods. Healthy lifestyle changes in combination with acupuncture and herbal medicine can be used to effectively address PCOS symptoms.  For more information contact me for a consultation to discuss your specific concerns.

Sources:
Lyttleton, Jane. Treatment of Infertility in Chinese Medicine. 2004 Elsevier
Maciocia, Giovanni. Obstetrics & Gynecology in Chinese Medicine. 1998 Churchill Livingstone

Feeling Anxious and Overwhelmed? Slow Down and Reconnect With Yourself

Recently I’ve been listening to several patients comment on feeling overwhelmed. It seems like everyone’s life is too busy. Between work and family there’s minimal time for people to take care of their individual selves. There’s no time for reflection or inspiration because things just need to get done.  While I whole heartedly appreciate that, I also feel that when we’re connected to something that inspires us, it makes drudging through all of the other tasks a little bit easier. A little spark of inspiration may even help you to accomplish your goals more effectively by seeing problems and solutions in a different light.

I recently tried something new myself. I took my first pottery wheel class. Although I was terrible at it, I loved it! I realized that I have a very orderly life, working with the clay and just letting myself be a big mess for a bit was very freeing! It was a lesson in mindfulness.  If I pressed the clay too hard or moved the wheel or my hands too fast things would go visibly wrong very quickly! I was surprised to learn that I had to move my hands at a slow Tai Chi pace.  Just like acupuncture and Tai Chi, both hands work together and support each other.  By practicing the techniques, I have a feeling it will be a fun new way to train my sense of focus and pressure that will also support my acupuncture treatments. I’m looking forward to taking more classes!

How about yourself? If you’ve been in a rut I would suggest asking yourself:

• What inspires me?
• What did I love to do as a child?
• What have I been wanting to learn but haven’t made the time for?
• Is there an organization that has a mission close to my heart that I’ve been wanting to volunteer for?
• Am I afraid to try new things for fear of failure? If so, add this book to your reading list. Mindset by Carol Dweck.

If you’ve been feeling anxious and overwhelmed set aside at least 15 minutes a day just for yourself.  If you haven’t tried acupuncture this is a good time to try it.  Treatments can alleviate some of the emotional and physical symptoms of anxiety and stress to help you getting back to feeling yourself.

Acupuncture Treatments to Alleviate Allergy Symptoms

Spring is when our yang qi starts to emerge.  Our bodies and the environment are transitioning from the deep, hibernating, storage quality of yin, to the light, warm, floating quality of yang.  Harmony is about paying attention to what your body is already doing and supporting that process. In the winter, I always stress warm soups, stews, and roasting vegetables.  All of that energetically brings more warmth into your body. Now that’s no longer needed. Bring on the salads and fresh leafy greens! If you find it difficult to get all of your vegetables in, try juicing or making smoothies. The emphasis would be on leafy greens.  You can toss in berries, pears,  or green apples for sweetness. If you’re finding it hard to digest, avoid frozen fruits add fresh ginger to taste.

Get out and move your qi!  The energy of the season is to move everything up and out. Staying sedentary causes stagnation that will manifest as aches, pains, stiffness, headaches, fatigue, and depression. Find an activity that you enjoy start moving now!

This is the time for seasonal allergies. Focus on prevention. Get your body in its best shape before your allergy season starts.  Here are some tips:

• Irrigate your sinuses with a neti pot.
• Wash off the day’s pollen that has collected on you. Shower before going to bed.
• Stay hydrated. Drink chrysanthemum tea. It has a cooling effect on the eyes.
• Avoid dairy and sugar It doesn’t have to be forever. Just for now.  Here some foods to eat to help with allergies.

Make time to schedule your acupuncture appointments.  They will help to strengthen your immune system before those allergens attack.  If your allergy season has already started treatments will still be helpful in addressing your symptoms such as itchy eyes, runny nose, foggy head, and fatigue.  Relieving those symptoms will help you enjoy those May flowers even more!

Facial Rejuvenation - Radiate Your Best From the Inside Out!

I’m excited to offer this new service for you in my office.  Cosmetic Acupuncture has grown in popularity because of its ability to create a healthier and more youthful looking complexion, naturally.  This type of treatment is a safe alternative to other cosmetic procedures such as injections, fillers, chemical peels, and surgery.  If you are noticing that your features are looking tired, with bags or dark circles under your eyes, and a lusterless complexion, but don’t feel the need for harsh cosmetic therapies, then facial acupuncture may be the perfect option for you.  The aging process is not a disease or pathology to correct. It is a natural, inevitable process.  These treatments can help you age as healthfully and confidently as possible.  Your exterior is a manifestation and reflection of your internal health.  People can radiate health and vibrance at any age!  We all know individuals who look older or younger than expected.  Some say that every life experience joyful or stressful leaves its mark on our face.  

Cosmetic acupuncture is a holistic approach to bringing out your natural beauty.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), facial features reflect organ health, and as the qi of the internal organs are strengthened, one’s face reflects those improvements and one will also notice overall health benefits.   Acupuncture points are stimulated on the face and scalp to direct and improve qi and blood circulation to the face, while points on the body are stimulated to address the root cause of the internal imbalances that may be manifesting other symptoms (such as fatigue, pain, digestive irregularities).  

It took several years of stress, sun and environmental toxin exposure for your skin to reach this state. The damage cannot be instantly repaired.  However, cosmetic acupuncture can start the healing process.  You will start to notice the reduction of fine lines, softening of deeper creases, and reducing overall puffiness if present.  Other benefits include firmer jowls, smaller under-eye bags, tighter pores, and enhanced skin tone.

If this harsh winter weather has taken its toll on you,  this is the perfect time for renewal and rejuvenation!  CLICK HERE for more information or contact me if you would like to schedule a consult or appointment.

Spring Donation Program - Save $10

The mission of Rosie's Place is to provide a safe and nurturing environment to help poor and homeless women maintain their dignity, seek opportunity and find security in their lives. With unconditional love and support, Rosie's Place helps women access the resources they need to lessen the burden of poverty and works one-on-one to create long term permanent and individual solutions.  Rosie's Place also offers a safe haven for LGBT women and overnight shelter and other services to those in need who self-identify as female.

• Jeans of all sizes (urgent need)
• Bras (urgent need)
• Blankets, throws and sheets (urgent need)
• New regular and travel size toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, lotion, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and feminine hygiene products 
• Clean, in-season women’s clothing, particularly large size nightgowns, slippers, new underwear, bras and socks
• Bath towels and washcloths
• New, twin-size sheets and blankets
• Coffee mugs
• Adult and children’s books
• Playing cards

Celebrate the New Year With Home Made Nian Gao!

Nian Gao or Chinese New Year’s Cake is an auspicious food item made during the Chinese (Lunar) New Year.   There are many regional variations, essentially this is made with glutinous rice flour and sugar.  It has a soft chewy texture similar to mochi.  Eating it is believed to bring good luck because "Nian Gao" is a homonym for “higher year” thus symbolizing promotions and prosperity for the year to come.

This recipe is from a friend’s mom and is by far my favorite.  I’ve made a few tweaks in an attempt to make it a little bit healthier.  Since the main ingredients are refined sugar and flour there’s only so much one can do! It’s  a treat just once a year. I hope you enjoy it!

Mama Chen's Nian Gao (gluten and dairy free)

• 1 box (16 oz) Koda Farms Mochiko sweet rice flour
• 3/4 C unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 C coconut sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1.25 C milk (or non-dairy alternative)
• 1 can low fat coconut milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp sesame seeds for sprinkling

1. Coat 9 x 9 baking dish with coconut oil.
2. Mix all ingredients (except the sesame seeds) until well blended. Pour into baking dish and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 80-90 minutes until brown or an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

* Some people like to eat it like french toast. Take a slice, coat in a beaten egg, and pan fry.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and prosperous year for all!

Heart Health for February

Aside from foo foo flowers and candy, Valentine’s Day has an interesting history that you can read more about, click here.  What other holiday is symbolized by an organ? Our heart’s physical and energetic health is crucial for our overall well being.

In Chinese medicine the heart is considered the emperor of all of the other organs. It is associated with the color red, bitter flavor, summer heat, and blood vessels that nourish our complexion. The emotion associated with the heart is a sense of joyfulness. When all is in balance we feel a sense of peace. However when we have excessive qi in the heart it can manifest as physical symptoms such as palpitations, tremors, speech disorders, chest pain, and insomnia. Emotionally we may feel a sense of anxiety and nervousness.

Our heart inspires curiosity and is responsible for a sense of purpose and meaning in life. Our spleen energy is related to our intellect and our ability to carry out our purpose, and our lungs help to create order and enable us to let things go.  All of these organ aspects work together to crease a sense of calm within us. When we encounter a stressful situation our heart allows a sense of forgiveness for ourselves or another, the lungs help us to accept the situation as it is to let it go, and our spleen gives us the ability to move on to new opportunities.  Only when we let a stressful situation go can we stop ruminating, relax, and be open to new possibilities.

Imagine a stressful situation. Notice if your heart rate increases as well as tension in your body. When you start to take long, deep, even breaths your body will relax and you’ll be able to think more clearly.  This is empowering and important to keep in mind. Stressful situations don’t have to impact our heath.

It’s important to take care of your cardiovascular health physically and energetically.

Diet and Exercise: Eat a diet full of fresh cooked vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and reduce intake of sugar and processed foods. Your heart is a muscle that needs exercise especially if you primarily work at a desk. Find an activity that you enjoy and do it! If you have a family history of heart disease pay extra attention to your stress levels and physical symptoms.  Check out the American Heart Association for more information.

Acupuncture and Mindfulness: Acupuncture treatments are excellent at eliciting a sense of calm and relaxation.  Treatments help your body and mind adapt to stress more easily for all of the reasons above. There are specific points that can be used to relax muscles, calm the mind, and improve deep breathing.  Meditation is a self-care activity that you can do on your own to take care of your heart health, not only in the moment but also for preventative care.

This Valentine’s Day take some time to think about your heart and how to keep it healthy!