I have a different perspective about wrinkles. I like them. I think lines can be attractive and show that you've lived life. Getting them is inevitable, but you do have control over how many you have and where they are.
Wrinkles are caused by many different things, from the amount of oil in the skin, the climate, or sun damage to repeated facial expressions. So what makes some people get so many wrinkles and others so few? The first type is the person who doesn't feel very much and therefore doesn't express much. These people are not emotionally present. They may stay unwrinkled longer, but the drawback to living this way is that they are usually unprepared for emotional traumas and have trouble coping. When these people do suffer a trauma, they seem to age overnight. This is an advantage to suffering while you are young. It may cause early lines, but it will keep you from getting lines later because you learn how to deal with life while you are still resilient. The second type of person who doesn't wrinkle much is the one who is reclusive and lives away from the stresses of the world. Monks and nuns are a good example. Because their biological needs are taken care of, their lives are sheltered. Stress definitely accelerates the aging process, and it is almost impossible to live in the modern world without stress. A balanced life might include frequent retreats to destress and dewrinkle. The third type of person is one who does not hold onto past trauma. Many people cling to the wounds of the past and torment themselves daily. It doesn't really matter what happens to you in life, what matters is how you feel about it and how you deal with it. There is no such thing as a bad emotion. The only bad emotions are stuck emotions. This inability to release emotion can cause many health problems and lines on the face. If you can, learn to love the features you have. All features have special meaning and, when looked at as a whole, have a beauty and symmetry that needs to be honored and understood. And if past trauma is marking your face, consider cosmetic acupuncture to soften those lines and heal from the inside out. For more thoughts: Face Reading in Chinese Medicine, Lillian Bridges
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The ability to adapt to the stresses of life is fundamental to life itself. Adaptability is the root of evolution and the rate limiting factor to biological success. Fortunately, human beings are one of the most adaptable creatures on earth. We have adapted to almost every climate. People live in some of the hottest, driest, dampest, coldest, and most barren parts of the earth. In this age, a healthy person easily adapts to a wide range of normal stressors, such as changes in weather, nutrition, emotions, or physical activity. Success could be measured by how well we handle stress. Those who manage stress well generally take on greater challenges, overcome more obstacles, and get more accomplished. Successfully adapting to change is the truest way to grow in experience, knowledge, and wisdom. The more adaptive an individual, the more vigor with which one can meet the challenges of life, and the greater that person's heath. But if we lose this fundamental ability, we stiffen and lose our ability to change. Therefore, we easily become imbalanced and stagnant, and dangerously susceptible to disease. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the importance of flowing with nature's changes; constantly harmonizing, always maintaining balance to avoid the extremes. By knowing when you have gone far enough, you will lead a less stressed, less draining life. Additionally, by living close to nature and changing gracefully with your environment, you can avoid disaster and slow down aging. One of the greatest secrets of a satisfying and happy life, according to traditional Chinese medicine wisdom, is to focus on promoting health instead of managing disease. Physical health is irrelevant if it is accompanied by unhappiness, trouble, or failure. It is necessary and possible to cultivate an attitude of holistic health so the body, mind, and spirit can flourish. Total success takes determination, knowledge, and discipline. But we don't have to do it alone. While we already have excellent adaptive systems in place, such as the work done by our liver, kidneys, and digestive tract, sometimes we can use a tune up to function optimally. Regular acupuncture and tonic Chinese herbs are wonderful resources to promote physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Traditional Chinese medicine can help you look and feel your best. Try out a system of healing that's full of wisdom and perfect for the modern age. Inspiration: The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs, Ron Teeguarden Recently, I saw an Under Armour ad showing Michael Phelps receiving fire-cupping. It's a cool ad showing the training, strength, perseverance, and recovery required to be an Olympic athlete. Watch closely at 44 seconds in and you'll see it as part of Phelps' recovery!
Cupping is a traditional Chinese medicine technique used to treat many different conditions. Acupuncturists commonly use cupping as an adjunct to acupuncture, but cupping on its own also provides great benefits. Cupping involves creating a vacuum-like seal on the skin using bamboo, plastic, or glass cups. There are different techniques to creating this vacuum, such as lighting an alcohol soaked cotton ball inside the cup to create heat or using suction cups. This suction can affect tissues up to four inches deep- effecting blood vessels, muscles, fascia, and scar tissue. For athletes, cupping speeds recovery after workouts and competitions. No wonder Phelps is using it! Benefits of Cupping:
Conditions for Cupping:
What most people recognize about cupping are the circular marks left on the skin. These marks are caused by the cellular waste stuck in the muscles being pulled up and deposited under the skin where it can be drained away via the lymphatic system. From an acupuncturist's perspective, the darker the mark, the more waste there is stuck in the muscle. Eventually, with consistent treatments, a person will not have any marks after cupping. Despite the marks, receiving cupping feels like a pulling away of tension from tight and stiff areas on the body. It can range from gentle to "hurt-so-good." Have you tried cupping? Any questions before you do? I have been getting this question a lot recently, especially at my Ft. Morgan location. Patients want to know the difference between dry needling and acupuncture. So, I have created this chart to compare the two modalities. Acupuncturists, Doctors, Physical Therapists, did I overlook anything? Patients, what has been your experience, good or bad, with either modality?
Yesterday, I made chicken bone broth. I drink bone broth to improve immune function, support the endocrine system, heal the digestive tract, increase blood cell count, and a source of dissolved minerals. And there are many other health benefits to drinking bone broth, too! While traditional Chinese medicine views each person as unique, bone broth is one thing that every person can include in their diet without harm. It's not too much of an inconvenience to make at home and definitely worth the effort. Making your own bone broth is one of the more affordable ways to remain healthy, especially since you can use kitchen scraps. I take a whole roasted rotisserie chicken and remove the skin and meat from the bone. Of course, a higher quality chicken will yield higher quality bone broth. I put the bones and a few pieces of skin to a slow cooker and add leftover veggies like celery greens and ends, onion and garlic with skins, carrots, mushrooms, and green onions. I also added some excellent herbs and spices such as ginger, turmeric, black pepper, and bay leaves. I didn't have any on hand this time but star anise and cinnamon are also wonderful additions. Then I cover with water and set the slow cooker for 24 hrs. After about 24 hours, I pick out the larger veggies and bones, then drain the broth through a colander into a glass container and store in the fridge. It's that simple! This morning, I had a cup with whisked eggs (a modified eggdrop soup), a large handful of spinach, and some avocado. Bone broth is also fantastic for soup bases, braising veggies, or sipping by itself. Notes For Cooking
Neiguan is one of the most important points in traditional Chinese medicine due to its many different functions. It opens the chest, and therefore, can be used for any chest problems causing pain, stuffiness, or tightness. It helps to harmonize the stomach and subdue the upward rushing of energy manifesting as nausea or vomiting. It also helps with acid regurgitation, belching, dizziness, and hiccuping. Neiguan has a powerful calming action on the mind and can be used to help with anxiety or irritability. It is excellent to promote restful sleep and help with pre-menstrual depression and moodiness. Not only does it help you digest food but emotions as well. Interestingly, this point is effective in alleviating neck aches originating from the back of the head, especially in women. Lastly, an acupuncturist might choose this point to help regulate irregular or painful menses. Use Neiguan for pain management, stress, and digestion. Let me know if you've tried it and how it worked. Spring has arrived, which means many of us will begin a seasonal spring cleanse. A gentle and thorough spring cleanse is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine. The goal is to remove any stagnation left over from the conservation of winter, lighten our systems in preparation for the high activity of summer, and become more vibrant and focused. Additionally, a spring cleanse helps us to decide what is important and what to let go of in pursuit of greater wellbeing.
Spring is characterized by expansive energy that promotes growth and change. It is important to exercise, be in nature, and practice deep breathing exercises to align with this energy and gain its benefits. For more information, read this article on how to spring forward into health. What I want to discuss is how your body works during the cleansing process. First, metabolic waste is pushed into the circulation system. This process is led by the liver where the blood, which carries metabolic waste, is stored and filtered. From the liver, blood flows into the right atrium of the heart, also where the lymph system empties. With contraction, the blood and lymph enters the lungs to become oxygenated. Initial cleansing side effects at this stage include symptoms of cold/flu, congestion, or coughing. The blood then flows back to the left heart. There is a strong connection between the heart and mind in traditional Chinese medicine. This connection correlates to emotional release, insights, or insomnia as waste is removed from the heart. Waste is then circulated through the digestive system. A functioning digestive system is able to eliminate some waste with defecation. If the digestive system is weak or stagnant, the waste can become stuck and common side effects are bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or flatulence. As the blood continues to circulate, it reaches our kidneys which eliminate some waste via urine. Waste that is not able to be excreted travels back to the liver. On one hand, this cycle can be quite fast- your heart circulates blood approximately 1400 times per day. But we can also become stuck at one part of this cycle for weeks or months, making this process much longer. It is valuable to note what symptoms you experience during a detox, as this can help you understand where health issues originate and where they progress to. To recap: waste is drained into the circulation system, which is eventually excreted via sweat, breath, urine, bowel movements, and emotional release. With any cleanse, it is important to move gradually so the body can efficiently manage the discharge of waste. By clearing waste and preventing reabsorption, we make room for the body’s natural process of regeneration and rejuvenation. To make your spring cleanse as beneficial as possible, consider incorporating some acupuncture or herbs to harmonize your body’s energy and expedite the rejuvenating process. The new year is well underway, so it’s time to get serious about any commitments you have made to improve yourself this year. How are you going to be healthier? In what ways will you be different this year?
Here are 15 specific ways acupuncture can help change your life in 2015: 1. Less stress. Acupuncture helps shift your brain from “fight-or-flight” to “rest-and-digest.” By mellowing the nervous system, acupuncture helps you feel better equipped to manage stressful times. 2. Less pain. Acupuncture’s ability to reduce pain goes far beyond the physical benefits, such as increased circulation and reducing inflammation. There is a strong emotional component to pain, especially chronic pain. Acupuncture effectively ameliorates pain by addressing both its root and the effects. 3. Stronger immune system. The acupuncture needles’ insertion builds up white blood cells to better prepare your body to fight off pathogens. Acupuncture strengthens the immune system to help you avoid illness, rather than dealing with it after it happens. 4. A more youthful appearance. Acupuncture strengthens five of your essential organ systems: kidneys, liver, heart, stomach and intestines, and lungs. When these systems are nourished and in balance, your body will look and feel younger. 5. Radiant skin. If your battle mainly has to do with dull, sagging, or acne prone skin, you might consider cosmetic acupuncture. Cosmetic acupuncture is a safe and effective way to reduce the signs of aging, improve skin tone and texture, and reduce the appearance of acne or scarring. 6. Better digestion. Acupuncture is excellent to help you digest foods and thoughts. Signs you are not digesting well include: bloating, constipation, heartburn, cravings, overeating, or overthinking. 7. Quality sleep. Insomnia is a common complaint seen by acupuncturists, and acupuncture is highly effective at resolving it. But even those who do not suffer with sleep problems report having more restful nights since beginning acupuncture. 8. Sustained energy. Though it’s common to feel blissfully relaxed during and after an acupuncture treatment, the after effect is usually increased energy. Many patients report having more energy for hours, or days, after a treatment. 9. Improved mental clarity. In addition to an increase in energy after a treatment, many people notice they are able to make decisions faster and with greater confidence. They feel more motivated to cross off lingering items on a to-do list. 10. Open mindedness. Acupuncture requires us to think about health in new ways because it challenges the traditional method of treating disease. It reminds us that there are multiple ways of seeing the world. 11. Increased self-awareness. Acupuncturists looks for patterns of disease, rather than a single cause and effect. This means that when one part is out of balance, it can affect your health in multiple ways. Acupuncture broadens your awareness of things that are potentially damaging to your physical or emotional health. 12. Remember the seasons. In acupuncture theory, humans are viewed as microcosms of their environment. In this fast paced society, it is easy to transition from season to season without much thought. Seasons factor significantly into our physical health, energy levels, sleep, and moods. Acupuncture can help you live harmoniously within the seasons. 13. More patience. Our on-the-go society and the technology we rely on perpetuates our need for instant gratification. This creates impatience. Since acupuncture rarely works overnight, it requires an investment of time and willingness to let go of an “I-want-it-now” mentality. 14. Embracing change. Conventional medicine thinks in absolutes and labels, i.e., sick or healthy, numbers too high or too low, happy or depressed. Acupuncture works in the gray area between these extremes and teaches us to reflect on the subtle changes happening within us. 15. Believe in yourself. An interesting concept to acupuncture is that your body already has what it needs to heal itself. Acupuncture neither subtracts nor adds but rearranges. It prompts the body to do what it knows, and it reminds us that we can be well. Happy 2015! Ching Wan Hung is an herbal first aid ointment. Many Chinese herbalists carry it, and it can be found in most Asian markets. This ointment smells like Chinese cooking (from the sesame oil), but works wonders on relieving pain from burns and healing the skin. Ching Wan Hung is beneficial for many types of skin damage. It is used in Chinese hospitals to soothe burns due to heat, chemicals, or radiation. It has been successfully used to help with eczema, psoriasis, and bedsores. It is also commonly used to heal mucosal tissue, such as around the nose or anus. Another use for Ching Wan Hung is to prevent scarring. Keeping a wound or burn moist with Ching Wan Hung will reduce scabbing, resulting in less scar tissue formation. Traditional herbal formulas for first aid help the body when it is most in need. Ching Wan Hung heals tissues quickly to minimize damage to the skin from burns and slow healing sores. It is available at Herbs and Acupuncture Clinic. 1. Socialize as much as possible. Besides enjoying outdoor concerts, camping, and other fun summer activities, you’ll also be nourishing your heart’s energy. When the heart energy is strong, relationships are fulfilling, mind and body are balanced, and there is joy and enthusiasm in life.
2. Drink room temp water. While you might desire an ice cold drink to cool down, that coldness requires your digestive system to work even harder to warm up the liquid. Constantly drinking ice cold water weakens the digestive system, causing it to become less efficient. 3. Eat cooling foods. Cooling foods balance the heat and dryness of summer. Examples include watermelon, fish, egg whites, lettuce, peppermint, cucumbers, peaches, oranges, and barley. 4. Eat bitter foods. The bitter taste has drying, cooling, detoxifying, and anti-inflammatory properties. Examples include cilantro, rye, chicory, sage, tangerine peel, and turmeric. 5. Focus on what you want to achieve. Summer is the season where things can come to fruition in preparation for the autumn harvest. It is a good time to focus on what you want to achieve in life. For more information, check out Summer in Traditional Chinese Medicine. |
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Thoughts and practical tips to help you look and feel your best based in the wisdom of Chinese medicine.
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