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COVID-19 Immunity and Our Community

COVID-19 Immunity and Our Community

by | Apr 7, 2020 | BODY, COMMUNITY, MIND, SPIRIT

Dear patients and our community,

As you already know, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is very real and it is everyone’s responsibility to help keep our community safe from its rapid spread.  To help slow the spread of this virus, it is now more important than ever to take an abundance of caution to help protect you, your family, our community and our healthcare system. 

Because there are many unknowns about Coronavirus and things can change rapidly, we believe using common sense is the best measure to prevent its spread.

If you are feeling ill, or experiencing any of the following symptoms, please stay home and limit your exposure to other people in your community. By taking action, you will significantly delay the spread of COVID-19:

» Fever (oral temperature 100.4° or higher) or symptoms of fever (such as chills or body aches) within the past 24 hours—please do not consider yourself fever-free until your temperature has been normal for at least 24 hours without the use of Tylenol (acetaminophen)
» Shortness of breath and/or a cough that is not known to be caused by another condition (for example allergies)
» Travel within the past 14 days to areas that have people known to be infected with Covid-19
» Close contact with a person known/suspected to be infected with COVID-19 within the past 14 days
» Healthcare workers who have been in contact with patients known/suspected to be infected with COVID-19 within the past 14 days 

Prevention is the best medicine. Here are some additional resources for our patients and the community during this critical time.

What You Can Do To Take Care Of Yourself
The most important things you can do to support your immune system are really basic:
1. Don’t panic. Stress is bad for your immune system. It’s normal to have worried thoughts. Just don’t entertain them for too long. Make some time to do something enjoyable each day and connect with loved ones.
2. Wash your hands frequently (for at least 20 seconds) and don’t touch your face unless you just washed your hands.
3. Get enough sleep. Turn off the screens of your electronic devices and start winding down a little earlier, about 1 hour prior to getting to bed for the night.
4. Drink lots of water to support healthy mucous membranes as a first line of defense. Hot water and tea have been shown to inhibit viruses in our throat.
5. Eat more nutrient-dense whole foods, soups, and bone broth.
6. Eat less inflammatory foods: sugar, industrial seed oils, processed foods, alcohol, and foods you are sensitive to (wheat, dairy, eggs, nightshades etc.)
7. Support lung health by doing some even breathing, preferably outdoors in fresh air, to move circulation and clear out toxins. Breathe in through your nose for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, then out through your mouth for a count of 4, finally holding for a count of 4 (called “box breathing”). Repeat. Make the counts even by making a sound each time you count your inhale beats, so you can truly count each breath.

What You Can Do To Help Boost Your Immune System
» Immune boosting and antiviral herbs! Herbs boost and support your immune system. Let us know you are interested in herbs and we’ll figure out the best way they can help you.
» Probiotics are an important part of your immune system. They are available in fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, raw sauerkraut, specifically labeled pickles, miso, kombucha (careful because it can contain lots of sugar and some caffeine). Consider supplementing with a concentrated pill or powder.
» Elderberry syrup is a go-to recommendation for antiviral support that you can order online or get at Whole Foods.
» Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Zinc are also good supplements to boost your immune system.

To the Point: Immunity System Support PDF
As part of our ongoing support to you and our community, we’ve included a FREE PDF download to help give you the tools to strengthen your immune system at home. Click here to download this FREE PDF resource.

Up-to-date COVID-19 data from the World Health Organization
For the current number of cases worldwide, the World Health Organization maintains a COVID-19 Situation Report worldwide. Click here.

As acupuncturists and practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine, we are committed to the health and safety of our community. With your help and support, we can all take part in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. While these times may feel unusually challenging, please know we will continue to monitor the current situation and evaluate additional measures to help support our patients, employees and community.

Thank you and stay safe.

Why Herbal Medicine is Safer Than Taking Pharmaceuticals

Why Herbal Medicine is Safer Than Taking Pharmaceuticals

by | Apr 6, 2020 | BODY, MIND, SPIRIT

In China practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are either acupuncturists or herbalists. In California, in order to pass our certification exam, we have to be proficient in both acupuncture and master Chinese herbalists.

I didn’t have much herbal training when I went to Acupuncture school. I had practiced Acupressure and Tui Na for years before I went to Acupuncture school as a massage therapist. I was comfortable doing hands-on healing, but herbs were new to me.

By the time I finished school I had become an “herb geek”. Acupuncture students have to know over 300 herbs and over 100 herbal formulas by heart. I loved creating herbal solutions to my clients’ problems as an intern and saw some amazing healing with herbs for both my clients’ and my own illnesses.

In my practice, I recommend Chinese herbal formulas to most of my clients. Because Americans are comfortable taking pills as opposed to brewing herbal teas, I recommend Chinese herbal formulas in pill form. My goal is to make it easy for you to get the results you want.

A formula is a “team” of herbs which each have complementary properties and which work together to solve a specific pattern of problems. Just as you would build a team of people to solve a business problem, I use teams of herbs to solve health problems.

I only purchase American manufactured Chinese herbal formulas. The laws in California concerning herbal quality are strict and when I purchase herbs from California companies I know that the quality will be high. Unlike most pharmaceuticals, herbal formulas rarely have side effects, they’re quite safe.

Why do herbal formulas work? If I’ve recommended the correct formula to correct the imbalance you’re experiencing, you’ll get well. Chinese herbal medicine has been around for many centuries, as one of my professors used to say: “clinical trials for over a thousand years, over a billion people served.” This is proven medicine.

Why Acupuncture Works

Why Acupuncture Works

by | Mar 16, 2020 | BODY, MIND, SPIRIT

I’ve been practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine for more than 10 years and people who’ve never had acupuncture always ask me: “Why does Acupuncture work?” Here’s a short answer to what could be a long explanation.

Acupuncture is Energy Medicine. It’s all about moving energy. Here are a few examples: If your energy is stuck and you’re in pain, acupuncture can get the energy moving and get you out of pain. If your energy is going the wrong way and you’re throwing up, acupuncture can get it moving in the right direction. If your energy is very depleted and you’re exhausted, acupuncture can help to boost your energy. If you’re very stressed and your energy is going in many directions, acupuncture can “harmonize” your energy and get you feeling calmer and more in control. If you’re sick with a cold or flu, an acupuncture treatment can get you on the path to healing faster. Often more than one treatment is necessary, especially if you are dealing with a chronic problem.

What can acupuncture treat? Anything that you wouldn’t take to an emergency room. Most people think that acupuncture is just for pain, but that’s far from the truth. I’ve treated people with hepatitis, shingles, diabetes, asthma, severe headaches, all manner of women’s health concerns (painful periods, overdue pregnancies, menopause symptoms), various autoimmune conditions, digestive issues, skin issues, even depression, anxiety and sleep problems. Most acupuncturists are generalists—we’re used to thinking on our feet and solving problems—as far as I’m concerned that’s the best part of our job.

If I understand what’s going on in your body, I’ll know what to do to resolve the situation. When I start with any new client, I perform an in-depth consultation to review your needs and determine your path.