Vermont Acupuncture

Category: Healthful Living

  • Gargling with Antiseptic Mouthwash Kills Viruses

    Gargling is an easy way to reduce infection and transmission of viruses. Antiseptic mouthwashes, like Listerine, effectively reduce oro- and nasopharyngeal (mouth, throat and nose) viral load and inactivate coronaviruses.

    The nose, throat and salivary glands are major sites of virus replication and transmission during early stages of coronavirus infection, as well as other respiratory viruses and bacteria. Targeting these areas with mouthwashes and nasal rinses can help prevent progression and reduce transmission of the disease.

    While the vaccines aim to prevent viruses from replicating in the lungs, they do not prevent viruses from replicating in the nose, mouth and pharynx, which has a different type of mucosa than the lungs and this area is the first area to be infected.

    The easiest thing we can do is to gargle daily for prevention of transmission of viruses and bacteria. Alternatively, gargling can be applied after exposure to someone who is sick or potential exposure after flying or being in a crowded place. This can be helpful for all people regardless of vaccination history.

    What to gargle and how often: (more…)

  • 2021 – Year of the Metal Ox

    Happy Chinese New Year

    Legend has it that the Jade Emperor staged a race across China to determine the order of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. The determined Ox was in the first position, but the sneaky, resourceful Rat hitched a ride on Ox’s back. Ox swam across the river and as they approached the other side, the Rat hopped off Ox’s back onto the bank winning first place, and leaving the Ox as number two.

    JPG-Year-Of-The-Ox-2021-8x102020 feels like a year that was hijacked, like the Rat hijacked the Ox. The 12th of February 2021 brings the energy of the Ox  – the Ox is an Earth element animal and 2021 is a Metal year.

    The Ox is known for being patient, stubborn, hard-working and deliberate, yet flexible. The image of the Ox slowly plowing the fields is representative of the Ox energy. We can deliberately make a clean slate for ourselves and start fresh.

    This Metal Ox year we will want to find balanced between hard work and determination – and – rest and rejuvenation. We need to be flexible and go with the flow, while also being persistent and patient as we work towards our goals little by little. Build stamina but don’t burn yourself out.

    Cooperation and communication are important this year. Pause, listen, observe. Pay attention. This includes listening to your own voice and intuition.

    Ox years:  2021   2009   1997   1985   1973   1961   1949   1937   1925   1913

    Goals and Intentions for the Year of the Ox

    Plant your seeds (intentions), work the soil a little each week, be patient, and see what grows and is ready for harvest by the end of the year. Be choosy about what you sow, so as to keep it manageable.

    Plant some seeds for your own self-care. If your goal is to improve your health, exercise routine or diet, take it slow and make it sustainable.

    Read about Eating Well in the Year of the Ox

    Slow and steady wins the race this year!

    Wishing you rewarding 2021 and good health, happiness and prosperity for you and your family.

    Let’s go 2021!

    warmly,

    Kelly

     

     

    Here’s a few articles I’ve written recently that you may be interested in:

    Moxa Season – Time to Build Qi and Blood

    Nourishing Winter Cleanse

    Anti-inflammatory Diet, Nightshade family and Elimination Diet

    Nutrition Resources

    Phu Cuoc Fish Sauce – the Good Stuff

     

     

  • Nutrition Resources

    IMG_0539Here are some books and websites that I highly recommend if you would like to learn more about nutrition. I have utilized these resources in the past several years and they have only deepened the knowledge I gained during my undergraduate studies in Nutrition at Bastyr University in Seattle.

    Bad research, politics and crony capitalism has led to a lot of misinformation about what is healthy and what is not. Unfortunately, this information seems to have crept into our subconscious and therefore makes the truth seem illogical. What? Animal fat is good for you? I thought fat was bad…

    The information in these books is not new, really. This is more or less how our ancestors traditionally ate — before there were profits at stake — before Procter and Gamble started making Cisco as an alternative to animal fats in 1911. Since then public has been (mis)educated by marketing.

    That said, in the last ten years  has become more mainstream that animal fats are indeed healthy and fake fats are detrimental to our health. I am so happy that many of my patients and a lot more medical doctors are in-the-know.

    Here is a few of my favorite resources to share with you.

    Death by Food Pyramid by Denise MingerDeath_by_Food_Pyramid_1

    Vegetarianism Explained: Making an Informed Decision by Natasha Campbell-McBride MD

    Gut and Physiology Syndrome by Natasha Campbell-McBride MD

    Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Natasha Campbell-McBride MD

    Put Your Heart in Your Mouth by Natasha Campbell-McBride MD

    Here you can buy the above books by Natasha Campbell-MdBride and the below two books by Sally Fallon and Thomas S Cowan.

    Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon

    Fourfold Path to Healing by Thomas S. Cowan MD

    Deep Nutrition by Catherine Shannahan MD and Luke Shanahan

    Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body’s Natural Ability to Heal Itself  and Clean Gut by Alejandro Junger MD

    Weston Price Foundation

    Whole 30

    Paleo diet

  • Moxa Season – Time to Build Qi and Blood

    3 February 2021 is the beginning of Spring Moxa Season, which lasts about 4 weeks, with the peak being Chinese Lunar New Year, which is Feb 12 this year. During this time the “Life Gate” is open and illness can invade more deeply than at other times of year. This is also the time when moxibustion (moxa for short) can penetrate more deeply than usual into the “Life Gate” or Ming Men (aka Lower Dan Tien or inside the lower belly) because is open at this time. This is great for preventing illness.

    Moxa strengthens the constitution and immune system, builds Qi and Blood, increases the energy and circulation of the whole body, can help pain due to cold and damp, and can soften lumps!

    Moxibustion is a Chinese herb called mugwort (Ai Ye, Artemisia Vulgaris) that we use to warm certain points or areas of the body in order to warm and strengthen the Qi there. Common areas where moxa is applied to strengthen the Kidney energy and build the Qi are the low belly (Ren 4 and 6) and low back (Du 4 and UB 23) or the Stomach 36 point on the leg.moxibustion-therapy

    There are very many preparations of moxa, and ways that it is used – directly on the skin as in Japanese (okyu or chinetkyu) moxa cones, or indirectly, as in a moxa stick held near the skin. Moxa sticks can be a traditional moxa sticky, which is smoky (see photo) or modern smokeless moxa sticks. Loose moxa can be used in a moxa pot on put on the belly or back. Also, either loose moxa cones or specialty smokeless moxa can be used on the top of the needle during an acupuncture treatment.

    My two latest favorite ways to utilize moxa are with the moxa heat pack, which is self-heating and can be easily applied to the low belly or low back when you are resting at home, or on areas of soreness that benefit from warmth. Read more about the convenient moxa heat packs on my blog. self-heating-moxa-packs-moxibustion-helio-medical-supply

    The second way is Ontake, (Moxa in Motion), which is a cross between a moxa treatment and massage of the acupuncture channels. In this super cool technique, moxa is pressed into a section of bamboo and used like a massage tool on the skin. I’ll be writing more about that next!

    Moxibustion is a traditional therapy that has always been used along with acupuncture; acupuncture in Chinese is actually acupuncture and moxibustion, Zhen Jiu. The earliest acupuncture and moxibustion texts books date back to the Han Dynasty in the 2nd century BCE, and there is evidence in the form of hieroglyphics that these modalities were being used together even further back (Shang Dynasty, 1600-1100 BCE). This ancient modality still remains an integral part of Traditional East Asian Medicine.

     

  • Laraway Mountain – the secret is out!

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    Laraway Mountain, Waterville, VT

    4 mile hike round trip to lookout, about 3 hours, 1500 ft elevation gain, summit 2700 ft

    I have been doing a decent amount of hiking this fall, and I am particularly loving Laraway Mountain. My friends call me obsessed! There’s enough elevation gain to give my legs a good work out, but it doesn’t take all day.

    Even though it is along the Long Trail, there are very few people there. It’s kind of a secret spot. This little know spot boasts lots of natural features, including awesome rocks, waterfalls if it’s recently rained, and beautiful streams, and there is a look out at the top with a view of Mt Mansfield.

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    It’s about an hour away and the whole thing takes me about 3 hours to hike the 4 miles round trip to the lookout. The summit is .4 miles past the lookout, but honestly, that part is not particularly special; it is pretty flat and was muddy when I did it.

    This fall the leaves make it a bit hard to find the trail, so keep an eye out for white blazes. Wear water resistant shoes with good tread, there are several stream crossings, and some mud. The trailhead is not super easy to find, either.

    To find the trailhead, head up 15 to Jeffersonville, at the roundabout turn left onto 108 then the first right on 109. After 5 or 10 minutes you will see Montgomery

    Covered Bridge on the right, then the next right is Codding Hollow Road and there will be another covered bridge. Follow that road (there will be little signs at the forks to keep you heading toward the Long Trail trailhead).

    Tip: Take a screen shot of the map on your phone – there is very little service out there!

    There are two parking lots, the first one on the right seems to be the main one. If you have AWD and/or some clearance, you can continue straight down the dirt road (path might be the more appropriate word) and you will come to the second parking lot on the left a about a quarter mile. If you don’t drive it, you will be walking it to the trail head. IMG_1208

     

     

  • Immune System Tip #4 Stop Thinking

    Over-thinking and Digestion

    A lot of people are experiencing stress and anxiety about the Corona virus and its effects on the world. Are you finding yourself worrying, or perhaps having trouble sleeping?

    In Chinese medicine it is clear that anxiety and worry effect our digestive system. Overthinking damages the Spleen, and, conversely, a weak Spleen leads to propensity for overthinking. The Spleen represents the Earth element and the digestive system.

    Eat well to strengthen your Earth energy, your digestion and ultimately your immune system. Foods that benefit the Spleen include hearty stews, roasted root vegetables, and meat. The Spleen likes warming spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and fennel. Minimize intake of grains, carbohydrates and sugars.

    Reigning in your thoughts can also help your digestion and your immune system. Preoccupation with what-ifs, obsessing over COVID stats, excess worry, rumination, and excess thinking, even studying or working, are not ideal for our health. Guide your own thoughts as best as you can.

    One of my teacher’s teachers put it well, “In life you think or don’t think. If you choose to think, make a decision/take action. If you can’t make decision, don’t think about it. Sometimes it is better to not think.”

    Put down the phone. Put down the media. Keep media in its place, which means not letting it take over your thinking!

  • Immune System Tip #3 Focus Inward

    I encourage you to focus inward. Of course we want to connect with our community and not be completely isolated. But don’t just focus outward. Bringing your energy inward is good for your immune system because the exterior of our body is where our defensive Qi is, but it comes from having strong Qi grounded in the deeper interior.IMG_5608

    Be kind to yourselves and don’t over-do it at work. Use this time as a precious opportunity (assuming everyone is healthy) to follow your heart. Give yourself permission to do an activity that allows you to rest and/or brings you joy.

    Joy is the emotion of the Heart and the element of Fire. Fire can burn an extra Wood (Liver) energy that may be accumulating in the form of frustration, irritability or anger. Following your heart can help balance these emotions so joy can end up on top. Exercise helps, too, when the Wood/Liver energy is predominating.

    Bring back something that you used to do that feels good. Prioritize some me-time each day:

    meditate, biking, play some music, read a book that’s on your shelf, gardening, exercise, take a NAP, play chess, scrap-booking, learn HTML?!, work on that project…

    It took me a month, but I re-upped my online guitar lessons and started learning Hey Joe on my electric guitar last weekend (see, before I even finished this newsletter, go me!). I intend to make time for playing every day for the next month. What about you? What non-urgent thing have you been putting off doing for yourself?

    Put down your phone. Focus inward. Follow your heart. Joy is medicine.

  • Immune System Tip #2 Get Some Sleep

    Sleep!

    That’s it. Sleep.sleep-3

    Sleep is one of the best things you can do to boost your immune system. Get enough sleep at night and if you are tired, take a NAP. Naps, or even some down time with a book, are a great way to maximize your energy. I feel like I am stating the obvious, but there you have it.

    Insomnia

    If you are having trouble sleeping, it is worth following up on that and finding what helps you. Some people find meditating helpful, or getting off/limiting media and screens, particularly before bedtime. Others notice a difference with a diet change, and for many herbal medicine can help.

    If you are not getting enough sleep at night, you really deserve to give yourself naptime in the daytime to make up for lost hours.

     

     

  • Immune System Tip #1 Put Down Your Phone

    One good thing you can do for your immune system is put your phone down. No, I’m serious. Putting down your phone is one of the best things you can do for your immune system. person-holding-black-iphone-5

    Do you check Facebook and/or other media regularly? Are you experiencing anxiety and stress these days?

    Cortisol levels in the body go up when we are emotionally stressed, which is the opposite of what we want for good health.

    Not only is the extra cortisol coursing through you body not good but also the effect of the electromagnetics of the device on your body can weaken your immune system.

    Limit the time you engage in media, whether that is the news or social media. Read that book, start a project, or even watch a funny movie on TV. There are so many healthier things you can do.

  • Happy Year of the Earth Pig 2019

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    2019 is the Year of the Earth Pig according to Chinese Zodiac. Starting from Feb. 5, 2019 (Chinese New Year) and lasting to Jan. 24, 2020.

    Pig is the twelfth in the 12-year cycle of Chinese Zodiac Sign. The Years of the Pig include: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043…

    Come on out of the doghouse—there’s a party in the pig pen! The pleasant and genial Earth Pig’s arrival is a welcome relief after 2018’s Earth Dog antics. Dogs are pack animals, and in the past year, groups have stuck together out of “loyalty,” at times, to a fault.

    People with Chinese Zodiac Pig sign are considerate, responsible, independent and optimistic. They always show generousness and mercy to endure other people’s mistakes, which help them gain harmonious interpersonal relationships. However, sometimes they have a lazy and indolent streak and can lack actions. In addition, pure hearts would let them be cheated easily in daily life.

    • Strengths: Warm-hearted, good-tempered, loyal, honest, gentle.
    • Weaknesses: Naive, gullible, sluggish, short-tempered. (more…)