TCM and Summer

TCM and Summer

Summer is a time of abundant energy, long sunshine-filled days and warmth. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, summer has many different associations that help define it. The element of summer is fire, the color of summer is red, the emotion of summer is joy and the governing organs are the heart and the small intestine. But what does all of this mean? Let’s find out.

              

The TCM system relies heavily on the five elements and how they work and interact within the body. In TCM, there are multiple levels. The first is that of yin and yang. At the most basic level, yin is like water and yang is like fire. As mentioned, fire is the element of summer. Thus fire is yang in nature, which means it is symbolic of maximum activity. During the summer months, everybody and everything is more outgoing or outward in nature. And as the heart is the main organ associated with the season of summer, it should be paid close attention to and nourished to remain healthy.

              

The heart’s main function is to circulate oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. In TCM, mental activity is also associated with the heart. This is known as Shen in Chinese medicine. The Shen is sometimes compared to our mind, but it is actually much deeper than that. The Shen includes our thought processes, memory, consciousness and emotional well-being. And summer is the most appropriate time to calm the Shen and provide it with enrichment that will last throughout the whole year. When the fire element is balanced, the mind is calm, sleep is sound and the heart organ is strong and healthy. If the fire element is not balanced, there may be depression or an excess of joy, which manifests as mania.  Symptoms of an unbalanced fire element include heartburn, insomnia, agitation, nervousness, digestive upset, rashes, palpitations and excessive perspiration.

              

There are quite a few ways to keep the heart and fire element balanced during the summer months.  Meditation and deep breathing are easy to do, plus, they require no expensive equipment to perform and can be done anywhere.

Going outside and engaging all of your senses is another easy way to nourish heart health. A technique known as “grounding” has been gaining popularity over the past decade and science is showing it can be very beneficial. All one has to do is walk or stand in the grass while being barefoot. The energy from the earth is quite healing. And while you’re there, take time to listen to the sounds of nature that surround you and enjoy the fragrances of the flowers. These things are also grounding and have a calming effect on the mind and body.

Probably the two most important things you can do for heart health during the summer months is drink plenty of fresh water and eat cooling foods. No matter what season of the year, water is vital and it is recommended we drink at least 64 ounces per day. Cooling foods like fruits are good at keeping fire under control, which is healthy for the whole body.

Lastly, if you are experiencing a heart or fire imbalance, consider adding acupuncture to your routine. Acupuncture is very good at reducing or increasing the body’s yang/fire, depending upon your individual needs. Finding a licensed acupuncturist in your area may be the best decision you can make when it comes to staying happy and healthy.

Bishara Wilson, L.Ac., MSTOM

www.NewYorkSportsAcupuncture.com

888.375.5444

Fermented Foods and Intestinal Health

Fermented Foods and Intestinal Health

The modern world is changing every single day. Because of this constant state of change, our bodies are frequently having to adjust.  We have a food supply being degraded and depleted of nutritional content, which in turn, causes our bodies to become depleted. Our soil and water is contaminated with antibiotics and deadly fertilizers. All of which become part of the food chain we rely upon. Because of this, antibiotics are failing and superbugs like MRSA are on the rise. Lack of nutrition and the overuse of antibiotics are just a couple of the things wreaking havoc on our intestinal health. But there are ways to combat this and keep the gut healthy.

              

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been around for thousands of years and the approach of this medical system is to treat the patient holistically. TCM has been shown to be effective at treating a wide variety of ailments, including digestive issues. Part of this is because TCM focuses heavily on diet and nutrition.

Qi is equated with energy and every organ, pathway and cell in the human body is composed of energy.  For the body to function properly, Qi needs to be sufficient at all times. One of the best ways to maintain sufficient Qi is through our daily diet. Science is proving what TCM practitioners have known for centuries, our digestive health is vital for the cells of the body to function optimally.

The gastrointestinal tract acts as a “second brain.” It has the ability to constantly transform us. The Human Microbiome Project is an ongoing study confirming microscopic bacterial colonies in our digestive tract have very important jobs to do. The bacterial colonies help keep us healthy both physically and mentally. But because of human intervention, these bacterial colonies in our guts are becoming sick, depleted and are dying.

To rejuvenate these gastrointestinal bacterial colonies, many people are turning to TCM for help.  Acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas are great methods of reviving our gastrointestinal Qi. The stomach and spleen are the two main pathways TCM practitioners focus on when treating somebody who exhibits digestive Qi deficiencies. TCM can help to repair the Qi of the spleen and stomach meridians. But TCM can’t do it alone.

This is where fermented foods come into play. Fermented foods have been around for centuries as well.  Fermentation is one of the oldest attempts to preserve food. But in today’s world, fermented foods, like sauerkraut, kimchi and yogurt are being utilized to help restore the healthy bacterial colonies found within the gastrointestinal tract. In fermentation, bacteria or yeast feed on natural sugars found in foods.  This makes certain foods easier for the gut to digest and allows for the nutrients to be absorbed during digestion. People who do not ingest fermented foods can actually develop immune deficiencies which can lead to serious illness and disease. For instance, sauerkraut, which is fermented cabbage, actually has anti-carcinogenic components that can help prevent cancer. Yogurt can help prevent colorectal cancer, breast cancer and yeast infections. Kimchi has been shown to help improve symptoms of asthma and other allergic reactions, while also lowering LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels.

Incorporating fermented foods into the daily diet and getting regular acupuncture treatments that help balance out the body’s Qi, can lead to a very healthy gastrointestinal tract. And when the gut is happy, the body is happy.

www.NewYorkSportsAcupuncture.com

888.375.5444

Call to Schedule a Free Eliminate Poor Digestion Evaluation. We will get to the root of the problem, discover the hidden blockages that slow down your healing process and create a plan to bring you back to balance.  You will leave feeling re-energized, rejuvenated and ready to get rid of poor digestion once and for all.

Acupuncture and the Small Intestine

Acupuncture and the Small Intestine

The small intestine is part of the gastrointestinal tract. Up to 90 percent of the digestion and absorption of food occurs in the small intestine and its main function is the absorption of minerals and nutrients from the food we ingest. It is comprised of three separate parts, the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum. The small intestine measures upwards of six to seven meters long and it has a surface area of over 200 meters.  But in the Traditional Chinese Medical system, the small intestine is much more than just its physical traits.

              

TCM pairs energetic meridians so that they form a complete circuit. There is always a yang meridian and a yin meridian. The small intestine meridian is paired with the heart meridian. Imbalances in the small intestine meridian can lead to problems such as abdominal pain, digestion issues and also appetite problems like overeating or poor appetite. The small intestine meridian starts at the outer tip of the pinky finger and runs up the arm, over the scapula of the shoulder, up the neck and ends in front of the ear. The meridian pathway allows for it to be useful in treating not just intestinal and abdominal issues, but also things like earaches, TMJ, shoulder pain and neck pain.

              

The small intestine is the controller of the reception, transformation and separation of solids and fluids.  It receives food and fluids from the stomach and then transforms them by separating the pure from the impure. The pure essence is dispersed throughout the body and the impurities are flushed into the large intestine for eventual removal from the body.

              

Since the small intestine is paired with the heart, it should be noted both meridians belong to the movement of fire. The heart meridian expresses movement upwards, while the small intestine meridian expresses movement downwards. And when considering this pairing logically, it makes sense. When we are experiencing heartache or stress (associated with the heart meridian), most of us then have an upset gastrointestinal tract, pain in the abdomen, vomiting, nausea or even a lack of appetite.

              

The small intestine meridian is particularly sensitive to cold. Therefore eating lots of cold, raw foods can actually lead to problems in the small intestine. When excess cold invades the small intestine, there may be pain around the navel, watery diarrhea or loose stools, frequent clear urination and loud gurgling sounds in the abdomen.

              

In TCM, the small intestine plays both a physical and a mental role. The mental role of the small intestine is to separate the clear thoughts from the turbid ones. This is another way the small intestine is connected to the heart in TCM. The heart houses the mind and is in charge of all of our mental health. Clear judgement depends on the ability of the small intestine to separate the pure from the impure. When there is dysfunction in the small intestine, then there may also be dysfunction in the mind.

              

While the small intestine may not seem as important as the heart or the kidneys, it is still an integral part of our body and as such, it should be taken care of equally as well. If you experience any abdominal or emotional issues, turning to a licensed acupuncturist may be a good start. But most of all, take good care of your gastrointestinal health and your body will respond favorably.

New York Sports Acupuncture

Bishara Wilson, L.Ac., MSTOM

www.NewYorkSportsAcupuncture.com

888.375.5444

Research Update: Acupuncture and Intestinal Health

Research Update: Acupuncture and Intestinal Health

A study conducted by researchers at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and published by the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, revealed the possible mechanism by which acupuncture treats Crohn’s Disease. This mechanism had been previously unknown, although studies concluded acupuncture and moxibustion can relieve intestinal inflammation in patients suffering from the disease. This study identified there are two subsets of T-lymphocytes, Th17 and Treg cells, that are involved in the development of Crohn’s Disease and that acupuncture and moxibustion can help restore the balance between the cells, which could lead to a breakthrough in treatment of the disease.

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2015/938054/

              

More than 95 million Americans suffer from some sort of digestive disorder. This includes diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. There is evidence suggesting many of the ailments affecting the digestive system are occurring because of increased pesticides, artificial colorings, additives and preservatives that are being found in our food.  Also the overuse of antibiotics has led to an epidemic in the United States that is actually killing the healthy intestinal bacteria that is needed to keep the body functioning properly.

              

TCM has been used to treat digestive disorders for centuries. According to Chinese medical theory, most digestive disorders are caused by a disharmony of the spleen and stomach. The spleen plays a vital role in the health of the body and it helps to assimilate the nutrients from the food that we ingest.  The spleen turns digested food from the stomach into vital energy that is known as Qi (pronounced “chee’).

              

More and more scientific data is coming out that shows the gut is acting like a second brain. The ability of the gastrointestinal system to constantly transform us is being studied extensively. Specifically the bacteria within the gastrointestinal tract is a major focus. The project known as the Human Microbiome Project may have a lot to teach us about our bodies and also how we utilize medicine. This project is confirming that microscopic bacteria colonies within the digestive tract play important roles for both our mental and physical health. The project is confirming that when we nourish these bacterial colonies, we also nourish our bodies.

              

Research shows we can actually reshape and repopulate damaged bacterial colonies within the gastrointestinal tract. This can be accomplished by tonifying the spleen and stomach during regular acupuncture sessions. One such way to do this is by using a point along the stomach meridian in every single acupuncture treatment. Stomach 36 is a wonderful tonifying point that can help with nearly every intestinal issue. But in addition to utilizing regular acupuncture treatments, acupuncturists can provide dietary supplements and herbs that may help, such as probiotics. Also recommending foods like sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha may be helpful in repopulating the gut flora.

              

If you deal with gastrointestinal issues, acupuncture and TCM can be of benefit to you. Just be sure to locate a fully trained and properly licensed acupuncturist for all of your health and wellness needs.

New York Sports Acupuncture

Bishara Wilson, L.Ac., MSTOM

www.NewYorkSportsAcupuncture.com

888.375.5444

Are Your Eyes Red or Inflamed?

Are Your Eyes Red or Inflamed?

In the world of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the liver energy flows upward into the eyes. When this energy is flowing smoothly and working as it should, your vision is clear and sharp, you have efficient night vision and the eyes are bright and well-lubricated.

When out of balance, the liver can generate heat that rises upward. This heat can manifest in dry eyes, itchy eyes or eyes that are red and irritated. Think about how red one’s eyes can get after a night of drinking. Alcohol adds heat to the liver, which in turn rises upward and creates hot, red eyes. The facial flushing you see after a night of imbibing is also indicative of this heat.

When the liver blood is deficient, you will see symptoms of dryness throughout the body, particularly in the eyes. Dry, scratchy eyes are a sign of liver blood deficiency, and floaters (those little black spots that can appear in the periphery of your vision) are also indicative of this deficiency.

When liver blood deficiency becomes more pronounced, patients can develop something we acupuncturists refer to as “Internal Wind.” Wind manifests as symptoms of shaking, tics, tremors or issues such as rashes that move around from place to place within the body. You know that annoying eye twitch you get that you are convinced the world can see, even though everyone tells you they don’t notice it? Those tics are a sign the body is deficient in energy, and wind has developed to shake things up. Internal wind can also show up as issues that itch, such as dry, itchy eyes.

The kidney plays a role in keeping the body well-oiled and lubricated. If the kidney yin is lacking, you might experience dry, creaky joints, dry skin and eyes.


New York Sports Acupuncture
Bishara Wilson, L.Ac., MSTOM
www.NewYorkSportsAcupuncture.com
888.375.5444

Bate’s Eye Exercise Sidebar

Bate’s Eye Exercise Sidebar

Check out some more of the eye exercises that go along with the Bate’s Method and then practice them at home!

1. Corner-to-Corner Eyeball Shifting

This exercise is super self-explanatory and anyone can easily do it. In addition to being easy to practice, this exercise also comes with a slew of benefits for your eyes. Increased eye focus, reduced muscular strain, relaxing of eye movements and better control of your eyes are all results of practicing this exercise. To do it swiftly shift your eyes from left to right and then stop, repeat this activity between five to 10 times.

2. Palming

Palming is an exercise with one strict purpose in mind, to relax the eyes. By way of relaxing the eyes, palming also soothes the mind. Rub your palms until they get toasty and then place your hands over your eyes, making sure your fingers rest on your forehead. Be careful and make sure not to place the palms on the eyelids, just let the warming energy hit them without the added pressure. Now, experience the soothing effects of palming.

New York Sports Acupuncture

Bishara Wilson, L.Ac., MSTOM

www.NewYorkSportsAcupuncture.com

888.375.5444

Bate’s Method of Eye Health

Bate’s Method of Eye Health

Tired of having to use your glasses or contact lenses in order to see? Well, look no further, there is a natural way to regain your eyesight and retain optimal eye health. The method that makes this possible is called the Bate’s Method. Created by Dr. William H. Bates in 1891, the Bates Method has been used as an alternative form of ophthalmology for over a hundred years.

Bate’s believed his alternative therapy to regaining eyesight revolved around the idea that most eye problems were caused by habitual, or recurring strain to the eyes. Bate’s assumed glasses were ineffective and encouraged people to try his alternative solution to fixing eyesight. One part that makes up the method is a series of specific eye exercises, which aim to alleviate the strain causing the patient’s eye issues.

The first key exercise we will introduce is the near-to-far shifting of focus. This exercise will work to promote a balanced use of your eyes, it will help build flexibility in the eye muscles and increase your mind-eye coordination. The object of the exercise is to look at photograph while you hold one of your fingers about 10 inches away from your face. The idea is to shift focus between your finger and the photograph, this will either cause you to see an illusion of two fingers, or two photographs, depending on what you are focused on at the time.

Eye stretches are another exercise critical to the Bate’s Method. Eye stretches take around three minutes to complete and they are very easy to do. First, you must close your eyes and relax all of the parts of your face while maintaining deep and easy breathes. Now, with your eyes closed stretch your eyes in an up and down motion, repeat this 20 times. After you have stretched the eyes up and down, close the eyes again and roll them in both clockwise and counterclockwise motions, repeat this step 20 times as well. Eye stretches are imperative to optimal eye health, they reduce pressure in the eyes and help your eyes relax.

In addition to exercises for the eyes, the Bate’s Method calls for changes to diet and the amount of exposure you receive from the sun. In terms of diet changes, smart things to do when incorporating the Bate’s Method are to cut sugar and fat from the diet, and to add a hearty amount of fruit, nuts and vegetables. Although dieting won’t increase your exposure to the sun, sunning, an idea unique to the Bate’s method will.

Sunning is the idea that an individual’s eyesight will improve after staring directly at the sun. In order to stare at the sun you have to work up to it first, but overtime Bate’s stated you will notice improvement to your overall eye health. Sunning must first be started gradually with a small light source such as a lamp and then through practice and exercise you can then start staring at the sun.

There are many part to the Bate’s Method and you should be sure to do them all when trying to retain optimal eye health. 

Bishara Wilson, L.Ac., MSTOM

New York Sports Acupuncture

www.NewYorkSportsAcupuncture.com

888.375.5444

Research Update: Acupuncture and Ophthalmologic Health

Research Update:  Acupuncture and Ophthalmologic 

Health

A study conducted by researchers at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and published by the Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, demonstrates how acupuncture can improve visual acuity, reduce light sensitivity and decrease visual defects. The study tested the efficacy of a four point acupuncture prescription in the treatment of loss of vision. The researchers used three acupuncture points around the eye and one point in the suboccipital region. All of the points are classically indicated in Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of eye problems. The test concluded acupuncture is beneficial in the treatment of vision problems.

http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1625-acupuncture-improves-visual-acuity-and-reduces-defects

              

The eyes can reflect a lot of things regarding a person’s overall health.  Illnesses can be detected by the ophthalmologist in the very early stages. And conditions like glaucoma, neuritis and even vision loss can be indicators of systemic health problems. TCM has always known about the connection between the eyes and a person’s health. Many eye conditions respond well to acupuncture treatments and these methods have been used for centuries to assist in keeping the eyes healthy.

              

TCM pays very close attention to the relationship between the organs and the tissues.  Imbalances within the body can sometimes manifest as problems in the eyes. If a person is treated for eye problems, the underlying imbalances that have caused these issues will also be treated by the licensed acupuncturist.

              

The main concept behind acupuncture is the nourishment and movement of blood and energy throughout the body to create harmonic balance. Quite frequently, there are imbalances in more than one organ system that lead to problems in the eyes. But the organ system most closely associated with the eyes in TCM is the liver. In TCM, the liver “opens to the eyes.” The liver provides the primary energy flow that is responsible for the support of healthy vision. Within the eye, certain meridians have primary influence over specific areas. For instance, the pupil is influenced by the kidney meridian, the retina is influenced by the liver and kidney meridians, and the sclera is influenced by the lung meridian. Reading the eye is one of the tools acupuncturists utilize when diagnosing a patient.

              

Receiving regular acupuncture treatments can be very beneficial in the prevention and treatment of ophthalmologic conditions. But there are some things that can be done at home too that may also help.  Acupressure massage can reduce tension in the eyes and contribute to overall eye health. This can be done multiple times throughout the day to help stimulate blood flow and positive energy into the area.  There are also several frequently used Chinese herbs that can help keep the eyes healthy, including goji berries and chrysanthemum flowers. Both of these herbs can be steeped into green tea for a nice eye rejuvenation tonic.

              

To find out how acupuncture and TCM can help you with any vision issues you might have, locate a licensed acupuncturist in your area and set up a consultation or appointment.

Bishara Wilson, L.Ac., MSTOM

New York Sports Acupuncture

www.NewYork SportsAcupuncture.com

888.375.5554