Benefits of Acupuncture During Winter

/in /by

Reduce stress: Winter season could stress anyone with holiday planning, family obligations, and the occasional slip or fall. We all know that stress has a negative impact on our minds and bodies and thankfully acupuncture reduces stress quickly and safely while centering us to be our best selves. Acupuncture encourages your body to relax while allowing our energy to flow in balance. Research has also shown that acupuncture affects our brain chemistry in a positive way and the results can be lasting. Acupuncture increases endorphins, those feel-good chemicals, in your brain allowing us to continue our daily routines with ease.

Prevent injury/illness: Winter is rough, the extreme cold and damp provide an environment that makes it easier for you to get sick. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs boost your immunity in order to remain healthy and, if you’re already sick, treatments can lessen your symptoms and reduce the duration of the illness.

Recharge your body: Winter weather can be tough on many of us and it won’t be over for a while. The cold and adventurous Rocky Mountain activities can drain our energy, make it harder to accomplish our goals while the climate can put strain on our joints and soft tissue. A few well-placed needles can nurture your depleted body, increase your energy, help you sleep better, and relieve built up the tension.

Book Now

Acupuncture & Stress

/in /by
Read more

Becoming The Best version of YOU

/in /by

It is true what they say, every day is a new beginning. We have the opportunity each and every day to start something new. However, every 365 days we celebrate the beginning of a new year and for some reason, that day is different. Everything feels possible with the start of a new year. 

What if this year, instead of trying to mold yourself into someone you are not, you simply tried becoming the best version of you? We have each been given one life. One chance to grow, love, experience, and enjoy this world. So why not take some time and make sure you are doing all you can with the best version of yourself?

Becoming the best version of yourself can seem like a pretty overwhelming challenge. We think you’re up for it though, so we’ve created a list of 7 simple steps to guide you on your way to becoming the best version of you!

1. Envision What It Means To Be The Best Version of You

Becoming the best version of you is a journey, an adventure. It is an adventure that is specific to you and only you. Every new adventure starts with a vision or a dream. Take some time to envision what this adventure holds for you and what you would like the end result to be. Reflect on who you actually are and think about what you would like to be better. Do you want to be more mindful? Do you want to be more assertive? More fit? More adventurous? Whatever the end result, take some time to dream about it and really fall in love with that vision. Once you can see it clearly, you can begin to take daily steps toward realizing the best version of you.

2. Take Care of Your Body

We have all been given this amazing tiny universe called a body. Each body is completely unique. You are the ONLY you. Right down to your DNA, the very building blocks of your tiny universe, there is no one else like you. It’s truly a marvel when you think about it. Since there is only one you and you only get one body, why not take incredible care of it? Are you feeding your body the best foods? Filling it with the nutrients it needs? Giving it the exercise it needs to perform at it’s best? Are you keeping it free from disease and pain? Be honest with yourself and if you can improve, do it. It doesn’t have to be huge changes. Take small steps to improve every day. If you take the very best care of your body, your mind and spirit will flourish. Give it a shot, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

3. Be Present Every Moment

A mentor of mine used to say ‘It’s not a dress rehearsal’. She would say this when I was distracted by a future task or event. She was one of the top event planners in Las Vegas and we planned elaborate parties for clients with endless disposable income. We would be at an over the top birthday party or wedding, surrounded by the most incredible decor, food, and people. I would be spinning out about all the little details and what needed to happen next, and she would grab my shoulders and say, ‘It’s not a dress rehearsal’. She meant relax, be here, look around and appreciate what is happening now. Life is not a dress rehearsal. We only get one shot. Often we find ourselves thinking five steps ahead and it robs us of where we are at this very moment. Take the time to be present every moment, you may find that you are already a better version of yourself than you originally thought.

4. Take Care of Your Mind

If your body is your own private universe, your mind is the center of that universe. Allow yourself time each day to check in with your mind. Just a few moments to center your thoughts and affirm your intentions. Your mind and your body work together and if they are both being taken care of, they will flourish. If one is not being taken care of, it will negatively impact the other. Try to let go of negative thoughts. Forgive yourself and others if you feel disappointed by an action or event. Feed your mind new knowledge. Read, journal, listen to a lecture. Think of it this way, knowledge is food for your mind and meditation is exercise for your mind. Make sure you give it plenty of both.

5. Practice Gratitude Daily

Take some time each day to appreciate where you are. Be intentional throughout the day to notice small things that you are grateful for. A delicious cup of coffee or tea. A beautiful sunrise or sunset. A super cozy sweater or blanket. It’s easy to become fixated on what we do not have or where we fall short. However, when we appreciate and show gratitude for what we do have and our small wins, we become much more satisfied. We realize how good life is, even at its hardest.

6. Prioritize Your Day

Time is precious. Make sure you are spending your time doing the things that mean the most to you and make you the happiest. Sure, the laundry needs to get done, but is it more important than enjoying that yoga class you love so much? Can you do the laundry later while you cook dinner? I’m not saying let your work and daily tasks fall by the wayside. How about making the activities and tasks that nurture the best version of yourself a priority? There’s an old saying that you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. So maybe it’s time you allow yourself to be priority number one for a while. If you’re tired, take a nap. If your favorite person is in town and wants to see you, make it happen. Make your happiness, your physical and mental wellness your priority.

7. Love Yourself

You are the only you. Love yourself. Sure, you have imperfections, but don’t we all? Don’t waste your precious time and energy obsessing over them. Learn to embrace all of the little quirks and ticks that make you special. Just as learning to practice gratitude will make you more aware each day of how wonderful life really is, learning to love yourself will make you realize how amazing YOU really are. Treat yourself kindly, think positive thoughts, take amazing care of your body and just love yourself.

Above all else, remember that the best version of you is the one you choose to cultivate. It is not up to anyone else. That is, after all, what makes this lifetime so special. We are all different and we all have very unique strengths and weaknesses. Yet, we are all here together to share in this beautiful time together.

So, go forth and do it. Become the very best version of YOU, we cannot wait to see it!

Acupuncture as Preventative Medicine

/in /by

“The sages of antiquity did not treat those who were already sick, but those who were not sick… When a disease has already broken out and is only then treated, would that not be just as late as to wait for thirst before digging a well, or to wait to go into battle before casting weapons?”

(Nei Jing)

Chinese Medicine uses acupuncture & herbal therapy as a means of preventative medicine

In studying acupuncture in the West we have focused mainly on its potential as a treatment for specific disorders.  For example, research has shown that acupuncture can relieve chronic low back pain, dental pain, and migraine headaches. It can relieve the pain of fibromyalgia and symptoms of osteoarthritis. Acupuncture can aid recovery from sports injuries. It has also been found to help with emotional pain syndromes and reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Yet, we do not focus on acupuncture as part of preventative medicine.

Today, in the United States, the vast majority of patients only seek out acupuncture treatments once they are feeling pain or sickness. 

Well, it turns out that traditionally, acupuncture is used mostly as a means of preventative medicine rather than a treatment for ailments. Traditional Chinese medicine focuses on keeping the body healthy and avoiding illness.  Ancient practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine would administer regular treatments to everyone in the community as a sort of ‘tune up’ to keep them well. These tune ups would help avoid the imbalances that can weaken an immune system and lead to illness. Acupuncture treatments were used in combination with herbs and nutritional counseling to maintain health and wellness. 

Regular acupuncture treatments can keep your body balanced and strengthen your immune system.

Take Control

Let’s face it, our world is full of risk and everywhere we turn there are endless stories of sickness and disease. Every day we are alerted to a new threat from the latest flu or COVID variant. So, why not take the best possible care of yourself and prevent illness? Find a practitioner you are comfortable with and develop a plan for achieving and maintaining your body’s optimal health. It just makes sense. Keeping yourself healthy is a heck of a lot easier and much less expensive than trying to diagnose, fight, and recover from an ailment.

Ready to take control of your health? Schedule a visit today and let us help you on your journey!

Childhood & Adolescent Depression

/in /by

“Most experts would agree with me that there is more stress today than in previous generations. Stress triggers depression and mood disorders, so that those who are predisposed to it by their creative wiring or genes are pretty much guaranteed some symptoms of depression at the confusing and difficult time of adolescence. I think modern lifestyles -lack of community and family support, less exercise, no casual and unstructured technology-free play, less sunshine and more computer -factors into the equation.”

Therese J. Borchard, author of Beyond Blue. 

How do I recognize childhood & adolescent depression?

Growing up is hard. Your body is constantly changing. Your emotions are often unexpected and difficult to control. You have little to no control over your circumstances. Social media constantly presents you with new unattainable images of perfection. And hey, don’t forget a pandemic which limits your social engagement. The youth of today are challenged in ways none of us could have imagined. Incidents of childhood and adolescent depression are on the rise.

It is perfectly normal to feel blue once in a while. However, children and adolescents are increasingly being diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and mental illness. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, common symptoms of depression in children and adolescents may include:

  • Feeling or appearing depressed, sad, tearful, or irritable
  • Not enjoying things as much as they used to
  • Spending less time with friends or in after school activities
  • Changes in appetite and/or weight
  • Sleeping more or less than usual
  • Feeling tired or having less energy
  • Feeling like everything is their fault or they are not good at anything
  • Having more trouble concentrating
  • Caring less about school or not doing as well in school
  • Having thoughts of suicide or wanting to die

Parents, trying their best to help their sons and daughters, are turning to their family doctors for help. Doctors, in an effort to help patients using the methods they have learned, are prescribing medications for young people at an alarming rate. According to a recent article in Science Daily, the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP) has recently published a study confirming that depression in childhood or adolescence is associated with higher levels of adult anxiety and substance use disorders, worse health and social functioning, less financial and educational achievement, and increased criminality.

What can I do?

Childhood and adolescent depression, like many mental illnesses, can be very subjective. The best course of treatment truly depends upon the patient and their individual needs. There are an abundance of contributing factors that can lead to an overwhelming list of symptoms. Therefore, there is no one size fits all path to greater mental health. However, frequently there is an underlying energetic imbalance that is contributing to the severity of symptoms. This is where acupuncture can be enormously beneficial. 

Acupuncture can be used alone or in combination with other therapies. ‘Talk therapy’ and or medication can be used as well. Together they can all help to safely treat the symptoms and perhaps some of the underlying causes of depression. Acupuncture can safely aid in the reduction of stress and anxiety. It can also help with headaches, weight loss, weight gain, loss of sleep, and lack of energy. All common symptoms associated with depression. The goal of acupuncture is to create a balance of the systems within your body and open the energy channels within you. When your body is in balance, you are in a better position to combat the external forces contributing to stress and anxiety which could be causing depression. 

It is important that before any course of treatment is chosen, you speak with a professional. Whether treating depression in yourself or your loved one, you should always work with someone trained in mental health to plan your path to wellness. Oftentimes, that path will require a combination of treatment forms and they should all be administered by professionals.

Where do I start?

If you have questions about where to start, your acupuncture practitioner or family doctor are both a wise first step. If you would like to seek assistance from someone outside of your close network, please consider contacting one of the following: