New Leaf Natural Medicine https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/ Thu, 07 Jul 2022 15:57:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/cropped-Favicon-source-image-32x32.png New Leaf Natural Medicine https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/ 32 32 Horsetail: The Prehistoric Plant That Heals From The Inside Out https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2016/horsetail-the-prehistoric-plant-that-heals-from-the-inside-out/ https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2016/horsetail-the-prehistoric-plant-that-heals-from-the-inside-out/#respond Thu, 31 Mar 2016 17:31:35 +0000 http://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/?p=7340   Recently, while on a walk in a neighborhood park, I came across one of my favorite herbs. This is horsetail, or equisetum arvense. Isn’t it beautiful? The young shoots are just starting to get their branches. Here’s what it looks like a little farther into the season: Now you can really see where it got […]

The post Horsetail: The Prehistoric Plant That Heals From The Inside Out appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
 

Recently, while on a walk in a neighborhood park, I came across one of my favorite herbs.

Young horsetail or equisetum arvense

This is horsetail, or equisetum arvense.

Isn’t it beautiful?

The young shoots are just starting to get their branches. Here’s what it looks like a little farther into the season:

Horsetail full branches

Now you can really see where it got it’s name, right?

Those gorgeous branches grow and form a bit of a bottle brush shape.

Horsetail is a very old plant that dominated the forests of the dinosaur era. At this time, they grew to the size of pine trees.

Now they are found in North America, Europe, and Asia, growing in damp sands or soils along lakes, rivers, and swamps.

 

Fun fact: Horsetail is also known as scouring rush, as people used to bind its branches together and use them as a scouring pad to wash dishes.

 

You can learn a lot about what a plant does by looking at its appearance and where it grows. This is part of the doctrine of signatures.

The doctrine of signatures dates from the time of Galen, a famous Greek physician who lived around 130AD. It states that herbs that resemble various parts of the body can be used to treat ailments of those parts of the body.

galen-1

He looks like a nice guy, right? Lots of good work came from this one.

 

We can see the two major uses of horsetail from the doctrine of signatures.

 

#1 Connective Tissue Support

If you take a close look at the branches, you can see joints.

equisetum-arvense joints

If you break these joints open, there is an elastic material within the joint that holds it together. If you bend it, it is easy to notice that it moves similarly to one of your own joints, like an elbow or knee.

Horsetail mimics cartilage, telling us it’s good for cartilage and connective tissue support. Connective tissue is everywhere in the body. It’s like layers of saran wrap around every muscle and muscle fiber. We’re pretty much one big sheet of connective tissue.

Horsetail is extremely high in minerals, especially silica, which is crucial for proper connective tissue formation. Not only is it great for joint rebuilding and pain reduction, but it’s fabulous for anywhere in the body with connective tissue, including blood vessels.

Horsetail can improve vascular integrity, reducing varicose veins and strengthening arteries.

Any other areas of the body that need silica — like hair, skin, nails, bones, teeth, and mucus membranes (like your sinuses, lungs, or gastrointestinal tract) — also benefit from horsetail.

Overall, it’s a wonderful tonic, rebuilding mineral depletion that most of us suffer from.

 

#2 Urinary and Kidney Issues

Horsetail’s other big use is in treating urinary tract and kidney issues.

The long, rigid, tube-like structure of the “tail” show an affinity for tubular structures in the body.

The kidneys are full of millions tubules and microtubules that form an incredibly complex system that concentrates the waste products of metabolism and extract all the good stuff (minerals, electrolytes, etc.) back into the body.

kidney tubules

Looks intense, right? There’s a lot going on in your kidneys.

Horsetail is a wonderful tonic for the kidneys. It gently increases urine outflow (a mild diuretic effect), but preserves the electrolytes — meaning it doesn’t deplete the minerals the kidney needs to function, like some diuretic medications do.

It is commonly used in urinary tract infections, with kidney stone issues, or other urinary tract issues, like interstitial cystitis, bladder prolapse, chronic bladder infection/irritation, or urinary gravel (tiny, tiny stones that can be passed, but cause discomfort).

Horsetail strengthens the mucus membranes of the urinary tract so they are less susceptible to irritation. It is mildly anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, so it is a natural choice for infections or inflammatory conditions.

horsetail-plant-coastal-species

Horsetail grows in wet, sandy places. The water in the environment demonstrates it’s affinity for the kidneys, and the sand, which represents urinary gravel.

 

How do I take horsetail? 

Horsetail contains so much silica it cannot be eaten fresh or cooked.

It is best to make a tea of horsetail, especially as it promotes urination. A tincture, or alcohol extract, can also be effective.

Use up to one month, then take a break of at least 2 weeks or discontinue completely, as long term use is not indicated.

Tip: please make sure you are getting your horsetail from a reputable source. It draws heavily on the soil it grows in to concentrate minerals, and if that soil is contaminated, the plant will be, too.

Horsetail is often seen growing by the roadside, and it will soak up whatever runoff happens. These plants are often high in cadmium and lead.

 

This amazing plant is right outside our doors!

Next time you take a walk, look for that characteristic bottle brush tail. Experiment with one of the branches by breaking one off and checking out it’s tubular structure and elastic material.

We learn about plants best by interacting with them. Say hi to some horsetail for me!

PS — If you do find some, feel free to post on my Facebook page or shoot me an email about your experience! Or take a photo and share!

 

The post Horsetail: The Prehistoric Plant That Heals From The Inside Out appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2016/horsetail-the-prehistoric-plant-that-heals-from-the-inside-out/feed/ 0
FAQ: Do You Give Yourself Acupuncture Treatments? https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2015/faq-do-you-give-yourself-acupuncture-treatments/ https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2015/faq-do-you-give-yourself-acupuncture-treatments/#comments Thu, 13 Aug 2015 17:23:22 +0000 http://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/?p=7311 This is one of the most common questions I get from my patients. Everyone is curious what an acupuncturist does for their own treatment! It’s actually a more complicated answer than you’d expect, so the best I can say succinctly is “it depends.” I’ll give you the inside scoop, just like my patients, and we’ll […]

The post FAQ: Do You Give Yourself Acupuncture Treatments? appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
This is one of the most common questions I get from my patients.

Everyone is curious what an acupuncturist does for their own treatment! It’s actually a more complicated answer than you’d expect, so the best I can say succinctly is “it depends.” I’ll give you the inside scoop, just like my patients, and we’ll see if the answer surprises you!

Let me begin by sharing my thoughts on the potential reasons why curiosity may be piqued.

One revolves around the all powerful dollar bill….or rather, a whole flock of them. If I can give myself treatments, don’t I save a lot in healthcare costs? They’re thinking, “If you didn’t have to pay X dollars every time you needed a treatment, you would probably save enough to pay off your student loan bills!” Well, sadly that is not the case about my student loans, but I appreciate the thought!

healthcare-money

Another might be about self care. My patients are asking indirectly, “Do you take care of yourself by getting treatments?” In my practice, I encourage people to be the best part of themselves they can be, and it’s crucial that I work toward this goal myself.

Otherwise, frankly, I’m a bit of a fraud.

I speak to my patients about self care as a core concept for achieving balance and happiness, and it’s understandable that as a patient you’d want to know that your practitioner is following through with their end of the implicit bargain; I know I would.

Yet another might be testing my belief in the medicine I practice. “Do you think this stuff works so much so that you get it yourself?” Basically, do you talk the talk and walk the walk?

Walking the walk leads you to beautiful places like this!

Walking the walk leads you to beautiful places like this!

Well, I’m happy to say that I do! I believe you have to in natural health care. So much of our job is to inspire our patients to change their lifestyle, habits, or outlook on life for the better; how can we manage this if we haven’t experienced it, and continue to work on it for ourselves?

Health maintenance and preventative medicine are acupuncture’s strong suit, and both require some foresight, connection with the self, and a lot of work. Acute disease happens when we’ve ignored ourselves long enough that the body has resorted to screaming at us for attention. “You don’t want to stop what you’re doing? I’ve given you time and consequences (symptoms) to demonstrate that this is a problem. Fine, I’ll make you stop because you don’t seem to want to listen!”


Symptoms are your body’s way of communicating distress.
Click To Tweet


In a way, acute issues can be easier to deal with than maintenance. Acutes get your attention, but they blow through quickly. The definition of an acute episode is 24-72 hours. That’s it. Resolved. Done.

Maintenance requires much more effort over the long term. It pays dividends when less acutes happen and you stay healthier mentally, emotionally, and physically. Acupuncture is the perfect tool to help you achieve this. It clears the path, calms the mind, allows you to feel more like yourself, and accelerates healing.

So what do I do for myself?

I do give myself acupuncture, but only for acute issues and if I don’t have a treatment scheduled in the next couple days. Otherwise, I receive treatments from another practitioner every 2 weeks. It’s on the calendar, it’s happening. 90 minutes; I lay down, relax, talk, process the last few weeks, and I feel better.

Doesn't that look relaxing?

Doesn’t that look relaxing?

 

This schedule works for me, as I’ve found 2 weeks is about the tipping point for handling my own life events and my patients’. I even receive the same acupuncture style that I give to my patients; I believe in it that much!

Once your body has a taste of balance, it wants to stay balanced.

That’s what it’s been trying to achieve all along! Symptoms are warning signs you’re getting too far off kilter. The ship needs to be righted. As a practitioner, if your ship is listing heavily to port, you’re not going to be able to help your patients to your full potential; you’re working to rebuild your own balance.

calendar

Frequency of treatment depends on many things, such as stress, what you do for a living, family, and who you are as a person. The frequency of visits should become intuitive at some point. You listen to your body and when it feels out of balance, you know you need a treatment.

On the more preventative side, even before you feel out of balance it can be helpful, as acupuncture resets the parasympathetic, or healing, mode of the nervous system. The more you stay in this nervous system, as opposed to the sympathetic fight-or-flight system, the more balanced you’ll be.

It’s actually ideal to use acupuncture to stay ahead of the curve and maintain your health.


There is no way to cut corners regarding your health.
Click To Tweet


Could I do all my own acupuncture treatments? Yes.

Would it cost me less time and money? Yes.

Would it be as effective? Not even close.

Would it negatively affect my patients? Absolutely.

Part of healing is creating time and space for yourself. You can’t completely do that on your own. You need a neutral space where the intention is focused solely on your healing. I love my cats and husband, but they don’t always make for the most relaxing acupuncture session company.

The benefit of a therapeutic relationship with a skilled healthcare provider cannot be underestimated. They provide the space for you to express yourself, offer encouraging feedback, and genuinely want you to be the best person you can be. So much can be healed through therapeutic relationship; it is a crucial and often overlooked part of the healing process, as our current medical system doesn’t really encourage this bond.

therapeutic relationship

I have found that it is worth every moment, and every penny, to be unconditionally supported on my journey toward better health.

I couldn’t have done it myself, and it’s a process that is not meant to be taken on alone. Abolish that silly American mentality of pull-yourself-up-by-your-boot-straps-rugged-individualism-asking-for-help-is-weakness-I’ll-do-this-myself!


Asking for help is a sign of maturity, and knowing that this journey was not meant for only one.
Click To Tweet


Reach out to a trained healthcare provider, be it an acupuncturist, naturopath, therapist, or whatever speaks to you. We’re here to help you achieve the life that you want and to be the best human being you possibly can be.

The post FAQ: Do You Give Yourself Acupuncture Treatments? appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2015/faq-do-you-give-yourself-acupuncture-treatments/feed/ 8
5 Easy Supplement Free Tips to Improve Seasonal Allergy Symptoms https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2015/5-easy-supplement-free-tips-to-improve-seasonal-allergy-symptoms/ https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2015/5-easy-supplement-free-tips-to-improve-seasonal-allergy-symptoms/#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2015 17:27:57 +0000 http://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/?p=7293 Spring has sprung and the trees, flowers, and grasses are popping and pollenating. It’s a beautiful sight, but it can also mean coughing, sneezing, watering eyes, congestion, fatigue, and generally feeling miserable for those with seasonal allergies. I like to address both the cause (it’s generally deeper than just the exposure to pollen) and symptoms […]

The post 5 Easy Supplement Free Tips to Improve Seasonal Allergy Symptoms appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
Spring has sprung and the trees, flowers, and grasses are popping and pollenating. It’s a beautiful sight, but it can also mean coughing, sneezing, watering eyes, congestion, fatigue, and generally feeling miserable for those with seasonal allergies. I like to address both the cause (it’s generally deeper than just the exposure to pollen) and symptoms when helping patients to shake the allergy haze. In this post, I’ll address some of my favorite tools to help control the symptoms and make it just a little easier to breathe in life!

In my medical opinion, I would highly recommend that she stop sitting in a field FULL OF POLLEN.

In my medical opinion, I would highly recommend that she stop sitting in a field FULL OF POLLEN. It would probably help with the sneezing.

1. Rinse your hair and face before bed

A big part of decreasing symptoms is controlling the amount of pollen you are exposed to. By removing the sticky spores from your face and hair before bed, you’re greatly reducing your exposure for a solid 8 hours. In this time your body can do some serious healing and even get ahead of symptoms a bit. You don’t have to fully shampoo your hair, just wet it down to knock off the pollen that’s accumulated over the day. Rinse your face with a clean washcloth, paying special attention to the areas around your eyes, nostrils, and hairline.

 

2. Practice good pillow and sheet hygiene

Another tip for reducing exposure is to change your sheets frequently, and your pillowcase even more frequently. Pollen will settle and build up on the fabric, and you don’t want to be breathing it in all night! Flip your pillow to a fresh side every evening and after two nights, pop the pillowcase in the dryer for 10-15 minutes on hot. This is a quick and easy way to remove pollen without the rigmarole of washing and drying a pillowcase every two days. Change your sheets weekly, at most. They can also be sanitized in the dryer, though deconstructing your entire bed is a bit more effort.

  • Bonus tip #1: if you are coughing at night due to mucus draining down the back of your throat (technically referred to as post nasal drip or PND), prop your head up on a couple extra pillows. It takes a little getting used to, but the increased elevation helps the mucus drain more smoothly and decreases the cough reflex. If you are using multiple pillows, be sure to freshen the cases of all of them.
  • Bonus tip #2: Good hygiene shouldn’t be limited to your bedding. It’s definitely the closest to your face and easiest to breathe in, but any other surface, especially fabric or carpet will hang on to pollen as well. If you have carpet or rugs, vacuum very regularly during peak allergy season. If you can, consider removing the carpet or rugs for a less allergic sleeping environment.  If you have drapes, throw them in the dryer weekly or do a full on wash.

 

3. Get an air purifier with a HEPA filter for your bedroom

Air purifiers with HEPA filters can be very helpful in reducing exposure to pollen, as well as other particles that irritate airways, such as dust mites, spores, and pet dander. HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air. It is a type of mechanical air filter that forces air through a fine mesh to trap irritants. You can buy HEPA filters for most air purifiers. Air purifiers can be small, portable units that are available in many retail stores or online. I generally like Honeywell and Holmes brands, as I think they are good affordable and typically have refill filters you can purchase. The best bang for your buck is placing the air purifier in the room where you spend the most time; for most folks, this is the bedroom. Measure the size of your bedroom and purchase a large enough air purifier than can efficiently clean the entire room.

Here are a few air purifiers I like, based on the size of the room:

Small room — 85 square feet* maximum; you could even use this in a office setting or on your desk.

Medium room — around 130 square feet maximum, I couldn’t find the exact number, or you could try its slightly larger brother.

Large room — 168 square feet maximum, also has a quiet air feature!

Extra large room — 390 square feet maximum

*to calculate square feet, measure the length and width of your bedroom. Multiply these numbers together and you’ve found your square footage. For example, a bedroom that is 8 feet long and 10 feet wide would be 80 square feet, and appropriate for the small room air purifier.

The air purifier will help to reduce pollen suspended in your air that has yet to settle.

  • Bonus tip #1: Keep your bedroom windows closed during peak allergy season. We all want to feel the warm breeze and smell the new grass and flowers, but save this experience for other rooms in your home. Keeping the bedroom windows closed will reduce the amount of pollen that enters the room, decreasing your exposure, and the amount of upkeep needed to reduce pollen levels.
  • Bonus tip #2: Air purifiers are great, but they can interrupt sleep with the noise they generate, especially if your bedroom is small. If possible, turn the air purifier on when you leave for work and shut the bedroom door. Turn it off before bed. This should minimize the airborne pollen and allow you to get a restful night’s sleep.

 

4. Use a neti pot

Chances are you’ve seen these slightly odd looking contraptions online or in your grocery or drug store. They might look strange, but they are wonderfully effective at removing pollen from your sinuses. We’ve already covered rinsing your hair and face to remove spores, so why not get closer to the most irritated area? The neti pot is a scary proposition for some, but it is really quite gentle and easy to use.

See, it's not so scary! Look at how pretty that neti pot is!

See, it’s not so scary! Look at how pretty that neti pot is!

 

You add a bit of high mineral salt (usually comes with the neti pot, or get some here) to the water each time so that it mimics the concentration of your own body fluids and does not sting (like pool water). I recommend a ceramic pot, as pictured below and found here or here, instead of plastic. The water should be distilled and warm, and you never want to put heated fluids in plastic (more on that in another post). Try rinsing your sinuses twice daily, once in the morning and once at night. The most important time to rinse is at night, after you’ve been out and about and have inhaled a nice bouquet of tree and plant pollen.

 

5. Take epsom salt baths

Epsom salt baths are one of my favorite things to talk about! Taking a salt bath is a fabulous way to decrease allergy symptoms. Epsom salts are high in magnesium, which most of us are absurdly deficient in. Magnesium can be crucial in proper immune and nervous system regulation. It is also anti-spasmodic, which can be very helpful if you’ve developed a spasmodic cough with the allergies or if your asthma is getting triggered.

The heat from the bath is an excellent immune stimulant, and the steam is great for rinsing out the nasal passages as you breathe it in. Not as great as a neti pot, but perhaps a nice way to get the process started if you are a little leery. While you are in the bath, rinse off your face and hair. You can even bring a washcloth in with you and apply hot compresses over the sinuses. This bolsters circulation and increases steam inhalation. I’m also a big fan adding in some cold water, but we’ll talk about that in a future post.

 

I hope these tips have given you some easy-to-execute ideas for reducing your allergy symptoms. Again, it is important to address the underlying cause with your local naturopath. Oftentimes getting to the root of the problem takes time and patience, so having a few skills in your toolbox for dealing with the unpleasant symptoms can make the totally-worth-it journey to health easier! Until next time!

The post 5 Easy Supplement Free Tips to Improve Seasonal Allergy Symptoms appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2015/5-easy-supplement-free-tips-to-improve-seasonal-allergy-symptoms/feed/ 2
Spring Waterfall Hikes https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2015/spring-waterfall-hikes/ https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2015/spring-waterfall-hikes/#respond Thu, 21 May 2015 17:12:03 +0000 http://newleafnatural.wpengine.com/?p=7284 Spring is here and it’s the perfect time to dust off your hiking boots and get outside! Spring is my favorite time of year to roam in nature; the environment is awakening and new growth is bursting forth. It also tends to be a little less busy on the trails than the hectic Seattle summer […]

The post Spring Waterfall Hikes appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
Spring is here and it’s the perfect time to dust off your hiking boots and get outside! Spring is my favorite time of year to roam in nature; the environment is awakening and new growth is bursting forth. It also tends to be a little less busy on the trails than the hectic Seattle summer that’s just around the corner.

An important, and often overlooked, aspect of naturopathic medicine is the recommendation to spend time in nature. One of the early influencers of the medicine, Adolf Just, had this to say about human health and nature:

“In all cases, and in all diseases, man can recover again and become happy only by a true return to nature; a man must today strenuously endeavor, in his mode of living, to heed again the voice of nature, and thus choose the food that nature has laid before him from the beginning, and to bring himself again into the relation with water, light and air, earth, etc., that nature originally designed for him.” (Return to Nature, Just 1903).

The view from the top of Mt Constitution on Orcas Island. Photo credit: Affinity Photography

The view from the top of Mt Constitution on Orcas Island. Photo credit: Affinity Photography

 

Getting outside is more than just burning calories and breaking a sweat — which are important, too! Especially the sweating, but more on that in a later post. Being outdoors takes you out of the modern world; it quiets the constant buzz of overloaded schedules and connects us with what our ancestors were surrounded by daily for millennia. That hardwiring is still present in us, however far removed from it we have become. Spending time in nature is grounding, calming, and nourishing to our minds and bodies. Shake off the stillness and seclusion of winter and usher in the new vibrancy of spring by experiencing it first hand in the beautiful mountains, foothills, seashores, lakes, rivers, forests, and islands we have at our fingertips in the Puget Sound.

My favorite outdoor activity in the spring is waterfall hiking. It’s a bit early to really get up into the mountains, as the snow hasn’t receded enough. But, what has melted turns lazy and frozen winter waterfalls into gushing, vertical rapids. The sound can be deafening and the feeling of being next to so much force and beauty is both overwhelming and awe-inspiring. The waterfall is spring embodied: raw energy pushing toward growth and nourishment, laying the foundation for the abundance of summer.

Cedar Falls in the North Cascades. Photo credit: Bob Barb

Cedar Falls in the North Cascades. Photo credit: Bob Barb

 

I’m waxing a bit poetic about waterfalls and nature, but they really are amazing to experience from a few feet away. So, on to the practicalities getting out into nature! Where do you start? Washington has a great many resources for  nature lovers, and one of my favorites is the Washington Trails Association, or WTA. They have a fantastic website, www.wta.org, which catalogs hundreds of hikes throughout Washington. You can see miles, elevation, reviews and pictures from other nature enthusiasts. It’s also very helpful for assessing trail conditions. They even have a summary of 10 stunning waterfall hikes here!

Twin Falls is a great choice for beginners; short and sweet and not too far away along the I-90 corridor. It can be busy, as it is suitable for all ages, but worth the trip. Wallace Falls is another perennial favorite of mine, as it’s a three-for-one deal! Three sets of falls await you, and the trail is well maintained and along a beautiful river. The third set of falls is small and far away, but a good option if you are looking to get in some extra miles. Past the third set of falls there’s a lake as well. Wallace Falls is also very popular, but the crowds decrease significantly once you pass the second set of falls. And again, less busy in the spring! Teneriffe Falls, located in the North Bend area, is a less traveled though rewarding trail. Otter Falls is a long, flat walk through the forest until you reach a rock slab with a calm water flow passing over it.

My personal favorite is Lake Serene. Arguably, this hike is better done late in the season if you want to go all the way up to the lake (the trail is typically partially snow covered until July/August depending on the year). However, there is a beautiful set of falls (Bridal Veil Falls) located off an accessory trail about one mile into the hike. The best part about this hike is that you get views and a waterfall! It’s not often those are combined. If you are able, doing the full mileage up to the lake is worth every step. The name is apt, as the lake is socked in between mountains, its unbroken surface reflecting the tranquility of the area. There are plenty of places to sit and eat. Climb a little farther, and you’ve got views of the whole valley. This hike packs some much northwest flavor it’s hard to top!

Lake Serene along Stevens Pass. Photo credit: @ziptiecloud

Lake Serene along Stevens Pass. Photo credit: @ziptiecloud

 

A waterfall hike is a sure bet in the spring. Unpredictable weather will not ruin your view, and the falls are truly breathtaking. Spending time in nature, surrounded by forces and natural structures that are larger than yourself, can be a reset button for your entire system. Breathe the fresh air, linger in the woods, soak in the beauty, and feel your anxiety, tension, and stress melt away. Allow yourself to be present and receive the experience. Spring is a time for new beginnings; begin a connection with the rhythm of the natural world.

 

The post Spring Waterfall Hikes appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2015/spring-waterfall-hikes/feed/ 0
Why I Love Epsom Salt Baths https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2014/why-i-love-epsom-salt-baths/ https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2014/why-i-love-epsom-salt-baths/#comments Wed, 29 Oct 2014 04:51:58 +0000 http://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/?p=759 If you’ve seen me as a patient, I’ve probably recommended an Epsom salt bath. They’re one of my favorite treatments because they provide a lot of benefit for just a little of your time and and even smaller portion of your money. Epsom salts are cheap, readily available, and important medicine for most people. Named […]

The post Why I Love Epsom Salt Baths appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
If you’ve seen me as a patient, I’ve probably recommended an Epsom salt bath.

They’re one of my favorite treatments because they provide a lot of benefit for just a little of your time and and even smaller portion of your money.

Epsom salts are cheap, readily available, and important medicine for most people.

Named for the spring in which they were discovered in Surrey, England, they have numerous benefits not just limited to health.

For instance, they are a fabulous soil enrichment for the garden and a legitimate hair volumizer – who knew?

Epsom salts are the crystalline form of magnesium sulfate.

No sodium or chloride to be found in these little beauties, so they really aren’t salt at all!

Let’s start breaking down why these innocuous rocks that you’ve walked by in the grocery or drug store a thousand times are so fantastic for your health.

 

Magnesium is a crucial mineral for cellular and overall bodily functioning.

 

It’s a necessary ingredient in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, and deficiency can lead to issues like high blood pressure, blood sugar dysregulation, asthma, muscle pain and cramping, constipation, difficulty sleeping, and more.

The majority of adults (about 68% according to the Epsom Salt Council) are not getting the RDA, or recommended daily allowance.

Can we pause for a second an acknowledge the awesome fact that there is and entire COUNCIL devoted to Epsom salts? WOW. So cool. It’s not just me who’s excited about them!

Back to the RDA.

Most people think the RDA represents the maximum amount one should ingest daily, or at the very least that it is a healthy dose.

Oh, contraire.

The RDA represents the ABSOLUTE MINIMUM one must consume to maintain nutritional competency.

With at least 68% of adults not meeting the bare minimum magnesium requirements, we should be taking it by the spoonful, right?

You can certainly take oral magnesium supplements, and I do recommend this for some of my patients, however, too much magnesium will cause loose stools, so be careful with that dosage!

 

Why aren’t 68% of American adults getting enough magnesium?

 

The majority of people are eating a highly processed and refined diet.

When foods are processed, minerals and nutrients are stripped from them.

The easiest way to increase your magnesium level is reduce or eliminate processed foods and focus on whole, organic (higher mineral and nutrient levels), fresh foods.

Check out my previous posts on organic foods here and here if you’d like to know more about affordably incorporating them into your diet.

In a perfect world, diet would be enough.

However, in the modern world, we’re constantly under chronic stress which can lead to poor digestion and absorption.

Inflammatory and highly processed foods can also lead to poor digestion and absorption.

 

On the other end of the epsom salt duo of minerals we’ve got sulfate.

 

Sulfate is found in delicious cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, and brussel sprouts.

It supports the liver’s detoxification and restorative functions, helps to form antioxidants, and acts as a building block for cartilage, the brain, and mucus proteins.

Why did I mention mucus proteins??

Because mucus is super crazy important!

You need mucus all the time covering your MUCUS membranes – it’s in the name! — like the GI tract, throat, nose, sinuses, and urinary tract.

A thin layer of mucus is your first line of defense against viruses, bacteria and rogue sharp pieces of potato chips that you swallow.

The mucus traps this debris and keeps it from irritating or invading your cells below it.

Both components of epsom salts are incredibly necessary for optimal body function.

Improving your diet will help decrease deficiencies, but usually slowly.

 

To rapidly replete these substances, Epsom salt baths are the way to go!

 

Supplementation can also help, but as mentioned above, sometimes digestion is compromised.

Soaking in a bath bypasses the gut, allowing the minerals to absorb directly through the skin and into circulation.

This is especially great news for those with malabsorption issues or who are sensitive to a magnesium supplement.

Another helpful aspect to taking an epsom salt bath is that the salts get directly to the tissues that need them the most, like if you have sore or tight muscles in your neck or back.

The warm or hot water of the bath improves circulation throughout your whole body and stimulates your immune system, helping your body with proper metabolism and repair.

And finally, taking a bath helps you to slow down and chill out. Magnesium is soothing medicine for our nervous systems, helping them to relax.

The act of taking a bath gives us space to unwind and let our nervous system soak up the restoring qualities of the salts.

And if you’ve got specific health concerns, chances are an epsom salt bath can help!

 

Here’s a list of some of the conditions Epsom salt baths treat:

 

Muscle soreness and cramps

  • Magnesium is a crucial mineral in relaxing the muscles and decreasing inflammation. The warm to hot water of the bath increases circulation, so you’re getting more nutrients in and more waste products out.

Painful periods

  • See above, and magnesium decreases spasm, which is often a large part of cramps before a period. I wouldn’t recommend a bath while you are having a period, but a few baths right beforehand and throughout the month can work wonders.

Headaches, including migraines

  • See above. Migraines also tend to involve spasmodic pain. There are many studies linking low magnesium levels (among other nutrients) to migraines.

High blood pressure

  • If blood vessels are constricted due to chronic stress, coffee, or a multitude of other issues, magnesium will help the blood vessels to relax. This does not include the physical blocks in the vessels, such as plaques, however there is some evidence that Epsom salts can help prevent hardening of the arteries and other cardiovascular issues.

Asthma

  • Epsom salts can help with the constriction and spasm that happen in the bronchioles (magnesium is commonly deficient in asthma patients). The sulfate can help form the most potent antioxidant in the body, glutathione, which is extremely helpful to the lungs.

Edema or swelling

  • Epsom salt baths are great for any kind of injury or swelling. They improve circulation and draw excess fluid out of the body.

Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, infections, scrapes, bruises, bites, stings

  • The salts are healing and soothing to the skin. Since they are not actually salt, they do not sting on open wounds and can be a great disinfectant.

Blood sugar imbalance

  • Magnesium is often low in those with blood sugar regulation issues.

Difficulty sleeping

  • Epsom salts are relaxing to the muscles and nervous system. Magnesium reduces the effects of adrenaline, which allows the nervous system to switch from sympathetic (I’m running from a bear, fight or flight) to parasympathetic (rest and digest). Many people are chronically stuck in sympathetic mode and have trouble switching it off before bed.

Fatigue

  • Magnesium increases energy and stamina by encouraging the production of the main energy currency of the body, ATP.

Mood stabilization

  • Magnesium helps produce serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical that creates feelings of happiness and relaxation. Magnesium also helps lower irritability by reducing adrenaline.

Acute sickness

  • A hot Epsom salt bath can increase your body’s temperature set point enough that the bacteria or virus can no longer live. The heat and nutrients will also stimulate the immune system.

Constipation

  • Magnesium relaxes the gut and helps the bowels move.

General detoxification

  • Epsom salts stimulate detoxification pathways in the liver. They are a gentle way to tonify and clear your system. If you make the bath hot enough and sweat, detoxification increases. Check out my simple and easy and safe ideas on detox here and here.

Acupuncture or holistic treatment recovery

  • I always recommend Epsom salt baths after treatment. In my other post about post-treatment reactions to acupuncture, I mention that it can take the body 48 hours to integrate the shift created by the treatment. I have found that taking an Epsom salt bath typically decreases this integration time and reduces post-treatment reactions by encouraging the body to continue processing the treatment.

 

How do I take an Epsom salt bath?

 

Fill your tub with warm to hot water.

You want the temperature to be comfortable to soak and sweat lightly.

Add at least 4 cups of epsom salts, or about 1/2 of one of the 1/2 gallon paper containers you can get at a drug store.

Stir in salts and soak for 20-25 minutes.

You can add 2-3 drops of an essential oil to help you relax if you’d like.

I love recommending salt baths in the evening because they really help us to unwind and sleep more deeply.

Clinically I’ve seen epsom salt baths help my patients fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

It’s safe to do an epsom salt bath several times a week if you’d like.

I encourage my patients to try for once or twice a week and observe how they feel, how they sleep, if they feel less stressed, and to monitor their health conditions.

BONUS: if you are acutely ill with a fever, you can crank up the temperature and reduce the time you’re in the bath. Heat is exhausting, so we want to cap a hot bath at 8-12 minutes, typically.

The heat gets your core temperature up which helps to kill off the virus or bacteria.

The baths can also reduce body aches and pains associated with fever.

Now you’ve got a taste of why I recommend these amazing baths to all of my patients! They are wonderful for health maintenance, as well as acute conditions.

For a full range of conditions treated and more information, check out this article.

Saltworks is my absolute favorite site for anything salt related.

They offer high quality, pure salts at reasonable prices. I am not affiliated with them, I just love their stuff and I highly recommend you check them out!

Also, don’t forget about the fabulous Epsom Salt Council, that covers the helpful properties of Epsom salts outside health: http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/

The post Why I Love Epsom Salt Baths appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2014/why-i-love-epsom-salt-baths/feed/ 2
FAQ: Can Acupuncture help you to quit smoking? https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2013/faq-can-acupuncture-help-you-to-quit-smoking/ https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2013/faq-can-acupuncture-help-you-to-quit-smoking/#respond Fri, 15 Nov 2013 18:36:14 +0000 http://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/?p=740 Quitting smoking is a common reason people seek out an acupuncturist. It’s true, acupuncture can help (with addiction in general), and there are specific ways in which acupuncture supports the body through the quitting process. In most of America, acupuncture seems like mystical tradition that is little understood, most likely because the majority of us […]

The post FAQ: Can Acupuncture help you to quit smoking? appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
Quitting smoking is a common reason people seek out an acupuncturist. It’s true, acupuncture can help (with addiction in general), and there are specific ways in which acupuncture supports the body through the quitting process.

In most of America, acupuncture seems like mystical tradition that is little understood, most likely because the majority of us did not grow up with Chinese medicine as our primary medical system. That mysticism makes the success of acupuncture treatments seem like a miracle. As a result, people usually walk into my office expecting a miracle, especially when it comes to quitting smoking. I’m going to help de-mystify why and how acupuncture works for addiction and cravings. It’s not a miracle cure by any means, and it requires engagement, preparation, and commitment on the part of the person relinquishing their habit.

The most important thing to know is that acupuncture cannot persuade you to stop smoking. If you are not ready to quit, acupuncture alone cannot guarantee you’ll never pick up another cigarette. You have to be ready to let go of the habit. Take a look at this stages of change model. It’s a great tool to assess your mindset for any transition in your life. Acupuncture is the most effective for those who are in the preparation stage, or the stage right before you take the plunge to quit. As part of your preparation, you are developing or seeking out new coping mechanisms so you are ready for the action stage of kicking the habit. Preparation is key to the success of the action stage; if you don’t have a proper support system, you won’t be able to continue the action without relapsing.

Stages of change flowchart

Stages of change flowchart

If you are not in the preparation stage, acupuncture can still be helpful. The very first stage, precontemplation, means that you haven’t even thought about quitting. You are in no way prepared to consider that as a possibility anytime soon. In the contemplation stage, you’ve thought about quitting, but you really haven’t formulated any concrete ideas as to how to go about it. When you start to come up with a plan you’ve crossed into the preparation stage. If you are in the pre-contemplation or contemplation stage, acupuncture can help shift you toward preparation and action.

The main way acupuncture assists you in stopping smoking is its effect on the nervous system and emotions. Smoking is a habit with several components that need to be addressed: the physiological addiction to nicotine, the stress or anxiety relief smoking provides, and the ritual act of smoking. Acupuncture shifts the nervous system from sympathetic fight-or-flight stress to parasympathetic rest-and-digest relaxation. Smoking – or any habit or addiction for that matter – provides the same outlet. Acupuncture treatments work in the moment to quell cravings, but they also work over the long term to bring down the level of stress and anxiety that usually triggers smoking. Addressing the long term picture is important, because bringing down that stress level overall will make you less likely to turn to smoking as a coping mechanism.

Acupuncture is not the only tool I use to help my patients quit smoking when they are ready, but it is a very powerful one. We make a comprehensive plan that involves developing several coping mechanisms: those for the moment of craving, and those that address the general anxiety and stress of day to day life.

Receiving regular acupuncture treatments is one of the best ways to prepare to quit smoking. The treatments shift your mental and emotional landscape such that you are more capable of handling stress and addressing the deeper issues attached to the habit.

If my patients are in the action stage of change (they’ve taken the plunge and stopped smoking), I offer brief ear needle sessions (in addition to their regular appointments) as they have cravings for the first few weeks. The ear needle treatments are very effective at switching the nervous system into a relaxed state and decreasing an acute craving. Full treatments shift the nervous system, while also helping to release the mental and emotional attachments around cigarettes. I customize each session to my patient’s individual needs. No one experiences addiction, craving, or stress in the exact same way, therefore treatment should be tailored to meet what that particular person needs at that time.

I hope this has helped shed some light on how acupuncture can be an effective tool for quitting smoking! It’s a fabulous support for an addiction that is one of the hardest to break!

The post FAQ: Can Acupuncture help you to quit smoking? appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2013/faq-can-acupuncture-help-you-to-quit-smoking/feed/ 0
Not All Acupuncture Is The Same https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2013/not-all-acupuncture-is-the-same/ https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2013/not-all-acupuncture-is-the-same/#comments Fri, 06 Sep 2013 23:36:59 +0000 http://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/?p=712 One of the most beautiful and most frustrating things about the natural medicine world is that no two practitioners are alike. It’s wonderful to find a practitioner with whom you develop a deep bond; in fact, it’s essential to the healing process. They understand you as an individual and tailor their care to meet your […]

The post Not All Acupuncture Is The Same appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
One of the most beautiful and most frustrating things about the natural medicine world is that no two practitioners are alike.

It’s wonderful to find a practitioner with whom you develop a deep bond; in fact, it’s essential to the healing process. They understand you as an individual and tailor their care to meet your needs. Likewise, you’re drawn to their unique practice style and appreciate the particular modalities they use.

It can be devastating if that practitioner decides to move or retire, and it can be frustrating to find another whose style is similar.

In order to find someone with a comparable skill set, it’s important to know a few specifics about the types of treatment you received. In this post, I’ll cover a the differences in the most common types of acupuncture practiced in the United States.

That’s right, not all acupuncture is alike. There are many cultures (China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, India, etc.) with healing traditions that include needling certain points on the body.

The most common form of acupuncture practiced in the United States is called Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM.

Contrary to its name, it is NOT the most traditional form of Chinese medicine, but it is the most well known. When you visit an acupuncturist in the United States, they have most likely been trained in TCM. I received training in TCM and Five Element acupuncture, which is another part of the Chinese acupuncture system, so I’ll mainly discuss the differences between these two systems.

Five Element acupuncture, in its current form, is not traditional either. True Chinese medicine, or what’s now called Classical Chinese medicine, existed before Mao Zedong’s cultural revolution that took place in the 1970s.

He effectively split Chinese medicine into two systems: TCM for a more “scientifically quantifiable acupuncture” that’s more physically based, and the rest became 5 Element acupuncture, which is more mentally, emotionally, and spiritually based.

Pre-1970s Chinese medicine, or the stuff that had been around for thousands of years, is a beautifully complex, deep, and comprehensive system.

It addressed physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual issues, and many acupuncture points have these layered purposes.

There were two types of diagnoses given: constitutional, or root issues, and acute/chronic conditions, also known as branch issues.

Constitutional diagnosis and treatment helps to balance who you are at a core level and is often more mentally/emotionally/spiritually focused. It addresses the deepest part of your issue, or the root cause of what’s happening.

Acute or chronic diagnoses specify which organs or meridians are out of balance in terms of an illness, like a cold or back pain. These diagnoses and treatments tend to address the physical plane.

All ailments have physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual components.

Back pain is a great example. We think about the physical sensation created by the tightness in our muscles or connective tissue. But that pain also causes stress, and stress is emotional.

Without addressing the emotional aspect, acute back pain can become a chronic problem that never heals or that will continue to recur.

Fibromyalgia, a condition in which there is widespread pain throughout the body, typically comes on after a major emotionally traumatic event. If emotions are not processed properly, they stay in the body and manifest on a physical level.

Those who developed Chinese medicine thousands of years ago understood these profound connections and designed a system that addressed all levels of health.

The levels of health are interconnected and related; we cannot parse them out to address only the physical or only the emotional.

Traditional Chinese Medicine attempts just that, as its strength is in addressing physical issues. It’s very useful for those acute and chronic conditions that don’t have much to do with who you are a person and it’s an effective basis for Chinese herbal medicine.

But many times TCM is a symptomatic treatment in the acupuncture world. Back pain? Great! Menstrual cramps? Great! TCM will oftentimes abate or resolve these symptoms.

However, if there is a constitutional imbalance, which there almost always is, TCM will not address it. Symptoms will resolve for a bit, but will return if constitution is not treated.

In contrast, Five Element acupuncture treats people on a constitutional level.

By addressing the root imbalance, the whole body can begin to heal itself. After treatment you feel more like yourself, you are thrown off less by the stresses of life, and illness comes and goes more easily.

Being balanced on a constitutional level decreases your likelihood of developing acute or chronically recurring conditions, and it can also resolve them for a longer duration.

Five Element acupuncture is a mentally, emotionally, and spiritually based medicine. It’s downfall is in treating the physical conditions that pop up. If you are acutely ill or in pain, a constitutional treatment can help, but it sure would be nice to add in some points or treatment protocols that address the physical level as well.

In terms of needling technique, TCM is generally the most aggressive.

Because it is a physically based system, practitioners typically want you to feel the point, especially if they are working on tight muscles or connective tissue.

More aggressive needling can be helpful, but it can also be more intense and painful, depending on your practitioner.

Five Element acupuncture, on the other hand, is usually quite gentle.

In my practice I use a combination of TCM and Five Element techniques.

My goal is to address illness on all levels and create lasting health for my patients.

I attended a TCM based school and met a few practitioners who used both systems TCM and Five Element acupuncture concurrently. I saw markedly better and lasting results in their patients.

When I learned that these two systems of acupuncture weren’t separated until 50 years ago, I knew I had to integrate them both into my practice and I added Five Element training to my schooling. I wanted to practice in the way that had helped people heal for thousands of years.

Knowing the type of acupuncture you receive is important.

Unfortunately, there is a significant rift between TCM and Five Element acupuncturists, each dead set that their system is the best.

There are practitioners who integrate techniques or who were trained in Classical Chinese medicine, but they are not the majority.

I sincerely hope more acupuncturists embrace both systems, as together they form true Chinese medicine and provide the best care for patients.

If you’re interested in learning more about the 5 elements…

Check out my blog posts:

What are the 5 Elements and Why Do They Matter?

The Importance of Constitution in 5 Element Acupuncture

Integrating the 5 Elements into Your TCM Practice

3 Reasons Why Balancing the 5 Elements Improves Patient Outcomes

Why You Need to Know Your Own Elements as a Practitioner

Diagnosing Level in 5 Element Acupuncture

What is Constitutional Medicine?

You can also join the waitlist for my 5 element courses. I currently run a mentorship for acupuncture practitioners and will soon add courses for other professionals and non-professionals.

The post Not All Acupuncture Is The Same appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2013/not-all-acupuncture-is-the-same/feed/ 5
FAQs — Can You Treat Urinary Tract Infections? https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2013/faqs-can-you-treat-urinary-tract-infections/ https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2013/faqs-can-you-treat-urinary-tract-infections/#respond Mon, 26 Aug 2013 22:51:31 +0000 http://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/?p=695 This is the beginning of my FAQ post series! The series will be interspersed with other topics and will probably pop up whenever I’m asked a question often enough it inspires me to write about it! This first post tackles the question: “Can you treat urinary tract infections?” Emphatically, yes! Naturopathic medicine and acupuncture have […]

The post FAQs — Can You Treat Urinary Tract Infections? appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
This is the beginning of my FAQ post series! The series will be interspersed with other topics and will probably pop up whenever I’m asked a question often enough it inspires me to write about it!

This first post tackles the question: “Can you treat urinary tract infections?” Emphatically, yes! Naturopathic medicine and acupuncture have a lot to offer when it comes to urinary tract infection (UTI) treatments. They are gentler on the body than conventional treatments and it is possible to avoid the use of antibiotics altogether.

Let me first start by saying that it is important to see a medical professional as soon as you can if you suspect a UTI. UTIs typically do not resolve on their own without treatment, and allowing them to progress puts other organs in danger of infection. Let’s take a look at the anatomy:

Diagram of the urinary tract: kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra

Diagram of the urinary tract: kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra

You can see there are four parts to the urinary system. Urine is formed in the kidneys and travels down the ureters, which are located between the kidneys and bladder. Urine collects in the bladder and is evacuated through the urethra. This anatomical diagram depicts the female urinary system. Of the two sexes, women get UTIs more commonly than men, partially because of the shorter length of the urethra. Bacteria have less distance to travel before they make it to the bladder and start irritating it.

We all have tons of beneficial bacteria that live on our skin and keep us healthy. It’s when those good bacterial cultures get out of balance, or when new cultures are introduced to an area that we have difficulty adapting and infections can result. UTI prevention starts with good hygiene; for women this means always wiping from front to back after going to the bathroom, and peeing after sex. The clitoris, urethra, and vaginal opening are all very close to each other, and it is easy to irritate the urethra with friction or different bacterial cultures that may implant on the irritated membranes. Urinating after sex flushes out damaged cells, inflammatory materials, and excess bacteria, allowing the urethra to rebuild and recover.

If UTI symptoms start to pop up, it’s best to see a doctor as soon as possible, so the bacteria do not continue ascending up the urinary system. The bacteria have a direct route to the kidneys, and if the infection is left untreated, it can spread all the way up.

 

How do you tell if you have a UTI? Common symptoms of a mild UTI include:

* Burning in the urethra before, after, or during urination

* Pain in the urethra before, after, or during urination

* Increased urgency of urination (you feel like you need the bathroom immediately)

* Increased frequency of urination

 

More severe UTIs that have not been treated in the early stages can cause blood in the urine, back pain, and fever, all of which are signs of kidney involvement. If you develop these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

 

So, where to start? There are a few things you can do at home in the very early stages to help stop the infection, or even do as a preventative measure.

 

#1 Make an appointment with a medical professional, preferably one you have seen before.

If a new patient comes in with a UTI, there is a tendency for practitioners to have the knee jerk reaction of prescribing antibiotics, even among naturopaths. If we’re not familiar with how you respond to treatments as well as your medical history (there’s only so much one can garner in the first visit), we tend to prescribe conservatively. My style is to treat with naturopathic medicine, herbs, and acupuncture, and I usually supply my patients with a prescription for antibiotics as a “just in case” measure.

If you start feeling better, awesome! Then you can cancel your appointment. However, if you don’t (more often times than not), you’ll be on the books for an appointment with someone who can help you, rather than stressing about needing an immediate appointment and your favorite person is not available. I always encourage my patients to come in, even if symptoms are mild or they seem to be resolving. Acupuncture and naturopathic medicine stimulate the immune system to rebuild and repair more quickly, which is always a good thing!

 

#2 Cranberry or blueberry juice, unsweetened.

Blueberries and cranberries are both from the vaccinium botanical family and have similar medicinal properties.

Blueberries and cranberries are both from the vaccinium botanical family and have similar medicinal properties.

Most people have heard of using cranberry juice to fight off a UTI. Not many people know that cranberry and blueberry are in the same family of berries and contain the same molecules that help decrease bacterial adhesion to the walls of the urinary tract. So if you really dislike cranberry, you are in luck! Try some blueberry juice! I prefer the unsweetened variety of both, as regular juice has tons of sugar which is inflammatory and an immune system depressant – that’s the opposite of what we want to happen!

As I mentioned above, cranberry and blueberry juice prevent adhesion of bacteria to the walls of the urethra. However, if a good number of bacteria are already adhered, these juices will not stop the infection from progressing. Cranberry and blueberry juice can only be used in the very early stages of an infection or for prevention. This is why I recommend making an appointment with a medical professional you have a relationship with ASAP. Most of the time people don’t catch the infections early enough for cranberry or blueberry juice to be an effective treatment.

 

#3 Probiotics.

Probiotics are one of the best preventative measures you can take. Probiotics are all about real estate – the more of the good guys you introduce, the more they crowd out the bad guys, decreasing the chance of infection. Even taken orally, probiotics migrate to all the mucous membranes of your body – gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, vaginal tract, and urinary tract. Yogurt is not enough of a probiotic supplement! It can build good cultures over time, but is nowhere near concentrated enough to be therapeutic. Get yourself a high quality probiotic (in this case, you get what you pay for) from your naturopath.

 

I’ve already described a little bit about how I personally treat UTIs, but here is a more in-depth look at what I do. First, I’ll have you do a test to confirm there are actually bacteria present in the urine. There are other illnesses, like interstitial cystitis, that have similar symptoms to a UTI, but are not an infection. We’ll do an acupuncture treatment to boost the immune system and drain out damp heat (damp heat = infection in Chinese medicine). I’ll usually do craniosacral over the bladder or abdomen to release restrictions and increase circulation to the tissues so waste products move out and nutrients move in. Next, I’ll usually whip up an herbal preparation that’s antimicrobial, immune boosting, and soothing to the urinary tract. I’ll throw in a few other suggestions, sometimes a homeopathic remedy, and usually a prescription for antibiotics in case symptoms worsen despite treatment. I usually check in with my patients a two to three days after I’ve seen them to make sure they are feeling better. And most are.

When I have to use antibiotics, I try to use those that are specific to the urinary tract and do the least harm to the rest of the system. This is possible if the infection has not progressed to the kidneys, and why it is important not to neglect getting treatment. The most common antibiotic used in UTIs, ciprofloxacin, is a very broad spectrum antibiotic that has serious side effects. One of the most severe is tendon rupture — yes, this antibiotic literally weakens your tendons, so if you have to take it, don’t do any strenuous exercise. You can read more about the side effects of cipro and the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics have here and here. Here’s a great article on another side effect just coming to light regarding any antibiotic.

Acute illnesses like this are a great reason to have an established relationship with a healthcare provider. Someone who knows you and your body is an invaluable asset in these situations. Treatments and follow up can be tailored to you, increasingly the likelihood of success with natural therapies and avoiding the harsh antibiotics used to treat UTIs.

The post FAQs — Can You Treat Urinary Tract Infections? appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2013/faqs-can-you-treat-urinary-tract-infections/feed/ 0
Post-Treatment Reactions to Acupuncture https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2013/post-treatment-reactions-to-acupuncture/ https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2013/post-treatment-reactions-to-acupuncture/#comments Wed, 21 Aug 2013 23:30:01 +0000 http://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/?p=680 After an acupuncture treatment, most people feel relaxed. The stress of the day has melted away and a pleasant calmness has taken its place. In the days that follow, sleep, digestion, and energy are improved, and pain and stress are reduced. Quite often, however, acupuncture has deeper and more intense effects in the days following […]

The post Post-Treatment Reactions to Acupuncture appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
After an acupuncture treatment, most people feel relaxed.

The stress of the day has melted away and a pleasant calmness has taken its place.

In the days that follow, sleep, digestion, and energy are improved, and pain and stress are reduced.

Quite often, however, acupuncture has deeper and more intense effects in the days following the treatment.

Because these reactions are more intense, people become unsure about the efficacy of acupuncture and whether or not to continue treatment.

These effects are not only beneficial, but a necessary part of the medicine.

Acupuncture is capable of dredging up things that have been accumulating in your system for years.

The idea is similar to that of discharge, which I explained in a previous post.

I’m always very encouraged when patients experience deeper reactions, as it indicates that the treatments are helping not only the present symptoms, but your entire being from over a lifetime.

I’m going to cover the three most common reactions to acupuncture, and explain why they are beneficial.

 

#1 Fatigue

Usually at the end of an acupuncture treatment, you leave with a sense of contentment and relaxation.

This calm feeling is not the same as fatigue.

Occasionally you leave with an I-can-barely-keep-my-eyes-open-I-need-to-sleep-for-11-days feeling, or that feeling develops the next day.

As a practitioner, I’m always excited when I learn that my patients had this type of response.

Sleep is the fastest way your body heals, and your body is giving you an unequivocal sign that you need to slow down and rest for it to do its work.

sleep-bed

More than likely, the acupuncture treatment has caused a major shift, and your body needs more downtime in order to process the change and reorganize.

It’s similar to a spring cleaning experience – you get rid of things that are no longer useful and restructure a bit, and afterwards you need to settle into your newly cleaned space and recuperate.

Fatigue is a sign that your body is healing and that you’ll likely feel better than you did before the treatment. Be patient and gentle to yourself while your body works toward better health.

 

#2 Emotional discharge

Another side effect of an acupuncture treatment is increased expression of emotion.

Sometimes this occurs during the treatment itself. It is common for me to place a particular acupuncture needle and have a patient begin to cry or react emotionally.

Their reaction is not due to pain or discomfort, and they often say that they don’t know what came over them.

The wave of emotional response is an involuntary reaction to the acupuncture treatment.

My patients are usually very apologetic for the outburst, but I encourage them to continue expressing what is coming up.

Emotional trauma and stress get stored in our bodies if it is not actively expressed, and acupuncture helps to unlock these stored emotions.

The acupuncture points work on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level to harmonize the body.

Discharge, whether it be a runny nose or an angry outburst, is generally uncomfortable and happens at inopportune times, but is a cornerstone to health. We have to let go to move forward.

If emotions get stirred up as a result of the acupuncture treatment, I encourage my patients to keep the process going.

Journaling is a great resource; writing about whatever comes up allows your mind to release the feelings instead of running in circles around them.

I also encourage people to take walks by the water or epsom salt baths. The more actively you work to allow the emotions to be expressed, the faster your body will recover and things will settle into place again.

walk-water

 

#3 Intensified symptoms

Intensified symptoms happen mainly after an acupuncture treatment for an acute complaint – like a cold, a cough, or a new injury.

Intensified symptoms can also happen in chronic conditions when the body is ready to make a big shift towards health. Again, this is not a bad thing!

The body needs to work through its symptoms in order to recover.

Acupuncture provides the resources for your body to heal faster, and as a result, it can intensify what you are currently experiencing.

The increased intensity means that your body is healing more quickly. It’s processing in one or two days what would have taken several days.

I encourage people to drink lots of water, get plenty of sleep, and allow the body to do its work.

page-naturopath-flourish

These responses usually occur in a 48 hour window after an acupuncture session.

That’s about the time it takes for the body to readjust from the shifts the treatment has caused.

It’s not always easy to predict which treatments will stir things up, but when increased symptoms do happen, remember it’s a good thing!

Your body is always working for you in the best possible way it knows how!

There are uncomfortable moments of discharge on the path to healing, but these moments always lead to better and more lasting health.

The post Post-Treatment Reactions to Acupuncture appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2013/post-treatment-reactions-to-acupuncture/feed/ 59
Does Acupuncture Hurt? https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2013/does-acupuncture-hurt/ https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2013/does-acupuncture-hurt/#comments Mon, 29 Jul 2013 17:36:42 +0000 http://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/?p=674 “Do the needles hurt?” is one of the most common questions first time patients ask me before an acupuncture treatment. My response is not a simple “yes” or “no”, but rather an explanation of the different sensations someone can experience during an acupuncture treatment. I like to start by explaining the difference between acupuncture needles […]

The post Does Acupuncture Hurt? appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
“Do the needles hurt?” is one of the most common questions first time patients ask me before an acupuncture treatment. My response is not a simple “yes” or “no”, but rather an explanation of the different sensations someone can experience during an acupuncture treatment.

I like to start by explaining the difference between acupuncture needles and the needles most people have experienced, those of a blood draw or IV. Blood draw needles are hollow, so they are meant to puncture a vein and remove fluid from your body. As a result, the diameter of the needle needs to be large enough to accomplish fluid removal quickly. Acupuncture needles are solid, meaning they are not designed to withdrawn anything. As a result, they are quite a bit more comfortable. Acupuncture needles are less than the width of one of your hairs: very tiny! Take a look at the comparison below, and you’ll see what I mean!

Comparison of acupuncture needle size and other needles

Comparison of acupuncture needle size and other needles; image credit PCOM

 

Any sensation felt with an acupuncture needle will be different than that with a blood draw needle, because they were designed for different purposes. The range of sensations felt with an acupuncture needle goes as follows: nothing (yes, nothing!), a light pin prick, or a heavy, dull, aching sensation around the point.

Most people don’t feel the majority of acupuncture needles as they are inserted. A pin prick sensation can be felt on the most sensitive points that day, but the feeling usually dissipates into nothing quickly or into a heavy, dull, aching sensation. Occasionally, the pin prick will feel a little sharper and remain a little longer, in which case I readjust the acupuncture needle for the comfort of the patient. Acupuncture is meant to calm the nervous system and relax the body; my personal acupuncture style includes decreasing distracting or intense sensations on points so it is possible to relax throughout the treatment.

The heavy, dull, aching sensation is a great response to acupuncture. It often feels like a sore muscle, and the sensation can migrate from point to point throughout the treatment. The heavy, dull, aching sensation is most often felt in cases where people are coming in for treatment of a painful area: hip, low back, knee, shoulder, neck, etc. In Chinese medicine, pain is caused by stagnation. The energy or life force of Chinese medicine is called qi (chi), and it circulates along highways, or meridians, upon which the points are located. If the heavy, dull, achy sensation is experienced at a certain point, it means qi was stagnant in that area or on that particular meridian. The acupuncture needles are stimulating the qi to circulate again, and circulation promotes healing.

It can take a full 48 hours for an acupuncture treatment to settle into the body; occasionally some of the sensations from the needles will linger after the treatment, and this is also a good sign. Acupuncture stimulates the body to heal, and sometimes the work is not complete during the treatment itself.

I’ve covered the sensations acupuncture needles create, and I hope I’ve left you feeling better about the possibility of receiving a treatment. Fully conveying what a treatment feels like is quite a challenge, as everyone has a different experience. With the needles working together harmoniously, oftentimes you feel relaxed in a way you haven’t experienced before. It leaves you feeling calm, collected, and ready to take on the challenges of your health and life. Acupuncture is a fantastic way to treat and prevent major health concerns, and to put you more in touch with your body.

 

The post Does Acupuncture Hurt? appeared first on New Leaf Natural Medicine.

]]>
https://newleafnaturalmedicine.com/2013/does-acupuncture-hurt/feed/ 1