~ written by Romina Taheri, Registered Acupuncturist in private practice at Alchemy & Elixit Health Group, Vancouver

TCM is the oldest continually practiced and professionally administered health care system in the world. It is a documented medical system spanning over 2500 years based on comprehensive philosophies, rational theories, clinically tested and empirically verified by over 100 generations of highly educated practitioners. Chinese medicine is a total system of internal medicine which is comprised of a diagnostic procedure based on signs, symptoms and treatment styles including acupuncture, herbal medicine, exercise, diet and meditation. Through this balance health is achieved and maintained.

The relationship between emotional stress and illness

According to TCM , an imbalance of energy (Qi) in a particular channel of energy or organ system can cause physical, mental and emotional symptoms. Emotions are mental stimuli that influence our body. Under normal situations they do not cause a disease. However, when they become excessive or when they are held on to over long period of time, they can become causes of illness. A very interesting feature of TCM is that the state of the internal organs affect our emotions. In other words, emotions can also result from an imbalance of the flow of energy and blood of the internal organs. It is therefore believed that each internal organ has a positive mental energy with certain characteristic and when they are affected by external stimuli, their normal flow disturbs and turns to an abnormal flow. In this view, emotions can be the cause or the symptom of a disorder.

• Anger affects the liver
• Joy affects the heart
• Anxiety affects the spleen
• Sadness affects the lung
• Fear affects the kidneys

What is acupuncture?

The technique of acupuncture involves placing hair-thin needles in various pressure points (called acupoints) throughout the body. Stimulating these points is believed to promote the body’s natural healing capabilities and enhance its function.

Why acupuncture works?

According to TCM the body can become healthy by balancing its flow of energy (Qi). This vital energy flows like river along pathways, or meridians, throughout the body. However, this flow can sometimes be blocked, like water getting stuck behind a dam. A disruption in the flow of energy can lead to illness. Approximately 2,000 different acupuncture points lie along the body’s channels of energy. The idea behind acupuncture is that stimulating these points with acupuncture needles or pressure relieves obstructions in the flow of energy, enabling the body to heal.

What is Ear Acupuncture?

Auricular acupuncture, or ear acupuncture is similar to body acupuncture but with an stimulation only to the external ear. It is a method of treating a variety of physiological and psychological health problems by the stimulation of certain acupuncture points on the external ear.

Today many practitioners use ear acupuncture based on the integration of 2 different models. Classical ear acupuncture that is based on the theories of traditional Chinese medicine and another model based on the research of the French physician Dr. Nogier in 1950.

Join us for your Group Auricular Acupuncture treatments on Saturdays (pre-booked by appointment )from 10-11 am. To book your appointment please email us at info@alchemyelixir.com

Acupuncture for stress management from the Western medicine point of view

Research has indicated that acupuncture can be of therapeutic value in the management of stress, anxiety, depression and associated health problems. Psycholoical health problems like anxiety and depression are thought to be due to low levels of mood enhancing brain chemicals called dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin and GABA. Research has indicated that acupuncture can help to boost these mood lifting chemicals. Research has also indicated that acupuncture can influence the sympathetic nerve activity and lower stress. Excess stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system by chronic stress is known to cause the chronic excess release of stress hormones like cortisol which can interfere with brain chemicals like serotonin and other mood enhancing chemicals and makes us more vulnerable to stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, anger, etc.

References:

Giovanni Maciocia, 2005. The Foundations of Chinese Medicine. and Oleson, 1998. Auricular Therapy Manual: Chinese and Western system of ear acupuncture.

To book a clinic appointment with Romina Taheri, R. Ac.or for more information on Auricular Acupuncture and Acupuncture, visit our website at www.alchemyelixir.com

 ~ written by Sharon Green, RHN (registered holistic nutritionist) in private practice at Alchemy & Elixir Health Group in Vancouver.

The adrenal glands; two small triangular glands that are located on top of the kidneys, are part of our endocrine system. The endocrine system regulates hormones, body temperature and balances our body’s chemistry.

A diet compromised by high sugar intake stresses the adrenal glands because the human biochemical system is not adapted to handle large amounts of concentrated sugar. London Universities, John Yudkin in his book “Sweet and Dangerous” warns against the ill effects refined sugar can have on our hormones. A high sugar diet, he reports, can cause a striking increase in the level of adrenal cortical hormone. It can slow the rate of transport of hormonal chemicals by as much as 2/3 even in one week.

When the adrenal glands fail to function properly, the blood sugar response tends to become sensitive and thyroid-hormone out-put tends to decline. Sometimes just regulating sugar intake may be enough to control cortisol levels and over the long term a high sugar intake may cumulatively weaken the adrenal glands so that hormones are not converted efficiently.

Exhaustion of the adrenal glands may be managed by the consumption of a wholesome diet of natural foods, many B-rich foods and the avoidance of sugars and sweets. Probably the richest source of B complex is the germ and bran of seeds such as cereal, nuts, beans and legumes. Other B-rich foods include; leafy greens such as kale, collards, spinach, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, avocado, eggs, peanuts, almonds, kidney beans, millet, cracked wheat, wheat germ, brown rice, lentils, asparagus, bananas & dates, to name a few.

Incorporating a ‘whole foods’ eating style that emphasizes a greater use of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts & seeds and the inclusion of un-refined cereal, beans and other complex carbohydrates will assist in nourishing the adrenal glands. Regular moderate exercise also stimulates the adrenal glands and helps to relieve stress.

The constant fluctuation of adrenal hormones from stress will result in the exhaustion of the adrenal glands and increase symptoms of fatigue, insomnia, irritability and depression. In order to preserve health; supporting, restoring and enhancing the function of these two important glands is paramount.

** Reference: John Yudkin, “Sweet and Dangerous” excerpt from Menopause without Medicine – Linda Ojeda PhD

Sharon Green, RHN is in private practice at Alchemy & Elixir Health Group in Vancouver, contact us at 604-683-2298 to book an appointment.