5 Ways Acupuncture Will Make You Healthier This Spring

Spring is in the air - as the fragrant Daphne at my front door reminds me every day!  Tomorrow, March 20th, marks the official first day of Spring 2014.  Can you believe its here already? Spring is the Wood Element season in Chinese Medicine; a time for growth, change, detox, renewal and celebration of creative endeavors.  For our health, Spring marks the beginning of allergy season, and the beginning of body taxing Spring cleaning projects, gardening and renewed efforts to get out and get fit as the weather warms up.  

The result? A number of Spring ailments such as:

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• *Allergies with symptoms including 
•           **itchy eyes
•           **puffy eyes
•           **runny nose
•           **congestion
•           **headache
•           **fatigue
•           **hives and skin itching
• *Headache related to barometric pressure changes
• *Sinusitis
• *Muscle Strain, especially Back Pain due to overuse
• *Muscle and Joint injury and inflammation

If you’re suffering from any of the symptoms above or getting ready for a Spring project requiring some elbow grease, consider including Acupuncture in your health regime in the coming months both to treat and avoid common Spring ailments.  Chinese Medicine is a natural medicine which is tied to the seasons - treatments in the Spring are actually different from treatments in the Fall, Winter and Summer specifically to help the body handle the  environmental and energetic changes associated with the season.  Acupuncture can make you healthier this Spring by:

1. 1. Strengthening your Wei Qi (protective energy) specifically to improve the immune system and avoid Spring colds
2. 2. Opening the nasal passages and decreasing sinus inflammation to lessen or eliminate allergy symptoms
3. 3. Relaxing and tonifying muscles to decrease instance of muscle strain and pain
4. 4. Decreasing inflammation in knee and ankle joints to improve athletic performance
5. 5. Relaxing the jaw and the neck while relieving sinus pressure to virtually eliminate Spring headaches related to stress, barometric pressure, sinusitis and allergies

Spring Health Tips

As the Wood Element season, Spring is also a critical time for Liver and Gallbladder health in Chinese Medicine because the Liver and Gallbladder are considered Wood element organs.  That means Spring is the perfect time to detoxify the body and focus on Liver health.  Also critical to Liver health? Stress and Stress management, because stress affects the energy of the Liver first and foremost.

So here are some tips to help you manage the change of seasons and support the Liver and Gallbladder this Spring:

1. 1. Include Lemon or Lime slices in your water 1-2x/day.  Lemon and Lime enter the Liver channel and support Liver and Gallbladder health.
2. 2. Get Acupuncture! Acupuncture supports balanced Qi flow for strength, detoxification and stress management simultaneously.
3. 3. Consider an Elimination Diet as a gentle detoxification method for the Liver, Gallbladder, Spleen and Stomach.
4. 4. Do a stress assessment and pick one new stress management technique to incorporate into your routine such as deep breathing, regular exercise or meditation.  Check out this great HearthMath Institute Stress Survey here. 
5. 5. Drink Nettle Tea. The Liver is prone to develop Qi stagnation and heat during times of stress and poor function, these things can deplete Yin specifically to make you tired, irritable and insomnia-ridden.  Nettle is a simple Yin tonic which can also help with allergies - consider drinking Nettle tea (found at most healthfood stores) to support your Yin this Spring.

If you’re interested in getting some help managing stress, aches, pains, allergies or just preparing the body for the change of seasons, please come in for a free consultation or appointment.  You can book online anytime!  Also, check out my pinterest Healthy Eating board for more detox drinks and health recipes for the season.

Yours in Health,

~Rebecca



#SpringHealthTips #HealthTips #AcupunctureandHealth

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