One of the most common things I treat in my practice is pain. That is pretty common as an Acupuncturist because pain is one of the things that Acupuncture has been widely researched to treat successfully, though it is far from all we can do.  Interestingly, a significant portion of the pain and arthritis I treat is EXACTLY in the area of an injury 10-15 years before. To me, this speaks to mild injuries left untended and surprisingly, mild auto accidents are the culprit of much more than we realize in the moment.

SO the question becomes - if you’re in an auto accident and have mild (or major, frankly) whiplash, back pain or headaches, what can you do to resolve the immediate pain, return to function and PREVENT lasting pain and complications? Sans drugs and surgery, you know, if you're not into that stuff.

Here are three easy actionable steps I’ve put together based on my medicine and experience that you or someone you love can take immediately to help your body restore and repair as quickly and successfully as possible:

Three Easy Steps to Kick Pain To The Curb

1. Take an Epsom Salt Soak ASAP post injury - Epsom Salts are a natural anti-inflammatory (Dr. Oz Approved!). They can help naturally decrease inflammation to decrease pain and speed recovery. Put a cup in the bath, soak for at least 20 minutes (longer if you need it) and feel better fast! You can repeat this as often as it feels good to you post MVA (motor vehicle accident).
   
   
2. Get Treatment - Acupuncture, Physical Therapy, or BOTH - In my experience, the sooner you get in for treatment the better. ACUPUNCTURE can naturally decrease pain, decrease inflammation and improve endorphin release for faster recovery. Physical therapy addresses musculoskeletal misalignment and imbalance to ensure that injuries do not create lasting patterns of pain.
   
   
3. Hydrate with Green Tea - If you are dehydrated you will heal more slowly. Green tea is warming and moving in Chinese herbal therapy and practically, it is a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. A minimum of 4 cups per day is recommended for a therapeutic effect - more is always welcome! It can be hot or cold, and decaf is recommended at high doses.
   
   

Questions? Need Help with Car Accident Recovery? Contact Me!

I’m keeping it short and sweet today because more than anything, I want you to act if you have an accident or injury! Not waste time reading all the (wonderful, of course!) things I have to say. If you want to know more about back pain after a car accident or whiplash and what to do, please search through my blog for more information using the search bar at the top or contact me. You can comment in the comments section below or email me using the contact form HERE. You can also book in for an appointment or a free consult online anytime - I’d be overjoyed to see you or answer your questions with a phone consultation!

Until next time, thanks for tuning in!

~Rebecca

There is a difference between being in top physical shape and holistically healthy. Some people may be in great athletic shape, but actually neglecting their body’s other internal health needs.  

Sugar in particular has been implicated in many health issues in "thinner" healthier looking people of late. There have been numerous cases where professional athletes in the peak of their careers have died of heart attacks and other natural complications. Could these deaths have been prevented by taking better care of their overall health? Possibly.

A physically fit body is typically a body that exudes health and vibrancy, however, this doesn’t mean that underlying illnesses such as cancer or cardiovascular disorders are not underneath the surface. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture, when there are meridian imbalances in the body, our organs are not functioning to their fullest capacity. 

Although you may feel in great athletic shape, when our body is out of balance, our organs are not getting the sufficient energy and blood flow they need to function properly. 

The best thing to do is listen to your body. If something feels off or you feel low energy, these could be signs of an imbalance in your body.

The foundation of healthy living is a powerful free-flowing meridian system free to help the body without interference, this can be done through acupuncture. 

By using acupuncture points on different meridians on your body, you can be restored to balance and better overall health. 

Now is the time of year when the sun becomes irresistible.  As tempting as it is to spend as much time as possible in the warmth of the sun, there are a few precautions to take to protect your skin from harmful rays. 

Our skin is the largest organ in the body. It reflects our health and age. Today, there’s much concern about sunbathing leading to an increase in skin damage and skin cancer.

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays can increase the production of free radicals that can adversely affect the integrity of collagen in the skin. Over time, our skin becomes wrinkled, cracked, aged, and brittle. For smokers, the effects are multiplied.

Research suggests that skin cancer is cumulative over a lifetime. It begins with overexposure and serious sunburns during childhood.

We can’t live without the sun. Our bodies require sunlight in order to manufacture Vitamin D needed for calcium absorption, among other things. So, we shouldn’t hide from our shining star. Here are a few helpful tips and precautions to take when you’re soaking in the sun this summer. 

Use sunscreen - Choose a sunscreen with a high SPF number for greater protection. Apply it onto your skin 15 minutes before you go outside. Don’t forget your nose, ears, and neck.

Time is key - Avoid sun exposure when the sun is at its highest peak in the sky, typically from about 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Gear up - Wear a hat with a wide brim, t-shirt, and sunglasses that filter ultraviolet rays.

Drink up - By keeping your body hydrated you can avoid dehydration and provide moisture for the skin to prevent dryness, cracking, and aging.

Pop a pill - Vitamins such as A, E, and some antioxidants help prevent skin damage from the inside. Cod Liver oil and Flaxseed oil have also been used to support skin health.

Brush it off - Before you take a shower, use a dry skin brush. This can open pores and slough off dead skin, allowing your skin to breathe easily and work more efficiently.

Keep healthy - Some medications we take may have reactions and side effects when we’re exposed to sunlight. Acupuncture may be able to provide an alternative to these medications, keeping you healthy, safely and naturally.

If you want to enjoy the sun this summer season and not worry later, practice good sun sense.

You and your skin deserve it!

Affecting nearly 1 in 12 people worldwide, asthma is an all-too-common respiratory disease. It's characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways, which subsequently triggers a wide range of symptoms like wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest. While some people assume asthma is nothing more than a mild condition with no real health implications, this couldn't be further from the truth. In 2011 alone, a quarter of a million people lost their lives as a result of asthma-related complications.

If you or someone you know suffers from asthma, you should consider using acupressure to treat it. While there's no known cure for asthma, many people have reported significant relief through acupressure.

What Is Acupressure?

Not to be confused with acupuncture, acupressure is a form of alternative medicine that involves pressure exerted on specific areas of the body in an attempt to restore the body's flow of life energy (Qi). Treatment typically involves placing the fingers, hand or elbow on the problematic meridians and pressing down with moderate pressure. By placing pressure on these areas, the body's Qi is able to flow freely once again; thus, relieving a wide variety of adverse symptoms and conditions.

In 2011, researchers performed a systematic review of the effectiveness of acupressure to treat various symptoms (e.g. nausea, pain, insomnia). In 35 of the 43 controlled trials analyzed, researchers found acupressure to be an effective form of treatment. Another study conducted that same year found acupressure to effectively relieve pain during child birth.

Using Acupressure To Treat Asthma

One of the many benefits of acupressure is that it can be performed anywhere, anytime. Furthermore, you can perform it on yourself, negating the need for a therapist. 

If you suffer from asthma, try placing pressure on your upper left or right chest area, about three finger widths under the collarbone. Using two or three fingers, gently press this area and hold it in place for 30-45 seconds before releasing. In addition to treating asthma, this acupressure point is also known to relieve chest congestion, coughing and difficulties breathing.

Another helpful acupressure point for asthma sufferers is found next to the breastbone, also below the collarbone. Simply follow the steps outlined above by placing two or three fingers here and you should notice an improvement in your symptoms.

Contact All Ways Well today to learn how you can get back on track to better health!