 If you’ve ever been in a car accident you know how traumatic they can be. Even a relatively minor auto accident is shocking to the system. This shock can take 10-14 days to wear off, actually, and often times even if you walk away from a car accident feeling okay, after a week or two the back pain and the whiplash we typically associate with auto accidents makes itself known. This is what prompts us to seek Acupuncture for auto accident recovery, or Chiropractic and Physical Therapy. What many people don’t realize is that car accidents often cause more subtle effects that can last beyond the typical treatment and claim cycle. In particular, headaches and insomnia. Headaches and Insomnia After a Car Accident Headaches are relatively common and can be part and parcel with whiplash and neck pain after an auto accident. Treatment for headache is a typical part of car accident treatment, but often times the immediate neck pain related headache can give way to a dull recurrent ache that feels reluctant to disperse. Subtle, recurring and annoying, it can feel like background noise to your life that just doesn’t want to go away. In the worst case scenario, migraines can ensue and become long lasting and intractable. Insomnia can also come on insidiously after an auto accident. At first it is hard to sleep due to the pain, and then after the majority of the pain is relieved sleep will improve, but often sleep difficulties can return 6 to 12 months later. Difficulty falling asleep and difficulty staying asleep are both common, as are lucid dreams that make you feel less than rested. I personally feel like true insomnia is one of the most difficult symptoms to experience - feeling continuously tired, on edge, sluggish and dull can make every aspect of life from work to personal enjoyment difficult. Acupuncture for Auto Accident Recovery Acupuncture is an excellent choice for auto accident recovery and offers hope for both the immediate and subtle effects of a car accident. In Acupuncture for car accident treatment, many of these subtle effects can be headed off at the pass - since Acupuncture is a holistic treatment that cannot completely divorce symptoms from underlying causes, be they immediate or long term, we often see not only reduction in pain and an increase in physical relaxation, but also improvements in
Addressing these things together and immediately as part of auto accident treatment can decrease the likelihood of the more subtle effects of a car accident to rear their ugly heads. Even if you do not seek Acupuncture treatment until long after an auto accident, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine together can offer relief for these symptoms by addressing the body holistically from both a physical and energetic perspective. Want to Know More? Ask Rebecca.I have been on the receiving end and giving end of auto accident treatment and I can tell you, that few modalities encompass the whole of the car accident recovery picture as well as Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. It can treat the body, the mind, the spirit, the emotions, even help to balance your hormones and your blood flow, addressing many aspects of car accident treatment which can be complex based on many factors.
If you’re curious about knowing more, you can comment here and I’ll respond as quick as I can. Remember that for supplementation, acupuncture, general health or facial rejuvenation questions you can always book a free consult or a full acupuncture session online. Thanks for tuning in! Until next time, ~Rebecca  Green food supplements are something I often recommend to my patients and something that I take regularly myself. Is it possible to eat enough green foods to not need a green food supplement per se? Of course, but it can be hard to get enough vegetables throughout an average day. Ideally, 50% (or more!) of your daily food intake should be vegetables and at least half of these should be dark green such as kale, broccoli, alfalfa. If you look at your plate for lunch and dinner especially, can you say that 50% is plant based and that half again of that is dark green in color? Green food supplements are also highly alkalinizing to the body and there is increasing evidence that an alkaline pH is highly beneficial to your overall health and longevity. In particular an alkaline body pH has been proven to:
In short, an alkaline diet can be facilitated by regular green food supplementation and can improve health, wellbeing and longevity by decreasing inflammation, mitigating the effects of stress and actually reducing common chronic diseases. Furthermore, in Chinese Medicine green foods are blood and Qi building. This means they are especially important during high stress times and, for women, during your menstrual cycle when your Qi and Blood are naturally depleted by life. Best Green Food SupplementsOkay, green foods, green food supplements and powders are good, but there are so many, how do you choose? Here are my two favorites that I carry and recommend in my office:  Biotics Nitrogreens - available in office Biotics Nitrogreens is a highly alkalinizing formula of the darkest of dark high potency green grasses plus acerola berry to provide a high vitamin C content. Formulated from organic barley grass, wheat grass, oat grass, alfalfa grass and kamut, it has a high chlorophyll content. In addition, it contains concentrates of organic broccoli sprouts, cauliflower and kale for a high dose of cruciferous vegetables which improve phase 2 detoxification and have anti-cancer and hormonal regulating functions. Lastly it contains carrot and beet which provide naturally occurring antioxidants for anti-aging and digestive health. It is the darkest green green drink you will likely ever see, and I personally feel like I get a noticeable energy boost with every cup.  Innate Renewal Greens - available in office and online via my virtual dispensary Innate Renewal Greens is my other favorite green food supplement because it contains so much more than just green food. If you’re looking for an all-in-one health boosting food based formula, this is it. Innate Renewal Greens contains green grasses and cruciferous vegetables like the Nitrogreens, but also contains additional digestive enzymes, mushroom blend including Reishi, Cordyceps and Shitake (longevity herbs in Chinese Medicine), green tea extract and turmeric for decreasing inflammation, milk thistle, chlorophyll, grape seed extract and probiotics. Add a simple multivitamin and a fish oil or essential fatty acid supplement, and you have a complete program for long term health and longevity with a minimal quantity of pills and powders. I personally alternate between these two depending on what is going on in my life. When I have phases that require burning the candle at both ends between kids/work/family obligations I take the Renewal Greens - if I forget some of my other supplements (as I’m prone to during high stress times) I have a little more coverage with the Innate Renewal Greens. During lower stress times when I am better with my full compliment of multi vitamin, personalized herbal remedies, probiotics, fish oil, heart health supplements etc, I take the Nitrogreens. They are more highly concentrated and feel like they have a slightly stronger alkalinizing effect for me. Question? Want some Green Food Love? Ask Rebecca!If you’re curious about knowing more, you can comment here and I’ll respond as quick as I can! Both of the formulas I mentioned are available in office, or can be ordered and shipped direct to you if you desire - just email me! Green foods are a great addition to any supplement regime that can only enhance your health and wellbeing. I often have a container open in the office for sampling too - just ask next time your in!
Remember that for supplement, acupuncture, general health or facial rejuvenation questions you can always book a free consult or a full acupuncture session online. Thanks for tuning in! Until next time, ~Rebecca
Elimination diets are something I recommend to many of my patients, and, as someone with food allergies myself, something I am intimately familiar with. The thing I really love about elimination diets is that once you go through the process of food allergy elimination and reintroduction for testing, you have a very clear visceral understanding of how any particular food allergy affects you. You know WHAT the allergen is, you know HOW it affects you personally, and you know HOW LONG the reaction lasts for. Then you get to choose - you can eat the allergenic food and suffer, or you can avoid the food and feel well. Completing an elimination diet and finding no food allergy triggers can seem anticlimactic, but is equally good information. If nothing shows up positive, you know that food is not the issue and you can cross that possibility off your list and move on to other interventions - herbs, supplements, acupuncture, pharmaceuticals - whatever is appropriate for your symptoms and your case. In short, a healthy elimination diet is a powerful tool for understanding your symptoms. It can rule food allergies out as a problem, or it can give you control over your symptoms by understanding a food allergen and being able to make choices based on that knowledge. No medications, no supplements, no interventions - just choice. Powerful, simple, effective. The symptoms of a food allergy can be quite broad. They can include a wild array of things including but not limited to:
How Does an Elimination Diet Work?When you are constantly eating foods your are allergic to, there are a couple of things going on in your body. First - you have inflammation. There is a constant war being waged inside and inflammation is the result. Since the fight is constant due to repeat exposure, however, your symptoms might seem mild though consistent - some symptoms are due to the battle, some symptoms are controlled by the battle - you can’t really tease them out. Second - you release endorphins and you can crave the allergen because your body is in pain. The constant battle between allergen offender and immune system defender is invasive. Your body releases endorphins to blunt the pain of the invasion, so you can actually crave the thing you are allergic to because of the mini high the battle produces. An elimination diet stops the war by removing the offender so the defense can rest. The inflammatory response calms down, the endorphin release returns normal, and you find a new baseline. When you test the allergen, therefore, the defensive walls are down. When first contact hits, your body has to mount a larger response and you feel more of the symptoms related to that specific allergenic food (the troops are sleeping and have to wake up AND defend the walls of the castle, takes more energy). Yes, this means your reaction seems more severe but actually it isn’t - you just feel more of it because you are starting from calmer baseline. How Do I DO an Elimination Diet?An elimination diet is something you can do on your own - you do not need supervision, though it is ideal to work with a naturopath or an acupuncturist so you have someone to come to with questions. Acupuncture can also help calm down your reaction to any specific allergen so you recover faster. You can link to a PDF of my elimination diet instructions using the button below, as well as the Thorne Mediclear Patient Guide which outlines a broader elimination diet, as well as the use of detox supplements like Mediclear and Nutriclear which can help you cleanse the gut a little faster. Questions? Contact Rebecca.If you’re curious about knowing more, you can comment here and I’ll respond as quick as I can. You can always book a free consult or a full session online if you want to try it out or email me anytime. Thanks for tuning in!
Until next time, ~Rebecca
1. Reduce deep and eliminate shallow forehead furrows, often referred to as the 11’s Reduce Deep and Eliminate Shallow Lines and WrinklesFacial Rejuvenation Acupuncture works on energetic and physical levels to create immediate and lasting change. Energetically, it improves Qi and Blood flow to the face and within the body as a whole. The healthier you are inside, the healthier you will appear outside on all levels. Physically, Facial Acupuncture works to relax the muscles of the face which can smooth lines and wrinkles as well as prevent recurrence. It also increases collagen and elastin. This acts like a natural filler and over a course of treatment, fine lines often disappear while deeper wrinkles can reduce significantly. Slow and Prevent Formation of New Lines and Wrinkles |
| World English Dictionary |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition 2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Foot Reflexology has actually been documented in the west since 1890, when Sir Henry Head promoted foot reflexology in London, and made it to the United States with Dr. William Fitzgerald in the 1920’s under the guise of something called “zone therapy.” In India and China however, it is widely believed that foot reflexology has been practiced for over 5,000 years as a form of improving and maintaining health through massaging specific reflex zones on the feet. But why does foot reflexology work? What is foot reflexology really?
Why Does Foot Reflexology Work?
From a Chinese Medicine perspective, Foot Reflexology works on 4 different principles. These are Blood Circulation, Nerve and Humoral Regulation, Channels and Collaterals (i.e. energetic Meridian theory), and the Microcosm or map of the body on the feet. The theory behind these principles is as follows:
• Blood Circulation - foot reflexology increases blood circulation by breaking up deposits of toxins, such as uric acid, that accumulate due to gravity in the feet. Removing toxins and obstructions improves blood circulation.
• Nerve and Humoral Regulation - small bubbles, granules and nodules often appear in the feet over reflex zones where organs are not functioning optimally. Stimulating these areas of the feet creates a corresponding nerve and humoral response which regulates Qi and Blood in the affected organ.
• Channels and Collaterals - foot reflexology opens the 6 Leg Channels (Spleen, Liver, Kidney, Stomach, Bladder, Gallbladder) to improve Qi flow and improve health.
• Microcosm - the foot is a microcosm of the body where the reflex foot map corresponds to different body areas. By treating the different areas on the feet, you affect the body as a whole.
• Blood Circulation - foot reflexology increases blood circulation by breaking up deposits of toxins, such as uric acid, that accumulate due to gravity in the feet. Removing toxins and obstructions improves blood circulation.
• Nerve and Humoral Regulation - small bubbles, granules and nodules often appear in the feet over reflex zones where organs are not functioning optimally. Stimulating these areas of the feet creates a corresponding nerve and humoral response which regulates Qi and Blood in the affected organ.
• Channels and Collaterals - foot reflexology opens the 6 Leg Channels (Spleen, Liver, Kidney, Stomach, Bladder, Gallbladder) to improve Qi flow and improve health.
• Microcosm - the foot is a microcosm of the body where the reflex foot map corresponds to different body areas. By treating the different areas on the feet, you affect the body as a whole.
What Is Foot Reflexology Like?
Everyone’s experience of foot reflexology is different, but most people find it very relaxing. Regardless of what principle you are focusing on above, the reality is that foot reflexology involves foot massage on specific areas of the foot and at different depths and levels towards creating systemic change.
Yes - foot massage. The difference between basic foot massage and foot reflexology from an experiential point of view, is the focus on specific areas instead of a general foot massage covering the entire foot equally.
Certainly foot reflexology will still cover the whole foot, but there will be specific emphasis and depth changes in different areas based on your chief complaint. In some areas foot reflexology might feel light and gentle while in other areas it can feel deep and sensitive.
It is very important to be able to relax for the body energetically to receive treatment, however, so if you ever feel like the pressure is too deep during treatment you should always tell your practitioner. Curious why some areas feel more tender than others? Ask! The answer might be quite interesting.
Yes - foot massage. The difference between basic foot massage and foot reflexology from an experiential point of view, is the focus on specific areas instead of a general foot massage covering the entire foot equally.
Certainly foot reflexology will still cover the whole foot, but there will be specific emphasis and depth changes in different areas based on your chief complaint. In some areas foot reflexology might feel light and gentle while in other areas it can feel deep and sensitive.
It is very important to be able to relax for the body energetically to receive treatment, however, so if you ever feel like the pressure is too deep during treatment you should always tell your practitioner. Curious why some areas feel more tender than others? Ask! The answer might be quite interesting.
Questions? Ask Rebecca!
If you’re curious about knowing more, you can comment here and I’ll respond as quick as I can! You can always book a session online if you want to try it out or email me here anytime. Thanks for tuning in!
Until next time,
~Rebecca
Until next time,
~Rebecca
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Authors
Rebecca M H Kitzerow is a Licensed Acupuncturist practicing in La Center, Washington. With over a decade of experience she has won 10 Nattie consumer choice awards from Natural Awakenings Magazine since 2014.
Rebecca practices a variety of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques including Tan Acupuncture, Kiiko style Japanese Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Remedies, Cosmetic Acupuncture, Foot Reflexology, Cupping and Gua Sha. Rebecca strives to help people Be Well and Stay Well in every way.
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