Looking at the map at right, you’ll see that foot reflexology zones are divided as follows:

• Left foot - Left side of the body and Left-only organs (heart, spleen, descending colon)
  
• Right foot - Right side of the body and Right-only organs (liver, gall bladder, ascending colon)
• Top of the Foot - lymphatics, balance zone, diaphragm

• Inside of the foot (arch area) - low back,  central digestive organs (esophagus, stomach, etc)

I have had a number of patients over the years who are nervous about needles and I have done reflexology alone for them.  I have seen especially good results in treating headaches, constipation and diarrhea with foot reflexology alone!  Foot reflexology is also an excellent detoxification treatment - all those little crunchy uric acid and calcium deposits can minorly impede blood flow and hold toxins.  If you break them up, your body will flush them out.  You may be surprised how much more energy you’ll have after a couple of days pass for your body to clean up and clear out.

So if you massage your own feet to try it out, or especially if get professional foot reflexology treatment, don’t forget to drink extra water for the next 24 hours to help your body detoxify and make the most of treatment!  If you want to know more or try a foot reflexology session in office, please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime.  Booking is available online 24/7!

Until next time,

~Rebecca

Probiotic Pearls by Integrative Therapeutics
Did you know that immunity starts in your gut?  It does!  Genetic sequencing has revealed that gut microbes are closely related to immune function, not to mention Peyer’s Patches - the large immune “sensors” specific to your intestines.  Good gut bacteria is essential for immune health, and if you aren’t certain about the happiness of your gut bugs, three to six months of probiotic supplementation is recommended to cheer them up.  IT Probiotic Pearls are my favorite because they are highly concentrated and shelf stable. 1 Pearl Per Day.

One of the central theories behind Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture is called 5 Element Theory. This theory states that each element has a series of associations, and that these associations determine relationships between the elements and the energetic channels.  These relationships then dictate a specific health balance that we strive for, and allow for specific imbalances to be recognized, and for specific treatments to be derived.

When it comes to emotions, this basic 5 Element Theory is instrumental.  Within 5 Element Theory, different emotions are associated with balance or imbalance in specific energetic channels or meridians.  If out of balance (as can be evidenced by emotional state) these channels can be balanced using specific acupuncture points to strengthen or calm the misbehaving element.  Once balance is achieved a calmer and stronger emotional state is naturally reached.

Especially in cases of Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, PTSD, coping with Grief and Loss and Mood Swings associated with hormonal issues or drug and alcohol withdrawal, Acupuncture can be very effective by following 5 Element theory point prescriptions along with “5NP” also called “5 Needle Protocol” or “NADA” Acupuncture.  5NP Acupuncture is a specific ear acupuncture treatment that is used in battlefield Acupuncture, disaster relief and detoxification treatments with immediate calming effects on the mind, body and spirit.

The five elements also have generating and controlling cycles as shown in this image:  

The generating cycles make a circle - Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, Metal Generates Water and Water generates Wood.  Then the controlling cycle is represented by the star pattern in the center.

By following these cycles we can generate and strengthen, or calm and control, different elements and their associated emotional states.

As I hope you can now see, emotional healing and Acupuncture are a natural fit.  With 3,000 years behind 5 Element Theory diagnosis and treatment, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have a proven track record of success in emotional healing.  

In my practice I find that the Liver and Heart in particular are often some of the primary meridians affected in our busy modern world.  Our creative natures can be malnourished and become stagnant (Wood), while our stress and frustration (Fire) can be high leading to a Wood and Fire imbalance between these two organs.  A series of 6 to 8 weekly treatments including 5NP and individual point prescriptions based on personal need can make a world of difference in your emotional landscape and enhance any other work you might be doing - be it counseling, psychotherapy, self help, meditation, yoga, or pharmaceuticals - to help manage unruly emotions.

Indeed, Zen masters often say that you cannot see your reflection in running water, only still water.  Calm emotions are like that still water allowing you to see yourself and the world around your clearly towards being present.  Acupuncture can give you time and space to calm the waters, and a tool that helps you stay still and practice a little of this Zen state.

If you want to know more, please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime.  Until then, enjoy the beautiful Fall weather!

~Rebecca

This advice is so simple, classic and timeless it has always been on of my favorite basic beauty "to do" lists.  It is something I learned when I took my first Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture certification course back in 2006.  Yes, this is a list about attitude as much as it is a list about at basic home care for avoiding facial wrinkles, but you know what - it works.

If I were to rename this list, I would call it The Zen of Being Beautiful and all of this advice is right in line with my Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture training and teachings. To truly look and feel beautiful, it has to come from the inside and then be nourished by your activities outside - that is the heart of Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture treatment.

This list is so synergistic with my work, I had to share.  It comes from the book Inner Peace, Outer Beauty: 

In my Facial Rejuvenation treatments I seek to naturally lift, firm and tighten the skin while removing facial fine lines and wrinkles by strengthening the constitution, calming the emotions, nourishing the skin and re-sculpting the face with acupuncture, gua sha, cupping, facial massage, and natural Chinese herbal facelift treatment masques and products as needed.

I have to say that I love this advice because if you follow this advice AND do natural facial lift treatments like Facial Rejuvenation, the results are so incredible its hard to describe.  The difference is visible, but more than that it is something you feel - my patients often report feeling more confident, beautiful, sexy, more themselves.  Facial Acupuncture seems to help them navigate the world of aging a little more gracefully because they feel supported and nourished as their bodies age and change. 

Just like the quote above - everybody gets wrinkles - but truly some are due to natural aging, and some are due to expression which does make them a reflection of our thoughts and feelings.  If you change your thoughts and feelings to be more positive, you can change those expression lines too.  And if you need a little help, Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture may be just the thing to help you turn back the clock and learn more about caring for your skin as the natural course of aging progresses along.

If you want to know more, please call, email or book online! Facial Acupuncture is unique and deeply healing and relaxing - everyone should try it at least once you know! 

Until next time,
~Rebecca

Exercise and wellness are intimately tied together.  Truly, after quitting smoking exercise is the #1 thing you can do to improve your health on almost every level.  Exercise has so many benefits, it would be labeled as a wonder drug if you could refine it, bottle it and take it as a daily pill! It is a primary recommendation for moving blood and reducing pain in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Here, take a look at the short list of what exercise can do:

• Reduce Stress - exercise actually measurably reduces stress hormones in the blood stream
  
• Improve Mood - exercise boosts seratonin levels just like an anti-depressant medication!
  
• Reduce Heart Disease - exercise, especially cardio like biking, running or aerobics has a host of cardiovascular effects such as 
  • Decreasing Blood Pressure
    
  • Improving Circulation
    
  • Decreasing Cholesterol by burning fat

So yeah, that’s the short list.  There is so much more, it is dizzying, but suffice to say again - exercise is the #1 thing you can do for your health and it can help you avoid a host of other medical issues over time such as heart disease, diabetes and depression.  

Yet the world of exercise can seem daunting and overwhelming.  There is so much out there, what kind of exercise is best for you and how much of it do you need?  Here is a quick start guide based on what I tell my patients every day.

Truly, any amount of exercise is good.  Even 10 minutes of regular exercise can make a lasting difference in your health as the effects are so long lasting.  The measureable effects of exercise in the blood stream after just 10 minutes are STILL evident over an hour later!

Regularity is key, however.  I always recommend my patients try to exercise at least 3 times a week, 5 would be better and while 10 minutes of exercise is generally what I consider to be a bare minimum, somewhere between 20 and 60 minutes of exercise 3 to 5 times a week is what I believe to be ideal.  

The 20 to 60 minute range gives you enough time to enter fat burning zone if weight loss is a goal, and enough time to sink in mentally for calming and focusing benefits as well.  An hour of exercise can create changes in the blood stream for several hours, making the most of your sessions physically and emotionally.

There are so many kinds of exercise out there, there is no one size fits all.  Most important is finding something you enjoy.  If you like it, you are more likely to stick with it.  From traditional gym workouts and Zumba classes to yoga, Taiji, martial arts and free on demand TV and online workouts - there is no reason not to find something you love.  

The next important thing to consider is your physical fitness level and any physical restrictions/limitations/pains.  It is important to stay out of pain so as not to injure yourself. Yes, it is good to feel the muscle burn, but not good to feel any sharp ache, pain or pull that makes you feel unsafe.

For instance...

...if you have knee pain, stay away from running or impact exercises like high intensity aerobics - stick with the bike, the pool, or seated yoga.  

...if you have back pain, prolongued exercise in a seated position isn’t going to be your friend so stay away from seated rows and recumbant biking, try gentle yoga and swimming instead!

Next is intensity - more isn’t necessarily better.  Start with a low intensity and build up to a level that feels comfortable.  When trying something new, especially if you are not fit or have a history of injury, I always recommend starting with 50% of what you really want or think you should be able to do.  After 2 to 3 sessions at this level, assess how you feel and add 10-20%.  Continue to increase until you find a level you feel comfortable with.

Last is variety. Just like eating a variety of foods (ever heard of eating the rainbow? And I do mean FRUITS AND VEGETABLES here) is best for your nutrition, a variety of different exercise each week is good for your health.  For instance:

• Cardio - biking, running, jogging, elliptical, etc. - good for heart health, weight loss, stress relief, detox
  
• Yoga - good for flexibility, focus, strength, stamina (and sex, there is some good research that regular yoga improves sex drive!)
  
• Swimming - good for everything as it is cardio, strength building, quiet/focused and no impact
  
• Weight Training - good for women to maintain bone mass into menopause, strength, stamina, mental focus but high probability for injury without education/supervision
  
• Walking - see swimming, good for everything, natural movement for the body

I am also a big fan of interval or peak training instead of classic Cardio.  See the Dr. Mercola article about research into this type of workout HERE.  That means moderate to high intensity for about 30 seconds, then low intensity for 90, and you continue to alternate for about 20-30 minutes instead of doing consistent high cardio.  Like intermittent fasting, interval or peak training has many research proven benefits on almost every level.

I maintain a board of exercise tips and links on my Pinterest page - check in out if you’d like to know more!  If you need more specific recommendations, please come in for a tune up.  I am happy to assess your specific physical needs and suggest an exercise plan that will work for you.  I have 23 years of dance, martial arts and cardio kickboxing instructor history, and also hold certified QiGong instructor status.  These are combined with a storied injury history and it gives me much insight into proper exercise techniques!  Please book online or email Rebecca via the Contact link at the top of the page.  

Until then, enjoy the beautiful Fall weather!

~Rebecca