Although some of these suggestions may be old hat to some readers, they are worth another try to maintain that acupuncture "buzz" between visits:
1. Pet a puppy. Or full grown dog, either will work. Owning a dog has been proven to reduce stress levels and keep high blood pressure in check.
If you love coffee like I do, then you may want to pay attention...
I love the stuff! The smell, the taste, everything. I used to watch my parents and grandparents wake sleepily, pad toward the kitchen to grind the beans and fill the pot with water, and flip the switch; the house would fill with a earthy, familiar aroma. It was a morning ritual that, as I grew up, I continued.
It's tax time...and did you know that both acupuncture treatments and fertility treatments can be written off?
It's true! There are certain deductions you can make for healthcare expenses -- but there's a catch, of course. These expenses have to be above and beyond the 10% level of your adjusted gross income (or 7.5% if you are aged 65 years or older). So what does that mean?
Spring is here! For many of us it’s a time we think about renewal and growth. It’s a wonderful time for clearing out old stuff that’s accumulated; both emotional and material junk. Letting go of old grudges is just as important as clearing out the pantry and tossing expired medications. Small shifts can be very rewarding.
It's not uncommon for skin to be dry and flaky and just generally sad at this point in the winter, so I wanted to share my regime to keep your skin radiant and happy from head to toe! I have combination skin (sometimes oily, sometimes dry) as well as psoriasis AND rosacea, so I have tried many, many different products. Over all, I like to keep my routine simple, natural, and clean; these are my tried and true faves!
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A few people told me they got pregnant after long periods of trying unsuccessfully to do so after following the advice from a book called The Fertility Diet. So I got curious and have been reading it this week, and thought I’d share with you their top tips.
The Fertility Diet, by Jeorge E. Chavarro, MD, ScD and Walter C. Willet, MD, DrPH, both professors at Harvard Medical School, presents the results of the Nurses’ Health Study, broken down into their top 10 simple lifestyle and diet changes that can improve your chances of getting pregnant.
It's the dreaded cedar season in Central Texas. Here are some helpful tips to survive the coming weeks:
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the most effective ways to immediately clear congestion due to allergies or common cold. There are acupuncture points that work on opening the sinus passages for easing blockages from over-accumulation of phlegm. We also work on boosting your defensive qi, which is in charge of staving off those allergens.
I frequently hear from patients that they are hesitant about taking Chinese herbal formulas, and/or don't understand the benefit of them. Many more people are on board these days with receiving acupuncture treatments, but Chinese herbal medicine is still underutilized in reproductive health. So lets discuss some of the benefits and the safety regarding Chinese herbal formulas.
Why take them?
First of all, the herbs help us, the acupuncturists, make progress faster. We make progress at each treatment towards correcting your diagnosis and improving your overall health, and preparing you for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) if you are going that route. But your using the Chinese herbal formulas consistently allows us to continue making this progress between appointments. So taking your herbs:
A little knowledge and a few basic items at home can help you be prepared to nip a cold or flu in the bud, and help speed it on its way out of your body. As soon as you start feeling something coming on, that’s the time to take quick action, and make some tea. Treating it early is key for the best results.
What kind of tea? That depends on whether the bug is giving you symptoms of “cold” or “heat.”
You guys I LOVE Thanksgiving. I think it is the perfect holiday...themes of gratitude and family with a feast at the center of the celebration, I mean come on! It's like it was designed just for me. I also love that it's non-religious so anyone can make it a part of their lives, regardless of any other personal dogma or beliefs. So, I know we all have our lists going and we've consulted our recipes and are stocking up on butter, but have you thought ahead to how to help your children through it? Lots of people, travel, and a break in your routine, can add up to make it kind of stressful on the little people. Here are some tips for making this wonderful day truly full of love and joy for everyone!
Read MoreAs we enter into the busy holiday season, I am reflecting upon what is the simplest easiest thing to do to enjoy the festivities and the people around me the most, and keep any stress at bay (I’m not one who by nature likes to shop or cook for potlucks, two things that holiday season often requires!). If I had to pick one quick and easy thing that changes each day for the better every time I do it, it would be to start the day with a moment of deep breathing.
Read MoreA big part of our holistic approach to wellness includes diet and nutrition. We know that our patients take this seriously and are working to make positive, healthy choices around their food, but something that we don't talk about as much is getting the whole family on board. Someone recently asked Tiff, our resident Holistic Parenting Coach, about how to get more veggies in their little one.
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