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Kidneys in Balance: Activity & Rest in the Colder Months

acupuncture kidneys towson Maryland_Jean Donati Acupuncture

Winter is kidney season!

Kidneys are, in many ways, the alpha and omega of Chinese medicine organ theory, as they manage development and decline and therefore both life and death. They are also considered the root source of our energy. Essence, or jing qi, is the energy we receive at conception (also called prenatal qi). The kidneys are like a battery that is not rechargeable. Throughout our lives we slowly deplete this reserve. How fast it gets depleted depends on our lifestyle, environment etc.  Read more here….

https://east2westmedicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/newsletter1_KD-in-Balance-1.pdf

 

Acupressure for Lower Back Pain

Statistics show that almost eight out of ten people will  experience low back pain
at some point during their life. Seeking medical treatment for back pain is very common. Typically back pain is fleeting and can be easily resolved with rest, heat and an occasional anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen. However, once the damage is done, the
recurrence of back pain can be as high as 50 percent. Part of this is because as we age,
things like muscles and tendons become less flexible and pliable. It is also very well known
that in the United States, people are too sedentary and this leads to excess weight gain
that can create added pressure on the body, especially the low back.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a medical system that dates back nearly 3,000 years. But despite its age, TCM has a lot of validity to offer in the age of modern medicine. TCM provides many ways of combating low back pain. Here are just a few examples of how this ancient medical system can help. Studies have shown that acupuncture stimulates the body to produce natural steroids that reduce inflammation. Acupuncture also increases the production of endorphins, which are helpful in reducing pain. In this
way, acupuncture can be very helpful in preventing costly surgeries or prescription
pain medication addiction. If a person seeks out acupuncture treatments when the low
back pain is acute, it can potentially help them avoid chronic pain, thus decreasing the need for pain medications or surgery.

Large Intestine 4

This point is found bilaterally on the
outer side of the lower leg. It can fou d in the depression that is in front of and below the head
of the fibula. This point is known tial point of the
tendons.

image-003

Gall Bladder 34

This point is located bilaterally on the crease behind the knee, right in the center, directly
behind the knee cap. This point helps relieve pain along the spine. It is helpful for relieving
muscle spasms and reducing pain associated with sciatic nerve involve which
stems from the low back.

image-004

Urinary Bladder 40

This point is located bilaterally on the back side of the hand, in the webbing between the
forefinger and the thumb. When the hand is made into a fist, the point can be located in the center
of the mound of flesh that is created.
This point is used for re pain
anywhere in the body.

image-002

5 Ways to Eat Without Overeating this Holiday Season

5 Ways to Eat Without Overeating this Holiday Season

Moderation

We’ve always the heard the saying to enjoy everything in moderation, and that is definitely true when it comes to holiday foods. Don’t try to deprive yourself during the holidays, it most likely won’t go over well. Having an extra holiday treat here and there won’t kill you. You’re allowed to indulge a bit, just keep portions small when it comes to holiday desserts and make sure you limit how often you eat them. Going the whole season without any treats is cruel and will most likely end in binging later, so have your guilty pleasures, just keep them in moderation.

 

Watch the alcohol

The holidays are a time for celebration, which most likely means more alcohol. Not only does alcohol add on empty calories, but can also lead you to eating more while drinking. If you are at a gathering, limit yourself to one or two drinks to cut down on the unhealthy cravings you might be feeling afterward.

Focus on the protein

Protein-packed foods are a great way to fill up without adding a lot of sugar and empty carbohydrates. Pack your plate with low-fat meats like turkey and chicken. If you’re vegetarian, eat more of the tofu than the side dishes that are most likely to be sugar and carbohydrate heavy.

Fill up on the water

Don’t forget about water! The holidays are an easy time to drink more sugary beverages than normal. Substitute drinks for water, and drink a lot of it. Not only is water essential for your health, but drinking a glass before a meal can fill you up more as well, preventing you from overeating.

Take your time

Eating too fast is one of the easiest ways to overeat. When you don’t give your body the chance to digest food and feel full before you stop eating, chances are you’re going to end up eating more than you want. Eat slowly and enjoy each bite to give your body a chance to catch up. This way, you’ll end up getting full faster and eat less.

Most of all don’t forget to enjoy the holidays and the delicious food that comes with it, don’t be afraid to indulge a little!

Auricular Acupuncture…With or Without Needles

acupuncture points on the ear
Are you interested in the benefits of Acupuncture but have a fear of needles?

Auricular Acupuncture may be just what the doctor ordered!  Auricular acupuncture is acupuncture that focuses on acupuncture points in your ears.
It involves either the use of small hair thin needles or the use of vaccaria ear seeds (no needles) at specific points along the pathways of energy in the body called meridians.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a blocked or disrupted flow of energy (qi) can have a negative effect on your physical and mental health.  Acupuncture aims to restore the flow of qi by resolving any blockages or disruption thus resolving the symptom or negative effect to you physical or mental health.
There are more than 200 acupuncture points in the ear.  Auricular Acupuncture can be used for a wide range of conditions, and it is especially useful to relieve pain, calm the mind and treat withdrawal symptoms from addictions.  But that’s not all…. Auricular acupuncture can treat literally hundreds of conditions.  All types of physical pain (headaches, neck pain, back pain, sciatica, arthritis, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, abdominal pain), Mood and Emotions (Anxiety, stress, depression, PTSD, insomnia, ADD, ADHD).  Even More (Weight loss, PMS, tinnitus, TMJ, Vertigo, Circulation, Allergies ….

Some conditions most commonly treated with auricular acupuncture include:

  • Stress and anxiety
  • Chronic and acute pain
  • Nausea
  • Insomnia/fatigue
  • Digestive disorders
  • Motion Sickness, Dizziness, vertigo
  • Smoking cessation
  • Weight loss
  • Headaches, including migraines
  • Focus and memory problems
  • Symptoms of menopause/ postpartum depression
  • Infertility, low libido, sexual dysfunction
  • Addiction withdrawal symptoms
  • Mood swings
  • Acne

An Auricular acupuncture session is generally shorter than a traditional acupuncture session, lasting only 20-30 minutes.  Auricular acupuncture is performed while the patient is seated in a quiet room.  Your acupuncturist may ask you questions about your health, sleep, appetite, digestion, and mood.  The needles or seeds are inserted and remain in place for 10-20 minutes.  It is usually very relaxing and some patients even take a nap!
The needles or seeds are removed and your acupuncturist may ask how you are feeling.  Most people feel refreshed and calm.

Auricular acupuncture is a form of acupuncture that focuses on the energy of the body in the ears and can be helpful for numerous health issues from chronic pain and stress to headaches, mood disorders and addictions.  It may be beneficial for those who have a fear or dislike of needles but who still would like the benefits acupuncture can provide.  Auricular Acupuncture is available by request at Jean Donati Acupuncture, LLC.  Call today for an appointment 410-984-3700 or schedule online at Https://www.appointfix.com/East2WestMedicine

 

Can you Predict the Weather by Your Knee Pain?

Can acupuncture help chronic knee pain?

In many cases, yes!
A lot of people think that chronic pain is just something they have to “get used to.”

Especially if the pain has been going on a decade or more, they start to assume it’s part of their life now.
But acupuncture can be incredibly helpful in reducing daily knee pain as well as flare-ups.
If you have knee pain that:
✔️ Changes with the weather, such as worse with cold and/or rain
✔️ Gets worse with overuse, like long walks or standing for long periods at work
✔️ Prevents you from climbing stairs comfortably or kneeling in your garden
✔️ Is from an old injury that never really went away…
Then I definitely recommend trying acupuncture!
It’s a gentle treatment AND you get to take a nap.

Typically for chronic knee pain I recommend coming in once a week for 6-8 weeks, and then we try to space the treatments out a bit,
to see if you can go 2-3 weeks or a month, and still feel great.

With chronic pain, maintenance treatments are also incredibly helpful to prevent flare ups!
After an initial round of treatments, once a month is a great treatment plan to keep you feeling good.
If you have questions about your chronic knee pain, feel free to contact me!


              

       
    

            
      















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