Keeping Cool in the Summer with Chinese Medicine

The warmth of summer can feel great, especially after a long New England winter and a beautiful, but slow, spring. Some people, though, feel worse in the heat, and find that hot weather aggravates certain health conditions. One central aspect of Chinese medical diagnosis is the differentiation between illnesses caused by cold in the body, … Read more

Acupuncture for Sports Injuries

As we become more active in the warm weather, we may also encounter some injuries. These may be acute, such as an ankle sprain, broken bone, or dislocated joint; or they may be repetitive injuries, like tennis elbow or shin splints. To prevent injury, it’s helpful to ease into new activities gradually, stretch before and … Read more

Herbs and Acupuncture for Poison Ivy

One of the hazards of summer is poison ivy. Poison ivy loves to grow at the border between open space and trees; it is found in this area along wooded paths, around lakes, and at the edges of yards and highways. Poison ivy rash is caused by an allergic reaction to the oils on its … Read more

Spring in Chinese Medicine

In Chinese medicine, each season is associated with one of the 5 elements (add “late summer” to make 5 matching seasons — more on that in a few months!) Spring, not surprisingly, is paired with the wood element, as plants and trees start showing signs of new life.    Wood exemplifies the energy of growth, change, … Read more

Acupuncture for Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Breastfeeding

Acupuncture is ideal for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, because it is non-invasive and drug-free.  Acupuncture is safe for you and your baby, and can support your body in maintaining a healthy and comfortable pregnancy.  Some points, such as those on the lower abdomen and lower back, are avoided during pregnancy.  Aside from these … Read more

Acupuncture for Allergies

OOOPs! Here’s the real link to the Haiti Acupuncture training video: Although many of us are happy to see signs of spring, for some it’s also the dreaded approach of pollen season.  Many people suffer from allergies in the springtime, with symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, congestion, headaches, fogginess, and itchy, watery eyes. Allergies … Read more

Self-Care for Allergies

Here are some suggestions for taking care of yourself during allergy season! Reduce exposure to allergens:  This is an important first step, because it is difficult to calm the body’s immune response when it is being constantly irritated.  If you don’t know what you’re allergic to, visit an allergist and find out (this is especially … Read more