Happy Summer!
Summer is the season filled with abundant, creative, outward energy. It's the most Yang time of year.
According to Chinese Medicine and Taoist philosophy, the element of summer is fire, the color is red, the sound is laughter, and the emotion is joy. The organs associated with the season are the heart, small intestine, pericardium (heart protector), and the san jiao (in energetic terms represents the upper, middle, and lower parts of the body: breathing, digesting, and eliminating). It is said that the ‘heart houses the mind or ‘shen’ which is also known as the spirit.’
It is important for the organs to remain in balance for health and well being. When the fire element is in balance, one may feel relaxed and energized. If there is an imbalance one may experience depression, mania, heartburn, agitation, blood pressure issues, joint pain, or insomnia.
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can help with any imbalance or unease that you are experiencing, support your immune system, and give you energy. Other suggestions to remain in harmony with the summer season:
- Stay hydrated and drink plenty of room temperature water.
- Awaken earlier in the morning and go to sleep earlier.
- Eat foods that are cooler in nature with higher water content such as cucumber, watermelon, oranges, radishes, and coconut water.
- If you feel hot or sweat often, drink warm tea slowly rather than cold drinks because this can create dampness in the body. Chrysanthemum or mint teas are cooling options.
- Add pungent flavors to your diet.
- Avoid sleeping with a fan or air blowing directly on you, as this can create muscle stiffness.
- Move your body, take a walk in nature.
- Take time for yourself and breathe.
We are excited to announce that we are now booking appointments at the Westlake Village office! Now local to the Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Valley areas! Please contact Jennifer Rose Acupuncture for more information!
Office Address:
31822 Village Center Road, Suite 101
Westlake Village, CA 91361
(Off Greengate Court & Agoura Road, near the Westlake Village Golf Course)
Please also visit us on:
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Jennifer Rose, LAc
email: Info@JenniferRoseAcupuncture.com
web: www.JenniferRoseAcupuncture.com
phone: 818-297-8510
"If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change." ~Buddha |
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Moving The Body
The organ related to spring is the liver which controls the smooth flow of Qi (energy) in our bodies. In Chinese Medicine, when the flow of Qi is smooth, there is health, when the flow of Qi is blocked, there is pain and illness. It is the time to come out of our winter hibernation, stretch our muscles and start to do more outdoor activity. Through movement we can supplement the liver and move our Qi, which can help lead to better health.
Emotional Wellness
The element of the liver is wood and just as in nature, we need to use this time to grow. If we deprive our bodies of this natural progression, we may become stressed, angry, or depressed. These emotions can also negatively affect the health of the liver. Spring is the perfect time to start a meditation or deep breathing practice. It can help to move the Qi and prevent stagnation.
Cleansing With Food
In Western medicine we know that the liver works to detoxify the body. This is why many people will do a cleanse in the spring. It is a good time to rid the body of the toxins that accumulated during the winter months. Instead of doing a radical fast or cleanse, try adding foods to your diet that can naturally help to detoxify your body.
The flavor associated with the liver is sour. Lemons have a wonderful detoxifying effect on the body. Adding lemon to your water or tea can be help stimulate digestion and aid the liver in cleansing. Lemons are also filled with vitamins and antioxidants which help to flush toxins from the body.
The color of the liver is green. Leafy green vegetables are especially important for the health of the liver. Incorporating vegetables like spinach, kale, chard, and collard greens can aid the liver, support immune function, and can also act as a diuretic to rid the body of toxins. Lightly steaming these foods will preserve their nutrients and make them easier to digest. You can add lemon, garlic, and herbs to make a tasty springtime dish! Also, try boiling dandelion greens, strain, and drink the tea for its healing properties!
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can also help improve the overall health of your liver, balance the body, and soothe emotions, stress, and pain.
Consistent treatments get the best long term results!
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Sometimes patients who receive injections from hypodermic needles (the common doctors office shot) fear that acupuncture will be painful. Acupuncture needles are flexible, thin, and compared to the size of human hair. About 30 acupuncture needles can fit into the opening of a hypodermic needle! Some experience no sensation while others feel when the needle stimulates the qi (body energy). Slight tingling and warmth is completely normal and most learn quickly how relaxing acupuncture can be!