Taking a deep breath simply means inhaling by filling your lungs to capacity, and letting your diaphragm contract. On a day to day basis, deep breathing can be used as a tool for a variety of ailments such as reducing stress levels, stabilizing blood pressure, increasing lung strength, and improving oxygen levels throughout the body. Deep breathing methods have been created to undergo fantastic feats and might even be a contributing factor towards curing diseases.
Gratitude as Medicine
In recent years, many studies have concluded the benefits to both mental and physical health by simply recognizing, verbalizing and/or demonstrating gratitude. Positive outcomes from these studies show decreased levels of anxiety and depression, better sleep, stronger relationships (romantic, workplace and familial) and better heart rate variability
The Implicit Grief of Fall
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fall is ruled by the Metal element with the primary emotion of Metal being Grief. When I first learned about this connection, it just felt so correct and so in line with my own experiences of life in Autumn. When the trees shed their leaves and cooler temperatures arrive once more, there is just an inherent and collective feeling of Grief in the atmosphere.
Late Summer and the Earth Element
How to Cool Your Inner Fire in the Summertime
Finding balance in a Time of Extremes and The Solstice
Acupuncture – More Than Just Pain Management
Eating with the Seasons: Spring and Food
It is a big part of Traditional Chinese Medicine to try wherever possible to eat with the seasons. But rushing into raw and cold foods too quickly can result in digestion becoming sluggish, difficult, and downright bothersome. Since the flavor of Spring in Traditional Chinese Medicine is sour, incorporating sour foods into your diet can also be extremely beneficial during this season.
On Spring and Wood
One Acupuncturist's Commentary on NBC's Latest Long Covid Report
Have you read NBC's latest long Covid report? While it's encouraging to see mention of acupuncture as an option for patients suffering from long Covid, the article itself is somewhat problematic, and even perpetuates a narrow and uninformed stereotype about traditional Chinese medicine.
Read commentary from Jade acupuncturist Elizabeth Yancelson, LAc. as she breaks down some flaws in this report and talks about the real healing that can come from treating long covid with acupuncture.
Acupuncture: Top Treatments and Misconceptions
Acupuncture has been growing quickly due to its accessibility, effectiveness, and its holistic philosophy. Even with vast amounts of information at our fingertips, it can still be hard to sort through the noise for clear answers on Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine.
Here we can show 5 conditions that are most effectively treated with acupuncture, as well as some of the most common misconceptions.
Don’t slip or trip, you’ll risk the hip!
I breathe, therefore I am: Connecting the Breathing Diaphragm and the Pelvic Floor
By Jennifer Major, DPT
Inhale to receive. Receiving can be difficult for people who are used to always doing, always giving. The breath nourishes the body and mind and helps to bring healing oxygen to restrictions and injuries. The breath is closely tied to pelvic floor rehabilitation, and here is why.
Sometimes when people have difficulty relaxing they breathe into the upper rib cage tightening around the ribs and abdomen. So why does the exhale feel like the relaxation part of the breath? In order to take a deep breath, we need to activate the respiratory diaphragm. As the diaphragm moves down and outward air is drawn into the lungs. Yes, the exhale is the relaxation of the respiratory diaphragm. But, when we breathe in, the pelvic floor descends along with the respiratory diaphragm. For abdominal and pelvic function a full diaphragmatic breath into the lower ribs works better.
The pelvic floor, in its relaxed state, is just along for the ride with the breath: down on the inhale, back up on the exhale. We inhale to receive breath, so that we can exhale and do something with the oxygen we have received. Inhale to prepare, exhale with action. It may be that we speak or perform a muscle action or maybe we just allow the breath to release gently back into the atmosphere. If we activate the pelvic floor and lift it on the exhale, then we are working with the body’s natural rhythm.
Can you breathe in such a way that you can feel your lower rib cage and abdomen expand as you inhale? Can you feel your pelvic floor soften and broaden as you inhale? Can you feel your respiratory diaphragm and pelvic floor return to the original position as you allow the exhale? This is how we meet your body where it naturally wants to be. When we meet you where you are, we can help you to heal and improve.
On Yoga and Silence
Early recovery is raw and vulnerable. It is a time to detox, fight triggers, and literally put days behind you, as you work to regain physical and mental wellness. The mind often "reads" silence as a signal to get "chatty" or fill the void with conversations, many times fueled by feelings of regret, judgment, etc. Practicing quiet yoga can help to support conversations of a self-love, self-accepting nature.
Knowing the Signs of Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
The weeks and months after having a baby are some of the most wonderful in any mother’s life, but they can also be some of the hardest. With up to 1 in 5 new mothers experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety, there is no shame in experiencing these conflicting feelings, and yet the signs of these conditions aren’t talked about enough. In this blog we’ll discuss signs and symptoms of postpartum anxiety and depression as well as support options.
Finding Your Own Wellness
Helping A Breech Baby Turn
Is it possible to help a breech baby turn? This is a question we often hear from moms hoping to have a vaginal birth. Moxibustion treatment can be a great option for these women. Moxibustion is an adjunctive technique often used by acupuncturists in their treatments, and research has shown that a course of daily moxibustion over a specific acupuncture point on the baby toe is very successful at prompting a breech baby to turn.
