Active Balance (2025)

27/12/2023

BEST answer to the forever asked question… What can acupuncture treat!

21/12/2023

Today marks the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, the start of winter and colder weather. Winter represents the most Yin aspect of Chinese Medicine and is associated with the Kidney channel and the water element, the emotion fear, and the virtues of strength, courage and wisdom.

Winter is a quieter, more reflective time of year, with a darker, colder, slower, inward energy that is full of stillness and conservation. A time when it is easy to sleep in, stay at home, and let ourselves rest.

For some, the qi of the season can easily contribute to depression, loneliness, and seasonal affective disorder. Others may feel relief for an opportunity to pause and do internal work.

Foods that share the qualities of the water element that help support your Kidney system. Dark in color, salty taste, hydrating and nourishing.
Examples include nuts, seeds, legumes, shellfish, saltwater fish, seaweed, dark-colored berries, root vegetables, whole grains, stews and soups.
Use warming spices like garlic, ginger, and cardamom.
Think of warm and cooked foods, limiting cold and raw foods.

We naturally seek things that bring us light and joy this time of year, like holiday parties, dinner with friends, and outdoor winter adventures. Keep your gatherings simple and relaxed

Schedule more time to discover yourself through reflection this winter season. Meditation, yoga, journaling, dreamwork, and breathwork are great winter activities.

19/12/2023

Big shout out to our gal Lana! She’s just finished her Doctorate Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine! It’s been a long haul but so incredibly proud of her and her dedication and commitment… you are going to be an amazing practitioner! Congrats Lana! 👩‍🎓 📜 🎊

06/11/2023

An infrared sauna is a type of sauna that uses light to make heat. The infrared can pe*****te tissue and muscle versus simply heating the skin's surface.
A regular sauna heat warms the air, which in turn warms your body. An infrared sauna heats your body directly without warming the air around you.

Benefits of using an infrared sauna include:
🌡️ Detoxification
🌡️ Relieves pain, increasing muscle recovery time
🌡️ Cardiac benefits include improved circulation & reduced blood pressure
🌡️ Boost collagen production (anti-aging)
🌡️ Supports overall immunity by improving cellular health
🌡️ Reduces inflammation
🌡️ Increases metabolism
🌡️ Boosts mood and improves sleep quality

For the month of November, we are offering an infrared sauna add-on to your scheduled massage or acupuncture treatment...
20 minutes for $15

03/11/2023

We talk about ginger a lot! Almost on a daily basis with our clients and we're here to explain why ginger is so important in Traditional Chinese Medicine! 🫚

Ginger is one of the number one herbs to support digestion. Its warm, acrid, and spicy nature aligns perfectly with the principles of Autumn. 🍂

As the weather cools and our bodies adjust to the changing seasons, ginger emerges as a valuable ally in promoting balance and well-being. Its remarkable properties include the ability to warm the digestive system, has antiviral and antibacterial properties, can be added to your cold smoothies to warm them and make them easier to digest. ✨

Ginger is also known as an anti-nausea remedy making it a natural choice for alleviating symptoms of digestive discomfort. Additionally, ginger's warming qualities can help soothe coughs, which tend to become more prevalent as the weather turns cooler. ❄️

Ways to incorporate freshly grated ginger into your foods; ginger tea, ginger chews, making a ginger syrup to help with nausea and lack of appetite. Adding ginger to rice, vegetables and marinates can help boost your iummunity as well. How do you like to incorporate ginger into your diet? 🤍

24/10/2023

Happy National Acupuncture Day! ✨

Acupuncture has changed our lives in so many ways!
We are so grateful to practice this medicine. 💙

Thank you to all of our patients for the opportunity to support you and your health!

23/10/2023

Happy National Massage Therapy Week! ✨

From relaxation to functional rehabilitation, massage therapy has the ability to calm the nervous system, relax tight muscles, realign the fascia of the body, promote circulation and leave your body feeling cared for.

Just a friendly reminder to book your next massage appointment! 💙

13/10/2023

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐩?

You've probably heard an Acupuncturist mention damp... but what does it mean? Imagine the Everglades, a bog – humid, heavy, with thick, stagnant air, still water, and a thick marsh/muck to walk through. This type of environment can be the cause of multiple conditions in the body. 💦

The causes of damp in the body are largely food-related. Damp is created by consuming excessive sugar, processed foods (both sweet and savory), fried foods, eating lots of cold, raw salads and smoothies, excessive dairy, alcohol, and fast food. Living in a humid environment, eating late at night, or eating while distracted can also contribute.

Damp symptoms show up as:
▫️Heavy limbs
▫️Foggy-headed
▫️Soft, loose, or sticky stools
▫️Lack of appetite
▫️Bloating and gas
▫️Swollen eyes and face
▫️Excessive vaginal discharge
▫️Achy joints, especially worse with rain
▫️Sweatband headaches
▫️Tendency toward depression and excessive worrying

Along with Acupuncture and herbs, ways to support your body and transform dampness within would include eating warm, cooked foods, such as slightly steamed vegetables, soups/stews, and roasted meats. Drinking green tea and having your meals without electronic distractions (put down your phone and turn off the TV) can also help. Additionally, adding warming spices that help to dry dampness and stimulate digestion, like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and cumin, can be beneficial. ☕️🫚🍜

Addressing dampness in the body will increase your motivation, appetite, and energy levels, while also clearing your mind and eliminating excess water retention. ✨

06/10/2023

As we enter into Fall & cold and flu season nears, we want to talk about strengthening our immune systems. In TCM, we call it Wei Qi or Defensive Qi. It's our first line of defense to protect the body from an external pathogen, also known as a virus or bacteria. Wei Qi is associated with the lung channel and the skin layer. 🫁

A weakened immune system is a sign of Qi deficiency in the lungs and spleen, which can be caused by an inadequate diet, an increase in stress hormones due to a hectic lifestyle, and some genetic predispositions. In contrast, a hyper/overactive immune system that is seen in autoimmune diseases would be a kidney Qi imbalance.

To support our immunity during this time, it's essential to focus on nurturing our Lung Qi (energy). This can be achieved through practices such as deep breathing exercises, regular physical activity, and maintaining a balanced diet rich in immune-boosting foods like garlic, ginger, pears, apples, squash, and mushrooms. 🧄🍐🍎🍄

In addition to acupuncture, herbs, and massage, we recommend:
▫️Keeping your neck warm - wear a scarf!
▫️Adequate sleep - go to bed earlier than 11 pm!
▫️Stress management
▫️Staying hydrated
▫️Taking in the fresh air and nature

By taking a holistic approach to immunity during the autumn season, we can strengthen our defenses, ensuring a healthier transition into the colder months and a reduced likelihood of falling prey to seasonal illnesses. 💙

25/09/2023

In TCM, we have 2 major diagnostic tools to assess the health of the organs – the tongue and the pulse. So what are we feeling for and how do we use that information? 💭

We aren't just feeling for the rate of your pulse. And no, you’re not dead when we hold for a longer period of time. There are about 28 different pulse types and each placements of our fingers is associated with an organ system. Overall, we are assessing depth, rate, regularity, width, length, smoothness, stiffness, and strength.

Some questions we ask ourselves while taking your pulse:
▫️Does it feel like a marble rolling around under our fingers or is it tight like a guitar string?
▫️Does it feel full and have strength or is it weaker and do we need to press deeper to feel it?
▫️Can we feel it in all three positions at the same time or is it weaker in one and stronger in another?

The pulse is a good way to validate/confirm symptoms that you, the patient, are having. For example, having pain in the body would show up as a choppy pulse, we can feel that you aren't sleeping well when your Heart position is weak. Feeling stressed and irritable? We can tell – your Liver pulse is very wiry 😉

During your session we may re-check your pulse as pulses have the ability to change with the insertion of acupuncture needles!

The pulse allows us to better understand what is happening inside the body and how we can help design the best acupuncture treatment to support your health! 🤍

15/09/2023

Moxibustion, commonly referred to as "Moxa," is a traditional therapeutic technique used in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It involves the burning of dried mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) near specific Acupuncture points to stimulate the body's energy flow. ✨

Moxa helps regulate the flow of Qi and blood, dispel cold, warm the body's Yang energy, and ultimately contribute to disease prevention and overall well-being.

Moxa is utilized to nourish, warm, and tonify the channels, making it a valuable tool for addressing various conditions.

Conditions Moxa is effective at treating include:
▫️Back Pain
▫️Arthritis
▫️Digestive Issues (Bloating and Gas)
▫️Menstrual Cramps
▫️Gout
▫️Turning a Breech Baby
▫️Raynaud Syndrome

The combination of Moxibustion's targeted stimulation and its capacity to promote blood circulation and provide soothing warmth makes it an integral component of Traditional Chinese Medicine's approach to wellness. 🤍

📸:

06/09/2023

Anxiety is a very prevalent health concern that is affecting more and more of the population today.

According to TCM principles, Anxiety can arise from disrupted Qi circulation, imbalances between Yin and Yang energies, and disharmonies in the internal organs. Through Acupuncture and herbs, we aim to address both the physical and emotional aspects of Anxiety. 🩵

Common manifestations of anxiety are ruminating thoughts, heart palpitations, chest tightness, and/or trouble taking a deep breath, insomnia, digestive upset, dream disturbed sleep, nervousness, spontaneous sweating. 🫁💤💦

Acupuncture offers a unique and effective method for alleviating Anxiety. By stimulating points along meridians, it helps to regulate neurotransmitters, hormones, and other physiological processes linked to stress and Anxiety. Moreover, Acupuncture encourages the release of endorphins and serotonin, which contribute to a sense of well-being and relaxation. 🧘‍♀️

Acupuncture treatments are tailored to each individual's health, addressing their unique combination of physical, emotional, and energetic factors. This personalized approach aims to reduce anxiety, calm the central nervous system, and take your body out of fight or flight mode.

Incorporating TCM principles into lifestyle choices would include acupuncture sessions, herbal formulas, breath work, qi gong, massage, practicing mindfulness, techniques for calming the vagus nerve. ✨

Active Balance

27/12/2023

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19/12/2023

06/11/2023

03/11/2023

24/10/2023

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13/10/2023

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25/09/2023

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