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It’s that time of year again…the weather is getting colder and people are beginning to trickle into the office with colds and ailments. As an acupuncturist, I have to say I rarely get sick. I have lots of tools and tricks in my bag to stay healthy during cold season, and I’m happy to share some of them with you!

You know how your mom always made you wear a scarf when you were a kid, telling you that you’d catch a cold if you didn’t? I used to think that she was just saying that, but as it turns out, there was something to it after all! In the world of Chinese medicine, there is an area at the back of the neck which can absorb wind and cold, allowing it to permeate into your system and creating an ideal situation to catch an actual cold. By keeping this area warm and covered, you are putting up a shield between yourself and this invading wind, increasing your chances of avoiding colds.

Since we acupuncturists view cold as an entity that can migrate into your system, adding warm foods into your diet can help to balance out that cold, keeping you healthy or speeding up your recovery once a cold has set in. Eating chicken soup to ward off illness isn’t just a fallacy; the temperature of the soup is helpful, but there are also lots of “warm” ingredients within the soup. Every food has an energetic quality, and warm spicy foods balance out excess cold in the system. Most good chicken soup has garlic, pepper and other spices that are considered “warm” in TCM.

Adding spicy foods into your diet when cold season hits is a way to protect yourself from succumbing to the sniffles. Whenever I begin to feel a cold coming on, I sautee slices of ginger with a little butter or oil, and add it to a tea made with lemon, honey, cinnamon, clove and a dash of cayenne. I let the ginger soften as I drink the tea, and then eat the ginger. This never fails to get me feeling healthy again, if I drink it before the cold settles into my system. It’s also delicious!

Staying warm and eating the right foods are two ways to stay healthy, and another is acupuncture. If you don’t have access to your acupuncturist, the next best thing is to utilize some acupressure points to crank up your immune system. If you slide your finger down the side of your thumb, you will hit a bone just below the wrist crease. Keep sliding down about an inch or so, and press hard while feeling for a tender spot. This is Lung 7, which is a powerful point to build up the energy of the lung, which boosts the immunity. Another great immunity point is Stomach 36. This point is located approximately four fingers down from the bottom of the knee cap, along the outer boundary of the shin bone. This point boosts the energy of the entire body, so massaging it will help to keep your “Wei Qi” up. This Wei Qi is your defensive energy, which creates a barrier between yourself and pathogens that cause harm. In Western terminology, it would be the equivalent of the immune system. Pressing on both of these points will allow you to tap into the positive effects of acupuncture, minus the needles.

Meridian Point For Winter: Stomach 36

Stomach 36 can easily be said to be the number one acupuncture point in the body. This point
is named Zu San Li in Chinese, which can be translated to mean leg three measure. This name describes its location below the knee on the outer side of the shin bone. Other alternative names for this influential point are Lower Sea of Qi, Ghost Evil and Lower Mound.

Although it is located on the leg, this point is the command point of the abdomen. Because of this function, Stomach 36 can be used for all digestive problems, including constipation, food stagnation, stomach pain, diarrhea, indigestion, vomiting, hiccups and gastroenteritis.

The spleen and stomach organs in Chinese medicine are the source of post-natal Qi, this Qi which is acquired after we are born. Because of this, Stomach 36 is a very tonifying and energy-building point. It can help with weakness and dizziness, as well as promoting longevity, especially when combined with moxibustion (the burning of the herb moxa on acupuncture points). Wei Qi is the defensive Qi in the body and can likened to the immune system and Stomach 36 can help build Wei Qi to defend against illness.

Locally, Stomach 36 can be used for edema and swelling in the leg, pain in the leg, atrophy
of the lower limbs, varicose veins and just promoting good circulation. Stomach 36 helps pass urinary and gall stones, promotes lactation, reduces hypertension and helps with difficult urination and incontinence.

The dawning of a new year is often accompanied by hopeful resolutions. Yet, as the weeks unfold, keeping these resolutions becomes a challenge for many. Forbes highlights that a mere 8% of individuals who set New Year’s resolutions actually achieve them. But, there’s a holistic remedy that could change these odds: Acupuncture.

A Companion for Weight Loss Goals

For numerous individuals, weight loss tops the New Year’s agenda. While diving into diets and gym routines with fervor is common, maintaining this momentum can wane by the end of January. Here’s where acupuncture plays a pivotal role:

• Curbing Cravings: One of the main hurdles to weight loss is the constant battle with cravings. Acupuncture can help manage these urges.
• Hormonal Balance: Hormonal imbalances often lead to unhealthy eating habits, such as indulging in sugary delights. Acupuncture can aid in restoring this balance, aligning your diet with your weight loss aspirations.
• A Steady Approach: Coupling regular acupuncture sessions with proper diet and exercise enhances the chance of gradual, healthy weight loss – the ideal way it should be.

Overcoming Workout Strains

Embarking on an intense gym routine, especially after a long break, can result in muscle strains and soreness. Instead of resorting to over-the-counter pain remedies, consider acupuncture – a tried and tested solution for pain and spasms. Why wait till you’ve tried everything else? Get to the root of the issue directly with acupuncture, and stay on track with your fitness goals.

De-stress with Acupuncture

The festive season, although joyful, can leave many feeling drained and stressed. Enter acupuncture, your solution to relaxation. With stress featuring prominently in many people’s resolution lists, acupuncture offers a dual benefit – alleviating stress and also potentially reducing blood pressure. Pairing acupuncture with practices like tai chi or qi gong can be transformative. You’ll not only experience decreased stress levels but might also witness weight loss, improved health, and increased stamina.

Ring in the New Year with Regular Acupuncture

As you set your intentions for the year ahead, incorporating regular acupuncture sessions might be the key to not just setting, but actually realizing your wellness goals.

Sidebar: Acupuncture Boosts for the New Year

Here are three acupuncture points that are particularly beneficial during the winter months, providing that much-needed Qi boost:

1. Urinary Bladder 23: Located bilaterally by the spine, this point addresses ailments like deafness, dizziness, knee pain, lower back pain, and urinary concerns.
2. Governing Vessel 14: Positioned below the seventh cervical vertebra, GV 14 fortifies the skin’s defense layers by enhancing blood and Qi circulation. It’s an ideal point for warding off colds, flu, and other seasonal ailments.
3. Stomach 36: This ‘longevity point’ in Traditional Chinese Medicine is found on the outer lower leg. It’s known to alleviate fatigue, dizziness, and knee pain.

As the new year unfolds, so does our zest to achieve the resolutions we set. Yet, transforming these aspirations into tangible results requires more than just wishful thinking. Equip yourself with these seven strategies, and make this year truly transformational.

1. Craft Realistic Goals
   Set goals that resonate with reality. Unattainable goals only culminate in stress, while realistic ones foster a sense of accomplishment. Root your resolutions in what’s feasible and rejoice in every achievement.



2. Evolve with Monthly Milestones
   Structure your resolutions by breaking them down. Starting with smaller goals and progressively raising the bar can build momentum and confidence. For instance, aim to shed 5 pounds in January, and then elevate that target in subsequent months.
3. Channel Your Focus
   While enthusiasm might drive you to list down myriad goals, it’s essential to pour your energy into one at a time. Achieve, celebrate, and then move onto the next. By staying laser-focused, you enhance the probability of success.
4. Harness Collective Strength
   You’re not on this journey alone. Surround yourself with a robust support system—be it friends, family, colleagues, or trainers. Their encouragement will amplify your drive and determination.
5. Champion Self-Belief
   Yes, challenges will arise. However, unwavering faith in your capabilities is crucial. Trust yourself, especially during tough times, and remember: you’ve got this!
6. Prioritize Your Resolutions
   Ensure your goals are always on top of your mind. By consistently reminding yourself of what you aim to achieve, you’re setting up a subconscious roadmap to success, even amidst the whirlwind of daily life.
7. Initiate Right Away
   The magic begins the moment you jot down your resolution. So, rather than postponing, start immediately. There’s power in commencing on Day 1, propelling you closer to your aspirations.

Integrate Acupuncture for Wholeness

While these strategies are your roadmap, consider acupuncture as the vehicle that harmonizes your body, mind, and spirit. With its integrated approach, acupuncture can be the catalyst, ensuring you’re balanced and primed to meet your resolutions. Ready to see how we can bolster your journey?

Contact us today and let’s co-create a harmonious path towards your goals.

Traditional Chinese Medicine views things differently than other medical systems. In TCM, there are guidelines that are considered very logical when it comes to the seasons. These guidelines lay out what foods and activities are best for each season of the year. Chinese medicine teaches us to live in harmony with the seasons. In TCM, there are actually five seasons – summer, late summer, fall, winter and spring. Every season has many associations which help guide people to create a more balanced life. When TCM was being developed, people lived in harmony with nature and they lived healthy, balanced lives. In modern society, we have gotten away from our connection with nature and we have many more distractions that have ultimately led us to become unbalanced and unhealthy.

Winter represents the most yin aspect of Chinese medicine. The properties associated with yin include darkness, cold, slow movement and inward energy. Winter is associated with the kidneys in TCM. The kidneys hold the body’s fundamental energy or Qi. By balancing ourselves with the corresponding seasons, we can prevent disease and stay healthy. So for the season of winter, we should take note of what happens in nature and do the same. To keep the kidneys strong, we must rest. This is why many animals hibernate during the winter. It is also a time to reflect inward and perform activities such as meditation, tai chi and qigong. These are the kinds of practices that help us connect with our inner selves and also support kidney energy.

When it comes to foods most beneficial for the body during the winter months, there are many to choose from. These should also be ones that naturally grow during this season. Items such as squash, potatoes, pumpkin, sweet potato, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, beets, greens, carrots, mushrooms, apples, pears and cabbage. During the winter months, cold foods like salads and raw foods should be avoided as they will deplete the immune system. Instead, our bodies need warming foods like soups made with hearty vegetables. Bone broth is also very beneficial and becoming more mainstream. There are also foods that specifically target and nourish the kidneys. These include kidney beans, beef, goose, duck, black beans, lamb, chicken, dark leafy greens, garlic, ginger, walnuts, watercress and turnips. Sea salt is also helpful. Salty is the taste associated with the kidneys. But as with anything, moderation is key. Too much salt can actually tax the heart, which then causes the kidneys to work overtime.

You should cook for longer periods of time and on low heat with less water, so things like stews are perfect for this time of year. The longer cooking times will infuse the foods with more heat, which will help keep the body warm. It is recommended to bake, roast, stew and slow cook foods in the winter. Hearty soups, roasted nuts and whole grains should be consumed when possible because they offer nourishment that feeds the body as well as the kidneys specifically.

By taking cues from nature and ancient healing practices, better balance can be achieved and health can be maintained. Those that went before us may not have known everything, but they did know how to survive or we would not be here today. Trusting the teachings of our ancestors will allow us to continue to survive also.

Kidney 3 – Point of the Month

Kidney 3, also known as the Great Valley is a superstar acupoint for many reasons. Located on the inside of the ankle, in the depression between the medial malleolus and the tendo calcaneus, this point is aptly named because it is located in the valley between the achilles tendon and the malleolus. The tibial artery can even be considered a “stream” running through the valley.

Kidneys would include the kidney-urinary system, as well as the endocrine system. The kidneys would also be where you would find the adrenals. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidneys are also the storehouses of our Qi and have a direct relationship to reproduction and aging.

Locally this point can be used for heel and ankle pain, including plantar fasciitis. For reproduction, the kidneys are essential for sperm and egg health and Kidney 3 can help with impotence as well as irregular menstruation and endometriosis. For urinary health it can treat nighttime urination issues, as well as incontinence, chronic cystitis, frequent urination and even dry stools!

The kidney is related to the lungs and Kidney 3 can work for certain types of asthma, especially when there are issues taking deep breaths. It can help alleviate coughing as well as reduce wheezing. The kidney meridian has an internal branch that goes to the throat and Kidney 3 can be indicated for sore throats, dry mouth, throat, cough and laryngitis.

On a more emotional and spiritual level, Kidney 3 can help when there is an imbalance between the kidney and heart in cases of anxiety, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep and forgetfulness. For imbalances with the liver and kidney yin, this point can help with irritability. For people who need to be grounded, Kidney 3 can be combined with Stomach 36 for a very calming effect.