- Professional Acupuncture & Physical Therapy1118 East Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802(218) 724-3400 
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture Points Parents Can Use to Help Kids
Here are some acupressure points that can be used at home to help your kids with all kinds of problems.
Large Intestine 4 (LI 4) Found along the large intestine energetic pathway, located between the webbing of the index finger and the thumb, on the mound of flesh created when the two fingers are held together. This point improves intestinal function and helps relieve constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Stomach 25 (ST 25) Located two thumb-breadths away from the belly button on both the left and right sides. Stomach 25 is very useful for relieving diarrhea, constipation and other digestive/abdominal issues. This is another great pressure point to help your kids deal with that upset stomach.
Stomach 36 (ST36) Located on the lateral side of the lower leg, about four finger-breadths from the lower border of the patella or kneecap. This point is considered an overall energy and immune-boosting point. It can help with digestive issues, such as diarrhea, which are sometimes associated with a cold or flu.
Yin Tang Located directly between the inner ends of the eyebrows. This point is wonderful for relieving sinus pressure, curing watery eyes and decreasing stress, which may allow for better sleep. Many acupuncturists use the point in all their patients because of its calming effect. So if you have a little one that can’t sleep, massaging this point can be very helpful.
Du 20 (D20) Located on the top of the head, midway between the apexes of your ears. This point is known as governing vessel 20 (GV 20). It is one of the most powerful points in the acupuncturists’ arsenal. It raises emotional energy, which in turn can help alleviate depression. Applying pressure or lightly tapping this point is a great way to counter depression on your own and it can be done pretty much anywhere. Depression is becoming more prevalent with children because of the lack of personal interaction and bullying.
Parents can massage these points or apply light pressure and help their kids in so many ways. Give these points a try the next time your kids are experiencing illness or emotional issues. Not only is it a great way to help them heal, but it also increases bonding with your kids, which is something every child needs.
Traditional Chinese Medicine – MENOPAUSE: The Second Spring
In horticulture, “second spring” is a term used for that time in early autumn, after the hot and dry end of summer, when a little moisture returns, temps cool and there is a second blooming. Autumn is harvest time, but it’s also a time to rework the garden beds for some fall crops, a second helping at nature’s table.
In a woman’s life, if spring represents our birth and early years, summer our fertile years, then autumn is a transitional time of pre-menopause/menopause, while winter is the winding down years and death. Menopause as the autumn, and therefore ‘second spring’ of our lives comes in our developmental life cycles around the ages of 49-55. This is based on the Chinese medical understanding of women’s development unfolding in 7 year cycles (vs. men’s 8 year cycles). This transitional time leading to menopause ususally begins around the 7th of these 7-yr cycles, but can come earlier or later.
In TCM, Autumn is a time of letting go, the leaves fall and nature reorganizes it’s energetic investments. In a woman’s body during this autumnal life change, there are energy shifts from the reproductive organs, where the body had for many years focused on fertility functions, to the heart where the ‘shen’ or conscious spirit resides.
“Women’s heavenly dew wanes, qi that dwelt in the baby’s palace, moves up to the heart, and her wisdom is deepened.”- Nei Jing (2600 BC)
It is thought that your emotional center (the heart) gets its qi back and a woman’s personal and spiritual life can take center stage. This creates fertile ground for the ‘second spring’ of personal insights and new ideas. The fruit of life’s experience is ripe enough to enjoy as the earned wisdom and understanding that comes with age.
And while aging is feared, even at times demonized, in modern western cultures, it is understood as a natural life process and an accomplishment worthy of respect in most asian cultures. The elderly are revered for their knowledge and maturity. This difference in perception deeply affects the experience of menopausal women. The negative stigma placed on aging in the U.S., especially for women, creates an extra mental and emotional burden.
Many women, especially in Asian cultures, do not experience the symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, mood swings and fatigue. Some women even experience more energy at menopause. This is because menopause is actually a homeostatic mechanism that slows down the aging process in women. It is designed to conserve energy and blood, as the body can stop expending it on the menstrual cycle and reproduction. It is in this sense that we can think of it as a healthy transition, one just in time to slow down, then stop our reproductive function to conserve our essence and energy to allow us to get the most out of the final season of our lives.
So, why do some women suffer through while others welcome this transition? It’s a matter of balance, as always, in Chinese Medicine. There needs to be an adjustment period where the body can re-stabilize while certain energetic (and hormonal) changes occur. Some people are more flexible and better equipped to handle the fluctuations. They can therefore easily re-center their own yin-yang balance in the body. Many factors affect this ability such as constitution (genetics), lifestyle, diet, environmental exposures, and even cultural influences. Acupuncture and herbs can greatly assist this process too, as they can help to guide the body’s energy back into a state of balance.
It is time to reframe our understanding of menopause as a time to celebrate the gifts that come with the closure of women’s reproductive years. Women can honor this time with rest, reflection, and a re-assessment of direction, relationships, career etc. and be rewarded with a second spring, a time of renewed energy and purpose.
Regular acupuncture can help with all kinds of life transitions, including menopause, and help you cash in on the benefits of those important shifts! Get in ASAP to set up an appropriate treatment plan. We are conveniently located in Downtown Duluth.
Men, and their issues!
Some men might not consider acupuncture as a first resort when wanting a health reset, but acupuncture can be a great way to deal with some of the issues that come with getting older. There are certainly more than five, but here are the top five ways acupuncture can improve men’s health.
Here are 5 of the most prominent issues that men face today.
- Knee and/or lower back pain
- Baldness
- Depression, anxiety, confidence issues
- Prostatitis
- Impotence
- Low libido
- Premature ejaculation
- Infertility
Most issues pertaining particularly to men are related to the Kidneys, and the balance of Yin and Yang within the body. When the Kidney energy becomes weak they cannot support the whole body optimally. When one organ goes out of balance others follow like a domino effect. Yin and/or Yang can become deficient through poor lifestyle choices over a prolonged period of time, and through the ageing process. This is all treatable through acupuncture and the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Other patterns afflicting men are blood stagnation and the accumulation of phlegm. Accumulation of phlegm can often come first through suppression of emotion, poor diet and possible drug use over prolonged periods. Phlegm accumulation leading to blockages in the qi flow throughout the system which can lead to Yin and Yang deficiencies and as one advances in age blood stagnation increases.
Mental health is an imperative priority for men, not to be overlooked. As the suppression of psycho-emotional suffering is often at the root of many men’s physical issues. Acupuncturists make listening in the treatment room a main component of the treatment session. Simply being listened to, deeply, on a regular basis is extremely healing in itself. Patients can feel confident that what is shared in the treatment room is confidential.
Knee and/or Lower Back pain:
There have been more studies done on acupuncture for knee and back pain than any other condition. It is what acupuncture is most commonly known for. The beauty of receiving acupuncture from a degree-level trained Chinese Medicine practitioner is that we treat you based on your individual constitution, not just a formula of points like they do in the double blind studies. Treatment focuses on balancing the Kidneys, increasing qi and nourishing your individual constitution.
Baldness:
Baldness can creep in as the energy of the Kidneys declines with age. It can also be contributed to by lack of adequate blood supply to the scalp and hair follicles. Plum blossom needling is an excellent way of stimulating the blood flow to the scalp and re invigorating the hair follicles. This form of treatment may also be more desirable than drugs as this treatment directs the blood flow to one specific area, whereas the side effect of drugs can be additional hair growth in unwanted areas.
Depression, Anxiety and Confidence issues:
The society we were brought up into and conditioned by hasn’t favoured men authentically expressing emotions throughout history. This has led to an epidemic of men’s mental health concerns which are coming to light more and more in the current time. TCM is ancient in its wisdom and has always had the balance of Yin and Yang – feminine and masuline energies – at its core. There is nothing personal about masculine and feminine energies, they are simply manifestations of the one true life-force. Men are predominantly Yang but this does not mean they should not have any Yin, and vice versa. Acupuncture treatment can harmonize these energies internally – nothing to do with becoming more ‘feminine’
Impotence, Low libido, Premature ejaculation, Infertility:
Kidney deficiency is the main cause of all of these symptoms, so acupuncture, herbs and rest – yin time – are the best medicine.
Acupuncture For Menopause
Are you a woman starting menopause?
Are you symptoms getting worse and worse?
There is a natural alternative to prescription drugs and hormones: Acupuncture is a proven natural solution!
It reliefs the symptoms of menopause and it will make you feel better overall.
The facts are:
- Acupuncture is a safe, non-invasive, and holistic treatment for menopause that has been used for thousands of years.
- It helps to balance hormones, reduce hot flashes and ease night sweats.
- Acupuncture can also boost energy and mood, improve sleep, and reduce stress levels.
- It can help with other menopause related issues such as headaches, digestive issues and joint pain.
- Acupuncture is a great way to take control of your health and well-being during this transition.
- The World Health Organization recognizes the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating menopause symptoms.
Don’t suffer through menopause alone! Call Heidi at (218) 724-3400 today to get relief.
Down to the Bone with TCM
This October, when you see a skeleton hanging in a doorway or window to celebrate Halloween, take a moment to appreciate your own osseous framework at the very core of your body’s structure. That appreciation would be right on time as October 20th is the calendar day that marks an annual campaign to raise awareness and resources about Osteoporosis and promote better bone health. Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease that affects over 200 million people in the world and over 30% of all menopausal women. It is defined as the reduction in strength and density of the bones leading to increased risk of breaks and fractures. As there is no cure, the focus is on prevention.
From a Chinese Medicine perspective, skeletal growth, development and repair is the domain of the kidneys. Bone loss related to aging is a result of the decline of kidney essence (or jing) over time. Prevention of bone weakness and degeneration is all about the preservation of our kidney jing which is in limited supply as we can not replenish it through our lifetime. What we get when we’re born is what we got. Through lifestyle, diet and herbs we can help to conserve our supply thereby slowing decline. While we can not directly augment the kidney essence we can tonify our kidney qi which will assist in bone repair. Maintaining proper blood flow is also essential to removing stasis that may block the production of new bone.
There are many things we can do to preserve our kidney essence, and supplement our qi while supporting proper blood flow.
*DIET: Foods that are considered kidney-nourishing in Chinese Medicine include sweet potatoes, walnuts, black beans, fish, seaweed, and bone broth. Bone broth is especially important as it is rich in minerals that help build and strengthen bones. Keep your blood nourished and moving with dark leafy greens, organically sourced meats, and stimulating flavor-boosters like onions, garlic, basil, cayenne and turmeric.
*HERBS: Some Chinese herbs that are important in maintaining kidney qi and essence are Shan Zhu Yu, (jujube), Wu Wei Zi, (five flavor fruit) and Gou qi zi, (the good’ol Goji berry!) Goji berries can be safely munched on as a kidney supporting snack as well as added to various dishes. Another herb that has gotten some attention recently as a treatment for osteoperosis is a blood mover called Dan Shen (red sage). Research has shown its value in preventing bone loss without major side effects. (*As with all herbal medicine, it is vital to seek guidance from a qualified herbalist before beginning any herbal protocols.)
*LIFESTYLE: One of the most important ways to preserve your essence is through adequate rest. The worst thing we can do is burn the candle at both ends, especially when you consider the candle to be a perfect metaphor for our Kidney jing. Life is exciting but maintain balance for the long haul. Exercise can be a healthy counterpart to appropriate rest. Weight-bearing exercise is touted as one of the best osteoporosis prevention methods but there are also qi gong exercises (such as ‘Knocking on the Doors of Life’) that bring circulation to the kidneys with very gentle movements that are safe and easy for all ages. Water is the element of the kidneys, and staying hydrated is essential to kidney function, supporting not just our bones but overall health. And let’s not forget acupuncture, the powerful and time-tested method for boosting qi, and making sure it is flowing through every cell of our amazing bodies.
An ounce of osteoporosis prevention is worth a ton of cure so get down to the bone with some acupuncture for kidney tonification, blood flow and bone building! Schedule your skeleton-supporting session with Heidi at (218) 724-3400 today!