Hello Everyone -
first off, my apologies for such a delay in writing my next Blog entry. As some of you know, when I'm not at my office, I work at Pacific College teaching and supervising students in our clinics. We recently had midterms, accreditation surveys and other "fun" projects to work on, which took time away from blogging. But now I'm back!! ;-)
The time away, and recent U.S. and world events, certainly gave me many ideas upon which to write. I had hoped to write a single entry on "how to take care of yourself in troubled times." But I realized that could be a tome of information - and would take quite a while to write. So, I've decided to still write on this topic, but break it down into several entries over the weeks ahead. More like a "thought for the day" instead of a "10+ ways to deal with your stress."
The first thing that I want to ponder is the idea of Control. Right now it may feel like so many aspects of our lives are out of control: the housing market, job security, the stock market, the economy, etc. And that feeling of being out of control is, needless to say, stressful! ....One way to begin to reduce some of that stress is to examine which things in our lives are within our control, and which things are not. For example, the fate of huge financial companies like AIG.... not in our control. Our health, whether or not we exercised today, what kinds of foods we ate, the people we spent time with, etc - in our control. And amazingly enough, when we take care of those more simple things over which we have control: exercise, diet, time spent with people we care about; the stress levels often decrease and the things that loomed so large, and not in our control, can often look smaller or at least less intimidating.
A counselor I once knew shared with me a list called the "Five Guarantees." It is a simple little tool and one that I have kept posted within view, wherever I've lived, since about 1988. The paper upon which these Guarantees are listed has browned with age, the edges tattered and brittle from years of being taped on doors, desks, walls, and then moved only to be taped up again in new locations; but the message is still invaluable and worth sharing.
Five Guarantees
1. You cannot control what other people choose to think.
2. You cannot control what other people choose to feel.
3. You cannot control what other people choose to do.
4. If you attempt to do any of the first three, or any combination of the first three, you will feel inadequate, frustrated, angry, and depressed.
5. What you DO have control over is:
a. what you think
b. what you feel
c. what you do
d. how you choose to respond to what others directly express and do.
May your week ahead be a peaceful, joyful and prosperous one. And may these Guarantees help lighten your load and lift your spirit.
Peace,
Pat
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Acupuncture and Breast Cancer
Good Morning and Happy Autumn!
I wanted to share with you a blog entry from The New York Times "Well Blog." This blog discusses the uses of acupuncture to treat side effects from breast cancer therapies. Acupuncture can be very helpful in minimizing/eliminating symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, hot flashes, as well as boosting the immune system.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/22/acupuncture-offers-relief-for-breast-cancer-patients/
Don't forget to do your monthly self-exams and schedule your mammograms!
In health,
Pat
I wanted to share with you a blog entry from The New York Times "Well Blog." This blog discusses the uses of acupuncture to treat side effects from breast cancer therapies. Acupuncture can be very helpful in minimizing/eliminating symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, hot flashes, as well as boosting the immune system.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/22/acupuncture-offers-relief-for-breast-cancer-patients/
Don't forget to do your monthly self-exams and schedule your mammograms!
In health,
Pat
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Ideas to Ponder
After last week's blog entry about Dr. Dyer and the Tao Te Ching, I thought it would be interesting to share some excerpts from this fascinating and insightful book. Just a little background to get you started: "the way" means the Tao and each entry in the Tao Te Ching is numbered, rather than titled. It is difficult to explain Lao Tzu's work and Taoism without losing it's intent; so rather than explaining them and analyzing them any further at this time, I'm just going to let you read them. Ponder the words and see what comes up for you. And if it is "the way" to discuss them further later, then it will be....
I
The way that can be spoken of is not the constant way;
The name that can be named is not the constant name.
The nameless was the beginning of heaven and earth;
The named was the mother of the myriad creatures.
Hence always rid yourself of desires in order to observe
its secrets;
But always allow yourself to have desires in order to
observe its manifestations.
These two are the same but diverge in name as they
issue forth.
Being the same they are called mysteries,
mystery upon mystery -
The gateway to the manifold secrets.
XXXIII
He who knows others is clever;
He who knows himself has discernment;
He who overcomes others has force;
He who overcomes himself is strong;
He who knows contentment is rich;
He who perseveres is a man of purpose;
He who does not lose his station will endure;
He who lives out his days has had a long life.
Reference: Lau, D.C, ed. (1963). Lao Tzu - Tao Te Ching; Penguin Classics. Penguin Books, Ltd.: Middlesex, England.
Have a wonderful and healthy week ahead.
Pat
I
The way that can be spoken of is not the constant way;
The name that can be named is not the constant name.
The nameless was the beginning of heaven and earth;
The named was the mother of the myriad creatures.
Hence always rid yourself of desires in order to observe
its secrets;
But always allow yourself to have desires in order to
observe its manifestations.
These two are the same but diverge in name as they
issue forth.
Being the same they are called mysteries,
mystery upon mystery -
The gateway to the manifold secrets.
XXXIII
He who knows others is clever;
He who knows himself has discernment;
He who overcomes others has force;
He who overcomes himself is strong;
He who knows contentment is rich;
He who perseveres is a man of purpose;
He who does not lose his station will endure;
He who lives out his days has had a long life.
Reference: Lau, D.C, ed. (1963). Lao Tzu - Tao Te Ching; Penguin Classics. Penguin Books, Ltd.: Middlesex, England.
Have a wonderful and healthy week ahead.
Pat
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Television Recommendation
While taking a break this afternoon and flipping TV channels, I came across a program that I want to recommend: "Dr. Wayne Dyer: Change your thoughts, change your life." It is currently being shown on our local KPBS channel as part of their fundraising drive. In this program Dr. Dyer talks about the Chinese Taoist classic, the Tao Te Ching, and how it's philosophies can be applied to everyday life. It is an excellent program and one that I encourage you to check out. It is being shown today (Sunday 9/7) until 2:30 pm and then replayed tonight at 12am. ...Hopefully, it is a program that they will show many more times during their fundraising, or future fundraising events.
The Tao Te Ching was written by Lao Tzu and is considered the principal work of Taoist philosophy. It's hard to describe Taoism in "20 words or less" but one of the key ideas is the practice of The Way, or non-action. Non-action doesn't mean "inaction": it means acknowledging that everything has a energy, a path, a way that it is supposed to work out and to allow things to follow their "way" and not meddle with them. (This is a gross over-simplification of the philosophy!) Another over-simplified way of stating this would be: going with the flow. ...For further philosophical discussions on the Tao, ask me at the office. ;-)
But back to my original intent: if you can, check out this program. If you're not in the San Diego area, check with your local PBS stations - see if they are going to be showing it soon. And if you can't catch the show, then take a look at Dr. Dyer's book on which the show is based: "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life: living the wisdom of the Tao."
Peace,
Pat
The Tao Te Ching was written by Lao Tzu and is considered the principal work of Taoist philosophy. It's hard to describe Taoism in "20 words or less" but one of the key ideas is the practice of The Way, or non-action. Non-action doesn't mean "inaction": it means acknowledging that everything has a energy, a path, a way that it is supposed to work out and to allow things to follow their "way" and not meddle with them. (This is a gross over-simplification of the philosophy!) Another over-simplified way of stating this would be: going with the flow. ...For further philosophical discussions on the Tao, ask me at the office. ;-)
But back to my original intent: if you can, check out this program. If you're not in the San Diego area, check with your local PBS stations - see if they are going to be showing it soon. And if you can't catch the show, then take a look at Dr. Dyer's book on which the show is based: "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life: living the wisdom of the Tao."
Peace,
Pat
The Healing is Mutual
Many times I have been asked by patients, "Don't you ever get tired of listening to us talk or complain?" To which I always answer, "No! Definitely not." First off, from that talking or "complaining" often comes diagnostic clues which I can use to better treat my patients: clues in the tone of voice, the topics people bring up, what they chose to share during a treatment and what they don't. These things can provide valuable information on the nature of patients' conditions; how they are coping, or not coping, with their illnesses or injuries; and to their overall constitutions. Secondly, it is sometimes through a patient's words that I receive inspiration and healing. While the primary focus of a treatment is on my patient's well-being, sometimes my patients present healing gifts to me - it is at moments like these that the healing is mutual.
Sometimes these gifts are simple and lighthearted. They may be recommendations for movies or restaurants. They may be ideas about places to see and great vacation getaways. Sometimes it's a very funny joke that keeps me giggling and smiling to myself the rest of the day. (Remember, one of the things I love most is the sound of laughter in the office.) Sometimes it's even a suggestion for a blog entry that results in a flurry of ideas for me to jot down and save for later.
Other times these gifts are instructional and educational. It could be an older patient sharing with me wisdom and insights on historical events. How did he/she survive challenges like war, economic depressions, political upheavals - with those insights containing advice on how we can get through our current political and economic challenges. Or it could just be sharing knowledge on day to day interests: computers, cooking, DIY house projects, etc.
But sometimes the gifts are much more profound. I learn so much from my patients about health, living, and healing. We all have days when the world looms large and intimidating, or when we wonder if our goals will comes to fruition, or when we just need an "atta boy" to encourage us to keep going. I'm no exception. ...Sometimes it is in the course of giving someone else a treatment that I receive a gift of encouragement, hope, and inspiration. It's always spontaneous and usually quite unexpected, albeit always very welcomed.
From my patients I have seen, and continue to see, patience and "staying tough" in the face of adversity; whether it be searching for a new job, raising children as a single parent, or addressing challenges in a marriage. I regularly see patients facing their illnesses and injuries with determination: seeking out additional modalities to help them heal, and not resigning themselves to "well that's just the way it is"; or choosing new health patterns (eg. yoga, dietary changes, counseling) that boost their energy and change their lives. And on occasion I have watched patients face life-threatening and terminal illnesses. I have had the honor to spend time with these individuals as they face the greatest battles of their lives with courage and dignity - celebrating what they can still do instead of mourning the things they have lost. I have learned that diagnosis and prognosis is no match for the will of the human spirit.
So, yes, I do know that my needles and knowledge do a lot of good for my patients and for their lives. And I am very grateful to be able to be of service and to help people on their healing journeys - it's one of the things I love about my work. ....But I also wanted to share that healing can go two-ways and that there are many times when the healing my patients give me is just as profound and appreciated.
In gratitude,
Pat
Sometimes these gifts are simple and lighthearted. They may be recommendations for movies or restaurants. They may be ideas about places to see and great vacation getaways. Sometimes it's a very funny joke that keeps me giggling and smiling to myself the rest of the day. (Remember, one of the things I love most is the sound of laughter in the office.) Sometimes it's even a suggestion for a blog entry that results in a flurry of ideas for me to jot down and save for later.
Other times these gifts are instructional and educational. It could be an older patient sharing with me wisdom and insights on historical events. How did he/she survive challenges like war, economic depressions, political upheavals - with those insights containing advice on how we can get through our current political and economic challenges. Or it could just be sharing knowledge on day to day interests: computers, cooking, DIY house projects, etc.
But sometimes the gifts are much more profound. I learn so much from my patients about health, living, and healing. We all have days when the world looms large and intimidating, or when we wonder if our goals will comes to fruition, or when we just need an "atta boy" to encourage us to keep going. I'm no exception. ...Sometimes it is in the course of giving someone else a treatment that I receive a gift of encouragement, hope, and inspiration. It's always spontaneous and usually quite unexpected, albeit always very welcomed.
From my patients I have seen, and continue to see, patience and "staying tough" in the face of adversity; whether it be searching for a new job, raising children as a single parent, or addressing challenges in a marriage. I regularly see patients facing their illnesses and injuries with determination: seeking out additional modalities to help them heal, and not resigning themselves to "well that's just the way it is"; or choosing new health patterns (eg. yoga, dietary changes, counseling) that boost their energy and change their lives. And on occasion I have watched patients face life-threatening and terminal illnesses. I have had the honor to spend time with these individuals as they face the greatest battles of their lives with courage and dignity - celebrating what they can still do instead of mourning the things they have lost. I have learned that diagnosis and prognosis is no match for the will of the human spirit.
So, yes, I do know that my needles and knowledge do a lot of good for my patients and for their lives. And I am very grateful to be able to be of service and to help people on their healing journeys - it's one of the things I love about my work. ....But I also wanted to share that healing can go two-ways and that there are many times when the healing my patients give me is just as profound and appreciated.
In gratitude,
Pat
Monday, September 1, 2008
Strengthening Your Immune System
Well, September is here, the Autumnal Equinox not far behind, and with them come the change of seasons and the start of the "cold and flu" season. This month is an excellent time to begin strengthening your immune system so that when the colds and flus do arrive, you have a better chance of fending them off. In this article I will discuss some very simple ways that you can to start building up your immune system.
Protect your neck - In Chinese medicine we call conditions like colds and flus exterior attacks meaning that a pathogen from outside your body has somehow penetrated it and is now waging a battle with your protective Qi/Energy. These pathogens can enter the body via exposure to wind, cold, heat (and sometimes dampness, but that's for a different article); but they can only enter the body if your protective Qi is insufficient. ...Another way to explain this... imagine someone trying to enter your house: if your doors are locked and the windows are closed, it's very difficult to get in; but if your windows are open (maybe the screens are missing) and your front door is wide open, then it's very easy to get inside. Some parts of the body are more sensitive and vulnerable to exposure: specifically the back of the neck and shoulders. Many of the points located in these areas are translated as "wind points" because of the sensitivity they have to wind, cold and heat. So, that said, in Chinese medicine we believe that protecting the neck and shoulder from drafts, winds, and the elements is very important for preventing exterior attacks - especially in the late Summer and Fall when we are experiencing the change of seasons. This includes air conditioning drafts, ceiling fans, and cold night air. Wearing a scarf, light jacket, sleeping with the covers over your neck and shoulders are all ways to protect those wind points on your neck and shoulders. ...Turns out your mother was right: "wear a scarf"!
Get Plenty of Sleep - Our bodies heal and rejuvenate themselves when they sleep. So making sure you get plenty of restful sleep is very important in maintaining a healthy immune system. Ideally, we get adequate, restful sleep at night, but if this isn't always the case for you - consider maybe a short afternoon nap. It is believed that even a 20 minute "power nap" can help re-energize the body and strengthen our immunity.
Eat Well/Good Food Choices - Remember, we get much of our energy/Qi from the food we eat. The more natural and fresh our food is, the more Qi it contains. Try this simple experiment: go to a Farmers' Market and check out the organic produce. Smell the fruits and vegetables, feel them, look at their beautiful colors - can you feel the energy in them, the vibrancy, the life? Now go to your local grocery store and pick up a frozen dinner or a package of potato chips - feel anything? Probably not much, huh? So, the fresher the foods you eat, the more Qi you are giving your body to work with.
Get Regular Exercise - Moving about and getting regular exercise is another way to build up your Qi/Energy. Whether it is a morning walk around your neighborhood or a trip to the gym, moving will help build up your immune system! Some types of exercise are particularly good at building up energy: Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Yoga are all excellent ways to increase your Qi.
Have a Positive Attitude - feelings of Gratitude and Forgiveness are being shown more and more to have a profound affect on our health and our immune systems. When we are feeling grateful we tend to have a more positive outlook, feel better about ourselves, have more energy, and may experience less depression and negative thoughts. If you don't already do so, I recommend keeping a daily "Gratitude Journal." ...I have kept a Gratitude Journal for many years: every night before I go to bed, I write down 5 things for which I am grateful for that day. It is an opportunity to reflect upon each day's events, give thanks for the many blessings I have received, and to let go of any negativity or frustrations I might have experienced that day.
Take Your Vitamins and Supplements - If you don't already take vitamins, I recommend taking a good multivitamin each day. Our bodies are exposed to so many stressors and pollutants these days, it is important to make sure we supplement our food with a good vitamin. If you tend to catch colds easily, there are also some excellent Chinese herbs that can help build up the immune system. One commonly used formula is called Yu Ping Feng San, or Jade Windscreen. This formula contains three herbs which work together to build up the Protective Qi, expel External Pathogens, and strengthen the body overall. Ideally, this formula is started 3 months before the start of cold and flu season to allow the body time to build up its immune system.
So, these are some general "helpful hints" for staying healthier in the months to ahead. If you have additional questions about herbal formulas, or anything else, please feel free to email me. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be VERY helpful in strengthening the immune system, relieving cold and flu symptoms (should you happen to catch a "bug"), and treating conditions like coughs, sinus congestion, asthma, and bronchitis.
May this Autumn be a season of excellent health for you and yours.
In health,
Pat
Protect your neck - In Chinese medicine we call conditions like colds and flus exterior attacks meaning that a pathogen from outside your body has somehow penetrated it and is now waging a battle with your protective Qi/Energy. These pathogens can enter the body via exposure to wind, cold, heat (and sometimes dampness, but that's for a different article); but they can only enter the body if your protective Qi is insufficient. ...Another way to explain this... imagine someone trying to enter your house: if your doors are locked and the windows are closed, it's very difficult to get in; but if your windows are open (maybe the screens are missing) and your front door is wide open, then it's very easy to get inside. Some parts of the body are more sensitive and vulnerable to exposure: specifically the back of the neck and shoulders. Many of the points located in these areas are translated as "wind points" because of the sensitivity they have to wind, cold and heat. So, that said, in Chinese medicine we believe that protecting the neck and shoulder from drafts, winds, and the elements is very important for preventing exterior attacks - especially in the late Summer and Fall when we are experiencing the change of seasons. This includes air conditioning drafts, ceiling fans, and cold night air. Wearing a scarf, light jacket, sleeping with the covers over your neck and shoulders are all ways to protect those wind points on your neck and shoulders. ...Turns out your mother was right: "wear a scarf"!
Get Plenty of Sleep - Our bodies heal and rejuvenate themselves when they sleep. So making sure you get plenty of restful sleep is very important in maintaining a healthy immune system. Ideally, we get adequate, restful sleep at night, but if this isn't always the case for you - consider maybe a short afternoon nap. It is believed that even a 20 minute "power nap" can help re-energize the body and strengthen our immunity.
Eat Well/Good Food Choices - Remember, we get much of our energy/Qi from the food we eat. The more natural and fresh our food is, the more Qi it contains. Try this simple experiment: go to a Farmers' Market and check out the organic produce. Smell the fruits and vegetables, feel them, look at their beautiful colors - can you feel the energy in them, the vibrancy, the life? Now go to your local grocery store and pick up a frozen dinner or a package of potato chips - feel anything? Probably not much, huh? So, the fresher the foods you eat, the more Qi you are giving your body to work with.
Get Regular Exercise - Moving about and getting regular exercise is another way to build up your Qi/Energy. Whether it is a morning walk around your neighborhood or a trip to the gym, moving will help build up your immune system! Some types of exercise are particularly good at building up energy: Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Yoga are all excellent ways to increase your Qi.
Have a Positive Attitude - feelings of Gratitude and Forgiveness are being shown more and more to have a profound affect on our health and our immune systems. When we are feeling grateful we tend to have a more positive outlook, feel better about ourselves, have more energy, and may experience less depression and negative thoughts. If you don't already do so, I recommend keeping a daily "Gratitude Journal." ...I have kept a Gratitude Journal for many years: every night before I go to bed, I write down 5 things for which I am grateful for that day. It is an opportunity to reflect upon each day's events, give thanks for the many blessings I have received, and to let go of any negativity or frustrations I might have experienced that day.
Take Your Vitamins and Supplements - If you don't already take vitamins, I recommend taking a good multivitamin each day. Our bodies are exposed to so many stressors and pollutants these days, it is important to make sure we supplement our food with a good vitamin. If you tend to catch colds easily, there are also some excellent Chinese herbs that can help build up the immune system. One commonly used formula is called Yu Ping Feng San, or Jade Windscreen. This formula contains three herbs which work together to build up the Protective Qi, expel External Pathogens, and strengthen the body overall. Ideally, this formula is started 3 months before the start of cold and flu season to allow the body time to build up its immune system.
So, these are some general "helpful hints" for staying healthier in the months to ahead. If you have additional questions about herbal formulas, or anything else, please feel free to email me. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be VERY helpful in strengthening the immune system, relieving cold and flu symptoms (should you happen to catch a "bug"), and treating conditions like coughs, sinus congestion, asthma, and bronchitis.
May this Autumn be a season of excellent health for you and yours.
In health,
Pat
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Celebrations
One of my teachers once said in a lecture , "The richest meal eaten with close family and friends has more Qi in it and is better for you, than the healthiest meal eaten alone."
This concept always stuck with me as a reminder to enjoy Life, enjoy the company of our loved ones, and sometimes not worry so much about "being good." Food, of course, has Qi/Energy - which gives us our nourishment; and the more fresh, less processed our food is, the more Qi we derive from it. But we also get nourishment from our environment and from the people around us. As we embark on the Labor Day weekend, I think it is important to remember that how and where we eat is just as important as what we eat.
If you're not so sure about what I'm saying try this little experiment..... Picture in your mind a time when you went out to dinner with your best friends, or had a party with family, and you had wine, cheeses, rich meats, or sinful desserts. There was laughter and jokes, people telling stories, and you're having a wonderful, relaxed time. Maybe some of the food choices weren't "perfect" that evening, but how did you feel? Did you feel energized, relaxed, uplifted? ...Now picture eating the purest, healthiest meal you could possibly prepare, but this time you are all alone. How do you feel? All the nutrition is there, all the best ingredients are there, but something is missing.....
Now this isn't to say that eating alone can't be enjoyable (it certainly can be), or that when eating at parties you can't make healthy food choices (of course you can!). ....What I'm getting at, is that sometimes we need to be kind to ourselves and let ourselves come out to play. This weekend maybe you're going to a beach party, or a BBQ at a friend's house, or going out of town and staying at a nice hotel. Rather than spending the whole time counting calories or telling yourself "no, you can't have that!", let yourself play! Enjoy the food that friends have made with love, try that chocolate ganache that is calling to you from the dessert cart, and enjoy yourself. You can always do some extra time on the treadmill at the gym, or walk that extra mile around the lake on Tuesday.
Enjoy your holidays!!
Pat
This concept always stuck with me as a reminder to enjoy Life, enjoy the company of our loved ones, and sometimes not worry so much about "being good." Food, of course, has Qi/Energy - which gives us our nourishment; and the more fresh, less processed our food is, the more Qi we derive from it. But we also get nourishment from our environment and from the people around us. As we embark on the Labor Day weekend, I think it is important to remember that how and where we eat is just as important as what we eat.
If you're not so sure about what I'm saying try this little experiment..... Picture in your mind a time when you went out to dinner with your best friends, or had a party with family, and you had wine, cheeses, rich meats, or sinful desserts. There was laughter and jokes, people telling stories, and you're having a wonderful, relaxed time. Maybe some of the food choices weren't "perfect" that evening, but how did you feel? Did you feel energized, relaxed, uplifted? ...Now picture eating the purest, healthiest meal you could possibly prepare, but this time you are all alone. How do you feel? All the nutrition is there, all the best ingredients are there, but something is missing.....
Now this isn't to say that eating alone can't be enjoyable (it certainly can be), or that when eating at parties you can't make healthy food choices (of course you can!). ....What I'm getting at, is that sometimes we need to be kind to ourselves and let ourselves come out to play. This weekend maybe you're going to a beach party, or a BBQ at a friend's house, or going out of town and staying at a nice hotel. Rather than spending the whole time counting calories or telling yourself "no, you can't have that!", let yourself play! Enjoy the food that friends have made with love, try that chocolate ganache that is calling to you from the dessert cart, and enjoy yourself. You can always do some extra time on the treadmill at the gym, or walk that extra mile around the lake on Tuesday.
Enjoy your holidays!!
Pat
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Surviving the Dog Days of Summer
Did you know that the "dog days of summer" pertain to the hot, sultry summer days between July and September? They are called that because of the star Sirius, or the Dog Star, rises and sets with the sun during these months. As we near the end of August, there are other signs that this late summer season is upon us: kids are starting to go back to school, and next weekend the Labor Day holidays will be full of BBQs, trips to the beach, and shopping mall sales.
While the calendar tells us that there are only 4 more weeks of summer left, here in San Diego we know that we can still expect another 4, possibly 8 weeks, of very warm weather. To get through these end-of-summer days, I am going to share some tricks for staying well during the season of Summerheat.
* Avoid heavy, greasy, fatty foods. Yes, I know there are BBQs still to go to, with ribs to eat and ice cream to be savored - and in small amounts, as an occasional treat, these things are fine. But in general, this is the time of year to be eating light, easy to digest foods. Heavy, greasy foods make the digestion sluggish and create what we call in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) Dampness. Dampness can manifest itself in various ways: from weight gain, to digestive problems, to feelings of sluggishness and fuzzy-headedness. Light, clear, clean foods on the other hand, give you energy and make you feel clear-headed and invigorated. Salads (easy on the salad dressings), broth-based soups, steamed vegetables, fresh fruit, rice, barley and light meats (poultry, fish) can all be excellent choices.
* Limit alcohol intake. I know - at this point you're probably thinking I'm taking all the fun out of summer, but stay with me! Alcohol dehydrates the body which is not a wise idea when it's hot outside. It also creates Heat and Dampness in the body, which again, affects your digestion and energy levels. I fully agree that the occasional margarita or glass of wine, or whatever, with friends on warm summer night by the pool can be a wonderful thing - just drink in moderation. And be sure to drink lots of water to balance out the alcohol intake.
* Drink green tea. Green tea, even the caffeinated kind, is considered in TCM to have a cooling nature. Black tea, on the other hand, has a warm nature; and coffee is considered hot in nature. You can have your green tea hot or iced - both still have a cooling nature. One caution, though: some people might experience gas or bloating when drinking green tea, if that happens then black tea or oolong tea might be better choices for you.
* Summer veggies and fruits. The summer often sees a wonderful, wide variety of fresh veggies and fruits - many of which are cool and juicy in nature, which means they clear Summerheat and generate fluids. Some good summer produce to choose from are: lemons, apples, melons, papaya, mango, pineapple, summer squashes and zucchini, and cucumbers.
* Watermelon - the Summer's best fruit! Watermelon is one of our best medicinals and foods for treating Summerheat. It cools the body, generates fluids, and just tastes great. Just think of all those hot summer days of your childhood and how happy you felt when you sat on the back porch eating ice-cold watermelon and having a seed-spitting contest with your friends. Those joyful feelings weren't entirely psychological - you were giving yourself a treatment without even knowing it!
* Mung bean soup. "Mung what?!" you ask. Mung beans. They are small little split beans from India, about the size of a BB pellet and have a texture and taste similar to black-eyed peas. You can find them at health-food type markets, often in the bulk sections; be sure to get the ones that are green (still have the husk on them) and not the yellow/de-husked variety. Mung beans, and the broth they are cooked in, clear Summerheat and provide a nice, light protein source in the summer. Most of you have probably eaten a form of mung beans at some time: you know those long, white "bean sprouts" in your stir-fry dishes, spring rolls and salads? Those are sprouted mung beans! Below is a recipe for cooking mung beans.
Cooked Mung Beans
1 cup of green mung beans (rinsed and soaked overnight)
4-5 cups of water
Place soaked mung beans in a pot with 4-5 cups of water, cover with a lid, and bring to a boil. Once the beans reach boiling, reduce heat and let simmer for 30-45 minutes (or until beans are soft). Remove from heat and let cool before serving. Liquid from the beans can remain in the pot (and the beans eaten like a soup), or can be poured into a separate container and drank like tea with a little sweetener.
You may add a little honey, raw sugar, stevia, or other sweetener, to the beans for a dessert-like dish. You can also mix them with whole grains (eg. cooked brown rice or barley) for a breakfast dish (similar to oatmeal); or you can add them to salads, stir-frys, soups, or eat them alone as a side-dish. As mentioned before, the taste and texture I find to be similar to black-eyed peas.
Now that you have some new tools in your beat-the-heat arsenal, I hope you have a wonderful rest of the summer. Stay cool!!!
Pat
While the calendar tells us that there are only 4 more weeks of summer left, here in San Diego we know that we can still expect another 4, possibly 8 weeks, of very warm weather. To get through these end-of-summer days, I am going to share some tricks for staying well during the season of Summerheat.
* Avoid heavy, greasy, fatty foods. Yes, I know there are BBQs still to go to, with ribs to eat and ice cream to be savored - and in small amounts, as an occasional treat, these things are fine. But in general, this is the time of year to be eating light, easy to digest foods. Heavy, greasy foods make the digestion sluggish and create what we call in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) Dampness. Dampness can manifest itself in various ways: from weight gain, to digestive problems, to feelings of sluggishness and fuzzy-headedness. Light, clear, clean foods on the other hand, give you energy and make you feel clear-headed and invigorated. Salads (easy on the salad dressings), broth-based soups, steamed vegetables, fresh fruit, rice, barley and light meats (poultry, fish) can all be excellent choices.
* Limit alcohol intake. I know - at this point you're probably thinking I'm taking all the fun out of summer, but stay with me! Alcohol dehydrates the body which is not a wise idea when it's hot outside. It also creates Heat and Dampness in the body, which again, affects your digestion and energy levels. I fully agree that the occasional margarita or glass of wine, or whatever, with friends on warm summer night by the pool can be a wonderful thing - just drink in moderation. And be sure to drink lots of water to balance out the alcohol intake.
* Drink green tea. Green tea, even the caffeinated kind, is considered in TCM to have a cooling nature. Black tea, on the other hand, has a warm nature; and coffee is considered hot in nature. You can have your green tea hot or iced - both still have a cooling nature. One caution, though: some people might experience gas or bloating when drinking green tea, if that happens then black tea or oolong tea might be better choices for you.
* Summer veggies and fruits. The summer often sees a wonderful, wide variety of fresh veggies and fruits - many of which are cool and juicy in nature, which means they clear Summerheat and generate fluids. Some good summer produce to choose from are: lemons, apples, melons, papaya, mango, pineapple, summer squashes and zucchini, and cucumbers.
* Watermelon - the Summer's best fruit! Watermelon is one of our best medicinals and foods for treating Summerheat. It cools the body, generates fluids, and just tastes great. Just think of all those hot summer days of your childhood and how happy you felt when you sat on the back porch eating ice-cold watermelon and having a seed-spitting contest with your friends. Those joyful feelings weren't entirely psychological - you were giving yourself a treatment without even knowing it!
* Mung bean soup. "Mung what?!" you ask. Mung beans. They are small little split beans from India, about the size of a BB pellet and have a texture and taste similar to black-eyed peas. You can find them at health-food type markets, often in the bulk sections; be sure to get the ones that are green (still have the husk on them) and not the yellow/de-husked variety. Mung beans, and the broth they are cooked in, clear Summerheat and provide a nice, light protein source in the summer. Most of you have probably eaten a form of mung beans at some time: you know those long, white "bean sprouts" in your stir-fry dishes, spring rolls and salads? Those are sprouted mung beans! Below is a recipe for cooking mung beans.
Cooked Mung Beans
1 cup of green mung beans (rinsed and soaked overnight)
4-5 cups of water
Place soaked mung beans in a pot with 4-5 cups of water, cover with a lid, and bring to a boil. Once the beans reach boiling, reduce heat and let simmer for 30-45 minutes (or until beans are soft). Remove from heat and let cool before serving. Liquid from the beans can remain in the pot (and the beans eaten like a soup), or can be poured into a separate container and drank like tea with a little sweetener.
You may add a little honey, raw sugar, stevia, or other sweetener, to the beans for a dessert-like dish. You can also mix them with whole grains (eg. cooked brown rice or barley) for a breakfast dish (similar to oatmeal); or you can add them to salads, stir-frys, soups, or eat them alone as a side-dish. As mentioned before, the taste and texture I find to be similar to black-eyed peas.
Now that you have some new tools in your beat-the-heat arsenal, I hope you have a wonderful rest of the summer. Stay cool!!!
Pat
Disclaimers and Legalities
Good morning -
before I get into the fun of writing about traditional Chinese medicine, I just wanted to take care of some of the administrative and legal obligations pertaining to this blog.
Remember that the information on this blog is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this blog for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment.
While the subjects I intend to write about will be safe and useful for the general population, please remember that if you take prescription medications or have any serious health issues (for example, but not limited to, hypertension, blood-clotting conditions, cancer, diabetes), to consult with your primary physician before starting any new health protocol. Some herbal medications and supplements can have serious interactions with some Western medications (for example, but not limited to, Coumadin, Warfarin, some anti-depressants and psychotropics, etc), and can also be unsafe for women who are pregnant or nursing. So, again, be sure to talk to your primary physican, health care professional, or pharmacist before taking any herbal supplements.
Also, to correctly diagnose and treat someone with traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture it is necessary to look at what we call in the medicine the "Four Pillars." These are diagnostic tools that we use to correctly assess and diagnose a patient's condition and are comprised of the following: diagnosis by looking, hearing, asking/listening, and palpating. Diagnosis by Looking means observing the patient: his/her spirit, face, demeanor, tongue, body language, etc. Diagnosis by hearing means that we listen to your voice, breathing, coughing, etc., to assess your condition. Diagnosis by Asking/Listening is also often known in our medicine as "the 10 Questions" in which we will ask you about your energy, sleep, digestion, elimination, thirst, temperature, sweating, menstruation (for females), aches/pains, emotional well-being, among other things. This information is used to get a clear picture of the "overall you": not just your chief complaint, but who you are and how you are feeling overall. Diagnosis by Palpation includes feeling your pulse, palpating acupuncture channels, muscle spasms, physical and orthopedic exams and tests, etc. These Four Pillars of diagnosis when taken all together, reveal patterns both for one's chief complaint and overall health constitution, and allows us to put together an effective treatment plan for you. .....That said, this means that while I welcome questions and emails from you, I cannot diagnose conditions or prescribe supplements over the Internet. I can only treat conditions by doing a full health assessment in my office. ....And for those of you who might be reading this from somewhere other than the San Diego area, I hope to add referral resources to this blog that can assist you in finding a qualified practitioner in your area.
Okay....so I believe the "housekeeping" chores and disclaimers are done for now. Now it's on to the fun stuff!!
Peace to you and yours,
Pat
before I get into the fun of writing about traditional Chinese medicine, I just wanted to take care of some of the administrative and legal obligations pertaining to this blog.
Remember that the information on this blog is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this blog for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment.
While the subjects I intend to write about will be safe and useful for the general population, please remember that if you take prescription medications or have any serious health issues (for example, but not limited to, hypertension, blood-clotting conditions, cancer, diabetes), to consult with your primary physician before starting any new health protocol. Some herbal medications and supplements can have serious interactions with some Western medications (for example, but not limited to, Coumadin, Warfarin, some anti-depressants and psychotropics, etc), and can also be unsafe for women who are pregnant or nursing. So, again, be sure to talk to your primary physican, health care professional, or pharmacist before taking any herbal supplements.
Also, to correctly diagnose and treat someone with traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture it is necessary to look at what we call in the medicine the "Four Pillars." These are diagnostic tools that we use to correctly assess and diagnose a patient's condition and are comprised of the following: diagnosis by looking, hearing, asking/listening, and palpating. Diagnosis by Looking means observing the patient: his/her spirit, face, demeanor, tongue, body language, etc. Diagnosis by hearing means that we listen to your voice, breathing, coughing, etc., to assess your condition. Diagnosis by Asking/Listening is also often known in our medicine as "the 10 Questions" in which we will ask you about your energy, sleep, digestion, elimination, thirst, temperature, sweating, menstruation (for females), aches/pains, emotional well-being, among other things. This information is used to get a clear picture of the "overall you": not just your chief complaint, but who you are and how you are feeling overall. Diagnosis by Palpation includes feeling your pulse, palpating acupuncture channels, muscle spasms, physical and orthopedic exams and tests, etc. These Four Pillars of diagnosis when taken all together, reveal patterns both for one's chief complaint and overall health constitution, and allows us to put together an effective treatment plan for you. .....That said, this means that while I welcome questions and emails from you, I cannot diagnose conditions or prescribe supplements over the Internet. I can only treat conditions by doing a full health assessment in my office. ....And for those of you who might be reading this from somewhere other than the San Diego area, I hope to add referral resources to this blog that can assist you in finding a qualified practitioner in your area.
Okay....so I believe the "housekeeping" chores and disclaimers are done for now. Now it's on to the fun stuff!!
Peace to you and yours,
Pat
Saturday, August 23, 2008
How did you become an acupuncturist?
This is a question I get asked frequently so it seemed fitting to address it early in this blog. Actually, if you ask most acupuncturists this question you will usually get a pretty interesting answer. It's often not a first choice of career, so how we got here tends to have some unusual twists and turns.
In my case, the shortest answer is divine guidance: some power/energy/being greater than myself steered me toward this path, knowing it was the work I was meant to do. ....The longer answer has a more circuitous route and can go back as far as 1973, 1986, 1989, 1992 or 1995 - depending on how curious you are and how much time you have to listen to my tale.
Okay, I'll try to keep it as concise as possible, but hopefully still interesting. Apparently, I wanted to be a doctor when I was about 5 years old (1973), this is evidenced by scrapbooks and notes that I wrote in mementos books for school. But as I got older I found myself less and less drawn to the Western Medicine model, and not knowing that there were any other types of medicine to choose from, I put that dream aside and forgot about it. During college I started out as a French major/German minor and then switched to Anthropology. I transferred to UC Santa Cruz in 1989, where I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology in 1991. Later that year I accepted a position with a Human Factors and Ergonomics company where I researched and analyzed personal injury, products liability and wrongful death cases that were going to litigation. I also co-authored, with our company President, several research articles on biomechanics and injury mechanisms, which were published in prominent safety journals. All these paths were fascinating and interesting, but not quite my "life's work." So, the search continued....
On a personal level, I was always interested in alternative healing methods: herbs, flower essences, energy work/Reiki, vitamins and supplements, etc. This became even more important to me in 1992 when my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. We researched different nutritional supplements that might help her - not to cure the disease, but to possibly improve the quality of life she had left. After my mom's death, I continued to be intrigued by alternative medicines - not as a replacement of Western medicine, but as a compliment. Both medicines have their strengths and finding those, I believe, can give patients even more tools with which to heal. ....In a few short years, I became the person my family and friends would ask, "what can I take for.....? what herbs would be good for......?" ....I recognized that I was being guided in this direction and if others were going to continue asking me for information, I had best get a degree and license in some alternative therapy. So, I started researching schools in Naturopathy, Chiropractic, Western herbal medicine, and one night while studying I heard a voice whisper in my ear, "Acupuncture." A call that night to one of my dearest friends confirmed that this was the modality I needed to investigate.
The Pacific College of Oriental Medicine is one of the largest and best known schools for acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine - and it's located here in San Diego! A few days after my epiphany I contacted the school and arranged a meeting with one of the admissions counselors. I toured the school, sat in on a couple classes, met with one of the school's founders, and within minutes knew that I had found my home and my path. I began my training in January 1997 and graduated with my Masters of Science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine in April 2001. After successfully passing my California licensing exams later that Summer, I started my practice in La Mesa, California. As one of my classmates and colleagues summed it up when I told her I decided to become an acupuncturist instead of an anthropologist: I decided I wanted to BE the Shaman, instead of studying the Shaman.
So that's what brought me to acupuncture. I love my work, I love my patients, I love being able to help others and see the benefits of that help. Every day I am grateful to be doing work I love and to the energies that guided me to it. It's a blessing that I do not take for granted.
In upcoming blogs I will write about ways to take care of yourself as we move toward the end of Summer and the beginning of Fall: how to keep your immune system strong as we get ready for the change of seasons. If you have questions or topics that you would like me to address, you can email me at PjacksonLAc@aol.com. From time to time I will pick some "readers' requests" topics to write about.
Peace and good health,
Pat
In my case, the shortest answer is divine guidance: some power/energy/being greater than myself steered me toward this path, knowing it was the work I was meant to do. ....The longer answer has a more circuitous route and can go back as far as 1973, 1986, 1989, 1992 or 1995 - depending on how curious you are and how much time you have to listen to my tale.
Okay, I'll try to keep it as concise as possible, but hopefully still interesting. Apparently, I wanted to be a doctor when I was about 5 years old (1973), this is evidenced by scrapbooks and notes that I wrote in mementos books for school. But as I got older I found myself less and less drawn to the Western Medicine model, and not knowing that there were any other types of medicine to choose from, I put that dream aside and forgot about it. During college I started out as a French major/German minor and then switched to Anthropology. I transferred to UC Santa Cruz in 1989, where I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology in 1991. Later that year I accepted a position with a Human Factors and Ergonomics company where I researched and analyzed personal injury, products liability and wrongful death cases that were going to litigation. I also co-authored, with our company President, several research articles on biomechanics and injury mechanisms, which were published in prominent safety journals. All these paths were fascinating and interesting, but not quite my "life's work." So, the search continued....
On a personal level, I was always interested in alternative healing methods: herbs, flower essences, energy work/Reiki, vitamins and supplements, etc. This became even more important to me in 1992 when my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. We researched different nutritional supplements that might help her - not to cure the disease, but to possibly improve the quality of life she had left. After my mom's death, I continued to be intrigued by alternative medicines - not as a replacement of Western medicine, but as a compliment. Both medicines have their strengths and finding those, I believe, can give patients even more tools with which to heal. ....In a few short years, I became the person my family and friends would ask, "what can I take for.....? what herbs would be good for......?" ....I recognized that I was being guided in this direction and if others were going to continue asking me for information, I had best get a degree and license in some alternative therapy. So, I started researching schools in Naturopathy, Chiropractic, Western herbal medicine, and one night while studying I heard a voice whisper in my ear, "Acupuncture." A call that night to one of my dearest friends confirmed that this was the modality I needed to investigate.
The Pacific College of Oriental Medicine is one of the largest and best known schools for acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine - and it's located here in San Diego! A few days after my epiphany I contacted the school and arranged a meeting with one of the admissions counselors. I toured the school, sat in on a couple classes, met with one of the school's founders, and within minutes knew that I had found my home and my path. I began my training in January 1997 and graduated with my Masters of Science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine in April 2001. After successfully passing my California licensing exams later that Summer, I started my practice in La Mesa, California. As one of my classmates and colleagues summed it up when I told her I decided to become an acupuncturist instead of an anthropologist: I decided I wanted to BE the Shaman, instead of studying the Shaman.
So that's what brought me to acupuncture. I love my work, I love my patients, I love being able to help others and see the benefits of that help. Every day I am grateful to be doing work I love and to the energies that guided me to it. It's a blessing that I do not take for granted.
In upcoming blogs I will write about ways to take care of yourself as we move toward the end of Summer and the beginning of Fall: how to keep your immune system strong as we get ready for the change of seasons. If you have questions or topics that you would like me to address, you can email me at PjacksonLAc@aol.com. From time to time I will pick some "readers' requests" topics to write about.
Peace and good health,
Pat
The Birth of Laughing Dragon
Welcome to my first blog entry for Laughing Dragon Acupuncture! My intention for this blog is to create a place for informative articles and information pertaining to acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, healing and wellness, and all around good fun to share with you - my patients, family, friends, and the generally curious.
What creates good health and wellness? I believe it can be anything from receiving acupuncture treatments or other healing modalities, to getting regular checkups and health screenings, to walking on the beach, to spending time with loved family and friends. The possibilities are many and this will be a space in which to explore some of them.
So why "Laughing Dragon"? ....I have loved Chinese dragons for many years and they are a prevalent theme around my office and home. The dragon is a symbol of Qi/Energy and is considered to be the most powerful symbol of good fortune in Chinese mythology. Dragons are protectors and display great confidence and courage; they also are symbols of success, achievement and prosperity. For anyone who has been on my treatment table, or in my office on a beautiful San Diego day, you know the laughter part. .... I love to laugh and I love hearing the sound of my patients' laughter. I believe that laughter is one of the most profound healing tools we have. This is not just a theory or a laboratory experiment result: I see the healing in front of me while my patients are on the table. Laughter shifts energy, alleviates stress. and releases endorphins that alleviate pain and promote healing. .... So when I was trying to think of names for this blog space I asked myself, "what are two things that are most prevalent at my office?" Laughter and dragons.
So, with that - welcome to my new blog. This will be an adventure for all of us. Thank you for joining me on this journey! I am looking forward to seeing what we create!
May peace and excellent health be yours....
Patricia Jackson, LAc
Licensed Acupuncturist
What creates good health and wellness? I believe it can be anything from receiving acupuncture treatments or other healing modalities, to getting regular checkups and health screenings, to walking on the beach, to spending time with loved family and friends. The possibilities are many and this will be a space in which to explore some of them.
So why "Laughing Dragon"? ....I have loved Chinese dragons for many years and they are a prevalent theme around my office and home. The dragon is a symbol of Qi/Energy and is considered to be the most powerful symbol of good fortune in Chinese mythology. Dragons are protectors and display great confidence and courage; they also are symbols of success, achievement and prosperity. For anyone who has been on my treatment table, or in my office on a beautiful San Diego day, you know the laughter part. .... I love to laugh and I love hearing the sound of my patients' laughter. I believe that laughter is one of the most profound healing tools we have. This is not just a theory or a laboratory experiment result: I see the healing in front of me while my patients are on the table. Laughter shifts energy, alleviates stress. and releases endorphins that alleviate pain and promote healing. .... So when I was trying to think of names for this blog space I asked myself, "what are two things that are most prevalent at my office?" Laughter and dragons.
So, with that - welcome to my new blog. This will be an adventure for all of us. Thank you for joining me on this journey! I am looking forward to seeing what we create!
May peace and excellent health be yours....
Patricia Jackson, LAc
Licensed Acupuncturist
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