Ah, The Arrival of Spring!

Spring has officially begun! No really, it has. Don't let the snow on the ground fool you!

Mother Nature may be slow to awaken, but the warmer days are fast approaching. With warmer weather, comes the blossoming flowers, trees, and plants. For some of us, this means seasonal allergies too. 

Allergies can cause varying degrees of discomfort, but there are several things you can do to keep the allergies under control. One option is nasal rinses. Using either a netti pot or another product like Neilmed Sinus Rinse after being outdoors can wash away the pollen that you have picked up. However, during the height of allergy season, using it morning and night may be more helpful.

Another option is the herbal supplement called stinging nettle. It has natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties and can help open sinus passages. It can also alleviate some asthma symptoms.* (Please check with your health care provider before starting any supplements.)

Of course, acupuncture is yet another option to help ease the symptoms of allergies. Please call Karen Giles Acupuncture to learn more about relieving allergy symptoms with acupuncture.

Spring time can be challenging as we adjust to the changing weather. Being proactive with any allergy symptoms you may encounter can keep you outdoors as the warmer days finally arrive.

Keeping the "Cold" Away

It can be a challenge to stay healthy during the winter months, especially in this day and age of running ourselves ragged. Here are some tips to help ward off the germs and have an enjoyable winter:

• Follow winter's "sleep cycle". During the winter months, the sun sets early and rises late. Do the same to avoid the coldest parts of the day.

• Expose yourself to the sun to help warm your body and elevate your mood.

• Seek warm areas and avoid cold areas.

• Do not expose your skin to the cold. Often, women will layer warmly on top, but wear just one layer on the bottom or worse yet, wear only thin stockings. According to a Chinese proverb, "Wind comes into the body through one's neck, the cold comes into the body through one's legs." Wear warm pants, warm socks, and warm shoes.

• Do exercises to improve circulation in your feet and legs which will help reduce the constant chill you may feel in them.

• Eat foods with a warm nature such as shrimp, ginger, garlic, pepper, and curry.

As always, healthy eating and exercise will help you remain healthy during the cold months. Acupuncture can also help keep your body in balance and relieve cold symptoms. For an appointment, call Karen Giles, Five Element Acupuncture.

Are You In Need of Stress Relief?

"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!" 

That may have sounded lovely in December when we were happily singing along with the radio while preparing for the upcoming holidays, but it doesn't sound quite so lovely at the moment. The weather here in the Northeast has been challenging, to say to the least, and has helped increase our stress levels exponentially.  

The effects of super storm Sandy are still being felt as many of us work to repair/rebuild our homes and businesses. Now, we must add the recovery from the damage Nemo caused as the blizzard tore through our region. Shoveling driveways and walkways, digging out cars, assessing our homes for snow/water damage are all tasks we will undertake almost automatically, but it is the emotional toll we may not face.

The stress the major storms induce is cumulative. In addition, there has been the onslaught of the flu and almost constant illness that many of us have been feeling making it difficult to keep up with the demands of daily life. 

What is stress? Stress is a biological and psychological response to a situation we feel we may not have the resources to handle. The stressor is the stimulus such as driving on icy roads, being stuck in the house due to 3 feet of snow, or missing work/school. The stress response is how the body responds to stress by releasing a set of biochemical reactions. The heart beasts faster, blood pressure rises, and muscles tense. This gives the body added strength and alertness to deal with the situation at hand. In short doses, there is no damage caused, the situation is survived, and we move on.

However, when we live in continued states of stress, our energy reserves become depleted and we may experience consequences.  Stress can manifest itself in many ways such as:

• headaches
• backaches
• skin disorders
• gastric problems
• sleep disorders
• depression
• anxiety
• poor concentration
• poor memory

So how do we combat stress? Unfortunately, many people use unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol, cigarettes, emotional eating, or drugs leading to additional long term health problems. A healthy way to combat the effects of stress is to use acupuncture. 

Acupuncture is used to help regulate the body and bring it into balance. Acupuncture has a relaxation response with decreased heart rate, lowered blood pressure, stress reduction, and increased energy. Acupuncture can also relieve feelings of anxiety and depression, promoting feelings of well-being and self-confidence. 

Contact me to learn more about Five Element Acupuncture and the benefits is can provide for YOU.

Ward Off That Cold!

It seems as though just about everyone is complaining about having a cold or not feeling well. January typically brings with it a rash of colds and flus. The hectic schedules surrounding the holidays has worn us down and we spent a lot of time in close proximity with friends and family who graciously shared their germs. This year the weather has been unpredictable and ever changing to make matters worse. 

To help you survive this germ filled season, here are some helpful tips:

• Know the first signs of a cold; feeling chilly, a stiff neck, and a dry or scratchy throat.

• At the first sign of a cold, eat a bowl of miso and scallion soup and bundle up.

• Induce a sweat at this early stage and it is likely to keep the symptoms to fully developing into a cold.

• Stay hydrated with non-caffeinated beverages and warm teas.

• Enjoy warm, cooked foods which are easier to digest and energetically warmer than raw foods.

• Rest, rest, and rest some more.

• Keep your neck warm by wearing scarves or turtlenecks.

I hope these tips help keep you healthy! Call me to schedule an acupuncture appointment too!

Nurture Yourself In Winter

The cycles of nature offer much about how to live life with more ease.  Nature seems a bit confused (again) this Winter with changeable, unseasonable weather.  And maybe it feels that way within you.  As we move through January with foggy days and temperatures close to 50 degrees, the bare trees and short days remind us that it is still Winter.

Winter is a time to rest and replenish our reserves.  The weather pushes us indoors and often forces us to slow down. We can find time for solitude and reflection. Listen to those around you as well as your own heart. Record your feelings in a journal. Nurture yourself with healthy, warm foods and nurture ideas to act upon later. Keep your body warm and protect the "wind" points; the neck and shoulder areas. According to Chinese medicine, pathogens can enter through these wind points, so wear a scarf and keep your neck covered.

Embrace the winter as a time to slow down and turn inward. Rest your body and your mind. Foster plans for the spring and allow your mind and body time to recharge. Seasonal workshops are offered to help you understand the effects of the season upon you mind and body and to help guide you through it. Contact me for information.

Happy Holidays!

Balance in the Chaotic Holiday Season

As we move past Thanksgiving and into the busy December holiday season, one concept keeps coming to mind:  balance.  No matter how you have been impacted by hurricane Sandy or the nor’easter, everyone had their sense of balance in life, work, home, etc, shaken.  At different times that balance started to return as clean-ups and utility repairs progressed.  But for many, balance is still a daily goal in many ways. 

A complex combination of the vestibular system (within the inner ear, which is a key player in vertigo symptoms), somatosensory system (governed by the cerebellum at the base of the brain) and the visual system help work to manage the natural sway in our bodies and maintain a stable center of gravity.  Even with the smallest of activity, our bodies are constantly re-balancing.  Just breathing or shifting our weight without taking a step means our center of gravity must adjust. 

Balance is key in the coming weeks of holiday preparations and celebrations.  Doing what we all love while balancing it with rest and healthy nourishment will help you enjoy your holiday traditions.  And for those still working to get homes repaired, here’s wishing you balance between the expectations of what this holiday season will be and being thankful for whatever blessings are received. 

Karen Giles
Five Element Acupuncture