Skip to content

Journaling Your Health Journey

By Amy | Published October 3, 2016

When embarking on a health journey, we are faced with old habits that we recognize are no longer serving us.  Often, recognizing these patterns is a big breaththrough for us! Whether we want better digestion or regular monthly cycles, or more energy, looking at our daily habits of our thoughts and actions is the first step to making lasting changes.

Tool for Change

I have been journaling for years.  I buy a pretty notebook, I like the ones with magnetic closure, and I keep it on my nightstand.  It’s my wind down before I turn off the light at bedtime. And it’s a record for things I want to remember.

There is something about pen to paper that really clicks for us humans. I feel like electronic notepads are missing a key link to connect us to our words and thoughts. Sure it’s good for somethings, but I feel it just does not replace the old fashioned method.

journaling

Reflecting on Old Habits and Celebrating New Ones

I have 2 journals going at a time, a food/symptom/health record diary, and a reflection/dream/goals diary.

In the food and symptom diary, I can see if something I did helped or worsened the way I feel after. Plus if I’m on a new herbal or supplement regimen it helps me to track that.

The other journal is a free form of thoughts, feelings, memories, and most importantly reflection.  When we sit with what has happened, what we’ve learned, what we want, what we don’t understand, that is when wisdom and learning from our experiences takes place.

Setting Goals and Measuring Progress

I like to look back sometimes and read old entries.  Do you do that too or do you prefer to just write it and forget it? I just found an entry where I’d highlighted some numbered items.  It was several personal goals for myself, written last a year ago.  I was quite pleased when I realized I’d since implemented those changes I desired.  It was proof of my progress, and I loved seeing that!

Journaling is one tool I use to develop my self and grow and change.  What has worked for you to discover and release old habits? I’d love to hear from you!

 

Posted in Tidbits | Comments Off on Journaling Your Health Journey

How Does Acupuncture Work?

By Amy | Published September 28, 2016

(Naperville Acupuncture)

 

Acupuncture is a treatment therapy that addresses a wide variety of health concerns and diseases.   Originating in China well over 2,000 years ago, practitioners around the world provide healing for anything from joint and body pain to nausea to chronic conditions.  It was first introduced to the US in the 1970’s, and has been growing ever since as more and more people experience the benefits and spread the word.

 

Here we’ll answer the most common questions about acupuncture.

 

What is acupuncture?

 

Acupuncture is the insertion of very thin sterile disposable needles at specific points on the body, which are then typically retained for anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.  Styles of practice vary widely since it’s been around for thousands of years.  Before inserting the needles, the practitioner gathers information from asking questions, looking at the patient’s tongue, and analyzing the pulses at the wrists.  Some practitioners also gather information from touching, or palpating, the abdomen.  From all this information a diagnosis and treatment plan are formulated.

 

Does acupuncture hurt?

 

“I’m afraid of needles” – this is what we acupuncturists hear all the time from people who’ve never experienced acupuncture.  They’re thinking of syringes that are inserted into their veins for blood draws, or to administer vaccines.  But these are NOT syringes.  In fact, several acupuncture needles easily fit inside a syringe, that is how thin they are.  Also, we are NOT inserting the needles into your blood vessels.  Yet, it is true the needle is inserted below the skin, so doesn’t this hurt? No, usually there’s no sensation, but sometimes the patient feels a sensation that we can Qi – and this is sometimes desirable at certain points for more effective results.  The overall feeling during and after acupuncture is relaxation.  Just ask someone who’s had it!

 

What does acupuncture do?

 

The point of acupuncture (pun intended 😉 ) is to release blockages in the energy channels that run throughout the body.  These channels are very similar to the blood vessels and nerves except instead of carrying blood or nerve signals, they carry a special force within the body called Qi.  Qi translates roughly to Life Force, or Vital Energy.  It is what makes us alive, and when it is balanced it allows and creates health in the body.  Things such as poor diet, emotional stress, physical stress, environmental stressors, etc. all create imbalances or blockages in the smooth flow of Qi in the channels.  Acupuncture is using a small tool to access the energy in these channels, which are invisible to modern day imaging and to the eye, and to release blockages and return the body closer to homeostasis.

 

What is acupuncture good for?

 

According the the World Health Organization, acupuncture benefits a list of over 100 (107 at my count from their official statement) conditions.  So the better question is what isn’t it good for?!

 

Here’s a video I created a few years ago that explains some analogies to help you understand how acupuncture works.

 

Posted in Acupuncture | Comments Off on How Does Acupuncture Work?

Controversial Film Uncovers CDC Scandal

By Amy | Published September 12, 2016

Last night I attended the screening of Vaxxed at the Naperville Independent Film Festival.  I was sure glad I did, and I’m eager to share my thoughts with you.

Premise

This film is not about whether or not to vaccinate, and does not take sides as I thought it might. Instead, this film uncovers a scandal within the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that occurred 2002-2004 that is still unraveling now.  This film was directed and produced by the key figures in the film: a doctor, a medial journalist, and activist parents.

Story

The basic story is the truth about the study conducted by the CDC on the MMR vaccine.  One of the five scientists involved leaked the data to an outside scientist, Brian Booker, whose son is severely autistic.  Their phone calls were recorded, and documents were exchanged that show a statistically significant correlation between autism and the MMR vaccine.

The movie is broken into sections by the pieces of evidence and by autism trends.  One trend in the data that was manipulated showed a very significant causative link in African-American boys who received the vaccine on time, meaning according to the CDC’s mandated schedule, and autism.  The other trend is Isolated Autism, which is when an otherwise completely healthy child, meaning a child without any other health issues, is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This rate was also significantly higher for those who received the vaccine on schedule.

Takeaways

The film is not shy to implicate the people involved with manipulating the data and actually destroying the documentation of the original findings.   I kept expecting to hear that the whistleblower, Dr. Thompson, was assassinated, but luckily that hasn’t happened.  It really becomes a his word against theirs, except that Dr. Booker has evidence.

I was moved to tears at one point as a mother describes how her son was accidentally given an overdose of the MMR causing autism.

One insight driven home in the movie is how vaccines are drugs, yet the CDC refuses to do the gold standard study of double blind placebo that is done for all other drugs.  They even include footage of a US legislator asking the CDC director involved if they’ve ever studied vaccinated against unvaccinated children, and after beating around the bush she answers no.  The scientist in me is appalled that the American people overlook this huge elephant in the room.

Get Involved, Be Informed

I highly recommend that everyone see this movie and talk about it every chance you get.  There is lots more information about what we can do to get this properly investigated at vaxxedthemovie.com.  In another blog to come, I will discuss a Washington Post article debunking this film, as there is always another side to a story.

Posted in Tidbits | Comments Off on Controversial Film Uncovers CDC Scandal

Cupping – Not Just for Athletes

By Amy | Published September 3, 2016
Woman lying face down having cupping acupuncture, mid section
Woman lying face down having cupping acupuncture, mid section

As an acupuncturist who practices cupping, I’ve been hearing lots of comments and reading lots of articles about it since several athletes sported their marks in the Olympics.  I’ve heard some myths and misconceptions, and curiosity.  So I thought I’d add my 2 cents to the hype!

What is Cupping and How does it work?

Cupping is a technique that has been used all over the world for many hundreds or thousands of years.  It involved applying hollow objects to the skin from which the air has been removed, creating a vacuum or suction effect.

The idea is to pull from deep within the tissues to remove stuck waste products and toxins, and to bring them to the superficial layers of the skin where the body’s metabolic pathways are able to easily flush it away.

Is Cupping harmful?

I read an article that quoted medical professionals who doubted the efficacy of cupping and who even called it harmful.  Of course many helpful modalities in medicine can be harmful if done incorrectly or applied inappropriately or for the wrong reasons.  When done properly, cupping is a harmless technique.

what are those circular marks all about?

First of all, not everyone will get marks like you saw on the Olympic athletes.  It depends on why you are getting cupped.  Also, cupping can be diagnostic, in that the darker the mark the more severe the stagnation of energy and blood in that area.  Sometimes I use cups to confirm if someone’s pain is due to severe stasis of qi and blood or another reason.

Who can Benefit from cupping?

There are several reasons that people receive cupping.  Here are the most common:  to loosen tight sore muscles, to reduce pain, to lessen the symptoms of a cold or flu, to knock out a cold in the very early stage, and to help resolve coughs.

I hope this has shed some light on the subject.  Cupping really is a simple great way to promote circulation and detoxification of our tissues.  I am happy to work it into the treatment plans for my patients when appropriate.

Posted in Tidbits | Comments Off on Cupping – Not Just for Athletes

Acupuncture as part of your self-care routine

By Amy | Published August 29, 2016

Speaking as a working mother, I can truly empathize with the many patients of mine that are in the same boat.  So many expectations that we put on ourselves and and that society puts on us.

whose expectations do we live by?

We’re expected to do it all and smile.  But guess what? Most of us are sick and tired – literally.  It’s not until we learn that cliched lesson – put your own oxygen mask on before you can help someone else – that we can get past survival and move on to thriving.
I’m happy to say that I learned the lesson of self care a few years ago before things got any worse. And yes, they were bad for too long before I got to the point of really seeking help and making myself a priority.  I tell my patients all the time, hopefully without sounding like I’m lecturing, that we women and especially us mothers, must make our health and wellbeing our #1 priority.

priorities – Where does Your Own Health Rank?

I think this is still taboo for many women.  “But that’s selfish” you might think.  My family is my #1 priority, or my career is my #1 priority.  But honestly, how can we give our family or our work our best if we’re just barely getting out of bed, or have pain, or get sick often, or are irritable or depressed? We owe it to them and ourselves to take that leap and make time every single day to do what we need to feel our best.  Or at least to begin the healing journey if our problems have been going on for a long time.

When Is it time to ask for help?

For me it all started after the birth of my second child.  I was short tempered and irritable and getting thinner and thinner.  You’d think a health care practitioner would just take care of herself right? Well, I think I can speak for many in the health care field when I say that we try to take care of ourselves.  But that’s just not what worked for me.  In hindsight I know I should have sought help from care providers other than myself.

At first, I recognized that I needed help.  I delayed for a while being unsure of where to go.  Finally, the universe sent me some clues and I followed them.  I travelled far to a Chinese herbalist, started a spiritual practice, and also went the functional medicine route.  Together, I found a system that I felt good about and care providers that I feel cared about me and did their best to help find out what I needed most.

Today, I feel healthier, stronger, and happier than I can remember over the 20+ years I’ve been dealing with health issues. I want you to know that I am not ashamed to take time out of my busy schedule to do what I need to function at my best.  And neither should you!

 

Posted in Tidbits | Comments Off on Acupuncture as part of your self-care routine
630-335-1069 Directions Contact/Schedule