H1N1 part 2

Hello everyone!

One of the most mind blowing things that I learned in school was that just because someone is showing symptoms of catching a cold/flu it doesn't mean that it is a done deal. I was once one of those people that would catch everything that went around. As soon as I the symptoms would start, and you know what I'm talking about....achy muscles, sore throat, fever/chills, headache....I would start feeling sorry for myself because I knew the next few days were not going to be good.

In class I learned that the start of a cold was the perfect time to do some self care, and if I caught it early enough, I could either prevent the cold entirely or decrease it's severity. Both options are great, because no one likes being sick! Here are some of the important things that I learned that have really contributed to my increased resistance to colds and flus.

Keep in mind that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is all about getting out of the way and letting your body do its' work. Once the symptoms start, one thing that is really effective is to get your body to sweat. You can drink some hot tea, or eat a hot bowl of chicken soup (we believe it will help supply your body with the energy to fight the infection) while covered in a blanket, or take a hot shower. (Remember all the movies from the 40's when someone got sick they would often drape a blanket over their head and steam themselves?) After you get a good sweat going, climb in bed and take a nice long nap, and take it easy for the rest of the day, even if you feel better after you wake up.

One of the essential things is to listen to your body when you begin to get symptoms, and rest.... really rest, so that your body can devote all of it's focus and strength upon ridding itself of the bug that's bothering it. It can be so difficult nowadays to just take it easy, but this part is essential.

The other big thing is that we have herbal formulas that are very effective, and acupuncture can really help as well. Remember that it can really help the earlier you get a treatment. Don't forget Chinese medicine when you are ailing, we have very effective treatments for the infinite spectrum of symptoms you may suffer from, and we have been treating cold and flu symptoms successfully for thousands of years!

I know this may sound simple, but sometimes just these steps are enough to keep the cold at bay and help you have a lovely fall, winter and spring.

Welcome Christine Hester, L.Ac., Dipl.O.M.!!!

Hello Everyone!

We have fantastic news! We are very happy to let you know that Red Cricket has had a new practitioner join our family!

Her name is Christine Hester, and she will be working Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 am to 7 pm, and every other Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm.

Christine is a fantastically skilled and caring practitioner with a passion for Chinese medicine, health and wellness that has made a profound impact on her many clients. We feel very lucky, and blessed to have her here!

Welcome Christine!

Thoughts about H1N1, and other nasty bugs... part 1

Hello Everyone!

As you all know, flu season has arrived a little early... Over the past three weeks we have seen a huge increase in patients with cold/flu symptoms. Suddenly virtually everyone has the sniffles...or worse! Chinese medicine has helped people cope with the flu for thousands of years, and we can be a great resource for everything from helping you get over a cold/flu to helping to strengthen your immunity so you won't get sick at all!

When I was a little girl, my mother would tell me to put on my hat, gloves and not to forget my scarf. It used to drive me nuts! I was famous for 'forgetting' my winter gear...and, of course, karma has done it's thing, and my sons do the same thing every winter....over, and over and over! Although I'm tempted to give up and let them run buck naked in the snow...we learned in acupuncture school that it's really important to dress for the weather.

Think about it, if it's cold out, your body has to use it's resources to keep you warm, which leaves less energy for fighting nasty H1N1 bugs when they your way. The back of your neck is an especially sensitive area, often that is one of the first places that gets stiff when a cold/flu begins, so it's really important to protect that area with a scarf. So, don't forget your scarf, people!!! Who cares about hat-head anyway, right?

Christine and I have lots more information to share about this subject, so check back early next week, for more simple things you can do to keep you and your family healthy and happy this winter. (and some yummy recipes) Keep in mind that acupuncture and herbs can be an important part of your anti-flu plan...but we'll talk more about that, too.

Have a lovely day!

Joi

Cancer support

Hello everyone!

As I wrote earlier, I have been coming across a lot of information about cancer recently and it has got me thinking...

I recently became familiar with a fantastic organization called yoga bear. (www.yogabear.com) They provide free yoga for men and women who are coping with cancer. If you are interested, please go to their website and look into it. I believe you have to be at least 18 years old, and you need to finished with active treatment. (radiation and chemotherapy, I assume) If you know anyone that might be interested, please pass this on to him or her! It seems like a fantastic way to continue the healing process.

I also would stress that acupuncture, herbs and qigong can really help, as well. All of these methods can help cope with the side effects of treatment, from nausea, to depression/grief, to immune system suppression.

If you ever have any questions about how traditional chinese medicine can help you or a loved one cope, don't hesitate to give me a call, or email. There is so much help out there, we don't have to go it alone unless we really, really want to!

Have a lovely day!

Peace and love,

Joi

"You can never re-create the past. But you can shape your own future. And you can make a cake." - Jacqueline Deval

It's so funny to me how things just come your way. Lately I've been coming across a lot of information about cancer both how it's transformed lives in surprisingly ways and how to get support as well.

I was reading a book that I found at a little thrift store called, Women to Women; a New Plan for Success and Well-Being. It is an inspiring book that has interviews with women who are successful in various fields and provides insights about how they came to stand out and different things they do to maintain their physical, spiritual and emotional health. Right up my alley!

One of the women interviewed is named Sylivia Weinstock. She is a world renown baker whose cakes are eaten by the who's who of the world...and featured in Martha Stewart's Brides magazine etc... Her cakes are beautiful and yummy...and anyone who knows me know how I feel about cakes! You need to see this woman. She is the cutest little thing with these lovely black glasses that makes her look wise, strong, and frisky simultaneously.

This is what she had to say about how cancer changed her life

"It was while I was undergoing chemotherapy that I started my bakery business. My husband Ben, was distressed at the idea of me traveling back and forth from the city for treatment. So he decided to give up his law practice and just like that we sold everything and moved to New York. He became my driving force, as well as my delivery boy. Baking had always been such a passion of mine. It was so enveloping that I had no time to be tired or feel ill. It was a fantastic way to focus my energy on life instead of cancer."

She was a teacher, and her husband was a lawyer, suddenly a tumor appears and she is transformed into a baker and her husband into a delivery man. How beautiful.

Maybe you're wondering why I'm writing about this. Maybe you will never have cancer or some life threatening diagnosis. Chances are, however, that you will at some point experience an event that may shatter your life as you know it. Although it has been said often enough to sound cliche, the beauty of those times is that when your life is in pieces it can be the just the right time to choose which shards to save and which to let go. A time which will thereafter remind you and those around you of grace instead of misery.

And like Sylvia, you can find support in a friend, partner, nature, books or cake... (and I have to add acupuncture, of course!!!)

Peace, love and cake!

Joi

Welcome!

Thank you for taking the time to check out our blog!  

This is my first time trying something like this, and I have to admit that I am a little nervous!  I wish there were some type of training wheels or something...but here goes...

I thought it might be helpful to talk a bit about what I would like to provide in our upcoming blogs...  Probably the most important thing will be information that you can use to improve the quality of your health.  One of the many things that I love about my job is that Traditional Chinese Medicine can be used to heal your physical body, improve your emotional health, and your spirit.  My goal is to pass along ideas that you can use as soon as you step away from your computer, to start to live a healthier, happier, more vibrant life....physically, emotionally and spiritually speaking!   I'll also pass on upcoming events and changes both at the clinic and in our community.   

If you have any questions, or comments please send them my way!  I'm assuming this blog will take on it's own life as we all move along, and I'm excited to see what's in store!   

Have a lovely day!

Peace and love,  

Joi Thomas, L.Ac