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 Saturday, 12th of November 2011 Autumn is a time of change when our body has to adapt to the changing temperatures of heat to colder autumn air. During this time it is important to change our diets with seasonal foods to prepare our bodies for winter, boost our immune and stay healthy.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine ( TCM) it is believed that ‘food is medicine’ and ‘medicine is food’. If we eat according to the seasons, the body will be able to transition through the changes easier because we are in harmony with the environment. This diet is based on a balance between yin and yang which are the two opposite forces of nature. If there is an imbalance, it can lead to disease and illness. Yang foods are warm, dry, light and expansive while Yin foods are cool, dark, watery and contracting.
Certain areas of the body are more sensitive during this transition phase such as the lungs and large intestine according to TCM. Colds, respiratory issues and constipation are more common during this time of the year but it can be prevented by eating more fiber rich foods and drinking more water. Many people tend to eat more during this time of the year because of the cold weather and it’s important not to overeat as this can create poor bowel elimination which in turn can affect the skin due to toxins building up.
In autumn and winter when the weather is cooler and drier, we need to keep ourselves warm and prevent dryness. We do this by eating more root based vegetables such as potatoes, pumpkin, squash, turnips or broccoli and cabbage to name a few. Fruits which are beneficial during autumn include apples and grapes. Soups are also very nourishing as they can contain meats, vegetables and carbohydrates all in one to help warm your body.
If you eat in harmony with the environment, it can help prevent a lot of unnecessary illnesses as well boost your immune system to remain healthy throughout the winter season.
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Thursday, 25th of August 2011 Acupuncture is an alternative therapy that has been used for thousands of years to encourage the body to heal itself. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture points are located along pathways which run along the body where qi (energy) flows. In Western science, studies have shown that the majority of acupuncture points are located at trigger points, near endings of nerves, in the area of peripheral nerves and motor points. Following a treatment, a variety of substances are released into the body such as endorphins, serotonin and neuropeptides/neurotransmitters to help relieve pain and aid in relaxation. Sterilized one time use disposable needles are used to stimulate the points treating various health conditions, relieving pain and restoring overall health.
How does Acupuncture help for Pain?
- Reduces pain by releasing endorphins which are natural pain killers produced by the body
- Reduces swelling
- Relaxes the muscles and relieves spasms
- Decreases inflammation
- mproves blood circulation
- Increases local microcirculation to help heal injuries by attracting white blood cells to the area and decrease swelling/bruising
What is Electroacupuncture (EA)?
Similar to acupuncture but it involves the use of a portable device with electrode clips attached to the needles. These small electrodes stimulate the acupuncture points giving pulsating sensations at different intensities and frequencies.
According to Acupuncture Today, a popular journal for acupuncturists:
“Electroacupuncture is quite similar to traditional acupuncture in that the same points are stimulated during treatment. As with traditional acupuncture, needles are inserted on specific points along the body. The needles are then attached to a device that generates continuous electric pulses using small clips. These devices are used to adjust the frequency and intensity of the impulse being delivered, depending on the condition being treated. Electroacupuncture uses two needles at time so that the impulses can pass from one needle to the other. Several pairs of needles can be stimulated simultaneously, usually for no more than 30 minutes at a time.”
EA enhances the therapeutic effects of acupuncture and is most effective for pain conditions when used in the earlier stages of pain conditions.
Saturday, 23rd of July 2011 From the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, eating a healthy balanced diet is quite different from the standard Western Medicine view of proteins, carbohydrates, nutrients and vitamins. In TCM, having balance and harmony are key and a well balanced diet consists of all 5 tastes- sweet, salty, spicy, sour and bitter. All foods and herbs have a particular taste as well as an energetic temperature which can help heal our bodies.
 The concept of balanced Yin and Yang energies in TCM are important in achieving optimal health. Yin is slower, soft, cold, passive, feminine, earth, night and the moon. Yang is faster, hard, hot, aggressive, masculine, sky, day and the sun. The bodily organs and foods we eat all have a Yin or Yang nature and we need to choose the right foods to gain harmony within the body. Yin organs store bodily materials such as blood, fluids or qi/energy; Yang organs are ones that control functionality. Any organ can suffer from excess yang or deficient yin due to external or internal factors but with the consumption of the appropriate foods, it can be rebalanced. Each individual also can be more yin or yang nature, for example a yang person can be easily excited, active, irritable and restless whereas a yin person is more easily tired, less active and quieter. Eating for your yin/yang nature can help rebalance these forces to allow for better functioning of your digestive system, metabolism, energy levels etc.
As mentioned earlier, food has an energetic nature which can be described as cold or hot, yin or yang. Yang foods (ex: alcohol, excess sugar, beef etc ) are stimulating to the body and consuming too much can stress the organs. Yin foods (green leafy greens, cucumbers, pears etc) are calming and have a sedative influence on the organs. When a person has excess yang , eating foods or herbs rich in yin energy would benefit them, vice versa for someone with yin deficiency. Summer is yang, therefore eating more cooling yin foods would be appropriate to cool the body. Winter is yin and eating hot yang foods would warm the body. However due to different individual constitutions, eating cooling yin foods during winter may be more suitable for certain conditions. During a nutritional consult, the practitioner will assess what body constitution a particular person has and advise of nutritional changes most beneficial for their body type.
Since food is essential in feeding the body, it needs to be properly assimilated in order for it to exert its healing functions. Proper digestion of food is required but how do you know when your digestive system is working properly?
Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomit, bad breath, burping, bloating, cramping, smelly flatulence, heart burn, mouth ulcers or regular skin breakouts along the jawline (on or beneath) are signs of a poor digestive system. If you are experiencing these symptoms on a semi-regular to regular basis, it is time to change your diet to boost its digestive function so long term ill effects don’t occur such as nutrient deficiencies or imbalanced body energies that can lead to other negative health issues.
Monday, 20th of June 2011 The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve which begins in the lumbar spine, travels past the buttocks and down into the legs. Sciatica is a symptom of the affected sciatic nerve region and not a disease. Radiating pain, numbness or tingling can be felt along this path when pressure is put on this nerve. There are various factors which cause sciatica such as muscle spasms near the nerve, inflammation which exerts pressure/irritates the nerve, a herniated disc/degenerative joint disease or spinal issues.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine when there is a blockage in the smooth flow of blood/qi in the surrounding areas of the sciatic nerve, muscle spasms and tension can trigger the shooting pains. Cold or dampness can also interfere with the circulation and thus cause stagnation of blood or qi in the muscles.
How does Acupuncture help for Pain?
- Reduces pain by releasing endorphins which are natural pain killers produced by the body
- Reduces swelling
- Relaxes the muscles and relieves spasms
- Decreases inflammation
- Improves blood circulation
- Increases local microcirculation to help heal injuries and attract white blood cells to the area which helps increase rate of healing and reduces swelling/bruising.
In 1997, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) acknowledged that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for sciatica and pain conditions.
According to The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), back pain is the most common condition treated by acupuncture in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration announces that acupuncture is safe and effective.
Acupuncture helps to relax muscles, strengthen the connective tissues, increase circulation to the muscles and promote the body to heal itself. It is an effective alternative therapy to the treatment of sciatic pain.
Tuesday, 14th of June 2011 Various athletes such as basketball, baseball, football players as well as golfers and gymnasts use acupuncture as a form of treatment for sport related injuries to quicken healing. Many professional sports players and teams have acupuncturists on staff to help with musculoskeletal problems and sports injuries. Acupuncture reduces pain, increases recovery time, increases range of motion, increases healing time and helps to strengthen weaker parts of the body. After a session of acupuncture, a variety of substances are released into the body such as endorphins, serotonin and neuropeptides/neurotransmitters to help relieve pain and aid in relaxation
In a recent interview, Grant Hill of the Phoenix Suns talks about his acupuncture treatments and says “I do it for energy sometimes and also help for recovery with the legs…it doesn’t hurt… they try to treat the body overall. Instead of looking at a problem in the body, they try to find the cause of the problem and fix that.” He also mentions maybe other basketball players receive acupuncture including Kevin Johnson, Steve Nash, Charles Barkley, Jason Kidd, Shaquille O’Neal etc. In the 1990’s Charles Barkley received acupuncture to restore range of motion to his neck.
How does Acupuncture help for Injuries?
- Reduces pain
- Reduces swelling
- Relaxes the muscles and relieves spasms
- Decreases inflammation
- Improves blood circulation to decrease bruising
- Increases local microcirculation to help heal injuries and attract white blood cells to the area which helps increase rate of healing and reduces swelling/bruising.
To read more on various athletes and their use of acupuncture:
Acupuncture Benefits Phoenix Suns Grant Hill
Friday, 6th of May 2011 14 Day Raw Food Spring Cleanse
including Nutritional Consultation $65
Why Eat Raw Food?
Natural enzymes are present in the fresh foods we eat which help us digest and absorb nutrients properly. Eating processed food and overcooking food denatures these important enzymes which cause our digestive system to overwork. Over time this can lead to nutritional deficiencies, digestive issues (bloated stomach, gas, acid reflux, bowel irregularity, food sensitivities), weight gain, low energy, premature aging etc.
What are the Benefits of a Raw Food Diet?
Cleanses are designed to help your body’s natural detoxification process and allows our body to repair and heal to function at a more optimal level. Benefits include:
- Increased energy
- Clearer skin
- Weight loss
- Promotes better health
- Rebalance the body’s pH (too much acidity in the body can result in disease)
Learn:
- What foods to eat to target different health concerns
- How to rebalance your body pH with alkalizing foods
- How to incorporate essential vitamins/minerals during the raw food detox
For more information or to book an appointment:
info@nutriacure.com or 416.623.6361
Saturday, 16th of April 2011 Cupping is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapy where a partial vacuum is created with plastic or glass cups and placed on the skin by heat or suction. Though this therapy has been associated with TCM, it has been recorded in history to be used by the Ancient Greeks and Egyptians as well.
Cupping therapy produces a negative pressure where the skin and superficial muscle layers are drawn up into the cup to help open up the meridians for better energy flow throughout the body. The suction creates a pulling action which feels relaxing and helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system. It helps to increase blood and lymphatic circulation, relaxes muscle tissue, helps tissues to release toxins, clears blockages in the digestive system( ex: colon), activates arteries and capillaries, stimulates the skin etc.
The strength of the suction can range from light to heavy and various techniques such as gliding cup may be applied where the cup is moved along the skin causing a pulling of the skin and muscle. Normally a lubricant is used to allow the cup to slide to reduce bruising. Depending on each individual’s condition, different movements of the cup can produce a stimulating (toning) or sedating (draining) effect.
A side effect of cupping is that it can leave marks which look like bruises as seen in various celebrity(ex: Gwyneth Paltrow)/Olympic athlete photos. These marks indicate stagnation or conditions which have moved from deeper layers of the tissue to the surface allowing fresh oxygenated blood to nourish and heal the deeper layers. Usually the marks appear where there is dead, stagnant blood, lymph, toxins or other pathogenic factors.
The pattern and colour of the marks depends on the stagnation level of that particular area worked on. They usually last a few hours or days to a week and can range from light pink to bright red or even dark purple. Areas where there are old injuries or chronic conditions may require several treatments to remove all stagnation.
 Conditions which can benefit from cupping include:
- – Musculo-skeletal issues (tightness, soreness, back pain, muscle sprains, spasms)
- - Digestive issues, Constipation, Diarrhea, IBS
- - Menstrual disorders
- - Pain conditions ( arthritis etc)
- - Respiratory conditions (common cold, asthma etc)
Cupping is a great relaxing form of deep tissue massage which can also be applied to certain acupuncture points to treat pain conditions.
Sunday, 13th of March 2011 Hot flashes are common for women going through menopause when various hormonal changes occur in the body. The drop in estrogen levels makes the body think it is too hot and triggers the temperature control centres of the brain to cool itself off by releasing heat and sweating. Normally an episode of hot flash can last a few seconds to an hour and can happen at different times and intensities depending on the woman.
In Chinese Medicine, the endocrine system is governed by the Kidney and Liver system which have a huge influence on our reproductive system. Those with Kidney Yin deficiency may exhibit hot flashes during menopause. When hot flashes are experienced, it is because there is an imbalance between the yin and yang of our body. Yang is fire and warms us, Yin is water and cools us. What happens according to Chinese Medicine is that there is a reduced cooling effect of yin which results in an increase in yang that warms the body. With this imbalance, hot flashes arise. By using acupuncture or herbs, we nourish the yin so it can counter the yang and thus re-establish harmony.
In a recent study published in Acupuncture In Medicine, the Ankara Training and Research Hospital in Turkey found that acupuncture is an effective treatment for reducing menopausal hotflashes. The Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS) is a scale used to measure menopausal symptoms where levels of estradiol, FSH, LH are taken at baseline as well as after the first and last treatments.
The researchers found that MRS scores after treatment were significantly lower in the acupuncture group, particularly in the somatic and psychological subscale scores. The severity of hot flashes was also significantly lessened in the acupuncture group. After treatment, estradiol levels were significantly higher and LH levels significantly lower in the acupuncture group compared to the sham group. There was no difference in FSH levels between the groups.
To read more about this study:
Saturday, 20th of November 2010 An ongoing research project done by the Griffith Health Institute is studying how acupuncture helps to treat allergy and hay fever symptoms. The general population normally takes antihistamines for the treatment of the symptoms and the medication is most effective only during the earlier stages of an allergic response. However, when a person suffers from chronic allergies, the root cause needs to be addressed. This is where acupuncture comes in. Acupuncture helps to treat allergy symptoms as well as getting to the root cause by strengthening your immunity.
During an allergic response, it has been shown that our bodies overproduce neurotrophins (proteins which help to grow and repair nerves) which cause our nose to overreact resulting in sneezing, runny itchy and a blocked nose. Acupuncture slows the production of neurotrophins as well as other substances which stimulate their growth. The process where neutrophins are produced gets interrupted through acupuncture.
Proper nutrition also helps to rebalance our body’s Qi by repairing our immune system starting from the intestinal lining as this is where impaired immunity starts when allergies arise. A decreased immune system results from blockages and imbalances of the Qi flow in our body due to stress from chemical, environmental, physical and emotional factors. With the combination of acupuncture and nutrition, our Qi becomes balanced and our immunity strengthened, resulting in a healthier body.
Tuesday, 24th of August 2010 Stress is something more people experience daily at increasing levels which affects the mind, body and spirit. There have been recent medical studies indicating the relationship between high stress levels and decreased health. When we get stressed, we tense up which affects the flow of Qi (energy of life) which in turn affects our blood flow causing stagnation and imbalance within our bodies.
Some common symptoms of stress include:
• irritability, frustration, anger
• stiffness in the muscles, commonly neck and shoulders
• trouble sleeping , insomnia
• depression
• irregular menstrual cycle
• premenstrual symptoms, moodiness, breast distension, bloating
• migraine or tension headaches
• chest constriction, anxiety
• frequent sighing
• gastrointestinal disorders
• poor concentration
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
In Chinese medicine, any strong emotion such as stress, anxiety, depression affects the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body. According to Chinese medical theory, throughout our body we have a network of channels where Qi flows to help us regulate our bodily functions. When there is stress or any intense emotion, these energy pathways become blocked. You may notice that many people who are very stressed out complain of neck, upper back and shoulder pain. This is due to the stress causing tension in those areas, blocking the free flow of energy and blood, resulting in pain and tightness which can often lead to headaches. With acupuncture, these imbalances and blockages can be addressed by placing needles in specific points to help the body release the blockage and alleviate the symptoms of stress.
From a Western medical point of view, acupuncture works to decrease stress by releasing endorphins which are natural pain-killing chemicals in the brain. Also, acupuncture improves blood circulation throughout the body, which helps to oxygenate the tissues and remove cortisol along with other waste chemicals. Stress is also decreased by the calming nature of acupuncture which can decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure, relax the muscles and calm the mind.
During treatments for stress with acupuncture, the acupuncturist will help you to identify the root causes of your stress. You will learn how to recognize when you are feeling the pressure so that you are better able to deal with it. Each person responds differently so various therapies are also incorporated for stress management such as lifestyle changes (massage, yoga, relaxation techniques) and nutritional changes.
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