Nutriacure

Eat According to the Changing Seasons- Autumn

Nutriacure — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:09:37 +0000

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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What is Electroacupuncture?

Nutriacure — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:26:20 +0000

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.

Eat Right for your Body Type according to TCM

Nutriacure — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 18:42:09 +0000

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.

Treating Sciatica with Acupuncture

Nutriacure — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:37:26 +0000

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.

Grant Hill Uses Acupuncture for Sports Injuries

Nutriacure — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:09:38 +0000

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