Boost Your Immune System with Acupuncture + Herbs

It’s important to have a healthy immune system, no matter what time of year it is. However, late fall and winter, commonly dubbed “cold and flu season,” provides an extra reason to keep your immune system in tip-top shape! Once a pathogen is able enter the body, it’s up to your body’s cells to protect you. Acupuncture helps these disease-fighting cells to work their best and protect you from illness. Acupuncture is proven to increase the amount of your body’s immune cells, such as the red blood cells, white blood cells, and T-cells.

Your immune system relies on your body’s overall health to maintain its effectiveness. Poor nutrition and stress both increase your risk of getting sick. Especially during winter, when your body is handling the cold weather, the busy nature of the holidays, and the surplus of sweet treats, it’s easy to see how this time of year is known as ‘cold and flu season’

The Traditional Chinese Medical diagnosis for these pathogenic invasions almost always involve the presence of Wind. In Chinese Medicine, Wind is capable of invading the body through the channels, mostly at the nape of the neck. Wind may look like a rash, body aches, chill, or itchiness. 

One of the most important and easiest things you can do for your health in the winter is always protect your neck from wind and cold. 

Featured Product:

Yu Ping Feng San

Yu ping feng san, or “Jade Windscreen,” has been used in East Asia for over 800 years, with records dating back to the writings of the scholar Zhu Dan Xi in 1347. As its name illustrates, the Jade Windscreen formula supports and enriches the Wei Qi, or protective Qi, in guarding against harmful influences entering the body.

Three main ingredients:

Huang Qi: Astragalus root- common western herb for augmenting the immune system, excellent for strengthening the spleen and the lungs. 

Bai Zhu: Atractylodes- dries dampness (congestion), and strengthens the spleen. 

Fang Feng: Siler root- releases the exterior (where wind resides) and clears wind. 

I look forward to seeing you on my Acupuncture table this winter to support your body’s immune system and help keep you healthy throughout the winter.

Fondly,

Christina

Book with Christina on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays + Saturdays

Acupuncture + Adrenal Fatigue

The adrenal glands produce a number of hormones that are necessary for optimal health; these include cortisol, adrenaline, testosterone and estrogen. When you are under constant emotional, mental or physical stress, the adrenal glands can over produce cortisol to keep up with the demands of stress. This excess prevents the adrenal glands from producing other hormones that the body needs, resulting in fatigue, body aches, sleep disturbances, digestive issues and nervousness.

Acupuncture is one of the best methods to regulate the adrenal glands. Acupuncture works by relaxing the nervous system. By relaxing the nervous system we allow the body to enter what I like to call “the healing zone”: this zone is state that is neither fight nor flight, only restorative healing happens here. Acupuncture ensures the Qi (vital energy) flows freely through the body and that yin and yang are in relative balance. In Western terms, acupuncture helps restore homeostasis. Acupuncture for adrenal fatigue stimulates the points associated with the kidneys to boost adrenal functions, to promote healthy cortisol levels and increase the production of dopamine and serotonin to lower stress.

Acupressure can also be used to extend your treatments. Self-applied acupressure to the points one hand width below the lateral eye of your knee, and between your achilles tendon and your medial malleolus can help improve adrenal function between acupuncture appointments. Massage these points, as shown in the images, in a clockwise motion daily.

Christina Trieste is a Licensed Acupuncturist with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine, has a Diplomate of Acupuncture from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). She has specialized training in Orthopedic Acupuncture. She works with a full scope of health conditions including but not limited to: Post-Stroke Recovery, Mental + Emotional Health, Sleep Disorders and Insomnia, Digestive Disorders, Pain Management, Women’s Health, Fertility and Preventative Medicine.

Book with Christina on Monday, Tuesday, Friday + Saturday.

Acupuncture, Autumn & The Metal Element

Barn's burnt down -

now

I can see the moon.

-Mizuta Masahide (1657–1723) 

Unmistakably - on the winds (and rain) of change - Autumn has arrived. 

The slant of light, flora and fauna, our moods, schedules, physical states and spirits are all in flux - affecting us in sometimes subtle ways and other times with more of a fuss. 

Mizuta's haiku captures the essence of autumn through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) - the hallmarks of which are Letting Go of what has been lost or run its natural course and Allowing In the beauty of what remains in this moment.

In TCM, autumn is associated with the Metal Element. On the physical level this includes the Lungs, which inhale oxygen to nourish and exhale carbon dioxide to purify as we let go.  Metal is also associated with the Large Intestine, taking little imagination to make the connection with release! 

Physical conditions related to Metal may manifest as cold, flus, allergies, asthma, bronchitis, constipation, digestive disorders, and sinus or skin conditions.  

The emotion associated with Metal and thus the season upon us is Grief. Grief can be experienced subtly as nostalgia - the tender bitter sweetness for what once was.  Or may express itself more overtly as great sadness, depression or despair.  

Noticing with kindness where we may find ourselves along the delicate divide between Letting Go and Allowing In - whether physically, emotionally or spiritually - can help us discern when we may need some additional support.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help us experience more fully the fruits of this season while minimizing its vulnerabilities.  

This autumn, how can you best support the harvest?

I am here for you.

Peace, Karen

M.S. (T.O.M), 

Diplomate in Oriental Medicine

Karen Hayes holds a Masters Degree from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, CA, is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist in the Commonwealth of MA and a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine nationally. She brings with her 12 years of clinical experience.

She works with a full scope of health conditions including but not limited to: Mental Health, Addiction Recovery Support, Sleep Disorders and Insomnia, Asthma/Allergies, Digestive Disorders, Pain Management, Women’s Health, Fertility and Preventative Medicine.

Why you should try Fire Cupping

Although it was the Olympic athletes who launched Cupping into the spotlight this past summer, Fire Cupping offers a myriad of health benefits for every body. So, what is it and why should you try it?

Fire cupping can be thought of as an inverse massage. Instead of pushing down on tissue, the cups use negative pressure (suction) to pull up skin, tissue and muscle. This process helps remove toxins and cell waste in the muscles and joints, decreases inflammation and improves blood flow, qi and lymph movement in the body.

Fire cupping often works wonders for patients with the flu, colds, cough, back and muscle pain, poor circulation, and anxiety. It works as a detoxification aid, improving circulation and stimulating the lymphatic system. 

Most often used in conjunction with your Acupuncture session, Fire Cupping can be booked as a stand alone session. Whether you're looking for a quick recovery after an intense workout, fighting off a cold, or needing a little detoxification boost, you will LOVE Fire Cupping!