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acupuncture, health, medical qigong, nutrition

The Free and Easy Wanderer

Spring plant

Spring, the time of rebirth. New sprouts of life springing forth, bright shades of green bursting out. The element is wood, the climate wind, the energy up and outward, yang energy is increasing,warming the cold yin energy of winter. It expands, warms, and grows from the cool hibernating earth. It is our first season of life, the morning hours, new beginnings.

In traditional Eastern medicine, the energies of the liver and gallbladder are associated with springtime, a wonderful time to do some spring cleaning, externally and internally. A free flowing energy, ‘springing forth from the east, the free and easy wanderer.
It manifests in our nervous system, which is always growing and expanding, inquisitive by nature. Wood energy is always thinking , analyzing, creating. When healthy and abundant, there is clarity of mind and the capacity to problem solve. It embodies freedom, happiness, ease (the opposite of dis-ease), and flow. If out of balance, the opposite emotions manifest as confusion, anger and frustration.

Finding healthy ways to express these high energy flows are extremely beneficial. Take some hikes in nature (barefoot is best), work on some vocalization (singing, toning, breathwork), adding activities to move this dragon-like energy.

The wood nature qi manifests in our muscles, tendons, hair and nails. The channels, encompass the inner and outer legs, hips, mid-back,the head, jaw, neck and shoulders. Some signs that may present during this season: a stiff neck, mid-back tension, tight diaphragm, tension headaches manifesting on sides of head or vertex, exhausted eyes from excessive screen time, sleep disturbances (especially from 11pm to 3am) including vivid dreams, hip pain, and joint stiffness. Make sure you are not sitting for extended periods of time, or if you must, set your alarm at the top of each hour for a movement break. Adding mindful movement practices such as qigong and mindful movement will keep the tendons and joints moving with ease and grace.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or insights!

health, news

Ready to Sleep through the Night?

Overcoming insomnia,
developing a sleep health practice

“Put your thoughts to sleep,
do not let them cast a shadow
over the moon of your heart.
Let go of thinking.”
— Rumi

Sleep provides the body and brain with the much needed rest and recovery period, after long stressful days. Interrupt this natural biological rhythm, and systems start to malfunction quickly. Adequate sleep maintains the delicate balance of yin and yang and ensures a healthier state of being. During the day, yang is abundant, and during the night, yin dominates. Heading to sleep by 10pm, allows the nervous system to have time to heal and recover from the days activities.

Stress, one of the main causes of insomnia, is accompanied by overexertion and excess worries. The pace of life demands that we must always be on the go. This persistent and constant state of overworking stresses our physical body, our mental capacity, and forces our nervous system to maintain a constant state of high cortisol levels.

Once sleep is disturbed on a regular basis, havoc runs quickly, often leading to headaches, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, and increased stress levels. The cause of insomnia can be as simple as a poor sleep environment, environmental factors, biophysical and medical conditions and biochemical imbalances. Lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise, irregular work shifts, poor diet and moods can all contribute to insomnia. Many medical conditions also often leave one restless and sleep deprived.

As insomnia progresses it will lead to a slower reaction time, poor performance during daily activities, enhanced health issues which will stress every system of the body. In ancient Rome, insomnia was unheard of, in fact if you did have that as a diagnosis, it was considered a very severe mental, emotional and spiritual disease.

The success of acupuncture appears to have an irreplaceable effect in the treatment of insomnia and its symptoms, when compared with biomedicine and its treatments. Most treatment protocols call for 2 to 3 treatments a week, for a 10 week duration. Based on the concept that all disease is the result of an imbalance of energy moving through the body, acupuncture restores flow and balance, allowing the body to return to it’s natural self-healing capacities. Acupuncture calms the nervous system and helps to correct the imbalances in the body, clears obstructions in the musculature, fasciae and nerve pathways, facilitates the natural flow of qi and relaxes the entire body.

Feel free to reach out with any questions or a free consultation. I incorporate acupuncture, Reiki, Medical Qigong, meditation, sound therapy, essential oils, herbs, nutritional advice and lifestyle recommendations, to devise the perfect treatment plan to assist you on your healing path.

In health,
Carol Reed, L.Ac, MSTCM, Reiki Master, Medical Qigong

208.351.0952
www.ElementsofTao.com
carol@elementsoftao.com

health, manual therapy, medical qigong, reiki energy

Let’s Go To Vagus!

No silly, I did not mean ‘Las Vegas’, I am inviting you to explore your tenth (X) cranial nerve, your Vagus nerve, ‘The Wanderer’. It connects your brain to each of your organs. Also connecting your ‘gut’ to your brain, like when we receive that ‘gut feeling’. It is the main nerve of our parasympathetic nervous system, part of our autonomic nervous system, meaning we don’t have control over it, or do we?

By mindful practices, such as: yoga, qigong, receiving massage and acupuncture treatments, nature bathing, meditation, toning (OM) and breath work, they are finding that we can connect to our parasympathetic nervous system, allowing us to ‘rest and digest’. In fact, breath awareness is one of the most powerful practices to connect with our Vagus nerve, assisting us in reducing heart rate, enhancing our immune function and assisting digestion.

Reconnecting with our natural rhythms and taking the time to slow down, are essential practices to guide us to a more balanced state. This includes bringing more mindfulness to our sleep practices (put that phone away) and our dietary habits. We truly are what we eat! How many of us our multi-tasking while we are ingesting food, and then complain of indigestion? Our modern day mode, technology abound, truly throws us out of our natural state of being, creating imbalance.

This is why it is so important to adopt mindful practices that resonate for you. Making time to do what you truly love is essential to wellness. Connect with nature, breathe mindfully, shake off your shoes and ground, look at the trees, observe the colors, inhale the aromas, all are beautiful ways to restore balance. Treat yourself to a massage or Reiki session, a yoga class or workshop, all are wonderful ways to restore. Self-massage, especially on abdomen, is another excellent way to connect with your Vagus nerve. Simply place your hands on your abdomen and gently follow path of digestion by slowly moving clockwise. It stimulates serotonin which has a direct relationship with melatonin, a hormone which controls our sleep-wake cycle. Also, make sure that your room is completely dark. Even a small amount of light can disturb your melatonin production for up to 4 hours. The best time to go to bed is before 11pm, so that your nervous system truly gets the deep rest it needs to heal and regenerate.

The more we implement these mindful practices into our everyday lives, the calmer and more harmonious our lives become. You will feel more balanced, more energized, and resiliency towards everyday stressors. Train yourself to return to your original state of harmony and balance and allow that to resonate outward.

Namaste,

Carol Reed, L.Ac., MSTCM

acupuncture, health, nutrition, reiki energy

Tools to Boost our Immune System

by Carol Reed, L.Ac., MSTCM, Reiki Master

The last few years, if it has taught us anything, has shown us how absolutely essential it is to take a deeper look at our immune system. Tools to help boost immunity are an excellent way to become pro-active with your health maintenance. This includes adopting lifestyle practices to boost immunity naturally: spending time outdoors in nature, choosing activities that help are cardiovascular system as well as adopting time and space for more meditative activities. These include: yoga, qigong, mindful meditation, nature bathing, earthing, sound therapy. Anything which shifts us from our sympathetic response (fight or flight) to our parasympathetic response (rest and digest).

Diet is also a huge component to our immune response. Eating a balanced menu, based on your body’s needs, is essential. Local, organic, farm raised produce is the best choice! Your food should truly be your medicine. Supplements should also be added, due to the mineral depletion of our soil (much more to discuss on this topic in future articles). Also, making sure you are taking a complex B supplement, VitD, VitC, and supplementing with the appropriate minerals (my favorite is Shilajit, an Ayurvedic mineral supplement from the Himalaya’s which has anti-viral properties, perfect for these times).

I am a huge fan of medicinal mushrooms and add them to my diet (and my pup’s diet) daily.

From immune boosting properties, cognitive health improvements, and cardiovascular support, the list of healing benefits is vast. My favorite recipe (and this can be used for those that dislike the texture or flavor of our fungi friends) is this Chocolate smoothie that I have every morning.

FUNgi Chocolate Malt

2 cups plant based milk (oat, hemp, coconut, etc)
1 T Tahini (calcium)
1 T hemp seeds
1 tsp maca powder (mood, energy level improvement)
1 tsp cacao powder (raw/organic, theobromine)
1 tsp maple syrup or local honey
1 tsp Reishi mushroom powder (improves sleep, depression, focus, immune health, longevity)
1 tsp Lion’s mane (supports cognitive health, longevity, concentration, nervous system)
1 tsp Chaga (reduces inflammation, longevity support, coffee substitute)
1/2 cup yogurt or keifer (probiotics, digestive health), omit if plant based

Blend ingredients and enjoy!

As an acupuncturist, I must also add, when you are eating, EAT! Do not multi-task. Allow your digestive system to fully appreciate the moment of enjoying your meal, with no other distractions. Give yourself this time, tune into the experience fully, mindfully. Make it a ritual. If you are watching TV/news, driving, doing anything other than enjoying your meal completely, then your digestion in weakened.

Adopting a healthy life rhythm including meditation, centering techniques, healthy eating habits, and restful sleep patterns are essential. Attending classes to help you center (yoga, qigong, sound therapy) and receiving regular treatments from an experienced practitioner of acupuncture, Therapeutic Bodywork, Reiki (to name a few), all will assist your immune system to work at it’s best capability.

Health truly is wealth! I invite you to give your self permission to prioritize your health fully and most affectively! You are what you eat and you are what you think!

Be the best version of yourself that you can be!

If you have any questions or comments please reach out: carol@elementsoftao.com or by phone 208.351.0952 or to schedule an appointment.

You are worth it!

acupuncture, health, manual therapy

Treating Neck and Shoulder Posture With Acupuncture and Manual Therapy

Starting to hear the term ‘tech neck’? Due to our increasing use of computers and other devices our postures are starting to change. People are increasingly suffering from a less then ideal posture do to excessive use of devices these days. 

Signs which present from this include: a stiff and painful neck, shoulder pain, headaches, numbness in hands as well as challenges to our vision from the amount of hours we use our devices. These are all signs that our bodies are out of alignment and treatment is necessary.

Acupuncture and manual therapy are effective tools to correct and eliminate these symptoms. In addition to treating the direct strain and symptoms presenting, acupuncture is clinically proven to reduce stress, increase circulation, decrease inflammation and pain.

Acupuncture and manual therapy provide solutions to address immediate pain relief from ‘tech neck’ and a poor posture. In addition we will incorporate a wholistic treatment to address underlying issues including: improving quality of sleep, better digestion, stress management and increased immunity. 

Combining the above with prescribed Qigong exercises, to improve posture and retrain muscles to perform at their best capabilities, will assure success and improve health in all facets of your life. I look forward to assisting you on your road to elevated health and wellness.

Carol Reed, L.Ac., MSOM
https://www.elementsoftao.com
carol@elementsoftao.com
208.351.0952

health, medical qigong, nutrition, reiki energy, sound therapy

Stress Reduction Guidance during Covid-19

As we all ‘shelter-in-place’ during these challenging and intense times, it has never been more important to find ways to stay grounded and centered through all this uncertainty.

While there is so much out of our control, we must prioritize our self-care and personal practice. It’s even more important then ever to include activities and exercises which help to reduce our levels of cortisol and adrenaline. Living in a constant state of stress keeps us in the Sympathetic response: fight or flight. This affects our digestion, sleep, and overall anxiety levels. Activities which place us into the parasympathetic response (rest and digest) are critical.

While there are many amazing practices available, I find it is most beneficial to develop your own personalized program. One which resonates on a soul level. These may include: surfing, nature walks, and most definitely sound therapy! Activities that keep you tuned-in to the present moment, focused on breath-work, and mindfulness, will elevate your state of overall health.

Finding ways to improve your diet, through eating as many organic and all-natural foods, should also be prioritized. While it is very easy to fall into the pattern of ‘stressful’ eating, consuming certain foods and beverages can tax our immune system rather than benefit it. I personally have added a morning smoothie (recipe included below) and fresh squeezed juice as well (including carrots, beets, apples, ginger and cucumber).

Immune Boosting Smoothie – Recipe

1 cup almond, coconut or oat milk
1/2 cup yogurt
1 cup coconut water
1 tsp. Spirulina
1 tsp. Moringa
1 tsp. Lion’s Mane Mushroom powder
1 tsp. Raw Cacao powder
1 tsp. Maca powder
2 T. almond butter

I hope you find this information helpful! I am available for consultations and energy enhancing practices virtually, until further notice. These typically begin with an intake and a personalized treatment plan to best help with any current health challenges you may be experiencing. These will include dietary recommendations, energy practices (Medical Qigong instruction), as well as Reiki Energy Transmissions.

*Sliding-scale discounts available

Carol Reed, L.Ac.
Carol Reed, L.Ac.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
Watsu
Watsu and Waterdance
Sound Therapy
Sound Therapy
Chi Nei Tsang
Chi Nei Tsang and Qigong
Reiki
Reiki