Balancing Yang Heat with Yin Food
Thoughtful Eating. One big way we live in harmony during the summer is to eat mindfully. When it is very hot, eat energetically cooling foods. Just as we intuitively feel it is best to practice Qi Gong as the sun rises and sets in summer, we also know it is best to balance our practice with rest when the sun is hot at high noon. Making Better Choices. We do the same with the food we choose to eat. Stay away from deep-fried food or heavy, oily foods that generate heat in the b
I am getting a total hip replacement, will acupuncture help me with that?
Absolutely. Acupuncture can be useful pre- and post-operatively with a joint replacement. Preoperatively. Acupuncture can help with pain management. And as you strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint, acupuncture can help these muscles respond. (Remember, you heal better when you perform the pre-op exercises given to you by the doctor.) Starting Acupuncture. I recommend getting acupuncture treatments started as soon as you can after surgery, even with bandages in place.
Summer and Chinese Medicine
As the summer rolls around again, it’s good to get a reminder on how hot weather affects your body. The more you know, the better you can adjust. Seasons and the Elements. Each season is associated with an Element/Phase in Chinese Medicine. Summer is ruled by the Fire element and is expressed in nature as well as the body. Growth, joy, and spiritual awareness between the heart and the mind are the focus during this season. Summer-heat belongs to the element of fire and is pre
Deep Water Exercise
Like most folks, summer probably makes you think of swimming. And rightly so. It’s such good exercise. And swimming is great for post-op exercise. This is an article that I wrote last September when I took up deep water exercise, and since our subject this month centers around joint replacement, I thought I’d send it out again. Deep water exercise has been so helpful to me. If you need to increase your flexibility, maybe this article will inspire you! I love to swim. Recently