What is moxibustion?

This is a nice article that explains how moxa is used in acupuncture. I use this herb, derived from mugwort, often when practicing. It's used to warm different areas of the body and to bolster the treatment. A practitioner may needle and use moxa on the same point. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/traditional-Chinese-medicine-moxibustion/2010/12/22/id/380767

Acupuncture and Smell

New study shows acupuncture can restore one's sense of smell.

http://www.healthcmi.com/index.php/acupuncturist-news-online/331-acupunctureceusmellolfactorynose

Here I Am

I've just opened myself up to help people, and I wait. This is the tough part, waiting. I've put myself out there with a website, listing on Acufinder, the school listing, and I'm waiting for all of this to begin. I began studying acupuncture knowing that I want to help people. I've suffered a great deal from my own illnesses for over a decade and acupuncture brought me so much relief, I have a calling to spread the news and facilitate healing to others. I will keep waiting, knowing that things will happen and my calling will be answered. I've believed from the beginning that this is my true path, and I still believe. 

Blessings to you and yours and everyone that is waiting :)

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting thin needles into specific body points to improve health and well-being, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

http://www.thecypresstimes.com/article/MedicalHealth/Medical/HEALTH_CARE_AND_ACUPUNCTURE/37691

The Element of Winter - Water ->Kidney

Winter is officially 9 days away, but it certainly feels like winter over most of the United States. 

In Five Element Chinese Medicine, the climate of Water is cold, the season of Water is winter, cold, winter, and Water are quiescent, quiet, and wrapped inside itself. 

According to "Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture," by Angela and John Hicks and Peter Mole, pg 158, "The power of Water is storage...What is said about the season of winter reveals the nature of storage. In winter, our qi will naturally flow deeper inside us. If we rest and take life slowly we will preserve it. Animals demonstrate storage by hibernation and by storing food for the winter...Maintaining an appropriate balance between activity and rest is crucial to the health of the Water Element. This Element stores much of people's reserves of energy."

In my opinion, it's important that people get plenty of rest during this time of year. It's the lower most yin time of the year, and Winter Solstice is Tuesday, December 21st this year http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/december-solstice.html.  Also, eating nutritious food is very important. Eat your vegetables, particularly plenty of greens and squash. Some people tend to gravitate towards comfort food, like sweets or pizza. In moderation, this is fine, but it's important to continue to all vegetables that are available; fresh and local is the best kind. 

Another important factor is to take measures to reduce stress. There are many modalities that can be used to do this; yoga, qi gong, tai chi, meditation, message, and yes, ACUPUNCTURE! Acupuncture has been show to induce the rest and relaxation, or parasympathetic, response, thus inducing a more restful sleep, assisting with digestion, reducing stress, and so on. Adequate rest also protects the lower jiao, or lower part, of the body, particularly the Kidneys. The Kidneys are where we store our purest, and congenital qi. 

So celebrate, but take care of the body this season, which will take care of the mind and spirit this season!

plug!

http://jessicatoweryacupuncture.com/page/about/

holiday special - 20% off 1st 2 appointments. :)

many people turning to acupuncture to treat headaches

Headaches are a common source of discomfort for many, many people. The remedy is often popping some acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen, not to mention the myriad of drugs for migraines. This article discusses a turn in the tide for treatment - acupuncture! My favorite!

http://www.heraldnews.com/lifestyle/health/x1921996038/Learn-the-cause-of-headaches-in-order-to-best-treat-the-symptoms

constant change: How Acupuncture Changes the Way the Brain Perceive...

constant change: How Acupuncture Changes the Way the Brain Perceive...: "'A new study lends support to the notion that acupuncture may actually modulate the brain's perception of pain. In a study that used funct..."

How Acupuncture Changes the Way the Brain Perceives Pain

"A new study lends support to the notion that acupuncture may actually modulate the brain's perception of pain. In a study that used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to track brain activity both before and during acupuncture, researchers led by Dr. Nina Theysohn at the University Hospital in Essen, Germany, and colleagues at University of Duisburg-Essen documented a specific pattern of brain activation during acupuncture that may represent an accessible pathway for addressing pain."

 

I watch out for news about acupuncture every day and this is so amazing and explains how acupuncture may affect the brain in how it perceives pain. but I believe that it doesn't stop there. It can change how the brain perceives everything in my opinion.
http://healthland.time.com/2010/12/06/how-acupuncture-affects-pain-perception-in-the-brain/?hpt=T2

The Wonders of Acupuncture

Many people ask me what acupuncture treats. As this article details, it can treat many conditions!

http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20101206/LIFE/312069992

my wittle website

http://jessicatoweryacupuncture.com/page/welcome/

a new non-acupuncture squash recipe post via Christy Fields

http://vegancampus.com/2009/11/26/vegan-baked-acorn-squash-roasted-garlic-thyme/

I'm pretty sure I'm going to try it this weekend. I'm loving the winter squash this season! it's delicious and VERY good for you! they make a great potato substitute.

Changing Health Inc

Changing Health Inc is an exciting, low cost acupuncture treatment center, providing services for everyone. I plan to volunteer this Monday.

"We are a New York State nonprofit with 501c3 tax-exempt status founded in 2008. This is New York's first nonprofit dedicated to establishing, facilitating and maintaining AFFORDABLE, DONATION BASED ACUPUNCTURE CLINICS.

Acupuncture can be delivered in low-cost community settings, allowing many people to have access to a safe, toxin-free form of health care. Along with providing the highest quality acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, which can resolve many situations, Changing Health practitioners will facilitate proper medical referral for patients with more serious medical conditions.

For more information on acupuncture, visit the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine website at http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/"


Here is the website for Changing Health Inc: http://www.changinghealthinc.org/

butternut squash recipe

Here is a cool recipe for butternut squash cider soup that a friend shared with me. Looks wonderful and I really want to try it!

http://www.active.com/nutrition/Articles/10-Fall-Foods-to-Add-to-Your-Diet.htm?cmp=282&memberid=98004291&lyrisid=21038931&page=3

Autumn - Feeling Low?

I've noticed many people, including myself, experience some sense of sadness and grief during this time of year. While it is a beautiful time of year, summer is gone, things begin to die, and we come to the realization that winter is approaching. 

In the book, "5 Element Constitutional Acupuncture," by Angela Hicks, John Hicks, and Peter Mole, section 2, Chapter 18 describes the Metal element, the element of autumn, and the Lung, the organ of autumn. In this theory of acupuncture, and in Chinese medicine, each yin organ is assigned a spirit. The spirit of Lung is called "Po," or the physical (corporeal) soul. On page 140, the book describes the function of the po and psychic protection, "This function is similar to the 'Defensive' (wei) qi... On a physical level, the Lung gives us the ability to ward off infections like coughs and colds. Because they are vulnerable to these 'attacks' by infections they (the lungs) are called the 'fragile' Organ. On a mental and spiritual level we are also fragile and the po gives people protection from attack on these levels.

People who have strong Lung qi often have a natural ability to protect themselves. People with weak Lungs, however, are often more sensitive to criticism or emotional assault."

On page 144, it further explains, "Because of these issues they (people) may consciously or unconsciously ask themselves various questions such as:

 - What will give my life meaning?

 - Am I really Ok?

 - What do I need to be complete?

 - How can I connect to the world?

 - How can I find inspiration and meaning?"

I think it's important during these times to recognize the preciousness of life, and that while we may feel crumby, the world is still a beautiful place where we can live and love everything around us. My suggestion is to try and enjoy some of the autumn activities. There are usually hayrides, apple picking, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes that are fun to visit. Also, personally I find joy in shopping at farmer's markets! You can find wonderful foods that are seasonal and delicious. My personal favorite food this time of year is butternut squash. It is easy to cook and very nutritious. This website demonstrates how to easily cook butternut squash: http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Cook-Butternut-Squash

Also, try to find things that fulfill you spiritually, whether it be attending church, whatever your faith, exercising, yoga, meditation, and deep breathing practices. These are just a few suggestions to help you enjoy the season without getting too wrapped up in the sadder side of autumn. 

P.S. Don't forget pumpkin carving and Halloween!

excellent things that happened to me at age 40

I spent New Year's Eve, spring birthday (husband), and late summer at my favorite cabins with my husband and cat.

I saw the Yeah Yeah Yeah's for free and Karen O was awesome!

I was privileged to work in my school clinic as an intern and learned more about acupuncture and people than I have at any other time in my life.

I graduated from said school (Tri-State College of Acupuncture) with a Masters degree.

I was privileged to host my graduation with all of the wonderful friends I made.

I went to the beach a lot.

I created an amazing garden on my balcony and had a beautiful summer.

I was able to see Roger Waters' The Wall just before the tour and it was amazing.

I saw Pavement on their reunion tour.

I posted way too much information on facebook.

I took care of my family when they needed me.

I've had amazing experiences with nature.

...and so much more...

it has been a great year!

does anybody here remember Vera Lynn?

so, it has taken me a few days to process the show that I witnessed on Sunday, September 12, 2010. not to mention being sick, and tired, and tired of being sick, but I wanted to make sure that I do the show justice without revealing too much about the show, so that if one actually reads this and does go to see it, they're still surprised.

this was called a "friends and family show" and the only way I was able to get in on something like this was because of my fabulous husband and the hard work he does.

I have to say, first off, that Roger Waters' looked absolutely amazing, and for a man that just turned 67, he was striking to say the least. his voice was strong and in full form. his body was cut, his chest formed and obviously he's been working out. that being said he hit every note with full force and if it didn't make your sphincter squeeze in just a little and give you goosebumps, well, you weren't alive! 

the show opened just like The Wall, the album, begins. but prior to the show, there was a man pushing a shopping cart around with the pink stuffed body and he tossed it onto the stage before the show began. thus began the ride. before you know it, "Another Brick In The Wall" begins and out marches some children to sing the chorus. then on to "Mother," which had no female vocals, so Roger has changed it up a bit, and then to the beautiful "Blue Sky." superimposed over the wall built on the stage were various video images, not only from the movie and the usual Pink Floyd fare, but also more modern images of the current war in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere, as well as pictures of soldiers from past wars all the way back to the Spanish-American War. Mr. Waters is always ready and open for political statement and that's one of the reasons why I like him so much. when horrible things happen, I, personally, look to his music for solace, because he is so aware and says the right thing, for me anyway.

there was so much to take in throughout the show that I just held my eyes wide open as possible to take in every visual effect as well as hearing the music. I slammed my head around like a heavy metal rocker, as I do at every concert that I enjoy.

the show goes through the entire double CD as one would expect, with an intermission between records. I don't want to give away too much, but I will say he had the many talented musicians that he usually has on his solo tours and you couldn't recognize most of them; I could only recognize Snowy White. everyone was dressed in black t-shirt and black jeans. every musician was completely immaculate from beginning to end. this was a full dress rehearsal, and according to my husband there was only one staging mistake, but I didn't notice it. as I write out my little review, I'm listening to The Wall CD and the show does not miss a beat! it is the standard 2.5 hours long, just like the movie and record, but it went by in a flash. if you enjoy imbibing before a good concert, please do, but my advice is not to do so too much as to not be able to absorb the entire affect of the experience.

this is totally a must see show for anyone that is a Pink Floyd or Roger Waters fan. even if you're just curious about the music, you have got to see this show. I truly believe that Roger Waters is a timely and important artist of our time and his words come from not only his intellect, but his heart, which is the root of music in my opinion. I believe that Mr. Waters is underrated. he doesn't get enough attention for the important, heartfelt,  and well educated things that he has to say and offer to the world.

so, what the hell does this have to do with acupuncture? I believe that acupuncture is not only a medicine, but an art. acupuncture is political, at least in the world of medicine. Roger Waters is an artist that speaks from the heart and draws from personal experience, perhaps to heal his own psychic wounds, but in turn, his art heals anyone who is in tune with his music and can cling to the personal experience and the healing words that he has to share. most acupuncturists that I have met draw from personal experience in their foundation towards it's artists like Roger Waters that inspire me personally and I hope anyone that loves music will go see this show and enjoy the message that it has to share. becoming what they are; vessels for personal healing. acupuncturists can trigger the body's natural ability to heal itself, just as music can tap into feelings and thoughts that bring people into their personal experience, shedding light on their psychic or physical pain, and ability to fix that pain.

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2, count them, 2 followers...I'm a popular gal!

ROGER WATERS' THE WALL

OMGWTFBBQ!!! more to come later!

tonight's menu

I am privileged to be attending the full dress rehearsal of Roger Water's production of The Wall before he takes it to Europe. I'm so excited I may pee in my pants! will be reporting later on how awesome it is and how everyone should see him on tour if they can!

life is constant change

I'm here, on the precipice of moving from one career to the next in roughly six months, if not sooner. I've worked in the corporate world for nearly 20 years now. It has brought me many benefits and good things, but also has allowed me to change to something new. I attended Tri-State College of Acupuncture from 2007-2010. I'm still waiting for my diploma to be issued, and I should have it soon. Then it's on to licensure in the state of New York. It's been an exciting and expensive journey, but I look forward to helping others as a result of my intense and continued training. I can't wait to get started. In the meantime, I will document my ideas, thoughts, feelings, and experiences in the city right here. Huzzah!