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