The Joy of Healing: How Summer Fun Heals the Heart

What comes to mind when you think of summer? For me, it stirs up nostalgia of childhood feelings of freedom, knowing that those endless days were all mine to fill with family and friends as we shared the sunshine. While “adulting” does not always leave room for that kind of freedom, the promise of summer still gives us so much to celebrate. In TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), summer belongs to the Fire element. It is about expansion, outward expression, activity and joy. The heart is the ruler of this time. It houses the

‘Shen”, or spirit, and this is the time to let the spirit dance and frolic and feel as free as possible. With the fire element in balance, the heart is happy, the mind is clear, and the body maintains health with a blend of movement and stillness, excitement and peace. Summer is nature’s way of healing the heart by providing the ideal setting for all things heart-related!

Activity: The energy of summer in Chinese medicine is considered very yang in nature. Fire is the element of extreme yang, and has a radiating, dispersing power. Think of the lively dance of fire burning. This is the time to move, get our heart pumping, and blood circulating. This is time for focusing on cardiovascular health! Summer makes this a much more inviting task with outdoor sports, swimming, hiking, or simply a walk on a warm summer night. And don’t forget to dance... never forget to dance.

Community: The sound that belongs to the heart according to TCM is laughter and the emotion is joy. It’s no wonder that joy feels best when shared. It’s also no wonder that researchers have found that the quality of family relationships and social connection is a strong factor in heart disease prevention. So, as summer provides the warm inviting opportunities to get together, treasure your family and friends (and pets!) and find ways to connect, laugh and share your joy.

Sunshine: What better way to bask in the healing power of summer than by soaking up the healing rays of sunshine. Obviously stop before you get burned, but don’t be afraid to feel that shine and let it in. When UVB rays hit human skin, they help to produce Vitamin D3, which reduces risk of heart disease, stroke, and hypertension. Those same UVB rays cause the skin to release beta-endorphins which promote natural pain relief and a sense of well-being. Sunlight also helps the body to release nitrogen oxides, which opens arterial flow and have anti-inflammatory effects. The exposure to sunlight is also required to set our natural circadian rhythms which regulate our sleep and wake cycles. For those of us who experience cold winters, the warmth of sunshine is one of the most welcome feelings and one of the best ways to support our fire element.

Summer beauty: Taking care of the heart in Chinese Medicine includes making the spirit feel at home in the heart and the spirit craves beauty. Look at how the earth changes in summer. Flowers’s bloom, colors come alive, birds sing; there is art and music everywhere. This is a time for aesthetics, and we all have our own taste. Get out and enjoy whatever stimulates your mind and heals your heart. Admire nature’s sunset paintings, smell the sweet perfume of the flowers, and let your spirit sing with the sounds of the season. Celebrate your own creative expression along with the energy of the season.

So, what are you doing this Summer? We would like to know. One thing that I may suggest, would be to get yourself back in here for an acupuncture summer-time tune-up! That is one of the easiest ways that we can help manage your health and well-being. Remember that summer is create season to support your heart and digestive system with acupuncture and hers. Give us a call today to schedule up your tune-up.

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According to the American Sleep Association more than 70 million of adults have different sleep disorders. More then 10% have chronic Insomnia. Those numbers are shocking. Chronic insomnia is classified as a long-term pattern of difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep at least two-three nights per week for three months or longer. Short term insomnia can be due to adjusting to different life circumstances and very often lead to chronic if not taken care properly.

What can lead to the long-term insomnia:

• Constant stress related to work or family relationships and not able to manage it
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Irregular work schedule
• Chronic Fatigue due to overworking or health problems
• Anxiety or depression
• Obesity
• Overthinking
• Hormonal changes after 45 in women and men
• Unhealthy habits and routine (overuse of electronic devises, eating late, watching TV before bedtime, napping late, exercising late hours, working late hours, consumption of alcohol or other substances)

How can Acupuncture help with Insomnia?
Insertion of acupuncture needles in specific points will unblock the meridians or channels and create a free flow of Qi to bring more oxygen/ blood to the organs, calm brain overactivity, activate parasympathetic nervous system, and balance endocrine system.

View the image below with the Chinese clock. Each organ of our body belongs to a specific meridian and time of the day. For example, if you are waking up between 1-3 am, this time belongs to the liver meridian and most likely you are experiencing stress.

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Here are the most commonly asked questions in the month of November this year! 

Question: Advantages of injecting B12 in acupuncture points?

Answer: Systemic- it goes to your blood stream for more immediate impact. Local- will stimulate acupuncture meridians increasing overall effectiveness of treatment.

Q: Can acupuncture helps with fears and anxiety?

A: In traditional Chinse medicine, emotion fears connect to meridian Kidney and adrenal glands. These organs play a significant role in neuroendocrine regulation of mood related hormones. Placing the needles in specific acupuncture points will unblock the meridian, stimulate parasympathetic nervous system, and bring more blood to the organs and promote healing. Simply put, you will feel better and more grounded.

Q: Is hypnotherapy can help with emotional overeating?

A: Hypnotherapy is safe and powerful tool to overcome anxiety, depression, fears, anger, overthinking, insomnia – all emotional problems which cause overeating.

Q: Is your office Covid safe?

A: Safety is our 1st priority. We are screening each patient who enters our office, disinfecting surfaces (between appointments) and using high grade air filters. Practitioners and patients wear masks. Hands are sanitized and washed multiple times during each appointment.

Q: Working from home is more stressful then the office. How you can help to overcome the stress?

A: Combination of acupuncture and health coaching sessions are very powerful in overcoming stress. Acupuncture will relax and balance your emotional and physical health. Health coaching sessions will help you to find the right tools to adjust and manage daily life in this difficult time.

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