Acupuncture
Why Free Acupuncture on May Day?
Community acupuncture clinics in Seattle and across the continent offer free treatment this Wednesday. Linda and Manu will both be giving free acupuncture 1-5pm (appointments here). It’s Purple Dragon’s anniversary but there is a greater reason why our services are free on May Day. Our colleague Lisa Baird of Guelph Community Acupuncture in Ontario, Canada sums it up well in her article below:
Why free acupuncture on May Day?
by Lisa Baird, RAc Apr 22 2013
Free treatments on May 1st are a community acupuncture tradition. If you’re new to community acupuncture, or unfamiliar with the history of May Day, also known as International Worker’s Day, you might well be wondering Why?
International Worker’s Day marks the anniversary of the Haymarket affair in Chicago. During a public assembly during a general strike for the eight-hour workday in 1886, an unidentified person threw a bomb at the police. The police responded by shooting at the workers, killing dozens of them. May 1st, the anniversary of that event, has become an annual celebration of the international labour movement.
…So why free acupuncture on that day? Yes, giving free treatments is a tried-and-true marketing strategy. But we give free pokes on May Day for other reasons having nothing to do with revenue.
Working as a community acupuncturist in a busy clinic means treating a lot of people, most of whom would not have been able to afford acupuncture without the sliding scale. It means treating many, many people who experience pain and illness as a direct result of their jobs; work site injuries, chemical damage, toxic levels of stress, deep fatigue from shift work, repetitive strain injuries which never get a chance to fully heal. Of course, people of all incomes and backgrounds have work-related illnesses. We welcome wealthier people too! But as community acupuncturists, we are most often treating people who have less access to care for their bodies. It is impossible to ignore that people working for less money are often required to work the hardest, for the longest hours, under the most challenging conditions. It is impossible to ignore how deeply unjust this is.
So, offering free acupuncture on May Day is a political choice for us, a chance to extend a direct welcome and invitation to workers: “Come in and receive care today, for free.”
…It’s also really fun. We always look forward to May Day! Please join us.
8 Sex Drive Killers that Ruin Your Romantic Date
Date night can be fun, a celebration of love and romance. But for some people, romance is the last thing on their minds. If you have a low sex drive or no sex drive, the pressure to be romantic can make date night uncomfortable. You may want to show your sweetheart how much you care, but you just don’t feel it.
There are many reasons for low libido and some of them are not obvious. Find out if any of the sex drive killers below are ruining your date night plans. continue reading
7 Healthy Tips for Coping with Financial Stress
If you feel stressed just living your life, you’re not alone.
Americans lead stressful lives. Jobs, relationships, health, family obligations, community responsibilities—they all take their toll.
In “Stress in America 2012,” an annual survey by the American Psychology Association, 1 in 5 respondents reported an extreme stress level of 8, 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale. In that same group 69% of respondents reported physical or non-physical symptoms of stress, including irritability or anger, fatigue, feeling overwhelmed or changes in their sleep.
The top source of stress according to 69% of the respondents is–money. continue reading
50 Ways to Leave Your Acupuncturist
I’m a lucky acupuncturist.
I work with wonderful people every day and I get to hear your stories, celebrate when you get well and watch your families grow up.
I always try to think of ways to improve your health but suddenly it occurred to me—there is one way I haven’t yet helped you.
I haven’t given you a definitive guide to staying healthy.
This pains me. Not only have I neglected giving you the secret to good health but also if I give it to you, you’ll leave me. You won’t need me anymore.
The more I thought about this, the more nervous I became. You see, there’s not one way to stay well, not two or three.
In fact, there must be 50 ways to leave your acupuncturist. (Read more…)
Spring Acupuncture Tips to Keep You Healthy, Happy and Flexible
Spring is a happy time. Bunnies hop about. Flowers emerge in long forgotten corners of your garden. The birds return and sing so loudly they wake you in the morning.
This is not a time to be angry.
But according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, being angry is exactly what you can expect if you don’t balance your wood element.
In TCM, spring is represented by the element wood. Wood represents birth and newness, the time for fresh ideas and new starts. Unsurprisingly, its color is green like the fresh growth of spring.
Wood governs your spine, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. A wood imbalance can lead to spinal problems, poor flexibility or arthritis. Wood also governs your eyes.
But most important for your mood, wood governs your liver. Read More…
How to End the Terrible Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatments
Having breast cancer is hard. Your body wages a war against cancer cells and your emotions may slide into fear, grief, anxiety and depression.
And unfortunately, the side effects from breast cancer treatments can make it even worse.
Until now, many people thought they had to suffer through all the discomfort. But new research shows that acupuncture is very effective at relieving the side effects of breast cancer treatments.
Continue reading…
How to End Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Start Loving Winter
Many people feel down as winter approaches. It’s dark. It’s cold. The holidays can be stressful.
But for some people every winter is unbearable. They’re tired and depressed. They don’t want to get out of bed. They snap at their families and binge on junk food.
These people have seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Our moods and energy levels fluctuate with the seasons. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) understands these cycles but modern life does not. These days, you are expected to be active, productive and creative at all times of the year. There is no accommodation for a slow, quiet winter. According to TCM, this conflict causes stress, which can result in SAD.
Purple Dragon Welcomes Acupuncturist Manu Saxena
Our newest staff member, Manu Saxena, LAc, EAMP, is taking over the Wednesday afternoon shift 1:00-4:00 so that we can add more evening hours to our clinic. Linda now works Wednesday evenings 4:00-8:00. Since Wednesday is also $5 Acu Happy Hour day, why not drop in for a mini tune-up and meet Manu!
Manu has been a friend of Purple Dragon for sometime. He is a member of the Seattle Community Acupuncture Network (SCAN), and has plenty of experience working in community acupuncture. He is a fine practitioner who has a gentle touch. Manu is well versed in three different styles of acupuncture: traditional Chinese acupuncture, Manaka-style acupuncture (a Japanese style of acupuncture), and Toyohari Meridian-style acupuncture. In addition, Manu has experience with craniosacral therapy and various massage techniques, including Shiatsu and Chinese Tuina, is a Reiki master, and has training in Richard Bartlett’s unique healing method of Matrix Energetics. He specializes in helping people enhance their health with Chinese medicine; individuals with painful musculoskeletal disorders, allergies, emotional challenges like anxiety and depression, and in particular children, are frequent clients. Read more about Manu here.
We wish Christina Williams all the best in her new adventures. It was wonderful to have her working as acupuncturist and massage therapist at Purple Dragon this past year, and we’ll miss her. In fact, it will take 2 people to replace her! Stay tuned for news about our new massage therapist Becky Yawman.
9 Natural Ways to Prevent the Flu
The flu is especially widespread this year. We know you want to stay well. In addition to offering acupuncture to strengthen your immune system to help prevent flu, we here at Purple Dragon will share with you these 9 helpful tips from Deirdre Imus, author and environmental health advocate. This is her article “9 Natural Ways to Prevent the Flu This Winter”:
With the holiday spirit come and gone and 2013 already entering its third week, there’s only one winter milestone left to hit before we plod our way into spring: flu season.
Chances are many of you have already been feeling the flu’s nasty effects. And experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that the country’s early flu season has not yet reached its peak.
Whether you’ve received your flu shot or not, there are some natural steps we can all take to ward off influenza and to protect our loved ones from the fever, cough, achiness, and general unpleasantness associated with this nasty bug.
1. Wash your hands
One of the most effective and easiest methods of flu prevention is something we should all do several times a day–simply because it’s good manners. Do it after you use the restroom, of course, but also after you’ve shaken someone’s hand, kissed hello, been on public transportation, attended a party, gone to the gym, and many other situations. You can never be too careful, especially this time of year.
2. Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is important in every season, but it is particularly useful in the winter. It’s easy to forget to drink enough water in the cold weather, as we’re not sweating as much as we do when it’s warmer outside. Steadily drinking six to eight glasses of water a day can boost your immune system, keeping your body strong and ready to fight off illnesses all year round.
3. Exercise
Like water, exercise has immune-boosting effects. It also enhances circulation, reduces stress, and offers another mode of eliminating toxins through perspiration, according to naturopathic doctor Amy Rothenberg. Of course, take care not to overdo it. If you’re really sick, get plenty of rest and consult a medical professional before engaging in any physical activities.
4. Eat an organic, plant-based diet
Increase the amount of organic fruits and vegetables in your diet, particularly those high in vitamin C, such as papaya, bell peppers, strawberries, broccoli, and kale. To be safe, you can also take a vitamin C supplement. I recommend camu camu, a plant-derived antioxidant vitamin that is considered a top source of vitamin C.
5. Take a vitamin D supplement
Have your vitamin D levels checked with a simple blood test from your physician. If they’re low, consider taking a vitamin D supplement to help prevent not only the flu, but also a host of other health conditions–like cancer and cardiovascular disease–that have been linked to vitamin D deficiency.
6. Enlist probiotics
As discussed in my Green Your Tummy blog, these so-called “good bacteria” in your gut have been shown to help fend off colds and the flu and can rebalance the bacteria we need in our bodies that can be destroyed by antibiotics. Probiotics come in pill form, and a typical dosage is in the billions of CF units, but you can also introduce probiotics into your diet through yogurt, miso, tempeh, kimchi, coconut kefir, and sauerkraut.
7. Try elderberry
Elderberry syrup is not only packed with vitamins A, B, and C, but it also stimulates the immune system, has been shown to prevent colds and the flu, and tastes delicious. At The Imus Ranch, we make elderberry syrup from scratch, but you can find a bottle at your local natural foods market. If you feel a tickle in your throat, soothe it with some elderberry tea.
8. Use essential oils
Essential oils are restorative, curative, and natural antibacterial agents. They also happen to smell pretty great. Diffuse grade-A essential oils throughout your home, or apply them topically to your skin. Apply some oregano oil to your back, chest, and the bottoms of your feet. Aside from being a natural antibiotic, it also has bacteria-fighting properties and is a powerful antihistamine.
9. Get your omega-3s
Rather than turn to fish oil for your health-promoting omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, consider going right to the source and using marine phytoplankton instead. It’s where fish get their omega-3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, as well as their vitamin A. You can enjoy the benefits by simply adding 10 to 15 drops into your water or juice.
If you find yourself getting sick every winter, it’s important to change your habits, and not continue doing what you’ve always done.
The best defense is a good offense, right? This year, take control of your health and start warding off the flu before it rears its ugly head. Beef up your immune system, be kind to yourself, and protect the littlest and most fragile members of your family.
Photo above is from Huffington Post.
Chinese lunar New Year: A do-over for your New Year’s resolutions
It’s about almost month into the New Year. Do you already wish you had a do-over for your New Year’s Resolutions?
If so, you’re in luck. You do.
February 10th is the Chinese lunar New Year. The celebration of the New Year, the Spring Festival, is China’s longest and most important holiday. Because it is based on a different calendar, it falls on a different date between January 21 and February 20 every year. You can think of Spring Festival as Christmas and New Year all rolled into one. Just like our holiday season, it’s a time of celebration, visiting family and friends, giving gifts and preparing for the next year.
Chinese Lunar New Year: Spring Festival
In China, there are many New Year’s traditions during the 15-day Spring Festival. Many people clean their homes to sweep away the past year and usher in the next. Oftentimes family members travel home for a visit. Children receive red envelopes, called hóngbāo in Mandarin, filled with money from their relatives. People hang red lanterns outside their homes to bring happiness and good luck. On Chinese New Year’s Eve families gather for a huge meal and enjoy “lucky” foods together. And, of course, there are fireworks.
The Chinese zodiac has 12 years in its cycle, each one represented by an animal; 2013 is the Year of the Snake. Astrologers say that people born in the Year of the Snake are wise but enigmatic. They are very intuitive and size up situations well, but say little. Snakes are refined; they like to dress well and are usually financially secure. They are intense and passionate in relationships, but can become jealous and suspicious. Snakes prefer a calm, stress-free environment.
Recommit to Your New Year’s Resolutions
The Chinese do not traditionally make New Year’s Resolutions like we do in the West, however this is a good time to reflect on the goals you set a month ago. Are you keeping your New Year’s resolutions?
If you’re having trouble, maybe it’s time to take a lesson from the Snakes. Take a quiet moment and reflect on what is stopping you. Do you need to get serious? Do you need additional support? Are your goals genuine—do you want to do them or do you think you should do them? Why haven’t you kept your New Year’s Resolutions?
If your resolutions include improving your health in 2013, we here at Purple Dragon Healing Arts can help you with that. Give us a call (or click the orange “appointment” button to the right) to arrange an appointment for anything from a tune-up to weight control to mood balancing.
If you need to make a deeper commitment to your resolutions, take a moment and think about what you need to do to keep them. Write down 3 easy action steps.
…and do them. Now.
Use the Chinese lunar New Year as a do-over. Commit to your New Year’s resolutions.
Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái. Happy New Year.
Photo credit: Gayle Nicholson / Foter / CC BY-SA
