Phthalates are just some of over 800 chemicals that are labeled as endocrine disruptors. These chemicals are toxic for a number of reasons. They may mimic estrogen, androgen or thyroid hormones and cause your body to respond to them inappropriately. Or they may block, stimulate or inhibit these hormones. By interfering in your hormone system, there is growing evidence that these chemicals are responsible for a wide range of health problems.
Endocrine disruptors are found in many products. Sandwich bags, air fresheners, dryer sheets, perfumes, sunscreens, cleaning products, laundry detergents, flame retardants, pesticides, cosmetics, shampoo, conditioners and vinyl shower curtains can all be suspect.
One widely known endocrine disruptor is bisphenol-A or BPA. This chemical is found in plastics and is the reason many people choose glass water bottles over plastic.
In February 2013, the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) released a new report: State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals 2012. According to this study, endocrine disruptors are linked to high rates of endocrine-related cancers, such as breast, ovarian, prostate, testicular and thyroid cancers; low semen quality; genital malfunctions such as non-descended testes; adverse pregnancy outcomes; obesity; and Type 2 diabetes.
But the effects don’t stop with humans. The report also finds reproductive defects, infertility and antler malformations in some Alaskan deer populations and population decline in some species of otters and sea lions.
Clearly, it’s a good idea to minimize your exposure to these chemicals.
Most people know that one way to feel better is with acupuncture needles. You go to your acupuncturist feeling bad. I put in a few needles. You leave feeling lighter, energized, more pain-free.
Using acupuncture needles to heal is part of a broader medical system called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). By observing body systems and the links between symptoms, TCM developed a medical philosophy about the flow of Qi, or life force. When Qi is balanced, you feel healthy. When it is disrupted, blocked or unbalanced, poor health is the result.
In acupuncture, needles are placed at specific points along the meridians to balance the Qi.
But did you know that needles are just one way to balance Qi?
TCM is a flexible system. The principles can be applied in many ways and to many different therapies to achieve the same results.
In the following 2 part series, we will look at the many ways you can balance Qi. This first part of the series describes the TCM therapies that require the help of a practitioner.
Healthy eating tips for the summer are a little tricky.
Since the weather is warm, you need light, cooling foods. Juicy peaches, sweet watermelons, tomatoes hot off the vine… The right foods are easy to find. One trip through your garden or a walk through a farmer’s market and you’ll have the perfect summer meal.
But since you’re outside exercising and working in the garden, you build up an appetite. You work hard and play hard. You crave calories to keep the fire burning. Are cucumbers the first food you reach for after rototilling the garden? Probably not.
Unfortunately, many times craving calories trumps craving fresh food. You satisfy your appetite with a meal of tortilla chips and soda. Or brats and beer. Or hamburgers and ice cream.
And afterward you feel full, bloated and hot.
Fortunately there is a solution. It is possible to eat well, have energy and avoid feeling bloated.
The trick is in the timing.
With an easy tweak to your natural summer diet, you’ll feel fantastic. continue reading »
Simple effective stretches to relieve pain and discomfort in your shoulder, forearm, and fingers are featured on the Musician’s Health website with pictures for easy reference. Just click this link to see them: http://www.musicianshealth.com/stretches.htm
The stretches (and the photo here at left) are from the book “Repetitive Strain Injuries: Alternative Treatments and Prevention” by Dr. Tim Jameson, DC. These stretches are not just for musicians. They are great for computer users and anyone who performs repetitive tasks as part of your job or hobby, even cooking. If you continue to engage in the tasks that caused the injury, then adding acupuncture to your care routine can bring significant relief and improvement to your shoulders, arms, hands, wrists, and fingers. Contact us if you would like to see how acupuncture can help your body feel more comfortable when performing repetitive tasks.
Most people grab their sunscreen and head outside. But what do you do?
You close the windows, grab your antihistamines and hide in the house.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could enjoy being outdoors?
Allergies are widespread. According to WebMD, 20% of the population suffers from allergies or asthma, and 55% of the population tests positive for one or more allergens. Allergies are the 5th leading chronic disease in the US and cost the US health care system $7.9 billion annually.
If you can’t live with your runny nose, congestion or watery eyes, but you don’t want to take antihistamines or get allergy shots, what can you do to relieve your symptoms?
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:
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.
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 »
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 »
Diabetes is a worldwide concern. Millions of people suffer or die from it and its complications. The rate at which it is increasing in the population is staggering.
According to the World Health Organization about 347 million people worldwide have diabetes. Deaths from diabetes will rise 50% in the next 10 years and by 2030 diabetes is expected to be the seventh leading cause of death worldwide. continue reading »
Posted in Wellness | Tagged diabetes, tcm | Comments Off on How Traditional Chinese Diabetic Treatments Bring New Hope for an Old Disease
Tomorrow is the first day of spring. Yahoo! Except for that fact that many people don’t feel so hot this time of year.
The flu is—knock on wood—mostly behind us. Allergies have not quite exploded yet. So, why do so many of us feel off in the early days of spring?
You can kindly thank your Liver!
In acupuncture theory, humans are viewed as microcosms of the natural world that surrounds them. Seasons—particularly the transitional periods, when we move from from one season to the next—factor significantly into how we feel.
Each season is linked with an organ system in the body, and spring’s system is Liver. This means that the Liver, as it adjusts to taking over the seasonal reigns, is especially vulnerable.
When the Liver is vulnerable, the functions throughout the body for which the Liver is responsible have a tendency to get out of whack.
Eventually, spring can become a time when the Liver and its associated functions thrive. However, during this transitional period, when the Liver is still finding its footing, certain symptoms commonly show up. Acupuncture improves these symptoms by restoring balance to the Liver system.
How To Know That You Need Acupuncture
Here are seven signs that your Liver may need some acupuncture love:
You feel extra tense
In acupuncture, Liver is the system that’s responsible for smooth flow throughout the body. When the Liver is not functioning optimally, things like emotional stress, rigid posture, shallow breathing, and jaw clenching may become exacerbated.
You have headaches and other aches and pains
When things aren’t flowing smoothly, we start to experience what acupuncturists think of as stagnation-type symptoms. These include pain, and specifically pain that feels like pressure, tightness or restriction. Tension headaches and menstrual cramps are commonly worse this time of year.
Your muscles are really stiff
The Liver and its associated system, Gallbladder, nourish the body’s connective tissue, tendons and ligaments. You may notice increased stiffness, tension or tightness in your muscles and joints in the coming weeks.
You feel irritable and frustrated
Are you feeling more annoyed than charmed by the springtime sound of chirping birds? The emotional symptoms associated with Liver imbalances mimic the physical stagnation that happens. You may notice yourself feeling extra irritabile or frustrated, perhaps more easily annoyed. There’s an emotional stuckness that can take hold in spring.
Your fuse is shorter than usual
All organ systems in acupuncture have an associated emotion. Liver’s emotion is anger. A healthy dose of anger helps complete a balanced emotional profile. However, when the Liver isn’t appropriately keeping things in check, there is a tendency for anger to rise up. Along with feeling irritable, you may have a harder time than usual controlling your anger.
Your digestion is messed up
Healthy digestion is heavily dependent on consistent and smooth movement throughout the whole body. When the Liver fails to maintain flow, digestive disturbances can easily occur. There’s also the whole brain-gut connection. When emotional stress is higher than usual, digestive function naturally declines.
Your eyes are bothering you
Just as all organ systems have an associated emotion, they also have an associated sense. Sight goes with the Liver system, so any issues related to eye health are usually attributed, at least in part, to a Liver imbalance. This can include poor vision as well as eye pain and fatigue, and dry eyes. This simple exercise can help.
The Springtime Acupressure Point
If you only remember one acupuncture point all spring, it should be Liver 3.
Located on the foot, between the first and second toes (see picture at right), Liver 3 is the source point on the Liver channel.
Source points behave sort of like central stations on subway lines. They are hubs where internal and external energies gather and transform. They are single, high-concentration points that grant access to the larger system.
Any time of year, Liver 3 is a go-to point for stagnation throughout the body. Because of the spring–Liver connection, the point is doubly useful for addressing springtime stagnation-type symptoms.
Applying acupressure to Liver 3 will help get things moving like no other point. Poke around the point area until you discover a tender spot. Liver 3, if pressed firmly enough, is sensitive on most people.
Once you have the point, apply firm pressure. This should feel a little achy. The more the better on this point, so feel free to do this acupressure exercise anytime your bare feet are available. Liver 3 can be pressed on one or both sides.
If in the coming weeks you experience some tell-tale signs of a Liver imbalance, don’t get down on yourself—they’re completely normal during the seasonal transition. A little acupuncture will help realign your system so that you can enjoy the wonders of spring.
• 10 Family-Friendly Activities Perfect for Spring •
• 3 Easy Spring Dinner Ideas for a Fresh and Flavorful Season •
• 5 Tips to Boost Your Spring Wellness Routine •
Testimonials
I had always been afraid of needles, but a friend’s astounding success with acupuncture treatments following knee replacement surgery provided the encouragement I needed to try it for chronic sinusitis and relief from foot and hip pain that ended my four-days-per week dancing activities several years ago. Within a few weeks of receiving treatments from Linda Phelps my sinusitis was gone, as in, healed. In addition, my foot pain is nearly gone, my hip pain is greatly reduced, and I
When I began treatments with Linda at Purple Dragon, I had been dealing with a very stiff neck for about 2 months. I was able to turn it only slightly either to the left or right and was afraid of the cumulative effects on my 66 year old body. I had tried chiropractic, hot packs and stretches without much change. All Linda said was “I can help you with that. It will take a while. It’s not instant.” I came 2x/week for the first two... Read more »
My family feels very fortunate to have found Linda Phelps and Purple Dragon Healing Arts. My father suffered a massive stroke while visiting Seattle. After reading how beneficial acupuncture can be in the stroke setting, we began our search. Linda graciously traveled to the skilled nursing facility several days a week to perform treatments on our father. The acupuncture aided our father in regaining his ability to swallow and regaining motor movements that were lost due to left sided paralysis.
I just discovered I have been (for the past 2 years plus) at twice the safe recommended daily dose of Dilaudid (80 X stronger than Morphine). 2 acupuncture treatments from Linda, and I am now at the lowest pain level in 16 years! I will be a slave to narcotics NO MORE!
– R.M., Seattle, WA
Linda Phelps, LAc, has helped subside my Achilles tendonitis and Plantar fasciitis with acupuncture treatments. The pain in my heels was completely eliminated for several days after treatment, and inflammation went down as well in my Achilles so by body could heal itself. After a few more treatments I am nearly symptom free. I recommend acupuncture treatment with Linda! She is very knowledgeable, calming and gentle in her work of healing
– S.T. , Seattle, WA
Linda has such a soothing bedside manner. She is very open, asks questions and really listens to what you have to say. It is easy to relax because you just feel so comfortable around her. With the main thing I asked her to focus on, I felt an immediate change, and it stayed with me for quite awhile.
– M.C., New York, NY
I have a history of suffering severe motion sickness. Thanks to Linda’s treatment, I was able to comfortably attend a family wedding aboard a rented yacht. I even took a few turns around the dance floor without any nausea or dizziness. It was amazing!
– J.G., Richardson, TX
While helping lift a piano onto a stage, I suffered severe back pain and was taking pain medication. After acupuncture treatments by Linda, I did not have any pain and have not taken pain killers since. I would never have believed that acupuncture could work so well and so fast.
-N.E., Sacramento, CA
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Can a shower curtain be bad for your health?
Most people know that one way to feel better is with acupuncture needles. You go to your acupuncturist feeling bad. I put in a few needles. You leave feeling lighter, energized, more pain-free.
Healthy eating tips for the summer are a little tricky.
Summer finally arrives.
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.
If you feel stressed just living your life, you’re not alone.
