by Andy Wong | May 17, 2018 | Health
Practicing yoga offers a vast number of benefits to the body and mind, but did you know that regular acupuncture treatments can actually compliment your yoga routine?
Here’s how the two go hand in hand.
Heal injuries quickly
One of the most common reasons why we seek acupuncture is to help promote healing of injuries and remove nagging aches and pains. Should you injure yourself during yoga practice or some other form of physical activity, you may be required to take some time off, thus suspending your practice. However, with the help of a few acupuncture sessions, you could be back on the yoga mat before you know it.
Improve balance
Practicing yoga requires a great deal of balance and coordination, especially when you are undertaking some of the more complex poses or sequences. Studies show the acupuncture has the power to reprogram the pathways our internal pathways and improve the signals sent from our brain to our limbs. This in turn helps to improve our balance which helps us to maintain some of the more advanced moves in our yoga practice.
Advanced savasana
Acupuncture treatments offer an opportunity to rest, restore and let your system reset. By stimulating certain areas of the body, acupuncture treatments promote the smooth flow of natural functions and leave you feeling calm, rejuvenated and in an improved state. Many yoga devotees compare this sensation to the feel after savasana, the pose which you would normally conclude your yoga practice with.
by Andy Wong | May 2, 2018 | Chinese Medicine
Do you often find yourself tossing and turning, and unable to sleep at night?
Restless nights can leave us feeling drained and fatigued, and frequently feeling this way can have a harmful impact on our daily lives. However, Traditional Chinese Medicine practices can offer a number of natural remedies to help you get a good nights rest.
Herbal medicine
For those who suffer from insomnia, there is a range of different herbs can natural supplements that can encourage relaxation and help some much-need rest. Some of the most effective herbs include chamomile, valerian root, passionflower, hops, and lemon balm. The most simple way to consume these are by brewing them in tea, so consider making a nighttime cup of tea part of your regular routine.
Acupuncture
Stress is one of the most common causes of insomnia. Often, we find it difficult to switch off from the stresses of our everyday lives which in turn prevents us from relaxing into a restful sleep. While acupuncture is known to be one of the most effective ways to relieve stress and tension in our bodies, it can actually have an amazing effect on our emotional and mental stress as well.
Physical activity
A lack of physical activity throughout the day can have a harmful effect on our sleeping pattern – however this does not necessarily mean you need to exercise until the point of fatigue. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine practices, to get the best nights sleep we must ensure that we are active within moderation. Consider taking up a gentle practice such as Tai Chi or Qi Gong to cultivate good postures, strong breathing techniques and bring balance back into your life.
by Andy Wong | Apr 14, 2018 | Health
From the Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, feeling fatigued, run-down or being prone to colds and flus is likely to be due to an imbalance in the “Qi” – the body’s circulating life force. It is believed that many people suffer from an imbalance in their “Defensive Qi”, causing a lack of resistance to illness due to a weakened immune system. Imbalances of the Defensive Qi are often caused by stress, illness or malnutrition.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the focus is not so much strengthening the immune system specifically, but targeting the body as a whole to encourage the immune system to function at its best.
In order to boost your immune system and maintain optimal health and wellbeing, individuals should implement the following strategies and tips where possible.
Digest herbs
Chinese herbs have been proven to contain immunity-enhancing effects. Adaptogenic herbs are believed to be the best, as these plants will react to your body. For example, if your immune system is reacting too strongly, these herbs will restore balance. Conversely, if your immune system has been weakened, adaptogenic herbs will provide strength. Some of the most powerful adaptogenic herbs are believed to be Ginseng, Astragalus and Amachazuru.
Destress
As many people know, stress hormones will suppress the immune system and put extra pressure on the human body. When the immune system is weakened, an individual is more likely to suffer from ailments such as the common cold, flu and other viruses. Additionally, when the body’s immune system is weakened, it will take significantly longer to recover from sicknesses.
In order to destress, you should look towards the things you find to be calming – perhaps exercise, meditation, mindfulness, massage or acupuncture. Acupuncture is believed to beneficial towards alleviating stress as it works to correct imbalances within the body, essentially “re-training” the body to function in a more optimal manner. Some people may also find it calming to partake in Traditional Chinese practices such as cupping or scrubbing.
Sleep regularly
A good night’s sleep is incredibly important when it comes to maintaining your health. Sleep deprivation has been proven to lower the production of critical antibodies needed to fight infection. When you are lacking a regular, high-quality sleeping pattern, the chemicals produced by your immune system that are designed to fight infection and illness will be significantly weakened.
Studies have shown that sleep deprivation (this is considered to be less than seven hours per night) will triple one’s chances of becoming sick with a common cold or flu virus. By allowing yourself adequate rest and practicing regular sleep patterns, you will improve not only your energy levels and emotional mindset, but you will significantly increase your immune function and overall health.
by Andy Wong | Apr 2, 2018 | Chinese Medicine
According to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, digestive function is of vital importance when it comes to managing our overall health and wellbeing.
In Western society, digestive problems and deficiencies are a leading cause of poor nutrition as many people are unable to absorb the vitamins and minerals from the food they are consuming. This is due to a weakened digestive tract which is present in most individuals nowadays, generally stemming from poor eating habits and lifestyle choices. In order to restore your gut health, here are a few tips to try.
Eat at appropriate times
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, your digestive energy is at its peak between early and mid-morning, and it is at this point that you should consume breakfast. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners recommend avoiding large meals at the common dinner time of approximately 8pm, as it is at this point that your digestive energy is believed to weaken.
Many Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors also recommend abstaining from consuming any beverages for up to 2 hours following a meal. Drinking soon after a meal is considered detrimental towards your digestive strength and is believed to be counterproductive if you are trying to heal any digestive issues.
Avoid antibiotics
Traditional Chinese Medicine states that even one small dosage of antibiotics can majorly disrupt the digestive tract and eliminate a significant amount of beneficial bacteria. As pharmaceutical antibiotics are generically designed, they will destroy all types of intestinal bacteria, booth good and bad. While antibiotics may minimise symptoms for a small period of time, digestive problems may soon arise given the opportunity for harmful pathogens to grow.
Rather than using pharmaceutical antibiotics, it is considered to be far more effective to utilise natural antibiotic medicines that destroy disease-causing bacteria, though maintain essential and positive bacteria. Traditional Chinese Medicine suggests colloidal silver and the oil of wild oregano to be the most superior alternatives.
Try acupuncture
Traditional Chinese Medicine specialists believe your digestive system is composed of the “earth elements”, otherwise known as your spleen and stomach. As the stomach begins the digestive process, the spleen will separate nutrients from waste and pass these through the body respectively. In order for the digestive system to operate at a functional level, both the stomach and spleen must be in good health.
Acupuncture has been known to address a wide variety of digestive symptoms and diseases for a number of years now. Acupuncture works by utilising a needle to stimulate the acupoints within the body to promote the circulation of “Qi” and to restore the balance of the body. The main goal of acupuncture with digestive health is to bring an individual’s “middle” back to harmony in order to optimise gastrointestinal function.
by Andy Wong | Mar 18, 2018 | Chinese Medicine
The use of Traditional Chinese Medicine to increase a woman’s chances of conceiving is on the rise as more and more couples are seeking more natural methods to assist them to start a family.
When considering the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine to support your fertility goals, we recommend three proven tips help you along the way.
Check your hormones
If your hormones are out of balance, conception often becomes a very difficult process. Stress is usually the biggest culprit towards a woman’s off-balance hormones, potentially causing them to impede their chances of naturally conceiving.
Aside from cutting down your stress and promoting relaxation and wellbeing, be sure to implement a healthy diet and exercise to boost your natural balance.
Improve your emotional wellbeing
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, emotional wellbeing is strongly linked to both physical ailment and reproductive difficulties. The organ systems most closely associated with fertility are the lungs and the liver, believed to correlate with stress and frustration.
Such negative emotions link to what is known as Liver Qi stagnation, causing organ imbalance and significant stress on body functions. Liver Qi stagnation can be overcome by implementing holistic methods such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation or natural herbs.
Optimise blood flow to your reproductive organs
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that a demanding lifestyle will decrease your chances of conceiving naturally due to the stress placed on the body’s organs and blood flow.
Stress will cause your blood flow will lose its strength where it is needed most, your reproductive organs. In order to assist your blood flow to restructure its course and assist your fertility, try acupuncture as a method to naturally increase circulation.
Additionally, massage, yoga and meditation are fantastic ways to optimise your blood flow and minimise any added stress on your body.
by Andy Wong | Mar 5, 2018 | Health
Within the art of Chinese medicine, each weather season is believed to correspond with a particular organ system.
The cooler autumn months correlate with our Ying Organs – our lungs, and it is believed that this is why there are so many colds and coughs present throughout this time of year.
As our lungs are already susceptible to dryness and congestion at the best of times, it’s particularly important to take care of our respiratory system during this upcoming autumn.
Here are our top three tips to do so, and to ensure optimal health for both you and your loved ones.
Head outside
Taking a brisk walk during the cooler months is an excellent way to strengthen your lungs by breathing in that fresh, crisp air. Where possible, stretch your chest while walking in order to open up your ribcage and breathe right into your diaphragm.
Eat the right foods
As the weather cools down, it’s important to ensure your vitamin and mineral intake is appropriate for your body’s needs. When the air is cool, the human body hugely benefits from hearty meals such as soup and stews, which also assist in digestion. Be sure to incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices into your diet. We highly recommend garlic, ginger and onion.
Avoid excess dryness
While this may seem obvious to some, it is vital that you stay hydrated during the autumn months, avoid overusing heating elements such as stoves and fireplaces, and utilise a humidifier where necessary.
by Andy Wong | Feb 21, 2018 | Health
For many people, exercise is something we simply don’t get enough of. With more and more people moving into office-based employment, our incidental exercise is on the decline and many of us are living increasingly sedentary lives.
However, physical activity doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, you could even say it’s a walk in the park!
Walking is a simple exercise that offers many great benefits to both the body and mind, and for the most part, it’s completely free. Here are just a few of the ways in which walking can improve your overall health and wellness.
Maintain a healthy weight
Studies show that when paired with a balanced diet, a brisk 30-minute walk once a day can be enough to help you maintain an ideal weight. Weight gain is often caused by an excess of calories that remain unused and are then stored in the body as fat. In it’s most simple form, walking burns calories, meaning it can burn excess body fat and prevent additional weight gain.
Prevent or manage various conditions
A lack of physical activity can really affect our health, and has been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure and type-2 diabetes. By committing to regular walks and making them part of your everyday routine, you can really help manage your symptoms and even lower your risk of developing these conditions in the first place.
Strengthen your bones and muscles
When it comes to your body it’s true what they say, use it or lose it! A consistent lack of exercise will gradually cause your bones and muscles to weaken, particularly as you age. The good news is that a simple daily walk will combat against this. Walking is a weight-bearing exercise, and while you might not realise it at the time, walking actually engages a large range of muscles and bones, making it the perfect full body activity.
Improve your mood
There’s nothing like a walk in the fresh air to give you an all-natural mood boost! Studies show that walking can decrease feelings of stress, depression and anxiety, as well as releasing endorphins which promote feelings of happiness.
With all these benefits and more – what’s not to love?
by Andy Wong | Feb 12, 2018 | Health
For thousands of years, drinking tea has been an important part of Chinese culture. While tea was often consumed during ceremonies or celebrations, the health benefits of drinking tea were also widely recognised and largely applauded.
Today, the benefits of drinking tea continue to play an important role in the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Modern research has allowed us to learn more about the benefits of drinking tea – with many studies serving to confirm what our ancestors have always believed.
While most teas are full of cell-protecting antioxidants, each unique blend offers it’s own set of additional health benefits. Here are some of the health benefits of drinking different teas.
Green Tea
Most commonly known for its metabolism-boosting and fat-burning properties, green tea has also been found to offer protection from cancer and heart disease.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is often prescribed for those suffering from insomnia, and is considered to be one of the most widely used natural sleep aids. However, it also features strong antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it an excellent choice for anyone experiencing stomach cramps.
Peppermint Tea
One of the most popular tea varieties, peppermint tea has a cooling effect which has been shown to reduce fevers. It also helps to improve digestion and reduce bloating and stomach discomfort, making it a top choice to combat against irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.
Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is often praised for it’s ability to reduce nausea and vomiting associated with travel sickness. Impressively, it can also help to improve circulation, fight respiratory problems and strengthen immunity.
Dandelion Tea
Dandelion tea is a natural diuretic, which means it aids the liver in eliminating toxins from the body more quickly and prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Dandelion tea is also known to have a great cleansing effect, and is often used in detoxification practices.
by Andy Wong | Jan 22, 2018 | Health
Recent research has shown us that working in an office can be harmful to our overall health, however there are a number of things that we can do within our workspace to help combat the effects of this sedentary lifestyle.
Add a touch of greenery
Adding potted plants to your workspace can have a whole host of surprising health benefits. Not only do they look good and help to improve the atmosphere, but many also offer air-purifying properties.
Plants like peace lilies and succulents are incredibly easy to look after, and can help improve air quality and reduce sickness and absenteeism.
Open up the windows
One of the most common problems of modern day workplaces is the lack of fresh air present in the office. Instead, many companies rely on air conditioning, choosing to set it at an agreed upon temperature.
Too much use of air conditioning can seriously affect our sinuses and can even increase the likelihood of catching a cold or the flu – and it can also lead to extremely high energy bills!
Rather than relying on the air conditioning, make it a regular practice to open up the windows and start breathing in some fresh air.
This point is especially important if you have cut flowers in water anywhere in the room, as cut flowers that aren’t properly maintained can be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria.
Install ergonomic furniture
Sitting at a desk all day long can take a large toll on our bodies – particularly when we are not able to access ergonomic furniture. Consider investing in quality furniture that can be adjusted to our ideal height and distance.
It’s a great idea to go for regular walks away from your desk, but if that’s not an option, perhaps look at purchasing a standing desk. This way you’ll have the opportunity to stretch your legs without having to be away from your desk.
Make time to switch off
The final tip to improve your workspace actually has nothing to do with the workspace at all! However, in order to function at your best, it’s crucial that you make time to properly switch off from work.
By committing to taking proper breaks you can give your mind the rest it needs to really cover. Your mental health will thank you for it!
by Andy Wong | Jan 12, 2018 | Health
With the New Year upon us, there is no better time than the present to refresh your health and wellness regime.
Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, these four healthy habits help you on the way to achieving your optimal health and will have you feeling refreshed and revitalised.
Consider a detox diet
Have you overindulged in the festivities this holiday season? Too much food and drink can have us feeling sluggish and bloated, and ultimately our bodies will not be running at their best.
A simple detox can be a great way to cleanse the system and help get you back on track.
Spend some time outdoors
Fresh air is important, and in Traditional Chinese Medicine time spent outdoors is considered to help build up our Qi or energy.
Many people also find spending time outdoors to be highly relaxing, but be mindful not to spend too much time in periods of peak UV rays.
Gradually build your exercise routine
The benefits of keeping active are highly regarded throughout Traditional Chinese Medicine, however it’s important to start out slowly.
Jumping straight into a strenuous exercise program can increase your risk of injury, and can be difficult to maintain.
Get back into a sleep pattern
Our sleep affects many areas of our health, but as we take time out from our regular routines it’s easy to fall out of our normal sleeping patterns – as many of us take the opportunity to stay out later.
Work out what is the most practical sleep period for you and set an intention to stick to it. Before long you’ll find it easier to fall asleep as well as to rise in the morning.
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