March Mindfulness

I was thinking back the other day to the day I bought my first book on Eastern philosophy. Nearly 25 years ago, My dad, best friend and I took a road trip in the early spring from Michigan to Colorado. We stopped in a small, independent bookstore enroute, and I picked up a philosophy book that looked interesting. It was a perfect introduction to many different forms of meditation, including mindfulness.

Since then, I have practiced meditation in some form or another. Meditation is just mental development. It's just observing your mind like a scientist vs. a judge. I like mindfulness based mediation because it's something you can practice wherever you are, whenever you can.

It occurred to me that March would be a perfect month for a mindfulness program. Really, any month, any day is a perfect time to start. The point of mindfulness is developing awareness. It's slowing and sometimes, if you're lucky, turning off the mental chatter so you can be more focused, more productive and ultimately more content. I wanted the program to be first and foremost simple. Simple actions done with great awareness are a great reminder to tune-in. Zone-in and not out. 

I hope as many people as possible join the #marchmindfulness practice. In this time, in this culture we have more distractions than ever. It's so easy to feel overwhelmed. With practice, we can tame the mental lion and strengthen our "mindfulness muscle." A little bit of mindfulness everyday can go a long way. 

It's 2015: Welcome to Pearl

I officially made 1 blog post last year. That was slightly over 1 year ago. The truth is, we've had a lot going on!

We had such a busy year at Emerging Energy Acupuncture! In between the thousands of patients we saw, we mixed custom blended herbs, learned valuable new ways to help our patients, and we launched a product line, Pearl Apothecary. 

Pearl Apothecary uses time tested botanicals as well as modern research to craft body care products to nourish our skin and sprits. These products are made by hand, using strict hygiene protocol, and minimal chemicals to preserve some of the products. By using a paraben and formaldehyde free preservative, we can ensure that you won't find green stuff growing in your body lotion or break out in a rash from a bacterial infection. You don't need much to do this- the preservative ends up being just 0.5-1% of the total volume of your product.

Right now we have some fabulously scented body lotion with botanical such as Reishi, Siberian Ginseng and Goji berries to supplement your skin with antioxidants. In a matter of days, we will have a skin calming unscented lotion geared toward those with sensitive skin as well as a specialty cream for dry, inflamed red skin for those suffering with skin disorders such as eczema. 

In addition we have a Juniper-Mint Massage Salve and Eucalyptus-Fir Clearing Salve which both can be helpful in the cold and flu season! These contain beeswax, apricot kernel oil, and high quality essential oils. Simple and effective. These are great alternatives to the vapor rubs out there that are full of chemicals!

We hope you enjoy using these products as much as we enjoy making them! 

What? No Salad???!??!?!

Yes, that's right. If you're dieting this winter, don't eat salad!

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), food is medicine. In TCM theory, all foods have a distinctive energetic nature. Five flavors and five temperatures are taken into consideration when determining the energetic profile of a food. Food can be used to treat a disease and can be the cause of a disease. Generally speaking, you keep your digestion strong by eating cooked foods. The Chinese have been giving this advice for centuries.

The digestive system is sometimes compared to a pot of boiling soup. You have the fire below providing the energy of transformation to the substance inside. When the soup is at the right temperature, you will see steam rising above the pot. This represents the energy we get from our food. If you put in a bag of frozen vegetables in the pot, the temperature will fall very quickly and the steam will not form. It will take more energy to bring the soup up to the right temperature to make steam. Over time, the fire could burn out before the soup has made steam.

It takes energy to transform the food we eat. Eating warm foods saves our energy for the demanding process of digestion. It lightens the load, so to speak, so that we can build a surplus of energy. By preserving the digestive fire, you will keep your metabolism strong. You will transform your food into energy more completely, and you won't have as much bloating and fullness-- this is the biproduct of weak digestion.

Warm foods include not only cooked vegetables, but also specific foods such as the following:
Coriander, chives, onion, leek, green onion, asparagus, sweet peppers, pomegranate, apricot, peach, cherry, raspberry, chestnut, pumpkin, rice, dates, walnut, pine nuts, mussels, eel, lobster, shrimp, chicken, mutton, venison, ham, brown sugar, cumin, clove, fennel, garlic, fresh ginger, dill seed, nutmeg, rosemary, sweet basil, coffee, vinegar, and wine. In addition, fermented foods are a great way to strengthen your digestion.

The best diet food is a hearty stew with lots of vegetables. It will warm you up and keep you full. Try to eat soup every day.

If you simply must have your green juices or smoothies this winter, be sure to add spices from the above list in generous amounts to "warm"up the juice, and drink it at room temperature!

It’s Summertime! Embracing Summer with Chinese Medicine

It’s Summertime! Embracing Summer with Chinese Medicine

by Mary Claire Dilks, D. Ac.

The summer season, the most yang time of the year, is filled with abundant energy and lots of sunshine. It’s about the fire element, expansion, growth, activity, and creativity. Several thousand years ago, an ancient Chinese medical text, The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Cannon, contained the idea that to live a balanced life we should cultivate Yang energy in the spring and summer, and protect yin in the autumn and winter. Here are some tips to help you promote the yang energy.

Be active: 

The heart is associated with the fire element, and it’s main function is to pump oxygen rich blood to your whole body. Getting your heart pumping will help keep it strong. Summer is an excellent opportunity to be active outside while having fun!

Ancient Chinese physicians advised to awaken early in the morning and go to be later in the evening. Follow the pattern of the sun. A midday rest is a great way to recharge.

Be happy:

In Chinese Medicine, mental processes, memory and emotional well being are all attributed to the heart and fire element. This is the time to live life to the fullest and embrace our potential. Gratitude is great way to nurture joy in our lives. Try starting off each day naming 3 things you’re grateful for.

If our fire element is in balance, we will sleep calmly and our hearts are strong and healthy. If it becomes imbalanced we may have insomnia, rhythmic disturbances in our hearts, depression or mania. 

Modify your diet:

Eat lighter and cooling foods. Summer is the time to eat more vegetables, salads, fish and seafood. Eat with the seasons! Avoid eating a lot of meat and fried foods this time of year since those are warming in nature. Add pungent flavors to your diet such as spices, chili peppers, garlic and onions. Pungent flavors “wake up” the senses. They tend to open the flow of energy in your body and can improve metabolism. As always, eat in moderation.

Live joyfully in the moment, get lots of sunshine, and enjoy Summer!

Giving Thanks

After another inspection related delay, I am so thankful that tomorrow the construction team will be working at my new office space. The latest timeline suggests we will be in January 1st- just in time for a fresh new year. I am looking forward to sharing this new healing space with everyone! Maybe we will have a Chinese New Year party?!!

Construction Galore

Construction Galore, a photo by Chung Ho Leung on Flickr.

New office construction officially begins tomorrow, 9/20/2012! Guess the date that we'll be open for business in the new space and the person that comes closest will win a $50 gift certificate to Emerging Energy Acupuncture!!! Answer in comments below THIS post!

The Art of Patience

Every time I hear hammers or banging while I'm in my office (in 202d) I get butterflies in my stomach. I rush over to 203 only to see darkness or someone throwing some junk computers away.

My new office in 203 is still a dream. We're still waiting for a permit- after 4 months! I was imagining it while describing the layout to a patient last week, and I felt excited like I never had. I could finally see it! It's going to be beautiful, serene, and fresh. I'm going to have fish tank with goldfish. There will be orchids in front of the 8 foot windows in the treatment rooms. I will wash my hands with lavender soap in the sink at the end of the hall. At the end of the day I will close the sliding doors to the treatment space, and light will softly come through the frosted glass panels. I'm going to work on keeping these images in my minds eye and let's see if the power of attraction can make it happen.

In the meantime, I am learning patience and to really be grateful for what I have. I love my office, I have wonderful patients, and I am blessed with and wonderful family and vitality.

Life is beautiful.

Day 87, a photo by igtykee on Flickr.

Enjoy today!

from 1001 ways to relax, #335 Stop at Enough

"Stop at Enough. Do More, Achieve More, Acquire More are the most mischievous mantras of the modern world. They represent a constant drive toward more than enough, creating a never-ending spiral of unfulfilled promise. Reject them, and be satisfied with all your assets and your endless potential."

2012 Wellness Plan of Action: 5 steps to counter stress

Don’t just de-stress, change how your body responds to stress. We all encounter stressors every day, but how do they affect our wellbeing?  How resilient are you?

Chinese Medicine can help how your body responds to stress. . . so you don’t internalize stress and those stressors just don’t affect you as much. Chinese wisdom says we should be flexible like bamboo for a long and happy life. 

What is Stress? In Chinese Medicine, we define stress as wanting things to be different from reality. Your mind and body are struggling with the conditions in the present moment. Your mind and body are fighting acceptance of what is. To counter stress, and work on developing your flexible, easy going state, follow these tips.

1. Work on your Liver. In the theory of Chinese Medicine, stress affects the Liver primarily. Since the Liver is in charge of keeping energy flowing freely in our bodies, when we get stressed, our energy gets stuck. This can result in a number of issues such as pain, digestive problems, and difficulty sleeping. Having a acupuncture focused on releasing the energy of the Liver organ will help you manage stress.
2. Get regular exercise. Physical exercise accomplishes at least a few things when it comes to stress reduction. Moving helps to move our stuck energy, breathing helps engage our diaphragm to release the stuck energy in our organs (especially the liver) , and physical exertion causes the release of endorphins to make us feel happy. 
3. Eat food as medicine. Food can heal our bodies or make us sick. Every time we put something in our mouths we are making a choice. Ask yourself when you eat, “Am I nourishing myself with this food?” Eating lots of processed foods will weaken our energy and this makes us more susceptible to stress. Remember to eat real foods, not food products, and you’ll be in pretty good shape.
4. Sleep soundly. Do you wake up rested? If not, then you may consider any number of natural remedies, including acupuncture and chinese herbs.
5. Meditate. Spend more time without judgement in the present moment. Go with the flow of life. Just 5 minutes a day of focused breathing in a comfortable position will make a world of difference in how you respond to stressors. 

We can’t always change what happens to us, but we can change how we respond. We can learn to be more flexible and easygoing. Begin by taking an internal check and develop awareness throughout the day. Try to integrate the above tips and live a more balanced life.

-mc

from 1001 Ways to Relax, #325. Trust in life's flow.

"If you find that you are struggling to achieve a desired result in any situation it could be that you are trying to force the issue. Instead, sit back and accept whatever happens. That which is rightly yours will come to you. Nothing takes place before it's designated time." p142

Announcing our new associate: Sonja Marge-Barrows!

Starting this Friday, December 9th! Sonja will be seeing patients on Mondays and Fridays at Emerging Energy Acupuncture. Sonja Marge-Barrows is a licensed Dr. of Acupuncture and Nationally Certified Chinese Herbalist. She received her Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the New England School of Acupuncture in Newton, MA in 2011. Dr. Marge-Barrows' training in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine has also included Western Medical Sciences, chinese food therapy, Tui Na Chinese Bodywork, and the meditative practices of Tai Qi and Qi Gong. 


Her clinical experience in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine draws from a variety of settings including both inpatient and outpatient clinics in Boston Medical Center's Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine Department, Roxbury Comprehensive Health Center, Pathways to Wellness, New England School of Acupuncture, and Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago. Additionally, she also holds a B.A. in International Development and Social Change from Clark University. 


Dr. Marge-Barrows specializes in supportive care for pediatric and adult patients with chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Sonja believes in an integrative approach to health and wellness for the whole family. A Rhode Island native, Sonja is happy to have returned home to practice acupuncture. When Sonja is not treating patients she enjoys cycling, hiking, and gardening with her husband and two year old son. 


Welcome Sonja!

from 1001 Ways to Relax, #244 Be inspired by clouds.

"A zen master once said, 'The Sky does not impede the clouds in their flight.' Meditate on this idea. Allow your thoughts, like clouds, to drift across the surface of your mind without trying to push them away or hold onto them."

#508: Clear out your clutter

The array, a photo by L. Marie on Flickr.

"Sorting out your wardrobes, drawers and cupboards and throwing out all that accumulated rubbish will allow the things you need and treasure to breathe. Above all, you'll know that there's order even in hidden places- a good analogy for the virtue that shines within the spirit."

(from 1001 ways to relax)

Understanding Pain

"I didn't realize how much pain I was in until I after I left your office and didn't feel any!"

Last week, a patient suffering from sciatica shared this testimonial.  It made me think about the nature of pain and what our brain does to mask it or, conversely, heighten it. Sometimes, we get used to having a particular pain, so it's almost as if our minds become numb to the pain sensations. Other times, our mind focuses on pain, worries about pain, and gets frustrated with pain. These things can make pain worse.

In Chinese Medicine, an old saying “bu tong ze tong, tong ze bu tong” means “no free flow, pain;  free flow, no pain.”  In essence, if you do not have free flow of energy and blood in the body, this leads to the perception of pain. When you reestablish free flow, then there is no pain. 

Lots of things can blocked free flow- stuck blood, cold, heat, too much fluid, stuck energy- and each cause has it's own treatment. Emotions can also cause blocked energy. Frustration and anger, in particular, affect the flow of Liver energy and cause it to get stuck. Since the Liver is in charge of free flow of energy in the whole body, this can mean big problems with circulation! The Liver is also the organ most affected by stress, or "unfulfilled desire." Any time you want something to be different, including pain, you are stressed and this causes your energy to get stuck.

One way to get Liver energy moving is to do some deep breathing. Three deep breaths, exhaling with sound, is sometimes all it takes to relieve the stuck Liver energy. The action of the diaphragm helps to relieve the stuck Liver energy. Deep breathing that you do in Yoga and with vigorous exercise is great for this reason. Meditation which combines breathing and awareness is a fantastic way to manage pain.

Acupuncture is a great therapy to get energy moving, and some recent fMRI studies show that it changes the way the brain experiences pain. Most people that come into my office are experiencing some type of pain, and most people get great results after 1-2 treatments. One patient always says "It's like the pain is lifted right out of me when I'm laying there in a treatment."  Helping people become pain free is definitely one of the highlights of my job!

Limited Time Offer- 50% off Gift Certificates

Here is the perfect opportunity for those of you that dislike holiday shopping, those who don't know what to get the person who has everything, and those who love acupuncture: Half price Gift Certificates until 12/31/11! Available in any denomination, so pick how much you want to spend, and as a special holiday gift to you, I'll match your gift.

Spread the value of Acupuncture with your friends and loved ones!

Call the office, email, or mention at your next appointment to purchase. (401) 228-8160

Happy Holidays!

-mcd

Autumn Dryness

Big shadows in the autumn forest, a photo by Habub3 on Flickr.

In Chinese Medicine, Autumn is the season of the Metal element. The associated organ is the Lung, so we see many health complaints related to lung pathology this time of year- sinus problems, cough, common colds all are pathologies that have to do with the Lung.

In classical texts, it is said that the lung is averse to Dryness. In other words, the lung works best when it's slightly moist. A dry cough that lingers and lingers is often due to Lung Dryness and a great remedy for this is pear. . .try pear juice, pear pie, pear sauce, asian pears, and poached pears. With the addition of honey, pears become even more moistening and beneficial to the lung.

The lungs govern the skin, so eating pears could also help moisten your skin as well. Of course, taking Omega-3s is great for your skin and for moistening dryness as well. Now is a great time to start taking more Omega-3s.

We have excellent points for improving lung function. My favorite lately is LU-9, also known as "Supreme Abyss." It is great to strengthen the Lung, promote the descending of Lung energy and transform phlegm. This point helps your lung take in oxygen more efficiently, so I often use it when treating athletes in training.

In Chinese Medicine, Sadness injures the lung, so try to not mourn the end of summer, impending holidays, or anything else too much. Keep a good perspective and live in the moment!

Happy Fall!
-mcd

Rainy Days= "Yinny" Days

On rainy days, people often come to my office, shake out there umbrella, and say "Wow, what an aweful day. It's terrible out there." It's so easy to fall into that mentality on gloomy days. We're wet and sometimes cold. People are often terrible drivers and are generally crankier, and their mood can be infectious.

If we start to think of rainy days as"Yinny" days--or those full of lots of the grounding Yin energy, they aren't so bad. We need Yin to balance out our Yang. If we were all Yang, we'd burn up. Yang is warming, aggressive, and fast paced. Yin helps keep us grounded, calm, and stable. Yin is slow like molasses. Being more "Yinny" helps us be more receptive in life. It allows for us to be magnetic-- to draw in amazing people and experiences. We can replenish our Yin by embracing these "Yinny" days.

So next time the rain is ruining your mood, think Yin, and don't let your mind get in your way of having a day full of wonder.

ps. It's true that rainy days often make one's joint pain worse. If this is the case, you have what we in TCM call Dampness in your joints. We can treat this through Acupuncture and herbs so you too can enjoy the "Yinny" days!

New Office musings

I am ecstatic that I have in hand the carpet samples for my new office space. . . Now I'll deliver them to my designer to really get the ball rolling! The contractor hopes to start work the first weekend in December so we really have some serious design decisions to make by then! I hope the new office have the same vibe as the old office but a slightly fresher feel. I'm so inspired to move into this new space to help more people!!!

While Fall is traditionally a time to turn inward and move toward the most YIN time of the year (winter), I am taking that energy and moving forward and expanding. I hope to be in my new and improved office space by the end of 2011!!!