A common complaint that acupuncturists hear from our patients is that they constantly feel tired. Sometimes this fatigue is related to lack of sleep, but sometimes no amount of rest seems to alleviate the sleepiness.
From an acupuncture and Chinese Medicine perspective, there are numerous imbalances in our bodies that can cause the constant fatigue. Some of the most common imbalances that can lead to fatigue, lethargy, lack of energy and motivation, and tiredness. continue reading
Insomnia is a phenomenon almost everybody experiences at some point in their life. And most of us don’t know how or why it happens. Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling asleep, despite being tired. Combatting insomnia may be easier than you think. Here are five simple ways to fall asleep faster and stay asleep all night.
In today’s society, we are almost surgically attached to our phones, iPads, laptops, etc. And while the devices keep us informed and connected, they are also harm us when it comes to our sleep. Smartphones and other gadgets emit blue wavelengths. These wavelengths suppress the production of melatonin in our bodies. Melatonin is a natural hormone that makes you feel sleepy. Also, the light given off by your devices can actually stimulate the mind, thus causing poor sleep. So as hard as it may be, buy a regular alarm clock and turn off the phone. continue reading
When the seasons change you have to be ready for a change in mood, especially as we move from fall into winter. Although it may not seem as drastic of a shift as you think, it matters more to our mental and physical states than you may know. Seasonal affective disorder is estimated to affect around 10 million Americans a year, and this isn’t even the full number of reported cases. continue reading
Do you ever feel your life’s a ride that won’t ever stop? How many nights do you wait for Mr. Sandman to magically appear? How often do you truly take time for yourself? Do you have aches and pains almost daily? Are over-the-counter or prescription medications controlling your life? When was the last time you actually felt at peace? If any of these questions resonate with you, then it might be time to look at Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture for an answer. People in Asian countries have known the magnificence of acupuncture for thousands of years. Traditional Chinese Medicine is growing in popularity in the United States and here are some reasons why you might want to consider utilizing it also. continue reading
The common cold is something that everybody deals with throughout the year. For some, it’s just a quick two to three day speed bump on the road of life. For others, it can become an ordeal that may last for weeks. Regardless of the amount of time, the common cold has been wreaking havoc on humans for centuries. And to date, nobody has found a bulletproof cure for this little monster.
That is mainly because the common cold is attributed to a virus. There are actually over 200 known viral strains of the common cold. Viruses are tricky because they learn and mutate, making them nearly impossible to treat. When somebody catches a cold, the virus will attach itself to the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. The virus then hijacks the cells that reside in the mucous membranes and forces them to replicate more virus cells. The symptoms of the common cold, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, congestion and fatigue, are all just the defensive attack the immune system mounts when trying to fend off the cold.
If there is no “cure” for the common cold, then how do we deal with it? Well, there are a lot of natural choices out there for fighting the common cold. Some are age-old, tried and true, while others are a little less utilized. We are going to examine three of the most widely known and frequently used ways to alleviate the common cold. Methods we all can use to hopefully bring some relief from the suffering.
Ever heard the saying “feed a cold, starve a fever”? Well this actually has some validity to it. When the body is fighting off an infection, there may be a fever involved. However, typically with most colds, this is not the case. When a cold occurs, the body needs nourishment to fight off the attack. This is why chicken soup is a great remedy for the common cold. Hot liquids and bland foods like chicken soup, will help keep the body hydrated and nourished. With proper nourishment, the body can return to a harmonious balance and the cold will diminish. And chicken soup is full of essential vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants known to speed up the healing process. Homemade organic chicken soup is the best option.
Ginger is an amazing plant with lots of healing properties. Ginger can be helpful when fighting off the common cold due to its antiviral, anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties. Eating raw ginger or adding it to tea several times a day, can greatly improve cold symptoms quickly. And to enhance the power of ginger, add some lemon and honey, both powerful herbs in their own right. The anti-inflammatory property in ginger makes it great to help relieve a sore throat. Ginger also helps the body sweat out the toxins associated with the common cold. It is recommended to keep ginger handy at all times of the year and use it as a preventive medicine, even when not feeling sick.
This one seems like a no-brainer. But in today’s society, we really don’t take this as seriously as we should. When fighting off an illness, proper rest is pertinent. A number of studies have found sleep deprivation leads to poor immune function. Having good sleeping habits will not only help somebody recover from a cold, but it also helps prevent getting sick to begin with. The rest itself should be quality though, not restless. And this can sometimes be difficult with a cold. This is where a lot of people turn to over-the-counter cold medications that contain alcohol. Alcohol will induce sleep but it won’t allow for quality sleep. So try to steer clear of these if possible. And take time off from the everyday grind when needed.
Dealing with the common cold can be difficult but incorporating these important habits, may just be what is needed to kick that cold to the curb. So give them a try next time that nasty cold tries to take control.
