Acupuncture – 3 things that may surprise you!

Acupuncture – 3 things that may surprise you!

It’s not just for pain. When most people think of acupuncture they think of pain relief…but did you know it’s used to treat a wide array of other conditions? It can also help with issues such as digestive problems, tinnitus, premenstrual symptoms and anxiety. It’s very relaxing. Once the points are in your parasympathetic nervous system kicks into gear which relaxes muscles, calms the mind and promotes a restful, tranquil state. Regular treatment helps you to feel more relaxed and calm and to better handle life’s stressors. Registered Acupuncturists go to school for a long time. BC requires licensing of all Registered Acupuncturists. It is regulated under the Health Professions Act and all Registered Acupuncturists must be licensed with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of BC (CTCMA). In BC a Registered Acupuncturist undergoes a minimum of three years of full-time accredited acupuncture education in addition to two years of prerequisite university sciences. After completing five years of education they must pass a National Board Exam in order to be licensed to practice in BC. The continuing education requirements for Registered Acupuncturists are amongst the highest of all the regulated health professions in BC.   Until next time…Think Vitality!...
8 Reasons to Try Acupuncture

8 Reasons to Try Acupuncture

1. You Have Pain Whether the pain is from a recent injury, arthritis, fibromyalgia, or general stiffness, acupuncture can help. Acupuncture can reduce pain and stimulate the body’s own healing response. It does this by interrupting the pain signals along nerve fibres, increasing circulation to the area, releasing endorphins and stimulating the central nervous system to regulate neurotransmitters and hormones. The release of these chemicals reduce pain, stimulate the immune system and regulate various functions and systems in the body. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, acupuncture promotes the smooth flow of Qi (energy) and blood throughout the body. 2. You’re Always Tired If you feel tired even after a long uninterrupted sleep, then you may want to explore the benefits of acupuncture. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes into account all systems and organs in the body and can determine where there is an imbalance. Even if all your blood tests have come back normal and your doctor can’t find anything wrong, TCM can identify the ‘root’ cause or imbalance that is causing your fatigue. Treatment is aimed at identifying and strengthening your constitutional weakness, immune system, and digestion to bring your energy back. 3. You’re Stressed One of the things acupuncture does best is calm the mind and produce a relaxation response in the body. Acupuncture stimulates a release of endorphins (the feel-good chemicals) which help calm the body and mind. Many people feel so relaxed they even fall asleep during treatment and leave with a sense of deep calm. Allowing your body the time to relax at such a deep level, gives the brain a rest and...
How to care for your adrenals

How to care for your adrenals

Healthy adrenals means a better life! Adrenal fatigue is becoming increasingly common in our fast-pace society. The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys and secrete cortisol and adrenaline in response to stress. This causes a cascade of activity in the body known as the “fight or flight” response. Adrenaline can be helpful in acute moments of stress as it boosts physical energy but is harmful when stress becomes chronic as it can lead to high blood pressure and rapid heart rate. Cortisol affects the immune system, brain function and digestion and can lead to impairment of memory and learning. When a person is experiencing chronic stress the function of the adrenal glands can become impaired. When the adrenals are not functioning properly changes occur in metabolism, energy, immune function and the endocrine system which can lead to feeling dizzy, tired, depressed, and weak. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the pattern of symptoms associated with adrenal fatigue is called ‘Kidney Deficiency.’ It’s a very common condition and something we see a lot of in the clinic. It’s important to remember that you only have one body and you need to take good care of it so it serves you well in the years ahead. Here are seven ways to give a little TLC to your adrenals Sleep. Make sure you are getting adequate sleep each night. Aim for 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Avoid watching tv or being on your computer in bed. Try to relax as the evening comes to an end by having a hot bath or listening to soft music. Dimming the lights an hour before...
More research on one of my favorite acupuncture points

More research on one of my favorite acupuncture points

More research on one of my favorite acupuncture points Stomach 36 (ST36) Chinese name: Zusanli Location: On the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 3 cun (approximately 3 inches) below ST35 about one finger-breadth from the anterior crest of the tibia. Indications: Gastric pain, vomiting, dysphagia, abdominal distention, borborygmus, diarrhea, indigestion, dysentery, constipation, abdominal pain, low energy, poor appetite Common point with powerful effects Probably most of you have experienced the acupuncture point Stomach 36 (Zusanli) before as it is one of the most commonly used points to increase energy and improve digestion (it’s located below the knee on the lateral side of the leg). If you’ve seen me for treatment, then you probably have as I use it on most people for a variety of purposes. After this point is needled, patients will often feel and hear their stomach gurgling. This is because ST36 is located along the stomach meridian and has a strong effect on gastric motility and secretion. It’s especially good to get your digestion moving after eating a big meal like thanksgiving dinner! Research A lot research has been done on this point, and the latest study has yet again demonstrated the effectiveness of it on digestive activity. Researchers evaluated the effects of ST36 (electro-acupuncture) on gastric motility following colorectal surgery. Typically gastric motility is impaired after colorectal surgery and it’s important to get the intestines moving again as soon as possible. This study demonstrated that ST36 can be used as an effective method to induce intestinal movement after surgery. A group of forty patients undergoing surgery to remove cancerous colorectal tumours were involved in...
Join our upcoming Victoria Qi Gong Class!

Join our upcoming Victoria Qi Gong Class!

Jeffrey’s next Qi Gong class starts Wednesday, April 23rd. Class runs every Wednesday evening from 6 to 7 pm from April 23rd through to May 28th, 2014. While this is a six week class feel free to drop in when you can and don’t worry if you can’t make all of the classes. The main focus of the class is to get you practicing regularly so just come when you can! If you haven’t already done so please register online so that we have an idea of the number of people coming. You can register by clicking here Instructor: Jeffrey Chand, RAc., Dipl.TCM Date: Wednesday evenings 6 to 7 pm (April 23 to May 28) Location: Knox Presbyterian Church, 2964 Richmond Rd, Victoria, BC Course Fee: $60 for all six classes (or $12 drop-in) Payment can be made by cash or cheque at the class. Stay in touch Feel free to ‘like’ our Facebook page or subscribe to our newsletter to get updates, info and inspiration. I look forward to seeing you all soon and thank you for helping build a great “Communi-Qi!” -Jeffrey Chand...