by urban-acupuncture | Dec 15, 2014 | Community
Our bodies are simply amazing. Each one of us has a remarkable, built-in defense system protecting us against bacteria, microbes, viruses, toxins, and parasites all waiting to invade our bodies. This is our immune system. None of these things are able to get in when our immune systems are working optimally we are protected from these forces. But the moment it is compromised, the door to illness is open. So keeping the immune system in tip-top shape is a major factor in maintaining good health, especially during these winter months when sunshine seems to be replaced by sneezing and sniffles.
Immune Support
There are many ways to boost your immune system including eating lots of fruits and vegetables, avoiding processed, sugary and fatty foods, drinking enough water, taking a quality multi-vitamin, getting optimal rest, reducing stress, and exercising.
Another powerful arrow in the quiver of immune support is the use of essential oils. Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in plants and have been used throughout history in many cultures for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits. They are found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. In addition to giving plants their distinctive smells, essential oils provide plants with protection against predators and disease. Modern scientific study and trends toward more holistic approaches to wellness are driving a revival and new discovery of essential oil health applications.
Aromatically, Topically, or Internally
Essential oils can be used aromatically, topically, or internally (when labeled for dietary use) and provide your body with additional tools to bolster your own natural defenses. They can be used individually or they can be blended together with other oils. Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and Wild Orange come together as a wonderful protective blend, also known as On Guard blend, and offer a fragrant, natural, and effective option for immune support.*
Ways to use these protective oils include:
- Use on a cloth to wipe surfaces and doorknobs throughout the home as a disinfectant and non-toxic cleaner.
- Take internally on a daily basis to maintain healthy immune function
- Place a couple drops in water and gargle to provide relief to an irritated throat.
- Diffuse to help purify the air, support healthy respiratory function, energize and uplift, and reduce stress, a key contributor to weakening the immune system.
- Put on the soles of children’s feet at night to provide immune support.
- Mix oil and water in a spray bottle and spray rooms, desks and bed sheets to protect against pathogens.
- Use to clean children’s hands when traveling.
*doTERRA Living Magazine
For more info, go to www.mydoterra.com/lauren , 614.323.9448. laurennewsom@hotmail.com.
by urban-acupuncture | Dec 15, 2014 | Community
There are many great neighboring businesses nearby our clinics, and we will begin to highlight these extraordinary places that make our community a better place. The first local business we would like to mention is Boline Apothecary. It is further north on High Street in Clintonville. Many of our patients love it, and the owner Lily Shahar Kunning is very knowledgeable about herbal remedies. This is something can be a powerful adjunct with your acupuncture treatments. Here is some information about the apothecary. http://www.bolineapothecary.com/
Herbal Remedies
- They carry remedies and body care – all items are either made on site from local ingredients (the Boline Apothecary label) or are thoroughly vetted local or national products. They have a strict criteria of what is and isn’t allowed in the shop in terms of ingredients and processes in natural care.
- Lily was trained in western herbalism, and started learning TCM (but left school when the business loan went through for the shop). I have expansion plans to include not only western herbalism & aromatherapy, but also Ayurvedic, Chinese herbal formulas, & flower essences.
- Boline Apothecary works with local farms and growers to get botanicals sourced locally. This means not only are we supporting the local economy and lessening fossil fuel consumption, but the botanicals are fresher and more vital as we make our formulas.
- They offer classes and workshops every month. In 2015, there is a “Medicine Maker Series”, which is an 8 part series of workshops all about making medicine in the western tradition, from tinctures to teas and everything in between.
Location and contact:
4764 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43214
(614) 517-0466
Current Farmer’s Markets to find Boline Apothecary products:
- Clintonville Farmer’s Market (Saturdays through November 22)
- Worthington (Select Saturdays through April: Nov 3, Nov 8, Dec 13, Jan 3, Feb 14, Mar 21, Apr 4, 11, 18, & 25)
- Columbus Winter Farmer’s Market (1st & 3rd Saturdays through April)
- 400 Farmer’s Market (2nd & 4th Saturdays through April)
by urban-acupuncture | Sep 10, 2014 | Community
By Alicia Nolan
Yang begins it’s transformation into yin and we call it Indian Summer. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) calls it late summer and recognizes it as its own season. TCM theory also associates each season with an energy system and organ. Late summers trademark is the Spleen/Stomach system. In the physical body this is our digestive system and imbalances that might be more abundant include: loss of appetite, or increased appetite, poor digestion, and bloating. the spleen also rules thought and influences our capacity for thinking, studying, focusing, concentration and memorization. So we might see a lot of over thinking, over-worry, distraction, dwelling on things, obsession and anxiety etc…
Change in Season
Even if you don’t have a complaint each change in season is a good time to receive acupuncture to help the bodies energy assimilate to the change of the energy in the season. In this season it is to help the bodies yang transform smoothly into yin. Calm down the physical manic activity of the summer into a nice contemplative focused energy of Fall…. and stay tuned for Winter 🙂
Tao
“In ancient times those people who understood Tao (the way of self cultivation) patterned themselves upon the Yin and the Yang and they lived in harmony” The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine
by urban-acupuncture | Apr 8, 2014 | Community
Instructed by the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA, Columbus Branch
WHEN: Starting May 6th. 6-7 pm. Meeting every Tuesday in May.
COST: $50 for all 4 classes.
WHERE: Meet at Westerville clinic. 405 W Main St. Call 614-426-4406 to sign up.
Must pre-pay and register by April 30th
This is an introduction to the movements of this ancient Chinese Exercise form which is practiced for the health benefits as it provides physical as well as mental stimulation. The slow graceful movements can be beneficial to people of all levels of fitness, helping reduce stress, improve strength and balance and increase focus and concentration. This class can be followed by a more advanced class only a few minutes away.
by urban-acupuncture | Apr 8, 2014 | Acupuncturists, Community
Acupressure First-Aid Kit: Relief for Common Ailments That Can Be Used at Home
WHEN: Wednesday
April 30, 2014
TIME: 7- 8 pm
COST: $10
WHERE: Meeting at the Westerville UAC Clinic
Register and Pre-pay by April 25th please call 614-426-4406 to sign up. Space is limited!
Have you ever wondered what you could be doing at home in between treatments to help relieve minor pain and lingering issues? Maybe you have a family member that could really benefit from acupuncture but they won’t let us get near them with needles? In this class we will cover several powerful acupuncture points and how to do acupressure on yourself and loved ones. The points we will be focusing on are useful for many common complaints such as: pain, headaches, stress, insomnia, and digestive issues. This is a hands-on class where you will get to practice locating and stimulating each of the points.
by urban-acupuncture | Apr 8, 2014 | Acupuncturists, Community
“Sometimes you don’t know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” Georges Duhamel Almost 4 years after completing chemotherapy I was still experiencing an intense amount of neuropathy in my feet. I tried physical therapy, medications and exercise. The feeling in my feet flowed from stinging needles to shooting pain. The pain was relentless 24/7 and I had accepted that this was simply the way my life would be. As a LAST resort I decided to try acupuncture, after-all, the thought of anyone > sticking anything into me was not at all appealing.
A friend recommended Urban Acupuncture Center. This place had a soothing effect as soon as I walked in. It’s quiet, yet friendly and smells really good! The treatment room is calming with comfortable chairs, relaxing music quietly playing in the background and interesting artwork on the walls. After the very first session, all the pain in my feet disappeared. This is no exaggeration. I realize this might not be the result for everyone, but it was for me!
I was so amazed, and of course relieved, that I continued to go for weekly treatments. The sessions eventually focused on other aches and pains, my insatiable appetite and my sleepless nights and, of course my practitioner made whatever adjustments were needed to try to address my current issue. After one and a half years I thought that maybe I was “good to go” and even thought that maybe the acupuncture was really a placebo, where because I thought it was working, that it did. So I decided to take a break. I stopped going for approximately 5 weeks. It didn’t take long for my body to start to feel off-centered. By the end of 5 weeks I couldn’t wait to return.
The acupuncture brought me back to center because the acupuncture gives my body a focus of attention that nothing else does. I now recommend to people that acupuncture become their FIRST resort. I am grateful that the persistent moments of the aftermath of my chemotherapy is now a memory.
Ellen, Columbus, OH
