Activating the Ear: Auricular Acupuncture

Auricular acupuncture is the practice of stimulating specific points along the outer ear, and is viewed as a full body approach to healing. Commonly used to treat insomnia, anxiety, stress, or addiction, regulate the nervous system, and support bodily functions, it is a non-invasive and gentle treatment that offers numerous benefits. Each point is believed to be connected by nerves and reflex pathways to different parts of the body, like the head, heart, spine, liver, stomach, and practitioners will use fine needles, tiny metal balls, ear seeds, or gentle electrostimulation as techniques to treat a patient’s specific needs. This acupuncture technique is gaining popularity in both Eastern and Western health traditions by combining the knowledge of traditional ear mapping with modern neural connections.

Source: TCMstudent.com

How it Works
Cranial nerves like the vagus nerve, trigeminal nerve, and facial nerve all have branches that reach the outer ear, and when they are stimulated, parts of the brain that regulate mood, stress, pain perception, and bodily regulation are stimulated. Stimulating points on the ear sends neurological signals through the nervous system, switching into a parasympathetic state, which promotes rest and relaxation. Endorphins are released that reduce pain and discomfort, and enhance feelings of well being. Released neurotransmitters and hormones regulate mood, sleep, and appetite, and stimulation of the vagus nerve balances heart rate, digestion, and inflammation.

Physical and Mental Ailments
Auricular acupuncture is beneficial for individuals seeking a natural treatment with minimal side effects, those healing from trauma, grief, or addiction, those experiencing chronic tension or burnout from a high stress lifestyle, or those with hormonal imbalances.

● Stimulating the musculoskeletal points relieves inflammation that causes back pain, sciatica, or joint discomfort

● Treats migraines and tension headaches

● Eases symptoms like bloating, gas, or sluggish digestion

● By shifting and balancing hormones, symptoms of menstruation and menopause are lessened

● Stimulating facial nerve points releases jaw clenching and treats TMJ

● Certain ear points reduce the fight-or-flight response, easing feelings of anxiety and panic attacks, and encourages relaxation

● Feelings of depression and low mood can be eased by balancing serotonin levels

● Physical aid for processing and regulating emotions

Benefits

● Relief from chronic and acute back, joint, or muscular pain

● Reduced anxiety and stress

● Improved, more restorative sleep

● Enhanced focus and mental clarity, reduced brain fog

● Support through addiction or withdrawal by easing cravings during recovery

● Regulates digestion and metabolism, aiding in weight loss and management

● Increased blood flow and circulation

Home Practice
Stimulation of auricular points can be self administered at home through the use of ear seeds and an ear acupressure point chart. Ear seeds are tiny balls made of either a plant called vaccaria or metal, and are adhered to ear acupressure points with tape. They are then gently pressed throughout the day to stimulate the points, and are often used after an acupuncture session to prolong the healing effects. More accessible points to reach include the Ear Shen Men, which calms the mind, eases anxiety, aids in better sleep, and lessens stress, and Point Zero, which balances the body’s energies.

Whether applied with needles or ear seeds, stimulation of points along the outer ear can provide immense relief from physical, mental, and emotional ailments. TCM teaches that pressure points connect the body through nerve pathways, and activation of certain points can bring your body back to balance. With a detailed chart or with a practitioner’s help, this practice is accessible to anyone and can be self administered.

References

● https://burlingtonacupuncture.com/health-well-news/auricular-acupuncture-what-it-is-and-why-is-everyone-talking-about-it/

● https://acaacupuncture.com/auricular-ear-acupuncture-what-it-treats-how-it-works-and-who-its-for/

● https://www.emmaquine.com/auricular-acupuncture

● https://www.alldeepmassage.com/ow-give-yourself-ear-acupressure/

Cold Hands and Feet: A Chinese Medicine Guide to Better Circulation

While having cold hands and feet is a normal physical response to a cold environment, TCM teaches that persistently cold hands and feet are symptoms that may point to deeper health issues resulting from Qi, Yang, and Yin deficiencies. Too much cooling Yin and not enough warming Yang results in cold extremities. Restoring Yin Yang balance through proper diet, exercise, and TCM practices like acupuncture and medicinal herbs will help circulate blood through the body properly, warming chronically cold hands and feet.

Causes

Qi Deficiency:
The health and quality of Qi, which is the energy of all life, is very important in TCM. If there is Qi stagnation, or insufficient Qi, symptoms like cold extremities may manifest. Without the body’s normal energy flow, its ability to generate warmth diminishes, leading to lack of warmth in the hands and feet. Qi stagnation can be caused by stress, poor eating habits, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Blood Stagnation:
If you experience blood stagnation, it can lead to poor circulation, causing cold hands, chest pain, and feelings of oppression. In TCM, blood stasis is the concept that blood flow in the body is not as smooth as it should be, leading to various health issues like cold hands, pain, bruises, and a purple complexion. Good health relies on the smooth, robust flow of blood, so when it is stuck, it leads to discomfort. In order to correct the Qi deficit, it is necessary to incorporate mindfulness, appropriate rest and nourishing diets.

Yang Deficiency:
A Yang deficiency presents as fatigue, chills, and a pale face, resulting from a deficiency in the body’s warming energy. Yang is responsible for transforming and transporting Qi throughout the body. It is the warming principle that counterbalances Yin;s cooling and contracting nature. This harmony is essential for optimal bodily function. Chronic illness, ageing, overexertion, overeating of cold and raw foods, chronic stress, and prolonged exposure to a cold environment causes a Yang efficiency, with cold hands and feet being a noticeable symptom of the body’s inability to circulate warmth. Common symptoms of a Yang deficiency include chronic fatigue, sensitivity to cold, nasal congestion, continuous sneezing, abdominal pain, menstrual cramps and blood clots, and digestive issues.

Excessive Yin:
Yin and Yang need to be in harmony for the body to function at its best. While Yang is responsible for dispersing Qi and warmth throughout the body and limbs, Yin conveys that energy to the organs, and is cooling. If Yin and Yang are in disharmony, they can not connect, causing an inability to circulate energy through the body. This disconnect is called jue, and may result from meridian obstruction or insufficient Yang energy caused by Qi stagnation, blood stasis, and indigestion. An excess of Yin in the body results in cold hands and feet, because there is not enough Yang energy to keep the extremities warm, and the feet are farthest from the heart.

Remedies

Food: To treat a Yang deficiency, avoid consumption of cold or raw foods like salads, raw fruit, or milk. Do eat warm foods like cayenne, walnuts, pistachios, chestnuts, onion, garlic, mutton, leeks, cinnamon, mugwort leaves, jujube tea, and ginger, and medicinal herbs like cinnamon, clove, ginger, nutmeg. To treat blood stagnation, eat foods like apricots, cherries, red grapes, beets, beef, eggs, figs, dates, parsley, dark leafy greens. Include sulphur-rich foods like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and brussel sprouts, leafy greens, lentils, chickpeas, and walnuts for enhanced blood flow.

Foot Soak: Soak your feet in warm water for 15 minutes before bed, or sleep with a hot water bottle at the foot of your bed. Add mugwort leaves, ginger, or prickly ash for extra warmth.

Layering: Being cold can exacerbate Yang and Qi deficiencies, so layering and staying warm can help aid the body’s efforts to circulate blood and warm the extremities.

Exercise: A sedentary lifestyle encourages blood stagnation, so exercises like jogging, tai chi, walking, yoga, swimming, and other aerobic activities that do not cause overexertion are ideal for circulating blood throughout the body. Overexertion causes sweating, resulting in Yang depletion.

Acupuncture: By stimulating specific points along the body’s meridians, Qi and blood stagnation can be relieved. Activation of certain points, especially along the Kidney and Spleen meridians, circulates blood, restores warmth, increases Qi, and restores warmth to the hands and feet.

Cold hands and feet are strong indicators of an imbalance in the body’s Yin Yang relationship. Harmony can be restored through proper diet, exercises that are not excessively draining, foot soaks, warm clothes, and various TCM practices like acupuncture and medicinal herbs.

Supporting the body’s ability to circulate blood is the key to warming chronically cold hands and feet.

Resources

● https://www.commontcm.sg/chronic-illness/tcm-treatment-cold-hands-and-feet

● https://www.yongkangtcm.com/post/chinese-medicine-and-cold-extremities

● https://www.shanghaimedicalclinic.com/cold-hands-and-feet-what-to-do/

● https://sgpaincaretcm.com/understanding-cold-feet-traditional-chinese-medicine-approach/

Combat Wildfire Smoke Issues

With Canada in the midst of an incredibly bad wildfire season, US regions in the Northeast, Midwest (including Wisconsin), and parts of the South have reached hazardous levels and have been issued air quality advisories. Have you started to feel the effects of the smoke?

Wildfire smoke irritates our eyes, nose, throat, lungs, and overall health which can cause us to cough and wheeze and making it difficult to breathe.

Here are tips to help support you during this wildfire season:

+ check air quality reports regularly and keep exposure to a minimum

+ add more vitamin C: foods like amaranth, avocados, tomato and green-leafy vegetables are the most efficient sources of vitamin C

+ take immune boosting supplements: Reishi, echinacea, and astragalus are our top picks. *Note: always stop taking astragalus at the onset of cold or flu symptoms 

+ antioxidants: green tea, ginger, turmeric, strawberries, green tea, black tea, brussel sprouts, beans, onions, and apples

+ get acupuncture to help strengthen the Lungs

+ keep pathways of elimination open: go to the bathroom, sweat, circulate blood and lymph through movement/exercise, breathe, dry skin brushing

+ try a steam with any of these herbs: thyme, oregano, rosemary, mint, sage

+ stay indoors and minimize duration/intensity of outdoor activities. keep house windows and doors closed to keep indoor air clean and fresh

+ use an N95 particulate mask respirator when outside for an extended period of time, especially if you have cardio-pulmonary problems. We will have a few of these in the office starting on Friday, June 30th

+ avoid unnecessarily exerting yourself. Heavy breathing means you’re going to inhale more smoke

+ add purifiers to your home. HEPA filters or even ACs with filters and recirculating air can help cut down on particulate matter in the air indoors. Do NOT use an air conditioner if it does not have air filters (it will only suck in smoke and make breathing conditions worse)

+ stay hydrated