This time, since the start of Covid-19 has brought up many emotions, feelings, responses, and both conscious and unconscious ways of acting that for many of us are unprecedented even when compared to past traumas or struggles. And yet, as with all trauma the real struggle is to assimilate the experience and expand into it rather than contracting around it.

Sometimes we can’t wait for our garden to grow – what do we do when just getting to the next minute feels overwhelming? When taking a deep breath feels like the beginning of a panic attack? When we feel like our head might explode, the walls are closing in, like we might jump out of our skin?

Over the past several weeks there has been much discussion on public safety and what it means for individuals to truly feel safe in their communities.  As the incidences of police brutality continue to be exposed in this country we are starting to collectively examine and question the role of those whose job it is to protect and serve us.

What can traditional Chinese Medicine teach us about healing? One of the first things I learned in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) school is that this is a holistic medicine. You may have noticed when you come in for a treatment that we ask a lot of questions that on the surface have little or nothing to do with the health concern that brought you to acupuncture in the first place…

Stress is defined as any demand on the body, mind and spirit to perform and is derived from the Latin word stringere, to draw tight. The bodies stress response both enhances function, (either physical or mental), such as during endurance training or challenging mental activities, as well as inhibiting functions such as in chronic cases of adrenal exhaustion.

For many women, endometriosis and fibroids are a difficult part of every day life. These conditions can be intensely draining emotionally, and depleting biochemically. Additionally, common western treatments such as pain medication, hormonal regulation, and surgical options are invasive and may not help a woman to address her symptoms and reach her fertility goals in a safe and healthy way.

When we're young, there's stuffed animals, someone to tuck us in, books to be read, perhaps a soothing song to be sung or played, and a hypnotizing mobile above our head to slowly and calmly rock us to sleep.  As we get older, late night studying or socializing occupy the moments right up until our head hits the pillow.  

This article is meant for practitioners of herbal medicine. If you are not a practitioner it is important that you know herbal medicine is most effectively and safely utilized under the care of a licensed professional. Even though many people have similar symptoms, each person's root imbalance and herbal prescription is unique.

Since the days of Jack LaLane and Jazzercise, most people would agree on the health benefits of a regular exercise training routine to keep our bodies operating effectively and efficiently. Few would argue the importance of getting our heart rates up or “getting our daily steps in.” On the other hand, popular culture seems generally much less concerned about maintaining a regular training routine for our minds.

There is nothing quite like cupping. I have a tendency to repeat this statement to friends and clients who have never experienced it. Cupping is not like acupuncture and unlike massage. It can be slightly uncomfortable but also feel really good. It is rather simple in its application and how it works but is profound in its ability to transform the body.