Itchy eyes and stuffy noses

It’s getting to be ragweed season. Itchy eyes, stuffy noses keep you from enjoying the end of summer. There are things you can do. Try chrysanthemum tea for some relief. Drink it hot or cool. Avoid windy weather and window fans, and keep the car windows closed. Make sure your sleeping area is clean and closed off to airborne allergens. If you hang your clothes outdoors to dry, consider throwing them in the dryer or hanging them indoors. Pay attention to air pollution reports in the news and limit outdoor activities accordingly. Take antioxidant quercetin, said to calm allergic histamine reactions.  Eat a diet rich in Omega-3. Naturopaths often prescribe stinging nettles. These products are easily available in groceries and health food stores.

And don’t forget to visit your acupuncturist when your eyes start watering  and nose gets clogged. We’ll give you a treatment and send you home with herbs that bring lasting relief. Or pop into our community acupuncture clinic for instant reprieve from allergy symptoms.

We have that chrysanthemum you are looking for, too.…

What is a back-to-school acu-tune-up special?

It’s a stress reduction acupuncture session for only $50!

Get centered again after all the summer’s activity. Get your body’s energy in sync with the season’s change. Help your mind get back to a regular schedule. And build your immune system to withstand the autumn sniffles. Feel the stress and tension drain from your body. Let us jump start your Qi for you! Let us know if you have allergies when you come and we’ll take care of those symptoms, too. All for just $50.…

Water, water everywhere, and oh my, is it Damp!

The Southeastern CT/RI area is still recovering from the rains a few weeks ago. Businesses are reopening, roads are being repaired, and homeowners have a handle on the damage that was done. We New Englanders are showing just how resilient we can be. Almost everyone I’ve met has put a good face on it, found creative ways to deal with their situation, and cheerfully helped their neighbors in the midst of their own chaos. Rainy spring days no longer come without some apprehension in our region.

In the aftermath of such major flooding, some of the health risks are obvious. We need to be careful driving due to damaged roads, and plan extra time for for detours. Extreme stress can aggravate existing health problems. On a mental/emotional level, there is more than enough anxiety to go around. Many of us have been displaced from our homes and can not cook in our own kitchens. Our diets may suffer from eating more “junk” food than usual. Disrupted schedules keep us from our exercise routines. Many of us are still feeling overwhelmed by the sudden storm that hit our area with such force.

And there is Damp. Damp is a term used in Chinese Medicine to describe a “climate” or “pathogenic factor” that can invade our bodies. Working in a damp environment, being out in rainy weather too long, living near the shore, or spending time in a basement all contribute to the presence of Damp in our bodies. Some people are more prone to being affected by Damp than others. Torrential rain turning our streets into rivers and making our basements moldy is open season for Damp.

Damp can be internally generated in our bodies, as well. Eating too much dairy or consuming cold food and drinks are ways we increase the likelihood of Damp.

Some symptoms of Damp might include bloating after eating, nausea, water retention problems, joint pain aggravated by damp weather, foggy thinking, allergies with stuffy nose, or a sluggish feeling. Sometimes Damp slows down healing of other things.

A lot of times people go to their doctors with vague Damp symptoms that western medicine can’t make sense of. They bloat, but nothing is wrong, they get lingering headaches that don’t seem bad enough for prescribed medicine, or they feel a lack of motivation. Perhaps there is something not quite right with digestion or allergies make them unusually stuffy. Maybe they can’t shake a level of fatigue and feeling blah.

In Chinese Medicine, Damp is a very real problem. The good news is that we have ways to help it. There are acupuncture protocols to make the Qi or energy flow so Damp doesn’t get stuck in the body. Chinese herbs free the Damp by either transforming it into usable fluids or aromatically dispersing it. These methods are safe to use in conjunction with pharmaceutical medications. Sometimes people just need a little help to get through a season or event, in this case a major flood.

Mystic River …

Early Bird registration for cupping class ends soon.

Register by April 15 for the Early Bird rate for the Bruce Bentley cupping workshops in NYC (May 7,8,9,) and Groton, CT (May 10,11,12). This class is open to acupuncturists, massage therapists, and other interested licensed professionals. This is an opportunity to study with an expert who explains and demonstrates cupping methods in clear terms. You will feel confident to practice this art after spending a weekend with Bruce. Call Andrea at 860-501-3112, or visit Bruce’s website at www.healthtraditions.com.au. Download the flyer for more info.…

Spring is the season of Wood.

In Chinese Medicine, Wood is the element associated with spring. Wood represents creativity, new growth, the birthing of ideas and self. The image of Wood is that of a new sprout pushing up through the ground. When it bursts forth it reaches upwards in an orderly fashion, spreading its leaves or branches, reaching out to the world, easily assuming its proper place. If the sprout is blocked by a stone it will search until it finds its way around, at last finding its way out. We have all seen plants growing from under rocks and flowers coming up between sidewalk cracks. Spring’s energy is of renewal, of freshness, a creative energy that cannot be thwarted.

When our bodies are healthy, they adjust to the changes of seasons. Sometimes we need help. The emotion of Wood is assertion or anger. Our lives are so busy that we often feel stressed out, and healthy assertion of Wood turns to frustration, then anger. Acupuncture can help us make this transition. It can help our Wood energy flow freely and smoothly. Herbal remedies can help with this as well. The name of one commonly used  formula translates to “Rambling Powder” or Free and Easy Wanderer”. This poetically describes the energy of spring.

At Mystic River Acupuncture we can help you with all kinds of spring ailments, from seasonal allergies to headaches to the aches and pains that come with resuming outdoor activities. Give us a call. And remember, we have additional evening hours on Mondays during March and April.…

Spring is here and with it come allergies.

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help you enjoy the beauty of  springtime. In order to accommodate our patients who need seasonal treatment, we have additional  evening hours on Mondays in March and April. Call  860-448-6766  to schedule your spring tune-up with Kathleen, Lynn, or Andrea.…