We welcome ESCU medical anthropology class.

On November 14, Eastern Connecticut State University’s Medical Anthropology Class visited Mystic River Acupuncture. Kathleen spoke to the class about the history of Chinese Medicine and how acupuncture works. She demonstrated how to put an herbal formula together and weighed herbal ingredients out on both an ancient style scale and a modern digital one. The class had a tour of the facility, with plenty of time for questions. Kathleen explained the ins and outs of practicing in this country and  outlined the requirements for becoming a Connecticut licensed acupuncturist. She told the class about how the profession has changed in the past twenty years.  She described the steps she took in establishing her clinic and its growth over that time period. In past years, Kathleen has demonstrated acupuncture by giving mini-treatments to willing students. Professor Joan Greene includes a trip to Mystic River Acupuncture in her annual curriculum in order to show her students how ancient medical traditions are practiced in the modern western world.…

Acupuncture is a perfect baby shower gift!

Because Acupuncture is a pregnant woman’s best friend. There are so many aches and pains that might go along with her pregnancy, and acupuncture is a very safe, drug-free way of dealing with them. Morning sickness, swelling, back pain, fatigue, anxiety, all of this and more can be alleviated with acupuncture. Overdue babies can be encouraged to come with acupuncture (with approval of the midwife or doctor), and breech babies will often turn within a few sessions.

There is an entire branch of Chinese Medicine devoted to pregnancy and birthing. If you gift your favorite mother-to-be with acupuncture, she can use it whenever she needs to, before or after the baby. If she brings the new father or her birthing couch along, Kathleen is happy to show them where to apply pressure to help her when the big event comes. While you are here, be sure to pick up a packet of special food herbs you can add to homemade chicken soup — a wonderful dish for postpartum recovery. Acupuncture is a unique baby shower gift, and she’ll remember you warmly for it.…

It Was Perfect Weather for a Festival!

We couldn’t have asked for a better day. It was the perfect temperature and sparkling with sunshine, and everyone was having fun. At our booth at the Groton Fall Festival, Kathleen, Andrea, Robin, and Stacey were nonstop busy doing mini-acupuncture sessions and chair massages. Anne-Marie and Mary Ann kept us organized and answered all kinds of questions.

It was great to have Andrea back for the day and we really enjoyed being surrounded by so many of our fellow businesses. Our drawing was a popular event and three lucky winners will be coming in soon for an acupuncture session, a therapeutic massage, or an herbal consultation.

Thanks to all for supporting Groton and all our local businesses at the Groton Fall Festival.…

Start the day with rice congee.

In China, rice congee is a common breakfast food. It is made with rice cooked on low heat for a long time. White rice is used. We recommend this for breakfast in the morning because white rice is easier to digest than brown. Rice congee has a sweetness that awakens the digestion at the beginning of the day. Medicinal herbs may be cooked in rice congee for people who are ill, weak or convalescing. Congee tastes great as a breakfast food. For lunch you can make it with left over bits of vegetables and meats.

Rice congee is very easy to make. Take 1/2 cup of white rice and 2-3 cups of water and put it in a crockpot. You’ll have to play with the amount of water to find a consistency you like. It is like porridge, and we all know that some like it thick and some like it thin. Add whatever you want to cook with the rice. Turn the crockpot on low, cook overnight, and your delicious breakfast will await you in the morning. You may use a broth instead of water if you like.

Congee can be as simple as adding a little butter, chopped walnuts and dates or raisins. For the GBA meeting, Andrea made one with sweet potato cut into small pieces, red dates, lotus seeds, lily bulbs, and gou ji berries, and another savory one with scallions and ginger. I often use chicken broth and cook it with pieces of leftover chicken. When it’s done I’ll add a vegetable like broccoli and cook it a little longer. For breakfast congees I enjoy adding seasonal fruits.

Congee is a versatile medium for many tasty meals. If you’d like to try Andrea’s sweet congee, above, give us a ring and we can provide you with a packet of the food herbs she used.…

New PMS drug or Chinese Medicine – Which will you choose?

Recently there was an item in our local paper, the New London Day, about a new drug for PMS. “Well, it’s about time,” begins the article. It describes the drug developed by a British company and now being tested on a small population of 100 women, some of whom are in the USA. The experimental medication goes by the name VA111913. (I’m sure it will have a snazzier name before it hits pharmacy shelves.) The article describes the relationship between high levels of vasopressin and uterine contractions  experienced as menstrual cramps.

The action of VA111913 is very different from the usual hormone based drugs or pain medications given to women who suffer from menstrual cramps. It blocks the hormone vasopressin, thus reducing cramps. While it was billed as a PMS drug, the focus of the treatment seems to be solely on cramping. I am not sure what effect it will have on other symptoms of PMS, such as emotional tenderness, irritability, a tendency to headaches, etc. I encourage anyone who suffers from cramping to keep an eagle eye on this new drug. On the face of it, a non-birth control based medication to relieve this kind of suffering seems like a really good idea. Time will tell how effective and safe it is.

The vice-president of the company is quoted as saying, “Right now, the current therapies for menstrual cramps are poorly tailored.” What he should have said is that the current standard western therapies for menstrual cramps are poorly tailored. Chinese medical therapeutic protocols are exceptionally well tailored.

Menstrual cramps/ PMS is one of the easiest things for Chinese Medicine to treat. Menstrual problems are right up there in our Top Ten. In fact, for most physical and emotional problems associated with menstrual cycles, I believe it is best to try Chinese Medicine — acupuncture or herbs — first. (My patients know that I don’t feel this way about all illnesses.)

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help with the regulation of the actual cycle and any problems that may accompany it. With weekly treatment, most women notice dramatic improvement within three cycles. Most of the time there is good improvement within the very first month. After her cycle returns to normal and the PMS/menstrual symptoms subside, a woman need only come for acupuncture or herbs when she needs to. Some prefer to come once a month for acupuncture before their periods. Others like to keep their herbal formula on hand in case they need it.

In western medicine, unless cramping is so severe as to reduce her ability to function, menstrual pain and PMS are considered a normal part of being a woman. This is not so in Chinese Medicine. PMS and pain with periods, or in menopause, for that matter, indicate that something is wrong. That “something” can be fixed and Chinese Medicine has the tools to do it. This is not to ignore extreme circumstances in which western medical intervention is essential. However, for most women, most …

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.…

Cupping with Bruce Bentley

Mystic River Acupuncture is hosting cupping expert Bruce Bentley May 10/11/12 in Groton. Andrea Elliott is organizing his visit to New York City (May 7,8,9) and Groton. Bruce has been practicing acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for over 20 years. He has investigated Eastern and Western cupping traditions. The workshop is open to acupuncturists and massage therapists. To learn more about Bruce, download his Lantern interview from the links page. For more information about the workshops, download the flyer or call Andrea or Kathleen at 860.448.6766.

Bruce Bentley Flyer

Bruce Bentley Cupping Article…