A Beat-the-Chill Kit to keep you warm

It’s very important to keep warm in winter and early spring. In Chinese Medicine Cold is seen as a pathogen that can enter your body. We call this “Invasion of External Cold.” Achy muscles, fatigue, runny nose, catching cold, and a general feeling of being chilled are some of the symptoms. A Cold Invasion can lower your immune function, allowing illnesses to linger or recur. Staying warm is a good way to keep this climactic “pathogen” at bay.

To help you combat Cold, we’ve put together a Beat the Chill Kit containing items you can use at home. We’ll talk about how to use each one in the Winter Warming Workshop on Feb 21, 2013.

In our Beat the Chill Kit you’ll find the following:

One microwaveable rice neck pillow, hand crafted by our business manager Maureen Connaughton. Maureen has an interest in fabrics and has chosen high quality cloth for these bags. She has made them just the right size to drape over your shoulders and neck. ($14 value)

A box of stick-on moxa which can be applied to specific acu-points to improve your immune system or help prevent symptoms from Cold Invasion. ($4).

A packet of Cinnamon Twig Decoction which is a classic Chinese formula for the beginning symptoms from Cold. It is tasty and very safe for all ages to take. You make a tea from it, drink it up, go to bed well bundled up, and sleep. The herbs and blankets help your pores open so you sweat out the Cold. ($6)

A Fomentek water pillow. These amazing bags take hot water bottles one step further. It’s pillow-sized plastic bag that you fill with hot water. Place it in a pillowcase to keep it from being too hot. You can lay down with it under your back, or rest it on your tummy. You can fold it around your feet or hands so they are surrounded by warm water. Don’t let your cat near it – they love to knead these pillows with their claws! ($11).

A coupon to upgrade your next massage to a hot stone massage. Have you ever tried a therapeutic massage with these wonderfully heated stones? They are just the right size to enhance your healing experience, loosen up your muscles and relax you totally. All we can say is “Ahhhhhhhh…..!” ($15 value)

DURING OUR WORKSHOP these kits, a $50 value, will be available for $25.

Let us know ahead if you want one or more so we can have enough on hand. They make great housewarming or Get Well Soon gifts.

 

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Two Days of Teaching in St. Louis

 

This past June the Acupuncture Association of Missouri (AAM) invited me to give a two-day seminar on Meridian Energetic Acupuncture in St. Louis. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and made good use of my time there.

My friend Michael Max and his wife Tracy Wang graciously invited me to be their house guest for the first couple of days. I’d never been to St. Louis. Now I would see this city from a resident’s point of view and Michael and I could continue our conversations about the practice of acupuncture. An added bonus to this was that Tracy is a superb cook.

 

 

The day after I arrived we went sight seeing. This included the amazing City Museum – I won’t even say anything about it other than, yes, I did slide down the 10-story spiral slide. Wow! You just have to go! And of course we visited the Arch, an awe-provoking piece of architecture situated in a downtown park on the banks of the Mississippi River. My tour of St. Louis included a visit to Sump’s for the best coffee in town, if not the country, and eating ribs outdoors at a delightful street-side restaurant.

The next day it was back to work. I had the pleasure of assisting Michael in his clinic. This was a good opportunity for both of us. I admired Michael’s calm way with his patients, his willingness to share his knowledge with me and his eagerness to have me jump in to consult with him on some of the treatments. It’s always rewarding to work in another acupuncturist’s clinic. Michael and I (and Tracy) met in China, and we’d already had many discussions about acupuncture protocols, the peculiarities of our respective clinics, ethical marketing practices, and herbal medicine. Finally we were working together.

I moved to the hotel the evening before the AAM conference began. This afforded me the luxury of being able to plan and adapt my lecture content according to the needs of the class, in real time and without distraction.

What a fun bunch of acupuncturists! They came mostly from Missouri and Kansas while some hailed from places as far away as Iowa to attend the AAM seminars. We kicked the conference off with a cocktail party whose purpose was, as Michael put it, “so we can size up the teacher and buy her drinks”. (Worked for me!) I had the chance to meet most of the participants before the seminar began.

The next two days were intense, yet I found them energizing rather than draining. These weren’t novice practitioners attending the workshop. I do believe I learned as much as they did. It was a lively two days with lots of input from the students, lots of case examples and demonstrations. In between class we had many discussions. We chatted over lunch, talked over dinner, and explored in depth this medicine we love late into the night. We shared anecdotes, techniques, and stories …

Radiant Beauty at Everything Zen

Friday April 29 at 6:30 Kathleen will present a workshop about Chinese “beauty” formulas, herbal remedies that promote healthy skin. Beauty is more than skin deep, and beauty is best when it comes from the inside out.

We’ll talk about the factors contributing to healthy skin from a Chinese point of view and address problems such as dry skin, acne and premenstrual skin changes. Kathleen will bring a sample formula to show you and to try, and she’ll make a special tea for the Sin Ni San ladies’ (you’ll have to come to find out who you are). She will also demonstrate facial acupuncture for wrinkles.

Come have a fun evening at Holly Potter’s fabulous studio, Everything Zen, 156 King’s Highway in Groton. Call Holly 860-861-8978 to RSVP.…

Feel healthier and more relaxed with Shiatsu and Amma.

Robin Vizthum, LMT,  has just completed 22 continuing education units in Shiatsu/Amma. Shiatsu is application of pressure on specific points along the acupuncture meridians. Amma is a Japanese form of massage based on the principles of Asian Medicine. Shiatsu can be performed fully clothed or added to a Swedish style massage. Both are excellent compliments to acupuncture and massage.

Schedule a 60 or 90 minute massage with Robin in the month of June and she’ll treat you to ten extra minutes of experiencing her newly learned techniques. We’re sure you’ll love them.…

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…