The change of seasons is a perfect example to illustrate this concept of balance and harmony. With springtime upon us, the following information will help you understand and stay as balanced and harmonized as possible through this transition from winter to summer.

What does Spring signify in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Spring is the season of growth and renewal and is associated with the Liver organ. This organ stores the blood and regulates the smooth flow of qi. It manifests itself in the ligaments of the body and the nails. The emotions associated with the liver are anger and frustration. Comparable to an army general responsible for overall strategy of the body’s functions, the Liver is easily susceptible to agitation and irritability due its complex job.

What is Liver Qi Stagnation?

Many people in modernized societies, particularly America, have congested livers. Stress, a major contributor to blocked, stagnant, and congested energy, causes emotions such as anger, frustration, to arise all to frequently. Other hallmark symptoms of the common pattern known as Liver Qi Stagnation are: Cold hands and feet, muscle tension, acid reflux, PMS, irritability, and depression.

What Should We Eat?

One way to help relieve stagnant liver qi is to simply eat less. Avoid eating processed foods and increase your consumption of whole grains and lightly steamed vegetables. Good spring foods are: Spinach, leafy green vegetables, onions, wheat, cilantro, mushrooms, sprouts, leeks, and Chinese yam. The sour flavor is associated with the Liver organ. The sourness of apple cider vinegar is an effective way to enliven a sluggish liver. One teaspoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with either honey or maple syrup in a cup of water may help decongest or detoxify the liver.

What Type of Exercise is Best?
Exercise is the best way to move one’s qi. Walking, the activity of the liver, is particularly helpful since it harmonizes and smoothly moves one’s liver qi. Take short breaks often and walk around outside. Breathe the fresh air and enjoy the blooming flowers and fresh greenery of spring!

For patients with little or no insurance, discounted payment programs are available. Please call us directly to learn more about our payment options. We accept cash, credit card, and checks.

Health insurance companies that we currently accept:

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We must first obtain a Masters of Science degree from an accredited college of Oriental Medicine. This education is a full time four year curriculum encompassing biomedical sciences, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and clinical training.

Once we have graduated, we must pass the very rigorous CA Board Exam to become a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist. We also must complete 50 continuing education units every 2 years to maintain our license.

For more information please visit:

www.acupuncture.ca.gov and www.nccaom.org

Acupuncture is side effect free and a drug-free treatment of signs and symptoms. Many people are able to decrease or eliminate their medication as a result of receiving acupuncture.

Chinese herbs are also completely safe when prescribed by a licensed herbalist. We use only GMP certified, pharmaceutical grade quality herbs. They have been thoroughly tested and come with a Certificate of Analysis to guarantee potency, purity, and safety

Your completed health history will provide an accurate indication of what patterns exist in your body. Acupuncture is a holistic medicine, which means that everything is connected and your whole body is addressed, not just your chief complaint.

Acupuncture meridians (channels) have specific points that provide a particular function in the mind-body-spirit. These meridians energetically connect the body together. By utilizing this system, the free flow of vital energy (qi) for health and well being can be regulated. Stress, pollution, trauma, emotional strain, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, bad habits, surgery, and overextending oneself cause the flow of qi to be stagnant and imbalanced. Acupuncture restores the free flow of qi within blocked channels. These blockages can manifest as various signs and symptoms that weaken the body and increase susceptibility to disease and pain.

Acupuncture does work. Scientific studies have proven that acupuncture works. Presently there are five prevailing theories:

1. Acupuncture enhances the immune system. Post acupuncture blood draws have revealed an increase in levels of white blood cell counts, specific hormones, prostaglandins, gamma globulins, and overall anti-body levels. This is beneficial for everyone and explains how acupuncture helps a multitude of ailments (allergies, chronic disorders, compromised immune systems, etc…), as well as serves as preventive medicine.

2. Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins. Endorphins are your body’s natural pain killer, many times stronger than morphine. This explains how acupuncture gets rid of pain, treats addictions, and makes you feel good.

3. Acupuncture regulates neurotransmitter levels, such as serotonin and noradrenaline. These neurotransmitters play a role in treating depression as well as appetite control.

4. Acupuncture promotes circulation and has the effect of constricting or dilating blood vessels. This explains how acupuncture can treat many different conditions, promotes balance, and addresses the whole body, not only symptoms. Blood flow is what nourishes the body and allows for proper function of all bodily systems.

5. The Gate Control Theory explains that acupuncture overloads nerve gates with impulses which thereby block the sensation of pain.