What is Acupuncture Worth to You?

I have heard many promises and resolutions recently, a New Year’s tradition. And while every person has their own approach to wellness (diet, fitness, meditation, etc.) I know for certain that Acupuncture adds wellness to life, in countless ways.

Just last week, a married couple was at the front-desk; she requested a financial summary for 2011 because she misplaced a few invoices. Upon receipt of the print-out her husband glanced at the summary (typically the wife handles the payments), and he said something like “Whoa, that really added up!”  She replied calmly, “Can you imagine how high our healthcare expenses might have been if we WERE NOT coming regularly for Acupuncture?”

The expression holds true for many people here at One Earth, because Community Acupuncture offers financial flexibility and preventative care where our current healthcare system fails.

The goodness of Acupuncture needs to be available to you as often as you need it; I remain dedicated to providing excellent care in a nurturing environment. Additionally, I will continue to offer personal suggestions that can help you along the way.Here are a few tips to incorporate into your healthy lifestyle for the new year:

• Find the joy in quiet time. Distractions console us but they also make us miserable! Shut off your cell phone, power down the PC, turn off the TV. Go for a long walk and ‘forget’ your phone. It is important to rest your brain, your spirit and your nervous system. Some large corporations are forcing employees to shut-down their phones and computers and are finding that their employees become more productive. Try it.
• Eat seasonal foods like Mung Beans – enjoy in soups or made into glass noodles, mung beans are versatile; they are used in Chinese Medicine to clear heat and toxins from the body, relieve water retention and calm the nerves. And herbs like Cinnamon and Ginger are very warming and help digestion.
• Lemons are an excellent source of Vitamin C, especially important this time of year when we need to keep our immune system strong. Use lemon in water or tea (hot or chilled) to break-up phlegm in your throat from sinus drip, but also to moisten a dry mouth or throat.
• Make yourself the priority. In the chaos of work and family schedules, make sure you PLAN time for yourself on a regular basis.
• Acupuncture, herbal medicine and dietary therapy all aim to correct the stresses we put our bodies through every day. Maintain equal portions of work, rest and play, as well as a nourishing diet and emotional flexibility – imbalance leads to excess, in the form of weight management issues, water retention, sluggishness, poor skin and hair, and poor sleep.