Acupuncture & Natural Health Solutions Newsletter

Issue #2014-8

Ahh, summer... it is coming to an end, but we have enjoyed time for long, sunny days, warm weather, and brightly-blooming gardens. The summer season is also significant in another way.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the body's Organ systems are most accessible during specific times of year. During the late summer (now), the Spleen and Stomach are most active and most open to influence both positive and negative.

The Spleen and Stomach are associated with the Earth element, as well as certain colors, sounds, times of day, and other correspondences. The Earth element is related to security, feeling grounded and the natural rhythms of life.

The Spleen performs many functions, including:

* Transforming food and fluids into energy
* Transporting energy to muscles, flesh and limbs
* Ensuring that blood circulates throughout the body
* Producing a "lifting" effect, keeping the internal organs in place
* Governing our capacity for thinking and concentration

The Stomach is paired with the Spleen, and helps to digest food and transform it into energy. When the Spleen and Stomach are in balance and Qi ("life energy") is flowing freely through them, the body will have physical energy and vitality, good muscle tone, a healthy appetite and good digestion. The Spleen and Stomach can be affected by many factors, including poor diet and eating habits, lack of exercise, excessive concentration, worry and stress.

If your Spleen and Stomach are out of balance, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms (see list of symptoms to the right). Even if you're not experiencing symptoms, it's an especially good time to receive preventive acupuncture care.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine provide a natural approach to restoring and maintaining balance. When we strive for optimal balance, we achieve good health throughout the year.

By allowing Qi to flow freely, acupuncture can help your body heal itself and help you make the most of all

the energy and fun of the rest of summer!

Foods for a late summer diet include:

BEANS	FRUITS	VEGETABLES
Adzuki	Apricot	Beets
Garbanzo	Avocado	Cabbage
Green	Banana	Carrot
Kidney	Blackberry	Celery
Sprouted	Blueberry	Chard
	Cantaloupe	Collard Greens
GRAINS	Grapes	Corn
Brown Rice	Grapefruit	Cucumber
Millet	Lime	Green Peas
White Rice	Mango	Lettuce
	Nectarine	Parsnip
SEEDS	Orange	Radish
Pumpkin	Papaya	Rhubarb
Sesame	Pineapple	Spinach
Sunflower	Peach	Squash
	Pear	Sugar Peas
HERBS	Plum	Sweet Potato
Chili Pepper	Raspberry	Tomato
Chives	Strawberry	Yams
Cilantro	Watermelon	Zucchini
Fennel
Green Tea
Mint
Parsley	NUTS
Peppermint	Almonds

For more information on seasonal eating, see

The Seasonal Food Guide poster and booklet published by Celestial Arts, Berkeley, CA.

What Good Smells Do

Think about your favorite scent for a moment. How does it make you feel? Happy? Relaxed? You probably already know that aromas can have a major impact on your mood. Aromatherapy takes this a step further and uses scents to affect a person's physical and mental health and well-being.

Aromatherapy is a natural treatment system based on the use of aromatic essential oils. Essential oils are extracted from flowers, fruits, leaves, bark, and roots by methods such as steam distillation. Specific oils are used based on each individual's needs. He or she may dilute these essential oils and massage them into the skin, put them in diffusers so that the vapors can be inhaled, or prepare them in a solution designed for ingestion.

Essential oils that support the Spleen and Stomach include:

Coriander: Helps circulate energy in the stomach; good for exhaustion and nervous depression.

Fennel: Regulates appetite and relieves indigestion.

Lemon: Helps control weight, supports the immune system, and strengthens mental faculties.

Ginger: Helps relieve nausea and painful digestion.

Bitter Orange: Regulates Qi in the Spleen and Stomach.

Black Pepper: Increases red blood cell production.

Caraway: Relieves bloating.

Acupuncture & Natural Health Solutions

Toni Eatros, Acupuncture Physician

239-260-4566

www.AcupunctureSolutionsOnline.com

Symptoms of Imbalance in the Spleen/Stomach

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may want to consider setting up an appointment.

*Fatigue or lethargy

*Indigestion

*Nausea or vomiting

*Hiccups or belching

*Change in appetite

*Bloating and water retention

*Diarrhea

*Urinary problems

*Weakness in the arms, legs or muscles

*Poor concentration

*Dry, pale lips

*Worry and negative thoughts

Monthly Acupuncture Column Featured in SW Florida's Health & Wellness Magazine

Toni Eatros, Acupuncture Physician is the featured acupuncture columnist in SW Florida's Health & Wellness Magazine.

Be sure to check out August's issue, on stands now, which discusses the benefits of acupuncture in relieving back pain.

Click here to view June's Article

about neck pain.

Acupuncture Research

There has been a wealth of research done, and still being done, on the effects of acupuncture on cancer patients undergoing chemo.

Recent studies have confirmed statistically significant decreases in fatigue in breast cancer patients (Reuters).

These studies are still just coming out and most physicians are wary of saying that acupuncture will be guaranteed to relieve fatigue due to chemo but more physicians are consistently telling their patients to give it a try.

In another study, several women going through chemo were given acupuncture to help with their nausea and vomiting and 24 of the 26 women given acupuncture reported much less nausea and an overall better feeling (Sciencedirect).

These results are still not conclusive, but with more research being done regularly into the positive effects of acupuncture for cancer patients, it's definitely worth talking with your doctor about.

Free Bach Remedy

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to a FREE bottle of a

custom formulated Bach flower remedy.

Just mention this newsletter during your next appointment and we'll gladly give you a FREE bottle of a Bach flower remedy customized especially for you.

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The information contained within the Acu News newsletter is only used to educate and inform. This newsletter is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed and registered health care provider. Seek prompt attention for emergencies. Consult a health care provider for specific health concerns, and before starting a diet, cleanse or exercise routine.