"Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed" - Mary Oliver
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From the Acupuncture & Wellness Team
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Donna, Edwin, and the entire staff of the AWC wish you and yours a joyful, peaceful, safe, and happy Holiday Season. We appreciate your support We would like to express our gratitude for all of our patients and our appreciation for your support throughout this unique year. Our hope is that all of us experience a happy and healthy New Year. As always, we are here to help you in any way we can.
Acupuncture & Wellness Center is committed to being a sacred space of healing where all are welcome. We share this newsletter to support you in your journey of fostering balance and peace of mind.
For current patients, click here to book an appointment online. If you are a new patient seeking services please call the office at (443) 219-1220.
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Gift Certificates Available!
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At Acupuncture & Wellness Center we love taking care of our patients and wanted to make it easier for everyone to access high-quality products to stay healthy between treatments. We recognize that it is not always easy to know how and where to source reliable companies and products which is why we decided to partner with Wellevate. We also understand how precious everyone's time has become so hopefully this will make shopping for health products more convenient. You will all now have access to the supplements, herbs, and health products we use at AWC from home to make it as easy as possible for you to stay on your treatment plan. Wellevate also carries the Traditional Chinese Herbal Company we use in the office, so once prescribed by your practitioner, you will be able to purchase TCM herbs right from home.
Setting up an account with our virtual dispensary is free and provides you access to our customized dispensary.
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Flowing with the Winter Season - TCM
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Winter is the cold, dark season when nature withdraws and rests. It is a time of moving inside and slowing down, keeping warm. It calls us to reflect and go inward for retrospection, spiritual connection deep in the earth to see where we need to heal and prepare for the hope of regrowth in the spring to come. Will we answer the call and flow with winter? We too often forget to see and follow nature. If we keep rushing and running around, we will miss what this deeply spiritual time of year offers us.
Winter's Association In Traditional Chinese Medicine
Element: Water
Yin Organ: Kidneys/Yang Organ: Bladder
Emotion: Fear
Spirit: Zhi (Willpower)
Climate: Cold
Color: Black/Dark Blue
Taste: Salty
Sense Organs: Ears
Tissues: Bone
Virtues: Strength, Courage, Wisdom
How can we support our wellbeing during the Winter?
Foods: Nourishing, warm stews and soups, hydrating, dark foods that are somewhat salty
(Nuts, seeds, legumes, saltwater fish, shellfish, dark berries, root vegetables)
Herbs: strengthen the adrenals and kidneys, support the immune system, ease depression
Essential Oils: ylang-ylang, Lavender, patchouli, pine, black pepper, juniper
Internal Work: Meditation, Yoga, Qi Gong, Breathwork
Acupuncture: There are points along the kidney and bladder channels that support healthy kidney and urinary bladder function. See your acupuncturist regularly for treatment
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Supporting the Immune System
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The immune system is a complex network of cells and proteins that defends the body against infection. A strong and healthy immune system will protect and balance the body by maintaining homeostasis (the ability of the body to adapt to its environment and maintain internal stability)
The immune system consists of lymphatic circulation and lymph nodes linked closely to our circulatory system. It includes the spleen, thymus, and kidney organs. The entire Gastrointestinal System is filled with immune cells that guard this gateway into the body.
Moving through the cold weather, being less active, and being more exposed to illnesses can be very taxing on the immune system. Our immune system cleanses the circulatory fluids by interacting with our blood and serous fluids in the tissues, and through filtering these fluids to move waste out of the system and out of the body through the kidneys and GI tract.
One of the most important functions is to provide antibodies and white blood cells that fight and neutralize any outside attackers such as viruses, bacteria, illnesses causing elements that are all around us. It can do this in several ways, creating different types of immunity.
There are three types of immunity to protect us from diseases:
Innate: We are all born with this. It is the ability of the body to fight off disease that includes skin barriers, general white blood cells in our GI tract, and blood and tissues that attack any foreign invaders.
Passive: Our body does nothing to obtain this, it is given to us through receiving antibodies (also called immunoglobulins) from the blood of our mother at birth and from breast milk. It is also given to us when we receive an infusion of immunoglobulins through IV to treat specific diseases. We have heard a lot about this type in the COVID Monoclonal Antibody treatments, but they are used in other diseases such as blood cancers and autoimmune diseases.
Active: This occurs when the body actively creates antibodies to fight off specific diseases with white blood cells called leukocytes and immunoglobulins (antibodies) that are specific to the disease. There are many types, some stick around in our bodies, others need refreshing. Active response by the body occurs in two ways:
Being exposed to the antigen (bacteria, virus, etc. that causes the disease)
Being given a vaccine that safely stimulates the immune system to create protection against specific diseases such as the measles and mumps vaccines, the flu vaccine, and the COVID-19 vaccines.
As we are all aware, our immune systems have been stressed greatly these last few years and it is constantly stressed by our lifestyle and exposures over and over again.
Essential to health and wellness, the use of vaccines and immunoglobulins are important in helping us fight deadly diseases that can and often overwhelm our systems.
But what can we do to help keep our systems strong and adaptable in the midst of life’s stresses?
Breathwork - daily, conscious practice of deep breathing
Exercise – walking regularly, yoga, stretching, gentle weight lifting, and active range of motion exercises.
Sleep – consistent sleep schedule, aim for 8 hours a night
Diet – good, whole, fresh foods eaten throughout the day - preferably in the winter season foods should be cooked and not raw -- lots of soups and stews
Nature - explore, sit, walk, interact with animals is a wonderful way to reduce stress and allow your body to relax and heal
Joy - do what brings you joy - a hobby, good books and/or movies, playing with your pets, or just laughing and having fun with friends and family, whether online or in-person can provide just the right dose of “medicine”
Silence - find peace in the silence - our world is noisy, we often never have complete silence around us. There are many studies that have shown exposure to frequent noise harms the immune system and regular quiet increases the effectiveness of the immune response
When the immune system works well, our circulatory system is cleansed, our GI tract works efficiently, our kidneys clear waste more effectively causing stress levels to decrease. These simple actions will support and keep our immune systems strong; they will calm us, connect us and spiritually support us.
Jean Wible
For more ways to support the immune system, see Jacki’s Corner below!
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Energy Flow
How do I flow?
Water says – soak in the sun…
And the breeze… allow the rain to fill you…
Let the earth support and guide you…
Be Joyous and Bubble and Flow…
Have deepness and shallowness…
All is Good…
Where am I going?
To the Source of Life… how… you need not know
…only flow…
Let go of worry and holding on…
Explore… and follow what bears fruit…
What about consistency and sticking with something and finishing?
Is there ever any finishing…Aren’t we always moving and changing…
Who is to say… what is finished and what is not…
What is evolving…
Bring into your life – Nurture
Get up in the morning and let yourself feel…
The air, the sun, the earth, the water, the animals,
And feel joy in them..
Then open the flow of energy and movement…
Then settle into the peaceful depths…
Then move gently through the day…. Seeking only to flow
With great flexibility…
All leads you down to the Source…
Then return at night to rejoice in the dark – the life hidden…
The air, the moon, the earth, the water,
Still there… yet different…
And let the cycle begin again…
This is surrender to the Flow…
Jean Wible
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The Gift of Health Resources
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Finding Inner Peace: Talk and Meditation
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Chinese Medicine and Yoga
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Continuing Care At Home
with Herbal Products, Essential Oils, and more …
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Acupuncture is just one part of a broad system of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which includes Chinese Herbal Medicine, Tui Na (Chinese Massage), Therapeutic Movement (including Tai Chi and Qi Gong), Meditation, Chinese Dietary Therapy, and Feng Shui (geomancy). These are all taken into consideration when the acupuncturist develops a unique treatment plan that is right for you.
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Winter Product Highlights
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HERBAL REMEDIES
Adrenosen is a formula that relieves burnout and is based on an ancient Chinese remedy. Restores energy, sense of well-being, and mental acuity. Supports the adrenal, pituitary, and thyroid glands.
Astra C combines Eastern and Western therapies to prevent the common cold and allergic rhinitis. Vitamin C and zinc citrate have been added to the traditional formula Yu Peng Feng San (YPFS), used to enhance the body’s protective power, or wei qi. Vitamin C has been used for many decades as a supplement to prevent viral infections. Zinc in citrate form is an easily absorbable form; it is used to improve immune response. Helps prevent colds and flu.
Cold Away is best used to treat the early stages of externally contracted wind-heat disease, especially the earlier stages of colds and flu, which can include fever, sinus and chest congestion, coughing, aversion to wind, headache, and throat pain, but can be used at any stage. Treats cold and flu.
Nasal Caps 2 Treats acute and chronic sinus congestion with thick, yellow mucus, sinusitis, rhinitis, hay fever, colds, and flu. Addresses snoring due to facial congestion. Addresses earache due to sinus blockage. May be used for sinus headaches.
WYNDMERE NATURALS ESSENTIAL OILS
Immune Support Every day we face numerous and varied threats to our health. We’ve become more aware of the need to help support and maintain a healthy immune system to successfully ward them off. This is a blend of the best essential oils that can help you achieve your health and wellness goals.
Peppermint One of the best essential oils for your first aid kit, Peppermint is believed to help relieve headache symptoms and provide relief from nasal and respiratory congestion caused by allergies or the common cold.
Joyful Spirit Embrace the day with this uplifting and cheerful synergistic blend of pure essential oils. Helps to inspire creativity and promote confidence.
Aches & Pains Whether you’re hitting the gym or just shoveling snow, make sure you have a bottle of Aches & Pains on hand to deal with any sprains, strains, or pains! Use this blend before or after physical exertion.
BRAVO TEAS
Absolute Ginger Beneficial to digestion, helps ventilate the Lungs, and treats cough.
Aller-Easy A nourishing and soothing blend based on Traditional Eastern Herbalism that has been passed down for generations, this unique formula helps maintain healthy immune function and seasonal immune response.
Bye Cough An herbal formula that has been used for centuries in the Orient to calm the throat, soothe the bronchial tract, and nurture the respiratory system.
*These products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease
CbdMD
CBD Gummies - can reduce pain, anxiety, and depression; and can even promote restful sleep.
CBD Recover Cream Soothe away joint and muscle aches with Recover, a CBD cream enriched with pain-killing medicine and a wealth of soothing herbal ingredients.
CBD Oil Tincture - Full & Broad Spectrum CBD tinctures provide the greatest speed and precision in administering the amount of CBD you want. You can measure one of our six concentrations out by the drop, and by holding the CBD oil under your tongue before swallowing, you can start to feel the relaxing benefits faster than you would by consuming a CBD edible or capsule.
MEDITATION
Charm City Fidgets- Similar to traditional prayer or meditation beads, Fidgets can be used to help with focus and concentration as well as for stress relief. They can be helpful to calm the mind, manage ADHD and anxiety. Fidgets are also a great tool when trying to quit smoking.
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Jacki's Corner
Personal training and Nutritional Counseling
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Charm City Fidgets offers beautiful and eye-catching fidget jewelry and Digit Fidgeters for you to wear and hold. They are not just attractive, they are interactive.
Fidgets can help with focus and concentration as well as promote feelings of calm.
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Support Your Local Super Hero
The Immune System
By Jacki Szimanski
Cold weather is upon us and we are spending more time indoors. It is no coincidence that the flu and cold season appear at this time as well. These maleficent microbes are everywhere, but the good news is that your body can fight off these unfriendly organisms. The superhero in this scenario is the immune system. But even superheroes need a little support to do their best work. The same goes for your immune system. It needs support from a healthy diet, plenty of H2O, lots of sleep, exercise, and low stress. A healthy and varied diet provides your body with vitamins and minerals it needs to maintain a strong immune system and give you energy. Leafy greens contain lots of Vitamin C, mushrooms are one of the only foods that contain Vitamin D, chickpeas have a ton of zinc and garlic helps your body to absorb zinc. Sweet potatoes have Vitamin A which is a terrific immune booster. Keep in mind that by eating a variety of healthy, whole foods you can get a wide range of the micronutrients you need. Drinking plenty of water helps to keep infection-fighting immune cells circulating throughout your body; always on guard to protect you. Get your ZZZZZs. Sleeping helps your body recover from your daily activities and also enables immune cells to work more efficiently. Exercise helps your body in so many ways and immunity support is one of them. 30-minutes of moderate activity can boost your circulation and help the immune cells move throughout your body to protect you from infection or illness. Keeping your stress level in check can support your immune system. When your body is under stress, it initiates a response that actually suppresses your immune system. Stay connected to your stress-relieving techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and prayer. Support your immune system and it will support you right back. Washing your hands often and wearing a mask will keep those pesky germs at bay. Stay safe and healthy this season.
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In order to ensure the safety of our patients and staff we will continue to adhere to guidelines set out by State and Local Government.
AWC COVID-19 Office Protocols
Call the office when you arrive for your visit.
Wait in your vehicle until your therapist is ready for you
We ask that all patients arrive at least 10 min early to ensure that their treatment begins on time
Wear a properly fitting mask for the entire duration of your visit
Practice physical distancing whenever possible
If you are sick, please stay home.
We appreciate your cooperation.
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www.acupuncturewellnessbaltimore.com
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