Yes, Please, Pain-Free Knees |
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Knee pain is a very common complaint, with one in four Americans suffering, and something I treat often at the Acupuncture by Andrea clinic. I see patients in obvious pain, stepping carefully to avoid any sudden moves and potential falls, living a reduced quality of life due to pain when bending, standing and walking.
Acupuncture has been shown to be highly effective in relieving knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. Injuries to the knee such as ligament damage and meniscus tears are treated with acupuncture in conjunction with physical therapy, massage, surgery and herbal medicine.
Read our latest blog article to learn more about the causes and treatments for knee pain.
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It still looks and feels like summer outside, but it’s not too early to start immune boosting for the fall season. When summer winds down, energy shifts and nature reveals our body’s weaknesses. By preemptively clearing, cleansing and boosting with proper foods and herbs, we are ready for the winter and the inevitable cold and flu season. Fresh, immune boosting foods are readily available now for delicious dishes and healthy medicine. Check out this list from Acupuncture Continuing Education to get you started looking fall forward.
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Soup – A warming broth is easier to digest and aids the immune system by freeing up energy to fight bacteria and infection. Soups also provide nutrients and immune-boosting properties like minerals and amino acids.
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Warm Water – In TCM nutrition, replacing cold drinks with warm ones is recommended. Warm drinks help raise the body temperature and fight toxins while aiding in digestion. If you’re dealing with an illness, drink extra water to regenerate immune-fighting lymphatic cells so you can feel stronger and get healthier sooner.
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Astragalus Root – Boosts vitality and increases immune boosting compounds.
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Ginger – This powerful spice induces sweat to help clear pathogens and fire up the immune system. It also helps decrease inflammation and dispel nausea.
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Garlic – Garlic lowers blood pressure, fights infections, and is used for immunity. It is known for its antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory benefits.
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Vitamins A and C – These essential vitamins protect the body from infection while stimulating the formation of antibodies to fight illness. Combining Vitamin C rich whole citrus fruits like lemons, limes, oranges, clementines, grapefruits and tangerines with warm water make for a natural restorative for viral infections. Vitamin A protects the cells from potential attack and can be found in carrots, broccoli, spinach and yellow and orange foods.
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Fermented Foods – These foods contain live and active cultures which populate in our digestive tract to help fight bad bacteria and improve digestion. Fermented foods have been shown to fight diseases and decrease viral infections by stimulating the immune system. Try tempeh, miso, plain yogurt, sauerkraut or kimchi to boost your health.
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Sunlight & Sleep – Not a food or drink, but certainly essential elements in TCM nutrition. Sunlight is a natural healer giving out vitamin D, and sleep is necessary for the body to begin cell repair and immune system replenishing.
A healthy diet any time of year is minimally-processed. Avoid overeating, reduce eating late at night, and try not to consume excess spice, fat, sweet or salt which can lead to stagnation and low energy.
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As my clients know, I usually ask for your blood type when you come to the office. I align my practice with the principles found in The Blood Type Diet by Dr. Peter D’ Adamo. Dr. D'Adamo is a Naturopath with years of research experience in blood types and their relationship to diet.
As I studied the Blood Type Diet, I was fascinated by the similarities to Chinese medicine with its in-depth understanding of our relationship to what we eat. When I began following the diet, it changed many aspects of my mental and physical health. My skin cleared up, I was less bloated, my energy was better and overall, I felt less stuck. Through some elimination and some additions to your diet, the concept behind this eating plan is to make your gut as strong as possible by aligning diet with blood type. Not only is this a fantastic way to lose weight, but you are less likely to succumb to disease, illness and early aging than those following a standard, more inflammatory diet.
At your next visit, let me know your blood type and we will go over the app together and see if you have any areas of concern. If you don’t know your blood type and can’t get it from your primary care office, I have kits available for $10 that take only 5 minutes for results.
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Fast, Effective Pain Relief |
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Muscle and joint pain has been quickly and effectively treated with medicated “plasters” for thousands of years. Chinese herbal medicated pain patches are pieces of fabric that contain a layer of medication covered by a layer of adhesive. They deliver herbal infusions through the skin to underlying tissues for fast relief of minor arthritis pain, backache and sore muscles. These medicated patches use a combination of herbal medicines including camphor and menthol, to help reduce swelling and inflammation in acute injuries with a heating/cooling effect. You may be familiar with Bengay or Icy Hot—these medicated patches work in a similar way using herbal medicines.
With a pleasant aroma from the herbal formula, patches are applied to the injured area and they begin to work almost instantly. The patch is normally worn for about two hours and treatment can be applied multiple days in a row.
We have several types of medicated plasters available at Acupuncture by Andrea. Get in touch and find out if medicated patches can help relieve your aching muscles and joints.
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A new website for Acupuncture by Andrea is coming soon! We're so excited to offer an improved user experience. Please let us know what you think and get in touch if you have any problems accessing scheduling or resources on the new site.
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Whatever the father of illness, the mother is wrong food.
-Chinese Proverb
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