SUMMER SEASONAL

The practice of acupuncture originated in China approximately 3500 years ago, and is more recently being practiced in the United States alongside Western medicine. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine see the human body as an energy system where mind and body are unified, each influencing and balancing the other.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine there are five main elements within our environment and each is connected to a particular season: Wood-Spring, Fire-Summer, Earth-late Summer, Metal-Fall, and Water-Winter. The ancient Chinese looked to the natural ebb and flow within the natural world around them and applied this knowledge to define balance, health and well-being within the body. Energetically it is easy to see how each of these elements differs from one another. For example, the cooler, quieter energy of the Winter moving into the noisy explosion of new life and energy of Spring.

Have you ever noticed that people often get sick with a cold or allergies right around the change of Seasons? It takes energy to shift from one season to the next and if the body’s immune system is already slightly weakened, a cold, virus or allergy has a better chance to take hold.

Seasonal Acupuncture treatments boost the immune system and assist the body in making the transition from one season to the next. These treatments have a cumulative effect on the body and with each seasonal treatment the immune system becomes better able to fight off colds, viruses and allergic reactions. Specific acupuncture points are selected on the body to boost the “element” or season that we are transitioning into. The treatments are relaxing and energizing at the same time.

The Summer season is upon us…Can you feel it in the air? The energy is excited, fun, playful, joyful and expansive! It’s summertime! This is the time of year when the sudden burst of energy from Spring expands into the full bloom of Summer. It is during the next three months ~ June, July and August ~ that the flowers and trees and life all around us become more active and energetic. Just as we started our new beginnings in Spring ~ now we can utilize the energy of Summer to bring these plans to fruition and then harvested in the Fall.

Appropriately so, the season of Summer is associated with the element of “Fire” in Chinese Medicine. The color is “red”, the sound is “laughter” and the emotion is “joy”. A person with a “Fire element constitution” is outgoing, friendly, energetic and you often hear laughter in their voice.

The Fire element governs the Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium (“heart protector”) and San Jiao. San (triple) Jiao (healer) is viewed in purely energetic terms and roughly corresponds to heart/lungs (upper), stomach/liver/digestive (middle), and intestine/kidney/bladder (lower). The balance of these areas is critical to good health and well being. When the “Fire” element is in balance, the heart is strong and healthy, the mind is calm and sleep is sound. When there is an imbalance, we may experience a lack of joy (depression) or have excess joy (mania). Some other imbalances may include agitation, nervousness, heartburn, and insomnia. During the Summer months the energy is more active or YANG in nature, and therefore a perfect time to “fire up” your weight loss or exercise plan. The energy of the season will support your efforts with rapid results ~ so keep moving! Some suggestions to remain in harmony with the season of summer:

• Awaken early in the morning.

• Drink plenty of fluids.

• Add pungent flavors to your diet (cilantro, dill, mint).

• Eat foods that are cooler in nature and that have a higher water content ~

fresh fruits and veggies abound ~ watermelon, cucumber, salads, asparagus, juicy fruits, fish and shellfish.

• Eat in moderation and often throughout the day ~ over consumption of any food can create an imbalance leading to indigestion and sluggishness.

The Summer season energy is also very hot ~ so it is very important to be conscious of the daily use of sunscreen liberally and proper hydration (150 lb adult needs to drink approximately 75 oz of water daily, and more when exercising). So get out there and enjoy the beautiful energy of Summer ~ stay cool and have fun!

Kathleen Kenneally, L.Ac. at Kenneally Acupuncture & The Healing Light Resource Center 661-252-4100

check www.kenneallyacupuncture.com for upcoming events

Springtime! March 20th is the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the vernal equinox or equal day and night everywhere on the earth except the poles where the earth’s atmosphere bends the sun’s rays enough to make light visible for 24 hours. In Traditional Chinese Medicine this time of year is considered the “wood” time. Spring corresponds to the Liver/Gallbladder organs, the element of wood and the color of green. There is a crisp quality in the air, a time of new beginnings and fresh starts, as everything comes alive after the cool and dormant months of winter. Just as the plants and trees push up through the ground and blossom around us- we are also motivated to make changes and “grow”. The energy of the spring season supports these changes and gives us a sense of purpose and optimism for the future. Now is the time to put those New Year’s Resolutions into ACTION! Spring cleaning benefits more than just our homes and garages, it benefits our bodies as well. During the winter months, many of us eat “comfort” type foods and put our exercise programs aside. This causes toxins to build up in our liver and bile to accumulate in greater quantities in our gallbladder. This buildup causes us to feel bloated and tired, irritable, red/dry eyes, possible tendon problems, and digestive problems to name a few. What can we do to keep our “wood” in balance?

Spring Cleaning! One of the first things we can do is to eliminate or reduce all toxic substances we introduce into our bodies- alcohol, cigarettes, processed foods, artificial sweeteners. Eat more fresh leafy green foods, salads, sprouts etc. Green is the color of the liver and of springtime. This can improve the liver’s overall function in the body. Exercise at least three times a week for 20-40minutes each time- to get our hearts pumping, blood moving and mood elevated! Stress is a major factor; therefore limiting our exposure to “toxic” people and situations in our lives is helpful as well as changing the way we choose to deal with them. An easy cleanse practice to do every day is to drink a cup of hot water with the juice of a half a lemon squeezed into it first thing in the morning. Make sure this is the first thing you drink in the morning; it will cause the liver to begin to dump toxins and flush itself out. Absolutely everything we eat, breathe in, soak in, drink, etc. goes through the liver. It is our bodies “treatment plant”. We live in an incredibly toxic environment. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can help reduce stress, eliminate energy blockages and assist the body in its natural detoxification. So let’s spring forward into a healthier future!

Detox Diet How long has it been since you’ve felt truly great? Stop for a moment and take inventory of how you feel right now. Are you tired, bloated, moody, flabby, and achy or spaced out? With this 10 day cleansing diet plan, you’ll eliminate the dietary “clutter” that is taxing your digestive, endocrine, and immune systems and slowing your metabolism. The rewards will be increased energy, focus, clearer skin, more efficient digestion, less aches and pains - and you may even lose a few pounds. The main objective though is to assist your body in its natural ability to cleanse and detoxify when properly “fueled”. During the first few days of the cleanse you may feel fatigued as your body works to eliminate the toxins your gut, liver and body fat have been accumulating. If you give your organs time to cleanse themselves, by the end of two weeks you will be more energized and more in tune with the rhythms of your own body.

The Plan… The first two meals of the day should be fruit. Be sure to eat only one type of fruit (1-2 cups) at each meal. Try to eat high sugar fruit like mangoes, pineapple, and papaya early in the day rather than late. Lower sugar fruits are apples, cantaloupe, watermelon, berries, grapefruit, oranges, peaches, plums, and tangerines. The lunch and mid-afternoon meals are the Cleansing Chicken Soup. Your fifth meal is a salad- eat as much salad as you want! Make your salad with your favorite greens and vegetables. Garnish with half an avocado, and use 2 tbsp. of a healthy raw salad dressing or make your own with a little lemon juice and olive oil. Follow this regime for 4 days. On days 5-7, you can add raw nuts and seeds to your salad after eating fruit for the first two meals and Cleansing Chicken Soup for the third and fourth meals. On days 8-10, during your fruit meals (one and two), add 4 ounces of organic whole-milk plain yogurt or kefir (goat milk is preferable) and 1 tablespoon raw honey. Consume Cleansing Chicken Soup for meals three and four. At your fifth meal, add goat cheese and fatty fish (like wild caught salmon) to your salad. As mentioned before, eat as much salad as you want, but make sure you finish eating by 7pm. (excerpted from Perfect Weight America by Jordin Rubin, Siloam Publishing, 2008).

Additional Info

 Only do this program for 10 days- it is meant to rest and re-balance your system. Gradually add different foods back into your diet and observe how you feel. Let your body tell you what foods are the best fuels for it.

 People with Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or Diabetes need to add 3-4 oz of lean organic protein to the first two fruit meals -i.e. egg whites, tofu, turkey, raw nuts, and yogurt.

 Do not skip meals- your body burns fuel when busy and stressed, so be sure to give it the nutrients it needs.

 Drink at least 8-10 8 oz glasses of pure filtered water daily.

Winter is Here! The Winter Solstice marks the official beginning of the winter season and the longest night of the year. For many of us though, the chill of winter-time as well as the increased darkness began weeks ago and it is only now that the difference between the darkness and light has reached its peak. The ancient Chinese believed that we should harmonize our lives with the natural cycles in our environment. The cold and darkness of winter urges us to conserve our energy, slow down, rest and reflect on our lives and our health.

The Chinese Element - In Chinese medicine there are 5 elements considered in out internal and external environments- Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. The Winter season is associated with the Water element and relates to the Urinary Bladder, Kidneys,and the Adrenal Glands. Other associations connected to the Water element are: emotion- fear; sound or tone-groaning; color-dark blue/black; taste-salty. Active time- 3-7pm.

The Urinary Bladder and the Kidney meridians control “the waterways” in the body. We are, physically, three quarters fluid. Everything that protects, nourishes, lubricates, grows, eliminates, or otherwise moves within us, does so with the help of the Water element. Water is equally important for the mind and spirit- without the cleansing flow of the Water element, the mind loses its flexibility. Not only is the memory impaired, its ability to clear itself of old negativity and habitual patterns is affected. According to Chinese medical philosophy, the kidneys are considered the source of all energy or Qi within the body. They store all of the reserve Qi in the body so that it can be used in times of stress and change or to heal, prevent illness and age gracefully. Have you ever felt as if you were pulling your energy up from somewhere deep inside just to push through the day? Or perhaps you regularly feel the “rush” of adrenaline? If you feel this way often it could indicate your adrenals are stressed and overworked and you are using the Qi reserve in your kidneys.

Staying Healthy this Winter… Seasonal Changes affect the body’s environment. With the wind, rain and snow comes the colds, flu and aches and pains. Wash your hands- Studies have shown that one of the main reasons we catch colds and flu in the winter season is that we are indoors and in closer vicinity with others.

Sleep- In the ancient Chinese Classic, the Nei Ching, we are advised to sleep early and rise late, after the suns rays have warmed the earth. This preserves our “warming” Qi in the face of the cold.

Stress- Chinese Medicine considers stress, frustration, and unresolved anger major players in weakening our immune system and allowing pathogens to affect the body. Find a way to release stress on a daily basis for example with Yoga, meditation or simply just breathe. Check in with yourself- are your shoulders up around your ears? If so then bring them down and breathe deeply into your belly. If you do this for 5-10 minutes at various times throughout the day, it will help tremendously in how you manage your stress.

Acupuncture for Prevention- Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can prevent colds and flu by building up the immune system. Specific points along the energy pathways or meridians are known for strengthening the circulation of blood and energy and for consolidating the outer defense layers of the skin (Wei Qi) so that germs and viruses cannot enter through them.

Seasonal Acupuncture treatments just four times a year also serve to strengthen the organ systems in the body and prevent minor annoyances from becoming more serious problems. Acupuncture for a Rapid Recovery - If you’ve already managed to catch that cold or flu, acupuncture and herbal medicine can help with the chills, sniffles, scratchy throat, fever and digestive upsets in a very safe and natural way that doesn’t overwhelm your system with antibiotics. Too many courses of antibiotics within short periods of time can also have a weakening effect on the body’s natural immunity.

Drink Water- Staying hydrated is one of the most important and simplest things we can do for our bodies. It is especially important during the winter months as this is the “water time”. When we are properly hydrated - our energy is better, elimination is better, aches and pains are felt less intensely- overall everything just feels better. Oftentimes when a person experiences the sensation of hunger- it is actually thirst! So the next time you reach for something to eat, drink a glass of water first. Sea Salt- To support the energy of the kidneys during winter months, drink ¼ teaspoon sea salt in 2-8ounces water daily.

Keep Laughing- Surround yourself with people that make you smile as often as you can. Studies have shown that just as negative emotions can weaken the immune system- positive emotions keep it strong. So “lighten up” and try to see the humor and blessings in difficult situations as much as possible and your body will thank you!

A Final Ounce of Prevention- Pro-biotics (acidophilus, Bifidus) can be used on a daily basis. Increase Vitamin C daily to at least 500-1000 mg. Stay away from sugary and processed foods, increase whole grains, and fresh seasonal produce purchased from the local Farmers Market is best. Eating warm and hearty soups and roasted nuts help to warm the body’s core and keep us nourished. Minimize television, cell phones and computer use; take frequent breaks while working and get outside and walk around.

Sleep early, rest well, stay warm, and conserve your energy. Think of nature and how many of the animals are hibernating through the winter months. Create your own version of hibernation and do less.

Happy New Year! In our modern Western culture, the idea of rest and inactivity is not a popular one. We are constantly encouraged to do more and produce more, in the shortest time possible. Multitasking is almost an epidemic and extremely unhealthy for people on all levels- from the physical to the emotional. Use this time of year to reflect on your life and health, connect to the very essence of who you are, restore your energy reserves and prepare for the energy of Spring to put those New Years resolutions into action. Let’s use this time wisely so that we may embrace the bounty of the coming year.

Autumn is Here!

It has been a long hot summer and a cooling trend is in the air as we shift from summer to fall. Have you ever considered how these external changes may affect our bodies physically and mentally? The Autumn Equinox, which falls on September 22nd, marks the beginning of the fall season. It is the counterpoint to the Spring Equinox in that there are exactly 12 hours of daylight to 12 hours of darkness at the equator. Whereas the spring season is the time where life is in a state of renewal and coming to the surface, Autumn is when things begin to shed and the energy moves inwards and downwards. During this time of year, Nature illustrates this beautifully in the leaves falling away from the trees. Just as the squirrel stores his harvest of nuts and twigs, we too fortify our energy reserves to sustain us through the resting winter months until the re-birth of spring.

The Chinese Element

In Chinese medicine there are five elements considered in our internal environments- Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water and each is connected to a particular season. The fall season is connected to the metal element and related to the lungs and large intestine. Other associations connected to the Metal element are: the emotion is grief: the sound or tone in the voice is weeping: the taste is pungent/spicy: the color is white. The balance between the intake (air and food) and the output (breathing out and waste elimination) is vital to staying healthy in body and spirit. The lungs are vulnerable to damp and cold, which can easily start a cold or lung infection. All sinus, congestion and mucous formation at this time are more than likely connected to an imbalance in the Metal element. The large intestine is susceptible to dryness, which is why constipation often accompanies colds, sinus and other lung problems. Poor intestinal elimination may also result in skin problems, as the skin is our body's largest "organ" of elimination.

Letting go.... Taking In...

The large intestine has the function of eliminating what is unnecessary and toxic from our physical bodies, however, we also need to eliminate mental and emotional toxicity as well. As our minds and spirits become "constipated" it becomes increasingly difficult to experience the pure and the beautiful that surrounds us. We need to let go of the old patterns, beliefs, people and "stuff" that just doesn't serve us anymore. Hence the emotion of grief comes into play. On a physical level, unresolved grief may settle in the lungs and manifest as bronchitis, asthma or other lung disorders. There is a certain amount of grief that is experienced as we release old yet familiar ways of "being" and of "doing". We all experience a certain amount of loss and separation. As we begin to let go....the function of the lungs becomes apparent. The lungs enable us to cleanse what is no longer needed in our lives and to "take in the pure". We are granted the inspiration of a breath of fresh air and a new beginning.

Harmonize with Autumn

Don't hold on to "STUFF"!

1) Go through your closet, desk, garage etc....and discard what you no longer need.

2) Take a mental inventory: examines attitudes (prejudices, envies, hatreds, jealousies, resentments) stored within your psyche. Attempt to resolve the hurtful old issues with those concerned.

3) For issues you cannot resolve directly with the person-writem them on paper, being as specific as possible - then burn the paper to symbolically release the content.

4) Take time each day to breathe slowly and deeply. As you inhale the clean autumn air, feel yourself energized and purified. Feel the old negativity, impurity and pain leave your body, mind and spirit.

5) Eat seasonal fruits, vegetables and grains-buy organic from local farmers when possible. Pungent/spicy foods may protect and support the lungs during the fall. Chilies, peppers, onions, garlic, radishes. Fiber/pectin-flaxseeds, apples, cherries, carrots; for dryness-pears, honey, almond, barley, millet; sour foods-sourdough bread, lemons, and grapefruit.