Stay Healthy This Fall

The season of autumn is now in full swing have you been feeling it creeping in?

In Chinese Medicine Autumn corresponds to the Lung, the most delicate of organs. It is believed that colds and flu attack the body from wind blowing on the neck. Think about the progression of a cold: stiff and achy neck and shoulders, sore throat, stuffy nose, headache, fever or chills. If you were struggling with colds in the spring and did not harmonize way back then your body may be at a greater disadvantage now that the weather is again changing.

Some simple things you can do to protect your body:

Wear a scarf or shirts/turtlenecks that do not expose the chest and neck, layers are a plus and all of these are the latest fashion anyway! Avoid direct contact from an open window or fan when you are sleeping. This is when the body is most susceptible to wind invasion.

Get an Acupuncture tune-up session acupuncture helps harmonize the body to adapt to its environment and has only positive side effects. Refer back to How Can Acupuncture Help My Cold?

Massage the space between your thumb and index finger on both hands as well as the space between your eye brows. LI4 and Yin Tang acupressure points are a great preventative for colds. Massage until the area you are rubbing feels achy and turns slightly pink/red. Don't wait to feel sick, start this now and do it everyday.

Adjust Your Internal Clock Bears hibernate for the winter and so should you! Go to bed early and use this time to slow down and rest after a hectic summer.

Sarah Zender LAc

Neighborhood Acupuncture Place (NAP)

230 Florence St

Crystal Lake IL 60014

815.893.9825

www.clnap.com 

Herbal Remedy for Burns

Great Wall Brand carries an amazing burn cream that is inexpensive and extremely affective.

Ching Wan Hung is a topical ointment that can be used for burns caused by steam, boiling water, raging fire, hot oil, molten steel or chemical substances and radiation burns. Patients at Whole Health Acupuncture have also reported its great for sun burns/poisoning, 2ndand 3rd degree curling iron burns, sores that don't heal and other skin irritations. Ching Wan Hung can also be used for hemorrhoids and bedsores.

The function of the herbs in Ching Wan Hung burn ointment help to clear heat, increase circulation to repair the damaged tissue, and relieve pain.

A great thing to keep in your medicine cabinet, like a good girl scout always be prepared. Pick some up the next time you stop in for acupuncture.

Sarah Zender LAc

Neighborhood Acupuncture Place (NAP)

230 Florence St

Crystal Lake IL 60014

815.893.9825

www.clnap.com 

Natural Remedy for Muscle Cramps, Charley Horses, and Sore Muscles

If you've ever woken up in the middle of the night to a seizing calf or toe muscle cramping or worked out a little too hard too soon this blog is for you.

A simple and readily available remedy: detox bath. The therapeutic value of baths has been around for centuries and you might have just about everything you need to make it already in your home.

If you fear your tub or your water heater is too small to fill up a tub of warm water I will give a few options.

What You Need:

1/2 cup of Epsom salts

1/2 cup sea salt

1/2 cup baking soda

Where to buy? Epsom salts are easy to find especially at places like Walgreens and health food stores and are relatively inexpensive. I would recommend unscented salts if you are looking for detoxing qualities as many added scents are toxic. To scent your salts use therapeutic grade essential oils like YoungLiving.

Fill your tub with warm bath water and when you are ready to soak pour the above ingredients into the tub with the water still running. Soak for at least 15 minutes or for as long as you wish.

If you don't have a tub or its just not a comfortable size for you, a foot soak is just as good. Grab a large dish tub from a dollar store, Target, or Walmart and fill with warm water and the above ingredients and let your feet soak for as long as you like.

This is a great ritual to practice for preventative measures and simply because it feels good.

Especially helpful for:

>> muscle cramping

>> period cramps

>> cysts

>> insomnia

>> achey, sore, tired muscles

>> swellings or bruises

>> after a workout

>> after a massage

According to this article Epsom salts can also be used to remove excess oil from your hair, as a hair volumizer, to remove splinters and more.

Let us know what benefits you discover!

Sarah Zender LAc

Neighborhood Acupuncture Place (NAP)

230 Florence St

Crystal Lake IL 60014

815.893.9825

www.clnap.com