Thank You

Happy New Year Nappers!

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for being a part of the NAP community. NAP treated 2469 patients in 2012 and none of that could be possible without you letting your friends and family know about affordable acupuncture. Thank you for your flexibility with the more reduced hours so that I can spend as much time as possible with my daughter and still be able to contribute to my family and a healthier community. It is an honor to serve this wonderful community.

Due to vacation schedules and requests I will be holding a 2nd Yogapuncture class this month next Friday Jan 18th at Radiant Heart Yoga from 7:00-8:30pm

Yogapuncture has evolved since we first started classes and some of you have had questions about what this is all about so read on if you've been curious.

Yogapuncture gives a brief snippet of Chinese Medicine theory about how your body relates to the seasonal influences around us. Acupuncture was originally designed to be a medicine of prevention. In fact, ancient doctors had to pay their patients if they got sick because it was their job to keep the community well!

There are components of yoga postures and breathing, qi gong and self massage that are incorporated into the class all with the intention of balancing the meridian system most active for the season we are in (currently kidney/urinary bladder). Aromatherapy is also used to help balance the body mentally and emotionally as well. These restorative exercises all lead up to an acupuncture treatment designed for harmony (specifically now for kidneys, urinary bladder, spine and center of the body).

If you've wanted to have a better understanding of the background of Chinese Medicine, self care, or are in need of a "tune-up" this would be a great class for you. In the winter months we focus on the prevention of sadness, strengthening the lower back and knees, warming the body, and building our energy reserves to be used in the spring and summer. Keep in mind this is an interactive class so you will need to be able to get up and down from the floor. Acupuncture is done on a yoga mat with support for the spine and under the knees and no prior understanding of yoga or acupuncture is needed.

Space is limited to 10 participants so please RSVP by emailing that you plan to attend and let me know as soon as possible if you can not make it so someone else can take your spot. The cost of Yogapuncture is $35.

Radiant Heart Yoga is located at 1130 Main St in Algonquin about 1 mile north of Algonquin Rd. The studio is located within the Algonquin Business Center and you will want to park and enter at the back of the building. Neiquist Chiropractic is the next building over from the business center and there is a costume shop kitty corner.

Have a wonderful day!

Acupressure for Stiff, Achy Joints

Winter is a rough season for many people that suffer from chronic pain, especially pain that is worse in the cold. In Chinese Medicine we call pain an obstruction or blockage and classify the pain based on environmental factors: heat, cold, dampness, dryness and wind. Whatever environmental factors make the pain worse are usually the culprits behind the pain and sometimes its more then one like wind, cold and dampness, for example.

Luckily, there are acu-points that work at removing the factor causing the pain. If you are waking up with sore, stiff,  joints and they seem to be worse now that we've settled into winter try doing a little acupressure.

The point to remove cold is poetically named 'clear cold abyss' and is located on the san jiao or triple warmer meridian.

To find this point bend your elbow and slide your finger from the tip of your elbow up towards your shoulder just an inch of so. When you extend your elbow their will be a tiny hollow your finger will fall into if you are on the right spot and it might feel achy or tender to the touch if you've been really sore or stiff.

Once you've found the spot gently massage tiny circles for about a minute on both elbows. You can do this as often as you need to.


Sarah Canga LAc

Neighborhood Acupuncture Place (NAP)
230 Florence St
Crystal Lake IL 60014
815.893.9825
www.clnap.com

Self Care for Pain

Last week I don't know what happened but in the middle of the day my foot started to bother me and it just started to get worse. I was limping around and in a panic because my brother's wedding was on Saturday and I was trying to figure out how I would be able to walk and dance in heels.

Wednesday I brought out 'old injury' liniment and soaked a cotton ball and rubbed it over my foot and then soaked a paper towel and let it rest on my foot while I worked. At lunch I took out a dish tub and filled it with Detoxify bath salts from NAP @home and soaked my feet for 20 minutes.

The next day I could walk with just slight discomfort and by wedding day my foot pain was a distant memory.

What is Old Injury liniment?

Old Injury is a blend of Chinese herbs that are cooked and then soaked in vodka for a min of six months. The older the 'brew' the more potent the herbs. Old injury can be used for just about any injury that is older then 72 hours and is particularly useful with bruises and pain that gets worse when its cold, rainy, snowy and/or windy. Wrap the area in the liniment and leave on for as long as you can 1- 8 hours. Its best to avoid if the area in pain feels warm to the touch or is inflamed.

NAP is now carrying Old Injury liniment in 4 oz spray bottles for $15.

Sarah Canga-Arguelles

Neighborhood Acupuncture Place (NAP)
230 Florence St
Crystal Lake IL 60014
815.893.9825

Citrus For Depression

As the days are starting to become noticeably shorter more and more people are starting to think about seasonal depression.

Citrus Essential Oils have an uplifting aroma that are helpful in the winter months for keeping depression at bay especially if you don't have the time to come in for regular acupuncture treatments.

Here are a couple ways you can use them in your everyday routine.

* Refresh NAP @home bath salts first thing in the morning.

* Diffuse Lemon essential oil at home or in your office. NAP recently got a new diffuser and we have been diffusing lemon and citrus fresh. Take a deep breath the next time you stop in for a NAP.

* Place a few drops of your favorite citrus essential oil (orange, tangerine, lemon, grapefruit etc) on a cotton ball and put in the air vents of your car.

* Fill a spray bottle with water and 5-10 drops of your favorite citrus essential oils and spray around room.

* Place a drop of your favorite citrus oil in your water or tea. **make sure you are using therapeutic grade essential oils before taking internally.

Remember citrus oils are photosensitive! Just like when you put lemon juice in your hair for highlights in the summer as a kid citrus essential oils can cause skin sensitivities or burns if used in direct sun light.

Not sure which oil to choose? Info about oils is from www.youngliving.org If you'd like an oil I place an order every 2nd of the month.

Lemon: Lemon (Citrus limon) has a strong, purifying, citrus scent that is revitalizing and uplifting. Lemon consists of 68 percent dlimonene, a powerful antioxidant. It is delightfully refreshing in water and may be beneficial for the skin. Lemon may also be used to enhance the flavor of foods. Lemon essential oil is cold-pressed from the rinds of lemons. Jean Valnet MD estimated that it takes 3,000 lemons to produce one kilo of oil. In his book, The Practice of Aromatherapy, Valnet wrote that lemon is a tonic for supporting the nervous and sympathetic nervous system.* 

Orange: Orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil has a rich, fruity scent that lifts the spirit while providing a calming influence on the body. Orange brings peace and happiness to the mind. It is rich in the powerful antioxidant d-limonene and aids in maintaining normal cellular regeneration.

Tangerine: Tangerine (Citrus reticulata) is a calming essential oil with a sweet, tangy aroma, similar to orange. It helps with occasional nervous irritability. An excellent oil to help uplift the spirit and bring about a sense of security, tangerine is also rich in the powerful antioxidant d-limonene. 

Grapefruit: Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) has a fresh, citrus aroma that is energizing and uplifting. Rich in the powerful antioxidant d-limonene, it is nourishing to the skin. Like many coldpressed citrus oils, it is a popular oil to use in conjunction with weight management programs. Grapefruit may also be used to enhance the flavor of food and water.

Citrus Fresh (blend): Citrus Fresh™ is a relaxing, calming blend loved by children and adults alike. Rich in the powerful antioxidant d-limonene, it supports the immune system and overall health* while bringing about a sense of well-being, creativity, and feelings of joy. It also works as an air purifier. 




Possible skin sensitivity. If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult your physician. Dilution recommended for both topical and internal use. Dilute before using on sensitive areas such as the face, neck, genital area, etc. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid using on infants and very small children. Citrus oils should not be applied to skin that will be exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light within twelve hours. 

* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Sarah Canga-Arguelles

Neighborhood Acupuncture Place (NAP)
230 Florence St
Crystal Lake IL 60014
815.893.9825
www.clnap.com

Now You Can NAP at Home

If you've been coming for acupuncture long enough, at some point you will hear me recommend an epsom salt bath or a detox bath.

Epsom salt baths have many benefits including: easing stress and relaxing the body (massage in a tub), relieving pain and muscle cramping, assisting proper muscle and nerve functions, helping prevent hardening of arteries and blood clots, improving insulin function to prevent diabetes, relieving constipation, and eliminating toxins from the body. 

For your ease and conveience NAP has created several different bath products with epsom salts, dead sea salts, french grey salts, pink himalayan salts and therapuetic grade essential oils from Young Living that are now available for purchase in the office. Order yours today!

Detoxify
Unscented Detox Bath contains epsom salts, dead sea salts and baking soda. $8

Refresh

Detox Bath with Citrus Fresh Essential Oil Blend $10
(Orange, Tangerine, Lemon, Mandarin, Grapefruit, Spearmint)
Citrus Fresh stimulates the right brain, to amplify creativity and well-being and eradicate anxiety. University researchers in Japan found that diffusing a citrus fragrance in an office environment improved mental accuracy and concentration by 54%. This is a great way to start the day!

Happy Place

Pink Himalalyan Salts and Gray Clay French Salt with Peace and Calming Essential Oil Blend $10

(Blue Tansy, Patchouly, Tangerine,  Orange, Ylang Ylang)

Peace and Calming promotes relaxation and a deep sense of peace and emotional well-being. It can be used as a wonderful prelude to a peaceful night's rest. It may calm overactive and hard-to-manage children, reduce depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia.

Sore Muscle Relief

Dead Sea Salt, Epsom salt with Cypress Essential Oil and AromaSeiz Essential Oil Blend $10

(Cypress, Basil, Marjoram, Lavender, Peppermint)
Aroma Seiz is an advanced complex of anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxing essential oils that promote circulation and treat spasmed, tight, inflamed, aching muscles resulting from injury, fatigue, or stress. It also relieves headaches. Extra cypress is added for its ability to improve circulation and lymphatic drainage, reduce edema and water retention.

NAP time

Grey Sea Salt, Epsom salt with Lavender Essential Oil $10 

Lavender has many uses and has adaptagens which means it is uplifting when you are tired and calming when you are stressed. Lavender is most often used for its balancing and relaxing effects and it can also be used for respiratory infections, PMS, skin conditions (acne, psorasis, scarring, stretch marks), insomnia and nervous tension.

Not a bath fan? Young Living essential oil orders are placed on the 2nd of every month just let me know what you'd like (www.youngliving.com) and it will be in the office for you to pick up about a week later. Interested in free oils? Ask me how!

Sarah Canga-Arguelles

Neighborhood Acupuncture Place (NAP)
230 Florence St
Crystal Lake IL 60014
815.893.9825
www.clnap.com

Yoga + Acupuncture = Yogapuncture Now on Monday Nights!

I have been toying with the idea of this class for quite some time and many of you have asked when I will be teaching yoga in the area. I'm happy to say the first session is starting Sept 10th and will run for 3 weeks. Its a new reason to be excited about Mondays!

What is Yogapuncture?

Yogapuncture is a 90 minute class that blends the best of 2 of my favorite things: yoga and acupuncture. Yogapuncture is a classical hatha yoga class that ends with a long final relaxation (savasana) incorporating an acupuncture treatment for balance. If you've had community acupuncture you know that a group environment magnifies the benefits of your treatment, adding yoga into the mix will also magnify your relaxation! In 2010, 150 participants received acupuncture together making it the largest group treatment in the world.

Our first session will run 3 weeks and the theme will be around maintaining balance and preparing the body for fall.

Each session can take a max of 10 students and must be paid in FULL at the start of the first class. Call the office 815.893.9825 or send us an email to reserve your space just put "yogapuncture" in the title of your email.

Where will Yogapuncture be located?

Yogapuncture will take place at Radiant Heart Yoga in Alogonquin (1130 N Main Street) on Monday evenings from 8:00-9:30. The entrance of the studio is located in the back of the building.



What does yogapuncture cost?

Each yogapuncture class is 90 minutes long which includes a classical yoga class and acupuncture treatment and costs $33. The first session is 3 classes for $99. Because space is limited you must commit to the full session and payment is due before or at the start of the first class. If you'd like to pay with a credit card please do so ahead of time.

Sign up today!

Sarah Canga-Arguelles

Neighborhood Acupuncture Place (NAP)
230 Florence St
Crystal Lake IL 60014
815.893.9825
www.clnap.com

Its Time For Your Seasonal Tune-Up

Its always about this time of year the fall tricks me into thinking the cooler weather is a good idea. These cool nights make for good sleeping weather and light sweaters and sandals  almost feel decadent. Then all of a sudden a winter coat is a necessity and sun shine until 9pm seems like a distant memory.

In Chinese Medicine this time of year is known as late summer. This is a transition point in the seasonal cycle and its when our spleen/stomach system is working its hardest to bridge the gap between the lightness of summer and the heaviness of autumn. Its also around this time that many people get sick because of the strong changes in our environment. Many people have commented that it feels like winter at 72 because we've become so accustomed to 100 days.

Now is the best time to get an acupuncture tune up treatment so that your body can better adapt to the changes in our environment. This will help boost the immune system and keep SAD at bay when the winter months set in. The lung and large intestine are most active in the fall. If you are prone to colds/flus and seasonal allergies during the fall months now is the perfect time for prevention.

It is also a good time to start slowly transitioning heavier foods and warming herbs and spices into your diet. The spleen and stomach do best with yellow root veggies and full sweet flavor foods like sweet potatoes, squashes etc. Starting your day with hot lemon water and/or warm cereals like steel cut oatmeal is also a good idea.

Schedule your tune up today! 

Sarah Canga-Arguelles

Neighborhood Acupuncture Place (NAP)
230 Florence St
Crystal Lake IL 60014
815.893.9825
www.clnap.com