The Holidays, while a fun time, are also super stressful. It takes a lot of scheduling and coordination to make celebrations happen!  

Acupuncture is a fabulous way to destress so that the holidays can actually be enjoyable!

Thrive Acupuncture will be open Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve mornings so that you can get one last acupuncture treatment in before  each of these busy days - schedule now before you miss out on a spot!

And don't forget, those of you with Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), the funds in your account go away at the end of the year.  You can use your FSA funds for acupuncture

I know this blog has been a bit neglected for a while, but every time I sat down to write something because I knew that I should, nothing would come out.  A large part of that was because I was spending a huge amount of brain power writing my book Small Animal Acupuncture Point Locations.  

I began writing it when I had been asked, yet again, what my favorite dog point location textbook was and I just didn't have an answer.  Every book I looked at either wasn't detailed enough in the location description or were actually incorrect.  The answer was always "There isn't really anything out there!"  I was frustrated.  So I started writing.

I've been working on this book since my youngest was a baby, and she's now almost 5, so it's been a bit of a project!

Thanks for bearing with me while I finally got my book out into the world and I promise to keep up on my blogging from here on out! ;)

Oh, and for any of my acupuncturist-readers who want to learn how to locate acupuncture points on cats and dogs, you can purchase my book here!

Turmeric is a spice commonly used in Indian cooking.  Think of all those nummy dishes that have a yellow hue to them - chances are that yellow was obtained using turmeric.

Turmeric is an herb that's related to ginger, and like ginger, has Chinese herbal medicinal properties.  In Chinese medicine, it goes by the name Jiang Huang and is used to "move the blood" which means, biologically speaking, that it has antiinflammatory properties.


We use turmeric in Chinese medicine to assist with some of the following health concerns:

• Chest Pains
• Abdominal Pains
• Menstrual Pain
• Amenorrhea
• Muscular Pain
• and Pain and Swelling due to trauma

In western herbology, turmeric is also helpful for use with:

• Cardiovascular function
• Digestive function
• Heart health
• Immune System
• Joint and Muscle health
• Liver function

So with such a useful herb being right at your fingertips (or at your nearest grocery store!), here's one of my favorite ways to use turmeric:

Turmeric Milk Recipe

8oz Almond Milk (or your milk/milk substitute of choice)
1/2 tsp Turmeric
1/2 tsp Honey
Optional 1/2 tsp of cinnamon, ginger, or my favorite "Pumpkin Pie Spices"

Gently warm milk on the stove.
In your mug, combine the spices and honey
Once the milk has been warmed to your preferred temperature, add it to your mug and thoroughly mix together, making sure to leave no clumps.

I've been drinking Turmeric Milk instead of my usual coffee or hot chocolate recently.  It totally satisfies my cravings for sweet and rich and creamy without the added sugar, and let me tell you, that is NO EASY FEAT.  In addition, I've noticed that my sinuses have been less swollen from my allergies!  Bonus!

Today is National Cat Day!

Did you know that cats love acupuncture, too?

The first question I always get about cats and acupuncture is, "I knew you could treat dogs, but you can treat cats too? How do you manage that? Aren't they scared?"

Now, don't go telling this to all of my dog patients, but I'm actually more of a cat person! From working at the Humane Society in the cattery for 5 years, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve to make friends with my cat patients.  And to be honest, once you make friends with a cat, they're easier to treat than some dogs!  Imagine trying to put needles in that happy, wiggly dog - cats lie there nice and relaxed - the perfect patient!

Some common conditions that I treat in cats are:

• Arthritis
  
• Manx Disorder
• Skin Allergies
• Chronic Upper Respiratory Diseases
• Upper Respiratory Allergies
• Feline Herpes

You may notice that most of the diseases listed above are those that aren't easily treated using biomedicine, so if you find that your feline friend is experiencing any of them, schedule an appointment today!  Acupuncture is a fantastic tool for reducing your kitty's discomfort!

I'm now In-Network with Lifewise Insurance company!

If you curently have Lifewise coverage, I can check what acupuncture benefits you may have, your copay or coinsurance, and your deductible and annual limits, if they apply.

I am currently In-Network with:

American Specialty Health Network
Complementary Health Plans (CHP)
HealthNet
Kaiser Permanente
Lifewise of Oregon
Providence
Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield

I'm also able to bill most other plans out of network!

Hey All!  Spot Magazine is having it's annual Top Dog competition again!  Please take a moment and vote for "Thrive Acupuncture" in the "Medical - Holistic Practitioner" category.  I'd be ever so excited to get to be listed as one of Portland's Top Pet-Friendly businesses for the fourth year in a row!

And of course, don't forget to vote for your other favorite dog-lovin' businesses!

Click here to vote!

Many of you have probably started to hear about Chinese herbal medicines containing ingredients not listed on the label (biomedications are a common addition) or heavy metals or other toxins.  Click here to read one such story.

This is not cause for panic, however.  What this means is that you have to know what to look for to be sure that the herbs you are being prescribed and taking are safe for you and your family.

If you are taking Chinese herbal teapills (also known as "patents"), make sure that the packaging contains a "Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certified" seal.  This ensures that the product has been tested for adulterants and toxins.

If you are receiving a raw or granule herbal formula from your practitioner or through a Chinese herbal pharmacy, ask your practitioner about their source companies.  They should be able to provide you with information regarding the purity of the products being dispensed.

Chinese herbal formulas are a valuable tool for regaining your health.  Make sure they're coming from a company that goes the extra mile to ensure your safety!

Can you feel it beginning?  The decline into winter is on its way, and if you're like me, you're starting to feel the need to start snuggling in for winter.  The weather has turned a little cooler and the rains have returned and I am ready for a hot cup of cocoa next to the fire!

According to Chinese medicine, winter is the time to rest and recuperate in order to be ready to reactivate in the spring.  Fall helps us to be ready for that long rest.

What are some things you can do to help you become ready for the winter both physically and emotionally?

• As the weather gets cooler, switch to easy-to-digest foods such as soups and stews.  Because they've been cooked, the nutrients are ready to be absorbed by your body.  This can give your body the building blocks to rebuild so that you'll be ready for spring when it comes!
• Everyone talks about spring cleaning and how it can be useful for shaking off the dust after a long winter of "hibernation," but I'd argue that "fall cleaning" is just as useful, energetically. Autumn is the season associated with the metal element.  The metal element likes for everything to have its place. 
• It is said in Chinese medicine that if you can avoid catching a cold in the late summer/early fall that you'll be healthier through the winter.  Take extra special care of yourself during this time.  Drink plenty of fluids, get lots of rest and try to keep stress to a minimum. If you do start feeling the first inklings of a cold, get to your acupuncturist ASAP to make sure it doesn't stick around.

Autumn is a season of change from the liveliness of summer to the rest of winter.  If we can recognize the importance of each of the seasons and live our lives to match, we'll be much happier and healthier!