CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

By Amy Landolt | Published March 15, 2020

 

I am temporarily closing my practice. Note – I am open for business virtually though. See this blog for details.

“Everything we do before a pandemic will seem alarmist. Everything we do after will seem inadequate.”- Michael Leavitt

While this has been a difficult decision, I feel wholeheartedly that it is the right one.

The work I do is in close proximity with others and involves multiple patients coming in and out of the same room. While there is still a lot we don’t know about this virus we DO KNOW that you or I can be asymptomatic and still be shedding virus. While I have always maintained a sanitized and clean office I am simply not set up for infectious disease containment on this level. Only hospitals are and even they are having a difficult time.

While the work I do is important, I am following the lead of most other non-essential medical offices. For everyone’s sake and the strain on our healthcare system I would highly encourage you to limit all non-essential interaction that is face to face. The time is NOW for us all to do our part to flatten the curve before it is too late.

If you’re anxious, need to connect, or even just need to chat I am here for you anytime: 815.814.1319. We will make it through this but is going to require each and every individual doing their part and watching out for one another.

I’ve created a post with tips for supporting your immune system.

I’d like to thank you for your ongoing support.

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Open for business (virtually)

By Amy Landolt | Published March 26, 2020

Don’t let your health challenges or aches and pains get worse while we are on shut down. I am available to help you!!

Someday I’ll design a bodysuit that I can communicate with remotely and have it needle specific points based on my direction. But as of now, I haven’t done that. I could create tiny voodoo dolls of each of you, and perform acupuncture that way.

But I think I’ll be able to help you the most with personalized treatment plans.

Your personalized treatment plan will be specific for your condition including some combination of:

1) “traditional” acupressure including what points, how to locate them, how to apply pressure, whether to use magnets (magnets can be ordered online for delivery);

2) auricular treatment using ear seeds or magnets;

3) recommendations for foods, teas and herbs/spices based on their Chinese medicine properties;

4) suggestions for essential oils to diffuse or apply to acupressure points;

5) coaching on how to perform cupping and/or guasha (tools can be ordered tor delivery);

6) extensive lifestyle recommendations that you won’t find from a preliminary Google search – things like humming exercises for seasonal allergies/immune system boost, details on the 5 pillars of my Get Some Shut Eye method, hara abdominal massage for digestive issues, breathing exercises for stress management, guidance on living as an empath, and connections to numerous resources. You know I’m always learning something new or connecting with a new expert.

Are you unsure whether I can help you? Give me a call at 815.814.1319, and we can discuss what types of assistance I can provide virtually.

My online schedule has been updated so you can schedule virtual sessions now.

You are also welcome to call or text me at 815.814.1319 to schedule.

Stay healthy!

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Supporting your immune system

By Amy Landolt | Published March 16, 2020

During these crazy times, I wanted to remind you of key things you can be doing right now to support your immune system besides of course HANDWASHING and SOCIAL DISTANCING.

  1. Get plenty of sleep – ideally 8-10 hours/night. If you are having problems sleeping, sign up for the FREE Get Some Shut Eye webinar on 4/15. You can also check out my Sleep Tip playlists on my FB page (Sleep Soundly in September, Sleep Tips November 2017 and Sleep Tips) and the sleep tips shared by my network on this blog Sleep Edition – NS Acu Tribe of Mentors.
  2. Stay hydrated.
  3. Limit dampening foods. Reduce your intake of sugar, dairy, gluten, fried foods and alcohol as they add dampness to the body, and this virus appears to be a damp pathogen.
  4. Breath through your nose! We are meant to breath through our noses. Air is “filtered” when we breath through our nose – cilia and mucus catch viruses (along with pollen, bacteria and other debris). In addition, nitric oxide is produced in the paranasal sinuses and is antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral. Any virus that makes it through the nasal “filtering” system, will pass through the nasal cavity where the antiviral nitric oxide is excreted.
  5. Do things that bring you pleasure. Watch the latest stand up specials on Netflix, draw winter botanicals you can find in your yard, listen to Weightless (a song designed by sound therapists to reduce stress), read something for fun, play your guitar or piano or didgeridoo, journal, dance, and/or give yourself the Big O.  (It’s not the time to be the master of your domain). When we feel pleasure, puffs of nitric oxide are released from our blood vessels and boosts immunity (along with increasing blood flow, decreasing cellular inflammation, and improving your mood and outlook on life.)
  6. Manage your stress through meditation and/or breath work. Practice 4-7-8 breath throughout the day.
  7. Limit your consumption of updates/news about the covid-19. Watching updates 24/7 and consuming all of the misinformation and exaggerations being shared on social media increases your stress levels which impact your immune system. Set aside a specific time each day to get your updates. Limit your sources to the CDC, WHO, your local health department (Chicago, Cook County, Deerfield, Glenview, Evanston, Morton Grove, Northbrook, Skokie, Wilmette, Winnetka), or your state health department.
  8. Limit the amount of time you spend worrying about the virus. Set aside specific time each day to focus on planning and executing any actions you need to take to keep your family safe and any actions related to your career/business. Stay focused during that time of planning and execution. However, when thoughts come up outside of that time, remind yourself that you have a plan, you’ve taken the actions within your control for today, and bring yourself back to the present by engaging your senses – what do you see, smell, hear, feel. The worries are likely to come up multiple times – just keeping repeating these steps.
  9. Start a gratitude practice. It can be as simple as taking a few minutes every day to write down things for which you are grateful. Or you can use an app – gthx is offering a 30 day free trial of their gratitude app. The code is 30daysfree. Here are some other ideas of how to focus on gratitude.
  10. Help others. Donate blood. Donate to local food pantries. Check in with at-risk neighbors to see if they  need help picking up prescription refills or critical groceries. Buy a gift certificate from or post a review for your favorite small businesses. Don’t hoard supplies. If an item you need to purchase has a WIC symbol near the price, get something else. A person who uses WIC can’t switch to another brand.
  11. Move. Dance. Start a yoga, tai chi or qi gong practice. Go for a walk. Try the toilet roll workout.  Sample some of the streaming classes from Hip Circle Empowerment Center. Do one of the at-home workouts posted daily by Crossfit Impact.
  12. Do acupressure daily on ST36. You can locate the point by sliding your finger on the outside of your shin towards your knee. It will stop around ST36. Or identify a tender spot near your shin about the width of your four fingers from the bottom of your knee.

If you have any questions, please call me at 815.814.1319 or email me at amy@northshoreacupuncturecenter.com.

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How to Stay Healthy As Winter Changes to Spring

By admin | Published March 16, 2020

For most people, the change of seasons from winter to spring is something to look forward to. But it also means a time when people tend to get sick or seasonal allergies start to flare up. This can make things miserable for a lot of people. As the weather fluctuates between freezing cold and warmer, sunnier days, it also wreaks havoc on our immune system and our sleep. Frequently, our bodies can’t keep up with the constant changes and we get physically run down. But there are some things everybody can do to help during the time of transition from one season to the next. continue reading »

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Food Color and Nutrition

By admin | Published March 2, 2020

In Chinese medical theory, food is considered medicine. Food has qualities and functions biochemically and energetically that target specific organs. Not only that, but the action a particular food takes to benefit that organ in terms of taste, color and temperature is what is included in Five Element theory. Food has a relationship to both the natural elements as well as the organs in the body and balances the elements of fire, earth, metal, water and wood to healthy, generating cycles. continue reading »

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5 Acupoints to Help You Navigate Your Stress This Winter

By admin | Published January 20, 2020

There are several acupressure points that are known to treat stress and stress related symptoms. It’s important to understand that acupressure is not the only form of treatment and having a balanced diet, exercise regime and lifestyle will also decrease the chances of stress being a factor in your life. continue reading »

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Moxibustion and Dysmenorrhea

By admin | Published February 17, 2020

A study conducted by Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has determined that the use of moxibustion at specific days during a woman’s menstrual cycle can decrease pain associated with menstruation. Dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation is a big problem for many women. This study used moxibustion, an accessory modality of TCM, to treat the pain associated with menstruation. The study and its systematic review showed moxibustion treatments were more effective at relieving pain only when the moxibustion began prior to the onset of actual menstruation. This is also the theory behind Traditional Chinese Medicine, that it should be used as preventive care. The efficacy of using moxibustion during the premenstrual time period holds great promise for those who are debilitated by dysmenorrhea. continue reading »

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Acupuncture for Boosting Your Circulation

By admin | Published February 3, 2020

Healthy blood circulation is a vital component of life for human beings. Without proper blood flow, life would cease to exist. Blood isn’t the only thing that’s important, it’s what the blood is carrying that makes circulation so important. Blood carries fresh oxygen, hormones and nutrients that we absorb from our food. Without these components, the organs and tissues of the body become depleted, weakened and eventually stop functioning. Any blockages in the veins and arteries can deprive the brain and the rest of the body from the needed oxygen, which can then lead to a plethora of other medical issues. continue reading »

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Stay Healthy This Winter with a Balanced Qi

By admin | Published January 6, 2020

Winter’s element is water and is associated with the kidneys, which in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is considered the source of all qi and energy within the body. Winter is also associated with the bladder and adrenal glands.

Focusing on inner reflection, rest, energy conservation and storage during the winter months is when it’s most important as it helps us to properly nourish our Kidney Qi.

Below are a few methods you can learn about and apply during this season in order to maintain a balanced qi. continue reading »

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Winter Acupuncture: Governing Vessel 14

By admin | Published December 16, 2019

Governing Vessel 14 is called The Great Hammer. This point is located below C 7 on the spine. C 7, the seventh cervical vertebrae is the one which is the most prominent. Traditionally the vertebrae were referred to as hammers because of their resemblance to the tool. This point is great because it is the intersecting point for all of the Yang meridians in the body. In winter time, this point is often used to treat colds and other illnesses that are common this time of year. continue reading »

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