As we get older, those aches and pains become a little more pronounced and life begins to create some new challenges. For many seniors, schedules become impacted with doctor’s appointments and trips to the pharmacy. If you haven’t tried acupuncture, here are three reasons you should give it a try as it can greatly help some of the greatest health challenges facing seniors today. continue reading
The National Institutes of Health estimates that approximately 25.3 million adults suffer from chronic pain (defined as experiencing pain every day for the preceding three months). They also estimate that nearly 40 million adults experience what is considered severe levels of pain.
Chronic pain can be debilitating for those suffering from it and directly impacts quality of life. People often treat chronic pain with anti-inflammatory medications (both prescription and over-the-counter), physical therapy, or with ice and heat, but those options don’t always provide long lasting relief. According to Harvard Medical School, “acupuncture is an option with a good track record that’s worth considering.” continue reading
To say that 2020 was a stressful year is putting it mildly. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, many people put checkups and other medical procedures on hold, including acupuncture treatments. If you are more than ready to get back to your treatments, here are four things your acupuncturist wants you to know about their safety procedures in this new normal. And if this does not answer all your questions, please feel free to ask. Your acupuncturist wants you to feel safe and secure as you return for your first appointment. continue reading
Infertility struggles have become more and more common in recent years. There are many physical and environmental contributors to infertility and couples dealing with this issue are desperate for solutions. As it makes its way into the mainstream health world, acupuncture has become more of a go-to treatment method for both males and females; and there is plenty of valid research to back up these claims. A quick search of PubMed will give you hundreds of studies illustrating the positive effects of acupuncture on various issues related to infertility. continue reading
What better way to celebrate and support the mothers in your life this year than with an acupuncture appointment?
As a one-time mother’s day gift, acupuncture is a relaxing, revitalizing hour all for herself.
As a regular part of her health routine, acupuncture can keep her from getting sick frequently and offer a holistic treatment option for a variety of women’s health issues.
Not convinced? Here are four ways acupuncture supports women’s health and would make a great gift for any mom or woman you want to celebrate this May. continue reading
In the United States, an estimated 300,000 people a year die from obesity.
In several studies over the last five years, researchers have shown patients who receive regular acupuncture treatments see faster weight loss results than those who do not. In each case, the acupuncture treatments were combined with dietary and lifestyle changes also aimed at weight loss, but the patients who got acupuncture saw better results than those who focused on dietary and lifestyle changes alone. continue reading
I think we all know someone, or maybe it’s even ourselves, who lives by the refrain, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”
Often used to put off replacing outdated tools or technology, the phase can be connected to how we view healthcare as well. It can be hard to think about our physical health until it is a problem. Something we take for granted, until, as it were, it’s broken. Why would we spend time and money on something before it’s necessary? continue reading
For many of the afflictions acupuncture can treat – allergies, back pain, headaches, the list goes on – reducing inflammation in the body is a primary reason acupuncture is successful. For decades now, doctors and medical researchers have been trying to learn what the biological mechanism is that allows acupuncture to reduce inflammation in the body. continue reading
My life feels flat!… I don’t have anything to look forward to…I’m struggling to make new friends or meet people…I’m not even sure what brings me joy anymore…My interactions with people are all surface level right now.
We’ve all been there – and these feelings have been amplified by the pandemic. You get busy with your responsibilities and day to day routine, and lose touch with your joy and excitement. You don’t prioritize your own happiness and wellness. You crave adventure, connection, joy, lightness, creativity, and purpose.
Daily Sparks of Joy is a four week group exploration to add joy and excitement back into your life and make some authentic deep connections. Rediscover and reconnect with what lights you up.
What: Four weekly 1 hour group Zoom sessions; 30-60 minutes daily homeplay (Date/time still TBD)
Cost: Suggested total donation for 4 sessions ($60 pay it forward, $40 full-price, $20 ‘tighten belt’, $5-10 hardship). See our fee structure for details about tighten belt vs hardship. All proceeds from the class will go towards funding my Acupuncture with a Side of Activism dream.
Some of the activities/homework will be based on exercises from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. You don’t need the book to participate. If you would like the book, please consider getting a copy from your library or purchasing from one of our local bookstores (Booked, Bookends and Beginnings, Page One, or Semicolon) instead of purchasing it from the Zon or a big box store. Note: there is an anniversary edition that appears to be cheaper.
Don’t continue to put off your happiness. Make time to add some excitement and joy in your life with a community who will cheer you on!
Northshore Acupuncture Center offers monthly affordable community acupuncture treatments where attendees reflecting the diversity of our community in terms of income level, age, race, gender, sexuality, religion, ethnicity and physical abilities gather for healing.
Community acupuncture sessions are held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center:
December 12, 2024January 9 & 23, 2025February 13 & 27, 2025 March 13 & 27, 2025 April 10 & 24, 2025 May 8 & 22, 2025During the community acupuncture experience, participants will be treated in a group, sitting comfortably in chairs, fully clothed. The acupuncturist (Amy) will place up to five small, sterilized disposable needles into specific sites on each ear. If you don’t love needles, magnets or Vaccaria seeds can be taped on an ear acupressure point instead.
The five-needle acupuncture treatment is used as an integrated therapy for addiction along with counseling, support groups and 12 step programs. The protocol reduces cravings and minimizes withdrawal symptoms for more than drug or alcohol addictions – it is also helpful if you are experiencing withdrawal from caffeine, nicotine or sugar. The protocol is beneficial for anxiety, trauma, PTSD, sleep issues, and stress.
Additional benefits from the treatment may include: calmness, better sleep, stress relief, pain relief, and a stronger connection with your inner resilience.
The five points are: (1) The Autonomic Point which calms the nervous system and helps with overall relaxation; (2) the Shen Men or “spirit gate,” which reduces anxiety and nervousness; (3) the Kidney Point, for calming fears and healing internal organs; (4) the Liver Point for detoxification, blood purification, and processing anger; and (5) the Lung Point, which helps with letting go of grief.
We provide community auricular acupuncture sessions in a format similar to that developed by Dr. Mutulu Shakur, the Black Panthers and the Young Lords at the Lincoln Hospital Detox Center in the South Bronx in the 1970s as a tool for liberation and community health.
The Black Panthers and Young Lords were instrumental in broadening the use of acupuncture beyond the Asian community in the United States. They used acupuncture to help fill the gaps in quality healthcare for people of color. To learn more, I recommend reading Dr. Dandridge’s The Unusual Tale of Acupuncture, Racism and African American History in the USA, and watching the documentary Dope is Death.
Any money raised from the regular sessions beyond the cost of the supplies are used to provide subsidized acupuncture treatments for community members experiencing hardship.
Sign up to receive news and updates and get my free report:“3 Tips to Fall Asleep as Soon as Your Head Hits the Pillow”
