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Acupuncture

All About Moxibustion

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a medical system that incorporates numerous methods for treating disease and illness. One of the tools found in the toolbox of the TCM practitioner is known as moxibustion.

Moxibustion is a technique that involves the burning of mugwort, known as moxa, which is an herb that facilitates healing. The purpose of moxibustion is to stimulate the flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”), strengthen the blood and maintain general health. Qi is translated as life energy. There are two types of moxibustion, direct and indirect. Direct moxibustion uses moxa shaped into a small cone and is placed on top of an acupuncture point and burned. This type of moxibustion has two subcategories, scarring and non-scarring. Scarring moxa burns until it distinguishes on its own. This may lead to localized scarring and blisters. Non-scarring moxa allows for the moxa to be placed on the acupuncture point, lit, extinguished and removed before it burns the skin.   continue reading »

Tips for a successful road trip from your acupuncturist

Long drives across the country can be a great way to experience different communities, and can be a more cost effective method of transportation for a family. However, long car rides can also be monotonous and stressful.

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Heart Afire: The Fire Element

The organs in Chinese medicine are more than just a physical representation. The organs include not only their physiological function, but also their mental, emotional, spiritual and elemental qualities that align with nature and the seasons. Let’s explore the heart.

The heart season is summer, and heart is considered the most yang: hot, bountiful and abundant. Yang is what is bright, moving, outward, hot and loud. Yin is what is more inward, still, dark and cooler. The color of the heart is associated with red, the climate is heat, the flavor is bitter and it’s paired organ is the small intestine (many urinary issues are due to “heart fire” heat descending). The sense aligned with heart is the tongue, and the vessels associated with heart are the tissues. The heart sound is laughing, and the emotion is joy. The heart houses what is known as the shen, which is the mind and spirit. continue reading »

FREE Monthly Classes

We are offering free monthly educational classes starting in March.

On the first Monday at 7pm and second Friday at 11:30am, we are offering a 60 minute class at our office on the basics about doTERRA’s Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils, and how they can be used to support the body and mind.

On the first Monday at 8pm and second Friday at 12:30pm, we will answer all of your questions about acupuncture, and offer an optional stress relief treatment. We will cover the most FAQ: does it hurt, what can it be used for, does it really work, will it interfere with my medications and/or other treatments, how many treatments are needed?

On the third Monday at 7pm, we are offering a 60 minute VIRTUAL class on the basics about doTERRA’s Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils, and how they can be used to support the body and mind.

Advanced registration is required for all sessions as space is limited. Bring a friend!

The Monday sessions will be moved to the second week in July and September because of 4th of July and Labor Day conflicts.

If you would prefer to have a one-on-one phone consultation about essential oils, call Amy at 815.814.1319 or schedule online.

 

Valentine’s Day, TCM and Heart Health

Every February men all over the world flock to the local flower shops and jewelry stores in search of the perfect bouquet or piece of jewelry to express their undying love to their significant other. Why?  Nobody knows for certain, but there are at least a couple of theories.

One theory is a Catholic priest, Valentine, was imprisoned for helping Christians escape Roman prisons.  While he imprisoned himself, Valentine fell in love with a young girl who visited him. Allegedly, before his death, Valentine wrote a letter and signed it, “From your Valentine.”  Thus, the first Valentine’s Day card was created, or so it is reported. continue reading »

Fighting Flu Season with Acupuncture

While the flu is actually not a season, we have become programmed to think of it as the months of November through March. On average, the flu hospitalizes thousands every year, especially the young and elderly. There are also a number of deaths related to the flu, mostly due to people already having compromised immune systems.

The flu, also known as influenza, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that is caused by a number of viruses. To date, there are approximately 26 to 30 different known strains of the flu virus. This is one of the reasons the flu vaccine has only mild efficacy. The flu vaccine itself, typically only covers five to seven strains of the flu.  Symptoms of the flu include fever, coughing, a sore throat, fatigue, muscle aches, pains, runny nose and watery eyes. continue reading »

Meridian Point for Winter: Large Intestine 4

Large Intestine 4 is one of the most important and influential points in the entire body. The Chinese name for Large Intestine 4 is “He Gu” meaning union valley or converging valley. The point is located on the hand in the web between the thumb and index finger, also described as the depression where the index finger and thumb bones part. This area of the hand is often described as “valley like” hence the name converging valley.

The large intestine has many important functions in the body. Connected to the Western medicine function of the large Intestine, it is vital in digestion and bowel regulation, but it also has many functions above and beyond that in Chinese medicine. The large intestine is associated with the emotions of sadness and grief, it can help build immunity as it works as a paired channel to the lung meridian and has a big effect of the flow of Qi and blood in the body. continue reading »

The 12 Dangers of Christmas (and how Chinese medicine and essential oils can help)

christmas-xmas-christmas-tree-decorationIf we learned anything from National Lampoon’s Christmas vacation, it’s that danger is lurking everywhere during the holiday season. Here are some of the holiday hazards that may turn you into the Grinch, and things you can do to get back in the Christmas spirit.  In addition to these actions, some holiday acupuncture will supplement the magic of Christmas to help you heal faster.

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“Acupuncture for a Year” Referral Contest

acu-for-a-year-referral-contest-1Today we’re asking you to help expand the Northshore Acupuncture Center community by inviting your friends to try acupuncture. Each friend you refer will receive a complimentary bottle of one of our proprietary essential oil blends for sleep, stress, energy or pain management. For each client referral, your name will be entered in a drawing to win acupuncture for a year*.

You can share this link with friends to get their complimentary bottle of essential oil goodness. Also please share on social media, and ask friends to mention your name when they schedule or come into the office. Your friends are more likely to try acupuncture if you share some of the benefits you’ve seen when you post the referral info. You can also stop by our office to pick up business cards to share with your friends.

Rules and regulations: A client is only considered a referral for purposes of this contest if they have never received a treatment at Northshore Acupuncture Center and they schedule and complete an initial consultation and treatment by March 31, 2017. Only one client can receive credit for an individual referral.

*The winner will receive one complimentary acupuncture and essential oil treatment per month from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018.

Cyber Monday Sale 2016

cyber-monday-fbThis holiday season give an EXPERIENCE instead of more things. Research shows that people who spent money on experiences instead of things were happier and felt their money was better spent. Give someone you love who has been putting up with pain, anxiety and/or sleep issues the gift of their health SUPPORTING their ability to live full out.

 

Bonus side effects may include:

  1. Improved sleep;
  2. More energy;
  3. Mental clarity;
  4. Reduction in pain;
  5. Sense of calm and well-being;
  6. Confidence in your body’s ability to function “normally”; and,
  7. Acceptance of your body and the “real you”…imperfections and all.

Purchase a gift certificate for acupuncture, cupping and/or essential oil treatment for 20% off the regular price for one day only. Sale ends at 12pm central time on Monday, 11/28/16. To purchase, send an email to amy@northshoreacupuncturecenter.com with a phone number for us to call to get your credit card information or call 815.814.1319. Limited to 5 gift certificates per client.

*We may not return your call until Tuesday or Wednesday, but you will still be eligible for the sale if you emailed or called on 11/28.

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