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Therapeutic Cupping for Back Pain

By Louise Smith, R.Ac Back pain is a common physical complaint seen by many Healthcare Practitioners. From upper back, neck and shoulder tension, to mid and low back aches and pains, or sciatica, the back is one of the most notable regions of the body for receiving different types of therapies and medical attention. Whether the cause of pain is due to physical stress, mental or emotional stress, all can have a negative impact on the health of your back and overall well-being. Therapeutic Cupping is an ancient healing therapy that has been used for thousands of years among many cultures, specifically in Chinese culture. Cupping has long been recognized as a beneficial modality within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and still practiced today by acupuncturists and TCM practitioners. In recent years it has gained more popularity with other healthcare providers, especially for its potential benefits for relieving muscular tension and back pain. […]

By |2025-03-07T14:04:40-05:00March 7th, 2025|Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture|Comments Off on Therapeutic Cupping for Back Pain
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The Benefits of Cupping Therapy

By Elizabeth John, RMTThe benefits of cupping therapy are numerous, as this ancient healing method is used to ease back pain, neck pain, headaches, and other issues. Cupping therapy uses suction to pull on your skin and increase blood flow to the affected area. It can ease scar tissue deep within muscles and connective tissues, and reduce swelling and muscle knots.Types of CuppingTwo popular types of cupping are: stationary and sliding. Stationary cupping therapy uses suction only, keeping the cups in place for a set time, usually 5 to 10 minutes. Sliding cupping therapy is a traditional therapy that has been used for centuries to manage pain and promote relaxation. This therapy involves applying suction cups to the skin, which are subsequently moved around the body to promote blood flow and relieve muscle tension. Sliding cupping is more like a deep tissue massage where the provider moves the cups over the area of pain or concern. […]

By |2024-06-07T10:04:17-04:00April 30th, 2024|Acupuncture, Detoxification/Cleanse, Massage Therapy, Pain and Fatigue, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture|Comments Off on The Benefits of Cupping Therapy
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Men’s Health During the Winter Season

By Xianmin Yu, R.TCMP & R.Ac According to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), men’s kidney essence starts to decline at the age of 40. It is time for you to do some preparation to deal with this natural process, especially during the severe cold winter. How can you manage to strengthen your body and relieve the stress and pressure of work? TCM has already given you the guidance in its classic “Yellow Emperor’s Internal Classic”, i.e., nourishing your kidneys and storing the essence. According to TCM, the human body corresponds to natural seasons, i.e., the liver corresponding to spring, the heart corresponding to early to middle summer, the spleen corresponding to middle to late summer, the lung corresponding to autumn, and the kidney corresponding to winter. The warm spring nourishes the liver, while the hot summer nourishes the heart and the spleen. After the cool autumn nourishes the lungs, the cold winter is around the corner. Winter is the season of replenishing energy and nourishing the kidney. It is a perfect time for kidney to store its essence and consolidate your body foundation. Thus, here are a few important suggestions for you to consider. […]

By |2023-04-28T10:24:20-04:00November 28th, 2020|Acupuncture, Men's Health, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture|Comments Off on Men’s Health During the Winter Season
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Traditional Chinese Medicine for PCOS Treatment

By Xianmin Yu, R.Ac, R.TCMPPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common health issue among women of childbearing age, with an incidence as high as 10%. It is characterized by hormonal imbalance and may be accompanied by many other abnormal metabolisms. The ovaries may not be able to develop eggs or release eggs regularly.What are the symptoms of PCOS?Most commonly observed clinical symptoms are:Irregular menstrual period, including prolonged or irregular periods, or even stopped periods.Weight problems, including weight gain and it is very difficult to lose weight.Abnormal hair growth and loss in unwanted areas, including excess facial and body hair which are due to elevated levels of male hormone, and/or hair loss on the head.Acne on face and chest, sometimes upper back. […]

By |2024-04-08T02:09:25-04:00August 16th, 2019|Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Women's Wellness|Comments Off on Traditional Chinese Medicine for PCOS Treatment
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7-Day Change of Season Cleanse

By Dr. Angelina Riopel As we move from autumn to winter and approach the holiday season, it is a great time to pause and cleanse (not detox), in order to clean up our diets and recharge. […]

By |2024-06-26T07:26:14-04:00November 21st, 2018|Detoxification/Cleanse, Nutrition, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture|Comments Off on 7-Day Change of Season Cleanse
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Acupuncture For Prevention Treatment

Have you considered starting off the year with acupuncture for prevention treatment? This approach focuses on maintaining balance and addressing potential issues before they arise. Prevention acupuncture not only helps prevent illness throughout the year but also supports long-term wellness. By targeting specific acupuncture points through each acupuncture treatment, you can experience the benefits of acupuncture for disease prevention. Incorporating holistic health acupuncture into your routine is a proactive step in safeguarding your well-being.What is Acupuncture for Prevention Treatment?The concept of prevention was raised in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) classic more than 2000 years ago. This prevention treatment idea is composed of two important meanings. First, it stresses the important notion of dealing with any potential or foreseeable illness by applying moxa, herbs and acupuncture in prevention to your healthy body to stop them from developing. Second, it stresses an important notion of stopping the existing illness from transforming and transporting to other parts of your body by applying TCM treatment methods. Techniques like acupuncture therapy not only provide relief but also play a role in the prevention and treatment of various conditions, helping patients maintain health and balance.A helpful metaphor for this approach is preparing your weapons before the battle begins—being ready before illness has a chance to take hold. Why Prevention is ImportantThe foundation of health challenges often lies in the deficiency or weakness of the body's constitution. Strengthening this constitution through acupuncture prevention treatment helps prepare the body to combat viruses and bacteria from external environments. Incorporating acupuncture therapy can reinforce your body's natural defences, promoting resilience and balance.In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the viscera are deeply interrelated, meaning an imbalance in one organ can affect others. For example, anger may disrupt [...]

By |2024-11-22T07:04:30-05:00January 9th, 2018|Acupuncture, Cold and Flu Season, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture|Comments Off on Acupuncture For Prevention Treatment
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Weight Loss with Acupuncture & Cupping

Interview with Xianmin, Registered Acupuncturist The summer is a perfect time to begin a weight loss program due to the abundance of fresh healthy food and longer days which aid in the regulation of metabolism. Naturopathic weight loss protocols often involve acupuncture and cupping. But why? Acupuncture can be a great technique to reduce feelings of hunger and relieve stress. Cupping helps to reduce stagnation in the tissue and works on the level of cellulite. This month we asked Innate Wellness Acupuncturist, Xian Min about the details of his weight loss program. To learn more about how acupuncture and cupping might work for you, book a free 15 minute consult with Xianmin.  […]

By |2024-06-13T02:54:25-04:00July 11th, 2017|Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Weight Loss|Comments Off on Weight Loss with Acupuncture & Cupping
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The Wisdom of Summer Eating

By Dr. Kathleen Regan, ND Summer is ruled by the fire element in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is the height of ‘yang’ energy, which rules expansion, growth, and creativity. Nature is at its peak in terms of growth and the motion of natural energy is moving upwards – meaning that this is the perfect time to harness that natural high in your energy levels! Being mindful to match your eating habits to the movement of this season can help maintain health and energy all year round. Enjoy beautiful meals with colorful fruits and vegetables. Not only are these foods inspiring and fun but they are full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Avoid COLD foods but consume COOLING foods. Cold foods cause contraction in the stomach and interfere with digestion. This includes overconsumption of raw fruit/vegetable juice*, salads or raw greens, iced drinks and ice cream. On the other hand, cooling foods are ones that disperse heat without creating coldness in the stomach. These include: salads, sprouts, fruit, cucumber, tofu and many herbal teas (see our Cooling Chrysanthemum Tea recipe). […]

By |2024-06-21T03:08:17-04:00July 9th, 2017|Digestion, Nutrition, Recipes, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture|Comments Off on The Wisdom of Summer Eating
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Cooling Chrysanthemum Tea

By Dr. Kathleen Regan, ND Chrysanthemum tea is traditionally steeped in hot water with the addition of sugar and sometimes with the addition of goji berries. This tea can be used to ‘cool’ summer heat amongst other healing properties. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is also believed to clear the liver and the eyes. With this recipe, I have included chamomile and mint to add to the cooling benefits of the chrysanthemum. I have also recommended maple syrup or Manuka honey instead of rock sugar or cane sugar as they are higher in nutrient density, health benefits and lower in glycemic index. This tea is best mixed in a large dry batch of loose herbs then made one pot at a time. […]

By |2024-06-21T03:12:53-04:00July 9th, 2017|Recipes, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture|Comments Off on Cooling Chrysanthemum Tea
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Cupping Therapy in Athletic Recovery

By Dr. Kathleen Regan NDWhat Is Cupping Therapy?Cupping therapy for athletes is an ancient treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has been practiced for thousands of years. This involves using glass cups and heat to create suction on the skin or using modern plastic or glass cups with a pump to create suction on the skin. This technique creates negative pressure on the skin, leaving red, circular markings that can last hours to days. Cupping has recently gained media attention due to the number of cupping marks seen on athletes in the 2016 Rio Olympics. This highlights the growing recognition of the effects of cupping therapy and its benefits for recovery. Which is great because cupping is AMAZING for athletes.How Does Cupping Benefit Athletes?Cupping has several benefits in TCM where it ‘warms the channels and removes cold’ while promoting ‘qi and blood circulation’. In Western medicine, cupping has been found to dilate the blood vessels and stimulate circulation. This helps to increase circulation and increase metabolism locally, which pulls waste acids out and brings fresh nutrients into the tissues.This is of great benefit to athletes, who build up large amounts of waste acids such as creatine kinase during athletic performance – leaving them feeling stiff and tight. It can usually take 24 hours or more to recover. But think about athletes like swimmer, Michael Phelps who must perform in multiple events in a close number of days. He cannot afford to take 24 hours to recover. Research has shown that athletic cupping pulls creatine kinase out of the muscles more rapidly where it usually takes at least 24 hours. Cupping helps to keep the body limber and ready for action.Additional Benefits of Cupping TherapyThe [...]

By |2025-03-04T03:48:41-05:00August 9th, 2016|Pain and Fatigue, Self Care, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture|Comments Off on Cupping Therapy in Athletic Recovery
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