Autoimmune Disease is defined as any disease that affects your healthy cells.  While Lupus is considered to be better known, other autoimmune diseases include Celiac disease, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Thyroid diseases such as Hashimoto's Disease.  

Today's lifestyle plays an increasingly important role in our health.  The prevalent onset of autoimmune disorders present in society, is evidence of the many stressors affecting our bodies.  Scientific studies from Functional Medicine doctors have shown that eating an alkaline diet balances the hormones and heals 98% of conditions.  

​By fueling the body with primarily an alkaline diet, rich in organic phytonutrients, our bodies have the ability to repair the damage caused by unhealthy habits. 

In Chinese Medicine the organs 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. 

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. You can see a person’s shen in a healthy complexion and radiant eyes that are clear and bright. The heart is in charge of circulation and keeps the tissues well nourished. It is also associated with mental clarity, memory and strength. The motion of this fire element is upward, like a flame. Many who have this element dominant in their personality have red hair that is curly or spikes upward. The heart is also connected to speech. An imbalance in heart energy can result in stuttering, speaking excitedly or talking excessively.

A healthy heart energy exudes a sense of joy, fun, enthusiasm, action, warmth, charisma and fun. These people are the “life of the party,” and love to have a good time with friends and to be the center of attention. When the heart is balanced, sleep is sound and one is well rested.

On the other hand, when there is an overabundance of fire this can result in restlessness, anxiety, sweating, excitability and symptoms such as palpitations, irregular heartbeat, insomnia, disturbing dreams, mouth sores, thirst, red face, constipation and dryness. This person might shrink if not in the limelight and would constantly seek attention and need activities that produce a lot of excitement. He or she might have trouble being introspective and could not be alone.  “Overjoy” is an imbalance of heart energy and is likened to manic behavior. A dominant fire may also be extremely sensitive to heat. A lack of the fire element, on the other hand, can result in a lusterless complexion, low energy, inertia, depression, feeling cold, low libido and the personality may lack warmth. This type may seem cold,
frigid, lack drive and may be prone to addictions.

How to help your heart stay in balance? Red foods have been shown to help the heart biochemically; foods such as hawthorn berries, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, tomatoes, watermelon, peppers and goji berries keep your heart happy with lycopene and anthocyanin, antioxidants and beneficial vitamins. Other helpful foods include garlic, cayenne, cilantro, basil, magnesium (found in leafy greens, nuts and soy) and green tea. Also try ginseng, jujube dates, reishi mushrooms, dong quad, seaweed and schizandra berries. Calming activities such as walking, Tai Chi, or Qi Gong help calm the shen.

It is best not to self-diagnose, so see your healthcare provider to see if those foods are right for you. You don't want to assume you have too much of one element and end up eating the wrong foods. Chinese Healing Arts specializes  in providing a complete Chinese Medical Diagnosis with emphasis on the Five Element theory.  By focusing in on the dominant element personal to you, we can treat your condition with acupuncture, herbs and other modalities that will offer beneficial changes balancing your body-mind-soul.

​​Acupuncture 
In Chinese Medicine it is believed that the spleen, kidney and heart organs all impact mental capacity and brain activity. These organs influence memory, concentration and recall. When one of these organs is experiencing deficiency or an imbalance, our brain can not function to its fullest. Acupuncture addresses the organs with specific points on the body to return the body back to balance and health. 

A healthy diet is a healthy mind
There are many reasons to keep a healthy lifestyle and feed your body with foods that make you feel and perform your best. Diets that are high in omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to promote brain health and protect brain cells. Taking a fish oil supplement with DHA or eating fish such as salmon can help improve brain development at any age. DHA, a type of omega-3, may also help prevent certain neurological disorders. Vitamin E and lutein can also help brain health. Incorporate leafy greens such as spinach and kale into your lunch or dinners.

Incorporating healthy organic whole foods into your diet helps your body recalibrate itself and clears toxins out of your system.  Chinese Healing Arts can help you learn about foods for good health, explain the difference choosing good fats can make in your life and prescribe a program that promotes healing from the cellular level.  

Keep your brain stimulated
At any age, brain exercises are a great thing to get into the habit of. Keeping your brain stimulated can help retain your memory as you get older as well as your capability to learn new skills. The brain is never done learning. Exercises like reading, crosswords, number problems and games like sudoku can help keep your brain stay active and working. If you find yourself experiencing chronic stress, practice daily meditation for as little as five minutes a day to help reduce inflammation and support immune health, which are both controlled by the same area of the brain.
 
Socialize
Keeping in touch with friends and family and continuously working on building relationships helps your emotional state as well as your physical health. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, understand you and keep a positive tone. Join organizations or clubs you are interested in and make new connections. Feeling connected to others is always important for your mental wellbeing.  
 
Quit the bad habits
Bad habits can be almost anything in our lives we do to an extreme.  Chinese Medicine believes balance is the key to a healthy lifestyle.  We often reach for those habit forming hobbies when we are feeling stressed or anxious.  Consuming an excess in substances such as alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs can lower cognitive processes and decrease overall functioning and health.

Acupuncture has been clinically proven as an effective treatment for addictive behaviors.  It has been shown to reduce anxiety, lower cravings, improve sleep patterns.  After receiving acupuncture as a therapy for addiction, clients have reported an improved mood and outlook on life, less of a need for prescription drugs, and a better retention rate attending rehabilitation programs.  

If you are interested in learning more how the use of  Acupuncture, Chinese and Functional Medicine can boost your brain health  please contact Chinese Healing Arts.

http://www.acupunctureinsylva.com

Sources:
http://bit.ly/1PZsyVf
http://acudetox.com  

Autoimmune diseases result when the immune system mistakenly attacks its own body’s tissues. Immune deficiency is more common than most people think; around 20 percent of the population suffers from some form of an autoimmune disorder, according to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association. There are more than 80 chronic illnesses that are immune related including rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, and celiac disease.
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Although symptoms vary greatly depending on the specific disease, commons symptoms include chronic fatigue, joint pain, muscle weakness, weight loss, dry eyes and abdominal pain. Autoimmune diseases are not always easily treated, as they are a chronic illness with no known cure. However, there are natural ways to ease and reduce symptoms such as acupuncture treatment.

In Chinese Medicine, it is believed that immune deficiencies come from an imbalance in the body. When there is a stagnation in the body’s natural energy flow, called Qi, the body becomes out of balance, whether it is from a deficiency or excess of yin or yang. Our essence or life force energy can be fine tuned using various forms of Chinese Medicine. Andrea’s 20 years of learning, teaching and administering this medicine allows her to see your personal issues and create a program of wellness especially designed for you. Using acupuncture, massage therapy and herbal or dietary knowledge, Andrea creates a customized program and traces your progress through the program, modifying and enhancing the treatments as your healing and awareness improves.

Acupuncture works by addressing the body as a whole. By using specific acupuncture points on the body, the treatment is able to release any blockages and return the body back to its natural balance. Research has shown that acupuncture can affect the release of hormones, proteins and chemicals in the body, which can affect blood pressure and the immune system.

Although there is no cure, immune deficiencies can be managed properly to have the best quality of life possible. Acupuncture has also been shown to help boost mood and lower stress and anxiety, which can be triggers for increased symptoms. Acupuncture is a safe, powerful, non-invasive medicine that can decrease symptoms and improve overall well being.

Andrea combines her 20 years as a Licensed Acupuncturist with other wellness disciplines to determine your imbalances and their effect on your health, personality and general well being. Her treatment can help you find your energy balance to heal your personal behavior patterns and rejuvenate your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual alignment and healing.

Through a Chinese Medical Diagnosis, Andrea will often prescribe a serious of massage sessions to loosen tight muscles and ligaments, improve circulation, help with the release of toxins and return your nervous system to a true state of natural relaxation. 

Please visit http://www.acupunctureinsylva.com for more information about how Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture can help you strengthen your immune health.  Contact us at  Chinese Healing Arts today to schedule an appointment with Andrea.

Links:
https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/Treating+Autoimmune+Disorders+with+Acupuncture+and+Oriental+Medicine+
http: //www. aarda. org/autoimmune-information/questions-and-answers/ 

Acupuncture has been used to treat addiction for many years.  Curbing addiction specifically when it comes to smoking, is not something that can be done overnight.  There will be times when you think you won't be able to stay smoke-free and want to give up.  Considering acupuncture treatment when you are trying to quit can have great effects on helping you back on the road to better health.  Acupuncture works by addressing the body as a whole.  Illness arrises when there is a blockage or stagnation in our natural energy flow.  By using acupuncture points, this treatment helps to release these blockages and return the body to its natural flow.

Not only can acupuncture help curb addiction, it can also aid in symptoms of withdrawal from nicotine once you quit.  Symptoms like jitters, mood swings, and restlessness are common when quitting smoking.  When you feel anxious from these feelings, it is even easier to feel the need for a cigarette.  Specific acupuncture points can help relax and detoxify the body to lower withdrawal symptoms.

A study done at the University of Oslo, Norway found that those who were trying to quit smoking and received acupuncture treatment reported a reduced craving for smoking and a greater distaste for tobacco.

Acupuncture cannot completely eliminate addiction but it is a great aid in the recovery process after quitting.  The first and hardest step is to decide to quit, there are many treatments including acupuncture that can help you on your way.

Contact Chinese Healing Arts at the Center for Natural Healing  to learn how acupuncture can help you stay smoke free for a healthier body, mind and spirit.  

Based on personal experience with clients Andrea has studied these disciplines and integrated them into her standard practice of wellness healing.  “Like Chinese Medicine we look at your stressors, your diet and exercise and we evaluate the health of your hormones and digestive and adrenal systems to help you find the right plan for returning these directing and generative systems of the body to normal balance.”  Working with your basic systems you can turn on your regenerative pathways, balance your hormones and return yourself to vibrant health.

Contact our office for more information on how functional medicine and Acupuncture can naturally help you feel better. We are here to help you.   

Stage One is considered Acute Care and consists of an hour long treatment for the course of 10 weeks as Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine work to energetically train your body, mind and spirit.  In the beginning you will notice your initial symptoms for which you sought treatment begin to lesson in degree of severity.

During Stage Two the treatments continue as hour sessions and are recommended on a bi-weekly basis of the course of 3-6 months.  This is the beginning of Maintenance Care where your body starts to see improvement in physical  symptoms and you begin to notice a better balanced state emotionally and mentally. 

As you continue on the path of healing, your treatments become reduced from bi weekly to monthly hour sessions for a period of 6-12 months.  By now you are at the later stages of Maintenance and you can maintain your natural Qi for longer periods of time.  

Stage Four is known as Preventative Care.  Sessions last 90 minutes and are done on a quarterly basis.  You can think of these as Energetic Tune-ups which help maintain health and vitality to your body, mind and Spirit.