Dana Iscoe, Author at Mend Acupuncture

Allergies: Not Just For Your Face
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Allergies: Not Just For Your Face

Allergies

Allergies: Not Just For Your Face

By Dana Iscoe|2022-11-15T14:04:46-05:00April 19th, 2022|Categories: Allergies|Tags: allergies, vaginal irritation|

Most of us know the signs of seasonal allergies – runny eyes and nose, a scratchy throat, and the itching. Oh the itching. On a bad day, it feels almost impossible to ignore the pull to scratch the skin around the eyes, nose and face. In the clinic, we are very accustomed to clients coming in the spring and fall with these symptoms, as pollen from plants becomes airborne and irritates the mucous membranes and sensitive skin of the face. Though facial symptoms of pollen allergies are well recognized, there is some research support and growing anecdotal evidence [...]

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Dr. Bob’s Medicated Oil
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Dr. Bob’s Medicated Oil

Pain, Take Home TCM, Wellness

Dr. Bob’s Medicated Oil

By Dana Iscoe|2022-11-15T14:05:18-05:00October 25th, 2021|Categories: Pain, Take Home TCM, Wellness|Tags: aromatherapy, Chinese medicine, Dr. Bob's Medical Oil, herbs, pain, TCM|

I'm so excited that Mend’s clinic rooms and retail shelves are now stocked with one of my favorite topical products, Dr. Bob's Medicated Oil. Though the name always makes me think of a carnival barker selling a magical cure, this really is a lovely product with a variety of uses and a history connected to that of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine practice here in the US. Opening a bottle of Dr. Bob's fills the room with the bright smell of peppermint and tea – two of the oils used in the mixture. It's easy to pour and [...]

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Summer Sleep Hygiene
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Summer Sleep Hygiene

Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Sleep, Wellness

Summer Sleep Hygiene

By Dana Iscoe|2022-11-15T14:05:40-05:00June 21st, 2021|Categories: Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Sleep, Wellness|Tags: sleep hygiene, summer|

Photo by Kristin Vogt from Pexels When you show up for your acupuncture appointment, your practitioner will frequently ask about the quality and pattern of your sleep – it's so relevant to making a diagnosis and it helps us understand how "full your gas tank" is in terms of your sleep deficit and overall energy level. More and more frequently these days, I notice many patients noting that they are waking up earlier than they'd like to – anywhere from 4-6am. Usually a little problem solving is required to improve sleep later into the morning, so that you can start your [...]

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Spring’s Sour Foods
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Spring’s Sour Foods

Nutrition, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness

Spring’s Sour Foods

By Dana Iscoe|2022-11-15T14:06:02-05:00April 12th, 2021|Categories: Nutrition, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness|Tags: citrus, seasonal eating, sour foods, spring, TCM, tonics|

Photo by Lukas from Pexels Spring is here, and the months of the year where we can eat local, fresh foods are approaching! As we move out of the stillness of Winter into the rapid growth of Spring, there are considerations for the mind, body and spirit to make the transition with ease. One of these is the category of food therapy within Traditional Chinese Medicine, which advocates for eating foods with the sour flavor/energetic to align with Spring. What is the Sour flavor? When you think of sour foods, you might feel a pucker in your lips, your salivary glands [...]

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Feel it in Your Bones
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Feel it in Your Bones

Movement, Pain, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness

Feel it in Your Bones

By Dana Iscoe|2023-01-10T09:13:28-05:00January 25th, 2021|Categories: Movement, Pain, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness|Tags: bones, exercises, movement, pain, prevention, TCM, tips, winter|

In the Traditional Chinese Medicine framework that underlies acupuncture, each season of the year has correspondences to different aspects of life. As you've already learned, Winter corresponds to the water element, the emotion of fear, and the organs of the Kidney and Bladder. Winter also corresponds with the bodily tissue of the bones and the importance of structure within the body, starting with the development of the embryo. Bone strength plays a big part in quality of life, though often gets passed over unless someone is actively worried about osteoporosis. Consider these ideas as you rest your weary bones [...]

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What a Pain in the Neck!
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What a Pain in the Neck!

Movement, Pain, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness

What a Pain in the Neck!

By Dana Iscoe|2022-11-15T14:06:19-05:00January 13th, 2021|Categories: Movement, Pain, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness|Tags: exercises, movement, neck, pain, prevention, tips|

For so many of our clients, neck pain (also called cervicalgia, named for pain in the cervical vertebrae of the spine) is a frequent companion. It's no surprise, because the human head is heavy and large, and our bodies only recently evolved to manage carrying around such weight. And it’s only in the last several generations that our industrialized society has more of us sitting in chairs at tables, using screens and books, and using much less diversity of movement than was required for labor, chores, and recreation than in the past. What follows are some suggestions for [...]

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Energetic Movement of Metal
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Energetic Movement of Metal

Seasonal Changes, Wellness

Energetic Movement of Metal

By Dana Iscoe|2022-11-15T14:06:23-05:00October 13th, 2020|Categories: Seasonal Changes, Wellness|Tags: fall, five element, metal, TCM|

Where We're At In previous blog entries, we've taken you through some of the energetic correspondences of the Metal element that comes into focus during the Fall/Autumn season. The Metal's main organ correspondences, the Lungs and Large Intestine, regulate inhalation and exhalation, strengthen the exterior of the body from invasions, and their connection to the nose means that we can tell the difference between fresh and rotten with a single sniff. All these examples point to the more abstract aspects of the Metal element: discernment, judgement, and clarity unmuddled by interference. As we enter the Fall season, nature around [...]

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Slowww Down
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Slowww Down

Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

Slowww Down

By Dana Iscoe|2022-11-15T14:06:39-05:00September 21st, 2020|Categories: Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: caffeine, Chinese medicine, cortisol, fall, qi gong, radical listening, seasonal changes, TCM|

Late September, early October...the start of the Autumn season is often marketed as the time to start buying more sweaters, drinking pumpkin spice lattes, and planning your Halloween party. In 2020, the circumstances are so different. There's more space for the resonances of this time of the year to shine through and bring value to our lives. As the daylight shifts, it's important to begin to gently tap the breaks on our unquestioned routines to prepare for the stillness of winter. Here's some suggestions for slowing down to welcome Fall. Slow your roll. As the balance between day and [...]

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Spleen 21: The Great Embrace
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Spleen 21: The Great Embrace

acupoint, Acupressure, Digestion, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

Spleen 21: The Great Embrace

By Dana Iscoe|2022-11-15T14:06:41-05:00August 12th, 2020|Categories: acupoint, Acupressure, Digestion, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: Chinese medicine, damp, digestion, fatigue, Late Summer, pain, seasonal changes, spleen 21, TCM|

Spleen 21 is the perfect acupuncture/acupressure point for this time of the year. Called dabao 大包 in Chinese, and translated to Great Enveloping or Great Embrace in English, it is the final point on the Spleen meridian. This meridian is responsible for processing food for digestion, promotes thought for wisdom, and turns Late Summer's humidity into a harvest. We think of Spleen 21 particularly when one is feeling weak, notices pain all over the body, and feels fullness in the chest. Locating Spleen 21 You can find this point by reaching your hand over [...]

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Tips for Winter Health
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Tips for Winter Health

Nutrition, Seasonal Changes, Wellness

Tips for Winter Health

By Dana Iscoe|2022-11-15T14:07:03-05:00December 9th, 2019|Categories: Nutrition, Seasonal Changes, Wellness|Tags: colds, large intestine, Mend fellow, tips, winter|

We get it. It’s pretty gross outside. You leave work in the dark and wake up to the sound of the wind howling outside your window. And then, to top it all off, you realize that you might be getting sick. Chinese Medicine has a lot to offer us in terms of keeping ourselves healthy during the winter, and has some specific and unique tips for dealing with colds and feeling “under the weather.” Pay Attention If you go to an acupuncturist when you are getting a cold, they are likely to ask you some very specific questions about [...]

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