Dr. Bob’s Medicated Oil

By |2022-11-15T14:05:18-05:00October 25th, 2021|Categories: Pain, Take Home TCM, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , |

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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Bladder 58 – Fly and Scatter

By |2022-11-15T14:05:36-05:00August 3rd, 2021|Categories: acupoint, Mood, Pain, Take Home TCM|Tags: , , , |

Photo by Sohel Patel from Pexels Bladder 58 is a point I was trained to consider when a patient describes feeling “scattered,” specifically when the scatter comes after a period of overwork or stretch of active anxiety. From this overtired place we can scatter our energy ineffectively, the mind can fly off in a thousand directions, and we can catastrophize all that could happen unless we do something about it all. This point is thought to restore order and containment and calm the urge to react and over-do.  A glass of water is only a useful resource when in [...]

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Feel it in Your Bones

By |2023-01-10T09:13:28-05:00January 25th, 2021|Categories: Movement, Pain, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , , , |

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!

By |2022-11-15T14:06:19-05:00January 13th, 2021|Categories: Movement, Pain, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , |

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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Spleen 21: The Great Embrace

By |2022-11-15T14:06:41-05:00August 12th, 2020|Categories: acupoint, Acupressure, Digestion, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

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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Chinese Medicine’s Fifth Season: The Second Half of Summer

By |2023-08-23T10:32:52-04:00August 4th, 2020|Categories: Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

It’s that time of year again when we remind you that there are actually FIVE seasons in Chinese Medicine. And we’re at the beginning of the lesser known one, Late Summer. As you’ve probably noticed, Summer is the time to enjoy long days of rising early, staying up late and filling the time in between with both relaxing and lively activities. Late Summer, though? It has its own flavor and is quite different. When Late Summer arrives, so does a bit of fogginess, laziness and lack of focus. If you’re feeling a bit sluggish or unmotivated, you’re not alone. All [...]

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