We have a new name!

  City Garden Community Acupuncture

Why a new name? Because we have had a big change! We are now an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit. U-District Community Acupuncture has always been 100% patient supported. The many $20-$40 payments people have given for their treatments are what have made this clinic possible. Even though U-District CA has continued to grow year after year, I'm ready for it to take a big leap forward. By becoming a nonprofit, the clinic will be able to accept donations. Instead of solely depending on patient payments at time of treatment, we have more options. People who don't need acupuncture all the time, but want the clinic to be there when they do, can still show support with online donations. These additional funds can be used for future goals - like having a second acupuncturist to open the clinic more days and hours.

Will this change your treatments?
Not at all. Your clinic experience will remain the same. Becoming a nonprofit is about future growth, but it will always be based on the same mission of providing effective, affordable acupuncture in a group setting.

We have a Board of Directors
As a nonprofit, the clinic is no longer run as a small business with a single owner making decisions. Instead there is a group of people lending their talents and expertise. Take a look at their bios below.

Alicia Dara, President
Alicia is a Seattle-based voice teacher (singing and public speaking) with over 20 years experience. Corporate clients include Microsoft, Kimpton Hotels, Planned Parenthood, and and Premera. Private clients include the National Women's Political Caucus and members of Amazon, Merrill Lynch, Seattle Trade Commission, Core Power Yoga, Windermere, and Lake Partners. Her "Public Speaking Bootcamp for Women" regularly sells out. Her "Vocal Strength for Attorneys" workshop is approved by the WSBA. As a musician she has released 5 solo records and 3 with her current bands Diamondwolf and The Volcano Diary. Her writings about public speaking and creativity have appeared on CoveyClub, The Write Life, and Daily OM. She also serves on the Board of Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and Hawaiian Islands. In 2017 Alicia became Board President of the City Garden Community Acupuncture Clinic.

Adrienne Lopez, Treasurer

With higher degrees in nonprofit business management and the arts, I possess a multi-faceted knowledge of marketing, communications, branding, licensing, art and design, fundraising, program development, campaign management, and outreach My professional endeavors have included the execution of brand and marketing strategies from small entrepreneurial efforts to large scale global campaigns, including print, web, experiential exhibits, television, film, and beyond. I am proud to have over ten valuable years of experience with organizations and clients such as Bristol Bay Native Corporation, Starbucks Corporate, World Vision, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Ronald Feldman Fine Arts, Creative Capital, and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Equally as important, I bring strong interpersonal skills to the table, along with a positive, friendly, team-building attitude.
In my free time I enjoy practicing my own art making, community work, advocating for social justice, volunteering and adventuring outdoors.

Also thanks to Amber West, EAMP,  who helped get things going! 

From this day forward, look for our blog on our new website citygardenacupuncture.com 


 

 

Acupuncture and the Black Panther Party

Protests of the closing of the Lincoln Detox Center 

It’s the 1960’s, the Civil Rights Movement has gained momentum. Martin Luther King, Jr is marching to end Jim Crow. In the neighborhoods, the Black Panther Party for Self Defense is changing daily life in the streets. They organize to oppose police brutality, educate people of their rights, and create social programs, such as Free Breakfast for School Children. As a response, drugs were pumped into their communities.

Heroin addiction was quickly destroying people and their families. To combat this onslaught, the Black Panthers used acupuncture. In 1970, they took over the rundown Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx and turned it into the Lincoln Detox Center. Here they administered acupuncture to thousands of patients, successfully helping them with addiction, until a forced shut down in 1979 by an army of 200 police officers closed their doors.

Needles in Your Face. It's What You Want!

Why would you put needles in your face? Because of sinuses and the hell they cause when congested. I got a not so subtle reminder of how horrible it is to have sinus trouble last weekend. I caught a bug that plugged my ears and throat along with all the sinuses in my head. My eyes were itchy and I kept sneezing and coughing. Misery! Especially when trying to sleep. What’s an acupuncturist to do? Stick needles in it, of course.

There are points on the sides of the nostrils that will instantly start draining all the sinuses in your head. If you’ve come to see me for a cold or allergies, you know what I’m talking about. For those of you who have not, you’re wondering if getting these points hurts. Well I’m not rubbing rose petals on your face, but it really isn’t that bad. I have a more difficult time ripping off a band-aid than I did looking in the mirror and popping those needles in. It only took 20 minutes or so before I felt significant relief. I had been sitting there with my face trying to scrunch up into itself and a sneeze that was just about to happen, but not happening. You’ve been there. It’s awful.  All of that was gone. And I got to think to myself “How awesome is acupuncture?”

If you have sinus trouble, whether from a cold or allergies, or even if you’re to the point of chronic sinusitis, acupuncture can help you. Needles in your face. It’s what you want!

Patient Interview #4 with "S"

My patient "S" is a good example of someone that started acupuncture with a specific issue to address, then discovered effects and benefits in many different areas of her life as her treatments continued. 

Me: How did you first discover acupuncture?

S: I first discovered acupuncture thanks to my doctor’s recommendation. I had just gotten an MRI to find an explanation for my recurring headaches and increased migraines. My neurologist said that he could see no reason for me to be having daily headaches, so he prescribed several medications to help get rid of them once they start. I wasn’t eager to take a bunch of pills to cure an existing problem, so my doctor recommended I try some alternative forms of relief to hopefully help prevent the pain in the first place. A quick Google search led me to U-District Community Acupuncture!

Me: How long have you been getting acupuncture?

S: I’ve been getting acupuncture for nearly a year and a half.

Me: How often do you get acupuncture?

S: Once a week at least!

Me: Have you noticed any impact on your life? Can you describe this a bit?

S: My headaches have all but disappeared entirely! I no longer have daily headaches, and the headaches I do get from time to time are no longer due to stress and tension. I am more relaxed and able to focus better in general. My sleeping, breathing, and posture have all improved immensely. Acupuncture has also really helped me learn to listen to my body. When I am feeling stressed, I feel the physical side-effects of that stress. Thanks to my regular sessions, I’ve learned which muscles and joints I have a tendency to put too much pressure on or tense up without noticing, which would often cause headaches and body aches that I thought were uncontrollable. I now am much more aware of my physical self and am therefore able to take better care of it and, as a result, my mental self.

Me: What do you like about the U-District Community Acupuncture Clinic?

S: Absolutely everything! The location is particularly convenient for me, and the low cost makes weekly visits a viable option. The atmosphere is always great; low lights, clean air, and soothing music help me to quickly relax. I also really love that I am sharing the space with others. I enjoy knowing that I am surrounded by people who are receiving the same wonderful benefits that I am. It is a truly comforting feeling knowing that you are part of a community of people who are seeking to better their lives in a unique but powerful way. 

Ultimately, I love the U-District Community Acupuncture Clinic because Susie is a goddess who works miracles every single week.

Patient Interview #3 with "M"

This is the third interview of a series showing how different patients of U-District Community Acupuncture use the clinic to keep themselves healthy. This is "M".

Me: How did you first discover acupuncture?

M: I discovered acupuncture six years ago, at a community acupuncture clinic in the greater Philadelphia area.  I started attending a community acupuncture clinic in Seattle six months after I moved here, and found it greatly reduced my anxiety.  I enjoy the energetic aspect of acupuncture as well – I feel incredibly relaxed during treatment, and enjoy feeling subtle energetic shifts.  I’ve had the most success with treatments from Susie, and so I’ve been getting almost all of my treatments at U District Community Acupuncture.

Me: How long have you been getting acupuncture?

M: For about six years, in the last three years I’ve gotten acupuncture more consistently. 

Me: How often do you get acupuncture?

M: I receive a treatment once every two or three weeks.

Me: Have you noticed any impact on your life? Can you describe this a bit?

M: I am much more centered and calm than before I started acupuncture.  I have a panic disorder, and went through a serious bout of PTSD last year, including serious symptoms, such as panic attacks and dissociation.  In addition to therapy and medication, receiving consistent acupuncture treatments with Susie was a life saver.  I found a treatment to be just as effective as Xanax! In addition, Susie’s treatments help me with Asthma, allergies, depression, and migraines. 

In addition, acupuncture helps me more connected to my body and it’s healing potential.  Feeling energy shifts within my body during treatment helps me be mindful of balance and imbalance in my body, and ways I can discern what activities, foods, or medications are life-promoting for me.  

Me: What do you like about the U-District Community Acupuncture Clinic?

M: I love Susie! Susie is a relatable, compassionate healer.  Of all the acupuncturists I’ve seen, Susie’s treatments are most effective for me.  Her treatments are an absolute bargain for her quality of attention and care.

Patient Interview #2 with "C"

Community Acupuncture is about getting as much acupuncture as you want and need to keep yourself healthy. But how does a person know how much that is? This is the second installment of my interview series showing how different patients of U-District Community Acupuncture use the clinic to do just that. This interview is with "C".

Me: How did you first discover acupuncture?

C: Through Lori King years ago. Lori and I were friends and she opened an acupuncture clinic on Capitol Hill for a few years until she moved out of Seattle.

I discovered UCA through my Doctor Richard Kovar and his Nurse assistant over at Country DR clinic.  

ME: How long have you been getting acupuncture?

C: I have been doing acupuncture off and on for over 10 years.

I have now been going to UCA for over 4 months

Me: How often do you get acupuncture?

C: Around 3 to 4 times a week, depending on my needs.

Me: Have you noticed any impact on your life? Can you describe this a bit?

C: When I first came in I was having intense shoulder pain. My neck was super tight and I right hip was acting up with sciatica pain from an old injury. I had fallen off an 8 foot ladder and hit my right arm on the recycle bin on my way down to the ground.

My medical doctor was concerned that I might get a frozen shoulder if I did not really work with it. So he and his nurse helper suggested I go to the UCA for acupuncture. My shoulders have certainly loosened up and I am pain free.   I am no longer having sciatica pain and I am sleeping at night again!

While I was going to UCA I also went threw some personal challenging emotional times over the holidays with my family of origin and then the loss of a parent.

The treatment I received for that helped me immensely. It put me in such a relaxed state that very much felt like a deep healing mediation.

I truly felt it helped to balance me out and keep me focused on the daily things of life.  It allowed me to de-stress and re-energize myself. It helped me to be fully present with my parent who suffered extreme dementia and after his passing to gently move through my grief.

Me: What do you like about the U-District Community Acupuncture Clinic?

C: I tend to be sensitive to spaces and the energy of a space.

I was super happy to discover UCA has a very tranquil and healing energy. That goes beyond the Zen visuals and sounds.  The space is warm, inviting and open. It has the options for one to be reclined in a very comfy recliner or when you need it to lay completely flat on a massage table.  The space invites you to easily drift in to a deep state of relaxation to let the needles do their work. I often forget it is a community space and feel like I am the only one in the room. That was pleasantly surprising!

I love that it so affordable and that allows me to do great self-care. 

Patient Interview #1 with "A"

Acupuncture in a community setting has many advantages. With the cost being affordable, one of these advantages is patients being able get as much acupuncture as they want and need to maintain a healthy life. But what does that look like, using acupuncture as you want and need? This can be different for each individual. I am going to post a series of interviews with a few patients to help illustrate the many ways to use community acupuncture.

Interview #1 with be with "A".

Me: How did you first discover acupuncture?

A: I was born and raised in Vancouver BC, where we've always had a thriving Chinese population who have brought so much good to our city, including Chinese medicine. Acupuncture was a regular part of my medical care all through my teen years and beyond (it eventually became so ubiquitous that it is now partially covered by the BC medical plan, so that everyone can receive it!). Everyone I knew growing up received treatments, from kids to adults to seniors. I got to see its effects on people as they aged, and how much better they fared than those who did not receive it, especially with things like arthritis, menopause, and sleep issues. It was our most common and effective form of health care, and I learned that it can uplift an entire population. 

Me: How long have you been getting acupuncture?

A: I got my first treatment when I was 13 years old, for help with stomach issues and a bad cold. So that's 30 years as of this writing, but I can't remember life before acupuncture, and I don't want to ;) 

Me: How often do you get acupuncture?

A: I consider acupuncture to be a vital part of my overall health and wellness, so I aim for once a week or twice a month. I have a few chronic conditions in my body that have dramatically improved with regular sessions, especially when combined with Chinese herbs. There are so many things that acupuncture helps me with, including menstrual cramps, boosting my immunity during cold and flu season, and seasonal allergies. In fact, I can't remember the last time I took any kind of medication or drug for these conditions, because the acupuncture has made my body's natural healing powers so much stronger! 

Me:Have you noticed any impact on your life? Can you describe this a bit?

A: More than anything, acupuncture has helped me tune into my body and better understand its natural powers of healing. When something doesn't feel right, I know that my body is sending me a powerful message that I can listen to and take action on (my first action is always acupuncture!). I'm also much more aware of the food I eat, and the way it affects my total system. I don't crave the things that used to give satisfaction but cause inflammation, because I honor what my body needs to thrive. Acupuncture has also helped me connect to a deep sense of calm and wellness, especially during times of high stress, because the treatments put me right in the moment, and calm everything down while the needles are doing their work. This is increasingly important to me since the recent election results, especially since it's looking like my Obamacare might be taken away, and it's quite stressful to contemplate going forward in life with no health insurance.

Me: What do you like about the U-District Community Acupuncture Clinic?

A: The minute I walk into the treatment room I feel all the worries of my day melt away. The warmth of the room, the gentle music and water sounds, and the healing energy relax my body and mind in a deep way. I feel like the room itself is a mirror of the inner "healing room" that exists in every person, where we can retreat and recharge. I so look forward to my weekly appointment with Susie, who is the most gifted healer I've ever worked with, and I believe everyone deserves to experience the benefits of the clinic. I spend a lot of time recommending it to my friends in person and on social media, because I've seen and experienced first-hand how acupuncture can change lives!

Pad & Tampon Drive for Homeless Women

Why do a drive for feminine hygiene products? They are a necessity for those who menstruate. Being without them can lead to a variety of medical problems. There’s a reason the word “hygiene” is in the name. But pads and tampons are treated as an extra. That’s like saying toilet paper is extra.  But unlike toilet paper, there isn’t a cheap version of them. They are expensive! Which is one of the many reasons UCA is doing a Pad and Tampon Drive for Homeless Women. It will be going on for the entire month of January. When you bring in an unopened package of any kind of feminine hygiene product, you take $5 off of payment for your acupuncture treatment. (This offer doesn’t apply to package deals). All donations will go to Mary's Place

3 Best Post-Acupuncture Habits

#1 Drink water

Acupuncture stimulates your “Qi” to move. Qi is your vital energy that is flowing throughout your body. It is needed to nourish all of your organs, muscles, and tissues. In order for Qi to flow smoothly, the body needs water to help its transport.

#2 Eat           

Giving your mind and body fuel to burn after an acupuncture treatment is a good idea. Acupuncture works to build up and move your Qi. Having food in your system to supply your body’s building blocks will help to further progress in your health and well-being goals.

#3 Relax

The effects of your acupuncture treatment will still be running their course even after the needles are out. You don’t want to leave your appointment and go to the gym for a strenuous workout or out for a 20 mile bike ride. It’s best to keep activities light for a few hours after receiving acupuncture. That way you will gain the full benefit of your treatment.

Treatment Epiphany

I did a great job screwing up my back last week. Carrying around my two small children and washing a big dog that didn't want to be washed had me barely able to stand up straight. I couldn't work and shuffled to my clinic to put a sign on the door. While I was there I thought why not put in a few needles and take a nap? I was out for 2 hours! And I woke significantly improved. I don't think I would have gotten relief to the extent that I did if I had stayed for a shorter amount of time. My body decided the length of the treatment, not the clock. I want to extend that opportunity to you! When you come in for a treatment, I'll ask you if you wish to be woken at a certain time, or if you want to stay until you naturally come to, (the last needles will be pulled one hour after closing time). It will be all up to you.

Community Acupuncture is Revolutionary

What makes CA revolutionary?

It’s in the hands of the people who use it. It isn't insurance companies or the government that tells you how often you get to go. You don’t need a doctor referral to prove you need it. You can use it how you want, when you want. No 3^rd party involvement.

Anyone can access community acupuncture. Whether or not you get the opportunity to heal has nothing to do with your level of income. People of all backgrounds come together, pooling their resources and making a healing space.  It is done collectively and that is in direct opposition to the isolation so prevalent in our society. In community acupuncture the solidarity of many brings a better life to each individual patient.

Headaches and Acupuncture

Sinus headaches.

Hormonal headaches.

Headaches from stress and tension.

Headaches from too much time on the computer.

Migraines.

What to do? There’s aspirin, Tylenol, and ibuprofen…But what if that doesn’t work? And what if headaches are happening everyday?  

Acupuncture is the solution.  By receiving regular treatments, acupuncture can drastically reduce or even get rid of chronic headaches.  How long would you need to be getting acupuncture? How many treatments and for how long is different for each person. Treatment plans depend on the severity of the headaches, how often they happen, and how long you’ve been getting them.

How effective the treatments are also depends on how much you’re able to avoid what is triggering them. If your headaches are caused by computer work and you need to be on the computer for hours everyday, it will take longer for the acupuncture to help you as we fight an uphill battle. But even with this type of scenario, acupuncture will significantly reduce your headaches, whether it be they are less intense, don’t last as long, or don’t occur as often.

Allergies and Acupuncture

The flowers are blooming early this year!

It’s absolutely gorgeous.

It is downright lovely!

It’s causing itchy, watery eyes, scratchy throat, cough, congestion and a headache.

Many people try to handle this onslaught of pollen with remedies like a nasal spray. Or they might even get a round or two of antibiotics if sinus problems turn into a sinus infection.  There’s an easier way to feel better – acupuncture!

How will acupuncture help? By stimulating your sinuses, enticing them to clear out the offending mucus. Acupuncture will also address the issue by its roots, balancing the workings of your body to reduce the allergic reaction.

How often should you get an acupuncture treatment? It takes more than one session of acupuncture to address allergies. With most patients, the best course of action is to receive a treatment twice a week until the issue(s) are under control. At this point we taper the acupuncture appointments down, making them further and further apart until they are no longer necessary.

To prevent sinus issues in the future, it is a good idea to get a few acupuncture treatments a few weeks before your allergy season begins.

Anxiety, insomnia, depression, and your diet

In Chinese medicine, blood deficiency is a diagnosis that refers to a set of symptoms. These include:

·      Insomnia, poor sleep quality

·      Anxiety

·      Depression

·      Headaches

·      Fatigue

·      Cold hands and feet

·      Constipation

·      Light or irregular menses

·      Weight gain

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs balance and nourish to relieve these symptoms, but it is also important that our bodies are being supported by our diets to have the building blocks we need. In the perspective of Western medicine, the most common vitamin and mineral inadequacies contributing to blood deficiency symptoms are iron, calcium, folic acid, and essential amino acids.

Iron

In the body, 60-70% of iron is used in the hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the part of the red blood cell that carries oxygen to the tissues. When the tissues are not receiving sufficient amounts of oxygen, we experience fatigue, headaches, anxiety, and depression. When our iron is low, we have less hemoglobin in our blood. In this circumstance blood isn’t going to be able to do its work as efficiently, including supplying the brain. This leads to insomnia, decreased memory, and difficulty in concentration. Lack of hemoglobin also affects the nourishment of the intestines, which leads to constipation.

Blood Deficiency and Anemia

Anemia is a Western medical term and is defined as a reduction in red blood cells. Many times patients see their MD with the complaint of fatigue. They get a blood test to check their iron and red blood cell count to see if they are anemic. The test comes back negative. So why does their acupuncturist still want to talk to them about blood deficiency? In Chinese Medicine, the term blood deficiency denotes a set of symptoms, as oppose to a number or level that can be tested.

Iron is stored in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, as well as myoglobin and numerous proteins. These stores are drawn on when the amount of iron in the hemoglobin starts to get low. When this happens blood deficiency symptoms occur, but it will take quite a bit more depletion before anemia is measurable.

Absorption

The body is only able to absorb and utilize an average of 8-10% of the iron we consume.

Heme and nonheme iron

Iron is found in two forms, heme and non-heme. 

The non-heme form of iron has to be converted into the heme form to be absorbed. The non-heme is the type of iron that is found in vegetable sources. Because of the extra conversion step, it is not absorbed as readily.

Heme iron is found in meat foods. This iron is already bound into muscle and blood tissues, making 10-30% of intake absorbable.

Other factors contribute to iron’s absorbability.

Increased by:

• Body needs during growth, pregnancy, and lactation
• Hydrochloric acid (production stimulated by meat protein)
• Vitamin C
• Blood loss or iron deficiency
• Meats
• Protein foods
• Citrus fruits and vegetables
• Iron cookware
• Copper, cobalt, manganese

Decreased by:

• Low hydrochloric acid

• Antacids
• Low copper
• Phosphates in meats and soft drinks
• Calcium
• Phytates in whole grains
• Oxylates in leafy green vegetables
• Soy protein
• Coffee and black tea
• Fast gastrointestinal motility

Calcium

Well known for its responsibility for bones and teeth, calcium is also crucial for muscle contraction, including the functioning of the heart. Calcium is also needed for the nervous system. It has a role in nerve transmission and the releasing of neurotransmitters. Calcium influences serotonin and norepinephrine, whose balance is imperative in warding off depression and irritability. Other symptoms of calcium deficiency include headaches, insomnia, muscle cramps, and fatigue.

Absorption

Increased by:

• Body needs – growth, pregnancy, lactation
• Vitamin D
• Milk lactose
• Acid environment – hydrochloric acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
• Protein intake and amino acids such as lysine and glycine
• Fat intake
• Exercise
• Phosphorus balance

Decreased by:

• Vitamin D deficiency
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid)
• Stress
• Lack of exercise
• High fat intake
• High protein intake
• Oxalic acid foods (beet greens, chard, spinach, rhubarb, cocoa)
• Phytic acid foods (whole grains)
• High phosphorus intake

Magnesium

Calcium doesn’t work without his friend magnesium. Magnesium is responsible for the relaxation portion of the heartbeat by dilating the coronary arteries. It also contributes to the production of energy. Low amounts of magnesium can cause increased PMS symptoms.

Absorption

Factors increasing or decreasing the absorption of magnesium are the same as for calcium.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is an important B vitamin. In its active form, THFA, its job is to help red blood cell production and to aid in the breakdown of protein. It also has a part in many amino acid conversions. Folic acid is instrumental in the growth and reproduction of all cells.

The first sign of deficiency is depression. Folic acid deficiency also shows in the skin, with cracks or scaling of the lips and corners of the mouth. Also associated with low folic acid is fatigue and the rapid graying of the hair. Folic acid deficiency has also been linked with cervical dysplasia and cancer.

Absorption

Folic acid is absorbed in the intestines. This can be an issue if one is prone to bouts of diarrhea, or is on antibiotics or tetracyclines that deplete colon bacteria.

Folic acid is mostly found in leafy greens (spinach, kale, beet greens) and is easily lost during cooking or after any sort of processing. Lightly sautéed is best.

Common causes of Folic Acid deficiency: 

• Inadequate nutrition – lack of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Poor absorption – due to intestinal problems,
• Metabolic problems from alcohol or drug use
• Excessive demands on tissues, as with stress, illness, or pregnancy.

           

Amino Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks for proteins. Proteins have many responsibilities:

• Growth and maintenance of body structures
• Enzymes
• Hormones
• Immune system
• Fluid electrolyte balance
• Energy
• Blood sugar regulation

There are 21 amino acids the body needs in order to carry out all its functions. There are two categories of amino acids, non-essential and essential.

Non-essential amino acids are supplied by the body.

Essential amino acids need to be supplied by the diet.

Animal proteins provide all essential amino acids. Plant proteins are incomplete and must be combined to achieve all essential amino acids. These are referred to as complementary proteins.

For example:

Grain – HIGH in the amino acid methionine, LOW in lysine

Legumes – LOW in methionine, HIGH in lysine.

Together they make a complete protein, having all amino acids. When all amino acids are present, neurotransmitters are balanced. When neurotransmitters are out of balance, depression, anxiety, and lack of focus are the result.

           

Sources

Elson M. Haas, M.D. Staying Healthy with Nutrition. Berkley CA: Celestial Arts

  Publishing, 1992. 

Stress and Weight Gain

You’re constantly going to the gym and you eat a healthy diet. So why doesn’t the weight come off? Why do you keep gaining?  Your level of stress may be contributing. Stress is a nasty beast and it reaches into every aspect of our health, from digestion to the level of hormones coursing through our bodies. These are the variables that dictate whether we hold onto weight or let it burn off. 

Stress stimulates the body to release hormones. Particularly helpful in an emergency situation, these hormones are what kept humans alive in the days of the caveman. It is our response to a “fight or flight” situation and intended for only a short term occurance. What happens when the stress isn’t a tiger chasing us anymore, but is instead years in a high stress job or four years of graduate school? 

After our bodies  experiences elevated stress levels for over 24 hours, they go into a different mode. Anxiety sets in and the body's coping mechanisms are triggered. Our central nervous systems release more stress hormones, which over time have negative effects.

Cortisol is the big gun of stress hormones. It is directly responsible for weight gain, especially around the abdomen. A lot of cortisol coursing through your system will keep you from building muscle. 

Growth hormone is responsible for rebuilding tissues (including muscle) and for burning fat. Stress hormones cause a decrease in the amount of growth hormone being released.

Effects on Digestion:

• There is a decrease in the flora that lives in our gut. This flora is needed to absorb nutrients we need. A decrease in gut flora can also lead to increased or decreased motility (diarrhea or constipation), as well as gas and bloating. Healthy gut flora is important in avoiding digestive distress, which is crucial when talking about the regulation of food in our bodies.

• Stress hormones also decrease stomach acid, which is needed to absorb protein, calcium and iron.

• Salivary gland secretions also decrease with stress hormones. Carbohydrates are first broken down with saliva and then finished in the small intestine. If the salivary glands aren’t able to do their job farther up the line, the intestines are burdened, and we’re back to unbalanced motility, gas and bloating.

• Stress hormones cause an increase in insulin resistance. This causes havoc with blood sugar levels, which leads to moodiness, headaches, dizziness and sugar cravings. With all this fluctuating, the body will hold onto weight.

• Stress hormones also lead to cravings. Sugar is quick energy and that’s what our bodies want in an emergency.

The oxygen moving in and out of our body influences metabolism and calorie burn. With increased stress, there is decreased oxygen.

Another important factor in exercising is having the energy and motivation to do so. Have you ever planned on going to the gym after work, but are too tired by the end of a long day? In our body, energy is made in our cells, in little units called mitochondria. When stress hormones are elevated, fewer mitochondria are produced. Fatigue and sluggishness will set in.

Stress hormones also play havoc with the hormones that influence our mood. Serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine are neurotransmitters that affect our sleep, well-being and happiness. Chronic stress disrupts the regulation of when these are released into our system. 

Make it a goal to keep stress lower. Take a few 15 minute breaks a day. Be sure you’re breathing fully and deeply. Maybe even go to a quieting yoga class. Whether or not we lose or gain weight isn’t just about which foods we choose and what exercise regimen we’re practicing. It’s also about our well-being as individuals. 

Runner's Advantage with Acupuncture

There are 3 main things acupuncture will do for a runner.

1. Enhance your performance
2. Help your injuries heal more quickly, or prevent them from happening at all
3. Increase the longevity of your running career

How does acupuncture do this?

Acupuncture increases the circulation of blood and body fluids throughout your muscles and organs.  This brings nourishment to your body, while also clearing out the metabolic waste.

Acupuncture also strengthens the health and integrity of the collagen in your body. Collagen is the protein that surrounds your muscles and organs. It is the glue that holds your body together. In Chinese medicine collagen has even more significance. Instead of being perceived as randomly occurring throughout the body, it has a matrix formed by channels called "meridians". These meridians are able to access every area of the body, from the more external muscles to your organs.
An easy way to visualize meridians and how they work is to compare to a highway or an electrical system. On a highway, everything moves along nicely until one lane is blocked, then everything slows. In an electrical system, if there's a break in the line, nothing after that break works. In your body, you want your "qi" (roughly translated as your life force), and body fluids to flow smoothly. By stimulating the collagen, acupuncture makes sure it is clear for this to happen. With your qi and body fluids flowing smoothly, your body is able to function healthily. You absorb and utilize nutrients more efficiently. So when you run, your body has everything it needs to perform at its highest potential.

No matter what you are specifically getting treated for, acupuncture has a few positive side effects that will enhance your overall health.

-Acupuncture reduces stress. When you are stressed, there is a lot of cortisol coursing through your body. This cortisol suppresses growth hormone, which is needed for healing.

-Acupuncture improves your sleep quality. It is during your sleeping hours that your body does a lot of maintenance and healing, from muscle repair to organ cleansing.

-Acupuncture boosts the immune system. This helps to reduce fatigue and will keep you from missing a run due to a cold or flu virus.

How many acupuncture treatments will you need?

Treatment protocols for acupuncture vary. It depends on if you are coming in for prevention and maintenance, or if you are treating an injury. An acute injury may only take a few treatments to get you back out on the road. Something that has been a problem for awhile, (knee pain that started 5 years ago, for instance),  will need a longer term of acupuncture. If you receive acupuncture treatments consistently for 6 weeks, you will know by the end of that time if acupuncture is going to work for you. The problem may not be completely resolved at that point, but there will definitely be encouraging signs of improvement by then.