Chinese Massage (Tui Na)

Tui Na or Chinese massage can be translated by "push" and "grasp" which are manipulations methods used by the practitioner. Tui Na has been used for more than 2000 years has a way to help balance out the flow of energy (Qi) within the channels of the body. It is often used in conjunction with acupuncture or by itself. It uses acupressure points and really is very therapeutic just as Western Massage Therapy is. If you've never tried Tui Na, it will surprise you, it's like getting a yoga session combined with a deep-tissue massage: relaxing yet invigorating.

Clara Cohen, Registered Acupuncturist practicing in Coquitlam and Port Moody

Why does your Acupuncturist take your pulse?

When we take your pulse we look for the rate and speed of course, but also for the quality your pulse has. It may feels like a tight wire under our fingers and often means you are stressed. Or it may feel like a small thread and often tells us you are deficient and need to be tonified.
You also may notice our 3 fingers kind of playing piano on your wrists. In chinese medicine, each wrist has 3 pulse positions and each corresponds to an organ. Your right wrist tells us a lot about your Lungs, digestive system and your reproductive system and your left one tells us about your stress level (liver), emotions (heart) and overall constitution (kidneys). The pulse is like the tongue observation, a great tool of Chinese medicine and helps us make a good diagnosis for a better treatment.

Clara Cohen
Port Moody & Coquitlam Acupcunture

Acupuncture and Insomnia

Chronic Insomnia

It can take form of unable to fall asleep when going to bed or waking up during the night and not being able to fall back asleep. It affects 30% of elderly and one out of 10 North Americans. 50% of insomnia disorders are attributed to anxiety, stress, or depression.

Common causes:

- Emotional or mental disorders.

- Chronic illness such as Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Parkinson's.

- Diet: eating late at night, too much food, indigestion, coffee consumption.

- Jet lag

- Medications such as beta blockers or decongestants.

- Lack of Calcium and magnesium.

- Sedentary lifestyle!

- Restless leg syndrome, sleep Apnea may also be the cause of insomnia.

Recommendations:

- Supplement with Calcium and magnesium (it has a calming effect).

- Melatonin 2 hrs before bedtime (It is a natural hormone to promote sleep used occasionally only and do not give it children).

- Herbs: Valerian root, lemon balm, kava kava or hops in tea form before bed.

- Food that promotes sleep to be eaten at dinner time or as a snack before bed: banana, figs, dates, nut butter, turkey, yogurt.

- Food that stimulate your brain and to be avoided at night: cheese, sugar, chocolate, bacon, ham, sausage, sauerkraut, tomatoes, spinach and eggplant.

- Do not eat large meals in the evenings.

- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine 6 hrs before bed.

- Go to bed when tired, establish regular sleeping patterns, do not watch Tv in bed, do not read or watch stimulating programs, use your bedroom only for sleep and sex, sleep in a dark quiet room with a comfortable temperature.

- Take a hot bath before bed, exercise regularly.

- Put your worries out of your mind and concentrate on pleasant memories.

Have you tried acupuncture and Chinese Medicine? It works wonders for sleep.

Clara Cohen

Port Moody & Coquitlam Acupuncture

New years resolution to be healthy

What is your new year's resolution? Do you even have one? Is it to have all the snow gone by next week :))

Often January is a month of wanting to feel better, exercise more, eat healthy, quit smoking, be a better person, reach out to other, pay debts, stop spending so much...
This year why not make a resolution to do what makes you healthy physically and mentally. Find balance instead of the "all or nothing" approach. Slowly making some changes that will improve your well-being.

Here are a few suggestions:
- Prevention is the key to health. Get a massage, go see you Chiropractor, try Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, talk to a nutritionist...
- Exercise: do what you like to do not what you should do! Enjoy the outdoors, Port Moody is perfect for that, we are surrounded by mountains and lakes.
- Eating healthy means finding balance too: eat foods that are good for you and food that pleasure your palate (just remember the 80%/20% rule: 80% healthy foods and 20% of the time eat that cookie or have that mocha and enjoy it, do not feel guilty!).
- Find ways to release stress: take a bath, read a good book, listen to music, laugh, watch fun programs, take a walk, breathe!
- Make time for yourself! And don't feel guilty about it either!
- Talk to a psychologist if you feel stuck emotionally.

Clara Cohen
Coquitlam and Port Moody Acupuncture clinic