The Worried Mother & The Sad Puppy

How Emotions can make you sick (part 2)

Growing up I had two best friends with whom I have shared laughter, jokes, travels and many adventures. Now, when I go back to France to visit, I see them both. 
Marie is a married mother of 2 and works at a bank. Christelle is single and lives at home with her ill parents. I spent a whole day at our hometown outdoor pool with them last summer, and was surprised at whom they had become (Not that I"m perfect, far from it, but luckily, this isn't about me).  Marie is now constantly worried about her kids and won't let them do anything: she's overprotective and never laughs anymore. Christelle looks defeated, she reminds me of a sad puppy.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sees emotions has a major cause of illness and each emotion relates and affects an organ or system, within the body. 

- According to TCM, the Digestive system (which encompasses the spleen and the stomach) connects with the following: constant worry, over thinking, over analyzing, over studying, and too much mental overwork (Do you work at a desk all day?). This system also correspond to the sensitive, compassionate and nurturing person, the grounded and adaptable. All the emotions and personality traits above are good for productivity and when caring for someone, but if they start to affect your health, then maybe you should really start worrying about that! 
If your brain won't shut off and you cannot sleep at night, that won't be good for anyone. Or if you're over sensitive, you will spend hours analyzing what so-and-so said to you this morning, and make movies in your head that are just fiction. What about over nurturing everyone else, but never taking care of yourself (Yes, you know who you are!).

- The symptoms showing an imbalance of the Spleen & Stomach: Often when one worries, the digestive system gets affected. Some eat starch or sugary snacks to compensate for the emotional turmoil, others feel nauseated and loose their appetite. The following are symptoms that may be caused by over-thinking or worrying too much: poor appetite, cravings, not hungry for breakfast, food sensitivities, constant hunger, nausea worse on worrying, bloated after meals, heart burns, acid reflux, extreme fatigue, difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, poor focus, blood sugar imbalances, and loose stools. Also being affected by season or extreme weather changes and sensitivity to extreme temperatures. For women, there may also be light or no period, Poly Cystic Ovarian syndrome, or uterus prolapse.

1. Spleen & Stomach Friends: Acupuncture, herbal medicine, taking time for yourself, and reading books like "Don't sweat the small stuff". Finding rhythms & cycles that are simple & harmonious with your own, meditate, reassess often. Learning to say "no" and not feeling guilty about it.
2. Spleen & Stomach Foods: Brown Rice, Quinoa, Sweet potato, turnip, pumpkin, peas, carrot, squash, cherry, figs, ginger, cinnamon, salmon, halibut. 
3. Spleen & Stomach Foes: Always putting everyone else first, taking on too much, cold, raw and sweet foods, lots of dairy products, late night eating or overeating at one meal. No ability to adapt to change, and obsessive behavior.

Don't worry, be happy.

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- According to TCM, the lungs and immune system connect to the following: Sadness, grief, crying easily, and feeling blah. This system also correspond to the person that can easily let go, has good self worth, is patient and trustworthy, pure and a gentle soul. And if you're the kind of person that never finishes whatever you started (Like the remodelling of the garage or the book you're been writing for the past 10 years), then your lungs and your immune system, according to TCM are weaker. If someone never cries, even though they're sad, it will fester and create issues. If a person cannot let go of an emotion or a past event, they will eventually get affected physically by it. Being patient and gentle is very good especially if you have children but if you don't assert yourself, they will take advantage of you. Remember, it's always about balance. 

- The symptoms showing an imbalance of the Lungs & Immune system are: sadness which may bring about fatigue, weak voice, shortness of breath, pale complexion, and slouching body posture. Dry skin or skin issues such as eczema or psoriasis. Also grief for many years will deplete the immune system and the person may be more susceptible to colds and flus. Asthma, chronic cough, environment allergies (such as dust, pollen, ragweed), and any pulmonary diseases may get worse on emotional downturn.

1. Lung & immune system Friends: Acupuncture, herbal medicine, councelling to help deal with past event or difficult grief. The outdoors, being social, joining groups and volonteering. Also building a strong immune system by eating a wholesome balanced diet. 
2. Lung & immune system Foods: fermented foods such as tempeh, miso, saurkraut and plain goat yogurt. Pear and peaches, almonds, fennel, mustard green, broccoli, cauliflower, ginger.
3. Lung & immune system Foes: Smoking, stress, no exercise, not enough fresh air and oxygen (Working inside all day, driving home and staying indoors), wanting revenge, not forgiving yourself or someone else. Antibiotics, processed and chemical ridden foods, as well as sweet & dairy products, will create more issues for the immune system.

Don't be sad, ask for help!

For: "How emotions make you sick" (Part 1) on Anger & the liver, Fear & the Kidneys, click here.

Clara Cohen
Port Moody & Coquitlam Acupuncturist

Acupuncture for Stress and to relieve tension

What causes stress?
Stress may come from different causes and is not always negative. Getting married is stressful (Hello Bradzillas!) but it is a happy positive occasion. Any major event can cause stress but personality traits can also be the culprit. Some can be controlled: like when we feel overwhelmed because we take to much on, and cannot say "no"(You know who you are). and some cannot (like a death of a clue one). Here are the major causes of stress:

1. Major life change: moving, buying a house, getting married or divorced, new job, retirement, a major illness (such as Cancer), a death in the family.
2. Difficult relationship: with partner, family, co-workers or friends.
3. Financial issues: having a lot of debt, not making ends meet.
4. Work environment: demanding boss, running a business...( i don't think I need to expand too much on that one)
5. Being too busy: kids, job, taking care of parents, and no downtime.
6. Self imposed stress: perfectionism, busy-bee syndrome (Like to go, go,go), negative self talk, not being able to say "no", unrealistic expectation.

What symptoms does stress generates?
The body can't make the difference between physical and psychological threats. When you’re stressed over a busy schedule, an argument with a friend, a traffic jam, or a mountain of bills, your body reacts just as strongly as if you were facing a life-or-death situation. If you have a lot of responsibilities and worries, your emergency stress response may be “on” most of the time. No time to breath and chill out? Long-term exposure to stress can lead to serious health problems. Pay attention and listen to your body. If the following symptoms get worse with stress, then it's time to take action and find the time to relax and chill out!

1. Digestive issues: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, heart burn, acid reflux, constant hunger, emotional eating.
2. Sleep disorders: insomnia, wanting to nap all the time, fatigue, nightmares.
3. Immune system: catching cold and flus easily.
4. Skin issues: eczema, rashes.
5. Pain: headaches, migraines, shoulder & neck tension, low back ache, Jaw problems (TMJ, clenching).
6. Mental health: depression, irritability, short temper, crying a lot, feeling out of control, overwhelmed, not grounded, anxious, panic attacks.
7. Chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in your body. It can raise blood pressure, suppress the immune system, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, contribute to infertility, and speed up the aging process.

How to manage stress and cope with it's symptoms.
Some causes of stress cannot be avoided (like a death of a loved one, losing a job or being in car accident) and having coping mechanisms with help. Other stress when self imposed can actually be controlled and should be addressed (like learning to say "No" when you really don't want to add up another thing on your already busy plate).

1. Find ways to relax: it's different for everyone. Reading, listening to music, singing, walking your dog...
2. Exercise: not too much but enough to relieve the tension. 
3. Meditation: Yoga, Qi Gong, Tai Chi.
4. Cancel any negative self talk: would you tell someone that they're not good enough and stupid? I hope not! Then why would you say it to yourself?
5. Be good to yourself: take care of your body and mind, you ARE precious. Get a massage, a pedicure, go out with friends, play games, or take a mini vacation.
6. Herbal medicine or teas (but talk to a qualified professional first): to calm your nerves and help you sleep.
7. Get support: ask friends and family for help if you're overwhelmed, talk to a psychologist, join a support group.
8. Acupuncture: it is one of the best way to relax and address stress. Most of my patients fall asleep and feel very calm after a session.

And if you have questions, feel free to contact me, I'll be more than happy to get you in a relax state.
Clara Cohen
Port Moody & Coquitlam Acupuncturist

The Angry drunk and the Bed wetter

Many people when drinking turn into someone else. Some become more flirty, others laugh a lot, or fall asleep (That would be me), but quite a few become angry. Growing up in France, wine was the drink of choice. My next door neighbour was an angry drunk. He used to come home from the bar, and trash furniture while shouting obscenities. He did hit his wife as well, unfortunately. His daughter was terrified of him and until she was 12, was loosing bladder control at night. She was a bed wetter.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sees emotions has a major cause of illnessand each emotion relates and affects an organ within the body. Also, if an organ is not functioning at its best, it may cause emotional behavior changes. It works either way, it's the chicken and the egg or in TCM, the Yin-Yang theory (all things are connected and related).

- According to TCM, the Liver system connects with the following: anger, irritability, rage, frustration, and impatience. The liver also corresponds to type Apersonality, the planner, the visionary, the goal setter, the one in control. All the emotions and personality traits above are not bad for your liver as long as they're not ruling your life. If you're a planner, it means you will be well prepared. But do you get upset (angry, irritable or frustrated) when things don't go according to plan? When you're not in control? Then it becomes an issue, and the body will be affected by physical symptoms. If you get irritable once in a while because someone cut you off on the road (I hate that), that's alright. But if you're constantly wanting to bite people's head off: Houston we have a problem!

- The symptoms showing an imbalance of the liver are: High Blood pressure, temporal headaches worse on stress, shoulder tension, insomnia (especially waking up between 1 and 3 am), red eyes, dizziness, blurred vision, weak joints, tremors, twitches & tics, spasms, ear ringing that comes and goes (high pitch), and for women at PMS time: tender breasts, bloating, and mood swings.
- If you're finding yourself constantly short fused or frustrated, and have a few of the above symptoms, then it's time to talk to your Acupuncturist and get your liver back in balance. Don't go jumping both feet first into a liver cleanse. Talk to a qualified professional first, as each individual is unique and needs specific attention to reach optimum health. Your liver may not necessary need to be cleared up, but strengthened instead.

1. - Liver Friends: Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and ways to relax (like reading, getting a massage, dancing, meditation...). 
2. - Liver Foods: Lemon, watercress, celery, cucumber, cherries, black grapes, beets, asparagus, millet, fennel, flax seed oil.
3. - Liver Foes: Alcohol, over consumption of spicy foods, greasy processed foods, stress, repetitive work such as those leading to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and perfectionism.

Don't get angry, get help!

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- According to TCM, the Kidneys system connect with the following: Fear (Irrational or not), phobias,anxiety, and a feeling of insecurity. A strong kidney system shows great motivation, will power and courage and trust. If you lack motivation or will power and have low self-esteem, or feel insecure, then according to TCM, your Kidneys are not totally balanced. Also the Kidneys system relates to the aging process and our constitution (Think DNA: somethings you cannot change and we cannot stop the aging process, we can only slow it down) 

- The symptoms showing an imbalance of the Kidneys are: 

bed wetting in children, incontinence in older adults, fertility issues (for men or women), fatigue, insomnia, sweating when nervous or at night, low bone density, loose teeth, lack of focus, poor memory, constant ear ringing (Low pitch), and grey hair or balding at an early age. 
- If you child is wetting her bed, look for a fear base cause (maybe bullying at school). If you are constantly fearful, dreading events, lack motivation, talk to your acupuncturist or other qualified professional, and get help. Psychological help maybe necessary as well. Some past events maybe difficult to deal with on your own.

1. - Kidneys Friends: Acupuncture, herbal medicine, mineral supplements (Calcium, zinc...), Yoga, laughter, healthy wholesome diet, and anything that may slow down the aging process.
2. - Kidneys Foods: black sesame seeds, almonds, walnuts, wild salmon, sardines, bone marrow, quinoa, kidney beans, royal jelly.
3. - Kidneys Foes: Emotional shock (Bad news can turn someone's hair grey overnight), Physical shock (i.e.: car accident), people that lower your self-esteem, standing for hours very day (i.e: Security guard), Osteo-arthritis, lack of minerals (Calcium, magnesium), drugs (legal or illegal), anything that contributes to fast aging (anything in excess, stress...).

Forget the fear, get help!

And if you have questions about the above, feel free to contact me.
Clara Cohen
Port Moody & Coquitlam Acupuncturist

What's with the Gluten Free craze anyway?

I like to experiment and so last September I decided to see what all the fuss was about and embarked on a Gluten free diet. Unless you've been out of this planet, you know it means not eating wheat, rye, barley, kamut, spelt, and even oat (although that last one is debatable). I don't have Celiac disease and I have been a wheat lover all my life. You have to understand, I am french! I was raised on bread, pastries, croissants and and all sorts of wheat filled goodies. So the prospect of eliminating my baguette when having my cheeses or not having my Sunday treats was a little daunting.

I eat a wholesome balanced diet with whole grains and believe in the 80/20 rules which in my life means, eating healthy during the week and letting it all loose on the week-ends. I don't ever eat junk or prepackaged foods, but I like my sweets (homemade brownies anyone?). My husband thought it would be impossible and too difficult to have fun socially or to enjoy food, he was out from the get go.

So I started my solo journey. I immersed myself in the Gluten Free world. I read "Wheat Bellies" by Dr. William Davis, did a sensitivity test with my Naturopath, Dr. Kira which showed my body didn't like cashews, coffee (Darn!), grapefruit (Not a big loss) and wheat (as most people do). At least, I have chocolate, wine and cheese, that's all I need really. I looked for Gluten free recipes (form Karina's Kitchen) and learned what to look for when eating out in restaurants.

Here's what my Gluten free diet consisted mostly of:
- Quinoa w/Maple syrup, walnuts and almond milk
- Rice cakes with almond butter or sunflower butter
- Greek yogurt or goat yogurt with fresh fruits
- Stirfry with lots of veggies and fish or seafood (I don't like meat)
- Stews with veggies & sweet potato, vegetarian Chili (recipes click here), lentil curry soup, grilled fish with  
  brown rice and salads, and homemade Pad Thai.
- Hard boiled eggs with raw veggies and tapenade (olive spread)
- Rice crackers with cheese & olives & pecans
- Dark chocolate & a glass of wine (best way to start the week-end!)
- Almond or Soy Latte, Teas and lemon water
- Eating out: Sushi, Thai, West Coast, Italian (Risotto only), Greek (no pita)

There are tons of Gluten Free products out there. From breads, to cookies & ice cream, but I wanted to stay away from prepackaged foods as much as possible. So I only bought a few things: rice crackers and rice cakes, Glutenull muffins (because they are low in sugar) and brown rice noodles. I did bake a few things: check out this yummy Brownie recipe.

I work in natural health, preach a healthy lifestyle to my patients, regard prevention to diseases a must for everyone to strive for and I consider myself in good health. 
But I have to say, there were some surprises along the way I did not expect:
- I lost 7 lbs in the past 6 months (Wow: bonus!).
- I didn't miss bread as I thought I would. Yes, really!
- I had less cravings for sugar within 1 month.
- I ate much less sugar when eating out: no Mochas (the chocolate syrup contains wheat by 
  products), no desserts, no pastries or banana bread at the coffee shop. So more healthy in the 
  end.
- My pre-menstrual one cystic acne zit disappear completely.
- No more bloating, gas or loose stools.
- More energy physically and mentally.

At Christmas I did have some wheat a few days here and there and interestingly enough my cystic zit came back, as well as my loose stools and sugar cravings.
I resumed my gluten free diet in January and have been great ever since.

In Chinese Medicine, wheat and sugar create a lot of mucus and are generally (along with dairy) not recommended for people with any kind of cyst (ovarian, breast...), allergies, recurring sinusitis, asthma, foggy head, dizziness or digestive issues creating loose stools or bloating.
Also recently a lot of studies have been done on the benefit of a Gluten free diet for fertility issues, arthritis, depression and much more.

I honestly think it's easy to make a few changes and see the healthy benefits of eliminating Gluten out of one's diet. And the bonus? Less sugar as well.
Give it go and see for yourself.

Clara Cohen
Registered Acupuncturist in Port Moody and Coquitlam
Healing Cedar Wellness

"Because my wife said so..."

In my acupuncture and Chinese medicine practice in Port Moody, 80% of all my patients are women (granted I do focus on gynecological issues) and 20% men. I generally find women are more incline in looking for help when it comes their health. Men wait until it's absolutely necessary (My husband is one of them!). Why is that?

On my intake form for new patients, I ask the simple question: "What is the reason for your visit today?". And a common answer from my male patients is: "Because my wife said so!" It always makes me smile. In my teaching of future Acupuncturists and Naturopaths, about 70% of all students are women. Why is that?

More women than men will read on health or disease prevention, and feed wholesome foods to their family. 
My husband always says, he wouldn't be this healthy if it wasn't for my cooking and preparing meals. He would just live on fast food. My male patients love acupuncture and its benefits once they try it but often, it's the women in their lives that will push them to go. That fascinates me...

So on this International Women's Day (and on a full moon!), be kind to your mother, sister, daughter and girlfriend, and don't forget we have your best interest at heart. And even though, we may act weird sometimes due to our raging hormones, we are glad you're in our lives and part of our ever growing journey.


Clara Cohen
Port Moody & Coquitlam Acupuncture

Acupuncture for cervical ripening & labour induction

I just came back from visiting a patient of mine who gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby boy last weekend. The couple had chosen to do a home birth. And if you've seen Jennifer Lopez movie "The back up plan", then you know what home birth is. Kiddy pool in your living room with mom sitting in warm water, baby coming and lots of screaming (sound effects is always more powerful :)). It frightens a lot of my patients and it's not for everyone. What's great about this story is the fact that labour was only 2 hours and hard pushing only 20 minutes. The reason for this faster and therefore easier (not easy, don't get me wrong, pain will occur!) labour, was cervical ripening.

In the last trimester of pregnancy, acupuncture can be a very useful tool to help ripen the cervix in preparation for labour. Your Acupuncturist usually will start around week 36 or 37 and do treatments once or twice a week until week 40. The purpose of cervical ripening is to slowly and safely help the body get ready for labour.

Medical drugs like Oxytocin and Misoprostol are often used to induce labour after the woman's due date, often at week 42 of the pregnancy.  In order to avoid taking medications, there is a safe alternative for going through labour more easily. Acupuncture will start the process and get the woman ready for labour naturally.

New patients may call me at week 40 and ask if acupuncture will help with induction. It will usually take one or two treatments to start labour, but because it has been done so late into the pregnancy, the woman maybe in labour for many hours. So in order to avoid long difficult labour, starting at around week 37 with acupuncture treatments will result in a better outcome: shorter and easier delivery of the beautiful baby the couple has been impatiently waiting for. Now that's one of the many reasons I love my job!

Clara Cohen,
Acupuncturist in Port Moody & Coquitlam