Tension Headaches vs. Acupuncture! Acupuncture Wins!

How many of us sit at the computer too long?  Our eyes get tired.  Our shoulders curl up into our ears.  Maybe your jaw and facial muscles even get tight.  The headache starts at the base of your skull and tightens across the back of your skull until it reaches all the way to your inner eyebrows. 
Or maybe your commute allows for tension that starts at your hands as you white knuckle your steering wheel.    The tension crawls up your arms, into your shoulders, up to your head. 

Acupuncture holds a niche when it comes to battling the tension headache.  A few well placed needles allow for increased circulation and the tight muscles and fascia will melt like butter.  Use regular acupuncture sessions to retrain your body so that it doesn't grab all the tension and place it on your shoulders and head.  After a few sessions, your body will understand that it can allow the extra energy to circulate and be integrated into the healthy balance of your body.  Once your body hears the message loud and clear, you can come in for monthly tune-ups.  Use exercise to prevent a tension build up in between sessions.

To learn more about how acupuncture can help you, visit http://www.integrativefamilyhealth.com/

Latest Trend in Kids Healthcare: Acupuncture

Most of us would say yes to anything that makes our children feel better, and expert evidence is piling up in favor of kiddie acupuncture. Recent research from the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary found that acupuncture was as effective at treating amblyopia, or "lazy eye," as eye patches. Other studies have linked acupuncture with reduced symptoms of ADHD in preschoolers and decreased crying episodes in colicky infants. And, according to a small study from doctors at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, acupuncture may alleviate pain and nausea in kids with chronic illnesses.


Worried about the ouch factor?

"While no one likes needles, kids are often surprised at how relatively painless and helpful acupuncture can be," says Kathi Kemper, M.D., founding chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics section on complementary and integrative medicine. "The needles are tiny, and they're not hollow, so they don't tear the skin."

Excerpt from the SF Gate. Read more at the SF Gate.

Allergy Season: Try Natural Remedies First

The trees are looking beautiful, full with blossoms and life. Many of us wonder how such a lovely display can cause our sinuses so much trouble! The good news is that there are natural ways to alleviate seasonal allergies without side effects.



Spring time is a great time to visit your acupuncturist for a tune-up. There are multiple acupuncture points on the body that help to open up the sinuses and relieve pressure. Tiny needles placed gently over your sinuses have the ability to immediately increase your ability to breathe. Regular treatments keep allergic symptoms in check or prevent them from starting all together.


The neti pot is deemed magic by many an allergy sufferer. To get an idea of theprocess, check out a video on youtube. It may look strange at first, but your sinuses will thank you for it and you too will become a believer!



Dietary modifications will come in handy with the spring bloom to help reduce phlegm and mucous. What are the most basic modifications? Reduce your intake of sugar, dairy, and anything cold. Yes, cold food does include ice cream and iced coffee. It also includes too many raw fruits and vegetables. Consider cooking your veggies for a few minutes before eating to help your system with easier digestion.


To end on a sweet note, let me mention honey! When using honey to reduce allergies, it is important to get local honey and eat it raw - not in tea or any other hot beverage. Take 2 tsp starting in January to see the benefits in the following spring. Yum!