Care for the Caregiver

The holidays can be a stressful time for many, especially for those who are responsible for caring for others. Many times we put the needs of others first, whether be they a child, aging parent, friend, or even responsibilities we have at work. It’s true that caring for others is important for a healthy spirit and healthy society, but we also need to make room for self-care. Our ability to effectively take care of others is directly dependent upon our own strength.

I am fortunate to have had teachers who had not only a wealth of information to share, but who were also compassionate and wise. Below is some helpful advice that has come up through conversations and lectures:

“Being kind to yourself is not the same as being selfish.”

“What are you doing to nourish yourself each day? Ask yourself these fundamental questions:
How free do you feel?

How much joy in your life do you have?

How able are you to transform the circumstances of your experiences?

How easy is it for you to let go? How good are you to yourself?

How honest are you with yourself?”

Our answers to these questions shed light on the energetic aspects of our liver, heart, spleen, lungs and kidney. The mind and the body are connected in Chinese medicine. What affects the energetic aspects of our organs will also affect their physiological functions. When all is in harmony, we are able to accept what life brings into our path. We have the flexibility to digest unexpected events and easily let go of disappointments. We’re able to appreciate a larger perspective on life and find joy in things simply as they are.

For example, if one is under a lot of stress, including worrying and ruminating, this falls under the realm of the spleen. The spleen is responsible for the transformation of food and fluids in the body, as well as “digesting of information” for the mind. As this aspect gets weaker and weaker, it may become harder to think clearly or make decisions. Physically, one may experience gas, bloat, loose stools, fatigue, and an overall sense of heaviness in the body. When life is chaotic we want to slow it down. The nature of sweet foods is cloying, so one may start to crave sweet foods for comfort. But sweet foods also weaken the spleen function, and so a vicious cycle is created.

As we push ourselves to our limits caring for others, dragging down these energetic organ aspects, we hold on to worry and stress longer. We lose perspective and get bogged down in ourselves, which in turn causes physical discomfort.

Remember:  To care for others fully, we must keep ourselves well. Treat yourself as well as those that you care about.

Squash Your Winter Blues With Seasonal Vegetables

The sky is darker and the nights are cooler.  Winter is on the way! Changing our diet is a simple way to prepare our bodies for a healthy winter. It’s time to put those cold smoothies and refreshing salads to rest. Everyone is surprised when I suggest this, as a salad is considered to be healthy.  And they are; raw foods are perfect in the spring and summer, but not for the winter. In the winter our bodies want cooked foods.

Just look around at the farmer’s markets. Nature is telling us what we should be eating. In the spring and summer it provides us with tender leafy greens, tomatoes,  summer squash and other vegetables that don’t take much effort to eat raw.  You can pretty much eat them off the vine.  But come late fall we are provided with hard winter squash.  You can’t just take a bite out of that! All of the root vegetables are available now and need to be roasted, steamed, or put in to soups to eat.  When was the last time you ate a raw beet?

The winter squash in particular can be intimidating because they are so physically hard! But don’t let that scare you off. They are loaded with flavor, nutrients, and fiber. In Chinese medicine their bright orange flesh and sweet flavor correspond to the Earth element and support the Spleen and Stomach qi.  They are beautiful with varied colors and fun names like Delicata, Sweet Dumping, Carnival, Kabocha, Spaghetti, and, of course, Butternut and Acorn. 

Score the outside of the squash and roast it whole in a baking dish at 350 for 45-60 minutes or until desired softness.  You don’t even need to cut it! When you take it out of the oven it will be soft. Just slice in half and scoop out the seeds and flesh. It’s that easy!

The amount of flesh that you get will depend on the type of squash you choose. I recommend roasting 2-3 at a time and freeze any left overs in 1-2 Cup portion sizes. That way you’ll always have it on hand to throw together an easy meal.

Now what? Here are a few easy ideas to incorporate these lovely vegetables into your diet. Have fun and experiment! You don’t need to have an exact recipe but there are plenty floating around foodies blogs and sites if you want exact measurements.

• Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a little butter and you're all set!
• Dry roast hemp seeds and sesame seeds in a pan with cumin, coriander and smoked paprika until toasted. Sprinkle roasted seeds on the squash, then drizzle with olive oil.
• Sautee onion, garlic, and ginger.  Add squash, coconut milk and vegetable stock, simmer then puree for a creamy soup.
• Add maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, then cook down until it thickens to make “pumpkin butter.”
• Make a pie! Add eggs, milk (or dairy free version) and your favorite spices.   Any of the winter squash can be substituted for sugar pumpkin. Once you make a pumpkin pie from scratch you won’t go back to store bought versions. The texture and flavor are amazing!
• Make squash pancakes! They taste just like sweet potato pancakes with a dash of cinnamon and a little maple syrup.
• Slice the squash in half, scoop out the seeds then stuff the center with your favorite stuffing. Maybe a wild rice of quinoa pilaf?
• Make a frittata. Take 4 eggs, 1 C milk (or dairy substitute) then add 1/2-1C squash plus any of your other favorite vegetables. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes.

Any of these ideas will keep your body nourished and happy as it burns extra energy keeping you warm this winter. Feel free to check out my Facebook page, where I'll be sharing even more recipes for the long New England winter. Enjoy!

It is crucial to protect your neck in the winter, here’s why.

“Thus, the wind-evil is the main factor to induce various disease, it has many variations, and has no regular pattern when it turns to become other diseases. But, in the last analysis, the diseases are stemmed from the invasion of wind-evil.” – Simple Questions (Su Wen), Chapter 42.

Copley Square is a wind tunnel. Have you seen the fellow with the scooter and the home made plastic sail zipping around the Square? Some days I feel like my feet are going to lift off the ground! Tradition says we need to bundle up and protect our neck, hopefully to prevent “catching a cold” … but why?

I am fascinated at how many folk remedies cross countries and cultures. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is very important to cover your neck when the temperature is cold and the weather is windy.  “What’s wrong with a little wind?”,  you ask? Wind is one of six external pathogens in Chinese medicine (the other five being: Cold, Damp, Heat, Summer Heat, and Dryness).  The back of the neck is particularly vulnerable to Wind, and when your pores are open Wind can enter into your body’s acupuncture channels.  Wind is the carrier of Heat or Cold into the body.  A Wind-Heat or Wind-Cold invasion is the equivalent of catching a cold. Have you noticed that when you first start to catch a cold, you have a stiff neck followed by headaches, chills, fever, and fatigue? These are symptoms of a Wind-Cold invasion. Wind-Heat may manifest with a sore throat in addition to the other symptoms.   A stiff neck is the first sign of a Wind invasion.  Interestingly many of the acupuncture point names around the neck refer to Wind. So how does one expel of Wind from the body?

Don’t let it invade in the first place:  Wear a scarf.  After exercising at the gym, yoga class, etc. bundle up before going out into the cold. You’re sweaty and your pores are wide open for Wind to invade. If you’re an outdoor runner make sure to keep your neck protected as well.

You start to notice a stiff neck: Food is medicine. Make yourself a scallion tea. Take 5 scallions and slice from the bulb to light green part. Add it to 2 C of boiling water then simmer for 15 minutes.  Cool, strain, then drink. If a scallion tea is strange to you then you may add 1 TBS of miso paste and make a soup.  Then take a warm Epsom salt bath for 20 minutes, bundle up and go to bed. Repeat the soup as needed until you break a sweat. This will only be useful in the very beginning stages.

The stiff neck persists and now you’re getting a headache, congestion, body aches and possibly sore throat: Now it’s time for acupuncture and herbs. If you come in right way it may only take one or two treatments to help your body release the Wind-Heat or Wind-Cold. If it usually takes you a week to get over a cold, treatments will reduce your recovery time and severity of symptoms.

You’re constantly getting cold symptoms: This is a chronic problem that needs to be addressed on deeper level. This is where regular treatments will be helpful in supporting your immune system. Diet also needs to be evaluated. In Chinese Medicine Wei Qi is your protective qi that is likened to your immune system. Its strength is derived from the food that you eat. If you don’t eat highly nutritious foods you’re not going to have a strong immune system. Emotional stress also plays a large role. In Chinese medicine the Lung qi is responsible for dispersing and diffusing the Wei qi to the surface of your body for protection. Grief and sadness suppress and weaken the Lung qi thereby leaving your exterior vulnerable to constant Wind invasion.

Remember:  Eat well, get rest, and make sure to always grab your scarf and bundle up when you go outside.  Wishing you a healthy transition from fall to winter!

Eating Healthy on a Budget

A friend asked me to share my thoughts about about healthy chemical-free foods on a budget. The saying “Time is money” is true. Eating healthy on a budget takes time and effort to plan. But it is worth it. It’s an investment in your health! Here are a few things that I’ve learned along the way. My personal goals have been to eat mostly organic, local produce and humanely raised meat. I try to support small independent businesses and reduce as much waste as possible. This may or may not fall in line with your personal beliefs, but I hope that you will still find some tips useful.

I like to cook. This skill alone will save you a lot of money. If you don’t like to cook give it a shot. Have fun with it! Pick a recipe that’s relatively simple with ingredients that you like. Start with a soup perhaps. Check out these tips to get you started.

Plan your meals: Pick a few recipes that you want to make. Make a shopping list and stick to that so you’re not buying a lot of what you don’t need. Map out ingredients for your dishes as well as healthy snacks for the week.

The Dirty Dozen: Buying organic is expensive. It’s worth it, but it gets costly. Follow the Dirty Dozen list if you don’t have the resources to always buy organic.  Focus your funds on avoiding most contaminated produce. Visit your local farmer’s market! They have wonderful produce and while it may not be certified organic many farms have low pesticide management programs. It can actually be less expensive than shopping in the super market. My favorite one is in Copley Square on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:00AM - 6:00PM

Eggs from pasture raised chickens: It’s a small luxury at about $6/dozen.  The taste and texture of these eggs will be different and the chickens were allowed to roam freely to eat and do what chickens do. If you’re not able to swing it here’s a resource to at help you make a cost-conscious decision. We can’t necessarily believe what labels say at face value. Your pennies are precious so you don’t want to waste them on fake “natural” and “organic” products.

Buy from the bulk section: This way you’re just buying what you need. It allows you to try different beans, grains,spices without having to commit to a whole pound or bottle of something that you might not like and never use again. If you’re trying a new recipe, make a list of what you need and head to the bulk section of the market to purchase your ingredients. This way spices will be only a few cents. Cooking with dry beans is also much less expensive than canned. The Harvest Co-op, Cambridge Naturals, and some Whole Foods have large bulk spice sections.

Seafood: If you can buy fresh seafood at the farmer’s market it’s wonderful. This fish is fresher and less expensive than the market. But it’s still not cheap. Frozen shrimp and fish are less expensive options. The texture tends to be firmer but if you thaw slowly and marinate it, it will be fine. Wild Sockeye salmon is the way to go. I’ve seen it at Trader Joe’s in the freezer section. They have nicely packed sizes so you can just get as much as you need. Seafood also has it’s own safety list. Here is a guide to help you find the best seafood options.

Read labels: This is a big one. Look at the ingredients, sugar, sodium, etc. content. If it has a long list of chemical sounding ingredients, “natural” and “artificial” flavors, corn syrup, and colors put it down. Your body doesn’t need it. Look for a cleaner option or take it as a challenge to make it yourself! I’ve even made dark chocolate peanut butter cups in a mini muffin tin. It can be done and they were fabulous! You can make anything by yourself!

Prepare breakfast the night before: Anything you eat at home will be healthier than what you grab on the way to the office. It will also save you money! I stay away from instant oatmeal packets as they have and excessive amount of sugar. If I’m in the mood for a hot cereal I’ll measure out plain oats (or buckwheat, quinoa, etc) in a bowl then add mix-ins such as dried fruit, cinnamon, nuts, or seeds then soak in almond or hemp seed milk over night. In the morning I just warm it a up a bit and I’m good to go.  A large canister of plain oats is less expensive per serving than the instant packets AND there’s less packaging waste.

Make eggs. They cook quickly are a great source of protein and will keep you full. You can soft or hard boil eggs the night before. In the morning drizzle with a little bit of olive oil, salt, smoked paprika. Make a veggie frittata and have a piece for breakfast or lunch.

Make almond butter pancakes and freeze them. Pop them in the toaster to heat during the week. Almond butter can be pricey so you can just get what you need for the recipe from the freshly ground bulk machines. It usually ends up being 1/3 of the price of a whole jar.

Home made granola is amazing. It’s expensive to buy but so easy to make! You already have the oats and mix-ins from your oatmeal. Your pantry is already stocked! See how easy it’s becoming?

Fill your thermos of coffee/tea at home: This could easily save you $15-20 a week. If you’re a coffee drinker I like a french press because you won’t have to buy filters and it’s easy to clean. Again head to the bulk section. You can just buy what you need and grind the beans in the store. This way you can also get organic, fair trade, rainforest-protected beans. A box of tea is far less expensive than ordering out and you can control the quality. I like Numi for teabags and Rishi for loose leaf.

Brown bag your lunch: You could easily save $50 a week when you bring your own lunch.  When you cook save left overs or make a double batch for lunch. If you have time, make a few dishes so that you’ll have some variety. Many single people tell me it’s hard to cook for one. But that just means you’ll have more leftovers for lunch throughout the week! If you think you’ll get tired of it, freeze it in serving size portions. Then you’re set for the future.

Ditch the dressing. Salad dressings are so easy to make. I’m pretty sure you’ll have ingredients in your pantry already, primarily oil and vinegar, Dijon mustard if you want to get fancy. Sometimes all you need is a squirt of lemon juice, salt and pepper to dress your greens. A simple salad: slice a head of romaine lettuce in half length wise. Sear the cut side in a pan with olive oil until it gets brown and wilted. Then dress just dress with lemon juice, salt and pepper. Lettuce is sweet when it’s cooked!

Make your own hummus. It’s easy and really just requires a can of beans, oil, garlic. You can use this as side to roasted veggies or as a dip for an afternoon snack. If you invest in a jar of Tahini you can also make these wonderful chocolate chip cookies (cut the sugar in half).

Home made soup stock: It’s easier to make than you think.  Save veggie scraps in a bag in the freezer. When you have a nice mix bring to a boil then simmer in water for 30 minutes. You can also save the Parmesan cheese rinds and add them to the veggie stock. It adds a nice savory salty nutty flavor. This stock can be used for stir fries, sauces, and soups. In a separate bag save bones for making a bone broth. Both will be more nutritious and flavorful than store bought broths and are essentially free and made from left overs.

Reduce sweetener by 1/2 when baking: Most recipes use far too much sweetener. I always cut the amount by half. Your goodies will taste just fine. You won’t even miss the other half.

BPA Free: Stop wasting your money on buying water. Plastic water bottles are one of the worst things for the environment and the planet. Invest in a good filter and re-usable water bottle. This also goes for canned goods. Check to make sure the labels says “BPA Free Lining” on your canned beans and tomatoes.

Raw Honey: Once it’s heated and filtered all of the good antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties are lost. Local honey is good for allergies as well. I use it sparingly. When I have a sore throat I make an equal part mix of raw honey and coconut oil and it’s very soothing. My favorite is Golden Rule Honey. It can be found online or at Cambridge Naturals or the season Downtown Crossing holiday market.

The general idea is to multi-task your ingredients. Why buy dressing when you already have oil and vinegar? Why buy granola when you already have oats, nuts,dried fruit and cinnamon for your oatmeal? Why buy soup stock when you have veggie scraps in your freezer? You don’t have to follow recipes exactly. Modify based on the ingredients you have on hand so you won’t have to buy expensive ingredients that you use only once and may not like. Play around and experiment! There are a million recipes for anything on the internet. Google away. I remember the old days of sitting down at my kitchen table and sifting through cook books! There is so much conflicting information out there. Do your own research and make decisions that make sense to you!

 Here are a few books that I’ve found informative.

American Catch: The Fight for Our Local Seafood - Paul Greenberg

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life - Barbara Kingsolver

City Farm: The Education of an Urban Farmer - Novella Carpenter

Eating on the Wild Side: The Missing Link to Optimal Health - Jo Robinson

Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis - Rowan Jacobson

Growing a Farmer: How I Learned to Live Off the Land - Kurt Timmermeister

Fall Donation Program - Pine Street Inn

Everyone deserves a morning meal to start their day off right.  Throughout October and November I’ll be collecting items for Pine Street Inn’s breakfast service.  Same deal, bring in new/unopened coffee (whole or ground), hot chocolate packets, tea bags, or whole grain cereals and I’ll give you a $10 discount (only applies to 60 and 90 minute acupuncture appointments). Click here for more information about their services and programs.

Tips For A Healthy Autumn in Boston

It’s officially fall! As the season starts to shift, I’ve already started treating an influx of complaints of allergy and cold symptoms; the itchy eyes, congestion, sore throat, and fatigue. It’s time to use preventative medicine to boost your immune system! If you know you’re susceptible to autumn allergies and colds it’s time to start acupuncture and herbal treatments again before you get sick.  Remember that saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? Here are some other tips to keep you healthy during the seasonal transition.

Eat well:  Wei Qi is the energy that flows at the surface of the body. It acts as a protective barrier that is responsible for resistance to colds and other respiratory infections. If you have a deficiency of Wei Qi, you’ll  catch colds easily and will be more susceptible to allergens. Your body creates Wei Qi by taking qi from food and combining it with our stomach and lung qi. If any component of this process is lacking, your body won’t have optimal protection. It’s crucial to eat a lot of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, wild seafood, pasture raised meat and eggs.  Reduce dairy, sugar, and raw food intake. Salads were for summer. Now is the time to roast those veggies and make hearty soups and stews!

Make a scallion miso broth: If you’re just starting to feel the very beginning signs of a cold coming on (nasal congestion, head ache, stiff neck) this is the soup to make ASAP. Scallions (Cong Bai) release the exterior and induce sweating to get the wind cold out of your body.  The salty miso helps your body retain fluids so they will be available for sweating.  

1. Slice the white part of 5 scallions and bring to a boil in 2 cups of water.
2. Simmer for 15 minutes then mix in 1TBS miso paste (preferably non-GMO).
3. Drink then bundle up and go to bed. Repeat as needed until you break a sweat. You may also make this without the miso.  ** If you don't think that you'll be up for making this from scratch, get take out. Order a miso soup and ask for extra scallions.

Make a bone broth: It is more than just soup stock. You’ll be cooking these bones for about 24 hours. Time to put your crock pot to good use! The Copley Square farmers market on Tuesday and Friday from 11AM - 6PM have farms that sell soup stock bones (aka. marrow bones) from pasture raised animals (Grass Roots Farm, Copicut Farm, Stillman’s).  There are many different versions. Here’s one to get you started. 

Protect your neck: During this time you’re susceptible to wind cold or wind heat that will invade the body through the neck region. It’s important to always wear a scarf to protect this vulnerable area especially when working out.

Get rest AND exercise: Your body needs time to recharge from your stressful days. Wei Qi circulates through your Sinew Channels. They are most exterior channels of your body.  The deep breathing supports the lung qi, movement from exercise helps to circulate the Wei Qi for adequate protection. Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous or excessive, it just has to be consistent.  A nice walk after lunch or dinner would be ideal since it will help with digestion and your stomach qi, all key players in keeping your immune system healthy!

Wash your hands: You don't need antibacterial soap. Just use regular soap and water and lather and scrub for at least 20 seconds. When you first get into the office, wash your hands, especially after taking public transportation! The first thing you do when you get home, wash your hands! When in doubt wash your hands!

Simple DIY Herbal Insect Repellent

Finally A DEET Free Summer!

I love getting out and enjoying the outdoors but am terribly allergic to bug bites of any kind. They swell up like golf balls and take ages to heal. I’ve had to limit my hiking to cooler months and make sure to always wear long sleeves and pants.  Although I always try to buy organic and limit my plastics and toxin exposure, when I head out in nature I coat myself in 25% DEET. It’s been an unfortunate but necessary evil.  Despite the protection, I still sometimes get a bite here or there. I haven’t found a natural effective insect repellent, until now! I’m very excited to share that I’ve found a non-toxic home made alternative!

I jumped in and tested it on my first camping trip of the season and I’m happy to report that I only got three bites and they did not swell up in the usual fashion. Everyone’s body chemistry is different but I hope you find it helpful too. The main effective ingredient is Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil and the secret ingredient is vanilla extract.  Apparently vanilla is a booster that enhances insect repellent effectiveness. There are a couple of variations.  This is what I made based on ingredients that I had readily available.  

DIY Insect Repellent

• 2 oz witch hazel
• 2 oz coconut oil
• 25 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• (optional 2-3 drops of lavender, peppermint, geranium, or rosemary)

Directions:

1. Mix the ingredients together in a small spray bottle that includes a cap to prevent accidental sprays or leaks.
2. Shake well just before applying.
3. Apply to clothes and exposed skin, being careful not to spray in eyes.  To apply to the face spray into your hands and spread gently.

 
* As the temperature drops in the evening the coconut oil will solidify.  Just warm between your hands to get it to liquify again.

Click here for the original recipe with additional information
 

Acupuncture in Boston - Cancer Treatment Support

Just the word “cancer” evokes a strong response. Unfortunately, these days many of us have been diagnosed ourselves or have had a friend, family member, or another loved one diagnosed with varying forms of this disease.  Many treatments are physically trying and emotionally exhausting.  Acupuncture treatments provide comforting support during this time.  I’ve treated patients at various stages of lung, breast, and prostate cancer. At times like this I am humbled by the relief that a few, simple, carefully placed needles provide.

As a clinician, I have observed treatments to be helpful in alleviating some of the common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation such as nausea, fatigue, joint pains, headaches, neuropathy, and night sweats. I have also noticed that patients seem less tense and more relaxed after treatments.  My patients have reported that it helps them feel more like themselves and provides their only respite from all of the chaos. Many times they have gone from having a relatively normal life schedule to being inundated with medical appointments, tests, and procedures.  

Acupuncture creates a strong relaxation response which aids in the healing process. In Chinese medicine emotional health and physical health are interconnected.  It is normal  and healthy to feel anger, fear, anxiety, sadness. We all experience these feelings at one time or another. Problems arise when we get fixated in one state and it is held in and not expressed. This disrupts the flow of energy in the body and creates an imbalance that can manifest as physical symptoms such as headaches, sleep disorders, and pain. If a patient already has these due to their medical treatments, the emotional and mental stress can worsen these symptoms.  Acupuncture sessions balance the mind and the body and provide a safe place for patients to express how they feel about what they are going through.

Below are additional resources for background information and studies that have been done using acupuncture as a treatment to support cancer therapies.

Additional information:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/acupuncture/patient/page2

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/comp_med/types/acupuncture

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/manualhealingandphysicaltouch/acupuncture

Summer Donation Program - Room to Grow

For the months of July, August and September, I will be collecting donations of infant and toddler essentials for Room to Grow.  Room to Grow is dedicated to enhancing the lives of babies born into poverty during their critical first three years. Families visit the program every three months until their child turns three. At each visit, they meet with Room to Grows staff social workers and receive one-on-one parenting support, connections to community resources, and all the essential items needed to ensure a healthy and secure start for their child.

Room to Grow accepts in-kind donations of new and nearly new:

• Clothing (up to size 5T)
• Shoes (up to size 13)
• Books
• Toys
• Feeding supplies (plates, bowls, utensils)
• Safety supplies
• Gear (diaper bags, infant monitors, potties, play yards, carriers, strollers, etc.)

Click here to see the full list of items

It’s easy!  Just bring in an item from the list to your appointment, and I’ll give you a $10 discount! And, you’ll be making a real difference in the lives of babies born into poverty. I’ll keep you posted on our progress and will let you know how much we raise before I make the drop off.

What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?

Typically one of the first questions someone asks me about acupuncture is, “Does it hurt?” Many are so convinced that these tiny, thin needles will hurt that it discourages them from discovering the many benefits of acupuncture.

What does acupuncture feel like? It doesn’t hurt but there is a unique sensation. It can differ from person to person and from acupuncture point to point. Sometimes people feel a tiny pinch when the needle is inserted.  It’s nothing like the hypodermic needles that are used for injections and blood draws.  As you can see from the comparison chart above, acupuncture needles are many times thinner than hypodermic needles.

When an acupuncture needle is inserted the range of sensation can go from “Oh, I didn’t feel that at all,” to “That was a little pinchy.”  Once a needle is inserted, a mild dull ache, warm, or heavy feeling may persist at the needle site or radiate down the body.  This is good as it signifies de qi, the arrival of the body’s energy at the insertion point and the therapeutic effects of acupuncture.

The needles are in, what can you expect now? This is when the fun begins! Some say it feels like waves are passing through them, a heaviness like they are sinking into the table, or a weightlessness floaty sensation.  One person described it to me as feeling, “minty” meaning cool and tingling.  Another person told me,  “It felt as though my hands were getting really big, like filling with sand.  As soon as I opened my eyes to look, the feeling went away.”

If there is any uncomfortable sensation, speak up!  The needles can be removed or adjusted at any time so that you can relax and be comfortable.  Treatments are always geared toward the best therapeutic effect that is within your comfort zone.  It’s not a “no pain, no gain” situation.  You don’t need to lie perfectly still with the needles, small movements to maintain comfort are ok. It is surprising to those who have never had acupuncture to learn that most people find their treatments so relaxing that they fall asleep on the table, sometimes even before I’m done putting them all in!  I have heard many snores coming through my treatment room doors.

If you are still curious about what acupuncture feels like, come in and give it a try!