by Anne Gordon
There's a new beauty buzzword surrounding some very exciting products. It's called bio-remodeling and most of the buzz centers around a newish beauty rockstar called Profhilo,. Profhilo is made in an FDA approved facility in Italy, but alas is not FDA approved for use in the States - yet.
Even though Profhilo is not available for use in the US, I have been using other natural injectables for bio-remodeling and holistic facial rejuvenation.
What is bio- remodeling? Bio-remodeling is an innovative approach involving the injection of small amounts of hyalauronic acid, collagen, vitamins and minerals into the skin of the face, hands, neck or chest (really anywhere that there might be skin laxity - I'm looking at you knees and elbows!) Bio-remodeling is not for just filling lines and wrinkles...instead this unique combination of vitamins and minerals nourishes the dermal cells and restores the firmness of the skin with a prolonged duration, improving the quality and texture of the skin. It is long lasting, because the injection encourages your body to increase collagen, elastin and hyalauronic acid prodcution, things that naturally diminish as we age.
What do I inject? I inject a combination of homeopathic preparations of collagen and something called Made (a blend of vitamins, minerals and enzymes named after the doctor who invented it) that is natural, hypo-allergic, FDA approved and has no known side effects.
What is the standard treatment protocol? Following a full consultation, we will come up with a treatment plan for your particular needs. A standard treatment protocol consists of 1 weekly treatment for 8-10 consecutive weeks. For better results, a
maintenance treatment course of 3-4 weekly sessions is recommended once or twice a year. These treatments may or may not be combined with facial acupuncture, and LED light therapy.
Most patients report that following the 10 treatments their skin is smoother, firmer, more taut and supple, hydrated, has more glow and radiance, and is clearer.
Got questions? I'd love to answer them! Please reach out to anne@athawellness.com.
Yours in health,
Anne
Kirkland, Wa
by Anne Gordon
As a life long athlete, I feel pretty fortunate that I have never had a "serious" injury. Sure, I've got tight and overly strained hamstrings from years of marathon training and trail running. And I am no stranger to sciatic pain from piriformis syndrome, but I've never had a sprain, break or acute tear. Until this week that is.
I've had a perverse sense of pride in never having fallen - ever - while trail running. I'd race up and down the hills, navigating rocks, creeks, roots, you name it, skillfully avoiding any ankle twists or sprains. This week was different. Maybe it was the time I went out, it was still pretty early, 5:30 AM, and I thought that I chose a trail well that would allow for enough early morning light to filter through the trees. Mid run, around a bend, in the woods, coming down a hill, and bam, I was down. It hurt! a lot! I was stunned and more than a little worried. How would I get home? I was in the woods, alone, and had to climb a pretty big hill of switchbacks to get back to my car. I sat for a few minutes and assessed the situation. My left ankle wasn't broken, and the pain was beginning to subside. After another minute or two, I got up, put some weight on it, and took a few steps. Much to my relief, I could still walk and run! I finished my run, switchback climb and all.
Of course I knew that I was lucky and still needed to treat my ankle for a first degree sprain (ligaments on the lateral side of my ankle were stretched, but not torn), and I could expect pain and swelling later on. Back at my office, I applied acupuncture with electrical stimulation to specific points to reduce swelling and alleviate pain, followed by a topical analgesic liniment called Dit Da Jow which is a time tested herbal remedy that reduces pain and swelling from acute injuries. Lastly, I used an herbal formula of San Huang San or "Three Yellows Powder" that increase local circulation and reduce pain and swelling. I continued with treatment for a few days.
Most people are surprised to learn that Chinese Medicine can be very effective for treating sports injuries. I do want to point out however, that while acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help with acute and chronic conditions, it is important to consult with a licensed physician for orthopedic conditions to rule out any fractures or severe muscle tears that may require medical intervention. For injuries like fractures, or deep cuts that require stitches, seek medical care immediately.
So how can Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs Help?
Once diagnosed or assessed, Chinese Medicine offers so many effective and therapeutic options for healing and recovery.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have treated pain for thousands of years using principles based on nature and the body’s natural healing abilities. These principles essentially state that once you identify an imbalance, you need to do the opposite to promote healing and better health.
Herbal medicine (topical and oral) as analgesics and anti-inflammatories: If the area is hot and inflamed, we use “cool” herbs, either internally or topically with hot compresses or soaks. If an area is cold or stagnant, we use gentle heat and “warm” herbs to stimulate circulation. The energetic principle behind this treatment involves stimulating circulation and bringing the tissues back to normal temperatures.
The insertion of Acupuncture needles to reduce pain by promoting circulation and the flow of Qi and Blood.
On the use of ice: One big difference between Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine treatments is that we do not use ice. In fact, growing research shows that ice can hinder the healing process for soft tissue (muscular) injuries rather than help it. Essentially, while ice helps reduce inflammation and reduces pain, it also reduces circulation which delays healing. The ideal remedy during the early stages of an injury would reduce swelling while also promoting circulation. This combination minimizes pain while allowing the body’s natural inflammatory healing process to take place. So if you must use ice, consider hydrotherapy, alternating ice packs with a hot water bottle for a few cycles, ending with the hot water bottle, to create a pumping effect enhancing circulation.
Other healing and therapeutic methods may be incorporated like electroacupuncture, cupping, gua sha, heat lamp therapy, moxibustion, nutritional counseling, and exercise (qi gong & tai chi) as needed since they can amplify the effects of acupuncture and Chinese herbs when used appropriately.
For more information regarding your health concerns, please call or email me at (425)305-3637 or anne@athawellness.com.
Yours in health (and training),
Anne
Kirkland, WA
by Anne Gordon
I stand in awe of all there is to learn from the wisdom of Chinese Medicine. According to CM, each of the seasons corresponds to different ZangFu or Organs. March heralds the start of Spring and the Liver and Gallbladder are the paired organs that relate to this season. And with summer right around the corner, we still have a few weeks of spring to devote to some “Liver Love.”
The liver stores and mobilizes energy, produces more proteins than any other organ in the body, regulates blood flow, can regenerate itself and process all the junk we put into our bodies – both physically and emotionally. With everything that we put it through, the liver tends to be extremely forgiving, especially when it has the right resources. It can clean both you and itself up in a matter of hours.
Your liver loves you more than you’ll ever know – so love it back by letting it have its own “quarantine”. Spring is the perfect time to help your liver reset since not only is it the season in Asian medicine when it's in its element, but we already have spring cleaning on our mind.
One of the best things you can do for your liver is to start your day by drinking warm water with the juice of half a lemon first thing in the morning. It’s an incredibly easy body freshener that helps flush the toxins that accumulated over night when your liver was working double time to clean your blood. When fresh lemon is added to water the magic of science comes into play and the mixture becomes alkaline rather than acidic. Starting the day with a simple alkaline solution rather than something acidic, such as coffee, is the best way to quick clean your liver.
Drinking right also means abstaining from alcohol and coffee - two things that make the liver work overtime. Alcohol is obvious; however, the reasons for coffee may not be what you think. Coffee affects your entire endocrine system and how your liver metabolizes cortisol, testosterone, estrogen, and adrenaline. Your liver is responsible for the disposal of unused or no longer necessary hormones; however, coffee competes for attention in the liver with these specific waste products. If the liver is unable to rid your body of these unused hormones, they go back into circulation or get stored in fat cells to be addressed another day. This goes for both caffeinated AND decaffeinated. Part of your spring cleaning should incorporate lemon water breaks rather than coffee breaks so your liver can catch-up.
Try to stop eating 2-3 hours before bed. Late night eating can create stagnation in the liver and prevents our body from self-cleaning and repairing at night. Another tip for liver (and over all health) is to stop eating when you’re 80% full. Overeating can create a lot of pressure for both your liver and your gallbladder.
Think light and fresh when it comes to food. Think green. Try including cabbages, kale, collards, bok choy dandelion greens, radish greens, and lettuces. Whole grains like brown rice, barley, quinoa, spelt can be added to add additional fiber, without being overly processed.
As best you can avoid: dairy, meat, refined sugar, artificial sweetners, soy protein, wheat, processed foods, and strong chemicals such as found in hair dyes, or solvents.
Bonus!! The liver LOVES sour foods and will also occasionally crave bitter foods as well when it’s feeling overwhelmed. When you break down most cleanse recipes, they contain a ton of the liver’s favorite sour or bitter veggies; however, be cautious when they're sweetened with beets, carrots, apples, sweet potatoes, and/or pineapples to hide the taste. When sweet foods are eaten in their raw form they contain fiber that slows how quickly the body absorbs the natural sugars. (Note on juicing: If you choose to juice, you remove the fiber with a juicer, you’re eating a sugar bomb.)Not all sugar is created equal and though the naturally occurring sugars found in fruits and veggies are vastly different than that found in a candy bar, your body’s glucose receptors can’t tell the difference. If you're a few days into a cleanse and suddenly eat something high in sugar, the effects can be magnified and some people experience headaches, nausea, sudden fatigue, mood swings or will start feeling shaky.
Sour foods that I recommend:
· Lemons/limes
· Fermented foods
· Kombucha
· Blueberries
Lastly, our emotions have a very significant impact on our body, and on the Liver in particular. There have been a number of studies over the years that clearly show that stress has a negative impact on the hepatic inflammatory response. When you’re stressed out, so is your Liver. As part of your Liver Spring Clean, consider also adding in some meditative practices focusing on releasing pent up emotions and stress. (I know, easier said then done!) To help soothe the Liver, practice patience and forgiveness. Practice compassion for yourself and for others. Guided meditations are a great way to get started with your own meditative practice. One of my favorite apps is the 10% Happier app that offers a ton of guided meditations from world renowned experts. Another thing that can help you release stress are just getting outside for walks in nature, walk barefoot in the grass, and just generally MOVE. This is where yoga and qi gong can help by adding in gentle rhythmic movement tied with breath.
Here's to your Liver Health:)
Anne
Kirkland, Wa
by Anne GordonStress and Immunity
Goodness, it would be an understatement to say that these have been a stressful few weeks. I am not going to “describe the water” here, but I’m sure many of you have been feeling the uncertainty of this unique time. We know that increased levels of stress increase susceptibility to viral infections, so how do we de-stress? If you’re anything like me, being told to “relax” just isn’t that helpful. What do we do when the things that we usually do to relieve stress either aren’t available to us or just plain aren’t working?
This might be the time to double down on meditation. I use the 10% Happier App and recommend it to many of my patients. There is a free downloadable version, as well as a paid yearly subscription option. I’ve recently been working with Jay Michaelson’s meditation using the Serenity Prayer, and it has helped ease the ”elephant sitting on my chest” feeling.
Yoga and exercise are also wonderful ways to get out of your head and in tune with your body and breath. Thankfully many studios like Bala Yoga have started offering on-line yoga class options so that we can stay connected to our practice and to our community. Bonus points if you get outside at least once a day for a walk. Getting outside and into nature is a natural de-stressor.
Get creative! Draw, paint, cook, garden. When we fully immerse ourselves in creative tasks, we can enter a “flow state”, a state where action and awareness merge in an optimal state of consciousness. For example, during this extended "spring break", my youngest daughter has dusted off her calligraphy set and joins us at our dining room work table while we do our normal 9 to 5. The act of sharing space together and doing something that engages her creativity seems to bring her comfort and ease. Also, its a lot of fun!
Or try stimulating this acupuncture point with acupressure:
Ren-17: Find this point in the center of the breastbone (sternum), level with the 4th intercostalspace. (hint hint: the nipples usually lie in the 4th intercostal space in men) This point is found in a small notch in the breastbone and is usually tender upon palpation.
Ren-17 is a powerful point for heart health in Chinese Medicine, and is an excellent point for releasing anxiety and fear. To stimulate the point, softly press with one finger or try making small circles for 3-5 minutes. If you have a calming essential oil, like lavender oil, you may consider applying it to your palms, rubbing your hands together and then breathing in the relaxing scent. Once you’ve done this, then apply the oil to the point and stimulate it, as described above. Taking deep, full breaths helps to move and release any stuck energy. Once you are done, lay your open palm over the point and rest for as long as feels comfortable. End by gently pressing your ears between your thumb and index fingers for a few minutes, stimulating the vagus nerve and increasing feelings of calm and well-being.
Hope you find these stress-relieving, immune boosting tips helpful and can add them to your self-care tool kit.
Yours in health,
Anne Gordon, L.Ac/EAMP
Kirkland, Wa
"Our immune system works like a protective shield, keeping the things that can harm us like cold, excessive heat, wind and illness away."
This protective shield, part of our outer defense mechanism, is called the Wei Qi in Chinese Medicine. The Wei Qi is a product of many things, for instance, our genetic inheritance from our parents, and our lifestyle habits including what we eat and drink, how stressed out we are, how much sleep (or how little!) and exercise we get.
To maintain a healthy outer protective layer, or Wei Qi, we then need to pay attention to the things that we can control, namely our diet, our sleep, how much exercise we get, and our stress levels . In TCM we like to suggest that foods that are in season should be the first on our shopping list. Look for winter foods such as, onions, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, and pears. Garlic is a powerful antioxidant with antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibiotic properties, if you like garlic you can work this into any meal. Ginger, a powerful antihistamine and decongestant offers a great solution against cold symptoms. Cut some fresh root up and it to your dishes or boil it to make a cup of ginger tea with some added lemon and honey (and maybe that pear!) for a pleasant and healing hot drink. A blend of mushrooms, like shiitake, reishi, and maitake are great for strengthening the immune system, as well. Pear is lovely for coughs as they protect the lungs, Consider making a pear smoothie with pears, almond milk, almonds, black pepper, cinnamon and honey.
Remember that it's not just what we eat, but how we eat and who we share our food with as well, that will affect how we digest our food not just from a nutritional perspective but also from an emotional one. Happy people have a strong Wei Qi. And on that note, mediation and acupuncture are wonderful ways to cancel out the stressors of day to day life, and to create relaxation and ease.
Our Wei Qi also remains strong if we do some exercise; consider a nice brisk walk in fresh air, especially if you're crunched for time. This is good enough to open up our lungs feed it with oxygen which in turn will liven up a healthy circulation and blood system. Additionally, exercise is also used for stress reduction, as is getting outside in nature. Remember though, if it's cold, windy and rainy to wear appropriate gear.
Finally, sleep is important for keeping our immune systems strong. Make sure you are getting enough high quality sleep, free from distractions. Turn off cell phones, computers and TVs well in advance of going to bed to allow the mind to prepare for sleep. Sleep meditations from an app like 10% Happier can help you drift off calm and relaxed. If insomnia is an issue for you, consider herbal medicine or acupuncture to help you get a good night's sleep.
Kirkland, Wa
Acupuncture has seen an increase in mainstream attention due to its potency and efficacy in treating fertility. However, not many people know just how useful it can be during pregnancy and for post-partum care. Acupuncture can treat a wide array of symptoms, prepare the body for labor and help speed up recovery postpartum. Below are my top 10 reasons to use acupuncture for maternity support:
1) Fatigue: Your body is going through a lot of changes and using up all the energy and nutrients it can get to grow your baby. Acupuncture, and especially moxibustion, is a gentle and effective way to replenish vital energy stores, promote relaxation, and optimize digestion to ensure adequate nutrient absorption.
2) Morning sickness: In acupuncture theory we look at morning sickness as a disharmony in the energy flow between your stomach and uterus, which can have many causes depending on your individual picture of health. Acupuncture can quell nausea, stop vomiting and even reduce associated heartburn.
3) Emotions: Acupuncture is great at balancing hormones. Acupuncture is great medicine to help support the nervous system in emotional processing.
4) Turning a breech baby: There is a growing body of research to support what many have done in China for thousands of years — acupuncture and moxibustion to turn a breech baby into position for cervical engagement. Optimally this is done around 33 weeks.
5) Labor prep and cervical ripening: usually beginning around 36–37 weeks on to make sure the body is prepared for the birthing process. Acupuncture helps to loosen the ligaments and fascia around the hips and pelvis, and to promote cervical thinning and dilation needed as labor approaches. Starting early with cervical ripening treatments can also help to keep due dates on time and ease the body into induction treatments should one be needed.
6) Induction: Acupuncture is great at helping to induce labor. Acupuncture stimulates the body to produce oxytocin, one of the primary cascade hormones needed for labor onset. It also helps to relax, calm anxiety and reduce labor pains.
7) Post natal recovery: if you’ve had a baby chances are you are now exhausted. Ideally, you'd have a month to be pampered, brought nourishing and warming foods to repair your body, and to rest in bed. However, this often isn't the case in our Western culture. Acupuncture and moxibustion can help warm and restore the body and especially the uterus.
8) Scarring and tears: While most do not want needles near a torn perineum, C-section wounds and scars can benefit from acupuncture by speeding healing time, breaking up adhesions from scar tissue and reducing the size and appearance of wounds and scars. Take home moxa sticks are helpful for vaginal tears.
9) Milk supply: Insufficient lactation is a common problem, especially if labor was especially intense and prolonged, and/or if there was significant loss of blood. Whatever the reason, acupuncture has a long history of usage with blocked milk supply or insufficient lactation by balancing hormones, releasing tension from the nervous system and increasing circulation to the breasts. Acupuncture is also useful to halt milk production when you are ready to stop breast feeding.
10) Postpartum depression: Chinese medicine works to replenish a depleted system by balancing hormones, nourishing an over stimulated nervous system, and integrating emotional patterns triggered by new parenthood.
Acupuncture is a safe and compassionate way to take care of yourself before, during and after child birth.
Come in and see how Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can help support you.
Yours in health,
Anne
Kirkland, Wa
by Anne Gordon
What is infertility?
Infertility is a challenging medical condition, that encompasses not only physical but also psychological and social well-being. Chinese medicine can offer some unique interventions for this hard to treat condition. The power of these treatments, however, is totally different than conventional fertility treatments. Chinese medicine therapies work with a woman’s body; biomedical treatments take the opposite approach. They are generally arduous affairs, involving powerful drugs that radically alter a woman’s hormone production.
How can Chinese Medicine help?
The Chinese medicine approach is gentler. Women generally report feeling more relaxed and having more energy following acupuncture treatments. The reason is because the Chinese medicine approach focuses on maximizing one’s fertility through balance. When a woman has difficulty conceiving, it is usually the result of some gradual, long-term changes to her body. Whether the patient suffers from a recognized disease, such as endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome, or has no clear-cut diagnosis, trying to achieve balance is almost always beneficial.
In many cases when there is a fertility challenge or delayed conception, Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can increase the odds of a successful outcome in a shorter period. It's beneficial to begin treatments several months before trying to conceive, however, in many cases this may not be an option. What is important is starting as soon as you feel ready, as treatment is beneficial at any stage while you are preparing to conceive (or have conceived!).
Acupuncture and herbal medicine work together to build, harmonize and regulate Qi and Blood
The aim of Chinese medicine is to increase blood flow to the reproductive organs and uterus, increasing overall body circulation and balancing hormones for healthy follicle development and ovulation that not only aid conception but help to increase the chances for a full term healthy pregnancy. Acupuncture and herbs can also help to decrease daily stress that can prevent or delay pregnancy.
Chinese Medicine benefits for men:
Sperm quality in male populations around the world is declining at an alarming rate. Chinese Medicine is commonly used to increase and improve the quality, motility, and quantity of sperm. Since male infertility accounts for over 40% of infertility issues in a couple, men are encouraged to have regular treatments to address potential sperm issues. Strengthening the male partner increases the odds of healthy pregnancy.
No matter what, improving both partners emotional well-being and assessing other dietary or lifestyle factors that could be contributing to fertility challenges is an important part of acupuncture treatment when optimizing fertility.
If you are interested in learning more about how acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help you, please email to schedule a free phone consultation or in office appointment.
Kirkland, WA
